Bedlam Theatre & Mixed Blood Theatre Join For Ku soo Dhawaada Xaafadeena

For more than 100 years, immigrants to Minnesota have called Cedar Riverside their first home. The neighborhood's newest wave of immigrants is East African-mostly Somali-and like the settlers before them, acclimating to a new land and new culture requires reconciling two worlds. Ku soo Dhawaada Xaafadeena (Welcome to Our Neighborhood), an original play created by, for, about and with the people of Cedar Riverside, in collaboration with playwright David Grant, sheds light on the experiences of the thousands of East African immigrants who now call Minnesota home.

Inspired by dozens of personal narratives, which were collected during a series of community story circles organized by Bedlam and Mixed Blood Theatres, the engaging drama weaves together a tapestry of fictionalized stories that will be performed by the Voices of Cedar Riverside Ensemble of emerging East African youth and young adult actors. Ku soo Dhawaada Xaafadeena (Welcome to Our Neighborhood), directed by Bedlam's John Bueche, will be presented for two weekends: July 23-24 at 7:00pm in conjunction with East African community celebrations, and July 28-31 at 7:00pm. All performances take place at the Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis.

In Ku soo Dhawaada Xaafadeena (Welcome to Our Neighborhood), Nadifa Islaweyne (Hamdi Mohamed) is a gifted high school senior with a bright future awaiting her. Abdi Hassan (Abdi Farah) is a respected youth worker and part-time college student. Their grassroots work in the neighborhood has brought them together, and a romance begins to blossom. But Nadifa's family is skeptical of her community work and concerned about the relationship. The couple's growing commitment to each other is tested when a close friend of Abdi's is arrested on suspicion of terrorist activity and Abdi is arrested for allegedly sheltering him. Nadifa enlists the support of a broad coalition of friends, family and neighbors to free them and clear their names. But can she and Abdi earn the community's acceptance and respect?

The Voices of Cedar Riverside Ensemble includes Amal Ali, Sakariya Ali, Samira Ali, Chaltu Berento, Abdi Farah, Fardosa Jama, Sharmarke Jama, Ifrah Mansour, Hamdi Mohamed, Shirwa Mohamed, Sara Mohammed Nur, Shemse Nuru, Farrington Starnes and Shaadiah Swenson.

Performances on Saturday-Sunday, July 23-24 at 7 pm are free as part of an East African community celebration of entertainment and cultural events. Additional paid performances will be held Thursday-Sunday, July 28-31 at 7 pm. Tickets for the July 28-31 shows are $15 general admission, $10 student price, and free to Cedar Riverside residents. Purchase tickets in advance at 612-338-6131 or online at www.mixedblood.com.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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