March 2 when 8:00 pm (EST); 4 hours where The Canvas Cafe 1200 9th & Lincoln in San Francisco, CA price $10-$15 One of the most recognizable Arab-American Poets of our generation, Suheir Hammad has helped infuse new urban art forms with her unique style. She is a feature poet on HBO’s critically acclaimed “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry” and is an original writer and cast member of its Tony Award-winning Brodway version. This Brooklyn native, born in a Palestinian refugee camp, has appeared on television, radio, stage and page throughout the world. She is the author of “ZaatarDiva” and...

December 7 when 10:00 am (EST); 3 weeks where Agora Gallery in New York, NY price free The abstract creations of Iraqi artist Waleed Rasheed Qaisi encompass universal themes such as the struggle with the past, the persistence of memory, and the experience of destruction. These issues drive his intriguing compositions, assemblages of acrylic and mixed media that appear almost architectural in nature. Qaisi renders strong rectilinear forms in shades from bold reds and mustard yellows to shadowy grays and mottled browns; these shifts in color highlight areas of layering and juxtaposition to create paintings that, imbued with depth and...