Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, October 2015, pp. 40-41
Southern California Chronicle
California Musician Captures Dream Job in Land of Sindbad
By Pat and Samir Twair
Wael Kakish, founder of the popular Kan Zaman ensemble and most recently of Pasadena, began his dream job in January 2012 in Muscat, Oman as director of education and outreach of the Royal Opera House of Oman. Oman is referred to in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights as the land of Sindbad.
Prior to assuming that prestigious position, the Amman, Jordan native and 1985 graduate of Yarmouk University developed, directed and performed musical programs and ensembles for concerts, classes and workshops at the community college and university levels and at arts centers in various cities and communities in Jordan and Southern California. During his 18 years as maestro of Kan Zaman (“Once Upon a Time”), Kakish transcribed and arranged music and played numerous Western and Arabic traditional instruments.
It was these impressive abilities that qualified him for the Oman position, which was announced at the time of the October 2011 opening of Muscat’s world-class opera house.
Kakish’s duties include educating teachers and the general public about the importance and value of music and arts in society and assisting in developing a learning strategy to meet the goals of the opera house. He also assists the general director in organizing, directing and supervising major symposiums and conferences.
Among the perks of his dream job are meeting celebrities wanting to know more about the opera house and occasionally giving them tours of the Muscat he loves. These figures include Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Arab musicians Marcel Khalife and Mohammed Abdu.
Asked about his favorite pastimes in Muscat, Kakish enthused: “Besides attending the many international pageants expatriates sponsor in Oman, I dearly love to watch fishermen unloading their small boats with amazing sea creatures and strolling in the bazaar of old Muscat taking in the aromas of frankincense, musk and myrrh on sale.
“Camping in the Omani desert is one of the most amazing things I have done in my entire life,” he continued, “waking up in total silence at dawn to see the gold color of the dunes or to watch a herd of camels and Bedouins passing by is actually a magazine image that comes to real life—and so true! Also, it’s always a pleasure for me to meet other musicians worldwide, jam together and exchange ideas and knowledge.”
Kakish already is preparing a slide show program for his next home leave to California. The venue will be Barnsdall Auditorium in Los Angeles.
SLAIN ARCHAEOLOGIST REMEMBERED
The authors first met Syrian archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad (see p. 64) in Palmyra in February 1978 when we were doing a story on Palmyra. He put us up at the Zenobia Hotel (frequented in the 1920s by Gertrude Bell and T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia). He gave us a personal tour of the ruins, museum and tower tombs.
We again met Asaad in 1980, when the Meridian Hotel opened and we went to do a story on it. He accompanied us and made some comments about the foreign flags hanging in the lobby of the hotel, saying: “These flags look like the Crusaders’ flags!” He obviously didn’t like them.
TRADITIONAL EXHIBIT
An exhibition modeled after Damascus’ Azem Palace, featuring furniture, regional costumes and handicrafts, was on display July 25 to Aug. 30 at the impressive new Muzeo (Museum and Cultural Center) in Anaheim.
It was an idea brought to life by Maria Khani, who hopes to have similar permanent displays in Southern California and Washington, DC. She gave her creation the title, “A Country Called Syria.”
It was also a joint venture with Yeda: Corps of Love in the Carnegie Galleries. The Syrian, Arab and Muslim communities turned out to see and support the innovative exhibit.
SAC-LA PICNIC
More than 400 people participated in the Syrian American Council picnic in Mason Park, Irvine on Aug. 12. In addition to the Arab barbecue, there was a special reptile show for Syrian children.
On the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr, the Syrian children enjoyed many gifts and toys. The American crowds in the park responded favorably to the loud playing of Arabic music and songs.
DEDON KAMATHI (1950-2015)
The Los Angeles community is mourning the Aug. 25 death of Dedon Kamathi, popular host of KPFK radio’s “Freedom Now.” A memorial service was held Sept. 5 in the Bird’s Nest of Loyola Marymount University.
“Freedom Now” was a strong voice for disenfranchised Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and seniors.
Dedon was an opponent of capitalism, imperialism, Zionism and militarism. He was, as he always said, “Ready for the Revolution.”
Pat and Samir Twair are free-lance journalists based in Los Angeles.
