The American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia Hosts First Monthly “4W” Event for the Creative Community and Showcases Young, Saudi Talent
On Wednesday, March 30th, the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia’s Arts, Culture & Entertainment Committee hosted its first “4W” event in collaboration with Huna in Panorama Mall. The artistic backdrop served as the perfect stage for a night of music, poetry, and interaction with the creative community in Riyadh.
“4W” is a community for creative expression meeting up every fourth Wednesday (4W) of the month. The programming is curated by Project T22, a platform that enables youth through community engagement that is centered on the values of optimism, empathy and cultural soundness.
Maan Algarzae, a young Saudi that has co-founded Project T22 expressed his gratitude in collaborating with the community saying, “the inaugural 4W proved to be a success with an engaging atmosphere, attendees, and acts that created the perfect energy for the evening. Each deserves recognition for the role that they played. I was honored to help organize this event on behalf of Project T22 and to encourage young Saudis like myself to interact with the international community of AmChamKSA."
Yesterday’s launch event had quite a diverse lineup of music, spoken word, comedy, poetry, and an art showcase. It started with Gimmix, a local rock band, and Paradise, a local singer, playing a short set. Next, Saudi Women Stories, founded by Sheikha AlDossary who served as the host, curated a performance that allowed for a diverse group of women in Saudi to express themselves through Arabic and French singing (Nouf AlSaif), poetry (Hana Nemec), and comedy (Naaz Ahmed). The attendees also experienced a spoken word performance from WarmBlue Collective, a group of young Saudis who curate a zine and art collective with local coming-of-age stories.
Afterwards, guests were welcomed to network and also visit displays from “Ella the Gorilla,” a book focused on sharing STEAM initiatives in Saudi; Fahad Drawings from a young creative named Fahad Al-Hadyan who specializes in “bizarre, spooky art that is abstract and digital”; and the WarmBlue Collective. There was an encore performance from Gimmix and Paradise to close out the night. The crowd was a mix of expatriates and locals of all generations sharing in their appreciation for creativity and the exciting moment in Saudi where this talent is being fostered and appreciated.
AmChamKSA aims to provide both professional and social opportunities for our members and the community to interact with one another and to have fun doing so! Todd Nims, Chairman of the Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee and a Saudi-born American expatriate noted in his closing remarks, “through our committee, AmChamKSA is trying to show anyone and everyone the full diversity of Saudi Arabia and the capabilities of the talent in expressing themselves.”
Hana Nemec, an American expat who serves as the Head of Communications for the American Chamber of Commerce and dipped her toe into the creative pool by sharing a poem she wrote at age thirteen about her mother, was highly impressed by the talent that was showcased. She noted that “as a person that isn’t within the creative community but who is such an admirer, I am in awe of all of the inspiring, young talent marinating here in Saudi just waiting for the chance to be showcased! It was incredible and humbling to share the stage tonight through the American Chamber of Commerce!”
The American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia serves those with American business interests and the surrounding community as they connect, grow and prosper across the Kingdom - both on a business and a personal level in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Eastern Province. As an active committee underneath the AmChamKSA umbrella, the Arts, Culture & Entertainment Committee provides American and Saudi companies with expertise, community, and access to support the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s emerging creative industries. Included industries are: domestic arts, culture, design, fashion, entertainment, cinema, music, theater, culinary arts, tourism, and film. The Committee recognizes a major portion of these creative emerging markets consist of SMEs (small-medium enterprises), and thus provides an array of impactful professional advancement programs, workshops, and community building activities to support its entrepreneurs.
AmChamKSA welcomes all that are interested to join the event next month - and on the fourth Wednesday of every month - to share their talents with its community and to experience all of the talent within its network. Please contact Hana Nemec at hana.nemec@amchamksa.com to be added to the 4W and Arts, Culture & Entertainment mailing list, or click the link below.
