SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, AT 4:00 P.M.
BARZAKH CAFE AT 147 UTICA AVE IN BROOKLYN
$12

Mahya and Bahar perform together in New York for the last time in a long time this Saturday. More a celebration than a goodbye —— join them in commemorating seven years of friendship and musical collaboration from Tehran to Boston and New York.

Tarab on the Beach

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, FROM NOON TO SUNSET
JACOB RIIS BEACH IN QUEENS
FREE / SUGGESTED DONATION

Tarab hosts an illustrious MENA takeover of our beloved Riis Beach.

Saad Khan and Madiha Tahir in conversation

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, FROM 2:00 TO 3:00 P.M.
PIONEER WORKS IN BROOKLYN
FREE

A conversation between writer, filmmaker, and scholar Madiha Tahir and Khajistan founder Saad Khan on the Office of War Information (O.W.I.) exhibition at Pioneer Works exploring American war propaganda, which closes August 9.

Payandeh Perspectives: The Sanctions Question

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, FROM 7:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
IN-PERSON (MANHATTAN) & LIVESTREAM
FREE WITH RSVP

Payandeh’s next conversation, The Sanctions Question: Do They Work? Lessons from Iran and Beyond, hosts Iranian-American Sanctions Law Center founder Mohsen Farshneshani, Esq., to explore how sanctions have been used to enact political change in Iran and beyond.

Diljan Pizza Popup

AUGUST 15-16, 21-23, 28-30
DILJAN IN BROOKLYN
$35

Diljan offers three pie flavors for three weekends in August: Wild Badakhshan Cumin Cheese, Kofta Leek Sumac, and Bolani White Pie. Pies are available for preorder.

Sarah Khatami Live at Barzakh

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, FROM 8:00 TO 10:00 P.M.
BARZAKH CAFE IN BROOKLYN
$12

Sarah Khatami is a singer-songwriter who weaves through R&B, jazz, indie pop, rock, and traditional Persian music, while her clever, narrative-driven lyrics serve as a singular constant. Sarah performs in both English and Farsi.

Nasrin at Home: Persian Meal Membership

LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
FROM $800

Chef Nasrin’s next venture comes straight to your home with handcrafted Persian meals delivered to your door. The monthly rate includes 24 dishes.

—ajab

email us at hello@ajab.nyc or DM us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter

Sumac & Smoke Iranian Picnic in Prospect Park

SUNDAY, JULY 26TH, 1:00 TO 7:00 P.M.
PROSPECT PARK IN BROOKLYN
FREE RSVP

Sumac & Smoke is back for a blowout picnic at Prospect Park with free kabob, balal, and drinks (by Bibi’s Bakery!). Bring a blanket, bring your appetite, bring a social battery fit for 400+ friends new and old.

TEHRAN TIES: A Mutual Aid Social by Hamdelan Collective

THURSDAY, JULY 16TH, 5:00 TO 8:00 P.M.
STARR BAR IN BROOKLYN
$10 SUGGESTED DONATION

Hamdelan Collective hosts a crossover evening of art + live music + a Persian rug auction with proceeds supporting direct mutual aid efforts for vulnerable families in Tehran impacted by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Haza: Intimate Affair

FRIDAY, JULY 10TH, 10:00 P.M.
DROM IN MANHATTAN
$25

A first-of-its-kind experience at Haza: a smaller room, familiar singalongs, and sounds that feel like home. From Arabi throwbacks and deep cuts to Afrobeats and R&B classics.

Disco Tehran’s Summer Party in NYC

SATURDAY, JULY 25TH, FROM 9:00 P.M.
THE SULTAN ROOM IN BROOKLYN
FROM $30

Samir Langus (LIVE), Mirza, Dynoman, Arjun Shah, Eshie, Sunni D, Prince Klassen. Disco Tehran is coming back to NYC with this amazing line-up.

Persian Saffron Frozen Yogurt at Sofreh Cafe

FOR NOW
SOFREH CAFE IN BROOKLYN

Sofreh Cafe has launched its first-ever frozen yogurt flavor: saffron rosewater, inspired by traditional Persian ice cream.

Club Joon Vol. 6

THURSDAY, JULY 30TH, 9:00 P.M.
DEAD LETTER NO. 9 IN BROOKLYN
FROM $18

Club Joon is back with a fierce SWANA lineup featuring Yas111, Yalda, S.C.K, Nick AM, and DJ Lil Buddy.

—ajab

email us at hello@ajab.nyc or DM us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, FROM 7:00 TO 10:00 P.M.
BOYFRIEND CO-OP AT 1157 MYRTLE AVE IN BROOKLYN
SOLD OUT [WAITLIST & DOOR ENTRY AVAILABLE]

ajab presents Khajistan Press’ newest chapbook, THERE ARE NO HOMOSEXUALS IN IRAN, with a special launch event and reading open to the public.

The book encounters an Iranian man who meets men like himself and asks how such a life is carried across Iran. A teacher prays to be freed from his own desire. A husband keeps parallel lives from touching. A young man walks the Karun River at night, asking why no one will hold him.

Circulated online in Persian since 2021 as 'Voices of Iranian Homosexuals, this cracked dossier shows up here in English, in print for the first time as itself: broken and exact.

Khajistan Press recovers works too compromised for respectable preservation. THERE ARE NO HOMOSEXUALS IN IRAN belongs to that lineage. Born pseudonymously online in Persian, this text emerged from writing produced under duress.

The event is free and open to the public, intended for queeroonis in the diaspora to collectively explore discretion and suppression of sexual identity in Iran through the lens of personal anecdotes. We will foster discussion and connection through group excerpt readings, a panel discussion, and remarks from the publisher.

RSVPs are full —— limited door entry will be available pending capacity. Please note that attending without an RSVP does not guarantee entry. We will do our best to accommodate!

Koubeh

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, AT 7:00 P.M.
LE POISSON ROUGE AT 158 BLEEKER ST IN MANHATTAN
$30+

Koubeh is a New York-based Iranian ensemble reshaping Persian folk and traditional music for a modern audience. The group bridges ancient Iranian melodies and complex regional rhythms with fresh, high-energy arrangements, creating a vibrant, cross-cultural sound.

Queer Backgammon

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 FROM 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.
BOYFRIEND CO-OP AT 1157 MYRTLE AVE IN BROOKLYN
FREE

A queer gathering around an ancient game.

Brooklyn Pride Yalla!

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, AT 10:00 P.M.
BROOKLYN ART HAUS AT 24 MARCY AVE IN BROOKLYN
$17

Yalla! is kicking off Pride month with DJs Tauba, Malice of Wonderland and Kofta, plus a special guest.

Queer Backgammon pride in the park

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, FROM 2:00 TO 7:00 P.M.
MARIA HERNANDEZ PARK IN BROOKLYN
FREE WITH RSVP

Join their first outdoor gathering with an afternoon of backgammon, Turkish psychedelic music, snacks, new friends, and queer joy in the sun. Bring a backgammon set if you have one, BYOB, and wear sun protection!

Disco Tehran rooftop party

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, FROM 4:00 TO 10:00 P.M.
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
$30 —— SOLD OUT [WAITLIST/RESALE NOTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE]

Disco Tehran’s hot summer party returns featuring DJ sets on two floors. All their events support internet freedom in Iran and provide VPNs for people inside the country.

Yalla! Pride

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT 10:00 P.M.
THE DEEP END AT 1080 WYCKOFF AVE IN QUEENS
$17

Yalla! continues Pride month at one of their homes for their annual event.

Pioneer Works announces Khajistan: Office of War Information (O.W.I)

UNTIL SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
PIONEER WORKS AT 159 PIONEER ST IN BROOKLYN
FREE

Khajistan: Office of War Information (O.W.I.) at Pioneer Works transforms a gallery into a simulated wartime office, where thousands of declassified U.S. propaganda leaflets —— once dropped across regions from World War II to recent conflicts ——continuously print and accumulate. Drawing from Khajistan’s archive, the exhibition exposes how military messaging has historically framed war as necessary and humane, revealing the enduring strategies used to shape public perception and consent.

in community,
ajab

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

last month, MAHFEL filled a soft opening in Bushwick with people, sounds, and flavors of the Iranian diaspora for a sweet, relaxing, delicious, mournful, and hopeful night spent together.

together, our sold-out (!!) evening raised over $2,250 for @iranrights, and though no amount of funds can assuage the ongoing devastation of land, life, and culture in Iran, we’re grateful our collective celebration of Iranian culture can materially support the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center’s preservation and promotion of human rights and democracy in Iran.

Teeyam, Googoosh Dolls, Taraneh, and Sohrob carried us through the night with music ecstatic and mysterious, a stunning array of experimental Iranian and middle eastern sounds. set recordings coming 🔜💿 — stay tuned

Bazm nyc brought homey Iranian flavors to the function & Zeinab Manesh adorned guests with stunning henna

thank you for bringing the ajab community to life for the first time. we’re incredibly grateful to have spent time with you all in this way, and we will see you again soon 💛

Bazm x Aish at With Others

UNTIL MAY 3
WITH OTHERS AT 340 BEDFORD AVE IN BROOKLYN
BOOK ON RESY

Bazm teams up with Toronto-based Aish for a week-long residency. Highlights from the Persian inspired menu include chilled kingfish with pomegranate and toasted walnut, charred beef skewers, and black tea panna cotta.

Emruz Biennial Festival

UNTIL MAY 3
BROOKLYN ART HAUS AT 24 MARCY AVE IN BROOKLYN
$34

This three-day festival brings together music, theater, and film to explore migration, memory, and identity. From traditional and experimental performances to staged readings and multimedia works, Emruz highlights diverse voices and creative practices across the SWANA diaspora.

Haza: Intimate Affair

SATURDAY, MAY 2 AT 5:00 PM
HONEY’S AT 99 SCOTT AVE IN BROOKLYN
TICKETS RUNNING LOW

Haza goes back to its roots with an intimate, smaller gathering with a range of sounds —— tickets are selling fast

Crave NYC barbari orders

ORDERS FOR MONDAY, MAY 4, THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 10
PICK UP IN HERALD SQUARE
DM CRAVE NYC ON INSTAGRAM TO PLACE ORDER

Barbari made-to-order —— !

Pioneer Works announces Khajistan: Office of War Information (O.W.I)

ON VIEW FRIDAY, MAY 8, THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
PIONEER WORKS AT 159 PIONEER ST IN BROOKLYN
FREE

Khajistan: Office of War Information (O.W.I.) at Pioneer Works transforms a gallery into a simulated wartime office, where thousands of declassified U.S. propaganda leaflets —— once dropped across regions from World War II to recent conflicts ——continuously print and accumulate. Drawing from Khajistan’s archive, the exhibition exposes how military messaging has historically framed war as necessary and humane, revealing the enduring strategies used to shape public perception and consent.

The opening event will take place on Friday, May 8, from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.

Queer Backgammon

SATURDAY, MAY 9, FROM 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.
BOYFRIEND CO-OP AT 1157 MYRTLE AVE IN BROOKLYN
FREE

A queer gathering around an ancient game -- celebrate their half birthday with in community

Vatan Express: Zoorkhooneh

THURSDAY, MAY 14, FROM 6:00 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
BOYFRIEND CO-OP AT 1157 MYRTLE AVE IN BROOKLYN
FREE ENTRY, $15 MIN DONATION TO DJ

Zoorkhooneh returns for its third edition for a SWANA-centered open-decks night welcoming everyone from first-time DJs to seasoned selectors and anyone who wants to listen and dance. DJ sets and proceeds will benefit groups including Afghans for a Better Tomorrow, Haven for Artists, and Children of Persia.

Middle East Uncovered Anniversary Party

THURSDAY, MAY 14, FROM 6:00 to 10:00 P.M.
BARZAKH CAFE AT 147 UTICA AVE IN BROOKLYN
FREE

Celebrate the first anniversary of Middle East Uncovered with an evening of live music, conversation, and Middle Eastern bites in a space dedicated to diaspora dialogue. The event brings together readers and the editorial team to reflect on the stories shaping the region—and the community supporting them.

Laylit

FRIDAY, MAY 15, FROM 9:00 P.M. TO 4:00 A.M.
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
$28

Known for its global following, the party returns to its home in Brooklyn to offer an inclusive, genre-spanning dance floor and a vibrant gathering of diaspora artists and communities.

Alborz, We Climb Mountains screening

FRIDAY, MAY 15, AT 7:30 PM
RIDGEWOOD COMMONS AT 585 WOODWARD AVE IN QUEENS
FREE

Falgoush presents Maryam Sepehri’s documentary, Alborz, We Climb Mountains, followed by a discussion with director Persheng Sadegh-Vaziri. The documentary chronicles the storied history of Alborz High School, tracing the institution’s evolution from its 1873 origins as an American missionary school to becoming the country’s powerhouse of modern education.

2026 New York Oud Festival

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 31
MULTI-VENUE, SEE LINK FOR MORE
VARYING PRICES

The multi-day festival returns across the boroughs to celebrate the sound of oud and its influence on global music.

Bolani at Diljan

WEEKENDS ONLY
DILJAN AT 330 HICKS ST IN BROOKLYN

The Brooklyn Heights bakery recently started serving bolani, a bread filled with potato, leeks, and aromatic spices, paired with Afghan green chutney. Go early as quantities are limited.

in community,
ajab

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5th, FROM 6:00 TO 11:00 P.M.
TBA LOFT OFF THE MORGAN L IN BROOKLYN, NY
$15 ENTRY TO FUNDRAISER — LIMITED TICKETS AT THE DOOR

we’re only a few days away from Mahfel, our intimate gathering featuring some of our favorite Iranian DJs in New York.

a final limited release of tickets will go on sale tomorrow morning, Thursday, April 2, at 10:00 A.M. EDT. the space is intimate, so we want to keep the experience comfortable for all.

ajab presents the inaugural Mahfel محفل, a night of togetherness and downtempo music for Iran. In the face of the mounting grief inflicted by the war, this fundraiser seeks to provide space for collective restoration through sound.

music by
Teeyam
Googoosh Dolls
Taraneh
Sohrob

bites by Bazm

henna by Zeinab Manesh

SAG NYC ✕ DJ Etiquette @ The Lot Radio

THURSDAY, APRIL 2nd, FROM 12:00 TO 2:00 P.M.
ONLINE AT THELOTRADIO.COM
AND IRL AT 17 NASSAU AVE IN BROOKLYN
FREE

Our faves at SAG NYC are hosting a Sizdah Bedar show with our other faves at The Lot Radio featuring DJ Etiquette. Tune in from home or enjoy it live at The Lot Radio in Greenpoint for free from noon to 2:00 P.M.

Yalla! Spring Fling

SATURDAY, APRIL 4th, AT 10:00 P.M.
THE BUSH
$18

Are you ready to thaw out, stretch toward the sun, and bloom back into each other’s company? On Saturday, April 4th, join Yalla! for their Spring Fling with sonic heat from Yalla! Project’s DJ Cardamami joined by Malice of Wonderland and Kofta to keep you sweating it off all night long.

Bringing The Shãm (شام) to BAM

SATURDAY, APRIL 4th, AT 6:00 P.M.
BAM FISHER
STARTING AT $30

“Bringing the Shãm to BAM honors Bilad al-Sham, the historical name for the Levant region encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and parts of Turkey. Signifying "the Land of Sham" or "the North" relative to Mecca, the territory has a rich history and cultural significance, having played a crucial role in many civilizations past and present.”

Saffron Social x Sumac and Smoke - Sizdah Bedar

SUNDAY, APRIL 5th, AT 1:00 P.M.
MCCARREN PARK
FREE

Saffron Social and Sumac & Smoke are teaming up for a Sizdeh Bedar picnic in McCarren park on Sunday, April 5th beginning at 1:00 P.M. (weather permitting). Complimentary kabob wraps and beverages will be available while supplies last. All food offered will be halal.

The perfect plan on your way to Mahfel ;)

in community,
ajab

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

ajab’s first-ever event: MAHFEL محفل

SUNDAY, APRIL 5th, FROM 6:00 TO 11:00 P.M.
TBA LOFT OFF THE MORGAN L IN BROOKLYN, NY
$15 ENTRY TO FUNDRAISER

Next month, ajab presents the inaugural Mahfel محفل, a downtempo night of togetherness, music, and poetry for Iran. In the face of the mounting grief inflicted by the war, this fundraiser seeks to provide space for collective restoration through sound.

music by
Teeyam
Googoosh Dolls
Taraneh
Sohrob

bites by Bazm

More info to come this month.

POMEXPO Norooz Market

SATURDAY, MARCH 14th, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
45 W 25TH ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE WITH REQUEST FOR DONATION

This year’s market features over 40 makers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Highlights include items for your haft seen, live music, and a wishing tree to express their hopes for 1405.

Chaharshanbe Suri Dinner

SATURDAY, MARCH 14th, FROM 6:00 TO 10:30 P.M.
FOLLOW/DM FOR DETAILS

Sumac & Smoke, pompom kitchen, and TORSHi join forces in bringing community together through food this Chaharshanbe Suri.

technowruz

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18th, FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 1:00 A.M.
NOWADAYS at 56-06 COOPER AVE in RIDGEWOOD
$27

Given the escalating war on Iran, this year’s technowruz will shift from a club night to a more ambient community gathering. A community-sourced installation will be featured alongside snacks, sweets, tea, music, and a SAG open bar from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.

Hye Frequencies

THURSDAY, MARCH 19th, from 10:00 P.M. TO 3:00 A.M.
MOOD RING at 1260 MYRTLE AVE in BROOKLYN
FREE RSVP BEFORE 11PM, $10

The NYC based DJ collective returns to Mood Ring, commemorating Norooz, Kha b’Nissan and other ancestral traditions from the SWANA region. Founders Babagamoush, MARI, and DJ Vahshi are joined by talented guests Teeyam and Zara Dekho.

Disco Tehran

SATURDAY, MARCH 21st, FROM 8:30 P.M. TO 3:00 A.M.
THE SULTAN ROOM at 234 STARR ST in BROOKLYN
FROM $30

The global music and multicultural dance floor returns for the arrival of spring, including live music from Samir Langus and Slavic Soul Party. The event is in solidarity with the people of Iran through Disco Tehran’s VPN project.

SAG Norooz discount

SAGNYC.COM

20% off all online orders support internet freedom in Iran.

in community,
ajab

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

as we surpass one month since the ongoing massacres began on January 8–9, we’d like to express our continued love for and solidarity with the Iranian people and the diaspora grieving around the world. below, please find a list of pertinent organizations should you feel compelled to donate:

• Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran

• Center for Human Rights in Iran

next month, we look forward to the many opportunities to spend time with our community in person at events celebrating Nowruz, like the Pomexpo Bazaar and Technowruz.

sincerely,
ajab

additionally, Worldwide FM shared a collection of mixes celebrating Iran’s rich musical heritage, a balm for this moment of profound pain.

from Rangarang World: Iran, Eternal:

“A curated selection of Iranian songs expressing the collective sorrow, hope, and resilience of a nation in despair during the January 2026 protests, viewed through Iran’s rich musical history and rare recordings from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s. All tracks digitised from original pre-revolution Iranian vinyl and cassettes in our archives.”

in community,
ajab

THROUGH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
FILM FORUM at 209 W HOUSTON ST in MANHATTAN
from $17

In a rural Iranian village, 37-year-old Sara Shahverdi——divorced, childless, and a devoted motorcyclist——became the first woman elected to the city council. A midwife and one of nine children, she pushes for education, shared home ownership, and girls’ freedom to ride, often at personal cost.

Yalla! at Flushing Town Hall

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
FLUSHING TOWN HALL at 137-35 NORTH BLVD in QUEENS
$32 for adults, $27 for members

Part of Flushing Town Hall’s Mini-Global Mashup series, Sonic Threads brings together global music traditions in dialogue, mixing contemporary world sounds with experimental approaches.

The evening will close with an open dance floor, with sounds by Yalla! Party Project.

Laylit

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, from 9:00 PM
ELSEWHERE at 599 JOHNSON AVE in BROOKLYN
$40

The last Laylit of the year, featuring a new room and tribute to Ziad Rahbani.

Persian Poetry in Translation

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, at 8:00 PM
DADA at 60-47 MYRTLE AVE in QUEENS
PAY WHAT YOU CAN

A night of Persian verse and language through translation, featuring readings by Niloufar Talebi, Roz Shayan Naimi, and Roger Sedarat.

Torshi: The Body of Land

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM
EL PUENTE at 211 4TH ST in BROOKLYN
FREE WITH REGISTRATION

Performance #3 of 6 at this Artist Salon features Yekta Khaghani with Golbarg Jokar and Leila Kashani-Sabet. The salon explores the themes of gathering and good trouble.

Pomexpo Holiday Yalda market

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 FROM 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
45 W 25TH ST in MANHATTAN
PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Browse handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and art from dozens of vendors, toward a warm, community-minded end-of-year crossover market.

Yalla! Souk the Holiday Market

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM
BROOKLYN ART HAUS at 24 MARCY AVE in BROOKLYN

Explore craft makers, artisans, bakers, designers, and other artists from the SWANA region and be sure to grab your holiday gifts!

Ebi concert

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 at 8:00 PM
UNITED PALACE EVENTS at 4140 BROADWAY in MANHATTAN
$55-300

Iranian pop icon Ebi returns to the stage in New York with a live concert experience for his devoted audience.

Press Play with Khajistan

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, to SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, from 12:00 to 7:00 PM
PIONEER WORKS at 159 PIONEER ST in BROOKLYN
$10-30 on SATURDAY, FREE on SUNDAY

Press Play returns as a weekend-long fair of books, music, and visual culture, with Khajistan spotlighting overlooked Islamicate media — from archival erotic press to personal narratives out of Pakistan. Expect a mix of cultural history, underground aesthetics, and fresh conversations on how we read and remix heritage.

“Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City” exhibition

THROUGH MARCH 8, 2026
NYPL STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN BUILDING at 476 5TH AVE in MANHATTAN

The show explores the often overlooked history of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigration to New York City and how the city has shaped the lives, identities, and creative practices of MENA communities, artists, and writers.

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM
100 SUTTON ST in BROOKLYN
from $125

Celebrate 22 years of championing SWANA arts with a night of mezzeh, drinks, music & dancing. Honoring: 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗔𝗹𝘆𝗮𝗻, 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 & 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗟𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗮 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗱𝘆.

Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat concert

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, at 7:00 PM
ASIA SOCIETY AT 725 PARK AVE IN MANHATTAN
$30

Rooted in the classical Persian tradition yet unfolding with fresh interpretations, the voices of Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat blend with musicians from diverse backgrounds, with Ara Dinkjian on oud, Tamer Pinarbasi on qanun and Philip Mayer on percussion. Together, they offer a musical journey that honors heritage while reaching toward inventive horizons.

Faraj Abyad and Athar Orchestra

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH, at 7:30 PM
SYMPHONY SPACE at 2537 BROADWAY in MANHATTAN
from $35

This concert marks the release of Faraj Abyad’s new album, The Sun of My Existence, a collection of original compositions commissioned by Abu Dhabi Festival and MetLiveArts. The music is rooted in both Pan-Arab and Western traditions, with classical Arabic poetry at its center—drawing on texts by both contemporary and historic poets.

HAZA PARTY 6th anniversary

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH, at 10:00 PM
THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at 70 SCOTT AVE in BROOKLYN
FROM $32

For their 6 year anniversary, they’re throwing it back to the original party setup. Five hours of entertainment. Expect a dancer, live percussion and instruments, plus dj sets all night long.

Cutting Through Rocks at Film Forum

OPENS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST
FILM FORUM at 209 W HOUSTON ST in MANHATTAN
from $17

Patriarchy reigns in the rural Iranian village where 37-year-old Sara Shahverdi——divorced, childless, and an avid motorcyclist——became the first woman elected to city council. A midwife and one of nine children, Sara is both deeply connected to the everyday lives of her fellow villagers and a radical lone voice advocating at great personal cost for education over marriage, home co-ownership, and girls on bikes.

Keyhan Kalhor concert

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, at 8:00 PM
TOWN HALL at 123 W 43RD ST in MANHATTAN
from $145

Kayhan Kalhor has become one of the top world musicians in the 2025 music scene, delighting fans with a unique World Music sound.

“Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City” exhibition

THROUGH MARCH 8TH, 2026
NYPL STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN BUILDING at 476 5TH AVE in MANHATTAN

The show explores the often overlooked history of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigration to New York City and how the city has shaped the lives, identities, and creative practices of MENA communities, artists, and writers.

November Ketab Club: For the Sun After Long Nights

VIRTUAL via ZOOM

Join Ketab Club for their November book, For the Sun After Long Nights: The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising by Fatemeh Jamalpour and Nilo Tabrizy. First session is Monday, so you have time to catch up and join in!

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Instagram or Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5th, AT 12:00 PM
JACKSON HEIGHTS IN QUEENS
SIGN-UP REQUIRED

NYC’s newest Iranian community group is mobilizing for Zohran, powered by BiBi Bakery sweets and tea. Our faves all in one place!

Hokm tournament with Sag x Bazm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5th, FROM 2:00 TO 7:00 PM
MASQUERADE AT 351 BROADWAY IN BROOKLYN
$30 WITH WAITLIST

Get into the aragh and varagh bazi for this limited tournament and enjoy small bites from Bazm.NYC. Join the waitlist for a chance to compete and win prizes

Habibi Festival 2025

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8th, TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12th
JOE’S PUB, THE PUBLIC THEATER AT 425 LAFAYETTE ST IN MANHATTAN
$48 PER SHOW (+DRINK/FOOD MINIMUM)

This showcase of music from the SWANA region brings artists from across the Middle East and North Africa to New York City. Founded in 2021, the festival fills Joe’s Pub each October with performances celebrating heritage, diaspora, and contemporary voices.

Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident at Film Forum

OPENS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15th
FILM FORUM AT 35 209 W HOUSTON ST IN MANHATTAN
$17 $13 (WITH PROMO CODE AJABNYC)

Panahi’s latest took home the Palme D’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This audacious thriller resurrects memory and suspicion —— a man believes he’s found the interrogator who tortured him and drags others into his moral torment.

Our friends at Film Forum are offering an exclusive discount for our ajab community: click PROMO CODE before checkout and enter AJABNYC

Women and Transformative Politics in Iran

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16th, FROM 12:00 TO 2:00 PM
VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM (IN PERSIAN)
FREE WITH REGISTRATION

A panel featuring Dr. Azam Khatam, Dr. Fatemeh Sadeghi, and Dr. Mona Tajali will explore women’s roles in Iran’s political upheavals over the past three years. Organized by NYU’s Iranian Studies Initiative and Kevorkian Center.

Please note that this event is in Persian.

Namito concert

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18th, AT 10:00 PM
CIRCO AT 1604 BROADWAY IN MANHATTAN
FREE WITH REGISTRATION

The night promises energetic electronic rhythms that blend classical Persian music, and a crowd drawn to dance and connection.

Tahchin cooking class at Nasrin’s

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20th FROM 6:00 TO 10:00 PM
NASRIN’S KITCHEN AT 35 W 57th ST IN MANHATTAN
$200

Learn from New York Magazine– and New York Times–featured chef Nasrin how to wow your next potluck with a workshop on tahchin, our beloved savory rice cake.

Hayv Kahraman at Jack Shainman gallery

THROUGH OCTOBER 25th
JACK SHAINMAN GALLERY AT 513 W 20th ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE WALK-IN TUE-SAT 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (OTHERWISE BY APPOINTMENT)

Kahraman’s Ghost Fires carry the weight of displacement and renewal. Drawing from her family’s loss in the LA wildfires and the rupture of exile, she conjures “ghost fires” that haunt the body and the land. Smoke becomes memory, erasure becomes witness.

Kaveh Akbar reading at The Nation

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th, AT 7:30 PM
ST. ANN’S WAREHOUSE AT 45 WATER ST IN BROOKLYN
$29-104

Poet and author of 2024’s award-winning Martyr! Kaveh Akbar will read poetry alongside singer Judy Collins.

Yallaween!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th, AT 10:00 PM
THE DEEP END AT 1080 WYCKOFF AVE IN QUEENS
$20-30

DJ Azadi.mp3 visits from London for a spooky Yalla.

Raqs Shaytoon with Hye Frequencies

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th, FROM 10:00 PM TO 3:00 AM
MOOD RING AT 1260 MYRTLE AVE IN BROOKLYN
$10-15, FREE BEFORE 11:00 PM

Start your Halloween weekend with an all-SWANA lineup, including DJ Vahshi.

Last month, we loved…

Bazm’s Ash Reshteh Pop-Up in Brooklyn.

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

فعلاً
NASRIN’S KITCHEN AT 35 W 57TH ST IN MANHATTAN
$12

Ash reshteh is back at Nasrin’s Kitchen to quell end-of-summer jitters. Pair this with a Central Park walk for a fabulous fall prelude.

Films of Zar Amir at Metrograph

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, TO SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH
METROGRAPH AT 7 LUDLOW ST IN MANHATTAN
$18/FILM

“A tribute to an indomitable and exacting artist, who will be visiting Metrograph in person to present a program that includes her directorial work, Tatami, as well as Two People Exchanging Saliva, Holy Spider, Shayda, and Mehran Tamadon’s documentary My Worst Enemy” via Metrograph.

Laylit 7th anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
STARTING AT $29

Ring in seven years of the SWANA nightlife fixture at Laylit’s seventh anniversary party feat. SAMIA, Arianna Danae, Fatin, and more

Mehregan Gala 2025

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH, FROM 5:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
UNTERMEYER GARDENS AT 945 N BROADWAY IN YONKERS (!)
PRICING INFO HERE

A rare sneak beyond the five boroughs for ajab and mostly a reminder that Mehregan is coming up in early October.

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

As we watch people in Iran take a moment of reprieve from bombardment, we bear witness to the aftermath devastating Iranian civilians and especially the country’s most marginalized communities, including women, political dissidents, Afghan migrants & refugees, ethnic & religious minorities, and more.

We founded ajab to help foster a sense of home for those away from their Iranian communities, both in Iran and the diaspora. We hope the Iranian people’s resistance delivers liberty and self-determination soon.

Lebas summer sale

THROUGH JULY 10
ONLINE

Get 30% off all items using the code “JULY30” - sale ends July 10!

Laylit day & night boat parties

SATURDAY, JULY 19 FROM 12:00 TO 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM TO 12:00 AM
CIRCLE LINE SIGHTSEEING CRUISES AT 83 NORTH RIVER PIERS W 43RD ST IN MANHATTAN
$40

Due to popular demand, the Brooklyn MENA party collective is throwing two back-to-back boat parties in one day. Choose which is your vibe, or catch both…!

Backgammon at Masquerade

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY
MASQUERADE AT 351 BROADWAY IN BROOKLYN
FREE WITH RSVP

BYOBoard every other Tuesday for NYC Backgammon Club’s hang at our favorite Persian tapas bar.

Discostan in Brooklyn

THURSDAY, JULY 24 AT 9:00 PM
PUBLIC RECORDS AT 223 BUTLER ST IN BROOKLYN
$26

Discostan returns to Brooklyn in collaboration with Spoonerism, transporting the dance floor from South Asia to the Maghreb with an impressive DJ lineup.

Spasial Program by Khajistan

THROUGH JULY 28 FROM 12:00 TO 6:00 PM
SCULPTURECENTRE AT 44-19 PURVES ST IN QUEENS
FREE

Khajistan presents a vault of banned, censored, and overlooked audiovisual and print media across the SWANA region. Check out their weekend bazaar with clothing, prints, scents, and more.

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, FROM 12:00 TO 1:00 PM
LIVE ONLINE AND IN PERSON AT 17 NASSAU AVE IN BROOKLYN
FREE

LA’s genre-bending and culture-combining savant Maral makes her Lot Radio debut on Friday. Tune in live at noon today or pull up to The Lot Radio in person in Greenpoint for a drink while you “work.”

Bazm ✕ Back Home Beer ✕ SAG picnic

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, AT 2:00 PM
PROSPECT PARK IN BROOKLYN
FREE

A summer sizdeh bedar, if you will, hosted by some of our favorites here in New York: Bazm, Back Home Beer, and SAG. Bring snacks and sunscreen..

Laylit

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, FROM 10:30 PM TO LATE
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
$28

Laylit is back at Elsewhere to make your summer as sweaty as possible.

Back Home Beer Backgammon Tournament

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 PM
THE TURK’S INN AT 234 STARR ST IN BROOKLYN
FREE ENTRY WITH 2-DRINK MINIMUM

Blame it on the dice all you want… But with strangers this time! Everyone’s a winner with $6 Back Home Beer specials, too.

Yalla! Pride

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, FROM 10:00 PM TO LATE
THE DEEP END AT 1080 WYCKOFF AVE IN QUEENS
$23

Yalla! closes out Pride Month with sets by Cardamami, Amer, Lilla, and Kofta.

Gilan Nights at Nasrin’s Kitchen

JUNE 3 TO 13 FOR DINNER SERVICE
NASRIN’S KITCHEN 35 W 57th ST IN MANHATTAN
$$$

For 10 nights only, Manhattan mainstay Nasrin’s Kitchen celebrates Northern Iranian cuisine with an enchanting, herbaceous special menu

“One Word, One Image for Iran” Children’s Collective Art Project

SUBMISSION DEADLINE JUNE 15

Pardis for Children and artist Ali Mafakheri invite your child to participate in a collective art project that will culminate in a short animated film.

Disco Tehran Roof Party

SUNDAY, JUNE 22, FROM 4:00 TO 10:00 PM
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
$40

Disco Tehran’s June party is the perfect, sunny sunset to your weekend.

Last month, we loved…

Cinema Tehran’s double-feature of After Life and Solution.

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

Yalla! Prom

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 10:00 P.M. - LATE
DEEP END AT 1080 WYCKOFF AVE IN QUEENS
$18

Yalla! celebrates its annual Spring Fling Prom event at the Deep End with a lineup of SWANA-region DJs. Dust off your shoulder-padded dress and prepare for a night of global sounds —— info & tickets here

Mother’s Day breakfast at Nasrin’s Kitchen

SUNDAY, MAY 11
NASRIN’S KITCHEN AT 35 W 57th ST IN MANHATTAN
RESERVATIONS HERE

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a delicious, traditional Persian breakfast at Nasrin’s Kitchen this Sunday, the 11th —— book for May 11 here

New York Oud Festival

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 TO SATURDAY, MAY 31
VARIOUS VENUES IN MANHATTAN AND BROOKLYN
FREE & TICKETED

The second annual New York Oud Festival returns this May to celebrate the instrument with nine events across venues from The Met to Barzakh and The Sultan Room. Featured musicians include Brooklyn Maqam, the Syrian Music Preservation Initiative, and more —— info & tickets here

Cinema Tehran presents After Life and Solution

SUNDAY, MAY 25, 7:30 P.M.
ROXY CINEMA AT 2 6TH AVE CELLAR LEVEL IN MAHATTAN
FREE

Cinema Tehran presents two masterworks from Japan and Iran exploring memory, choice, and the essence of life. Kiarostami’s short film Solution, for one, offers a sharp and compassionate look at the complexities of human conflict and the search for resolution —— info & tickets here

Last month, we loved…

KETĀB CLUB’s author talk with Marjan Kamali —— join the book club in May and read along to Men in the Sun by Ghassan Kanafani!

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

Sizdeh Bedar (13Bedar) Picnic with Tarab NYC

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, AT 1:00 P.M.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK PIER 5
FREE

Sizdeh Bedar (13Bedar) is a beloved tradition marking the 13th day of Nowruz, when people gather outdoors to let go of the old and make space for the new. Come throw your sabzeh in the water to release any bad juju, and welcome the new year in the sunshine —— info & registration here

Studio Jam Sesh - Persian

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
RSVP FOR LOCATION
FREE

An open session for musicians, singers, producers, and DJs to collaborate and experiment. This jam, we'll experiment with blending Persian sounds with global influences. All skill levels welcome —— RSVP here

Yalla Party

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 10:00 P.M. - LATE
DEEP END AT 1080 WYCKOFF AVE IN QUEENS
$23

Yalla celebrates its 8-year anniversary at Deep End —— info & tickets here

Ketab Club’s Author Talk with Marjan Kamali

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 8:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
VIRTUAL
FREE

Marjan Kamali joins Ketab Club for its first ever Author Talk session. Catch the conversation on April 6th over Zoom for a discussion and Q&A about her writing process, her latest novel, and Iranian-American literature —— info & RSVP here

HYE FREQUENCIES - AN ARMENIAN DJ SHOWCASE

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 10:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.
CASSETTE AT 68-38 FOREST AVE UNIT B IN QUEENS
FREE

Join HYE FREQUENCIES for a night of music of the Armenian diaspora & other SWANA sounds —— info & tickets here

Cisad Show

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, AT 8:00 P.M.
TOWN HALL AT 123 WEST 43rd ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE

The Cisad Show series, created by Sohrab Pournazeri, is a multidisciplinary project that brings Persian history, literature, and mythology to life through a blend of theater and live music. The series highlights iconic Persian narratives and cultural resilience —— info & tickets here

Laylit 100th

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, FROM 10:30 P.M. TO 4:00 A.M.
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
FROM $28

Laylit celebrates Arab and SWANA artists and musicians. Over the last seven years, their dance parties have carved out an unmatched place in North American and European nightlife, becoming an anticipated social gathering and unique musical experience. They’re back at Elsewhere at the end of the month —— info & tickets here

Atelier Jolie - Strand For Women

MARCH 11TH TO APRIL 26TH
ATELIER JOLIE AT 57 GREAT JONES ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE

Strand for Women is a recurring collective exhibition and global art project in support of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, presented by The Invisible Dog, the Catharsis Arts Foundation, and Atelier Jolie artist in residence Prune Nourry. Running through April, the current iteration features artists from Afghanistan. —— info here

NYC Persian Day Parade

SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH AT 11:30 A.M.
MADISON AVE FROM 39th ST TO 27th ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE

The parade serves to showcase various aspects of Persian culture, including music, dance, art, literature, and cuisine, while also preserving and passing on these traditions to future generations. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, symbolizing renewal, and rebirth, marks the start of spring and is celebrated joyously in New York City with the Persian Parade. This celebration, open to all, invites people to welcome the new year, celebrate Iran’s rich culture, and enjoy its centuries-old traditions. —— info here

Last month, we loved…

Rangarang’s Norooz Special at the Sultan Room

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newletter!

— the ajab team

Rangarang: Norouz Special

FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 7:00 P.M.
THE SULTAN ROOM AT 234 STARR ST IN BROOKLYN
$31

Act III of the iconic singalong event returns with a night full of Norouz classics and a special lineup of live music from artists Parham Haghighi and Mahya Hamedi. Dress code is Norouz Chic… Florals for spring are encouraged and indeed groundbreaking —— info & tickets here

Back Home Beer takeover at Ladybird

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 FROM 5:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
LADYBIRD AT 111 E 7th ST IN MANHATTAN
BOOK ON RESY

Kick off Women’s History Month with founder Zahra Tabatabai as she pours Middle Eastern–inspired brews and shares her stories behind the Brooklyn-brewed beers —— reserve a table here

Celebrating women in Iranian cuisine: Nasim Alikhani and Nilou Motamed

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 AT 6:00 P.M.
PLATFORM (PIER 57) AT 25 11th AVE IN MANHATTAN
$45

The James Beard Foundation hosts a conversation and bites with James Beard–nominated Sofreh chef Nasim Alikhani and magazine editor and TV personality Nilou Motamed to discuss their culinary journeys and understandings of food, memory, and identity —— info & tickets here

The Shahnameh: Interpreting an Iranian cultural cornerstone

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 FROM 7:00 - 8:00 P.M
STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN BUILDING AT 476 5th AVE IN MANHATTAN
(LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE)
FREE WITH REGISTRATION

The New York Public Library presents Hamid Rahmanian’s shadow-puppet adaptation of Bijan & Manijeh, followed by a discussion with translator Ahmad Sadri about The Shahnameh and a reading by actor Arian Moayed and comedian Negin Farsad —— info & registration here

Norooz Bazaar

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 FROM 10:00 AM TO 7:00 PM
DETOUR GALLERY AT 545 W 23rd ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE WITH RSVP

POMEXPO’s vibrant Norooz Bazaar features unique vendors, delicious treats, and everything you need for your Haftseen. Enjoy live music, traditional performances, and a festive night of dancing from 7 PM —— info & RSVP here

Pardis Celebration of Norouz

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 FROM 1:00 TO 4:00 PM
ASIA SOCIETY AT 725 PARK AVE IN MANHATTAN
$8-15

Join Pardis School for Children in their celebration of Norouz with live musical theater performances, interactive workshops, installations, and a photo booth —— info & RSVP here

Song of the North

MARCH 15 TO 23
THE NEW VICTORY THEATER AT 209 W 42nd ST IN MANHATTAN
TICKETS START AT $24

The epic tale of Song of the North is a stunning shadow theater performance featuring 483 handmade puppets and breathtaking animations. This cinematic spectacle brings the ancient Persian Shahnameh to life with a story of love, courage, and unity —— info & tickets here

Nowruz celebration at Nasrin’s Kitchen

MARCH 19 TO 22
NASRIN’S KITCHEN AT 35 W 57th ST IN MANHATTAN
RESERVE A TABLE

Celebrate Nowruz with a Persian feast accompanied by live traditional music and modern beats —— book a table here

technowruz

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 AT 7:00 PM
NOWADAYS AT 56-06 COOPER AVE IN RIDGEWOOD
$22

Technowruz returns for its seventh annual Norooz party in New York for all-night dancing. Enjoy an open bar by SAG, live performances, broadcasted DJ sets from Iran, and a vibrant SWANA bazaar —— info & tickets here

Disco Tehran: Nowruz

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 AT 10:00 PM
XANADU ROLLER ARTS AT 262 STARR ST IN BROOKLYN
$43-53

Disco Tehran celebrates Nowruz in New York with sets by Sonido Gallo Negro, Nickodemus, Kim Anh, Sticky Dojah —— tickets here

1404: A Nowruz party

THURSDAY, MARCH 27 AT 7:00 PM
BERLIN AT 25 AVENUE A IN MANHATTAN
$30-35

Live music by Noorani & Nouhi's Nomad followed by a DJ set to keep you moving all night — info & tickets here

Last month, we loved…

Bazm’s “Hearts of Sugar, Fingers Dipped in Honey” dinner hosted with artist Fatemeh Kazemi

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

Sagged Out: One Year Anniversary Party

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 AT 8:00 P.M.
EARTHLY DELIGHTS AT 5738 MYRTLE AVE IN QUEENS
$11

The aragh sagi distillery celebrates its first birthday with a stellar DJ lineup and a free signature cocktail for the first hour —— info & tickets here

Yalla! Valentine party

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 AT 10:00 P.M.
THE DEEP END AT 1080 WYCKOFF AVE IN QUEENS
$23

Celebrate queer love this Valentine’s Day with a dedicated singles hour from 10 to 11 P.M. to meet your next valentine —— info & tickets here

Valentine’s wine special at Nasrin’s Kitchen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 FROM 5:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
NASRIN’S KITCHEN AT 35 W 57th ST IN MANHATTAN

Enjoy 25% off all prime wine bottles for a Valentine’s dinner with your lover, friends, or family —— info here

A Study About the Ecological Arts is Needed

FEBRUARY 16 TO 20
312 W 36th ST, FLOOR 4 IN MANHATTAN

Yekta Khaghani’s play will premiere at The Chain Theatre Winter Festival, touching on the ecological crisis of the crane species disappearance from Iran —— info & tickets here

Lebas warehouse sale

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 FROM 1:00 TO 7:00 P.M.
621 E 11th ST IN MANHATTAN
PRICES VARY

The NYC-based clothing brand blesses us with a warehouse sale on samples, misprints, in-store exclusives, and “Iran on Film” prints by Taraneh Tajdini for one day only —— info here

Universal Language screening and Q&A

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 AND THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
ANGELIKA FILM CENTER AT 18 W HOUSTON ST IN MANHATTAN
$20-$22

Catch an early screening of Universal Language, Matthew Rankin’s surreal and clever dramedy set in a fictional town that’s a cross between Tehran and Winnipeg —— tickets here

Opening of Eshel

507 COLUMBUS AVE IN MANHATTAN
$65-$95

New York’s newest Persian restaurant opens on the Upper West Side with a kosher menu featuring koobideh, tahdig, and other Middle Eastern dishes including arayes —— info here

English on Broadway

THROUGH MARCH 2
TODD HAIMES THEATRE AT 277 W 42nd ST IN MANHATTAN
2-FOR-1 TICKETS FOR BROADWAY WEEK

Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play with its original Off-Broadway cast continues its run at the Todd Haimes Theatre this month. Catch this stunning, heartfelt show by March 2 —— info & tickets here

Last month, we loved…

Seeing English on Broadway!

And we just might see it again

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newsletter!

— the ajab team

Still from The Old Bachelor, screening at Iranian Film Festival NY. Courtesy of Daricheh Cinema

Third Annual Iranian Film Festival New York

JANUARY 29 THROUGH FEBRUARY 6
IFC CENTER AT 323 6TH AVE IN MANHATTAN
$20-$23 TICKETS

Back for its third year, Daricheh Cinema’s Iranian Film Festival NY returns to IFC Center in the West Village with its most stacked program yet, featuring screenings of bold new films and rare classics. We’re especially excited to see The Old Bachelor and Razor’s Edge: The Legacy of Iranian Actresses —— program & tickets here

Haza Party: Roller Disco Edition

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 AT 8:00 P.M.
XANADU AT 262 STARR ST IN BROOKLYN
$27

The Brooklyn staple takes Arab, Pan-African, and Asian music to the roller rink for a new type of party experience —— info & tickets here

Laylit

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 AT 10:30 P.M.
ELSEWHERE AT 599 JOHNSON AVE IN BROOKLYN
$27 - $39

Laylit returns to Brooklyn for its first party of the year this Friday night —— info & tickets here

Blind Runner at St. Ann’s Warehouse

THROUGH JANUARY 24TH
ST ANN’S WAREHOUSE AT 45 WATER ST IN BROOKLYN
$53 - $73

Written and directed by Amir Reza Koohestani, this play performed in Persian with English subtitles follows a man whose activist wife is a political prisoner in Iran. She impels him to help a blind woman, currently training for a marathon in Paris, run through the Channel Tunnel from France to the UK —— info & tickets here

Haus of Dahab’s Mahraganat

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 11:00 P.M.
TV EYE AT 1647 WEIRFIELD ST IN QUEENS
$25 - $28

Recently featured in Time Out, the queer Egyptian techno hip-hop party’s live band goes electronic with a tanoura dance performance —— info & tickets here

English on Broadway

THROUGH MARCH 2
TODD HAIMES THEATRE AT 277 W 42ND ST IN MANHATTAN
2-FOR-1 TICKETS FOR BROADWAY WEEK

Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play with its original Off-Broadway cast has opened at the Todd Haimes Theatre. Catch this stunning, heartfelt show by March 2nd —— info & tickets here

Last month, we loved…

Celebrating Shab-e Yalda with SAG

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newletter!

— the ajab team

Jadé Fadojutimi at Gagosian

THROUGH DECEMBER 21
GAGOSIAN AT 522 W 21ST ST IN MANHATTAN
FREE

The British artist’s first solo exhibition in New York, DWELVE: A Goosebump in Memory, uses color, space, and line to explore concepts of identity, emotion, and experience —— info here

SAG tasting

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 FROM 4:00 TO 6:00 PM
DANDY WINE SHOP AT 37 S 4TH ST IN BROOKLYN

Taste the forbidden spirit this Saturday with a special cocktail feature —— more here

English coming soon to Broadway

JANUARY 3 TO MARCH 2, 2025
TODD HAIMES THEATRE AT 277 W 42ND ST IN MANHATTAN
40% OFF TIX WHEN YOU BUY BEFORE DEC. 8 FOR CERTAIN DATES

Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play with its original Off-Broadway cast makes its Broadway debut in January! Save 40% on tickets by booking for certain dates before December 8 —— info & tickets here

A Concert of Mystical Music with Poetry of Rumi

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 AT 7:00 TO 9:00 PM
THE CHURCH OF THE VILLAGE AT 201 W 13th ST IN MANHATTAN
$29

A celebration of Sufi music and poetry centering Rumi’s work —— tickets & info here

LEBAS ✕ BiBi’s Bakery Shab-e Yalda

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 FROM 12:00 TO 6:00 P.M.
FIERST STUDIO AT 349 SCHOLES ST #203 IN BROOKLYN
$14

Two of our faves are teaming up again, this time to host a daytime celebration for Yalda full of tea and pomegranate and stickers and poetry… Everything you’ll need ahead of the longest night of the year —— info & tickets here

A Very Brooklyn Yalda with BiBi Bakery

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 FROM 2:00 TO 11:00 P.M.
WHOOPSIE DAISY AT 225 ROGERS AVE IN BROOKLYN

The cozy evening will feature tea, ash-reshte, baklava, wine, cocktails, beer, backgammon, and poetry —— info here

SAG Yalda sale

THROUGH DECEMBER 20
ONLINE AT SAGNYC.COM

Enjoy 15% off all online orders until December 20th using code YALDA at checkout —— order here

Columbia Iranian Students Association Shab-e Yalda Gala

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 FROM 9:00 TO 11:00 PM
ROONE AUDITORIUM AT 2920 BROADWAY IN MANHATTAN

The deadline for non-student tickets has passed, but we love to see the Columbia Iranian Students Association bringing a vibrant Yalda celebration to the community <3

Last month, we loved…

Bazm’s Rasht dinner!

A correction was made on Dec. 13, 2024: An earlier version of this newsletter incorrectly identified artist Jadé Fadojutimi as being of Iranian heritage. She is of British and Nigerian heritage. We regret the error and apologize for any confusion caused.

Email us at hello@ajab.nyc or message us on Substack to drop us a line about anything you’d like to see in a future newletter!

— the ajab team