Volunteers turn a fan's recordings of 10,000 concerts into an online treasure trove In 1989, an up-and-coming rock band from Washington called Nirvana played in Chicago for the first time at a club called Dreamerz.

@apnews.com sent a writer to speak with Aadam Jacobs and some of the volunteers working to preserve the collection of recordings and get it online to share.
apnews.com/article/aada...

Nice little cassette haul from DC.

#OnThisDay in 1878, Thomas Edison filed a patent for the phonograph. Here's what's thought to be the oldest surviving recording of his voice, made in 1888, in which he describes an imagined trip “around the world on the phonograph” — publicdomainreview.org/collection/a... #otd

✅ thanks, Tim!

Used bookstore and record store recommendations for Washington DC?

Are you writing a book on the Middle East or the Global South? If so, let me know! I just joined Lynne Rienner Publishers as a consulting editor and am eager to bring engaging, innovative, and impactful scholarship to readers around the world.

Habiba Msika, une artiste libre aux multiples talents Chanteuse et tragédienne de talent, Habiba Msika était aussi une femme engagée aux côtés des indépendantistes arabes. Libre, tant dans son art que dans ses convictions, les performances de la première...

Honoured to have contributed to this radio documentary by Noujoud Rejbi for France Culture: "Habiba Msika, une artiste libre aux multiples talents."

Slowly starting to make my way back to Bluesky after some time.

Call for Pitches—Visual Art & Cultural Production in the Middle East and North Africa MERIP is seeking pitches for our Summer 2026 issue exploring visual art and cultural production in the Middle East and North Africa. We invite submissions that center artistic practices and cultural h...

An exciting opportunity to submit an essay on cultural production to a leading Middle East Studies publication! www.merip.org/2026/02/call...

Raphael Cormack | “How Jewish was James Sanua?” Raphael Cormack | “How Jewish was James Sanua?” Sanua was one of the most famous Arab Jews of the modern era: The pioneer of theArabic theatre in Egypt and the satirical Arabic press, and ...

An excellent, upcoming event with Raphael Cormack at Harvard (Feb. 18). cjs.fas.harvard.edu/calendar_eve...

What are you presenting on?

Looks great!

One of my department's many upcoming events in Montreal. The Levites Annual Lecture 2025: “Amateur Films and Sephardi Joy: A Global Spin” with Sarah Abrevaya Stein (UCLA). Sep. 15 / 5:30 pm / McGill University. Details and RSVP here: www.mcgill.ca/arts/channel...

How long is the exhibit up for? I’m going to be in NYC the first week of July.

Call for Proposals
"KlezKanada and the Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies at Concordia University are convening a Yiddish Dance Conference in Montreal from August 27-29, 2025. The event will include panels, discussion sessions, practice-based workshops, and evening community events."

Sending this around one last time. If you know of any Yiddishists...we're hiring!

North African History at 78 Rotations Per Minute - The NewBridge Project Tickets The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities. Nort...

Tomorrow in-person in Newcastle and online for everyone. "North African History at 78 Rotations Per Minute."

Located in one of the world’s great multicultural and multilingual cities, McGill University is internationally recognized for its excellence as a leading institution of higher education and research. For nearly 200 years, through the work of dedicated people, McGill has been breaking ground in diverse fields and contributing solutions to some of the world’s most significant issues. McGillians are proud to be part of a community that is both global and local, inspired by challenge and committed to shaping a better future. McGill received a Platinum STARS rating in sustainability, is among Canada’s greenest employers, and is a top Montreal Employer. Grandescunt Aucta Labore. By work, all things increase and grow. Find a sense of purpose. Develop your future. Join us today.

Some good news for Yiddishists. My department is in the process of rebuilding our Yiddish program at McGill and looking for a course lecturer to teach 2-2 in 2025-2026. Our students are wonderful. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me. mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/McGill_Caree...

Located in one of the world’s great multicultural and multilingual cities, McGill University is internationally recognized for its excellence as a leading institution of higher education and research. For nearly 200 years, through the work of dedicated people, McGill has been breaking ground in diverse fields and contributing solutions to some of the world’s most significant issues. McGillians are proud to be part of a community that is both global and local, inspired by challenge and committed to shaping a better future. McGill received a Platinum STARS rating in sustainability, is among Canada’s greenest employers, and is a top Montreal Employer. Grandescunt Aucta Labore. By work, all things increase and grow. Find a sense of purpose. Develop your future. Join us today.

Some good news for Yiddishists. My department is in the process of rebuilding our Yiddish program at McGill and looking for a course lecturer to teach 2-2 in 2025-2026. Our students are wonderful. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me. mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/McGill_Caree...

North African History at 78 Rotations Per Minute - The NewBridge Project Tickets The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities. Nort...

Doing my first listening session in a while as part of the Resounding Diasporic Sonic Worlds exhibit in Newcastle. In-person and online. Please spread the word. Also, let me know if you have any requests!

(S+) Baidaphon: Wie die Schallplatten mit der Gazelle das Berlin der Zwanzigerjahre eroberten In der Weimarer Republik pulsiert das Leben in Berlin. Die Stadt wird zum Magnet für die arabischsprachige Diaspora. Mittendrin: Michel Baida aus dem Libanon, der mit seinem Indie-Label große Erfolge ...

The Baidaphon label getting some much deserved attention in Der Spiegel. www.spiegel.de/geschichte/b...

Iran Amplified: 100 Years of Music and Society Edited by Nahid Siamdoust and H.E. Chehabi

A book I very much cannot wait to read and teach. Out with @harvardpress.bsky.social this December! www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...

NYC friends, this talks tomorrow sounds tremendous!

Tomorrow in NYC.

What a day in Rabat. Honored to have shared the stage with the indefatigable Khalid Ben Srhir and other scholars who engaged deeply with my work (which is itself indebted to their work). A privilege to talk about books these days––including ones which deal with musical pasts and possible futures.

Rabat and Casa this week. Please send recommendations :)

Want to put this out there again (given everything). If anyone is interested in pursuing an MA or PhD at the intersection of Jewish and Middle Eastern/North African Studies in Montreal (at McGill), please be in touch. We’re building something special here.

I’m so sorry, Terry.

Honored to be giving this talk––"Sounds, Silences, and Echoes: Listening for World War II and the Holocaust from North Africa"––at FIT in NYC on April 22. Please feel free to share.

Heading to Casablanca and Rabat in a few weeks and it’s been a minute since I was last there. Looking for recs of any and all kinds (archives, bookstores, restaurants, cafes). Please feel free to send my way.