Acclaimed Muslim comedian presents a special performance and conversation
CHICAGO – Join The Public Square, a program of the Illinois Humanities Council, and Th!nk Art Salon for a special performance and conversation with acclaimed comedian Azhar Usman on Thursday, March 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Th!nk Art Salon (1530 N. Paulina St., Chicago).
Usman, born and raised in Chicago by immigrant Muslim parents from India, uses his comedy to “wage peace through humor.” He is the co-founder of “Allah Made Me Funny – The Official Muslim Comedy Tour” and regularly performs with comedian Rabbi Bob Alper and fellow Indian comic Rajiv Satyal. Usman’s performance will be followed by a discussion on the role of humor in creating peace.
This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made at www.prairie.org/publicsquare, events@prairie.org or 312.422.5580. It is presented in partnership with Th!nk Art Salon as part of their ongoing War & Peace exhibit.
ABOUT AZHAR USMAN
Azhar Usman is a Chicago-based standup comedian. He is the co-founder of “Allah Made Me Funny – The Official Muslim Comedy Tour” and has performed in over a dozen countries on five continents. He has shared the stage with many of his favorite comedians including Dave Chappelle, Jim Gaffigan, Russell Peters, Todd Barry, and the late Mitch Hedberg. Azhar recently produced a concert/documentary project, Allah Made Me Funny – Live in Concert, a Kings-of-Comedy-style feature-length concert film. Additionally, he is the star and creator of Tinku’s World, a semi-scripted alternative web comedy show, and he is also developing a television show and a humor book project.
Azhar was born and raised in Chicago by immigrant Muslim parents from Bihar, India. Always interested in “waging peace through humor,” he regularly performs a Jewish-Muslim comedy show, “The Laugh in Peace Tour,” with comedian Rabbi Bob Alper, as well as a South Asian solidarity comedy show with fellow Indian comic Rajiv Satyal: “Make Chai Not War.” Azhar serves as a co-founding board member of The Nawawi Foundation, an Illinois nonprofit dedicated to contemporary Islamic research. He also serves as an Arts and Culture advisor to the Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN) in Chicago.
ABOUT THE PUBLIC SQUARE
The Public Square, a program of the Illinois Humanities Council, fosters debate, dialogue, and exchange of ideas about cultural, social, and political issues with an emphasis on social justice. Programs promote participatory democracy by creating space for public conversations. More information about The Public Square is available at www.prairie.org/publicsquare.
The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) is a nonprofit educational organization [501 (c) 3] dedicated to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. Organized in 1973 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the IHC creates programs and funds organizations that promote greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in the humanities by all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. The IHC is supported by state, federal, and private funds.
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