About
SWANA. Queer. Immigrant. Punk. YallaPunk has been redefining the narrative since 2016 through programming and documenting artistic contributions and accomplishments including but not limited to music, film, art, poetry, comedy, and much more. YallaPunk is community-centered and will always be.
What is SWANA? It’s the decolonized and more inclusive version of a region often described as “the Middle East and North Africa”. We feel like it better describes our community.
The fest is back, this time in Brooklyn. We’re proud to partner with TV Eye, Market Hotel, and Millennium Film Workshop to bring you this year’s fest.
YallaPunk’s annual fest is the only time of year community members travel from all over the world to gather, perform, discuss ideas, and create friendships. The fest celebrates the creative accomplishments of SWANA individuals in the arts, including but not limited to music, film, comedy, poetry, dance, and more through performances, workshops, and panel discussions.
The first YallaPunk fest took place on Labor Day weekend 2017 between Johnny Brenda’s, Crane Arts, Icebox Project Space, and The Barbary in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
