Join us for a special screening of The Desert Rocker (2022), followed by a talk with filmmaker Sara Nacer.
Programme Committee
Events
NewBridge Gallery is now closed until Friday 16 October.
You can join us on 5 September and 3 October for Saturday Social. You can still shop NewBridge Books throughout the weekdays!
Join us for a special screening of The Desert Rocker (2022), followed by a talk with filmmaker Sara Nacer.
The Desert Rocker (2022) documents Hasna El Becharia (1950–2024), the first female musician to practice traditional Gnawa and Diwan musical styles, which were previously reserved for men only for centuries. Becharia, the daughter of a celebrated Diwan musician, defied her father by imitating the guembri (sintir) sound with her voice and then by secretly building her own instrument.
Performing in women-only celebrations in her hometown, Béchar, in the northeastern region of Algeria, and later at international festivals and through her published albums, Becharia inspired and paved a path for women to reclaim a place within this unique musical tradition.
Sara Nacer is an Algerian filmmaker and producer based in Montreal, whose work explores memory, identity, and intercultural dialogue. Her first documentary, Let Them All Leave (2019)—filmed at the heart of Algeria’s Hirak movement—won the LOJIQ Prize for a promising Quebec filmmaker and Best Documentary at the Images et Vie Festival in Dakar.
Her film The Desert Rocker was selected at over fifty festivals worldwide and received six awards. Beyond filmmaking, Nacer is committed to promoting cultural diversity through music and has produced and organised several events, including tribute concerts to Salim Halali, fostering dialogue between cultures.
This is an in-person event. It is not ticketed.
Our building has lifts to the gallery, accessible and gender-neutral toilets, baby changing and breastfeeding facilities and two accessible parking bays. You can watch a walkthrough of our building and learn more about accessibility here.
Contact admin@thenewbridgeproject.com if you have any questions or need support to take part in this event.
NewBridge has a Safer, Braver Spaces policy. Everyone here treats each other with respect and consideration. Transphobia, misogyny, racism or harassment of any kind is not welcome.
Resounding Diasporic Sonic Worlds has been developed by artist Ellie Armon Azoulay with The NewBridge Project’s Programme Committee: Holly Argent, Ellie Armon Azoulay, Dan Goodman, Kaan K, Shelly Knotts, and Seymour Mace.
Thursday 26 June 2025
6–8.30pm
Free
The NewBridge Project
Shieldfield Centre
4-8 Clarence Walk (off Stoddart Street)
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1AL
The NewBridge Project is accessible. You can find out more here, or feel free to contact us prior to visiting if you require additional information regarding access and facilities.
The NewBridge Project is a charity, registered charity no. 1173849.
We are grateful to our funders, including Arts Council England, Newcastle City Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Jerwood Foundation, Community Foundation North East, Newcastle University and the The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
We are proud to be a Gallery of Sanctuary.
