Fairuz: Animated Biography in 3 Minutes

Lebanese singer Fairuz animated  on Roya TV

The popular TV station Roya TV--which uploads most of its programs at  http://www.youtube.com/user/RoyaTV -- has featured Lebanese singing legend Fairuz in an animated, three minute mini-bio that aired as part of a special daily series titled أنا بحكيلك القصة  [I Will Tell You a Story].  

Here is the clip: http://youtu.be/Y_DwU0PR5Qs

For more info:
http://www.roya.tv/
http://www.facebook.com/RoyaTv
http://twitter.com/tvRoya

الحلقة الثانية والعشرون من أنا بحكيلك القصة الجزء الثالث وفيها قصة فيروز.

العمل تلفزيوني كوميدي كرتوني يتم فيه تناول عدد من الأعمال الفنية المشهورة يستخلص منها زبدة موضوعها وتكوينها على شكل رسومات كوميدية مبسطة.

تابعوه على قناة رؤيا الفضائية طيلة شهر رمضان ضمن "ساعة ونص كوميديا" الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت الاردن وبالاعادة الساعة 12:00 بعد منتصف الليل

Michelle and Noel Keserwany: Satirical Lebanese Duo with a Twist

Michelle and Noel Keserwany: Lebanese duo with a satiric twist

Michelle and Noel Keserwany, are sisters, singers, songwriters and illustrators. After the huge, accidental  success of their first satirical song 'Jagal el USEK' [Cool University Dudes] they released other poignantly funny songs about Lebanese society and a CD titled "Belghalat" [By Mistake]--a work that turned out to be a mixture of lyrics, music, illustration, and design, all created by the Keserwany sister themselves.

Here is their hit 'Jagal El Usek' (sung by Michelle Kereway) which talks about self-absorbed 'cool dudes' who attend the USEK, a private Catholic higher education institution in Lebanon.
http://youtu.be/lgJdeFvMH5A

كنت قاعدة بالكافيت ( الكافيه) ما في شي ع بالي عم باشرب نسكافيه إجا شب وقعد قبالي لابس لونيت ( نضارة بالفرنسية) وشعرو مطبس بالجيل قالي بنجورك يا دموزايل انا الشب الكوول باسمع فيفتي سنت سيارتي بتلمع وما باقفي ايفيت ( ما بيفوتني حفل) عندي شاليه وفيلا بفارية واكس ميس لبون ( ملكة جمال لبنان السابقة) اي انا خيا ( انا اخوها) عملت حالي هبلة وعملت حالي مسطولة ما حيكته ولا شي وعا وشب البسمة الخجولة انا ججل الاوزاك عيوني ملونين باشرب فودكا سكوشيموزتي( قميصي) موسلين البابا كولونيل وبادخن سيجار

اعطيني رقمك جو تابيل ( هاعزمك) تا نضهر (نخرج) شي نهار هون راسي فار لا كتير هاقد عليا وشي كله احمر وطلعت دخنة من دنيى( وداني) ونهارتها عرفت ليه بيقولوا عن حوا حية قلت له نو واي .. القدر كيف جمعنا حياتي كلها قبلك ما كان الها معنى بس يا حب حياتي ويا شراين القلب تعا نتفق ع شغلة ومن اول الدرب علاقة عاطفية باقمص بيي ( بازعل بابا) ما في بدا تكون جدية تا يقبل بيي فيك يعني لازم نتجوز وتجيب لي سيارة ونجيب ولاد ونسمي البنت سارة وتعملي بيسين وتغيرلي اللمبة وتسفرني ع الصين وتقشر لي مانجة وتفرش لي بيت

وتجيبلي جهاز وتقص الجازونات وتلمع الازاز

واااو فكرة الجازة ( الجواز) عن جد حبيت يلا امتى بدك نخطب تا دلك ع البيت

وأخضر الشاب الشاب الكول .. ضب اللونات (لبس الناضارات)

وقالي اوه سوري مشغول لازم ارجع عالبيت

وبقيت لوحدي عم باشرب نسكافيه

وعم باضحك لحالي وطالعة ع السافيه

حكيته بكل محبة واتسمعت عليه

بس ما عاد مجه صوبي والله ما باعرف ليه

اختفى الشب الكول اللي بيسمع فيفتي سينت اللى سيارته بتلمع وما بيقفى ايفينت

عنده شاليه وفيلا بفارية واكس مسي ليبون ايه ايه ايه هو خيا

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE LYRICS:
I was sitting in the cafeteria
Nothing on my mind
Drinking Nescafé
A guy comes and sits beside me:
Wearing sunglasses, gel all over his hair,
He said:

Guy:
Good morning dear Miss.
I'm the cool guy
I listen to 50 cent
My car shines
I never skip an event
I got a chalet
A Villa in Faraya
and Ex Miss Lebanon, yeah I'm her brother.

Girl:
I pretended to be stupid
I pretended to be dumb
I said nothing
While painting a shy smile on my face

Guy:

I'm the cool dude at USEK
My eyes are colored
I drink dry vodka
and my chemise's muslin
Dad's a colonel
and I smoke cigar
give me your number so I call
to go out someday

Girl:
Enough, it's too much to me.
My face went green and smoke went out of my ears.
My face went green and smoke came out of my ears  I realized why they say Eve was a snake.
I told him NO WAY! How destiny joined us! My whole life didn't have a meaning before you came.
But, love of my life and loins of my heart: let us discuss something from the beginning.
A romantic relationship doesn't exist in my dad's dictionary
It must be serious to get him to agree.
I mean...
It's time to marry
And to bring me a car
And bring some kids
And to call the girl Sara
And to build a swimming pool
And to change the lamp
And to take me to China
And to carve me mango
And to bring furniture
And to bring me before-getting-married wears
And to cut the grass
And to sparkle the glass
And about before-getting-married wears, I really liked!
Come on, when do you want us to get engaged, to show you where's home?

The cool guy turned green

Put away his glasses
And said: uh, sorry I'm busy and I should go home.

And I stayed alone drinking Nescafé,
Laughing at myself while going to class,
I talked to him with all my love and listened to him!
But he didn't come through, I swear I dunno why...

The cool guy disappeared!
The one who listens to 50 cent!
Whose car sparkles
And never skips an event!
He's got a chalet,
A Villa in Faraya
and the Ex Miss lebanon's ex, yeah he is her brother
the cool guy of USEK, his eyes are colored,
drinks dry vodka and his shirt if made of  muslin
his dad is a colonel and smokes cigars and he thought of calling me to go out someday...

Lyrics Video in Englabic also available at  http://youtu.be/ODKGoZBOuoI


After the success of 'Jagal l Usek' Michelle and Noel went on to release a CD titled 'Belghalat' as well as these other video clips:

3al Jamal bi wasat Beirut - [official clip] Michelle & Noel Keserwany http://youtu.be/X6MVWwtGvSM

Panique bel parlement - [official clip] Michelle & Noel Keserwany http://youtu.be/cuivJSOXYRY

Mama - Michelle and Noel Keserwany (Official Music Video) Video made by fans for the duo's track 'Mama' http://youtu.be/X-2mnHjOnOc



For more info:

http://www.youtube.com/user/michellekeserwany
http://www.youtube.com/user/MichelleandNoel

https://www.facebook.com/michelleandnoel

For more information, please contact Elie Obeid at elieobeid7@gmail.com

Mike Massy to Perform at Batroun International Festival- August 10, 2013

After his success at the Merkin Hall in New York city earlier this year, Lebanese musician Mike Massy will be performing at Batroun international Festival in Lebanon on August 10, singing his own repertoire and covers from classics.  The concert will take place on August 10, 2013 and tickets are on sale at all Virgin Box offices in Lebanon.

Here is a promotional video for Mike Massy's upcoming concert (http://youtu.be/vNnPhiN8Eto):

This video clip is from the rehearsals for the Batroun International Festival (http://youtu.be/i5F7RtbNaec)


For more info see https://www.facebook.com/events/584058771624568/

Maii Waleed's Collaboration with Zeid Hamdan Yields a New 'Moga' [Wave]

Maii Waleed Yassin

Maii Waleed Yassin is a singer , songwriter and guitarist from Alexandria, Egypt with a unique sound that combines Arabic lyrics with indie pop-rock music. Before launching her new CD Moga (in collaboration with musical genius Zeid Hamdan) Maii was part of an all-female heavy metal band called Mascara and was involved in Ahmad Abdalla’s film “Microphone.” 

Here is the title track from the album Moga by The Maii Waleed project featuring Perry Moataz on Bass Guitar and Maii Waleed : Song writing,Guitars and Vocals.

Maii Waleed / Moga http://youtu.be/Jjh2PksI8dE


Here is a track called 'Hasafer Baeed' with Zeid Hamdan (http://youtu.be/kaqHdgj8bBE):


Listen to the full album :https://soundcloud.com/maiiandzeid
Maii Waleed on Soundlcoud: https://soundcloud.com/user5051184
Read more about Maii at http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/bands-watch-maii-waleed-introduces-arabic-dream-pop

Akher Zapheer Redefines 'Arabic Rock'

Jordanian band Akher Zapheer

Akher Zapheer آخر زفير is a Jordanian band that plays Arabic Rock that is inspired by the band's influences including Nirvana, RadioHead, Muse,APC, Pearl Jam and Placebo. The songs are written by the band itself and the lyrics are in Arabic. The band members include Basem Sayej - Vocals/ Guitar, Salem Dallal - Guitar, Mohammed Awwad - Bass, Kayed Qnaibi - Drums.

Akher Zapheer's debut album was released in 2012 and is titled "عكس ثقافة" [Converse Culture]. It was produced by Sari Abuladel and contains 11 songs including their hit singles "Akherto lahen hazeen" and "Lailee tal"--both of which are featured below:

Akher Zapheer - Akherto Lahen Hazeen آخر زفير - اخرتو لحن حزين (http://youtu.be/ju3YQqsO7n0):

Akher Zapheer - Laylee Tal اخر زفير - ليلي طال [Official Video] (http://youtu.be/C4JBWTogi2Y)

Lyrics to "Laylee tal" كلمات ليلي طال

ليلي طال , صفنت بسكون مش جاي النوم, جايني جنون

سامع صوت في السماوات بذكريني فيك بالذات

ليلي طال رسمت مرسوم رسمت كتير , كتير مش مفهوم

راكب موج مش مرئي تيغطي العالم بفكري

ليلي طال بعيد جمل بعيد فيها على امل

للناس توصل الرسايل شويت ايمان حرك جبل

ليلي طال جهزت مواد مواد بسيطة و سماد

في خيالي طرت فوق البلاد

**** **** ** *** *** **

ليلي طال بقرأ بعيون رقمّت اوراق, تحركت بسكون

فهمني كيف, عرف مفهوم غذاء للروح, بس وين الروح

ليلي طال, تراكمت كهموم تراكمت عل ارض تحت الغيوم

نزّلي صوت السماوات, تيذكرني فيك بالذات

ليلي طال زي المجنون, لفّيت الكون بتسكيرة عيون

حملت العالم على كتفي, خبّيت حليم في قلبي

ليلي طال , كلام كبير, عبّالي راسي قبّاني

تعلمت كتير منك يا ليل, علمتني , اني ولا شي

You can also listen to the rest of the tracks from the CD Soundcloud at the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/akherzapheer-1/sets/converse-culture

Here is a TV report about Akher Zapheer from the Egyptian TV program Ocatve (http://youtu.be/YnkPOfe6O5o):



Here is the official video clip for Akher Zapheer's song "Arba' Sneen" which was released in January 2013:



For more info, see the band's website at akherzapheer.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/akher.zapheer

Akher Zapheer on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/akherzapheer-1

Akher Zapheer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AkherZapheer

Akher Zapheer on Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/akherzapheer

Tania Kassis: Live at l'Olympia in Paris (DVD)

New DVD: Tania Kassis at l'Olympia

Lebanese singer Tania Kassis--who made a splash a few years ago by recording her 'Islamo-Christian Ave' in which she mixed the 'Ave Maria' with the Muslim call to prayer-- has just released an elegant DVD of her memorable concert at l'Olympia Paris in 2012 where she performed a variety of songs in Arabic, French, English and Spanish to a sold-out audience.

The DVD which is titled 'Tania Kassis" Live at l'Olympia' is available for sale as a set along with a CD of the concert at Lebanon's Virgin Megastores all branches as well as on Tania Kassis' official website www.taniakassis.com (worldwide delivery).

Here is a performance from that DVD in which Tania Kassis mixes LA CUMPARSITA with AATINI EL NAYA اعطني الناي وغنّ (lyrics by Kahlil Gibran) http://youtu.be/FfxJpm8z_-I

Here is the closing number from the concert--a song titled 'Trabak Ya Libnan' that is composed by Elias Rahbani (http://youtu.be/SITCPGnIYrg):

For more samples and info see http://www.youtube.com/user/taniak6

To purchase the DVD/CD set, see this link

DVD Track Listing:
Includes special guest: French-Lebanese singer Jhony Maalouf.

1. J’AI DEUX AMOURS (Music: Vincent Scotto, Lyrics: Koger Geo, Henri Vantard)

2. OUNCHOUDAT BAYROUT (Music & Arrangement: Fabrice Mantegna, Lyrics: Ahmad Abed el Nabeh)

3. ALBI DALILI (Music : Mohamed el Kassabguy, Lyrics: Abou el Séoud el Ibari)

4. I BELIEVE (with Jhony Maalouf) (Music & Lyrics: Eric Levi)

5. CHOU MA SAR (Music & Arrangement: Jad Mhanna, Lyrics: Ahmad Abdel Nabeh)

6. LA CUMPARSITA / AATINI EL NAYA (Music: Rodriguez Gerard O Matos / Najib Hankash
Lyrics: Enrique Predro Maroni, Pascual Contursi / Gibran Khalil Gibran, Arrangement: Tania Kassis)

7. LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG (Music: Michel Legrand, Lyrics : Jacques Demy)

8. YOU RAISE ME UP (Jhony Maalouf) (Music & Arrangement: Rolf Lovland, Lyrics: Joseph Graham Brendan)

9. ISLAMO-CHRISTIAN AVE (with Maen Zakaria & Mahmoud Massaad) (Music: Giulio Caccini
Arrangement: Tania Kassis & Michel Fadel)

10. TAQASIM

11. JERUSALEM (Music & Lyrics: Tania Kassis, Arrangement: Tania Kassis & Nagib Saab)

12. ONE LAST DANCE (Music & Arrangement: Michel & Olivier Leclerc, Lyrics: Tania Kassis)

13. L’AMOUR EST UN TANGO (Music & Arrangement: Michel Fadel, Lyrics: Tania Kassis)

14. YA HABIBI TAALA (Music: Farid El Atrach, Lyrics: Ahmed Galal)

15. PADAM PADAM (Music: Norbert Glanzberg,
Lyrics: Henri Contet)

16. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (with Jhony Maalouf)(Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics: Michael Philip Batt, Charles Clinton, Ilson Hart, Richard Henry Zachary Stilgoe)

17. TRABAK YA LEBNAN (Music & Lyrics: Elias Rahbani)

Recorded Live on October 19, 2012.
Release Date: May 2013.

For more samples and info see http://www.youtube.com/user/taniak6
To purchase the DVD/CD set, see this link

Walk-Ins Welcome: Stories of Syrian Refugee Barbers

A documentary film and humanitarian project involving Syrian barbers now living in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan as refugees and their attempt to maintain normality in the midst of the Syrian crisis.

Here is a short video clip about this film (http://youtu.be/ziW9rX2Fbd4) followed by more info below:

Over the course of the last two years, the crisis in Syria has killed over 100,000 people and forced over 2 million people to flee their native land and seek refuge in neighboring countries. As these figures continue to multiply daily, we lose sight of individual suffering, instead absorbed by the sheer, and increasingly abstract, multitude of the crisis.

Walk-Ins Welcome aims to personalize the struggles of these refugees through a documentary focused on the barbers of the Zaatari camp. Shadowing them throughout their day, the film will create portraits not just of nameless refugees, but of individuals. A barber serves customers from all walks of life each day and has his pulse on the community. No matter how difficult the situation gets, a person will always be in need of a haircut. When his customers come for a shave or a haircut, they are engaging in an act of maintaining normality, when life is anything but normal.

This project is both a documentary film and a humanitarian project whose goals are not political. If you are interested in supporting this film, please visit their Indiegogo page: at http://igg.me/at/wiw or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/walkinswelcomefilm

Rania Kurdi: The Arabic Tracey Ullman?

Jordanian comdienne Rania Kurdi as all of her characters

This Ramadan (July 8-August 7, 2013) Arabic TV stations have unveiled a multitude of special shows and series that bank on a record number of viewers during this holy month.  Roya TV is no exception and has premiered a daily comedy show starring Jordanian actress/singer/TV host Rania Kurdi رانيا الكردي who changes personalities every day and plays everything from a conservative housewife to a Russian immigrant in Jordan who flashes both her clothes and sexuality.  In many ways, this seems reminiscent of British comedienne Tracey Ullman who, over the past 2 decades, has made a career out of creating and developing characters that soon take on lives of their own.

The 5 characters that Rania Kurdi has created are different from each other yet are all part of the fabric of many Arab societies.  The characters are pictures above (from left to right) in this order:  Um Rami, an athletic housewife who wears the hijab and thinks that her son Rami is above all other kids; Ola, an allegedly Russian immigrant with an exotic accent and a loud sense of fashion; Ghalia, an 'upper crust' housewife who spends massive amounts of money on/for herself in order to impress the neighbors while being half broke in reality; Arwa, a gossipy secretary at a doctor's office who is flirty and desperate to get married; and Sasha Abi Najmeh, a Lebanese singer (using the term loosely here) who has undergone many plastic surgeries and is as superficial and egocentric as she is talent-less.

In this segment from Episode 5 of The Rania Show  (http://youtu.be/Fjexncbr5iU)  Rania Kurdi plays the part of an allegedly Russian artiste living in Jordan whose name is Olla.  She speaks Arabic with a Russian accent and, in this clip, is being interviewed by a Jordanian radio hostess whose husband, it turns out, is having an affair with Olla herself.  Also worthy of mention is that the actress playing the broadcaster switches from her 'truly' Jordanian accent off air to a fake, deliberate Lebanese accent during the interview in an attempt to sound more 'sophisticated.'

Rania Kurdi is a Jordanian singer, broadcaster and actress who plays the guitar, writes poetry, dances, and paints.  She traveled to Britain in 1991 to train for professional representation in the Barnett College of Art and then joined the Guildford School of representation.  In 1998 she returned to Jordan and worked in theater before going on to produce her own shows for Jordan Television.  Fame quickly came via her musical and acting talents and she even hosted the popular Superstar show on Arabic TV for 2 seasons.

On The Rania Show, Rania Kurdi does not just play the part of a character; she literally becomes that character and Arab viewers will undoubtedly have a look of humorous recognition when they watch her, thinking "Hey I know someone just like that!"

Case in point is 'Sasha Abi Najm'--a character that Rania Kurdi created to represent some of the botoxed, plastic, often talentless female singers who often come from Lebanon (hence, her Lebanese accent) and whose ego is fueled by the media's fascination with them.  In this clip, sung by the fictitious Sasha Abi Najm, Rania Kurdi sings a song titled "Me Me Me" in which, no surprise, the singer is praising herself (http://youtu.be/uMBkn_a69pg):



Here are some more hilarious segments from The Rania Show taken from episodes that have aired thus far this month.  Although these skits don't have English subtitles it is still easy for viewers to note Ms. Kurdi's amazing talent of impersonation.

Playlist for the Rania Show episodes that have aired thus far:


For more info on Rania Kurdi see http://www.raniakurdi.com/

For more about 'The Rania Show' see https://www.facebook.com/TheRaniaShow

'NO Blues' Meshes Folk and Blues with Arabic Music

NO Blues (Netherlands) combining Arabic music with folk/blues

NO blues is the crossroad where folk-blues and Arabic music meet. In 2004 Ad van Meurs (guitar/ lead vocals), Haytham Safia (Oud, Arabic lute/ lead vocals) and Anne-Maarten van Heuvelen (double bass/ lead vocals) got together to combine American folk blues and traditional Arabic music. Both folk blues and the Arabic taqsim (the improvised interplay without a fixed rhythm) are exceptionally suited for storytelling; the former in a somewhat rawer way, the latter mostly lyrical and melodic.

The musicians soon succeeded in finding the crossroad where folk-blues and Arabic music meet. A fusion of Americana and Arabic music, which might best be portrayed as ‘Arabicana’. Heartfelt music with songs about ‘ordinary folks’, love and grief, played and sung in a tradition that is characteristic to both folk blues and Arabic music. Completing the line-up on stage, NO Blues is joined by Ankie Keultjes (vocals) and Osama Maleegi (percussion).

First CD by NO Blues: Farewell Shalabiye

In only three days of playing together, the songs of the first CD ‘Farewell Shalabiye’ [title track based on 'El Bent El Shalabiya' البنت الشلبية ] came into existence. The album was released by Rounder Records in 2005 and became an instant success.

Here is the title track from that album (http://youtu.be/X6hL1iiVYbs):

Here is a live version of NO blues performing 'Farewell Shalabiye' at Theather de Parade Den Bosch in 2011 (http://youtu.be/C_nnhUCxEC4):

Second CD by NO Blues: Ya Dunya [O World]

The second album called ‘Ya Dunya’ was released in February 2007. During the recording of this album, Tracy Bonham joined NO blues to record three songs. 

Here is the title track 'Ya Dunya' from that album (http://youtu.be/tmDPdOGSypI):

Third CD by NO Blues: Lumen

The third NO blues album ‘Lumen’ is another step in raising Arabicana as a new genre of heartfelt music with an Arabic soul. It reflects a world with diminishing boundaries and is a new step in blending people and traditions without losing its integrity.  On this album guest musicians Raphaela Danksagmüller plays the Duduk and Sophie Cavez ads an Balkan flavor with the accordion.

Here is the title track 'Lumen' from that album (http://youtu.be/9qxNhRFUBdo):

The Lumen album also included a reinvented version of the famous 'Fatoumeh' song--so popular in Arabic culture but originally based on an Armenian song. This version was titled 'Fatouma Truus' and sung in Hebrew and English.

The fourth CD by No blues: Hela Hela

On the fourth album ‘Hela Hela’ Van Meurs, Safia and Van Heuvelen show that they are true masters of the new genre they created.  On this album you can hear Palestinian guest musicians Morad Khoury on violin, and Shereene Danial as guest vocalist on the title track Hela Hela which is based on a traditional Arabic work song and an American counterpart. This is the ultimate fusion work song and an appeal to the world for working together.

Here is the title track 'Hela Hela' from that CD (http://youtu.be/TAY7XrFf4Hk):

Upcoming fifth CD by No blues: Kind of No blues

In 2012 NO blues got together and recorded twelve new tracks for a documentary series about the Arab Spring. The new songs soon became the next NO blues album. These instrumental tracks will be released in September 2013 on the fifth album, which will be called ‘Kind of NO blues’. In the meantime, you can download one of the twelve new studio recordings from their website every two weeks for free. See http://noblues.bandcamp.com/album/kind-of-no-blues

The web site www.noblues.nl includes much more info plus links to NO Blues on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Read more at http://www.noblues.nl/about/

Message from Mashrou' Leila in Support of their upcoming album 'Raasuk'

The following is taken from To support Mashrou' Leila: http://www.zoomaal.com/projects/mashr...
Raasuk: You've Been Choreographed.  For arabic version of the text, please go to
http://www.zoomaal.com/projects/mashr...

MESSAGE FROM THE BAND:  http://youtu.be/WU2caaG4CBU

We are Mashrou' Leila, a Beirut-based indie band. You can check out some of our music on www.mashrou3leila.com.

We got together back in 2008, and we've managed to make it through the last 5 years, getting more and more involved and obsessive about our craft, because of the continued support of our friends, fans, and supporters.

We spent the last two years meticulously writing our third album. That's the longest time we've spent writing, because we wanted to create something superior to anything we've released before. While writing, we gigged all over, trying to raise funds for the recording. Then when we finally hit our budget, we flew all the way to Montreal, to record the album in one of the best studios in the world.

And we think it sounds amazing.

The album is about everything: love, lust, mourning, social control, Lebanese politics, the Arab spring, and most importantly, dancing. We challenged ourselves musically and lyrically to try to get out of our genre. We recorded in optimal conditions, and rearranged our compositions over and over again till we had we thought was good enough for our incredible supporters.

Although the worsening political situation in the Middle East makes it increasingly difficult to get our stuff published, we really want to get this album out. If for nothing else, we want to release the album to prove to ourselves and everyone around us, that at least part of all the changes in the region are in the name of free speech, be that in a protest, a censored newspaper article, or a concert that the government won't support. We want this to be the biggest independent music release the Arab world has seen.

That means designing beautiful album art, printing CDs, posters, flyers, making quality video clips, and playing concerts with quality sound systems, etc.

But all of that costs a lot of money, and that's where ZOOMAAL comes in.

Mashrou' Leila & ZOOMAAL

ZOOMAAL is the first crowd-funding platform looking to help the ambitions of independent talent in the Arab world. Like us, ZOOMAAL is fed up of the paralyzing slow support formally offered to Arab artists, especially the ones that don't fit into conservative moulds. And we are their first project. So they're turning to the most effective means for help: YOU.

Down With The Choreographer

This is where you guys come in. We're going to need at least 66,000$ to make it happen, although the more money we raise, the more cities we can visit, the more elaborate our videos can be, and the more music we can spread.

But since there is no real money or support in the Middle East for independent artists or musicians without boob jobs, we are asking you to help fund our third album.

Help us prove that the music industry hasn't been catering to our people's needs. Help us demand that the music industry stop remanufacturing the same pop-stars with different names.
Help us demand better art.
Help us demand diverse representation in our cultural environment.
Help us force the industry to listen to the people.
Help us not get choreographed.
Help us occupy Arab-Pop.
#OCCUPYARABPOP

Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your lovers. Tell the fanatics, the moderates, and the liberals. And when you do, make sure you also tell them change is coming, and it doesn't have implants.

Other Ways You Can Help

Any and all contributions matter. Even the smallest of contributions will help us hit our target. If you simply can't donate, then spread the word. Share this on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and whatever other social media platforms you're using.

Here is the track 'Lil Watan' from the upcoming album: http://youtu.be/jHgbuqqbBSk

Here is Mashrou' Leila's 'Ma Titrikni Haeyk/Sawsan (the Lebanese version of 'Ne Me Quitte Pas'), a song that is included on their 'Live in Baalbek' DVD. This video has the lyrics in Arabic too: http://youtu.be/zrF7t057yA4

May Nasr Records 'Ouhibouka' with Lyrics by Ghada Al Samman

Music Composition/Sung by: May Nasr
Instrumental orchestration by: Lou Salloum
Lyrics: Ghada Samman

See lyrics in Arabic and in English translation below, followed by interview with May Nasr in which she discussed this new release.

http://youtu.be/TWZ_O1_LoTQ

Here are the lyrics by Syrian writer/poet Ghada Al Samman in Arabic and in English translation:

I love you.. Because you are only capable of loving yourself.. You make no effort to conceal this fact.. I have loved you for a thousand years.. Because, to this date, I am still incapable of truly knowing you.. I love you... For you are both my storm and refuge...my freedom and my prison... I love you..for your beauty and creativity.... A divine poet...unworthy of trust... Finger tips of color and light...screaming out with the perfume of jasmine... I love you... For you are gypsy traveler... You embody pure poetry... Your inflamed body is a raging storm....! I love you.....simply because I love you......

أحبك .. لأنك لا تعرف كيف تحب غير ذاتك .. ولا تبذل مجهوداً لإخفاء ذلك ! أحبك .. من ألف عام لأنني مازلت حتى اليوم أجهلك ! أحبك .. لأنك العاصفة والمرفئ في آن .. والحرية والقفص ! أحبك .. لأنك جميل ومبدع .. وشاعر لا يؤتمن جانبه أصابعه اللون والضوء ..  والصرخة وعطر الياسمين ! أحبك .. لأنك ضجري الترحال المستقر .. لأنك القصائد لأن جسدك الحار قليل الأعصار ! أحبك .. لأني .. أحبك !

My interview with May Nasr for my Arabology radio program (May 2013):
http://soundcloud.com/arabology/may-nasr-interview

Palestinian Contestant Wins This Year's 'Arab Idol'

Photograph: Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images

22-year-old Gazan singer Mohammed Assaf won the Arab Idol singing contest final held in Beirut on Saturday June 22 after distinguishing himself over the past several week's as a singer with a unique voice and a memorable stage presence.. After the victory Assaf was named by the UN as its first youth ambassador to Palestinian refugee camps in the territories and neighbouring countries.

Here are some clips from his performances beginning with the song he sang upon his victory:

http://youtu.be/fh6Vhrr5nS8


http://youtu.be/Aj-pyJF6ckU


Here is a clip of Mohammad Assaf along with other contestants singing excerpts from the the Arabic version of Les Misérables:

http://youtu.be/r7WsujEXWKQ

Rythms of the Desert: Berkeley Event on July 28

Rhythms of the Desert at Ashkenaz in Berkeley: A night of soulful rhythms & songs from North Africa, Israel, & Yemen featuring Dror Sinai, Eliyahu Sills & Bouchaib Abdelhadi.  With special opening set of songs of longing & love from Rachel Valfer (vocalist from The Qadim Ensemble)

Sunday, July 28 Rhythms of the Desert
Doors at 7:30 pm
Show at 8:00 pm

For more info see http://www.ashkenaz.com/2011/july13.html

Jordanian Artist Sadouf Salem: Painting Exhibition in Amman through July 7

Renowned Jordanian artist Sadouf Salem is holding an exhibition featuring 101 of her paintings at Zara Center/Wadi Saqra in Amman, Jordan throughout the month of Ramadan which began this week all over the world.

Here are a couple of pictures showing Sadouf's art which is as diverse as it is poignant. For more info see https://www.facebook.com/groups/158661640821693

Art Gallery of Sadouf Salem Original Paintings.  For any queries please contact sadouf_salem@yahoo.com or mobile: +962 79 5605008

Monet and Picasso:  Piece by Sadouf Salem

Um Kulthum Portrait by Sadouf

The 40th Day: Film Based on Short Story by Dr. Ramzi Salti

The 40th Day:  Short film based on short story by R. Salti

'The 40th Day' is a short film (5 min) that is loosely based on one of my short stories titled titled 'Vivian and Her Son' which was originally published in my book The Native Informant and Other Stories.

The film/story is about a Middle Eastern mother who is forced to deal with the death of her son by coming to terms with their relationship and by reflecting on the things she might have done differently.

I applaud the director/producers/writers etc for their ability to broach so many social issues that often remain undiscussed in many Arab-American and/or Middle Eastern communities, even in the diaspora. Also kudos to the actors--especially main actress Nina Nayebi for her amazing portrayal of the mother in the film.

• For more info about the film (IMDB) click HERE
• To read 'Vivian and Her Son' (by Ramzi Salti) upon which this film was based, click HERE
• For film screenings and more see Asiansonfilm.com or click HERE.

Here are some screenshots from the film followed by the full credits:

Nina Nayebi in 'The 40th Day'

Screenshot from 'The 40th Day' courtesy of Eric Chenjie Pan

Screenshot from 'The 40th Day' courtesy of Eric Chenjie Pan

The 40th Day: Film Credits

Directed by Shasha LI

Writing credits(in alphabetical order)
Scott Eriksson writer
Ramzi Salti story

Cast
 Hassan Mahmoud ... Edris
 Nina Nayebi ... Samira
 Andrew Chen ... Mike
 Moe Alafrangy ... Omar
 Fariba Skobin ... Sahara

Eric Chenjie Pan ... Amir

Lida Ranjbaran ... Mira

Hilary Montez ... Funeral Guest

Cristina Antuna ... Funeral Guest

Produced by:  Eric Chenjie Pan
Cinematography by Eric Chenjie Pan
Film Editing by Eric Chenjie Pan
Production Design by Eric Chenjie Pan
Art Direction by Eric Chenjie Pan
Set Decoration by Eric Chenjie Pan

Makeup Department
Hilary Montez .... hair stylist
Hilary Montez .... makeup artist

Sound Department
Kristy Hine .... boom operator
Eric Chenjie Pan .... sound editor

Stunts
Michael 'Pugita' Kobayashi .... stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Rosie Levy .... assistant camera
Eric Chenjie Pan .... gaffer

Other crew
Kristy Hine .... production assistant
Rosie Levy .... production assistant
Mei Na .... production assistant