Note from IME Producer: If you attend one of these performances please send us your impressions, pictures and videos!

July 17th : Yves Lecoq – master impersonator, with 150 voices in his repertoire, famous for having impersonated former French president Jacques Chirac for 30 years, Yves Lecoq now imitates current French president and other prominent figures. 

July 23rd: Sugar Ray and the bluetones. Harmonica player, lyricist and singe, two-time Grammy Award nominee Sugar Ray Norcia has been performing with his band since the late 1970s. His music derives from an eclectic set of influences and probably shows most in his original tunes. With his quiet, cheerful, unassuming personality, Norcia is the kind of person people go to with their personal problems.

July 31st : Nancy Ajram. A multi-platinum selling Lebanese pop folk artist, one of the decade's most important superstars in the Middle East, Ajram is the 3rd best selling female artist in Lebanese history.

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Note from IME Producer: If you attend one of these performances please send us your impressions, pictures and video!

July 11th: David Fray: A bright young French pianist dedicated to the Germanic repertoire. Nominated for the Victoires de la Musique Classique in February 2008, David Fray's outstanding performances have won him numerous awards and have moved audiences from Europe to Asia.

July 16th through 18th: Caracalla Dance Theatre: The world-renown Lebanese folk dance troupe presents in a world premiere a folkloric journey into a Lebanese traditional village.

July 25th: Deep Purple: In a breathtaking historical background, Deep Purple will set the stage on fire. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide and thousands of performances since 1968, Deep Purple are a true source of inspiration for a whole generation of musicians.

August 1st: Ron Carter Jazz Quintet and Eddie Palmieri Salsa Sextet, from the acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s to being a reference in the education of music, Ron Carter will be performing in Baalbek with his thrilling quintet. Eddie Palmieri has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras and has nine Grammy awards.

August 13th: La Traviata - one of Giuseppe Verdi's most famous and immensely popular operas. "Les Choregies d'Orange" will revive this opera with around 180 participants to be performed acoustically for the first time in Lebanon during a magical evening at Baalbeck.

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Note from IME Producer: If you attend one of these performances please send us your impressions, pictures and videos!

July 14th through 18th: Grease The Musical – Recently voted number 1 musical of all times, Grease The Musical, with the original London superproduction, is the ultimate family show with the feel-good mood of the fifties and a brilliant collection of timeless songs.

July 19th: Jethro Tull – Ian Anderson, rock flutist, brilliant composer and extravagant showman, founded Jethro Tull in 1968. Jethro Tull acquired a worldwide cult status, creating classic masterpieces such as "Aqualung", "Thick as a Brick" or Anderson's reinterpretation on flute of Bach's "Bouree". All of these hits and many more will be performed at Byblos to a rock audience ranging from 15 to 65.

July 21st: Misia, The new voice of Portuguese fado takes Amalia Rodriguez musical heritage to new heights, adding her own modern and electric touch. This superb singer will interpret a selection of great fado classics as well as pop covers ranging from Dalida to Johnny Cash.

July 23rd: Gonzales – CocoRosie – Y.A.S
Gonzales, an outstanding, provocative performer, will play his "Solo Piano" pieces, reminiscent of the work of Erik Satie and Keith Jarrett.
CocoRosie, founded in New York by the Casady sisters, CocoRosie mixes folk ballads with electronic rhythms, creating a truly innovative and sensual sound.
Y.A.S – Yasmine Hamdan, ex-singer of "Soap Kills", is back to Lebanon with a new album "Arabology" produced by Mirwais, Madonna's sound producer.

August 8th through 12th: Saif 840, a historical epic play by Mansour Rahbani. The story of people eager for freedom and seeking to live in dignity, a story of resistance against repression, injustice, invaders and tyrans.

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Note From IME Producer: If you attend one of these performances please send us your impressions, pictures and videos!

July 18th: Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra: A rock gypsy concert by the internationally acclaimed director and musician Emir Kusturica with The No Smoking Orchestra. Kusturica is winner of 2 Golden Palms in Cannes and a Silver Bear in the Berlin film festival.

July 22nd: Madeleine Peyroux: She confidently walks the line where jazz, country and blues collide. Her unique voice can best be thought of as the Billie Holiday of the 1990s.

July 25th: A world Premiere: Gabriel Yared, accompanied by the Budapest Concert Orchestra conducted by Dirk Brosse, soprano: Gaelle Mechaly. The Lebanese Oscar winner and composer Gabriel Yared will perform live for the first time, in his home country, his memorable film music scores. Projections of some of Yared's best movies such as l'Amant and The English Patient...

July 31st: Hanine Y Son Cubano – Big Band: Hanine's amazing voice vehicles the Tarab tradition mixed with Cuban harmony and rhythm. Beautiful cross-mating of two totally different music worlds.

August 9th: Guy Manoukian accompanied by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and Special Guest Mario Reyes from the Gypsy Kings Family. Recipient of the Armenian Music Awards, Guy Manoukian plays Arabic and Armenian fusion at its best.

August 12th: The Palestine Youth Orchestra & Marcel Khalife: In a tribute to Mahmoud Darwish. A poetic opera Ahmad Al Arabi, written by Darwish and composed and performed bu Marcel Khalife, soloist Omeyma Al Khalil and Reem Talhami along with a 100 piece orchestra and choir. The concert celebrates Jerusalem Arab Cultural Capital 2009.

August 15th: Kadim Al Sahir, upon poplar demand, once more Kadim al Sahir returns to sing Nizar Kabbani's poetry.

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Johanna Fiore, a New York-based photographer, sent us this contribution after attending the Artists in Exile Exhibit in New York City by Iraqi artists living in Syria - see our original blog entry. Send us your feedback on Johanna's entry and let us know if you'll be attending any events.

At a church in New York City on June 20, a gentlemen sat at a large table measuring string to hang paintings. A few pieces were ready for hanging, leaning against the wall.

Artist Najim Chechen posing next to his pastel collage Dancing in the Clouds. Photo: Johanna Fiore

'Tea Drinking' by Amer Bader. Photo: Peter Spano

'The Leaving' by Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Karkhi. Photo: Peter Spano

Photographer, composer and writer Gordon Parks 1912-2006. Photo: Johanna Fiore

My friend and mentor Gordon Parks in a photo I call 'A Great Day in Harlem' Photo: Johanna Fiore.

My first reaction surprised me. It was not an intellectual response; it was purely emotional. My breath was taken away. Here before me, were unbelievable works of art. I had to sit down.

The gentlemen, Mel Lehman, told me how he brought these paintings back from Damascus in a suitcase and met the artists in person. His organization, Common Humanity is committed to raising the awareness of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons within Iraq. He was interested in promoting “a human understanding.” I then knew I wanted to help in any way.

I spent that afternoon with the paintings. As I learned more about the refugee problem-many questions came to my mind. What is a country’s moral responsibility to the people of Iraq? What is my individual responsibility as an American citizen? We invaded their country, their homes were destroyed and many were forced to flee from their country. My immediate thoughts were that, as citizens, we have a moral responsibility to help in any way. I also realized that I had become numb to the images of war. As I learned more about the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and researched the plight of these artists and other refugees, it reinforced my determination to promote the show.

To explain why I was so moved, I need to tell you about Gordon Parks.

I spent the twenty most exciting years of my life working for master photographer, composer, director and writer Gordon Parks. He was my mentor and friend. His photographs taught me the power of images. His camera was his “Choice of Weapons.” Humble and kind, he lived a life free of prejudice and touched the hearts of many. I feel privileged to have been the recipient of his wisdom and time.

All that changed for me when Mr. Parks passed away in March 2006. My world crumbled before me. I lost my job, my grief consumed me, and my passion for life was gone.

I experienced the harsh realities of life. I hit a low I have never known. So, when a friend asked if I would like to see paintings by Iraqi refugees, I was interested.

After seeing the artwork and hearing their stories, my problems seem miniscule in comparison to what these artists face on a daily basis. Yer they are able to express their individual experiences on a canvas despite their horrendous hardships.

The hauntingly beautiful, complex works have a Western influence coupled with such raw emotion that I feel changed as a human being. My energy, creativity, and enthusiasm for life slowly grew as I spent more time with the paintings. What I had lost in March of 2006 was returned to me and for that I am truly grateful.

On opening day, June 20, 2009 many people expressed their appreciation and awe of the works. The exhibition space, the Second Presbyterian Church (6 West 96th Street, New York City), lends itself to the showing. The space represents the power of teamwork and commitment to others. Leslie Merlin, the pastor of the Church, works tirelessly for so many causes. The paintings have already been paid for and any additional funds raised will be donated to the refugees. It has been an inspiration for me to meet so many people who are trying to help others. Artists in Exile: is a true community effort.

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Filed under: Archaeology •Culture Contributors •Iraq •U.S.

If your musical tastes run towards the more esoteric and global, consider attending Morocco's Gnaoua Festival June 26-29 held every year in the seaside village of Essaouira.

This is the 12th year the Gnaoua Festival is being held in Essaouira, Morocco.

Gnaoua (or Gnawa) is type of music indigenous to Northern Africa, characterized by its soulful chanting. In addition to local Gnaoua musicians from Morocco and other Maghreb countries, other participating artists include American alternative hip-hop group Arrested Development, Latin percussionist Jorge Bezerra, Afro-Brazilian-German group Afoxe Leoni and some of the best Sub-Saharan musicians on the scene.

*Note from IME Producer: If you plan to attend this event, blog about it! Send us your thoughts, photos and videos and we'll share them on this blog.

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Filed under: Culture Calendar •Morocco

Syria's Tourism Ministry will hold a festival June 28-30 marking the end of the Year of St. Paul the Apostle.

Vatican's official logo for the Year of St. Paul.

Pope Benedict XVI announced June 2008 – June 2009 as the "Year of St. Paul" marking 2000 years since the birth of the apostle who, it is believed, converted to Christianity on the road Damascus.

Events will include masses in various churches and monasteries around Syria and joint Islamic-Christian activities.

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Filed under: Christianity •Culture Calendar •Syria

Cairo – The first of its kind in the region, the Cairo Refugee Film Festival will take place from June 17-June 20 at Rawabet theatre in downtown.

Click to check out their website

Organizers say the festival is a celebration of the power of the human spirit and the courage of refugees from all around the world. Through showcasing fiction and documentary films that humanize the refugee narratives, the festival aims at bringing these narratives into the public sphere.

** Note from IME Producer: If you plan to attend this event, blog about it! Send us your videos, photos and thoughts and we'll share them on this blog.

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Filed under: Culture Calendar •Egypt

Doha – The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) will perform the music of four contemporary Lebanese composers on June 20 at the Aspire Hall in Doha.

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra with Lebanese musician Marcel Khalife at the opening of the Kennedy Center Arab Festival Arabesque in Washington on Feb 23. Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

The evening’s guest conductor, Evelyne Aiello from France, is known for exploring symphonic music beyond its standard boundaries. She has worked with Ballet de l’Opera de Paris as well as numerous famous orchestras such as Orchestre National d’Ile de France and New Boston Orchestra.

Re-orchestrated in 2002 by Ghady and Oussama Rahbani, Jibal as Sawan (Mountains of Silex) Symphonic Suite by the Rahbani Brothers will commence the program. The arranged piece of the 1969 composition is a selection of sequences conveying the message of the young woman “Gherbe,” symbol of the resistance against the oppressor. The brothers Assi and Mansour’s fame started in the 1950’s when their artistic style combined the old with the new with a fine and elegant perspective.

Also on the programme will be Houtaf Khoury’s Mirror of Eternity, a piece in three movements depicting the Arab world, where society remains closed and entrenched, through the life of a person whose earlier and later stages are mirrored images of hopes, contradictions and lost opportunities.

Read full story in The Gulf Times

** Note from IME Producer: If you plan to attend this event, blog about it! Send us your videos, photos and thoughts and we'll share them on this blog.

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Filed under: Culture Calendar •Lebanon •Qatar

** Note from IME Producer: If any of you plan on attending the exhibit, blog about it! Send us your thoughts, videos and photos and we'll share them on this blog.

“Artists in Exile: Iraqi Refugees in Damascus” will open June 20, World Refugee Day, and features artists who have fled from the war in Iraq and are now living in Syria.

Wadhah Mahdi, an Iraqi refugee artist in Damascus, with one of his paintings which will be featured in the exhibit along with paintings from some 19 other Iraqi refugee artists. Photo: UNHCR/G.Brust

The exhibit is sponsored by Common Humanity, a New York-based organization which seeks to build more understanding of and respect for the Arab and Muslim worlds. The exhibit also seeks to raise awareness of the plight of some 4 million Iraqi refugees and displaced persons within Iraq.

It is based upon a show held earlier this spring in Damascus which was organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The majority of the roughly 20 paintings are by Iraqi refugees who studied art and gained professional recognition in their homeland until violence forced them to flee across the desert to Syria. They are part of some 1.5 million Iraqi refugees who have been allowed to remain in safety in Syria but for whom few resources exist.

Dates: June 20 – July 11, Closed July 4
Hours: Tues – Fri 5 – 9 pm, Saturdays 10 – 8
Place: Second Presbyterian Church, 96th Street at Central Park West, NYC

Paintings will be on sale by silent auction. The paintings have already been purchased from the refugees and any profits from the sale of the paintings will be returned to the refugees. For more information: http://www.CommonHumanity.org or e-mail ML9612921@aol.com.

Filed under: Culture Calendar •Iraq •U.S.