The city of Ramallah is not for fighters, it's for lovers, party goers and bankers. And in the summer the songs of this universally known city come home to have a great time. So it's not weird to see a number of music festivals.
One of those events is Ween 3a Ramallah, in honor of the most famous song written for this city. This time the night was owned by the Akko based band Wala3at....it caught fire...and that what they did they fired up the fans to those very Palestinian and eastern tunes.
We have a news coverage of this concert and a quick overview of the evening.
فرقة ولعت العكاوية حفل وين عرام الله - هارون عمايرة
A Successful Palestine International Festival 2011 means that there were no or little troubles with this festival for this year. Latifa, the Tunisian singer said yes, she will perform, then she said no becasue she does not want an Israeli stamp on her passport. Guess what? The organizers of the music and dance festival did away with that. The festival has chosen the "Youth" as the theme for the festival.
Invited performers and guests were invited by the Palestinians Authority and their entry was handled by the Authority, as far as the performers care, they did not have to deal with the Israels or see them at the entrance point from Jordan. Still the Israelis had to approve the guests, but the guests did not to see those officers.
Egyptian singer Iman Al Baher Darwish was the key guest of the festival and he did not disappoint as he defended the festival and asked for more entertainers to visit Palestine. He also held a meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas. I understand the difficulty to plan such an event under occupation. There is always issues with should we be doing this now? But this is about life and about showing the world that against all odds the people of Palestine will live.
Click on the links to watch the performances:
Performers form Egypt (Wust El Balad Band, and Iman AlBaher Darwish), Algeria (Soad Masi), Spain (Los Mulero), Jordan (Macade Nahas), Chile "Bavochi" entertained the city of Ramallah for the duration of five days. There was also the Palestine National folklore Dance troupe performance.
Comomorating the Egyptain revolution is in order, it might be a bit too early to drink the bubbly, but no one is stopping Kareem Abed El Wahab from releasing his tribute album to the revolution in his country. With 6 tracks and loaded with stories of oppression, the streets, anger, and the army.
There is also much to be proud about in today's Egypt, and there's a lot to worry about as well. As far as the album is concerned, it plays like a story with chapters, the prelude to the revolution, the movement, the revolution, the army's involvement and so on.
If you are a star in post Mubarak Egypt era, you do not get to your status without having performed at El Sawy Culture wheel. This is the hottest concert venue in Egypt where all those indie bands, pop stars, and single artists have performed to sold out crowd. Since the owner Mohammad Sawy has been an icon in the cultural landscape in Egypt and since he was also tabbed for the position of minister of culture.
Not a single day went by without having read about an event there, a concert is a common thing, they have film festivals as well and debates and panel discussion there too. And what makes these guys hot is having their own radio show and their ow magazine.
The place accommodates 1500 people but it seems that 2000 people can enjoy performances and shows in this hip place. Established in 2003 by an engineer who likes hanging out with intellect and fun people who keep the place open and have built a great community.
Visit their website and book an event there via the internet.
For the first time in ages, Egypt will be present at the Carthage Music Festival in Tunisia--the other Arab country that ousted a dictator will be represented by in Indie band. Not some pop singer or some popjlar name, a band that comes from behind and will steal the show in that country and bring the spirit of Tahrir to this iconic music festival.
This turns the page on the past practices, just like that Eskenderella song about new page. The nomination was made by the Ministry of Culture, which the band announced on their Facebook page, "In the past Egypt was represented by Amr Diab and Sherine, now guess who will be representing Egypt?" said one band member on their page.
On other band related news, Eskenderella has four concerts for the month of July in various Egyptian towns. Starting July second and ending July 23rd. Some venues might be added later.
يوليو 2011، وهو 2 يوليو - الفن ميدان - ميدان عابدين الساعة 9.30 13 يوليو - المنصورة - قصر ثقافة النصورة - لم تحدد الساعة بعد 22 يوليو - الساقية - الساعة 8.30 23 يوليو- مسرح الجنينة - الساعة 8.
Hany Shaker is all alone now, his daughter passed away last week and he is not over it, this has been a tough struggle for the health of his daughter Dina that has passed way due to her cancer. While Dina was happily married, the diseases took her away from all her loved one. Dina found out about her cancer more than a year and half ago after she gave birth to a twin. She sought care in both The States and France.
Lat year Hany Shaker wrote this song for his little girl. They were together in a cancer clinic in France as her father accompanied her, and saw how much pain she was in. He jotted those emotions then. The song comes to mind now as we see the guy behind some of the most romantic and dramatic songs in Arabic has to state death in the eye. Her condition saw a mild improvement in the final days only to deteriorate and lead her to the end of her time with us. There was hops to take Dina to China for one more round of medical care, but it was too late.
This is the will of God, I know it seems hard to accept that now, but we all have to deal with death sooner or later, we only ask God to give us peace and serenity to accept those things we cannot change.
Nothing stops a good party from happening in Lebanon, and certainly no event is large enough so overshadow the Murexdor Awards in Lebanon. In the Ambassadors Hall in Lebanon Casino, the Arab stars had a busy evening in the company of the media, their loved ones and their rivals.
The awards for this year were similar to the one from the previous name and pretty much the same names repeated itself. Wael Kfoury (what did he do this year so special?) Cyrine Abelnor (awesome, but nothing outstanding in 2010), Haifa Wahbe, (it's not an award ceremony if she was missing) Nancy Ajram (she deserves all the best) The show is produced by Lebanon's MTV and broadcasted live OMG! just like they do at the OSCARS!
Some of the evening performances varied, Gassan Salibia "Oh, the people of the land يا أهل الارض", Mirna Shaker "the mask has fallen سقط القناع", Tony Hana, the legendary singer "The Moon's Shadow طل القمر" Sara Al Hany, the young Lebanese singer with a solid voice "Those with your good looks يللي بجمالك" then the Four Knights performed "تعلى وتتعمَّر يا دار May Home be strong" then all those performers joined in the stage for the classic song, O Write your name my homeland بكتب اسمك يا بلادي so it seems the Arab revolutions have influenced the lineup and the mode at the award ceremony.
Late Yehya was given an ward for his work and his tragic passing, Cyrine Abdelnour won the best Lebanese actress award for her role on "Sara" TV drama. Best Lebanese singer went to Nancy Ajram who dedicated the song to her awesome husband. Carole Samahe won the best music video for her Khalik Behalik dramatic performance. Nancy Ajram music video Shiekh Al Shabab also win the same prize. Best Lebanese song award went to Wael Kfoury, and best Arabic song went to Haifa Wahbe for her Yama Layaly.
Egyptian singer Sheiren won the best Arab singer award and dedicated the song to the Egyptian revolution.
Murex d'Or 2011
Nancy Ajram Hkayat El Deni Sherine in Murex D'Or 2011
Special Murex d'Or 2011 | Best of Murex d'Or 2010
More on the awards in Arabic by Elaph:
الموريكس يكرِّم كبار الفنانين في لبنان ومصر وبدأ الحفل مع تكريم الفنان اللبناني، إيلي شويري، عن مجمل أعماله الفنيَّة، في لفتةٍ إلى مسيرته الطويلة الَّتي إمتدت لأكثر من 51 عامًا في هذا المجال، كذلك تمَّ تكريم الفنانة المصريَّة، ناديا الجندي، عن مجمل أعمالها أيضًا، حيث شكرت اللجنة، ووعدت جمهورها بمتابعة المسيرة وتقديم الأفضل من حيث الجودة والجرأة.
كما قدِّمت جائزة تكريميَّة للممثلة اللبنانيَّة، ليلى حكيم، عن مجمل أعمالها، الَّتي عبَّرت عن فرحتها بتكريمها وهي حيَّةً ترزق، بدورها كرِّمت الفنانة اللبنانيَّة الَّتي إشتهرت من مصر، ليز سركيسيان، عن مجمل أعمالها وتمنَّت أنّْ يذكر لبنان دومًا مواطنيه الذين ناجحوا في بلاد الإغتراب.
كذلك تمَّ تكريم الشَّاعرة مي منسَّى، الَّتي دمعت عيناها على المسرح، وقدَّمت جائزتها إلى روح الصحافي الراحل جبران تويني.
مبدعون غابوا عن الدنيا ولم يغيبوا عن الموريكس دور وكان للجنة المنظِّمة لفتةً تجاه مبدعين غابوا خلال العام الماضي والحالي عن السَّاحة الفنيَّة، تاركين أعمالهم الَّتي أثَّرت في الجمهور، وأبرزهم وليد غلمية، ويحيا سعادة، ومارون كرم، إستلمت مغنِّية الأوبر، هبة قوَّاص، جائزة الراحل وليد غلمية، وقدَّمت وصلةً سحرت من خلالها الحضور بصوتها.
جوائز بالجملة.. والأسماء نفسها تكرَّر في كل عام وكما كل سنة تكرَّرت بعض الأسماء في حفل الموريكس، وغابت العديد من الأسماء، فحصد الفنان اللبناني، راغب علامة، جائزة أفضل مغني لبناني لهذا العام، في حين نالت الفنانة، نانسي عجرم، جائزة أفضل مغنية لبنانيَّة، وأهدت جائزتها إلى زوجها الذي وصفته بشيخ الشباب، وذلك بعد أنّْ قدَّم الجائزة الوزير السابق، زياد بارود، الذي رأى أنَّ أغنية "شخبط شخابيط" تنطبق على الواقع السياسي اللبناني، في رسالةٍ سياسيَّةٍ منه وجهَّها عن طريق المزاح.
أمَّا جائزة أفضل ممثلة لبنانيَّة، فكانت من نصيب الممثلة، سيرين عبد النور، عن دورها في "سارة"، فأهدت جائزتها إلى كل فربق العمل الذي ساهم بنجاح المسلسل، وأبرزهم الممثل يوسف الخال الذي غاب إسمه عن الحفل، وللكاتبة كلوديا مرشيليان، في حين نال جائزة أفضل ممثل لبناني، يوسف حدَّاد وجورج خباز اللذان تعادلا، وعلى المسرح، ألقى خباز نثرًا من كتابته بعنوان "خايف تخلص الدني"، في حين لم تسع الفرحة حدَّاد، الذي بدأ يصيح على المسرح وقدَّم الجائزة لزوجته، لتزامن الحفل مع عيد زواجهما.
أما جائزة أفضل كليب فكانت من نصيب "خليك بحالك" لكارول سماحة إخراج تييري فيرن، و"شيخ الشباب" لنانسي عجرم من إحراج ليلي كنعان، وعلَّقت كنعان على فوزها بالتأكيد على أنَّ الديك لم يقتل في الكليب، طالبةً بالكف عن مراسلتها لإستيضاح الأمر، ولم نعلم لماذا قد يهتم المشاهد بالديك، إنَّ كان قد توفي أو مازال على قيد الحياة، أمَّ أنَّها إعتبرته نجم الكليب ومن مشاهير العالم العربي؟
إلى ذلك، حصدت الممثلة السوريَّة، سلاف معمار، جائزة أفضل ممثلة عربيَّة، في حين نال مواطنها، قصي الخولي، جائزة أفضل ممثل عربي لهذا العام.
أمَّا جائزة أفضل أغنية لبنانيَّة فكانت من نصيب "ما رجعت إنت" للفنان وائل كفوري، الذي غنَّاها على المسرح، برفقة الفنانة، ماري سليمان، الَتي غابت لفترة طويلة عن الأنظار ونجح الموريكس بإعادتها إلى الأضواء، في حين حصدت "ياما ليالي" للفنانة هيفاء وهبي، على جائزة أفضل أغنية عربيَّة.
أمَّا نجمة الغناء العربي لهذا العام فكانت الفنانة المصريَّة، شيرين، الَّتي تعثَّرت عند إعتلائها شيرين، ثمَّ أهدت جائزتها للثورة المصريَّة، مشيرةً إلى أنَّ بيروت هي "مزَّة الدنيا"، شاكرةً القائمين على الحفل على هذا التكريم.
أمَّا الممثل عصام بريدي فحصد جائزة أفضل ممثل في دور مساند، والممثلة باميلا الكيك أفضل ممثلة في دور مساند، في حين نال سمير حبشي جائزة أفضل مخرج، وكلوديا مرشليان جائزة أفضل كاتبة، عن مسلسل "سارة".
ملاحظات على هامش الحفل غادر الفنان راغب علامة والفنانة نانسي عجرم بعد وقت قليل من تسلًّمهما جوائزهما.
كان للأكسسوارات الغريبة حصَّتها في الحفل، ونافست الليدي مادونا الليدي غاغا، بعد أنّْ وضعت وردةً بحجمٍ كبيرٍ على رأسها، كذلك إرتدت الممثلة لاميتا فرنجية، ثوبًا يحمل الطابع الروماني، مفتوحًا على الظهر والبطن، ويحمل شقًا كبيرًا حتى الفخذ، وفي حين كانت كلاًّ من نانسي عجرم وسيرين عبد النور بكامل أناقتهما، وهما اللَّتان تطلاَّن على الشَّاشة لأوَّل مرَّة بعد إنجابهما، إرتدت الفنانة سوزان نجم الدين، فستانا ذهبيًّا وأحمر، مكتوب على صدره كلمة سوريا، لتؤكِّد أنَّ وطنها على صدرها وفي قلبها
سيرين عبدالنور تستذكر يوسف الخال، وهو الذي كان على خلاف مع لجنة الموريكس، ومنعهم من ذكر إسمه أو ترشيحه لنيل جائزة منهم.
بدا التأثر على الفنانة، هيفاء وهبي، عندما قدَّمت مواطنتها نانسي عجرم وصلتها الغنائيَّة.
Chic Egyptain singer ZeeZee Adel who has released two albums, the last one came in 2009 is not making a career shift by getting into the acting business. "Brasca", is an Egyptian play of comedy and music. The role Zeezee will be taking was first played by Egyptian singer/actress Boshra who is unable to take on the role one more time due to her very busy schedule.
Zeezee take on the acting role making her debut in theater, the play is about a Greek revolution lead by a woman who has had with with men in power. Ms. Adel took part of the press conference about the play along with her cast members. I think this is a good move for Zeezee as the music business is not doing too well right now, she can branch out.
Zeezze had a single about how much Egypt means to her, and her previous song was also about Egypt during the Egypt Algeria soccer rivalry in 2009-2010. To me Zeezee is a really cool entertainer with her own style. Think Beyonce and Shakira rolled up in one hip serving.
Carthage music festival 2011 is back on track! Two names you will not have to worry about seeing this year...the first is Tunisian singer Latifa who has messed up really bad when she did not sing for the revolution in her country and chose to sing for the one in Egypt. Latifa has been also silent throughout the whole ordeal and her past with the ruling Ben Ali family has not helped either.
The surprise name that has also been denied an opportunity to take part of this international music festival is lotfi bouchnak, the seasoned Tunisian musician composer and singer. According to Saudi MBC network quoting Algerian newspaper "Alkhbar" Bouchnak was supposed to have his concert in July 2nd, but instead a number of rappers who have taken part of the revolution will replace him.
There has been an outcry against the concert of Bouchnak for his support to the ousted dictator. Bouchank was one of dozens of Tunisian celebrities who signed a petition asking Ben Ali to run again in 2014. The minister of culture in Tunisian confirmed the decision to cancel the concert by Mr. Bouchnak. I hear he is in a bad condtion and feeling bad for not being welcome at home...but he neevr thought about that when he petitioned the now running man to run again.
Not too many Arab singers are willing to go and perform in Iraq, few manage to make the stop despite the risk and the politics. Assi Hallani, the Lebanese knight of Arabic music held a press conference right before his concert.
Assi has always spoken his mind, he is a true Arab and he believes in Arab nationalism it shows in his music. He often talks about Arabs as one nation, but he also makes songs of Arab leaders whom some of them are not popular. But he is a singer not a politician, so enjoy the music and feel free to listen to his opinions or not.
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | June 11, 2011 — ADC announced today that it will open its annual Gala with the playing of the song "Watani Ana" by Syrian composer and pianist Mr. Malek Jandali.
We regret the series of events that led to the cancellation of Mr. Jandali's performance. We hope that by playing the song, with its powerful message of freedom, that we will address the valid concerns of many in the Arab-American community. It is in this spirit we hope to move forward and continue to build our grassroots network, as we work to empower Arab Americans. ADC’s mission as a civil rights organization will be advanced by being a broad umbrella that represents the whole community. We encourage the participation of all Arab Americans as a vital way of continuing to build, and improve our ability to defend our rights. It is regrettable that this issue has been emphasized by some to detract from the important work that ADC does and from its message conveyed at its annual convention. ADC has gained its Arab-American community's trust by being active and fair and has worked diligently to protect their rights.
Unfortunately, few Arab stars had the trouble Mohamed Kelany had, when he got all his ducks in order and was able to work hard on an album, got his fans excited and ready for his debut album, Egypt will change for ever....his album was released weeks before the sweeping revolution of Egypt took over the entire country...
Needless to say sales for his album bombed, but it was a worthy album did not go well, but so many things went wrong all over Egypt, many lost their lives...so to have a problem with sales is not the end of the world. Mohamed Kelany can sing, Roa and I actually enjoy his album and his various range of melodies and refined set of vocals. So, I am not surprised if he has many concerns this summer season.
When you are Asma Lmnawar and you are at home with your fans, there is little you cannot do, so you know you have the moment and you got to make the best of it. And When you are the Czar of Arabic music and the world is your stage, there is little worry for you.
Combine those two accomplished artists and you get fireworks...while Kathim Al saher took an intrest in Asma's career early one and shared the stage with her with a duet in 2007. Then they did it again in 2009 with Al Mahkma, Arabic for court. And now they took their show to Mawazine music Festival and they literary owned the night when they performed solo and later joined each other on the stage to perform this duet.
The Moroccans enjoy serious Arabic music unlike many other Arab countries that love their pop before anything else. Kathem Al Saher is a household name in Arabia, but not everyone enjoys his concerts the same way. It's not about getting crazy and rioting like most of those pop stars do it.
A Kathem Al Saher is about your brain and your emotions, but before anything else your ear is the most important tool to enjoy those concerts. In Morocco's grand music festival at Festival Mawazine, only the serious musician stand the test of those thirsty fans for the finest Arabic music. Yes and there are tourist from all over the world that happen to be in Morocco for this Festival.
Here is a clip from Kazim Al Saher concert there last week and boy, did he get in the zone or what? He performed his latest tile song Dala'a Al Nisa' and see the fans were all about this actually hip song that has a catchy beat. It's not one of those poem songs Kathem is known for, but rather a hip version of a very serious song.
Kathem has left no place without performing there, he has traveled millions of miles and have entertained millions in thousands of concerts and events. I am sure Morocco makes him feel at home and so the hundreds international and Arab performers who have appeared on this global stage.
While she may have few enemies in Tunis now over some misunderstanding and anger over her lack of support for the Tunisian revolution. Combined with releasing a support song for Egypt and not her home country. Plus her close history with the ruling family of Tunisia, but that should not be all we know about this one of a kind bold singer.
In 2004, when she won the World Music Award, she stod, accepted her award and said, I am not fully happy until the liberation of Iraq and Palestine. Not other Arab singer (Elissa, Nancy Ajram, Amer Diab) has ever said those words when they accepted the award. So she is bold, courages and cares about other Arabs.
She has also sang songs for Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan and Palestine all offering wards of support and making the plight of those people real to many people. So the news broke out she will be the key guest for the Palestine International Festival in the city of Ramallah. Not just because of her music and many hit she has released, but also because of her heart.
In a press release issued by her office, Latifa is excited about her performance in Palestine following the success of the revolutions in Tunisian and Egypt and days after the national unity agreement was singed in Egypt between Fatah and Hamas.
The Palestine International Festival was lunched in 1993 to break the cultural isolation imposed on the Palestinians by the military Israeli occupation.
Two Palestinian artists with very limited technology at their disposal and limited experience singing released a song for the victims of the destructive earthquake and its aftermath. Those two artists sue musical demos and record their lyrics on them
Nassm and Hatem are two Gaza dudes, who write lyrics and music in Arabic and English and sing those songs....most of their work is about the plight of Gaza and Palestine. But this is just about their first song for a different country and a different cause.
They are not making money of it, as a song I think the lyrics could have been better, they sound tired, but as an effort I give these guys an A. You do not see many Arabic songs or songs by Arabs for Japan.
Meet Sherif el Ghandour one of Egypt's up and coming talents that has written and performed a number of songs in the wake of the revolution in Egypt. He does not write lyricist, but puts the music and sing. This is really good we have a lot more musicians getting into the singing business.
While he does not get any concerts as of yet, he works with some young poets who have the gift of words and bring out some of the better songs. His latest song askes people to revolt--it's part of their rights. He also includes a sober word--do not violate my rights as you revolt.
Those are great words if many take them seriously!
Morocco's Mawazine Music Festival had a crisis on their hand, the popular Rashid Al Majid was supposed to perform on Sunday night 36 hours before his concert, he was a no show and apologized that he was unable to come. What do you do?
Well, they Festival organizers remembered they have some really hip chick from Morocco that was not invited to perform there, so they got a hold of Jannat one of the most popular young voices in Arabic pop and graciously she came to save the day at the most famous music even in North Africa.
So Jannat showed up at the music festival dressed in a traditional dress of Morocco, she is from there--even thought she tried to hard to look, speak and breath like an Egyptian. I can tell the fans were present and many had posters with Jannat picture to welcome her. See the video to know what Jannat deserves to be on that stage.
Hamza Namira is a true musician, can play the guitar, and sing along to some fresh lyrics, this Alexandria boy is currently in Turkey recording his latest album, the song he will be working on is titled human, "Insan"
The album will be released summer of 2011, Hamza will be collaborating with Turkish and Arab musicians and technicians on next album project. GUC had the artist in a concert, the German University threw a concert and Hamza had more than 10 thousand fans.
Namira's last album was released two years ago with the title Dream With Me, E7lam Ma3aya. It was a sober album with some innovate musical themes.
P.S. What's up with Arab songs and coffee? There are a dozen of songs talking about coffee and cafes....maybe we should leave those places and get back to work instead of hanging out doing close to nothing all day.
At Cannes this year, there is one Egyptian movie that is representing that country at this prestigious movie award all the way in France. A movie made in Egypt, the work of ten filmmakers dealing with the Egyptian revolution and the people who either lead it or were caught in the middle of it.
Not clear on the movie's premise, but it seems to have already generated some publicity for its country of origin at Cannes. The cast has a number of mega stars of the likes of Ahmad Hilmi and Mona Zaky, the power duo that actually went down to Tahrir Square and took part of the some of the protest--they were never the first actors there--Mona Zaky had nice things to say about Mubarak before she had a change of heart.
The trailer looks awesome it makes look like a thriller, the events are scattered, heavy military presence and lots of civilians and footage of the Tahrir Square events during those 18 days. I know this much, the people of Egypt should be proud of what they did, this movie might not be worthy of those events--we have to find out.
