The municipal elections put us through quite the emotional roller coaster this week. Whether you are elated, disappointed, or satisfied, here are some ideas on how to celebrate or distract yourself from the verdict.
The Great Outdoors
Rabbits Thursday Tripoli – Thursday 12, 9 AM
Explore Lebanon’s biggest island, snorkel, have yourself some BBQ, and chill out for the rest of the day. This is the first in a series of weekly trips to Tripoli’s Rabbit Island.
Unwind before another wild Saturday night at the Beirut Waterfront. The session is open to all levels and ends at sunset.
Hike with your best friend – Sunday 15, 10 AM
Grab your furry friend, a leash, hiking boots, and – most importantly – a poop bag for this Sunday morning hike through the Shouf Biosphere reserve. This event is organized by BETA.
The Art Scene
Haven for Artists Fundraiser – Thursday 12, 8 PM
A fundraising event to give up-and-coming local artists a space to promote their work: The Haven House. Find exhibited pieces, musical performances, a design market and more.
Anbara – Thursday 12 through Sunday 15, 8:30 PM
Babel Theater hosts the last few performances of Anbara, directed by Aliya Khalidi. The play tells the story of an extraordinary young girl who pioneered the struggle for women’s equality and political participation in Lebanon, writing articles and founding one of the first women’s organizations in the country.
In the Clouds – Friday May 13
Image via the Fouad Debbas Collection, Sursock Museum 1926-30
During the French mandate, aerial photographers took to the skies to map out the city and monitor citizen activity. This exhibition is part of the Fouad Debbas Collection at the Sursock Museum, and runs until August 1.
Port of Beirut Visit – Saturday 14, 8 AM
A visit to Marfa’’s current exhibit, Fields of Space, a deconstruction of our spatial perception using objects from the Beirut port, followed by a guided tour of the harbor by the Arab Center for Architecture. The tour should last about three hours and is in French and Arabic.
The Cultural Front
Asil Ensemble Album Release Concert – Thursday 12, 8 PM
Fifteen instruments and twelve musicians come together to perform Tawahhud (Autism), a musical piece inspired by isolation due to one’s resistance to mainstream thought, at Masrah el Madina.
Oriental Soiree at Onomatopoeia – Friday 13, 8:30 PM
Egyptian and Syrian songs performed by Tammam Saeed (Oud), Moulham Khalaf (Vocals), and Rawad el Asmar (Tabla). All proceeds will fund underprivileged children’s music classes.
Bollywood Dance Workshop – Saturday 14, 4 PM
Learn to dance like they do in Bollywood films! A fusion of contemporary, classical, Eastern and Western styles, Bollywood dance has grown more and more popular over the years. The workshop is only two hours long, and is taught by Martina Minkashi Argada at Houna Center Hamra.
The Intellectual Agenda
IDAHOT –Thursday 12, Saturday 14, and Sunday 15
Helem commemorates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – May 17, because on that date in1990, the WHO declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder – the day will be honored by with a series of events including a screening and panel discussions.
Hold Up Gathering with RecycleLebanon – Thursday 12, 6 PM
Have an idea on how to save our environment in the current garbage crisis? This is the place to suggest it, or meet someone willing to take it one step further.
Set yourself up to innovate, build a business plan, and find a team to support your startup in this 54-hour weekend full of entrepreneurial learning and leading.
Beyrouth, La Rencontre at Dawawine – Sunday 15, 8 PM
Image via Panorama des cinémas du Maghreb et du Moyen-Orient (PCMMO)
Directed by Borhane Alaouie, the film (1981) centers around a man and a woman separated by the demarcation line between East and West Beirut, and their struggle to communicate.
