A Lebanese Queer Cabaret Duo Puts an Arabic Twist on a Classic Love Song

A Lebanese queer cabaret duo have reimagined Can’t Take My Eyes Off You in Arabic in a mesmerizing performance that’s making rounds on social media.

In the performance, artists NIKOTINE and Samara reinterpret the Frankie Valli classic through Arabic lyrics, giving the song a completely new life.

You can watch snippets of the performance here:

Rather than treating it as a cover, the song becomes a reinterpretation, shaped by their identity as Lebanese artists working within a queer cabaret space.

Their work often draws on layered cultural references, including what they describe as “Queerabia,” a way of reclaiming and reimagining Arab queer presence through performance.

The duo are part of CABARET: The Dancing Djinn, a traveling cabaret project blending live music, drag, dance, and storytelling.

The show has been staged in cities across Canada, building a cult following for its mix of Arabic influences and queer performance art.

At its core, The Dancing Djinn is a cabaret universe that leans into fantasy and Arab aesthetics, where music shifts between Arabic classics, pop reworks, jazz, and original compositions.

The performances often feel theatrical, rooted in storytelling as much as in music and movement. They are also a rebellion against the erasure of Arab queer voices in artistic spaces.

Their work shows how familiar classics can take on a new life when reimagined through Arabic language and culture.

Make sure to follow them on Instagram to see more of their stages.

Check out the #Lebanese Abroad section for more content like this.

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