Clooney attends Alamuddin cousin’s wedding in Italy

(CHIANTI, ITALY) — Actor George Clooney and his Lebanese fiancée Amal Alamuddin are back in the tabloids, this time after the human rights lawyer officiated at her cousin’s wedding in Chianti, Italy, last week.

U.S. magazines and international media reports published a photo Wednesday showing Clooney and Alamuddin posing with her cousin, Tarek Miknas, in a town near Florence after his wedding.

Wearing a long purple dress, the 36-year-old officiated the ceremony, which took place at Villa Mangiacane, a 15th century hotel built by the Machiavelli family located in the small town of San Casciano, according to US Magazine.

The Daily Mail has reported that the couple plan to wed Sept. 12 in a small Italian town as a way to avoid the media horde.

Clooney: Daily Mail “completely fabricated” story on Alamuddin’s mother

(LONDON, ENGLAND) — George Clooney scolded a British newspaper over a “completely fabricated” article claiming his fiancée’s mother disapproves of the impending marriage for religious reasons.

Baria_AlamuddinIn a statement, Clooney said Wednesday that the claims about his future mother-in-law, Baria Alamuddin, were untrue and irresponsible.

Beirut-born Alamuddin comes from a Druze family — adherents of a monotheistic religion based mainly in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.

The Daily Mail cited unnamed “friends” as saying Amal Alamuddin risked being “cast out of the community” because she was not marrying a Druze man. The newspaper said “several women have been murdered” for not abiding by strict Druze rules.

Clooney said in a statement that “none of the story is true. Amal’s mother is not Druze. She has not been to Beirut since Amal and I have been dating, and she is in no way against the marriage.”

According to sources close to the family, Clooney’s future mother-in-law is elated about the upcoming nuptials between her daughter and the actor.

“Baria is very happy and in seventh heaven,” the source says.

Walid Jumblatt, political leader of the Druze sect in Lebanon, told the Associated Press recently that he hoped the couple would soon visit the Druze heartland.

Clooney will bring us “great publicity,” Jumblatt said. “He can make a movie about the Druse sect.”

VIDEO: Highlights from Lebanese Festival Day in London

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(LONDON, ENGLAND) — The Lebanese Festival day is an annual event held in London, England that creates awareness about the Lebanese culture, customs, and promoting Lebanese products, cuisine, and tourism.

View highlights below:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QrBzwN42Rg” width=”500″ height=”300″]

VIDEO: Aline Lahoud performs at London Lebanese Festival

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(LONDON, ENGLAND) — For the first time, Aline Lahoud performed live in the United Kingdom, exclusively for the Lebanese Festival Day on June 22nd, 2014, at Paddington Green.

In January 2014 she joined the third season of the French edition of The Voice, joining Florent Pagny’s team. Proud of her Lebanese Origins, Aline amazed everyone, singing in Arabic.

Most recently in June 2014 Aline was awarded he MEMA (Middle East Music Awards) Talent of the year Award.

The artist, who is the daughter of well-known singer Salwa al-Katrib and producer Nahi Lahoud, was also selected to sing for Lebanon at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Kiev.

“We are proud and thankful to have Aline Lahoud perform Live for the first time in London at the Lebanese Festival Day,” wrote Ronnie Menassa on the festival’s official website.

Watch her performance below:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7YkD0_Xedw” width=”500″ height=”300″]

Nancy Ajram defies political instability to host concert

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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram never backs away from hosting concerts in politically unstable countries, especially her home country of Lebanon.

The superstar held a concert at the “Eish Al Achrafieh” Festival in Beirut, which was organized by the Achrafieh Merchants Committee to promote tourism in Lebanon.

The festival, which took place on June 28, was initially planned for the week before, but was postponed due to a number of attacks in Beirut.

Ajram reportedly refused to cancel the event and insisted on hosting the concert regardless of what the cirumstances may be, according to Elaph news.

During the concert, Nancy thanked those who made it despite the security situation. She was happy to see Lebanese people leading normal and optimistic lives regardless of what’s going on around them.

PHOTOS: Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s birthday

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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama attended a glamorous reception to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 88th birthday, hosted by British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher.

Alama posted two photos from the event on social network, saying he was “honored” to attend the reception and that he “(received) an invitation” from Ambassador Fletcher.

Meanwhile, Nancy Ajram and her husband Dr. Fadi Hashem celebrated the Queen by snapping several photos for Ajram’s Instagram followers.

In London, the Royal Family gathered at Buckingham Palace as they enjoyed watching the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade from the famous palace balcony, as thousands of Brits gathered to get a glimpse of the Queen and Royals while taking picture of the celebrations around them.

View full photos from the Fletcher’s event below:

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Jounieh International Festival opens with large fireworks show

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(JOUNIEH, LEBANON) — The Jounieh International Festival opened with a large fireworks show on Friday, featuring one of the largest fireworks displays in the Lebanon.

Watch the fireworks show below:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNaspufLZTw” width=”500″ height=”300″]

View the full program of the Jounieh International Festival below:

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Fairouz releases music video paying tribute to late husband Assi Rahbani

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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese diva Fairouz recently released her first music video in years, paying tribute to her late husband Assi Rahbani. The 6-minute video integrates elements of the Christian “Ave Maria” prayer.

Assi Rahbani was a Lebanese composer, musician, and producer. His son Ziad Rahbani also became known as a very successful artists in music and theatre.

For many years, Fairouz and Assi collaborated on projects to create what was widely known as the “golden era” of Lebanese music.

The new music video was produced and directed by Fairouz and Assi Rahbani’s daughter, Rima Rahbani, who continues to serve as Fairouz’s manager.

Watch the music video below:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3G7kkmJdZ8″ width=”500″ height=”300″]

Lopez wears Lebanese design for World Cup performance

Singers Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull  perform during the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — A Lebanese fashion designer received a career boost of a lifetime on Thursday when Jennifer Lopez wore one of his costumes during her World Cup performance. 27-year old Charbel Zoe designed the Brazilian-inspired costume, which will arguably become a career-defining moment for the up-and-coming designer.

Zoe was born and raised in Lebanon, but later traveled to France to study at prestigious fashion school, ESMOD Paris. Zoe started his career working for Givenchy and Elie Saab, until he began receiving a flood of attention after his designs were featured at major runway shows in Miami and Dubai.

Zoe has built a distinguished worldwide brand, utilizing glitzy styles and Swarovski bodysuits. Haifa Wehbe has worn some of Zoe’s creations in the past.

Jennifer Lopez sang “We Are One” at Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao Stadium, alongside Pitbull,Claudia Leitte and Brazilian band Olodum.

Watch the performance below:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsDqSxwzfUo” width=”500″ height=”300″]

What’s Happening this Weekend in Beirut?

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Here’s a list of what’s happening in Beirut, courtesy of the Daily Star.

MUSIC

‘Music is our Sun’

June 14-15, 8pm, Palais des Congrès Emile Lahoud, Dbayeh. https://www.facebook.com/LEDIV4S

The Italian Cultural Institute presents an evening of operat-ish tunes by featuring the pipes of the four young Italian sopranos who call themselves “The Div4s.”

FILM

‘Pink Floyd – The Wall’

Die Garten, BIEL, June 14, Doors open 7 p.m., projection at 8:30, 71-231-307, http://metropoliscinema.net

Alan Parker’s 1982 feature is a neo-surreal romp through the UK art band’s 1979 album, mingling mind-altering animation with a surprisingly convincing live-action performance by a pre-Live Aid Bob Geldof. Screening as part of the ‘Troubled Symphonies’ cycle.

‘The Human Scale’

Cinema Metropolis-Sofil, facing Foreign Affairs Ministry, June 15, 6:30 pm. http://beirutdesignweek.org/films

Having documented how modern cities repel human interaction, Danish architect Jan Gehl argues that we can build cities that take human needs for inclusion and intimacy into account. Andreas Dalsgaard’s 2012 film is the first of three screening in the context of a Beirut Design Week cycle.

THEATER

‘Un Beau Salaud’

Theatre Monnot, next to St. Joseph’s Church, Through June 16, 8:30 pm, 01-421-870

Directed by Nadine Mokdessi, Pierre Chesnot’s ‘A Beautiful Bastard’ tells the story of the philandering François Dumoulin and the women in his life, on the night of his birthday party. Read The Daily Star review.

PHOTOGRAPHY

‘Silence in Damascus’

Art on 56th, Youssef Hayeck St., Gemmayzeh, Through June 21, noon-7 p.m., 01-570-331

The black-and-white photography of Damascene artist Nassouh Zaghlouleh, the featured artist of this solo show, is composed to reveal the beauty of his hometown. Read The Daily Star review.

ART

‘Art in Office’

AUB Art Gallery, Sidani Street, Ras Beirut, Through Sept. 30, 01-350-000 ext. 4345

During its long history, AUB has accumulated many works of art that one encounters daily. “Art in Office” displays several works found in the university’s various academic and administrative buildings.

‘Syria’s Apex Generation’

Ayyam Gallery, Beirut Tower, Zeitoune Street, Through Aug. 2, 7-10 p.m., 01-374-450/51; beirut@ayyamgallery.com

Curated by Maymanah Farhat, this exhibition – featuring recent works by Nihad Al Turk, Abdul Karim Majdal Al-Beik, Othman Moussa, Mohannad Orabi, and Kais Salman – spotlights a new school of Syrian painting still growing despite the disintegration of Damascus’ scene. Read The Daily Star review.

‘Collective Exhibition’

Emmanuel Paul Guiragossian Museum, Jdeideh,, Through June 15, 4-10 p.m. daily, 03-711-755

The debut show Beirut Art Discovery features paintings, sculptures and photography by Lebanese artists.

Source: The Daily Star

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