Wael takes on the world

Wael Kfouri, known for his romantic songs, is a serious candidate for the prestigious World Music Award. The event will take place in Monaco on November 4. But till then, Wael will not exactly be lying around doing nothing.

Last week, he was in Beirut, shooting the first movie produced by Pepsi. Filmed mainly in Lebanon, Bahr al Noujoum (The Sea of Stars) brings together, apart from Kfouri, several performers of the Arab world such as Haifa Wehbe, Carole Samaha, Ahmad Sherif and Ruweida Mahruki.

Once Wael finishes filming, he will go to one of the best Lebanese photography studios, run by Roger Moukarzel, for some shots which he hopes to use for his new album. The album will be launched very soon.

New theatre in Beirut

Despite the political insecurity in Lebanon, Beirut remains a thriving arts capital. Proof of it is in the new theatre that opened in the heart of Hamra district recently.

Named Babel, this theatre is owned by Iraqi artist Jawad Al Assadi. In the first week of its opening, Babel hosted several singers, musicians and poets.

In November, Al Assadi will present his play called The Saxophone Women inspired by The House of Bernarda Alba written by Garcia Lorca. The work is based on music and choreography and puts six women on stage.

Al Assadi, who has lived in several countries in Europe and in Syria, says he chose the Lebanese capital to host his own theatre because of "blinded love and stupid passion for this city".

"Beirut has a very high cultural level and it's the place for freedom and multiculturalism, " he said.