Lebanon Times Magazine

08/21/2024

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CALENDAR RELEASE



Houston Grand Opera Presents 2024 Butler Studio Showcase

Eleven Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio artists to
perform variety of operatic scenes at popular annual event



What: The Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio presents the annual Butler Studio Showcase on Sept. 13, 2024, in the Cullen Theater at the Wortham Theater Center. Tickets are available at HGO.org/Showcase.



This popular annual event is designed to showcase the unique talents of the emerging artists training with HGO’s prestigious Butler Studio program. During an intimate evening, the 11-member 2024-25 class, which includes seven new artists, will perform staged, costumed excerpts from a variety of operatic works. This year’s program includes selections from La bohème, Simon Boccanegra, The Elixir of Love, Faust, The Consul, The Tales of Hoffmann, and Carmen.



The Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio is one of the most respected young artist programs in the world. Since 1977, it has provided comprehensive career development to emerging artists who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the field of opera. During a residency of up to three years, each performer receives customized training from an expert team while gaining invaluable performance experience at the highest level.

Who: HGO’s 2024-25 Butler Studio Artists

· Alissa Goretsky, soprano (third place at 2024 Concert of Arias)

· Elizabeth “Hanje,” soprano (first place winner at 2024 Concert of Arias)

· Ani Kushyan, mezzo-soprano

· Michael McDermott, tenor (third place at 2023 Concert of Arias)

· Shawn Roth, tenor

· Demetrious Sampson, Jr., tenor (second place and Audience Choice winner at 2023 Concert of Arias)

· Sam Dhobhany, bass-baritone (winner of the Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award at 2024 Concert of Arias)

· Ziniu Zhao, bass-baritone (second place at 2024 Concert of Arias)

· Navasard Hakobyan, baritone (first place at 2022 Concert of Arias)

· Laura Bleakley, pianist/coach

· Jenny Choo, pianist/coach


When: Thursday, Sept. 13, 2024, at 7 p.m.



Where: Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.



Tariff: Tickets are on sale now for $20. Free for subscribers; reservation required. For more information and to buy tickets, visit HGO.org/Showcase or call the Box Office at 713-228-6737.



* * * * *



Link to 2024 Butler Studio artist headshots and 2023 Butler Studio Showcase photos here.





About Houston Grand Opera

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor assumed leadership of the organization and responsibility for its strategic vision in 2021. HGO was the only American finalist for Opera Company of the Year in the 2019 International Opera Awards, and the only American company to be nominated twice. In fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art, to serve the Houston community, and to be a global leader in the future of opera, HGO has led the field in commissioning and producing new works (76 world premieres to date) and in training and nurturing promising young artists and administrators. The company contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. HGO’s pioneering Community and Learning initiative has served as a model for other arts organizations. The company invites all Houstonians to experience superlative opera without the barrier of price through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.



HGO has toured extensively and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and three Emmy awards. It is the only opera company to win all three honors.





Media Contact: Mireya Reyna, Elmore PR, 713-524-0661; [email protected]



Media Contact: Catherine Matusow, Houston Grand Opera, 713-546-0293; [email protected]



HGO.org

Facebook.com/HoustonGrandOpera

X.com/HouGrandOpera

Instagram.com/hougrandopera

Linkedin.com/Houston-grand-opera

08/20/2024

08/14/2024

08/12/2024

We ❤️ our Houston Lebanese Festival volunteers!! 😍

It was 96 degrees with 75% humidity today, yet members of various organizing committees still rolled up their sleeves to prep for the upcoming September 27-29th festival!! 💪😅

We’d love for you to join our team of volunteers, it’s a great way to honor this year’s festival theme of “Together United, Building Tomorrow.” Sign up to volunteer here: at https://alcchouston.org/Volunteers

We also invite members of the community to sponsor the festival! Your financial support will help us showcase and celebrate the beautiful Lebanese culture at our festival in addition to going towards building a Lebanese Museum here in Houston in the same spirit. Plus, 10% of net profit generated from the festival will support the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon.

SPONSOR HERE: https://alcchouston.org/2024fest/sponsor

We love our volunteers 💕 we love our Lebanon 🇱🇧 and we’re so excited for you to love the Houston Lebanese Festival! 🥳

08/12/2024

RUN FOR HOPE on Sept. 29th! 🏃‍♀️ 🙏 🇱🇧

This year's 3rd annual 5k Randa’s Walk/Run for Hope is in honor of the late Lili Bejjani, one of the founders of our Houston Lebanese organization, the ALCC. As the lady behind the famous and successful restaurant, Cafe Lili, Mrs. Bejjani has been a pillar of our community representing our beautiful culture to the city of Houston through our delicious cuisine. She was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network! Deservedly so 🙏

Join hundreds of walkers and runners on Sunday, September 29th at 8:00 A.M. to remember Lily's legacy as a family and community.

Event details 👇👇👇

What: Run for Hope, Randa’s 5k Walk/Run
When: 8:00 A.M. on Sunday, September 29th
Where: 105-B Sabine Street, Houston
Register here: https://alcchouston.org/2024fest-3rd-randas-walk
Ticket Cost: $20 for kids 12 and under & $40 for adults, which includes your race participation fee, t-shirt and breakfast after the race!

Stick around after race festivities for a series of fun activities and entertainment at the Houston Lebanese Festival. It's at the same location!

Like the Festival, proceeds from the 5k Walk/Run will go towards the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon and the building of the Lebanese Cultural Center.

Let's do this together, Houston! For Lili, for the kids, for fun and exercise, for our rich Lebanese culture we must preserve. We have so much to celebrate and live for. "Together United, Building Tomorrow."

08/09/2024

We are so thrilled to announce our entertainment line-up for the 2024 Houston Lebanese Festival! 🎉

On Friday September 27th: Abbas Jaafar and Hanine Al Alam 🎤 🎻

On Saturday September 28th: Guy Manokian 🎹

And on Sunday September 29th: George Nehme 🎶

If you want to ensure the best seats in the house for our evening concerts consider becoming a sponsor! You can reserve your table in the sponsorship area for our Friday, Saturday and Sunday night concerts here: https://alcchouston.org/2024fest/sponsor

We’re so excited to also have special guest, Anthony Rahayel, joining for the weekend festivities! 🧅 🧄 😋

Come be a part of the Houston Lebanese Festival September 27-29th at the Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, at 105 Sabine Street, for a weekend of music, delicious Lebanese food, family fun activities, and a vibrant Lebanese Souk 🇱🇧

To get more information and to purchase your festival tickets head to ALCCHouston.org/2024-Fetival

Yallah, we’ll see you there! 🥳

08/09/2024

كل عيد وانتم بخير بشفاعة والدة الإله.

08/09/2024

It’s the little things in life… 🌸

08/09/2024

بيان صحفي

مديرو المهرجانات من منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا يلتقون في إدنبره لمناقشة مستقبل صناعة المهرجانات
بيروت- 9 أغسطس 2024– كجزء من مبادرة المجلس الثقافي البريطاني "إن بيتوين مومنتوم" ، يلتقي مديرو المهرجانات من العراق ولبنان والمغرب وفلسطين والأردن وتونس والمملكة المتحدة خلال موسم مهرجانات ادنبره الشهير لاستكشاف مستقبل صناعة المهرجانات. وتجمع هذه المبادرة التي تجري في الفترة من 9 إلى 13 أغسطس 2024 بين قادة الثقافة من أجل التطرق إلى التحديات الملحة والفرص الواعدة في مجال المهرجانات.
تُقام مبادرة مومنتوم في ادنبره المدينة المشهورة بمشهدها الفني النابض بالحياة، وهي تُعدّ بمثابة منصة حيوية للتعاون الدولي، حيث ستتيح للمشاركين فرصة التعمّق في مواضيع هامة مثل الاستدامة، وتنمية الجماهير، ودور التكنولوجيا، وقوة التعاون في صناعة المهرجانات.
هذا ويتضمن البرنامج الذي يجري على مدار أسبوع سلسلة من الجلسات الحيوية بدءاً من المناقشات حول الأسباب الرئيسية وراء إقامة المهرجانات وصولاً إلى التحديات والفرص التي تواجه قطاع المهرجانات اليوم. ولم يتم تصميم هذه الجلسات لتبادل المعرفة وحسب بل أيضاً لإرشاد استراتيجيات يمكن تنفيذها داخل بلد كل مندوب.
ومن الجدير بالذكر أن البرنامج سيركز على بناء نماذج مستدامة للمهرجانات ودمج التكنولوجيا لتعزيز تجارب المهرجانات. علاوة على ذلك، تركز المبادرة على رعاية أوجه التعاون عبر الحدود، وهو أمر ضروري لتعزيز التبادل الثقافي وتطوير مناهج مبتكرة في الفنون.
وفي هذا الصدد علقت أماني أبو زيد، مديرة الفنون الإقليمية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا قائلة:
"إن مبادرة صناعة المهرجانات في المنطقة العربية هي خطوة هامة للارتقاء بمنظومة المهرجانات في أنحاء منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا والمملكة المتحدة. ومن خلال الجمع بين مديري المهرجانات من العراق ولبنان والمغرب وفلسطين وتونس والأردن والمملكة المتحدة، فإننا لا نشارك المعرفة وحسب بل أيضاً نُبرم شراكات من شأنها أن تُمهد الطريق لمهرجانات مستدامة ومبتكرة في المستقبل. هذا التعاون هام للتصدي للتحديات الفريدة التي تواجه أقاليمنا ولاستكشاف الفرص اللامحدودة في مجتمع الفنون العالمي."
للمزيد من المعلومات عن برنامج إن بيتوين مومنتوم والمندوبين المشاركين، يرجى التواصل مع [email protected]

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

08/07/2024

ACC invites you to its Arabic Recital & Musical Event: Poetry & Melody 2024
Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

08/07/2024