January 12 2015

Gazans Got Talent

The other day I watched an episode of the latest season of “Arabs Got Talent”, and besides the fact that I feel so proud watching the many unique talents of the Arab world, this episode touched me the most because of two participants, both from Gaza, Palestine; both had little or no training at all, both had  no professional supervision nor support, and both were simple yet unique, demonstrating ambition, will power, optimism and passion, which is surprising, coming from a place like Gaza, which has become a synonym for destruction, poverty, misery, suffering and misfortune.

Overwhelmed with pride and lots and lots of heartache, I represent to you, Al-Takht Al-Sharqi, this extremely talented band… watching till the very end, you will be able to witness one of the band members, the Qanun instrument player, who I believe is the youngest, wiping off his river of tears without him losing control of the instrument or making even one tiny mistake. This scene, scarred my heart for life, as it made me picture the agony he and many like him went through, and are still going through in Gaza.

And Mohammad Al-Shaikh, this extremely flexible young fellow, who’s been training  for only a year -on his own- without any professional help, with his smile, and charismatic presence… a beautiful young talent aiming at the stars.

And those are just the ones who made it to a TV show, I’m pretty sure there are many other talents waiting to be discovered.

Bravo Gazans, you teach the world the true meaning of persistence and determination… you are an example of unparalleled optimism… just like a rose blooming in a dead desert.

 

Category: Arab Societies, Entertainment, Palestine | Comments Off on Gazans Got Talent
September 8 2011

Toronto Palestine Film Festival 2011

Ok ladies and gents, mark your calendars and get ready for the Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF), it’s going to take place between Sept.30- Oct.7, 2011. The festival program for 2011 is now live!

The TPFF is a non-profit organization which started  back in 2008 as a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Al-Nakba.  Dedicated to bringing vibrant Palestinian cinema to GTA audiences, TPFF promotes the richness of Palestinian Arab culture through cinema, music, and other forms of visual arts. The festival offers a diverse array of stories, memories, genres and themes. 24 films will be screened, of which 11 are Canadian premieres, 9 are North American premieres and 3 are Toronto premieres.

For more info. on the TPFF: their latest news & events, as well as the ticket prices, check out their website: TPFF.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Category: Arab Societies, Canada, Entertainment, Media, International, Palestine | Comments Off on Toronto Palestine Film Festival 2011
August 5 2010

Lady Pasta

Lady Gaga… I love her voice, adore her music, her songs are so damn catchy and entertaining, but I HATE the lyrics, I despise her music videos, and I wonder why someone with such a talent would choose to be labelled this way?!

I know these days crazy sells; dress up (or undress) in a weird way, put together a video clip addressed to sex perverts and there you go a hit that will attract millions of people and push sales to the peak, not to mention the millions who’d start wearing their hair, makeup, and fashion exactly the same.

Anyway, I couldn’t resist sharing this really cute video of my beloved Annoying Orange. This Orange certainly speaks for so many people. Enjoy.

Category: Cool Stuff, Entertainment | Comments Off on Lady Pasta
January 19 2010

“Fireflies”, Owl City

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January 22 2009

“Palestine Forever”: A Gift Track from Sami Yusuf

This is a beautiful track dedicated to the innocent victims of Gaza. You need to visit Sami Yusuf’s official website to download it for free.

Category: Entertainment, Palestine | Comments Off on “Palestine Forever”: A Gift Track from Sami Yusuf
January 13 2009

“We Will Not Go Down” A Song For Gaza; by Michael Heart

UPDATE: for all those who can’t access YouTube, you can check out the song here and here. [Thanks to Tafatefo and Rime for the tip.]

This is a very moving song by the extremely talented Michael Heart, I found here few days ago, but was trying to find a way to get readers in Tunisia to be able to enjoy the song using a link other than youtube since it’s banned in Tunisia. I couldn’t, so I’ll just publish the lyrics, and here is the youtube link for those outside Tunisia to enjoy.

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza)

(Composed by Michael Heart)
A blinding flash of white light
Lit up the sky over Gaza tonight
People running for cover
Not knowing whether they’re dead or alive

They came with their tanks and their planes
With ravaging fiery flames
And nothing remains
Just a voice rising up in the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight
Women and children alike
Murdered and massacred night after night
While the so-called leaders of countries afar
Debated on who’s wrong or right

But their powerless words were in vain
And the bombs fell down like acid rain
But through the tears and the blood and the pain
You can still hear that voice through the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

Category: Entertainment, Media, International, Palestine | Comments Off on “We Will Not Go Down” A Song For Gaza; by Michael Heart
May 26 2008

“The Online Arabian Star”

[Via: StartUpArabia]

The Online Arabian Star is a new online contest that’s been launched by Waleg and Ikbis, targeting Arab talents, basically Arabs over 15 who can sing.

Contestants are to upload a video of themselves singing a song in Arabic, for the whole world to watch online and then vote for each contestant. The top 20 winners will move to the second phase, and another round of voting is then launched to select the winner according to user voting. The final winner gets a $500 cash prize.

For more details on the contest, you can visit the contest’s page on Ikbis or on Waleg.

For Arabic CLICK HERE!

So if you’re over 15, and believe that you’re talented, go ahead show us your talent and who knows, you might be the winner of the $500!

Good luck to all…

Category: Arab Societies, Entertainment | Comments Off on “The Online Arabian Star”
April 3 2008

Dubai Lynx 2008: Honoring Creative Advertising

Marketing and advertising executives from across the Middle East gathered for the first Dubai International Advertising Festival this week.
Featuring high-profile seminars, workshops, exhibitions and screenings aimed at giving creative inspiration, learning and networking opportunities to the advertising and allied industries in the region; the festival attracted hundreds of visitors each day.

The Dubai Lynx Awards, which are part of the festival, honor creative excellence in television, cinema, print, outdoor, radio, direct marketing, media and interactive advertising.

You can browse all the winners here, I was pleased to know that the TV/Cinema Grand Prix went to Melody Music Channel, Leo Burnett Cairo Agency, Egypt. I laugh every time I watch one of these music ads on Melody, the English spoken in this particular Arabic accent is so funny and the ideas are so good! You can watch the videos here.

If you’re looking for some serious coverage of the event right from the heart of UAE check out: Copywriter Journalist.

Here are some of the ads I liked the most!

[An ad for Tide Coldwater: “If everyone in New York City washed their laundry in cold water for just one day, the energy savings could be 5.7 million KWH. Enough to power every light in the Empire State Building for a month.”]

[An award-winning advertisement for Hush Puppies shoes.]

Category: Arab Societies, Cool Stuff, Entertainment, Media, International | Comments Off on Dubai Lynx 2008: Honoring Creative Advertising
February 21 2008

Dubai On Monopoly?

UPDATE: NOMINATE AMMAN & TUNIS!

Only the most nominated cities would make it on the list of the “World Edition”. I already nominated the already listed 3 Arab cities thinking that any new nomination I would make would have no shot at making it on the list since there are only 8 days left for the voting to begin. But Khaled took a brave step and nominated Tunis, so I got all excited and nominated Tunis and Amman as well. It would be great if you guys showed some support ;) I know it’s just a game but the board would look really cooler with our beloved cities on it!
I’ve always enjoyed Monopoly, I really like the game and how it manages to gather members of the whole family around its colorful board for hours and hours!

And now the popular board game is introducing the “World Edition”, inviting online users to vote for cities that should appear on the board.
Many cities are nominated with a possibility to nominate new ones that are not already listed. Among the Arabic cities are Dubai, Cairo and Jerusalem… only these 3 cities? what a shame ;)
Residents of Dubai are being invited to vote for Dubai to appear on the new global edition of Monopoly.
I believe Dubai certainly deserves being listed, and people should vote for it.

But well, being the curious person I am, I had to check out what’s written in the description of each Arab city. And as usual it is admitted that Muslims reside Jerusalem besides Jews and Christians, BUT when it comes to religious significance of the city, it seems to be always limited to Jews, and Christians, completely ignoring Muslims.
The Monopoly site  pointed out the existence of Muslim residents but went on listing the Jewish and Christian holy sites, completely ignoring  Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is one of the holiest Muslim sites on the planet.

Call me whatever you want, but I believe that it’s because of such ignorance of Muslims’ historical and religious significance that many people around the globe don’t answer to our calls when Al-Aqsa Mosque is in danger of being totally and completely destroyed!

As I always say, Jerusalem is a holy city and includes the holiest sites for all three religions, but why should Muslims be completely left out?

Category: Arab Societies, Entertainment, Palestine, Religion | Comments Off on Dubai On Monopoly?