Irtijal 2019

Overview

This year’s edition of Irtijal finds us collaborating with Borderline Festival in Greece and Goethe Institut, to present yet another dense, rich and adventurous program in various venues in Beirut.

Thanks to our partnership with the Onassis Foundation, we are happy to welcome several Greek artists to our beloved festival, as well as common international acts for both cities: Acte Vide featuring Raed Yassin; Trigger Happy; Thomas Brinkmann; the latest incarnation of the Rouba3i quartet with Tony Buck; Two or the Dragon; Nadah El-Shazly’s quartet; Stefan Fraunberger; and Christof Migone.


Further highlights of the 2019 edition include the Lebanese premiere of John Butcher’s incredible “Tarab Cuts” — organized in collaboration with Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in the UK — a performance based on the Amar Foundation’s collection of rare 78’s of Arabic traditional music; as well as dancer Yalda Younes & musician Khyam Allami’s performance piece “A Universe Not Made For Us”.

Additional Beirut acts include Joss Turnbull & Pablo Giw; the duo of Jad Atoui & Jawad Nawfal; Dj sets from Rabih Beaini and Ziad Moukarzel; and our very special “Solo Marathon” at Zoukak Studio, including Thomas Ankersmit; Budhaditya Chattopadhyay; Stefan Fraunberger; Hardi Kurda; Tarkamt; Aya Metwalli; Shakeeb Abu Hamdan; Fadi Tabbal; Rabih Beaini and Stephanie Merchak.

True to its tradition, Irtijal is pursuing its mission of promoting contemporary and experimental music practices, all the while presenting leftfield artistic projects that present unprecedented value and novelty. Suffice to say, our 20th anniversary is just around the corner!

Day 1 – Friday March 29th, 2019

Metro Al Madina, Hamra – 8.30pm

John Butcher & Mark Sanders “Tarab Cuts”

John Butcher saxophones, sound files, feedback
Mark Sanders drums, percussion

Trigger Happy

Yorgos Stenos Frantzios amplified objects & toys, saxophone, electronics
Yorgos Mizithras 0-input mixer, cracked media
Yorgos Stavridis percussion, electronics
Manthos Karras turntable, samples

Two or the Dragon with Joss Turnbull & Pablo Giw

Pablo Giw trumpet
Abed Kobeissy bowed buzuq, electric buzuq, effects
Ali Hout daholla, zill, effects
Joss Turnbull tombak

Day 2 – Saturday March 30th, 2019

Ashkal Alwan, Jisr el-Wati – 4.00pm

Acte Vide & Raed Yassin

Danae Stefanou piano, voice, electronics
Yannis Kotsonis electronics
Raed Yassin double-bass

Yalda Younes & Khyam Allami
“A Universe Not Made For Us”

Yalda Younes dance
Khyam Allami oud, percussion, electronics

The Ballroom Blitz, Qarantina – 9.00pm

Rouba3i19.2

Christine Abdelnour saxophone
Mazen Kerbaj trumpet
Sharif Sehnaoui acoustic guitar
Tony Buck drums, percussion

Jad Atoui & Jawad Nawfal

Jad Atoui modular synthesizer, electronics
Jawad Nawfal modular synthesizer, electronicsmbak

Nadah El-Shazly

Nadah El-Shazly vocals, keyboards
Cherif El-Masri fretless electric guitar, electronics
Mauritz Agnas double-bass
Konrad Agnas drums

Thomas Brinkmann

Thomas Brinkmann turntables, electronics

DJ Sets

Rabih Beaini (Ballroom)
Ziad Moukarzel (Lobby & Gold Room)

Day 3 – Sunday March 31st, 2019

Zoukak Studio, Qarantina – 3.00pm

Budhaditya Chattopadhyay “Exile and Other Syndromes”

Budhaditya Chattopadhyay electronics, visuals

Hardi Kurda

Hardi Kurda viola, electronics, objects

Shakeeb Abu Hamdan

Shakeeb Abu Hamdan drums, electronics

Fadi Tabbal

Fadi Tabbal guitar, electronics

Christof Migone

Christof Migone microphones, electronics

Tarkamt

Cherif El-Masri synths, electronics

Aya Metwalli

Aya Metwalli voice, electronics

Stefan Fraunberger

Stefan Fraunberger santur, electronics

Thomas Ankersmit

Thomas Ankersmit Serge modular synthesizer

Rabih Beaini

Rabih Beaini electronics

Stephanie Merchak

Stephanie Merchak synths, electronics

FESTIVAL HOTLINE

00 961 3 910 209

Day 1

Detailed Program

Day 2

Detailed Program

Day 3

Detailed Program

Irtijal’20 is made possible with the support of Onassis Cultural Center; Borderline Festival; Goethe Institute; British Council; Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival; Ruptured; Tunefork Studios; Studio Safar & Illy.