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
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
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
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.
