Visitor Information Center in Bethlehem would like to let you know that the Travel and Encounter department at Holy Land Trust – Bethlehem in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Bethlehem Municipality would like to invite all of you to take part in festival the first artistic and cultural summer “Bet Lahem Live” Festival in the heart of Bethlehem that aims to reflect the historical and religious importance of the city. The dates of the festival are 13 – 16 June 2013. The events will take place on the Star Street and Catholic Action Stage in the Old City of Bethlehem. Official website of the event: http://www.betlahemlive.com/
13th of June – Thursday
- 10:30 am - Star Street Awarness Tour with CCHP in Arabic
- 5:00 pm – Street Parade from Manger Square through Star Street towards the Catholic Action Center
- 7 – 11 pm – Star Street Market
- 7:00 pm – Opening Ceremony at the Catholic Action Stage
- 8:00 pm – Dalal Abu Amnieh from Nazareth - She aims to create a special ethnic post modern Palestinian style with the help of the best Palestinian song writers and composers. Dalal specializes in several genres, mixing between Tarab (classical Arabic singing) and Arabic folk music, focusing on off-beat rhythms and Maqamat (the system of melodic modes used in Arabic music).
- 9:00 pm – Garth Hewitt from UK - Singer, songwriter and author Garth Hewitt has been recording songs for nearly 40 years, and has released around 40 albums. Garth’s music and writings reflect a spirituality of hope and a simple way of life that rejects violence and affirms equality and human rights.
- 9:30 pm – Diyar Dance Theatre from Bethlehem – Diyar Dance Theater strives to be a place where young adults can celebrate their Palestinian heritage through traditional folk dance and modern theatre by providing and outlet where creativity, imagination, and freedom of expression are celebrated as critical components of cultural and social development.
- 10:00 pm – Carrie Newcomer – USA - Carrie Newcomer’s music has always explored the intersection of the spiritual and the daily, the sacred and the ordinary. Over the course of her career she has become a prominent voice for progressive spirituality, social justice and interfaith dialogue. Her ability for sharp observation of the world lead the Dallas Morning News to rave, “She’s the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, ‘that is so true.’”
14th of June – Friday
- 10:30 am - Star Street Awarness Tour with CCHP in Arabic
- 3 – 11 pm – Star Street Market
- 5 -8 pm – Children’s Activities – Inad Theatre from Beit Jala – Inad produces children’s plays, aiming to spread awareness and appreciation of theater among the new generations and to educate children about their rights and individual dignity.
- 8 pm – In Jazz Band from Bethlehem
- 9 pm – Sarah Brendal from Germany - You’ll get a feel for the vibe of the area in this video of “What a happy life”, except normally there aren’t people running around in vintage clothes riding on wagons watching people play instruments that were built before rocks were invented. Not only her records but mainly her liveperfomances have this same liberating and cathartic energy.
- 9:30 pm – The Evangelical Lutheran School Dance Group from Beit Sahour - Dabkeh is part of the Palestinian heritage representing the folklore dancing traditional throughout Palestine. These days it is our way of representing this heritage to the world. We encourage our students to join and learn so we can keep this folklore alive.
- 10:30 pm – Stu G from UK - Citing such early musical influences as Queen, Rush, The Police, and Led Zeppelin, Stu G bounded onto the international music scene in 1994 as guitarist and vocalist for the English Christian rock band Delirious?. The group became a global force in modern worship, known for such mega-hits as “Majesty (Here I Am),” which he co-wrote, and “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” among others.
15th of June – Saturday
- 3 – 11 pm – Star Street Market
- 5 – 8 pm – Children’s Activities – Al Hara Theatre from Beit Jala
- 8 pm – Wajd Music Band from Bethlehem
- 9 pm – Asayael Dance Group from Ramallah - The Palestinian folk dance group, Al Asayel, performs the traditional dance of Dabke. Based in Ramallah, Al Asayel formed in 1994 out of a group of passionate dancers dedicated to reviving the Dabke dance, thereby preserving an important part of the Palestinian identity.
- 10 pm – Aaron Niequist from USA - Aaron Niequist is a worship leader (Mars Hill Bible Church, currently at Willow Creek Church), a songwriter, and the curator of “A New Liturgy” – which is a collection of modern liturgical worship experiences. He lives in Chicago, IL, USA with his wife Shauna and their two sons.
16th of June – Sunday
- 3 – 11 pm – Star Street Market
- 5 – 8 pm Children’s Activities – Clown Jakie from Jenin & Nablus Circus School
- 8 pm – Marlyn Joseph from UK - Martyn Joseph is as performer like no other.Touring in support of a brand new studio album “Songs for the Coming Home”, shades of Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews there may be – but he stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives.
- 8:30 pm – Beth Rowley from UK - ”Her voice is astonishing. She projects to the rafters without any apparent effort.” The Independent. Hailing from Bristol, Beth Rowley is known for her rich soulful voice and love of Blues and Gospel. Following the huge success of her UK top 10 album ‘Little Dreamer’ in 2008, for which she was nominated a Brit Award, she’s now back after working on her much anticipated second album.
- 9 pm – Fuad Moubasaleh from Bethlehem
- 9:30 pm – George Thalgieh from Bethlehem - George Thaljeyyeh, hailing from Bethlehem, began singing from the tender age of nine. Recognizing his brilliant voice, his family encouraged him to continue embarking on a musical career. He then studied at Edward Saeed Conservatory and Bethlehem Academy for Music. His talent was also recognized by the greater music community, receiving first place in a local music competition.
- 10:00 pm – Jacoub Shaheen from Bethlehem – Singer and musician who started his musical career at a very young age- his obvious talent was recognized early in his childhood. He later joined Edward Saeed Conservatory, where he mastered the Oriental Oud. Learning the Oud further revealed his talents, enticing him to learn numerous instruments all on his own accord.
- 10:30 pm – Closing Ceremony
