HomeCulture & Art LEBFEST! '08: A Vibrant World Class Celebration of Heritage, Culture & Art
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
LEBFEST! '08: The second annual Lebanese Festival A Vibrant World Class Celebration of Heritage, Culture & Art Shain Park in Downtown Birmingham
MORE FOOD! ~~ MORE MUSIC! ~~ MORE FUN!
(BIRMINGHAM, MI/USA) The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce & Lebanese Monthly Magazine in association with The Lebanese Festival Company are pleased to announce LEBFEST! The 2008 Lebanese Festival – A Vibrant World-class Celebration of Heritage, Culture & Art at Shain Park in Downtown Birmingham.
Presented by Mezza Mediterranean Grille, The second annual two-day event – also known as a ‘Mahrajan’ – will take place on Fridy, August 1, from 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM & Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to bring family & friends to savor the sights, sounds and tastes of EVERYTHING LEBANESE! The weekend event will feature: specialty food booths offering tasty authentic Lebanese cuisine & American fare; International Artisans, Crafters and Lebanese merchandise tents; a Children’s Fun & Play area; Live Entertainment with Music, Folkdance Troupes & Detroit Bellydance; Cultural Displays, Mouth-watering Pastries & Homemade Ice Cream, a traditional Ethnic Bazaar & Market, and much, much more!
The Baalbeck-style live concert on the Paramount Bank Stage will present ‘An Evening of Lebanese Stars’ under the Birmingham skies, with a special appearance by Motown Legend Martha Reeves singing the US National Anthem, and featuring Jimmy A & his Rat Pack Rollers, Detroit Bellydance featuring Lana & Lalena, teenage singing sensations Lance Attalla & Ashley Peters, Lebanese Diva’s Amalia Kaddo & Soumaya Aziz, Arabic Superstars Bassam Saleh & Usama Baalbaki, the Our Lady of Lebanon Dabke Troupe, the Jazz Stylings of Eric Watson, Hollywood Actor Alex Safi, New York Veteran Comedian George Saba, Oud Virtuoso Karim Badr, among others.
Honorary Chairman of the Festival Host Committee this year is Detroit Pistons Trainer Mike Abdenour. The 2008 LEBFEST Grand Marshall is NFL Great Lomas Brown, who will officially cut the ribbon to open the concert. The former Detroit Lion will be joined by US Ambassador Sam Zakhem, Lt. Governor John Cherry, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano, Mayor Brenda Lawrence, Detroit Red Wings Singer Karen Newman, WNIC Radio Personality Kevin O’Neill, Miss Michigan 2006 Angela Marie Corsi, Lebanese Consul General Bachir S. Tawk, and Birmingham Mayor Donald Carney.
Festival Eve will bring an exclusive red-carpet Preview Party to Margot European Day Spa in Birmingham, with special guest, The Honorable Dennis W. Archer, Esq.. This star-studded event and champagne reception will include an exhibit of great new works by renown Lebanese American Artist Stephen Deeb and a book-signing by best-selling author Dr. Habib Chamoun-Nicolas. Patrons can expect celebrity sightings with the presence of several Detroit sports figures; dine on delicious Lebanese culinary hors d'oeuvres, courtesy of Mezza Mediterranean Grille and tantalizing desserts; all while listening to the soothing sounds of an internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra harpist. Much more awaits guests as they arrive along the limousine-lined curb to be formally greeted by models from Roma Sposa, with guided tours of Michigan’s most elegant Salon & Spa at this VIP gathering. Guests will include Sponsors, Staff and Volunteers; Chamber Members & Associates; Michigan Business & Civic Leaders, International Diplomats, and other supporters at this By-Invitation-Only spectacular event.
As part of the official closing ceremonies of this year's LEBFEST! 2008 Lebanese Festival, the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Advance Screening at the Landmark Maple Art Theatre in Bloomfield Twp., of a yet-to-be released film shot entirley on location in Beirut, on Sunday, August 3, at 12:30pm. New York Film Director Deborah Harse will be in attendance at the feature premiere and offer brief remarks prior to the start of the film. Immediately following the showing, Ms. Harse will take questions from the audience and be available for photos and autographs. Also, in special arrangement with the Chamber, Ms. Harse is producing DVD copies of the film to be available for purchase before and after the screening. Seating is limited to the first 400 guests, and future showtimes and a release date will be announced for a later run at the theatre for general audiences.
LEBFEST! is a project of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce. Admission is free as are the first two hours of structure parking. Shain Park is located in beautiful downtown Birmingham and is situated amongst Bates, Merrill, Martin, and Henrietta Streets. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on to enjoy the concert. Opening Ceremonies take place on Friday at 7:00 PM. An official AfterParty takes place on Saturday night following the concert at the Birmingham Community House.
Culture & Art 
