Whether you’re born an artist or just feeling artsy today, Beirut is the place to be. Besides the city itself being a historical jewel, it hides little gems of places in the corners of its smallest streets.

1.Would you like to showcase your art?

Beirut ART Salon

Pioneering artists, this innovative social enterprise is offering you the chance to exhibit your works and debut your career in art! Beirut Art Salon uses community spaces to create a platform for artists to share their talents with the world for free.
BAS is a unique initiative making art affordable to the public and investing in local artists, a community that is expanding year by year…

Previous events: Pilot Exhibition, Art Therapy Talk, Graffiti Art Talk…

2.Or indulge in some music too?

Onomatopoeia

This music hub, with its cozy home-like settings, is a platform for music-related activities and events, providing programs and facilities for different music styles and age ranges. Some rooms are used for music lessons, the rest of the creative space serving as a relaxed coffee shop.
Previous events: Diva live, No mic night, Xango- Live Brazilian music…

Location: Sioufi, Achrafieh, Beirut

3.Well I bet you like books

Aaliya’s books

A bookshop of used and new books doubling as a café and bar, Aaliya’s books is the venue for bookworms and an inspirational set up for all artists. You can grab a cup of coffee and join their own book club, check out the talks, round table discussions and writing workshops, or grab a cocktail and enjoy live music, stories, poetry or readings.
Previous events: Free writing day, Valentine’s day with your favorite book, Breakfast with Paul Kaloustian…

Location: Gouraud Steet, Beirut

4.And a bit of everything too

Station Beirut

At Station Beirut, you can see your favorite band live or check out new photography exhibitions, theatre shows, screenings, markets or pop-ups. There is always something for you at their cultural space dedicated to visual and live arts. Who knows? Maybe you’ll have a new favorite thing to check out.
Previous events: Adonis live, Summer breeze Sundays, Film projection-Hamasat

Location: Jisr el Wati, Beirut

 5.You see, some projects need to be seen

Ashkal Alwan

A non-profit organization also known as The Lebanese Association for Plastic Arts, Ashkal Alwan is a unique platform in the Arab world that encourages new projects and hosts workshops, educational and artistic research, exhibitions and performances in its Home Workspace providing multifunctional facilities. It hosts around 15 international, Arab and Lebanese students a year as part of its Home Workspace Program, an independent research and production curriculum.

Previous events: Public Talk-Jalal Toufic, Sharjah Biennial 13, Video Works…

Location: Jisr El Wati, Street 90 Building 110, 1st Floor, Beirut

6.And some projects are worth it too

Beirut Art Center

New year, new events, new chances to take the artist in you on a trip home.
Dedicated to contemporary art, the Beirut Art Center organizes yearly programs of screenings, exhibitions, talks and performances, as well as guided tours and workshops related to various disciplines of art.
Previous events: I Heard You Laughing screening, Workers Speak for Themselves, How to Study Art?-Writing Workshop…

Location: Jisr El Wati area, Adlieh, Beirut

7. Because your culture should not be forgotten

Dar El-Nimer for Arts & Culture

We all need some time to look back and reflect upon our roots and heritage. This non-profit art foundation is a timeless retreat to admire historical, modern and cultural productions from Palestine and the Levant region. Dar El-Nimer for Arts and Culture hosts historians, writers, curators, performers, musicians and filmmakers to promote cultural awareness and understanding of social and political realities.
Previous events: Film Tuesday, Arab Voices: Stories from Palestine, Tarab Night…

Location: America Street, Clemenceau, Beirut

8.And your history? it speaks for itself too

Beit Beirut

Barakat Building, Yellow House, Beit Beirut… Its history speaks for itself, regardless of what you choose to call it. Although not so hidden and historically popular, many locals still do not know that this historic landmark has been restored and is now an open museum and cultural center, preserving Beirut’s history and memory of the civil war through its art exhibitions, cultural talks, workshops, performances and panels.
Previous events: Healing Lebanon, Shifting Lights, Talk with Elias Al Khoury…

Location: Sodeco square, Monot, Ashrafieh, Beirut

9. The modern and the new are meant to be celebrated

ARTLAB

Fresh emerging talents have a space of their own. From local to international, Artlab is an art gallery exhibiting contemporary, figurative and abstract art. This venue is the definition of young and new. Paintings, video art and photography are all combined under one roof to offer you a chance to stay up-to-date on vibrant talents from the region and the world.
Previous events: Nocturnes des Galleries, To be a Woman, Dance of the Pen…

Location: Gouraud street, Gemmayze, Beirut

10.And museums, well, they’re as magical as you

Sursock Museum

A well-known palace, not so hidden, but a gem indeed… The magic of Sursock Museum remains timeless. Although it is a popular wedding venue and architectural monument, the museum inside the majestic white pillars is not as celebrated. The modern and contemporary art museum hosts workshops, talks, exhibitions and tours besides its fixed gallery.
Previous events: Swiss Art Talks, Poetics, Politics, Places gathering, Explore Observe Paint workshop…

Location: Greek Orthodox Archbishopric Street, Ashrafieh, Beirut
Picture courtesy of Sursock Museum: Sursock by Night

11.Because they got a haven for you little artist

Haven for Artists

“For the arts, by the arts” ,a motto that perfectly introduces this non-governmental arts organization. Haven for Artists, both a community and a space, serves as a platform for creative artists and a network for these unique minds, hosting exhibitions, exchange and residency programs, workshops, discussions, concerts and more. The homey ambience of the venue will inspire you to squeeze out your creative juices and enjoy moments in their simplest artsiest forms.
Previous events: Haven House Yoga with Jean, Bitter Moon Screening, The 90’s Pool Party…

Location: Armenia Street, Beirut

12.And an underground venue too

Minus 1

An art hub that aims at making art affordable, Minus 1 is an underground venue that organizes workshops, exhibitions, talks and screenings.
Previous events: Rick & Morty Screenings, Flow in the Dark Yoga, Acting Lab, among many others.

Location: Tabaris, near 124 Rue 70, Beirut

Next time you need inspiration or just a good artful time, head down to the heart of the city. Beirut believes in your art and it has something for everyone!

It’s All Sweet Everything at Lucky to be Young!

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Over the summer of 2017, I embarked on a journey that flipped my entire perception of life.

Upon arriving in the overwhelming city of New Delhi, India, I knew I would no longer be the same Michelle. The riveting sensation tingled my bones.
This change may not be traceable back to a single moment for all, but at least for me, it can. This moment made me into the person I am proud to call myself today, and walk as a better person.

This epitimal moment for me was the second i journeyed to the abundant land of India. My life did a 180 degree flip. Now, one must remember that when they set foot in an underdeveloped country, all expectations must be set aside. One must let the adventure carry them, and go where the wind takes them. And that is exactly what I did!

Imagine yourself in a country completely foreign to you,
one that you’ve heard of since the beginning of time, but never been able to touch down upon until this very moment.

Cows, EVERYWHERE. And people, EVERYWHERE. All dressed in bright colors, living amongst each other, in perfect and flawless harmony. I was in shock. How could they be so calm with all the underlying chaos?

And as expected, complete and desperate poverty.
The slums are everywhere. The people are everywhere. They seek refuge under any tree that will offer shade with its leaves. The sun beats strong, around 40 degrees Celsius during the day in the summer. Yet, they all get up to finish their tasks of the day, no matter how exhausting it may be. You could live like a king for $10 a day.

To my surprise, there are very few beggars. They are such hard-working people.
If they don’t have the resources, they dig them up from the ground. They pick up any odd job they can make 50 rupees off of (1 dollar = 64 rupees). Men will stand with a scale, a measuring tape, scissors. A barber shop will be set up on the street, consisting of a mirror, a chair, and a clipper. I’m amazed.

Although short, my experience in India was one that touched my life in the most positive way possible.
One that is to be repeated on a yearly basis. My eyes were opened to the exact reality people live in. But, they are not any less happy than us. Quite the opposite. They are so appreciative for what they have. If they share the two-bedroom house with seven of their family members, they are MORE than grateful to have a home to cover their heads.

No society will ever be perfect, or live in complete harmony and happiness.
But, I believe we have a lot to learn from the beautiful culture the people of India bring forward. If I have obtained a single piece of knowledge to pass on, it is this: travel into the unknown. Widen your horizons, go East! Do not restrict yourself to the typical destinations visited, I promise it will be worth it. The entire trip was so light on the pocket, yet heavy on my heart.

AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What would you do to step out of your comfort zone?
Leave a comment in the section below for a chance to win 2 Vouchers at TOMATOMATIC; Because every experience starts with a pizza!
P.S.: We’ll be choosing 2 lucky winners.