Jun 10
22
The Los Angeles Beirut Sister City Committee was established to create a bridge of understanding and friendship between the residents of these two great cities, and to foster cultural, social, and business exchanges.
Sisterly ties were initiated on August 27, 2005 by Los Angeles Council Member Dennis Zine and Council President Eric Garcetti when they introduced the Council Motion to start the process of making L.A. and Beirut Sister Cities. The formal recognition was established in a signing ceremony at Nicholas Sursock Palace on June 30, 2006. Representing Beirut was Abdulmonem Al-Aris, Former President of the Beirut City Council, and former VP of the Beirut City Council, Tawfic Kfoury.
The Los Angeles-Beirut Sister City Committee is a non-sectarian, non-political organization allowing all who wish to foster goodwill between the two cities to contribute to that goal. Your contribution and support is encouraged.
On September 25th, 2010, we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Gala honoring Councilmember Tom LaBonge. If you would like to attend, please call (323) 465-6591, or email us at info@labeirut.org. Ticket price is $125 per person. If you would like to advertise in our ad book and reach over 300 people attending this banquet, please click here. Please make the checks out to L.A.-Beirut Sister Cities Committee and send them to 1322 North McCadden Place, North Hollywood, CA 90028. Business attire required. Donations are accepted.
Jul 10
20
On May 20th, 2010, choirs from Lebanon and U.S. joined together to perform Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York under the direction of Conductor Joanna Medawar Nachef. This performance went very well and the audience was very impressed by the talent and charisma of the choirs. It has fostered the historic joining of choristers from the U.S. and Lebanon, a first on the stage of the legendary Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.
The choruses from Lebanon are American University Choir of Beirut; The Antonine University Choir, Hadath-Baabda; and Notre Dame University-Louaize Choir. The other choirs performing the Mozart work are California Academy of Math & Science Choir, Carson, CA; El Camino College Chorale, El Camino College Concert Choir, Los Cancioneros Master Chorale, and Voce Angelicus, from Torrance, CA, all directed by Dr. Nachef.
Dr. Nachef, the first, and to date only, female conductor from the Middle East, made her second conducting appearance at Carnegie Hall. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, she moved to Los Angeles in 1977. She is the Director of Choral Activities at El Camino College. She earned a B.M. in piano performance from California State University, Dominguez Hills; and a Master of Music degree in choral music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, both from the University of Southern California.
This performance could not have happened without the help of Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities, who was a major sponsor. As a result, Dr. Nachef, who is currently serving as Vice President on the Board for Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities, was given the opportunity to conduct at Carnegie Hall again.
Congratulations to all the choirs for a job well done and to Dr. Nachef for bringing together the American and Lebanese choirs under the language of music at Carnegie Hall. We truly appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication and will be expecting more great things in the future!
Jun 10
27
On June 27th, several Sister Cities of Los Angeles performed at the Grove. Representing the Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities was Maha & Co., a Southern California-based dance company dedicated to cultural awareness through movement experimentation in traditional and fusion dance forms. They performed folk dances from Lebanon.
Amira Matar represented LABSC at the Grove and gave a few words about our organization. Joining us at the performance was Dr. Shafika Al Awad, Cultural Attache of Kuwait, along with Iman Mroueh and her sister, Mona.
We hope those who joined us at the Grove had a great time and we will keep you guys updated on more upcoming performances.
Jun 10
18
LABSC Commemoration
On May 12th, 2008, the dream of LABSC was erected on First and Main. The Beirut Sign, boldly displaying the number of miles to its city, pointed to the home where a lot LABSC members’ heart is. To many, the sign is just another addition to the many signs on the pole attracting flashes from the cameras of tourists. But for some, the Beirut Sign symbolizes the fact that the Lebanese population in Los Angeles has made it and is here to make a positive impact at their home away from home.
The 2010 LABSC Commemoration celebrates the second year since the Beirut Sign has been installed. This year, we honored the Office of Councilmember Dennis P. Zine and his chief legislative deputy, Brian Perry, who played an integral role in helping us get the Beirut Sign up. He helped us present our documents correctly, taught us how to deal with the committees, and assisted us in maneuvering the paperwork. He was very thorough and made sure everything was in compliance legally. As a result, we were able to get the Beirut Sign installed in a very efficient manner. Without all his help, we could still be navigating through the legal channels blindly.
As we observe the second year of the Beirut Sign, we look forward to accomplishing more great things in the future. Although the Beirut Sign is a significant achievement, we, as LABSC, feel that there is still a lot more to be done. Look out for future events, and if you have any ideas or suggestions for LABSC, please let us know. We appreciate all the love and support.
Jun 10
11
Jun 10
11
Los Angeles/Beirut Sister Cities Reception
Los Angeles – Community leaders and Los Angeles/Beirut Sister Cities board members gathered on the evening of May 12th to commemorate the installation of the L.A./Beirut Sister Cities sign in downtown Los Angeles and to recognize the dedication of Brian Perry, Chief Legislative Deputy for Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine.
The reception was held at Elevate Club in Downtown Los Angeles with the 100 guests in attendance enjoying the beautiful panoramic views. Los Angeles/Beirut Sister Cities Board President Wafa Hoballah welcomed guests and recounted the extraordinary assistance Brian Perry has provided to L.A./Beirut Sister Cities. Councilman Zine also congratulated Perry on his well deserved award of recognition. Additional accolades were presented by Ferris Wehbe, Immediate Past President of L.A./Beirut Sister Cities; Mitch O’Farrell, Sr. Advisor to Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti; and Reserve Commander Gary Nalbandian of the Los County Sheriff’s Department.
Sisterly ties between the two cities were officially established in 2005. Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine and Council President Eric Garcetti made the motion to start the process for the sister city relationship, which was signed by Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa. Representing Beirut was Beirut Mayor Abdulmonem Al-Aris; and Vice President of the Beirut City Council, Tawfic Kfoury. The Los Angeles-Beirut Sister City Committee is a non-sectarian, non-political organization allowing all who wish to foster goodwill between the two cities to contribute to that goal.
For information about the L.A. /Beirut Sister Cities visit www.labeirut.org
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