Sama’ Abdulhadi announces platform & ‘Resilience’ fundraiser parties for Lebanon

Music

Palestinian DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi is launching an underground music platform with the announcement of ‘Resilence’, a series of two free parties in Beirut to raise money for people in Lebanon.

The events will take place over two consecutive nights at new club space Recess on the 29th and 30th April.

For the opening party Sama’ has invited techno luminary Richie Hawtin to join her, which marks his first time playing in the city since 2017, and the following evening she’ll play all night long.

The series of fundraisers are in response to the struggles of the local underground music scene in the city, as well as larger economic factors that have effected the country over the last few years including the ongoing liquidity crisis and the fatal Port of Beirut explosion in 2020.

The platform as a whole will serve as a space for artists and creatives to ‘share their stories and artworks that depict experiences of marginalisation, displacement and oppression’.

Speaking about the concept, Sama’ explains: “RESILIENCE is about finding the strength within ourselves to keep going, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart. It’s about having hope in the midst of despair and finding joy in the small things that bring us comfort and peace. For the people in The Middle East region, RESILIENCE is a necessity. We have lived through war, displacement, and corruption. We have been pushed to our limits, but refuse to give up. We are fighting for a better future for ourselves.”

Photo credit: Derrick Santini.