The Baalbeck International Festival

The big-boy of the festivals, with the longest histor y, is Baalbeck. Concer ts take place within the city’s Roman temples, making an impressive setting. Franco9 August Morrocan singer Hindi Zahra ( ) is on this year’s bill; fusing North Afr ican, Brazilian, jazz and funk. Of course it wouldn’t be Baalbeck Festival without jazz, and the br illiant Cameroon-born bassist 16 August Richard Bona ( ) and his quintet fills the role perfectly. The legendar y Syr ian diva, Mayada El-hennawy ( 21 August ) comes to a Lebanese festival for the first time and there’s also disco-funk outfit, The Ear th Wind and Fire Exper ience feat. Al Mckay and 29 August the Allstars ( ).