In the framework of the All-Around Culture programme, the NCO - Network for Cultural Outreach, an alliance formed by Clown Me In, Yaraqa, and Yazan - launched their first pilot tour over the course of three days in the beautiful cities of Zahle on Friday the 19th of August, Rayak on Saturday the 20th of August, and Anjar on Sunday the 21st of August 2022. This tour’s main aim was to decentralize performing arts and provide sustainable touring opportunities for both artists and audiences all around Lebanon.

An audience composed of individuals of all ages was engaging with multiple interactive performances, including “Before You Go” (previously known as Along The Way), an invitation to walk and engage in three dance performances in various spaces, all while being on the move.

What is Before You Go?

“Before You Go“, our guided trail of a maximum of 1 hour started with a meeting point, followed by 3 stops in which each performance is situated, and then an endpoint. Audiences, mainly composed of locals as well as visitors from nearby regions and other cities across Lebanon, were guided to walk along this trail. Each stop was set in a public or private space, and the trail was performed one time in each of the towns chosen. Naturally, as the spaces per performance were changing every time depending on the location, the performances were being adapted in order to fit the provided spaces and blend in with their charming surroundings.

“Before You Go” is an invitation to walk, both as a host and a stranger, and allow every performance set in public or private to be a collective social experiment that changes our relationships to space and to each other.

What’s this project’s main theme?

All three performances abided by a specific theme, floating around the notion of being both a host and a stranger. It’s worth noting that locals in nearby regions and even neighbors across Lebanon still find themselves to be strangers to each other’s communities until this day, which is why one of our aims through our performances is to break that social barrier and connect or reconnect certain communities with each other.

These site-specific performances push us into reflecting together and engaging on the question of space and its various roles in the local context. From spatial demarcations to “spaces” of communication, we interrogate together the function of space in shaping social interactions and the process that comes into play.

We launched our tour in the city of Zahle, on August 19, 2022. Zahliots generously opened up their spaces as our performers took over rooftops, balconies and staircases within the Rassieh neighborhood.

We thank the municipality of Zahle, Chabibet Saydet el Najet - Zahle, and Manbar Zahle el Sakafe for their cooperation and conviviality. We also thank every resident who opened their door for us and gave us permission to extend their private spaces to the public.

The next day, our NCO team headed toward Rayak.

Two of the selected stops were nested inside an eclectic farm turned into a residential home that’s over 100 years old. It is a hidden gem in the middle of Hauch Hala, Rayak full of green spaces. The owner of this house, Mr. Gedeon, took the time to show us around his premises and narrate the stories behind each unique nook and corner.

We thank Mr. Moussa Gedeon for opening his own home and allowing dancers and audiences to share a genuine moment in the intimacy of his beautiful space. We also thank the municipality of Rayak and Chabeb Riyak al Sekke members for all the support they have provided us.

Our last touring day was in the beautiful city of Anjar, a city inhabited by a convivial community of Lebanese-Armenians and full of history. This time, it was a series of nighttime performances in public spaces and landmarks around the area. Lighting played an enormous role in the display of our three acts, making the whole experience magical to both spectators and ourselves.

We thank Koko Garabet Sakayan, Sako Donikian, Nathalie Kendirjian, and Mayor Vartkes Khoshian for all the technical and on-the-ground assistance, and for making “Along The Way”, the nighttime edition, an experience we will never forget.