Middle East Meets West

Foodies and world music freaks seeking an exciting weekend of cultural immersion should stop what they’re doing and head straight down Coral Way. The 30th annual Lebanese Festival will be rocking the Gables from 5:00 p.m. Friday until midnight Sunday, making the Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church a mecca for Mediterranean culture in Miami. The event has developed from a small family event in 1976 into a gathering of 6000 attendees last year. Visitors come to dance to traditional Jabali music, watch awe-inspiring belly-dance performances, and devour mountains of aromatic and tasty culinary delights ranging from kibbeh to baklava. Event organizer Father Elie Mikhael wants to teach residents about his native country and show the people of Miami “the beauty of our traditions, our culture, and our hospitality.”
Fri., Jan. 26, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.