Tota

Join us at Tota on Wed Sept 25th for the exhibition launch of “Visages: A Portrait Exhibition” by Ziad Rizkallah.
Ziad painted a series of six portraits and one n**e human figure. Explore the compelling world of human expression in ‘Visages: A Portrait Exhibition.’ This collection showcases a diverse series of portrait paintings, each capturing the essence and individuality of its subject. From classic techniques to contemporary interpretations, the exhibition invites viewers to engage with the stories and emotions that define us all.

// Free entrance
// About the artist:
Ziad Rizkallah, born and raised in Beirut, has been immersed in the world of art since childhood. His early fascination with sketching and drawing laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. Pursuing this interest, Ziad studied graphic design, where he honed his skills and developed a keen eye for visual aesthetics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ziad expanded his artistic horizons by delving into painting. This period of introspection and creativity led to his solo exhibition, “Exposed,” held at Arthause two years ago, showcasing his unique perspective and artistic evolution.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Ziad works as a humanitarian with the United Nations, reflecting his commitment to making a positive impact in the world. His preferred mediums are acrylic paints, and he is particularly drawn to expressionism, which allows him to explore and convey complex emotions through his work.

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday Sept 17th at 8.00 PM for an open poetry night hosted by Elie Mouhanna.

// Theme: Joking Your Way Through Life.
// Language: Arabic, English & French.
// Free entrance.

About the Night:
Tota’s poetry Salon invites you to another open poetry night where tradition meets exploration. This open mic is a space to delve into the realm of poetry beyond conventional boundaries. There is no feature for this night; every open mic-r has the spotlight! Share your old favorites, new creations, or even those unfinished pieces you’ve been working on. With the supportive community of artists, poetry enthusiast and writers, the stage is your playground away from the needs for perfectionism and aesthetics! Come and celebrate the diverse voices and expressions that make poetry a living, evolving art form.

Join us on wed Sept 18th at 9PM for a Live Experimental set by Akram Hajj.

// About the artist:
Akram Hajj is a self taught drummer, mainly known for his unorthodox style and polyrhythm
grooves. Since his breakthrough with his band Kinematk, he launched multiple improvisational
acts with numerous musicians across europe and the middle east. Hajj’s recent works centre
around electro acoustic percussion with a noise sonic approach.

// Musician Support: $7

// Come early to secure your seat or reserve a table on 01-570298.

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday, September 10th at 8:00 PM featuring Semaan Khawam and hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: The Piano has been Drinking
// Language: English, Arabic, French
// Free Entrance

About the Feature:
Semaan khawam is a Syrian-Lebanese artist based in Beirut. He has a diverse artistic background encompassing painting, sculpting, graffiti and poetry. His work is deeply rooted in contemporary issues such as migration and Identity.

Khawan’s artistic style is characterized by the imagery of birds, symbolizing freedom and the ability to transcend both physical and metaphorical borders. This motif reflects his alter ego and has earned him the nickname ‘birdman’. His art powerfully explores the constraints on human movement and Identity, contrasted with the limitless freedom that birds represent.

Khawam has participated in over 30 collective exhibitions across Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan, Berlin, France, Italy, New York, Singapore, Taiwan and the UK. In addition to these, he has held numerous successful solo exhibitions. Khawam values collaboration and has engaged in various collective project.

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday, September 3rd at 8:00 PM for an open poetry night, hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: Exploration and Imperfections
// Language: English, Arabic, French
// Free Entrance

About the Night:
Tota’s poetry Salon invite you to a special poetry night where tradition meets exploration. This open mic is a space to delve into the realm of poetry beyond conventional boundaries. There is no feature for this night every open mic-r has the spotlight! Share your old favorites, new creations, or even those unfinished pieces you’ve been working on. With the supportive community of artists, poetry enthusiast and writers, the stage is your playground away from the needs for perfectionism and aesthetics! Come and celebrate the diverse voices and expressions that make poetry a living, evolving art form.

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday, August 27th at 8:00 PM featuring Yara El Khoury
and hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: The only constant is change.
// Language: English, Arabic, French.
// Free Entrance.

About the feature:
Yara is a theater maker and poet who blends her passion for movement with her love for written text, focusing on physical theater and contemporary dance. She explores the intersection of poetry and performance, transforming personal expression into shared experiences.

Join us on Wed Aug 21st for the screening of the short film “Don’t take my joy away” followed by a talk with the director about filming in delicate and challenging territories. Directed by Omar Gabriel, starring Omar Al Bakeer & Omar Gabriel. This artistic journey captures fleeing moments of hope in one of the Lebanese darkest places - Shatila. It explores the presence of absence of innocence, purity and joy questioning their place in a complex world.
// Free entrance
// 8.00 PM

Join us on Tuesday Aug 20th for our weekly Tota Poetry Salon featuring Abbass Abbass and hosted by Serge Nasr.
// Theme: Light & Darkness “ The Agents for Poets”
// Free entrance - 8.00 PM
// Language: English, French and Arabic.
// You can register on spot to participate.

// Bio: Abbass Abbass Is a poet/writer/author based in beirut. He has recently published his first book, “Elegies & Wilted Enigmas” a book of poetry. Abbass has been a disciplined poetry writer since highschool. He has a Bachelors degree in English Literature, and is determined to continue his academic studies in the field of creative writing. He has been very active on social media, through filming and performing his own poetry, tackling spiritual ideas regarding the universe and our ability to discover our shadow self, through poetry and other forms of creative endeavors.

Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tues Aug 6th at 8:00 PM featuring Aya Rafeh and hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: Beirut in a verse.
// Language: English, Arabic, French
// Free Entrance

About the feature:
*Aya Rafeh* is a Beirut-born poet, artist, and cultural guide, whose work is deeply intertwined with the tumultuous spirit of her city. Having started writing poetry at the age of eight and performing by sixteen, Aya’s voice has matured alongside Beirut’s evolving landscape. Her poetry is a reflection of the city’s political and social currents, blending personal and collective narratives with a philosophical edge.

Beyond her literary endeavors, Aya leads insightful walking tours, offering locals and visitors alike a unique perspective on Beirut’s rich history. Her multidisciplinary approach to art includes street art, painting, and illustration.

Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon is back this Tuesday, July 30th at 8:00 PM with a special edition combining music and poetry. This night’s feature is our very own local artist Yal Solan and Hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: Sensuality
//Language: English, Arabic, French
//Free Entrance

About the feature:
Yal Solan is a singer-songwriter and multidisciplinary artist who creates music out of her mystical poetry. Moving from animation and graphic design to dive deep into the human voice and body, Yal found in sensual expression a liberating antidote to a senseless capitalistic world.

Being an artist who is also a yogi, Yal’s writing embraces both the earthly and the sacred, the infatuation and the realization, and most of all, the awakening of divine feminine energy in an overly masculine day and age.

Yal will be accompanied by one or two of her band members for some improvised live music. A sultry night awaits, come indulge.

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday, July 2nd at 8:00 PM Featuring Mazen Al Safadi and Hosted by Stephanie Nasr.

// Theme:
النّفس والكون وما بينهما
//Language: English, Arabic, French
//Free Entrance

About the feature:
Mazen is an environmental scientist who moved to Berlin six years ago. The city has unfolded within him several aspects, including poetry. He published his first poetry collection, “Foolish Desires,” in 2021, saying that through poetry, he both meets and escapes reality simultaneously.

He writes about love, spirituality, skin and touch, life, and other topics. Yet, somehow, his writings always contain a calling for oneness and a reminder of who we truly are, deep down, in our very raw material.

10 Days to go for our Beach Party at You can now grab your ticket from Tota and pay in cash ($15).

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday, June 18th at 8:00 PM Featuring Stephanie Nasr and Hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: Rage and Comfort
//Language: English, Arabic, French
//Free Entrance

About the feature:
Stephanie is a writer who found their voice through poetry in Beirut 10 years ago. As a writer, activist, and co-founder of Sidewalk Jbeil, it’s become their mission to decentralize artistic spaces and build wider communities where diversity is welcomed, appreciated, and celebrated.

Join us this Wed June 12th for a Live performance of experimental/electronic music.
// Opening Solo act by Claudia Khachan: voice, key.
- Trio by Paed Conca: clarinet, electronics / Anthony Sahyoun: modular synth / Ayman Zebdawi: drums.

// Musician support: $10 or pay what you can
// 9PM

Join us on Wed June 12th for a Live Performance of experimental music.
// - Solo opening act by Claudia Khachan: voice, key and more.
- Trio performance: Paed Conca: clarinet, electronics/ Anthony Sahyoun: modular synth / Ayman Zebdawi: drums.
// Musician support $10 or pay what you can.
// 9PM

Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon This Tuesday, June 11th at 8:00 PM Featuring Celine Aljamil and hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: Coming home; invites ideas of longing, belonging; to return, to retrieve; the space after and between strangeness and familiarity
//Language: English, Arabic, French
//Free Entrance

About the feature: Celine Aljamil is mouthful & tongue-tied. She writes as a tool to navigate the world. Her creative practice is explorative yet intentional. Celine likes the paper, the table, and the stage as surfaces for writing. When mouthful, people’s words are food for thought. When tongue-tied, the paper is where she confesses. This time she invites and joins her friends on stage.

“Three Graces” Live at Tota this Thur June 6th with Sandy Chamoun and Elyse Tabet X Flugen. Join us for a night of electronic jams starting 9 PM.
// Artist support $10 or pay what you can.

Tota’s Poetry Nights are back! Join us at Tota’s weekly Poetry Salon this Tuesday, June 4th at 8:00 PM Featuring Adham Al-Dimashki and Hosted by Serge Nasr.

// Theme: Arts and Traumas - الفن والصدمات
Language: English, Arabic, French
// Free Entrance

// About the Feature: Adham Al-Dimashki (April 14, 1990).
Poet, playwright and visual artist, university lecturer in creative writing and the role of the arts in psychotherapy. He has five books of poetry and narratives that have been translated into several languages. He has also won several literary awards in Lebanon and abroad.
He wrote and directed a number of plays, short feature films and documentaries.
Adham believes that Godot’s arrival in his life was a fateful turning point that liberated him from the monotony of everything mentioned in the biography above. Adham will read from his new book Godot’s Garden and will follow up with a book signing and open mic for people to read poetry.

Join us on Wed June 5th at 8.30 PM for the Exhibition Launch of “CityWander” by Peter Abdel Karim
// About the exhibition:
- Through this exhibition, you will see my love for Beirut and my passion for finding hidden gems in the city.
My unplanned walks through the streets let you experience the beauty of the buildings, the lively culture, and the unique feel of the urban landscape.
CityWander invites you to enjoy the spontaneity and excitement of exploring the city, discovering its
stories and secrets as you go.
// Artist bio: bio: Peter Abdel Karim is an artist and graphic designer from Lebanon with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Recently, he was chosen as a winning designer in the Morgenland Music Festival poster competition in Germany among 8 countries. His work, inspired by architecture and the hidden gems of Beirut. He showcased his work in several exhibitions, including the Goethe Institute Lebanon in 2019 and Antwork Mena coworking space in 2022 and soon in august 2024 at the Lagerhalle cultural center in Osnabrück, Germany. Peter is interested in sustainable design and welcomes connections with others passionate about art, design, music, or sustainability. Hit him with a message and Let’s create something amazing together!

// Free entrance

Join us on Tue Mar 14 for a live performance by 🎶
// Starting 9pm, with on vocals & .manja on synths

// Rust is an innovative duo whose music blends the Arabic heritage of melody and poetry with modern electronic beats.
Combining elements of Arabic music with contemporary production and hypnotic vocals, Rust draws influence from the older generation of musical rebels, aiming to bridge the gap between legacy and modernity.

Join us for a live performance by this Thursday at 9pm!
// DOC + MARTY” album release event
// Berj is an up-and-coming producer from Lebanon, Beirut, who's live drumming ability is complimented by a knack for selecting and manipulating soul moving jazz samples. He also has a very eery, unusual way of producing Lo-Fi songs which ironically attracts and interests listeners.

**Artist support: 400,000LBP

Tuesday night with selecting Indie Dance starting 10pm!

Cliffhangers is back at Tota !

Tuesday February 21st at 8:00pm

The theme is: طق شرش الحيا

Life is too hard. And maybe it's short, and sometimes feels too long. Bottom line, a lot of us have had it and we need to unbutton our shirts and pants (metaphorically) and just chill. Let it all out. Uncensored. Loud. Unapologetic.

There will be a line-up of amazing storytellers followed by an open mic where anyone can come up and share.

The event is free of charge. Come early, grab a drink and a seat and enjoy!

Join us for a LIVE performance by .music on Tues Jan 3rd, 8pm at 🎶
Electro Dreamy Pop, original tracks by “Blue Comme Moi” and some covers.

// Rita Okais: vocals & keyboards
Sam Wehbi: guitar & back vocals

// Band support: 200,000LBP

Tues night with .j.musika selecting electro-oriental starting 10pm following ‘s live gig🎶

Yal Solan ✨ يال سولان] Live at Tota on Tues Dec 27 at 8.30pm.
Join us for a live performance of Soul Music & Spoken Poetry ✨
// Vocals Yal Solan ✨ يال سولان]
Keyboard/Synth
Bass/ Didgeridoo
Drums .shukri

Gig will be followed by music selection of electro-oriental with .j.musika

// Tickets: 250,000LLBP
Support ticket: 450,000LBP