Bema Enno: A Ziad Rahbani Tribute

At Juice Dudez Bank Street

On August 8, we hosted Bema Enno: A Ziad Rahbani Tribute at Juice Dudez Bank Street — a night dedicated to the music, wit, nostalgia, and cultural legacy of one of the Arab world’s most iconic artists.

What started as a tribute quickly became something much bigger than a simple event. The space was filled with people who came to celebrate not only Ziad Rahbani’s music, but the memories, emotions, and identity attached to it. His work carries a very specific kind of feeling: Lebanese humor, political sharpness, jazz influences, theatre, heartbreak, and the beautiful chaos of home. That feeling was present throughout the night.

The atmosphere at Juice Dudez was intimate, warm, and full of energy. Guests came together over music, conversation, and shared nostalgia. For many, it felt like a small piece of Lebanon had been recreated in Ottawa — not in a forced or overly polished way, but in a genuine, familiar, and emotional way.

The event showed us something important: there is a real hunger in Ottawa for cultural nights that go beyond the surface. People want events that celebrate Arab art with depth, intention, and heart. They want to hear the music they grew up with, discover the artists who shaped our culture, and gather in spaces where that heritage feels alive.

Bema Enno became more than a tribute to Ziad Rahbani. It became a reminder of why Laymoun exists: to create spaces where Middle Eastern art, music, memory, and identity can be celebrated proudly.

That night was one of the sparks that pushed us to keep building — from intimate cultural gatherings to larger theatre experiences, always with the same mission: to showcase the beauty, richness, and emotional power of Arab culture.

To everyone who came, sang along, shared the night with us, or supported the idea from the beginning — thank you. You were part of one of Laymoun’s earliest chapters, and that night will always be remembered as the beginning of something bigger.