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Trip to Lebanon

FROM CHRIS: I just returned from a ten day journey to Lebanon with my father Eli, retracing our family roots (McKhool is spelled Makhoul in Lebanon), as well as tracing the thread of Arabic music which informs some of the sound of Sultans of String.  Highlights include finding long lost relatives in Kfarmichki, a small village in the Bekka Valley, finding the stone house that my grandparents lived in, and eating the best mezze of my life. Also we got to hear amazing music in every corner of Beirut, including the Lebanese Philharmonic, Lebanese Arabic Orchestra, and Tarab (singer, oud, and riq) at the Blue Note on… wait for it… Makhoul Street in Beirut!

All this while the rest of the Sultans were in South Africa performing several shows at the FIFA World Cup with Amanda Martinez.  Way to go Amanda!