What’s On

Starring the extraordinary Belinda Davids, this live concert brings to life Whitney Houston’s musical legacy in a “mind-blowingly spot on”.

This October, the National Theatre hosts “The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston” — one of the most celebrated productions honouring the legacy of the late music icon. With a captivating performance by Belinda Davids, whose powerful vocals and striking resemblance to Whitney Houston have earned her international acclaim, the show promises an unforgettable musical experience. Since her debut on Britain’s Got Talent, Davids has dazzled audiences around the world with her ability to truly embody the spirit of the legendary star. This dazzling tribute is a heartfelt celebration of one of the greatest voices in music history.

Accompanied by a full live band, backing vocalists, and enhanced by stunning lighting, sound, and theatrical effects, this two-hour concert is a spectacular journey through Houston’s greatest hits — from I Will Always Love You and I Wanna Dance With Somebody to I Have Nothing, One Moment in Time, and many more. Prepare to be swept away by the emotion, energy, and nostalgia of this world-class production — a true celebration of the music and magic of Whitney Houston.

The second evening of the International Music Festival features Mehdi Ayachi and Lamia Jamal, accompanied by a musical ensemble under the baton of Dr Amal Al-Qurmazi.

On Thursday, 23 October, the International Music Festival, organised by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, presents its second night: “Melodies from the Maghreb — From the Ocean to the Gulf.” This concert will be brought to life by Tunisian performers Mehdi Ayachi and Lamia Jamal, joined by the musical ensemble conducted by Dr Amal Al-Qurmazi.

The programme will showcase a rich variety of songs, journeying from the Atlantic shores to the Arabian Gulf. Audiences will sail through authentic Moroccan melodies infused with the fragrance of history and the spirit of Andalusia, before arriving at the harbours of the Gulf, where traditional maqamat echo the shared heritage, language, and dreams of its people. As part of the festival’s celebrations, this concert is a vibrant artistic encounter that expresses unity in diversity and highlights the beauty of musical plurality across the Arab world.

The third night of the International Music Festival brings the most beautiful Lebanese melodies, performed by Carla Ramia and Layal Nehme, accompanied by the Orpheus Orchestra conducted by André Maalouli.

On Friday, 24 October, the Drama Theatre hosts “From the Cedars” as part of the 25th edition of the International Music Festival, carrying us to Lebanon—the land of cedars, a country that holds a special place in the hearts of Kuwaitis. This concert will feature the talents of Lebanese singers Carla Ramia and Layal Nehme, alongside the Orpheus Orchestra led by maestro André Maalouli.

The evening brings to life some of the most beloved Lebanese melodies cherished across generations, in a captivating musical journey where timeless works by Lebanon’s legendary composers are reimagined through orchestral brilliance and the warm, soulful voices of these two remarkable vocalists.

The fourth evening is dedicated to the works of the great Egyptian composer Sayed Mekawy, performed by Rami Abdelmonem and Maha Hanafi, accompanied by the musical ensemble conducted by Dr Mohammed Al-Buaijan.

On Saturday, 25 October, the festival’s fourth night arrives like a gentle Nile breeze, carrying with it the soul of old Cairo. Audiences will be transported through the works of a musician who turned melodies into poetry that illuminated the dark and songs into gateways of joy. Titled “From the Nile – The Music of Sayed Mekawy”, the evening will revive a wide selection of his celebrated works, brought to life by the voices of Rami Abdelmonem and Maha Hanafi, with the musical ensemble led by Dr Mohammed Al-Buaijan.

The late Egyptian composer Sayed Mekawy remains a uniquely creative and humanistic figure in Arab music. He enriched the Arab repertoire with melodies that became timeless—whether through songs, operettas, or musical programmes. His name is forever tied to iconic works such as “Al-Mesahharati”, the operetta “El-Leila El-Kebira”, and the “Rubaiyat of Salah Jahin”, in addition to his remarkable collaborations with some of the greatest voices of the Arab world, including Umm Kulthum, Shadia, Sabah, Nagat, Warda, and Fayza Ahmed. This special concert offers a musical journey into the most beloved and unforgettable melodies of his career.

The Ahmadi Music Group closes the 25th International Music Festival with a concert of classical masterpieces by Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

The 25^th edition of the International Music Festival, organised by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), concludes with a grand evening of world classics under the title “Music For Peace”, performed by the Ahmadi Music Group conducted by Richard Bushman. This special night takes us on a journey from Kuwait to 18th-century Germany, the golden age of classical music, with works by two of its greatest composers: Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn.

The programme features Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, with Joonas Pekonen as the soloist, followed by Beethoven’s celebrated Symphony No. 6 in F major, known as the Pastoral Symphony—one of the most beloved works of the German master.

A captivating evening of Kuwaiti folk music, featuring distinctive styles performed by the beloved artist.

Kuwaiti music is renowned for the diversity of its forms and rhythms, reflecting the richness of the society from which it emerged. As we have often celebrated the art of Sout in its many variations, this Cultural Season will present the concert “Samri and Qadri with Tareq Al-Khurayef”, to be held at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall on 29 October, showcasing two of Kuwait’s most cherished folk genres.

The concert’s programme includes some of the most famous songs of Samri, a Bedouin musical form named after the nightly gatherings (samrat) from which it takes its name. Samri encompasses several variations, including Najdi Samri, Hawti Samri, Fajri Samri, and Qarwi Samri. Qadri, by contrast, is a rhythm of devotional Sufi character that originated centuries ago as a percussive accompaniment to religious poetry and Sufi chants. Both genres are performed with a modest dance, in which the head and shoulders gently sway in harmony with the rhythm.

The words of great poet will be brought to life by Bader Noori, Fahad Al-Salem, Jassim Bin Thani, and Rolan, accompanied by the musical ensemble conducted by Dr Khaled Noori.

 He is the master craftsman of our memories — the poet of the most beautiful songs of love, homeland, and childhood. With his rare gift, he created lyrics that have become part of our collective identity. Abdullatif Al-Bannai, the great poet whose work was first honoured during our second cultural season (2018/2019), cannot be celebrated just one time. In recognition of his legacy, this season we dedicate another evening to revisiting his finest works. On 30 October, the National Theatre will host “The Songs of Abdullatif Al-Bannai” concert, performed by Bader Noori, Fahad Al-Salem, Jassim Bin Thani, and Rolan, accompanied by the musical ensemble conducted by Dr Khaled Noori.

A new phase begins at the Music School from 1 to 29 November, open to all participants aged 14 and above, under the supervision of a distinguished group of academics.

Following its launch in September, the Music School continues its classes with a new phase running from 1 to 29 November, for participants aged 14 and above. The School offers both individual and group classes led by a distinguished team of academic specialists in Eastern and Western musical instruments, as well as Arabic singing.

Each course runs for one month and consists of 8 sessions, held every Saturday and Monday, with each session lasting 45 minutes. All instrumental classes (excluding Arabic singing and guitar) include an additional solfège session (note reading).

For registration and more information, please visit JACC website or mobile app.

An exceptional evening with the beloved singer, featuring her latest songs alongside timeless classics of Arabic music.

Earlier this year, the acclaimed Egyptian singer Mai Farouk released her new album “Tarekhi” (My History), which featured a variety of songs, including “Sultana”. The immense success of this track, along with the rest of the album across platforms, earned her the title “Sultana of Tarab,” as hailed by the press. In celebration of this album, the National Theatre will host the beloved singer on 7 November in a not-to-be-missed concert that brings together her new songs live for the first time in Kuwait and a selection of Arabic classics uniquely interpreted by Mai Farouk.

With a voice that blends sweetness, strength, and tenderness, and with her exceptional ability to perform Arabi classics live, Mai Farouk has secured a distinguished place among today’s leading singers—particularly those who keep alive the heritage of the golden age of Arabic song. She is not only a masterful performer of the classics but also committed to selecting refined lyrics and melodies. Her concerts are always true evenings of “tarab”, evoking the splendour of bygone times.

An innovative experience blending timeless Arabic classics with beloved Khaleeji songs, led by renowned Lebanese pianist and composer Michel Fadel, with the participation of Al-Mass Folklore Group.

“Betrouh Lak Meshwar” is a Lebanese classic song, originally performed by the late Wadih Al-Safi, that gained special popularity in Kuwait through a televised Jalsat (musical gathering) performance by Ghareed Al-Shate’. That version featured a distinctive arrangement enriched with Kuwaiti folk elements, including sharbaka and zafan participation. Inspired by this cultural connection, we have chosen the song as the title for a new musical experience coming to Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall on 12 November, led by renowned Lebanese pianist and composer Michel Fadel.

This special evening brings together Arabic and Khaleeji songs by legendary singers, performed by a choir and a modern musical ensemble with Michel Fadel, alongside Al-Mass Folklore Group. Audiences will enjoy the timeless works of Umm Kulthum, Sabah, Warda, Mohammed Abdou, Abu Bakr Salem, and others, reimagined through fresh arrangements and a distinctive artistic vision by the acclaimed Lebanese composer.

We open the Amphitheatre concerts with Egyptian musician Saad Al-Oud and his band, performing beloved Egyptian songs in an open-air setting.

We open the Amphitheatre concerts this season with Egyptian oud player and singer Saad Al-Oud and his band on 20 and 21 November, presenting an open-air evening filled with some of the most beloved Egyptian songs. Saad Al-Oud began his musical journey performing in gatherings among family and friends, reminiscent of traditional Khaleeji jalsat (musical gatherings), but held instead in various coffee shops and restaurants. He called them, in Egyptian dialect, “Jalsa with Saad Al-Oud” — informal sessions where he played the oud and sang with the audience a wide selection of songs by iconic Arab singers, as well as popular ones by Egyptian film stars such as Mahmoud Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Zaki, and excerpts from well-known operettas like El-Layla El-Kebira (The Grand Night).

By 2018, these intimate gatherings had grown into large concerts attended by hundreds, then thousands, in Cairo and Alexandria. From there, the young oud player and his band expanded their reach across the Gulf, performing in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

For the first time in the Middle East, Jon Batiste — the Jazz Icon, Academy Award winner, and five-time Grammy Award recipient — will perform in Kuwait as part of his world tour.

Oscar and five-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste makes his Middle East debut on 29 November in Kuwait, at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall, presenting a magical musical evening as part of his world tour “The Maestro Series.”

The acclaimed American singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist is distinguished by his unique and captivating performances that blend diverse musical styles. He seamlessly weaves together classical music, jazz, soul, R&B, and other African American traditions, while his masterful playing at the piano and on other instruments showcases brilliant improvisations. Renowned for collaborations with Beyoncé, Lang Lang, and Michelle Obama, Batiste co-composed the jazz-inspired score for Pixar’s Soul, earning an Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, and BAFTA Film Award.

The musician presents his first concerts in Kuwait at the National Theatre.

For the first time in Kuwait, the National Theatre will host musician Saint Levant in December. Marwan Abdelhamid, AKA Saint Levant, was born in Jerusalem to a French-Algerian mother and Serbian-Palestinian father during the Second Intifada. He spent 7 years growing up in Gaza, to which he dedicated his first EP “From Gaza with Love”.

Drawing inspiration from his origins with influences that combine traditional Arabic music, R&B and hip-hop, the young artist embraces the plurality of his own cultural heritage, the Arab community worldwide and the Palestinian struggle abroad. His songs – written in Arabic, English and French – have captivated a global audience with their international appeal. His latest project, “Love Letters and Love Letters Deluxe”, is a compilation of new music by Saint Levant, each song representing an ode to different aspects of his world – triumphant, reflective, hopeful, and heartfelt.