TOTAL GATHERED $73,267
how it started - August 15, 2020
As you all know, our entire community is shaken by the horrific explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4th. Reasons: the incompetence, negligence and corruption of our own government. Countless lives lost. Countless houses destroyed. We are hurt, both physically and emotionally.
Fortunately, amid the chaos, everyone rushed to help. So, we took it upon ourselves to contact musicians, producers and sound engineers living in the blast area and to inventory all music gear, instruments and recording equipment that was destroyed. The damage so far adds up to USD 38,255 (the extensive list of damaged gear is available upon request).
All donations will be managed by the studio team and divided proportionally between those affected.
phase 1 - gear replacement for 28 musicians
We managed to secue an initial $49,705 to help 28 musicians and engineers get back on their feet, with 77 pieces of gear reimbursed.
phase 2 - gear replacement for 2 musicians, support for onohub & Beirut now
After we reached our initial goal, donations kept pouring in. So we decided to keep raising money for more causes, as well as any other musicians whose gear was damaged in the blast and had not previously contacted us.
Students at OnoHub
After the explosion, around 100 students stopped their music lessons at Onomatopeia the Music Hub, due to shifting priorities and a worsening economic crisis. We want to make sure music remains an option for everyone, so we will help cover lessons for a dozen students for 1 year.
Now Beirut
A live music venue in Ashrafieh that was badly damaged in the blast. We donated a part of our funds to their campaign so that they could rebuild the space and keep hiring musicians to perform.
PHASE 3 - gear replacement for 2 musicians, support beirut synth center, a buzuk maker & music lessons for refugees
There were two more musicians whose gear had been damaged in the explosion and needed our help. We also found other people/institutions who were working hard to keep the music scene alive, and who needed a financial push.
Beirut Synth Center
The center opened in June 2021 and offers free workshops and classes on synths and electronic music, as well as open hours with gear for musicians and amateurs alike to experiment with synths and machines.
Music lessons & Instrument maker
We gave away funds to music students, Palestinian and Syrian refugees, who were unable to pay for their oud lessons, as well as a local Buzuk maker who was at risk of closing business due to the high prices of wood needed to manufacture the instrument.
Special thanks to
Capital Music & Media (Thomas Franke)
„wir sind alle mittendrin e.V.“ (Maidline D.)
Jana Saleh
Anthony Semaan (Beirut Jam Sessions)
Areej Abou Harb & Ghassan Salhab (Me’zaf)
Mayssa Jallad
Ziad Nawfal
Sharif Sehnaoui
Nessim Stevenson
Lynn Sheikh Moussa
Dar Onboz
Studio Safar
Boiler Room