More than 1,000 people attended Friday night’s MTV bash at the Roman Baths in Beirut, where the new presenter for the Arabic music video show, MTV Mashaweer, was announced, reported The Daily Star, Lebanon.
The daily said that the auditioneers, their friends and VIPs enjoyed four hours of music and entertainment before the evening climaxed when 18-year-old Lara Matar from Beirut was named MTV’s new video jockey.
“It’s great. I’m so happy I won. I never expected this,” said Matar, moments after party host Kicki, the MTV Europe VJ and special guest Michel Azzi from Future TV, made the announcement.
Matar was chosen from 10 hopeful finalists, the youngest being a 16-year-old boy.
Meanwhile, Friday’s festivities kicked-off at 9 pm with an elegant light show illuminating the Roman Baths and adjacent office buildings, said the Daily Star. An impressive sound system complemented the lighting as DJs from Lebanon and England created a youthful, yet sophisticated, ambiance.
“It’s really something so fantastic,” commented partygoer Mike Hussein, who didn’t audition but received a ticket from a friend who had. “This is the first time we’ve had a free party like this in Lebanon.”
Showtime project manager Ramzi Jamal said: “It was a big success, a big turnout. People had loads of fun. We hope to put on more events like this.”
The party was full of surprises, some more pleasant than others, for the 300 who auditioned earlier in the week. Singer Lydia Kanaan gave a brief performance and Lebanese group, Four Cats, was also there to answer questions for hopefuls.
Few had ever seen the archeological site illuminated by such an iridescent décor.
Part of Matar’s six-month contract with the Showtime network includes a trip to the MTV studios in London to become familiarized with television production.
While there, she will meet the other presenter, to be chosen in Cairo next week.
MTV Mashaweer is moving out of its London studios and into Beirut and Cairo. The next season begins in September, with four one-hour programs to be produced each month-Albawaba.com.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
