Middle-Eastern Music Camps in the U.S.: Middle-Eastern Music and Dance Camp Arab Music Retreat Information about the Middle-Eastern Music: Music of the Near East This web-site is maintained by Pantelis Vassilakis. It has information about the UCLA's Near East Ensemble and the director of the ensemble, Ali Jihad Racy. This page also provides information about Middle-Eastern musical instruments, and Middle-Eastern music theory. There are audio samples and also a video demonstration on the ud by Ali Jihad Racy. Al Mashriq Many useful links and information about Middle-Eastern music. Middle-Eastern Culture This site has information about the Middle-Eastern music and a number of translated song lyrics. It is maintained by Shira. Traditional Music Festivals, Museums, Resources: International Istanbul Festival (in Istanbul, Turkey) Istanbul Festival has aimed at including in its programmes the finest examples of artistic creativity in the fields of music (orchestral concerts, chamber music, recitals and traditional Turkish music), classical ballet and contemporary dance, opera, folklore, jazz/pop, cinema, drama and visual arts from both Turkey and abroad, as well as seminars, conferences and lectures. Each year, since the year of its foundation, the International Istanbul Festival programme has included an average of fifty events designed to appeal to a great variety of tastes, resulting in a steady annual increase in attendance figures. In 1977, it was accreditted as a member of European Festivals Association. Yabous Productions A non-profit organization for the production of performing arts in Jerusalem. They organize events such as "the Jerusalem Festival for Arabic Music Festival," and the Jerusalem Festival for Religious Music "Amen." World Sacred Music Festival (in Fez, Morocco) Every year travelers from all over the world meet in the holycity of Fez, Morocco, for the World Sacred Music Festival, where leading musicians of world calibre share sacred music from the spiritual traditions of both East and West. Interactive Museum of Turkey They have excellent articles on Turkish music at their "Resource Center," as well as art news, and virtual tour of many important museums in Turkey. Turath Turath is a non-profit educational organization providing resources for world arts and multi-cultural collaboration.   more links: