Moroccan drag. Algerian film. Palestinian techno. Lebanese dance. Syrian theatre.

This week the line-up for the fifth Shubbak (meaning 'window' in Arabic) - the UK’s largest festival of Arab contemporary culture is announced.

Our Guest Editor is #Shubbak2019 Artistic Director, Eckhard Thiemann. ‘Different audiences will be confronted with different new realities,’ asserts Eckhard in his interview with Rachel Halliburton for Run-Riot. They chat about the festival, its' highlights and surprises, here.

In our Magazine section we talk to Aurélie Poppins, vocalist of Belgian punk noise band Cocaine Piss ahead of the release of their third album Passionate and Tragic, and their headline gig at London's Baga Yaga's Hut, Corsica Studios.

Looking for a career change? Two jobs up for grabs: Executive Director, LIFT Festival and Marketing Manager, Peacock Theatre, Sadler's Wells. Break a leg!

For more weird culture gems and obscure competitions and offers - browse our Offers page. As for the best of the rest - rummage through our genre-bending pages where you'll find plenty of haut happenings.

Here's to wishing you a rousing week dear Players! Bottoms up! RR xx