Planning committee unveils Shopping Festival plans

Dubai: The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) organising committee held its first meeting for DSF 2009 last Thursday at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport.

The 14th edition of the festival will begin on January 15 and continue until February 15.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, and Jamal Al Hai, Vice President of Strategy, Dubai Airports, welcomed the committee at Terminal 3. The meeting was presided over by Ebrahim Saleh, Coordinator General of the DSF Office, in addition to a host of government dignitaries and officials who comprise the committee.

Three new government departments have joined the committee this year -Community Development Authority, Dubai Sports Council, and Dubai Event Management Corporation - taking the number of departments represented in the DSF Organising Committee to 21.

The gathering was briefed on the outlines of the upcoming DSF edition, and plans to ensure the smooth functioning of DSF 2009 were also discussed. Saleh began by thanking the government representatives for their support for DSF and their continued contribution in promoting Dubai as a leading global city.

"The cooperation between the various government departments is an essential element of every successful DSF edition and the organising committee plays an integral role in ensuring efficient operational levels in all aspects of the festival.

"This coordination is a reflection of our endeavour to highlight and promote Dubai as a world-class tourist and investment destination," said Saleh. He also elaborated some of the key attractions that will be organised during DSF 2009.

Representatives of several government departments including Dubai Municipality and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation were present.

It's a star-studded affair at this year's DIFF event

Dubai: Acclaimed director Oliver Stone will walk the red carpet at Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) for the gala screening and regional premiere of his latest movie W.

Some of the biggest names in cinema will arrive in Dubai for the fifth instalment of Diff including Nicolas Cage, Brendon Fraser, Danny Glover, Salma Hayek, Goldie Hawn, Laura Linney and child actress Eliza Bennett.

Taking place from December 11-18, DIFF brings 181 films from 66 countries and will showcase 16 world premieres, mostly from the Arab region.

Bollywood heavyweights Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Nandita Das will also make star appearances as well as legendary producer Charles Roven, who brought films including The Dark Knight, Batman Begins and the Brothers Grimm.

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Arab stars include Yasmina Khadra, Carmen Lebbos, Sameer Ganem, Sameer Sabri, Hicham Saleem and Saeed Saleh.

Staff are working round the clock at the Madinat Jumeirah to transform the venue ready for the star-studded event.

Bigger and better each year is something organisers promised and bigger and better it always is.

In 2004 the festival screened 76 films from 27 countries and had just one world premiere against this year's 181 films and 16 premieres.

Rhythm and Reels, a three-day event, which showcased the world of music and film as one, will also feature this year at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre with Cadillac Records, a film which follows the rise and fall of Chess Records and their artists in the 1950s.

The AmFar gala dinner, which last year raised more than $3 million (Dh11.01 million), will also make a welcome return and is sure to bring celebrities from around the world to the red carpet.

One of the world's leading Aids charities, AmFar ambassadors Goldie Hawn and Salma Hayek will head up this year's proceedings.

Tickets for all screenings and events went on sale today at www.dubaifilmfest.com and will be available for purchase in person at Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Festival City cinemas, as well as the Madinat Theatre Box Office, from November 27.

Filipino star and Unicef goodwill ambassador Gary V coming to Dubai

Dubai: Filipino pop star and Unicef national ambassador of goodwill Gary Valenciano, or Gary V for short, is coming to Dubai for a concert on November 27. The Dubai leg of his 25th anniversary world tour will also feature artists Yeng Constantino, Paolo and Gabriel.

Valenciano’s Dubai concert will be held at the Aviation Club. Doors open at 7pm. For tickets call 0507471355.

Abu Dhabi gets online gateway to geospatial data

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Abu Dhabi: The latest data about Abu Dhabi's habitats, wildlife, agriculture, forestry, soils and water, among other topics can now be accessed with just a click of a button. The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has developed a geospatial data portal that makes environmental data and metadata readily available to government organisations and the general public. The portal, with a new interface in both Arabic and English, is a one-stop access point for environmental data in Abu Dhabi.

The general public can now quickly and easily access EAD's entire catalogue of geospatial data, maps and information about the data that was used to make those maps. The Geoportal even offers the ability to build your own map. "In order to properly manage our environment, we need to understand our geography better, whether we are talking about land, water or air. Part of our role is to provide the community with the information they need to make wiser choices when it comes to our environment," said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD.The portal can be accessed at www.geoportal.ae

UAE museum: Hisn Fort

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The Hisn Fort is the former residence of the Al Qasimi Ruling family that displays traditional architecture and artefacts. Built in 1820 by Shaikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the double-storey fort is the home to priceless items including old photographs, classic weapons and trading tools that showcase 200 years of Sharjah's history. This carefully restored fort is situated in the middle of Burj Avenue and was the residence of the ruling family for 200 years. Although it was torn down in 1969 due to the structural changes of the city, His Highness Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah restored it with the help of old photographs and documents, his own notes and the assistance of elderly residents. It now houses a museum with exhibits on pearl fishing, education and trade, as well jewellery, and weapons.

Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival to be held in March next year

Abu Dhabi: The 6th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival will be held from March 21 to April 4 next year, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) announced on Monday. Held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the festival is the region’s foremost cultural event, attracting world-class artists from across the globe. Tickets are set to go on sale on 25 January next year, with full details of performers announced at that time. Speaking of the upcoming festival, Hoda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, said: “Next year, our line up of artists will be world-class – it’s our most inspiring schedule yet.”

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“Throughout the Festival we will be running workshops and talks for the public to find out more about the performances.” she added. At the 2008 event, more than 9,000 people attended a schedule of performances ranging from ballet to Arabian and Western contemporary classical music.