Africa's Habib Koite rocks Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Habib Koite, one of Africa's popular musicians, entertained hundreds of fans in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The singer performed with his band Bamada and belted out several of his new and old songs at Al Dhafra Theater at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi.

The event was part of the World Stage program by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

At the start of the concert, Koite said his group was excited to visit Abu Dhabi for the first time. "We were waiting to visit this part of the world for a long time…and we are here.”

For about two hours Koite performed on his guitar and sang with his band that played on Malian instruments.

It is a unique style that he draws from different regions of Mali, integrating the rock and folk sounds of the Western world, without watering down his cherished Malian roots.

Koite has sold more than 250,000 albums around the world. He was a also a guest at the television show Late Night with David Letterman.

Kote recorded a duet with Bonnie Raitt on her 2002 album Silver Lining.

Koite who was called "Mali's biggest pop star” by Rolling Stone (in article in which Bonnie Raitt compared Habib to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn) signed his new album Afriki Afriki after the concert where he met with fans.

After a six-year absence from the recording studio, Habib Koité and his band Bamada have returned with a new album, which features an appealing set of songs that reflect Habib's unique and innovative approach to the diverse styles of Malian music.

No offence meant

Dubai: A new video game — under development and set to a post-apocalyptic Dubai backdrop — is not meant to offend anyone, says California game maker 2K Games.

Set for global release later this year under the name Spec Ops: The Line, the game is mature entertainment that uses the world-famous skyline of Dubai as the setting comparable to many other apocalypse-based movies and games in recent years.

Teaser trailers posted on the internet late last year spawned suggestions by gamers that the new shooter game might be offensive because it depicted Dubai in shambles.

Womad 2010 is a feast of sight and sound

Colour perfect

Among the participants at World of Music, Art and Dance (Womad) Abu Dhabi 2010 is Emirati artist Wasel Safwan, whose large, colourful canvas can be seen gracing the area near the North Stage of the festival.

"I was approached to participate last year, but unfortunately I was doing an international exhibition at the time. When they asked me again this year, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the festival... it's an interesting way to showcase UAE art," Safwan said.

The Al Ain-based artist admits that his style is influenced by his study of architecture, which has resulted in a uniquely abstract style that he describes as "UAE-ism". "I describe my work as UAE-ism because I'm always representing my country, both in my art and especially when I am abroad. I also conduct workshops that help me bring my style to university students and to share ideas with them."

Although Safwan is creating his piece throughout the three-day festival surrounded by the sounds of the public and performing artists, that is something that the artist isn't worried about.

"When I'm painting, I block out everything and I feel like I'm in my studio. I work outdoors, so I consider that to be my ‘studio' because it helps to inspire me," Safwan said.

"I'd love to do collaborations with a performing artist where I paint on stage while they perform, but I'm not sure it'll work because they might take only an hour or so to perform but I can take hours to paint."

Arab celebrities at the Noble Awards Ceremony

Abu Dhabi: Leading celebrities from around the Arab world - from Egyptian actress Yousra to Lebanese singer Roula Saad - turned out in full force to lend their support to the Noble Awards on Saturday at a gala dinner in the Emirates Palace Hotel.

The evening's host, Yousra, highlighted the link between celebrity and charity.

"I believe that every human being has an obligation to continue to raise awareness about the different issues affecting our world," she told on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony.

"That is why I am not only an Ambassador for the UN’s development programme…but have also been working closely with a cancer hospital in Egypt for the last three years."

Guests included ten charitable and philanthropical organisations from across the UAE who were honored for their continuous efforts to raise awareness and address the issues they represent.

“I’m in the media business and I feel that we tend to focus too much on the superficial things celebrities do and not recognise them or honour them for their humanitarian work and the charities they work for aren’t being recognised," said the founder of the Noble Awards, Janeen Mansour.

"So I that that it would be important to put these two groups together to hopefully put that out there and create awareness… and also to inspire people to get stand up and get involved, be it in a big or small [way],”.

Throughout the evening, celebrities not only entertained attendees but also presented trophies to highlight the efforts of organisations and individuals in the UAE.

Three-day fair to boost employment

Al Ain: More than 60 companies and 20 educational organisations have joined hands to offer job opportunities in a fair early next month, in Oasis city.

The event will enable Emirati youths to hunt for suitable jobs that promise a successful professional life in different economic fields, the fair organisers said at a press conference recently. The three-day event will be held at Al Khabissi Wedding Hall from May 3 to 5. The fair will open to public from 10am to 8.30pm daily. On the second day, it will be open from 10am to 3pm only for ladies.

Hakawati performances leave audiences spell-bound

Abu Dhabi: Families from the Arabic community in the capital enjoyed an evening of storytelling and comedy as the Hakawati Group, led by master storyteller Ahmad Yousuf Mohammad, performed some well-loved classics such as The Emperor's New Clothes in the style of 1001 Nights.

The event was originally part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, which was organised by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (Admaf) that ended on Wednesday, April 7.

It was re-scheduled to April 9 after the tragic death of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a glider crash on March 26 in Morocco.

Entertaining

"It [the performance] was very entertaining and the children loved it," George Khoury, a 37-year-old Lebanese expatriate who works as an electrical engineer, said. He attended the performance with his wife Marie and two children, Christine and Marwan, who are six and four years old.

The performance was centred around the theme of 1001 nights but with a twist. Instead of Scheherazade telling stories to stay alive, it is Shahrayar who must do so. The one-and- a-half-hour performance saw members of the theatre troupe act out various moral stories, with plenty of action and comic moments as well as lively audience participation.

Harry Connick Jr to perform in Abu Dhabi

Dubai: Grammy-winning singer Harry Connick Jr, known for his signature retro jazz style, will be one of the first acts to perform at the recently opened Abu Dhabi Hall when he stops in the capital on May 16.

The US musician-actor, currently on his world tour, will perform at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre's new venue to sing tracks from his new album, Your Songs, as well as old favourites, accompanied by a string orchestra and his big band.

"I'm really looking forward to visiting your amazing country for the first time," Connick said.

"I know the United Arab Emirates is a country that enjoys music and culture and I look forward to sharing my music with you," he added.

The all-seated concert will begin at 8.30pm, with tickets priced begin at Dh395, Dh495, Dh549 and Dh595.

Experts highlight role of education in preserving UAE culture and heritage

Abu Dhabi: The Fourth International Heritage and Education Symposium, which concluded yesterday, saw over 60 regional and international experts present their observations on the role of education in preserving heritage.

Experts also discussed what the true meaning of heritage is, and the best methods to preserve and promote each country's unique culture.

"The Intangible Heritage Convention, which was launched in 2003, was ratified by 121 states on January 26, 2010. In 2009, 12 elements from eight states, including the UAE, were identified and placed on the Urgent Safeguarding List of Intangible Heritage," Anna Paolini, Representative of the Unesco Director General for Jordan, said.

"This year, we are even discussing creating a convention to protect natural landscapes. That is causing a lot of debate, even among ourselves," she added.

Living culture

According to Paolini, Unesco identifies intangible heritage as living heritage, that is, cultural elements including language, dress and traditions that are a part of peoples' daily lives.

To ensure that these elements are not lost to future generations, the organisation utilises various methods including educational kits to raise awareness and interest.

"We have educational kits that we provide schools, that are a part of our Associated Schools Project Network [ASPnet], which is being revised for the Arab region.

"It is currently in print and will be distributed next month. We will also train teachers on how to use the kit effectively ... at the moment there are 660 schools in the Middle East who are a part of ASPnet, and over 100 of these are in the UAE alone," Paolini said.

"This year, we are calling on countries to encourage the use of museums as not only to showcase artifacts but also as places of learning that can stimulate the minds of pupils," she added.

Other participants in the symposium noted that in addition to using education as a means of preserving heritage, there are additional areas of concern.

Qualifications

"We should look inwards at members from our own communities who are passionate about preserving their culture in all its forms and equip them with the means to do just that, instead of hiring foreign consultants ... not all foreigners are qualified to give advice on what we should do ...

"I urge everyone here to please check the resumes of the people they are hiring no matter what their nationalities are," Dr Abdul Aziz Ali Al Horr, Head of Al Jazeera Media Centre for Training and Development, Qatar University, said.

Calligraphy expo in Sharjah set to go global

Sharjah: International artists will be participating for the first time at the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, which opens tomorrow at the Arts Area, organisers announced at a press conference. "This is the first international biennial where artists are participating from around the world, such as Iran, Germany and Morocco," said Abdullah Mohammad Al Owais, director of Department of Culture and Information of the Sharjah Government. The fourth edition of the Calligraphy Biennial will feature displays of artworks in various locations around the emirate including Sharjah city, Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Dibba Al Hisn. The event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and will be open until June 7.

Modern perspective"It is an exhibition for Arab calligraphy that is combined with a modern perspective, as well as being accompanied with different themes. The purpose of the exhibition is to link the past techniques with the modern ones, and to raise the awareness of calligraphy on a global level," explained Al Owais. The Calligraphy Biennial will be displayed throughout the two months primarily at the Calligraphy Museum in Al Shuwaiheen, although several activities and exhibitions will also be held at the Sharjah Islamic Civilisation Museum and University City. The exhibition is hosting both individual and joint exhibitions, with a number of artists and intellectuals from Arab, Islamic and foreign countries taking part in seminars and workshops. The solo exhibitions will also feature the work of UAE photographer Saif Al Zari, who will be displaying a collection titled, ‘Desert on the Edge of Light', in Bait Al Serkal. Al Owais pointed out that a total of 333 artists are taking part in the exhibition that showcases 821 artworks from across 28 countries. "The seminars and workshops aim to encourage cultures to meet so that they can ultimately contribute in developing Arab calligraphy. It also gives people a chance to view calligraphy in a non-traditional way that does not use the Arab alphabet." In addition to the exhibition, the biennial event will also honour artists for their outstanding contribution to calligraphy, including Kathrine Pieper from Germany, Ali Hassan from Qatar, and Naja Al Mahdawi, from Tunisia.

Equine lore: Show for horse-lovers

As far as home-grown entertainment goes, there's nothing that comes even remotely close to Al Saheel - A Thousand and One Horse Tales.

The equestrian-themed extravaganza held every weekend at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club's tented HoofbeatZ Pavilion has been fascinating viewers for the past few seasons.

Featuring specially trained performing horses, brilliant costumes, skilled riders and a slew of jaw-dropping entertainment acts, the show unfolds in a dream-like spectacle as it transports viewers back into time when the art of storytelling was an integral part of Arab culture.

The show has now been revamped with some exciting new acts and stunts, with expert performers being roped in from Europe and the USA to add some extra sizzle.

"Al Saheel is like Cirque du Soleil on horseback. We may not be as good as them, but we can still hold out against any show in the world," said Anwar Sher who founded HoofbeatZ with his wife, Eielen Verdick, a few years back. According to Sher, there are 43 acts in all, but only 20-22 are held during each one-and-a-half-hour-long show, which is essentially a celebration of the historical bond between man and horse. "We don't follow a set format. So if you have seen the show a few months ago, there's no guarantee you will see the same acts again, as we are constantly enriching the theme," he said.

Horse-lover or not, this is one show you simply can't afford to miss.

Festival of Literature 2011: Line-up revealed

Dubai: As the final page is turned and another triumphant Emirates Airline Festival of Literature comes to a close, the organisers have revealed that preparations are well underway for the 2011 Festival.

18 star authors have already confirmed participation in next year’s Festival, which will run from 8-12 March, 2011. The Festival is held under the patronage of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Emirate’s dedicated authority for culture, the arts and heritage.

More than twenty five thousand enthusiastic Festival-goers rubbed shoulders with 107 international, regional and local authors over the four-day Festival. Demand for many of the 80 sessions was so great that the organisers had to release additional tickets at short notice.

“From the moment the doors opened on Wednesday morning, the atmosphere has been electric,” said Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director. “We have witnessed some incredible sights - Darren Shan signing books for star-struck teenagers for more than 4 hours, queues of hundreds of fans snaking through the Event Centre Lobby for the sold-out John Simpson session and multitudes of children from different nationalities joining camels, horses and Freej characters for our noisy and colourful Fringe parade.”

The sneak preview of the 2011 line-up, released today, features authors from 11 different nationalities including American, British, Chinese, Egyptian, Emirati, Indian, Iranian, Lebanese, Filipino, Palestinian, Saudi Arabian and Ukrainian.

Adult English language fiction writers include A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian author Marina Lewycka, Joseph O’Neill author of The Pen/Faulkner award-winning Netherland, winner of the Man Asian prize, Miguel Syjuco and Abraham Verghese, author of the best-selling, Cutting for Stone.

Best-selling writer and journalist, Xinran, author of The Good Women of China and Message From an Unknown Chinese Mother, will join corporate trainer and author of Ten Keys to Success, Dr Ibrahim Al Fiky, food writer and author of Sweet Alternative, Ariana Bundy and Kamel Abdul Malik, author of The Rhetoric of Violence.

Art Dubai: Blending creativity and interaction

Dubai: Art Dubai, regarded as the biggest annual art gathering in the world, came to a close Saturday. The exhibition's halls were full of crowds of different nationalities and ages keen to view the range of art on display this year.

Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; visited Art Dubai on Ladies Day, accompanied by her daughter Shaikha Fatima and son Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour and other female artists and dignitaries.

Shaikha Manal said: "The UAE's wise leadership has been aware of the fact that the sustainability of economic development entails equivalent social and cultural development. The event succeeded as a key platform for human and artistic creativity and as a forum bringing together artists, fans and collectors to interact and further enhance the relation between artists and the public."

Satisfaction

Local and international Galleries' expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of Art Dubai 2010.

John Martin Director and Co-Founder of Art Dubai said: "... this year witnessed many more people and the sales were great because many galleries have already sold out all the collections they brought."

Australian Gallery, Agathon Galleries, represented by Director Marie Geissler told "It's a very exciting experience and profitable business environment [being] part of a very open community such as Dubai, where the opportunities ... put you in direct contact with the whole world.

"We are showcasing abstract works and this is our first participation and it has [had] fantastic attention." Asked about the sales, she replied, "Yes indeed we sold couple of pieces and we are here for [the] long term and Dubai has a lot to offer."

Brazilian BOLSA DE ARTE gallery agreed with the Australian gallery's comments. Co-owner Egon Kroeff said he looks forward to taking part next year. The positive reviews continued with the Swiss Barbarian Art Gallery, represented by Director Natasha Akhmerova, who said; "We sold a number of pieces and the experience was fruitful."

While Emirati Hunar Art Gallery, represented by the owner Al Anoud Al Warshow said: "As an Emirati I'm so proud of such international recognition and the feedback was artistically and financially successful."

Visitors enjoyed the variety of artworks, and were seen exchanging artistic knowledge and negotiating prices.

Yemeni Nagi Bin Braik, 68, there with his Scottish wife Carol, 64, said: "It is an impressive experience for Dubai to host such marvellous numbers of artworks and enable people to come and see and learn ... But I don't see enough attention paid to Arabic art such as calligraphy or even poetry."

British visitor, John Henderson, was full of praise for the event; "It's an excellent space and we like the traditional and contemporary art, photographs and the illustration. Although we are not in the position to buy but we are enjoying the exhibition very much ... we believe that, each year Art Dubai will get bigger and better."

Dubai, Jordan foundations to enhance scientific and cultural cooperation

Dubai: The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordan’s Abdul Hamid Shoman Foundation to enhance scientific and cultural cooperation.

The memorandum was signed by Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Secretary general of Al Owais foundation, and Thabit Al Taher, Director general of the Shoman foundation.

It was signed in the presence of the winners of the Al Owais Cultural Awards and elite of Emirati intellectuals.

“The agreement comes in line with Al Owais foundation’s cultural strategy aiming at expand its cultural activities beyond giving awards to include participation in various activities in the Arab world and cooperation with Arab cultural foundations to enrich the cultural scene,” Abdul Hamid said

Desert magic at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Sarab

The Qasr Al Sarab is part of a 9,000-square kilometre animal reserve, home to 10,000 indigenous antelopes. Here the songs of birds break the stillness of the day and crickets take over at night.

Imagine an architectural marvel set in the mesmerising vastness of a desert landscape. Even if the finest imagery comes to your mind, it will still not match the bold magnificence that's represented at the Qasr Al Sarab resort in Abu Dhabi's Liwa desert.

Set in what one can only describe as one of the most beautiful desertscapes in the world — not for nothing is it also known as the Empty Quarter — formed about 18,000 years ago, Liwa's orange sand dunes, some towering hundreds of metres high, cast their spell long before the guest's arrival at the resort destination.

And just like a mirage, the Qasr Al Sarab Resort & Spa, owned by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and managed by Anantara, emerges.

A traditional fort standing as a powerful symbol of the past and preserving the Bedouin lifestyle, its architecture blends seamlessly into its surroundings. This oasis wins visitors over right from the start — the sound of soothing water features are everywhere as one enters a world of reflection and history.

The intrepid guest may be drawn to walk in the footsteps of the late British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger and the Bedouins. Take in the breathtaking scenery and encounter the desert wildlife or its track on an early morning dune adventure. And get even closer to what it may have felt like traversing the desert by mounting a camel before stopping to practise some archery. For a vista-plus, a hot air balloon is on the cards.

Guests may prefer to simply sit in comfort on the balcony of their room or villa, the latter overlooking a plunge pool, or in one of the many F&B sitting areas outside to admire the dunes changing colour with the light. Spotted an animal at the watering hole? Head down to the viewing platform to take a closer look.

The Qasr Al Sarab is part of a 9,000-square kilometre animal reserve, home to 10,000 indigenous antelopes. Here the songs of birds break the stillness of the day and crickets take over at night.

For culinary delights, head for an authentic Emirati meal, coffee and bonfire in a Bedouin tent set in the dunes, where authenticity is heightened by storytellers and an Arabic singer.

Guiding guests with sundials

After a leisurely meal, relax by casting your eyes up to the night sky. The stars were instrumental navigational tools for Arab travellers. The resort intends to guide its guests through the vast complex in a similar way using sundials and astrolabes.

One of the bars is star-themed, and if you're lucky, one may be able to spot one or two through its skylight.But to get down to history in earnest, the heritage village is nothing less than a full-scale educational voyage. Wherever one goes, the hotel is alive with history — 2,200 artefacts including jewellery, Bedouin clothes, travel diaries and quirky details. You'll find 150-year-old saddle bags in the library, for instance.

The reason for the heritage enthusiasm is the location's historical significance, which stretches back over 9,000 years. The resort aims to educate newcomers to the region as much as its local inhabitants, whose lives in the cities have removed them from their roots.

"This is a landmark for people from this region and afar to experience the history and culture, a beautiful mixture of the past and a modern leisure opportunity in luxury," enthuses Shaikha Mahra Khalid Saqer Al Qasimi, TDIC's senior corporate communications manager. And visitors can expect to return home sharing that opinion