Category: Entertainment – Art, Culture, theatre, film

Alexander Borodin’s epic Prince Igor comes to Meydan

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My heart is torn between being in two cities on the 16th of March evening – I am meant to be in Abu Dhabi for one of my biggest assignments and the same night I have an art opening at the Artissima Art Gallery (another awesome client I work with) plus my regular opera date night with my daughter at the Meydan IMAX.
Tash is one of the biggest opera fans I know and she will, with or without me be at the Meydan Theatre as it presents the Met Opera’s sixth installment, Alexander Borodin’s epic Prince Igor which has its first Met performances since 1917 in a new production staged by noted Russian opera director Dmitri Tcherniakovin his Met debut.
Gianandrea Noseda conducts the lush score, famous for its celebrated “Polovtsian Dances,” and Ildar Abdrazakovsings the title role of a 12th-century Russian hero. The cast also includes Oksana Dykain her MET debut as Yaroslavna, Igor’s emotionally fragile second wife; Anita Rachvelishvilias the fiery Polovtsian princess Konchakovna; Sergey Semishkurin his MET debut as Vladimir Igorevich, Igor’s son and Konchakovna’s lover; Mikhail Petrenko as Prince Galitsky; and ŠtefanKocán as the warlord Khan Konchak.
For the lucky people who will be in Dubai that night, do go and see it and have an amazing experience – one that I now treasure each month at the Meydan IMAX with my little diva. As it’s a school night, she will once again be the only young cool chick you will see on opera nights at Meydan IMAX.
Falstaff Synopsis

Science for a better life

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Bayer exhibition Shereen Shabnam

Couple of days ago I was super lucky to see the award-winning exhibition ‘Bayer: Science For A Better Life’  in Dubai, as part of a world tour celebrating Bayer, the world-class innovation company’s 150th anniversary, offering a hands-on interactive exhibition.

Held at The Dubai Mall’s Star Atrium, ‘Bayer: Science For A Better Life’ provides visitors with a chance to discover, interact, and engage with the latest innovations in healthcare, agriculture, and high-performance materials that help improve the quality of life of people, animals, and plants worldwide.

The exhibition is educative and entertaining, and features microscopes, thermal imaging cameras, digital games, and more, all specifically designed to be touched and tried out encouraging visitors to learn and have fun. 

The exhibition had 22 approximately two-meter high boxes with capital letters, each of which refers to a Bayer topic, from A for Aspirin to E for Energy-efficient Mobility and R for Rice. Each box contains images and informational text on the scientific background and social aspects of the topic. Numerous interactive elements are available for visitors to test. Together, the boxes spell out Bayer’s mission: ‘Science For A Better Life’.

 

MET Opera – Verdi’s Falstaff

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I guess the whole world knows by now that I live with a little diva who is absolutely crazy about MET Opera and gets fully immersed in the story line and emotions that the brilliant actors of MET Opera portray.

The exciting news is that Meydan IMAX Theatre is presenting the MET Opera’s 4th installment: Verdi’s brilliant final masterpiece Falstaff has its first new Met production in nearly 50 years, conducted by James Levine and directed by Robert Carsen.

Ambrogio Maestri sings the iconic basso buffo role of Sir John Falstaff, the boorish, blustery character originally seen in Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Merry Wives of Windsor.Angela Meade is Alice Ford, one of many objects of Falstaff’s affection, and Stephanie Blythe is the sharp-tongued Mistress Quickly in a cast that also includes Lisette Oropesa as Nannetta, Jennifer Johnson Cano as Meg Page, Paolo Fanale in his Met debut as Fenton, and Franco Vassallo as Ford.

The International Herald Tribune praised Carsen’s staging, first seen at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, as a “production of eye-catching ingenuity.”

Hope to see you there – even though it’s a school night, Little diva is already jumping up and down in preparation of yet another immersive Opera evening at Meydan IMAX.

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Sound of Music workshops in Bahrain

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Sound of Music Shereen Shabnam

Bahrain Science Centre continues to amaze the visitors with its Sound of Music workshops which introduces the audience to the basic concepts and science behind sounds and music. The goal is to illustrate, using enjoyable games and experiments, terms such as sound wave, wave length, frequency, and pitch to the audience in a both interactive and comprehensible manner.

By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to differentiate between different forms of sound (i.e. Noise, music) and types of waves. They will also understand how the human ear functions in addition to identifying how different musical instruments produce different sorts of sound waves.

Interested visitors can download the weekly programme on the website www.bahrainsciencecentre.com for more information. The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain.

February Offers from The Address Dubai Mall

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 Ever since I moved near Downtown Dubai, I’m amazed at the number of places I can indulge in the best food one can find in the region. Apart from walking across to City Walk, another venue close by, The Address Dubai Mall has some awesome offers this February:

Cabana Brunch

KARAT

Karat Tapas Evenings: Soulful and Spirited Sumptuous and Spanish,

Celebrate the Andalusian spirit with tapas and virgin sangria that inspire the palate and lift the soul. Join us every evening at Karat, as we come alive to the sights, sounds and tastes of Spain.

Venue: Karat

Day: Daily

Time: 7 pm to 11 pm

Price: AED 85 with including unlimited homemade virgin Sangria.

For reservations, please contact + 971 4 438 8888 or email dine.dubaimall@theaddress.com

 

CABANA

Mesmerizing Friday Brunch with delectable views.

Experience an Al Fresco BBQ Brunch with breathtaking views of the Burj Khalifa. Our sumptuous Brunch, perfectly styled for sharing with family and friends. Savour our signature dishes from global tapas to freshly grilled seafood and prime cuts, and specially blended tropical beverages to please every taste.

Venue: Cabana

Day: Every Friday

Time: 12.30 pm to 4 pm

Price      AED 225 per person with soft beverages

AED 335 per person with selected beverages

For reservations, please contact + 971 4 888 3444 or email dine@theaddress.com

Savour Latin Passion at Cabana Churrasco Night

Try our fiery Churrasco fiesta feast, serenaded by Latin guitar at this exclusive poolside restaurant, every Thursday night. Sample the unlimited skewers of succulent beef, lamb and poultry, sizzled to perfection and carved ‘rodizio-style’ at your table.

Venue: Cabana

Day: Every Thursday

Time: 7.30 pm to 11 pm

Price      : AED 210 per person with soft beverages

AED 300 per person with selected beverages

For reservations, please contact + 971 4 888 3444 or email dine@theaddress.com

Cabana valentine Shereen Shabnam

THE TASTE OF ROMANCE IN A CABANA

Relish your love story in a private cabana with elegant décor, where you can feast on an exceptional six-course tasting menu. This special experience is a superb choice for Valentine’s Day that combines privacy, a unique setting and wonderful cuisine.

Venue: Cabana

Day: Friday 14th February 2014,

Time: 7.30 pm until 11 pm

For reservations, please contact + 971 4 888 3444 or email dine@theaddress.com

NA3NA3

Enjoy our Stylish Friday Brunch

Indulge yourself every Friday with Arabic and International specialties. Arabic Chef de Cuisine Hanna Dib leads you through a culinary journey where you can explore original recipes of the region as well as International dishes. Experience the vibrancy and excitement of seeing our chefs prepare your dishes at the open plan kitchen in this sophisticated and modern setting.

Venue: Na3Na3

Day: Every Friday

Time: 12.30 pm to 4 pm

Price      AED 210 per person with soft beverages

AED 295 per person with selected beverages

For reservations, please contact + 971 4 888 3444 or email dine@theaddress.com

Na3Na3 Hosts Seafood Nights Every Thursday

Dive into Seafood extravagance at Na3Na3. Delicacies served at the outlet include spicy gazpacho to lobster tail and tiger prawn. This buffet is a lavish start to the weekend.

Venue: Na3Na3

Date: Every Thursday

Time: 7 to 11pm

Price:  AED 210 including soft beverages; AED 265 including selected beverages

For reservations, please dial 8883444 or email dine@theaddress.com

Oriental Taste of Asia Night at Na3Na3

Indulge in the delicious and authentic taste of Asian food with contemporary delicacies that reflect a broad diversity of flavours and cultures. Mark ‘Asia Night’ at Na3Na3 with a buffet boasting live stations, salads, appetisers, and dessert stalls, from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and India, to complete your dining experience.

Venue: Na3Na3

Date: Every Friday

Time: 7pm to 11pm

Price: AED 210 including soft beverages; AED 265 including selected beverages

For reservations, please dial 8883444 or email dine@theaddress.com

 

MADELEINE

Aprés Midi: The Perfect Time for a Stylish Slice of Café Society at Madeleine Café and Boulangerie

Experience the joie de vivre of France right here in Dubai. Delicious pastries freshly made for you to enjoy with your choice of juice, hot or soft beverages. Now you don’t have to travel far for the fine French patisserie.

Venue: Madeleine Café & Boulangerie

Date: Everyday

Time: 2pm to 6pm

Price: AED 120 for two people with soft beverage

For reservations, please contact 04 438 4335 or email infomadeleinecafe@emaar.ae

AstroLab Activities at Bahrain Science Centre

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Astronomy Shereen Shabnam

Visitors to Bahrain Science Centre can enjoy weekly AstroLab workshops at the centre at no cost.The Centre has developed a strong astronomy programme in collaboration with the University of Bahrain and created an AstroLab that has telescopes, computers and an online weather station.

There is also an Astronomy Club for aspiring young star gazers who are keen to learn more about the universal laboratory in the sky….enjoy stargazing!

Al-Jazari ‘s Elephant Water Clock exhibit comes to Bahrain

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Elephent_Clock Shereen Shabnam

Bahrain Science Centre, a part of Ministry of Social Development is currently showcasing a scale model replica of one of the most famous inventions from the Golden Age of Islamic Science, the Al-Jazari’s ‘Elephant Water Clock’, manufactured by MTE Studios in the foyer area of the centre. The exhibit has proven to be of great interest to the general public who gather around it, read the labels while students learn more about it using educational activity sheets.

Al-Jazari invented the ‘Elephant Water Clock’ for several reasons. It was mainly to tell the time and to showcase the advanced state of Islamic engineering but also to celebrate the universality of Islam in the 12th century.  The Clock includes an elephant from India, an Egyptian phoenix, Persian carpets, Indian water technology, Arabian architecture and Chinese serpents.

Visitors will learn how the clock was used to tell the time to the half hour using an elaborate ball run system that is powered by a perforated bowl technique first devised by the Greeks and then perfected later in India.

Al-Jazari’s clock is one of the most amazing automated machines invented during the middle Ages. Don’t miss this opportunity to see it as the exhibit will only remain there until the last week of January.

Film Screening: 5 Broken Cameras

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 5 Broken Cameras

Check out a new screening from Sharjah Art Foundation. 5 Broken Cameras by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi looks at Palestinian farmer Emad, who since 2005 has been documenting his village’s resistance to advancing Israeli settlements, using the five cameras of the title.

Each camera tells part of the story, beginning with Emad recording Israeli bulldozers ripping olive trees from the ground and building up towards fiercer conflicts. The film features some hard-hitting footage, as Emad remains determined to continue documenting, despite pleas from his wife and an ever-increasing risk of violence.

Showing is at Mirage City Cinema, SAF Art Spaces, Behind Al Zahra Mosque, Sharjah on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Colour, 94 mins, 2011 arabic with english subtitles

Dubai Film and TV Commission unveils white paper in partnership with Oliver Wyman

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Today was a hectic day and while fluttering between work, the women’s exhibition at DWTC and Christmas cakes at Bloomsbury’s, I was not able to be part of the DIFF events. Especially one with Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) and its partnership with Oliver Wyman, who today released a white paper examining key areas for growth and investment in the Middle East and North Africa media production market.

The white paper addresses recommendations on how countries in the region can build world-class media ecosystems. DFTC commissioned the white paper to help inform its strategic approach to developing a robust media industry.

The white paper, entitled Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa Media Production Market, revealed that Arabic content production is still below its fullest potential, and presents the biggest opportunity for growth in the Middle East media production market.  It found that although Arabic is the sixth world language in terms of GDP, there is still a significant lack of Arabic media content. Between 2005 and 2010, the Middle East contributed only 0.72% of the films produced in the world. Furthermore, Arabic film and TV production represent only 0.03% of GDP in the Middle East and North Africa – well below comparable markets elsewhere.

Several countries within the MENA region are taking the initiative to boost and strengthen their media industries, particularly in the Gulf.  The white paper revealed Dubai’s strong potential to become a global media production hub meeting the highest industry standards, thanks to its focus on building the required production infrastructure and services that are fundamental to a vibrant media ecosystem.

The case study on Dubai highlights the emirate’s achievements to date in the areas of production infrastructure, such as the state-of-the-art sound stages at Dubai Studio City and the creation of the Dubai Film and TV Commission, which provides the necessary framework to ease the production process for filmmakers. The paper also underlined the competitive advantages of Dubai’s diverse locations, city infrastructure and safety.

Among these findings, three key actions stood out which could dramatically change Dubai’s global position and help take it to the next level: improving access to talent by offering longer-term residency to production crew; developing more formalised film incentives; and improving TV audience measurement across the region. According to the paper, if Dubai develops and implements such changes, its position as an internationally renowned media production hub would strengthen and progress dramatically.

ULTIMATE CROSSROADS – A Meydan IMAX initiative



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Just received some awesome news from Afsana, my fellow member of the business women’s group and an amazing individual who is supporting the Expo 2020 in her own way through her organisation, Meydan IMAX.

Meydan IMAX is a proud supporter of the UAE’s bid to host the World Expo 2020 and they want to set a Guinness World Record with the support of everyone.

Below is a message from Meydan IMAX:

The Expo’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and we want your students, tomorrow’s leaders, to drive our campaign to get 10,000 signatures from 150+ nationalities.

We’re opening our doors for four days from Nov 6th to Nov 9th with 10 daily shows and have a total capacity of 5600 seats to make this happen! Upon making a school booking before December 15th, get FREE entrance to ULTIMATE CROSSROADS which includes: National Geographic’s newest film about Dubai’s Terminal 3 and the multicultural team that made it happen, participation in our various activities and signing our campaign through electronic tablets which will be sent to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Expo Committee in Europe.

Book now by phone (800 IMAX – 800 4629) or schools@primesco.com … Be part of it!

I am certainly making little diva put the Fijian vote into the campaign.

Shereen Shabnam