'Iran Today' by Elham Moadina

For the first time in Dubai, Iranian artist Elham Moaidnia will be exhibiting her latest collection entitled Iran Today, a stunning collection of paintings that offers a fresh and retrospective look at the plight of women within the Iranian culture.

The ‘Iran Today’ exhibition will be held at the Showcase Art Gallery on Jumeirah Beach Road from today till July 15. Sharon Harvey, owner of the Showcase Art Gallery said, “This is Elham’s first exhibition in Dubai and we are honoured to have the opportunity of displaying her work and bringing Dubai art lovers a phenomenal talent.

This exhibition is truly special and a ‘must-see’ for anyone with an interest in art.” Elham Moaidnia says she started scribbling with a pencil and paper from the age of nine. She was fascinated by drawing the real world around her, and soon developed a deep love for art, which has not left her and has grown by the day.

She began her work by copying the classics, graphic work, and national and traditional motifs. She was born in Esfahan, the cradle of art and culture in post-Islamic times.

Gradually Iranian motifs faded away from her works and they were replaced with expressionism, and today she considers her work post-expressionist.

Among the masters she is most inspired by Marc Chagall.

The principal essence and message of Elham’s works is a social commentary. She is inspired by man’s struggle in today’s world and the fate of women in Iran. The essence of her work is descriptive, where she narrates the events or realities she observes. In proportion to the strength or placidity of her emotion versus the subject of work, her sentimental passion is also an influence, and shows itself on the canvas.

Colours play the central role in reflecting her message, along with the lines and curves.

She uses various media: water colour, oil painting, gouache, dilapidated paper from old books and newspapers and calligraphy, and even ceramic and wood at times. The second feature of Elham’s work is offering a positive message for activity. Hence, her work is not merely narrative describing a tragic reality, rather at times, offers small windows of hope and light.

Elham says: “I am an optimist and I am hopeful. I know that eventually someone will come, someone who is like no one, someone who pulls out his knife solely for cutting bread and dividing it between the needy!” This optimism, accompanied with passion and enthusiasm for the plight of the modern woman is what drives Elham. She asserts herself and her work with strength and a high profile.

Elham is still at the beginning of her career. Art has a very difficult and uneven path, full of ups and downs; yet Elham is very hardworking, industrious and serious and does not easily give up on her beliefs and work.

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Madame Tussauds to launch in Dubai

The world famous Madame Tussauds waxworks museum could be set to launch in Dubai, the CEO of Merlin Entertainment Group has told magazine Leisure Manager.

Nick Varney said the attraction, which is renowned for its lifelike models of celebrities, would include well-known regional figures as well as global names.

"We're very interested in working with Tatweer on more developments," Varney said in an interview.

"We see it as a strategic partnership, we have good relationships with Tatweer and we have a common shareholder right at the top of the tree, so yes, we'd like to discuss with them observation attractions and Madame Tussauds."

Merlin, the second largest attractions company in the world after Disney, operates Madame Tussauds in London, New York, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Berlin.

The news follows Merlin's partnership with Dubailand master developer Tatweer to bring its Legoland theme park brand to the tourism mega-project.

Varney said Legoland Dubailand would be largely inspired by regional icons, with lego models of the Burj Dubai, Burj Al Arab and Pyramids of Giza to be included in its Miniland clusters.

Merlin already operates Legoland parks in the UK, Denmark, Germany and US.

Merlin's observation attractions include the London Eye in the UK and the Pepsi Globe in the US.

Varney said Merlin's ongoing expansion plans included the addition of hotels to some of its premier theme parks to create destination attractions.

He said there were also plans to rollout of Merlin's mid-way brands - Madame Tussauds, The Dungeons, Sea Life, Legoland Discovery Centres and observation attractions.

"At the moment, we're rolling these out at five a year. We've got 120 sites identified around the world so I know we can keep doing this," he said.

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Arab World’s first exhibition of Picasso masterpieces

186 works to go on show - 40 piece Arab-influenced collection exclusive to UAE capital.

The Arab world's first exhibition of the works of Pablo Picasso, spanning all periods and styles in the career of the 20th.
The retrospective century's signature artist, is to open in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, this week under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Picasso Abu Dhabi:

Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris, featuring 186 paintings, sculptures and drawings, will run in Gallery One of Emirates Palace from May 27 through September 4, 2008.

Abu Dhabi is the second city in a nine-nation tour of the exhibition, after the launch in Madrid's Reina Sofía museum, and it is the only Middle Eastern venue on the tour. The UAE capital will present an exclusive exhibition differentiated by the inclusion of 40 drawings, prints and illuminated manuscripts reminiscent of the Arab influences Picasso absorbed during his youth in Málaga, La Cocina and Barcelona.

The exhibition also represents the first time that the Musée National Picasso collection has been presented in the Middle East and published in an Arabic catalogue. The exhibition is being seen as a major stride forward in Abu Dhabi's mounting status as an international cultural hub.

"This exceptional exhibition helps consolidate Abu Dhabi's standing on the global cultural landscape and is another initiative in this emirate's campaign to expand cross-border cultural dialogue," said His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), one of Abu Dhabi's leading developers and the name behind the emirate's now celebrated Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, which will be home to the world's largest concentration of premier cultural institutions. TDIC has brought the exhibition to the UAE capital in co-operation with Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala).

"The inclusion of works which have a specific Arab connotation will resonate well on a local and regional level and will fulfill an intrinsic role of reaching out to the wider community," added Sheikh Sultan, who also chairs the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the Abu Dhabi Authority For Culture & Heritage (ADACH).

The exhibition is drawn exclusively from the singularly important holdings of the Musée National Picasso, Paris, which came directly from the artist's studios. This exhibition traces Picasso's career across a range of work beginning with his Blue Period Self-Portrait (1901) and concluding with Portrait of the Young Painter (1972), made only months before his death.

"This is a genuine retrospective seen through a museum collection. We have here a totally new situation, since we are able to follow Picasso's own trajectory, his search, the development of his awareness, and his discoveries, through his paintings, sculptures and drawings. It is an experience that offers something that is both fragile and remarkable," said Anne Baldassari, Director, Musée National Picasso, Paris and the exhibition's curator.

"They are works that he kept for himself, not simply because they were related to his family or emotional life, his development or his private life, but he kept them above all because they were the keys to his working progress. And they should always be understood in this way."

The exhibition explores distinct periods in Picasso's career. The first, from 1901-1909, is about the genesis of Cubism, from the Blue Period to the research around Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. The second period, from 1910-1924, covers the artist's early cubist and neo-classical works.

The third, 1924-1935, includes several surrealist sculptures and the main paintings of this influential period. The fourth, from 1935-1951, places some Picasso works in the context of his preoccupation with the Spanish Civil War, World War II and the Cold War, while the final period, 1947-1972, explores Picasso's predominantly joyful post-war work.

An expansive programme of educational and public engagement initiatives has been organized to coincide with the exhibition. Designed for all age groups, the programme includes interactive activities, art workshops, illustrated lectures, guided exhibition tours, debates on Picasso and his artistic legacy, and a week-long ‘Picasso Art Club' event.

The programme begins this week with a free-to-attend evening symposium devoted to Picasso's work. It will be held at the Emirates Palace and will be led by Anne Baldassari and involve art historians. Those wishing to attend can register by logging on to www.artsabudhabi.com or by calling the special hotline 600 522 299.

The exhibition itself includes an audiovisual room that uses film, photographic and audio collateral from the Musée National Picasso's incomparable Picasso Archives, while an audio guide gives visitors a rich and illuminating context for the artworks on view. The exhibition will also be supported by exhibition brochures in English and Arabic, as well as the publication of a special children's Picasso journal. All of the materials have been written and published by the staff of the Musée National Picasso.

"The educational and community involvement segment of this all-inclusive programme is at the very crux of Abu Dhabi's overarching cultural drive," explained Mubarak Al Muhairi, Managing Director, TDIC and Director General, ADTA.

"In taking responsibility for delivering a global cultural hub of the scale and scope of the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, we have also accepted responsibility for incubating an appetite for the arts on a local, national and regional scale - education, and the provision of knowledge sharing facilities is paramount in living up to this."

Saadiyat Island's Cultural District will be home to the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and maritime museum. Each has been designed by an eminent, award-winning architect including Lord Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando respectively.

"Given that the opening of these museums is yet someway off - the first institutions to open around 2012 - it is incumbent on us to cultivate and enthuse a local and regional audience while ensuring an informed cadre of national expertise is ready and committed to seizing the career and personal development opportunities that will emerge." added Al Muhairi.

Abu Dhabi's cultural education programme is being forged in conjunction with some of the most reputable names in the arts world, such as the recent staging in the UAE capital of the highly successful Arts of Islam, Treasures from the Nasser D. Khalili Collection.

"Our world-class partnerships will deliver the breadth of experience required to ensure as wide an outreach as possible for audience generation and career development," said Zaki Nusseibeh, Deputy Chairman, ADACH.

"The education programme will continue and exploratory discussions with other world-class partners are being actively progressed. Extremely positive feedback from visitors to the Arts of Islam exhibition, which attracted over 61,000 visitors in three months, has underpinned our belief that the more you satisfy people's hunger for art, the more the appetite is honed," added Nusseibeh.

As Abu Dhabi's cultural education drive gains momentum, progress on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District - which is the nucleus of the emirate's ambition to become a global cultural hub with inclusive appeal - is also gathering pace, according to Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC.

"We are currently working with Foster +Partners of the UK, under the direction of Lord Foster, to finalise, in conjunction with our stakeholders, the design for the Sheikh Zayed National Museum and are targeting a post-summer public announcement," explained Tabler.

The economic development and new national career stream scenarios being created through Abu Dhabi's cultural drive are being actively supported by Mubadala Development Company, which has wealth creation through economic diversification at its corporate core.

His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala said, "Mubadala is committed to the diversification of Abu Dhabi's economy and to creating a flourishing society. We believe that the encouragement of arts and culture is an important part of this process, which is why we are so proud to sponsor this first ever public exhibition in the Middle East of one of the 20th century's greatest and most inspirational artists."

Picasso Abu Dhabi:

Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris will be open daily from 10am-10pm. Entry is free-of-charge with visitors asked to make a discretionary donation to the ‘Arts Abu Dhabi' cultural education programme. The exhibition will have a women's only day every Tuesday between 10am-4pm.

About Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is Abu Dhabi's leading tourism asset developer and the name behind some of the world's most significant tourism projects. Its flagship development is Saadiyat Island, a 27 square kilometre natural island lying just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city - the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The island is being transformed into a signature leisure, cultural and residential destination. TDIC is also behind the unique Desert Islands project, one of the world's largest sustainable island tourism destinations currently under development.

TDIC will develop the real estate assets that support the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's (ADTA) mission of assisting UAE economic diversification through tourism development. With its shareholding fully owned by ADTA, the company, operates along strictly commercial lines with its projects being self-sustaining and economically feasible.

TDIC's activities include creating development and tourism related concepts for specific sites and locations; disposing of, or repositioning, government-owned tourism related assets; entering into joint ventures with investment partners for assets such as hotels or residential products; as well as serving as master developer for large scale projects.

About Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Island - which translates from Arabic as Island of Happiness - is the Arabian Gulf's largest single mixed-use development. The 27 square kilometre natural island lies only 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi island - the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Saadiyat Island is being developed into a signature leisure, cultural and residential destination.

Saadiyat Island represents one of the most important development opportunities in Abu Dhabi's history. The island, which has 30 kilometres of water frontage and boasts many natural eco-features, including mangrove forests, marks a new era in the rapid evolution of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates which form the UAE Federation.

Saadiyat Island, which, in Wall Street Journal research was tipped as one of the world's top 10 emerging 'trendy' destinations and voted the 'World's Leading Tourism Development Project' in the 14th World Travel Awards, will be developed in three phases until 2018. The masterplan envisages seven distinct districts - Cultural District, Saadiyat Marina, Saadiyat Beach, South Beach, Island Lagoons, The Wetlands and Eco-Point.

There are plans for luxury hotels, over three million square metres of office space, marinas with combined berths for around 1,000 boats, two golf courses - one the UAE's first Gary Player signature course and the Arabian Gulf's first 'ocean' course - civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.

The island will also be home to the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions, including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, concept designed by Lord Norman Foster; the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum of modern and contemporary arts designed by Frank Gehry; the Louvre Abu Dhabi universal museum designed by Jean Nouvel; a performing arts centre designed by Zaha Hadid and a maritime museum by Japan's Tadao Ando. Saadiyat Island is expected to be home to a community of more than 150,000 people - the same population size as Chang Mai in Thailand, Oxford in the UK or Hollywood in the USA.

Saadiyat Island will be linked to Abu Dhabi, via a Saadiyat Link road which will connect the Shahama district to Saadiyat Island, and connect to the 10-lane Saadiyat Bridge which is already under construction from Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed area.

Saadiyat Island is being developed by the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), an independent public joint stock company of which Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is the sole shareholder.

About Mubadala Development Company

Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a leading business development and investment company based in Abu Dhabi. At the core of its strategy, Mubadala makes long-term, capital intensive investments to deliver strong financial returns and economic diversification. Its mandate is to transform the Emirate from a single-sector economy, driven predominantly by oil and gas, into a multi-sector global economy that comprises a range of thriving industries.

Mubadala is rigorously analytical in its selection of investments and partners, whether it is investing in established businesses such as Carlyle Group and Ferrari or creating new ones by partnering with leading international organizations like Cleveland Clinic. An investment vehicle of the Abu Dhabi Government, its focus is on developing the key industry sectors of healthcare, technology, aerospace, energy, real estate, and building links between them to ensure that the economy is fully integrated and sustainable.

Through these carefully selected investments and with the expertise and experience of best-in-class partners, Mubadala is setting the highest standards for business excellence in every sector. By establishing these benchmarks, Mubadala aims to cultivate new employment opportunities and improved standards of living; an attractive business environment for partners and investors; and continued prosperity for Abu Dhabi and its people.

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du Rocks Musical Community with Bon Jovi Live in Abu Dhabi

In-line with the series of musical and entertainment concerts which have seen international, regional and Asian artists perform for the first time in the Middle East, du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE is once again entertaining music fans with rock legend Bon Jovi, who will be performing live on 20 May at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Lucky du customers will have the chance to win 50 standard tickets to the concert by simply using their mobile line in an exciting text message competition.

Commenting on the eagerly awaited show, Hala Badri, Vice President, Corporate Communications, du, said: “Our customer base is a diverse one and we want to provide everyone with entertainment that will appeal to them directly. We are also pleased to be adding to the rich entertainment sector of the UAE by bringing rock legend Bon Jovi to perform live in Abu Dhabi for the first time. ”

Fronted by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, the group originally achieved large-scale success in the 1980s. Over the past 25 years, Bon Jovi has sold over 120 million albums worldwide, including 34 million in the United States alone. du has recently presented stage concerts for international, local and regional artists AR Rahman, Justin Timberlake, Elton John and Amr Diab, as well as the ‘Salaam India’ concert with well-known Indian playback and classical singers Asha Bhonsle, Dr. K.J Yesudas and S.P Balasubramaniam.

About du

du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services on 11 February 2007 across the UAE in addition to internet and pay TV services in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, the first of du's nationwide Fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007.

Among du’s many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind ‘WoW’ recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit and more time) and Self Care. du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations.

du’s retail network, currently numbering 16 du shops located in strategic locations across all emirates, was launched on 25 February 2007, supporting the delivery of du services to customers.

du is 40 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 20 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 20 percent by TECOM Investments and 20 percent by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

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Million Dollar carpet comes to Dubai

A rare carpet hand-woven from pure silk will be showcased at the Domotex Middle East, due to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre between 25 and 27 May. The million dollar piece of art named 'Zahra' is one of the several exhibits to be showcased by the Japanese company Yazdani.

The International Trade Fair for Carpets and Floor Coverings is the only exhibition of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The leading trade show is seen as an event for discovering new trends, sourcing inspiration and smart ideas in the related field.

The two special events 'Designers Corner' and 'Creative Flooring' is expected to highlight the latest in interior design and floor laying techniques.

A total of 275 exhibitors from various countries throughout the world will be showcasing their products and innovations.
/WAM/

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US movie studios head for the Middle East

Wonder woman, King Kong and Shrek are heading for the Gulf as part of the rush to build what could become the world’s largest theme park playground. But even as the ink dries on the billion-dollar deals in the UAE, movie studios are grappling with ways to make their signature characters and amusement parks fly in the conservative region.

Politically sensitive characters such as Captain America could be left at home. Prayer rooms will join the list of accommodations, and menus will likely feature falafel and humus alongside pizza and hot dogs. There is even a move afoot to offer Bollywood dance shows to lure Indian visitors.

Investors, studios and park operators are all aiming to cash in on what some observers call the Middle East’s decades-long fascination with American culture. Hollywood movies are popular in the region, and Western fashions are hot commodities among residents who travel abroad.

“On the one hand, they hate America. On the other hand they love America to the bone,” said Michael Izady, an expert on Middle East culture who reaches history at Pace University in New York. The theme park market is open – with no major facilities currently operating in the Middle East.

The projects are no-brainers for the entertainment companies that have jumped at what amounts to free brand expansions with no capital at risk. Few details have been provided about the deals, which entertainment companies simply describe as licensing arrangements for intellectual property and help on designing the parks and attractions, with no mention of possible royalty payments.

Their investment partners have money and land to build the parks but lack the star-powered attractions to draw the millions of visitors needed to make them profitable.

Dubai has thrived and turned into a magnet for the wealthy as oil money flowed in. the government wants to more than double the number of annual visitors from nearly 7 million last year to 15 million by 2015.

In recent months, eight major licensing deals have been struck between oil-rich investors and entertainment giants such as Viacom Inc’s Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Inc for theme parks and other attractions.

The first, a $2.2 billion Universal Studios park based on franchises such as King Kong and Jurassic Park, is set to open in an area dubbed Dubailand on the city’s darts outskirts in 2010. Designs fro the parks are moving quickly, despite lingering doubts about the long-term availability of financing and the lack of highways and other infrastructure to support the huge developments.

Several projects are planned for a man made island being reclaimed from the sea called The Palm Jebel Ali.

Kevin Tsujihara, President of Warner Bros home entertainment group, is convinced that Superman, Batman and other DC Comics character licensed by Warner will be readily accepted by those who visit the park from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

With plans to help build a $1 billion theme park, Marvel Entertainment Inc is downplaying Captain America, a World War II creation draped in the American flag, in favor of attractions based on popular characters such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and X-Men – none of whom carry the same political baggage.
“One of the things that’s nice about our characters is they are either about individuals helping people or they are about teams of people of different types. Like mutants, that bank together and solve problems,” Marvel Chairman David Maisel says.

“If anything, that is a good message for today’s world with all the different cultures,” Park designers also plan to tweak the models used for North American theme parks.

The Walt Disney Co, the world’s largest them park operator by far, is notably absent from the rush to the region. Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said Disney is studying the market.

Some observers said the cultural barriers might be easier to overcome than financial and infrastructure hurdles. Massive construction on a variety of projects is causing traffic jams as road construction has failed to keep pace with the building.
“The development in the UAE is outrunning the ability of the infrastructure to keep up,” said Keith James, President of Jack Rouse Associates, which is helping develop a Ferrari automobile theme park in Abu Dhabi to open next year.
“I am not going to say they are not going to happen, I just do not know that they are going to happen on the tight time frame that everybody is talking about. There is simply not enough labor and design effort to pull it off.”

The scale of the theme park plans, estimated to cost a total of at least $20 billion, puts them on par with developments in Orlando, Florida, home to dozen parks including Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios.
“Up until very recently, the Middle East has been Theme Park deprived,” said Paul Ruben, North American Editor of Park World magazine. “They have suddenly joined the 21st century.”

The parks will also provide Dubai, and to a lesser extent Abu Dhabi, with an economic buffer against diminishing oil reserves. Funded by sky-high oil prices, government-backed companies in both areas have gone on worldwide investing sprees, taking stakes in everything from casinos and cruise ship to electronics markers, banks and ports.

THE RISKS
Studios an their UAE financiers are taking a risk with the them parks, said Ibrahim Warde, Adjunct Professor of International Business at the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
“There are two separate issues. One is whether, financially, all those projects will come to completion. The other question is if they do, will the customers show up?”

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Legendary Arab actor Adel Imam to perform for the first time in Dubai

Building on its unique entertainment platform, du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, will host popular Arab superstar Adel Imam, to perform his famous play 'Bodyguard' for the first time in Dubai, to an audience of over 3000 nationals and Arab expats.

The United Nation’s goodwill ambassador and Egyptian cinema celebrity will perform three consecutive shows of the popular comedy in the Al Mamzar cultural theater on 15, 16 and 17 May 2008.

Hala Badri, Vice President Corporate Communications, du, said: ”The du customer base is a rich mix of cultures and nationalities, with varied interests. du's events and sponsorship strategy is built to accommodate this diversification. In line with our commitment to add life to life and bring quality international entertainment to all customers in the UAE, we are proud to be bringing one of the most talented Arab comedians here."

“Presenting this comedy in Dubai is a step further towards our goal of establishing an innovative, exciting and unique entertainment platform across the UAE. We have already brought many international artists to cater to our diverse customers’ tastes, and Adel Imam’s performance will further enrich the entertainment enjoyed by the UAE.”

Xtreme Events, the organizers of the play in Dubai, is also offering a few lucky fans the chance to win free tickets. All they have to do is SMS 'ADEL' to “7570”, from their du mobile lines.

du has exclusively sponsored a variety of live concerts across the UAE as the official Telecom Partner. It has presented superstars such as Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Amr Diab, Asha Bhonsle, Dr. K.J Yesudas and S.P Balasubramaniam for the first time in Abu Dhabi Dubai and AR Rahman in Sharjah as well.

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Dubai Can Dance

"Dubai Can Dance is loosely based on TV reality-style shows such as Strictly Come Dancing," said Mark Povey, General Manager of Marketing and Events at Transguard Group, which is organising the first-of-its-kind show in Dubai.

"We took 10 couples and trained them for 10 weeks for the main event on May 23 where they will compete in front of some 500 dinner guests," he added.

The participants have braved 10 weeks of rigorous training, learning from scratch the samba, rumba, waltz, bossa nova and other dance styles for the contest. On the big night, each couple will perform two routines.

The winning couple will be crowned Dubai Can Dance Champions.

The response has been overwhelming, said Povey. "We had to choose 10 couples from some 50 who applied.

"We have professional stylists working on each couple to make them look glamorous and spectacular. The event is going to look amazing. We even have Aton and Erin from the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing performing a routine to show us how it really should be done," he said.

He said the inspiration for the event came from the success of their White Collar Fight Nights – a corporate fight night series in Dubai. (PR)

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The Cultural Observer

• The first phase of modernizing the library of Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), based at the historic Yildiz Palace, kicked off with a grant from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will be organizing from 15 – 16 of April at Emirates Palace, Abu-Dhabi, the National Identity Year, 2008.

• The inauguration of an exhibition that showcases the artwork by the participants in the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award will be held at 4:30pm, Monday 14/3/2008 at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).

• Total Art Gallery is organizing an art exhibition entitled “Surfacing” at 7pm on Saturday 19/4/2008. For more information contact the following number 049475050.

• The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), a non-profit cultural event, kicks off in Dubai on April 13 and runs until April 18, 2008. The Gulf Film Festival is divided into two segments - a competition specifically for films from the Gulf region, and a script competition for short UAE films. GFF will also feature international cinema from all over the world.

• Under the Patronage of General Consul of the Republic of China, the first Chinese exhibition will be held from 9 – 14 of April 2008, at Dragon Mart Complex – Dubai.

• Art Space Gallery will be organizing an art exhibition entitled “Faces” for the artist Zacherya Al Rahmani on Tuesday 15/4/2008, for more information contact the following number 04

• Gallery 76 hosts an art exhibition titled “In your hands” on Monday, April 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043444398.

• Children’s City in Dubai has set a weekly programme for students to visit the “Sue” Dinosaur exhibition which is created by the Field Museum of Chicago, USA, and runs until May 23, 2008.

• Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research , an exhibition of Roaming Nobel Museum entitled “Alfred Nobel: Networks of Innovation” opened at Dubai Men’s College on March 30, 2008. The exhibition runs for two months.

• Dubai Press Club organizes the Arab Media Forum 2008, on the 23rd and 24th of April 2008 at Monarch Hotel Dubai, under the theme “Technology and Integration of Arab Media”.

• Art Space Gallery organizes an exhibition for Contemporary Art from 25 March – 15 April 2008. For more information contact the following number 043325523.

• Shakespeare 4 Kidz Hamlet will be playing twice daily at the Centerpoint Theatre, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April, 2008.

• The Third Line Gallery organizes “Matin Parr Exhibition of Photos from April 02 to 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043411367.

• The first ever exhibition of a Brazilian artist in the UAE will be held in Abu Dhabi from April 07 to 16, 2008. Artist Elizabeth Olival” will show her artworks under the theme “Sleeping Beauty” at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi.

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The Cultural Observer

• Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will be organizing from 15 – 16 of April at Emirates Palace, Abu-Dhabi, the National Identity Year, 2008.


• The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), a non-profit cultural event, kicks off in Dubai on April 13 and runs until April 18, 2008. The Gulf Film Festival is divided into two segments - a competition specifically for films from the Gulf region, and a script competition for short UAE films. GFF will also feature international cinema from all over the world.

• Under the Patronage of General Consul of the Republic of China, the first Chinese exhibition will be held from 9 – 14 of April 2008, at Dragon Mart Complex – Dubai.

• Art Space Gallery will be organizing an art exhibition entitled “Faces” for the artist Zacherya Al Rahmani on Tuesday 15/4/2008, for more information contact the following number 04

• Gallery 76 hosts an art exhibition titled “In your hands” on Monday, April 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043444398.

• Children’s City in Dubai has set a weekly programme for students to visit the “Sue” Dinosaur exhibition which is created by the Field Museum of Chicago, USA, and runs until May 23, 2008.

• Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research , an exhibition of Roaming Nobel Museum entitled “Alfred Nobel: Networks of Innovation” opened at Dubai Men’s College on March 30, 2008. The exhibition runs for two months.

• Dubai Press Club organizes the Arab Media Forum 2008, on the 23rd and 24th of April 2008 at Monarch Hotel Dubai, under the theme “Technology and Integration of Arab Media”

• Art Space Gallery has hosted an exhibition that showcases the works of the Moroccan Artist Aziza Al Lawi on Tuesday 25/3/2008 .The exhibition runs until April 10, 2008. For more information contact the following number 043325523.

• The Dubai Women Association organizes “the Family, Identity of the Community…Vision & Ambitions Conference”, which will be held on April 08, and 09, 2008.

• An Art exhibition showcasing the works of the Iranian Artist Rokni Haerzadeh entitled “The Donkey, The Pagan, The Bride, The Others” will be held at B21 Gallery from 17 March – 10 April 2008. For more information visit the following website www.b21gallery.com.

• The Red Gallery organizes an art exhibition of the Vietnamese artist Thanh Chuong from the 22nd of March to the 10th of April 2008. For more information, please contact the following number 043955811 or visit the following website www.theredgallery.net .

• Art Space Gallery organizes an exhibition for Contemporary Art from 25 March – 15 April 2008. For more information contact the following number 043325523.

• Shakespeare 4 Kidz Hamlet will be playing twice daily at the Centerpoint Theatre, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April, 2008.

• The Third Line Gallery organizes “Matin Parr Exhibition of Photos from April 02 to 14, 2008. For further information, please contact 043411367.

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The Gulf Film Festival (GFF) to begin on the 13th of April

The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), a platform to encourage Arab filmmakers to cultivate and develop local and regional film culture, is scheduled to take place from April 13 to 18 at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Center at Mall of Emirates. The festival will feature 35 films from the UAE.

Filmmakers from the UAE are widely represented in the in-competition shorts and documentaries programming along with entries in the student competition and animation programming, stated a Press release.

Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Festival Director for GFF said, "Local and regional film festivals have a significant role to play in cultivating talent from the region and shaping the future of cinema. GFF aims to provide the international community with an outlet to view the best from our region, providing UAE and Arab filmmakers with an opportunity to receive recognition for outstanding work, and to encourage production of films in the region."

The UAE leads in the number of entries to the shorts segment with 13 films, three filmmakers have been selected to showcase their skills in the documentary segment.

Six of the 15 entries to the student shorts segment are from Emirati filmmakers.

In addition, the UAE contingent includes 4 animation shorts for kids. About 146 films will be screened at the festival and that 90 per cent of them are world premieres.

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Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival continues till 2nd April

The first week of the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival had set a very high-standard of musical quality and pushed audience enthusiasm to frantic levels.

Indeed, after the world class performances of the London Philharmonic, the powerful and soulful revival of Arabic Classics with Asmma Monaoar and Khaled Selim and the Bolshoi triumph, one might have wondered what this 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival had in stock to keep up with such ground-breaking performances.

The challenge was met by ADMAF on the evening on the 29th of March at the Emirates Palace Auditorium. Indeed, the Bolshoi Orchestra was there again that evening, but not to play to the gravity-defying, ever so graceful dancers, but to a different type of other-worldly talents: opera singers.

In this Opera Gala, Anna Netrebko, the internationally acclaimed soprano performed with the graceful mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca and the no-less talented Erwin Schrott to a full house comprising His Excellency Khaldoon Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and CEO of Mubadala, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent and many distinguished guests from the Emirati and foreign community.

A detail was telling of the expectations raised by the sweeping international attention this 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival has drawn: two Kuwaiti visitors confessed they had come specially from their home country to attend this evening?s performance.

The first half of this evening's performance was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's and began with Le Nozze de Figaro's Overture: a fitting choice to debut this Opera Gala as the energetic, immensely pleasing opening statement of this famous W.A. Mozart masterpiece gave a sampler of how melodic, powerful and quite simply merely entertaining the rest of this evening would be. Alexander Vedernikov's conducting was generous and energetic as he skilfully led the orchestra and the audience into this evening of opera.

Enter the divas! Netrebko and Garanca appeared on the stage in glittering dresses, looking stunning: if their appearance had anything to do with their performance, it promised to be stellar. And indeed it was. Their performance of the love duet "Ah perdona il primo affetto" was vibrant and engulfed the audience in all the emotion the Opera has to offer. The audience thundered in applause as the two singers left the stage.

Erwinn Schrott appeared, bringing his relaxed, friendly charm to the stage: his interpretation of the Don Giovanni extract ?Madamina, il catalogo e questo' was extraordinary: in addition to the perfect singing, the audience simply saw a wonderful actor's performance. Working the stage playfully; skilfully involving the audience and the orchestra in his rendition of the list of Don Giovanni?s many conquests across Europe, Schrott demonstrated how the Opera was not only about vocal skill but about emotion, acting and storytelling, making it an immensely elaborate and entertaining form of music. This was followed by another excerpt of "La Clemenza di Tito" in which Elina Garanca lent her commanding presence and her perfect performance to this piece, literally hypnotizing the audience.

Another of the many highlights of this first part of the Gala dedicated to Mozart was "D'Oreste D'Aiace" performed by Netrebko. Quite the opposite of the playful Don Giovanni excerpt, this tormented and anguished piece provided an extraordinary opportunity for Netrebko to propel the audience in another world, that of anger and madness of her character Electra. Netrebko's mastery was such that her virtuosity never was the issue: it was simply and powerfully serving the notes of Mozart and this terribly expressive song that accelerates and stops, bursts in laughter of dementia and is absolutely unpredictable as can be anger and madness. The audience hit new heights of frenzy as it clapped on and on to salute Netrebko's perfectly tormented performance.

T he three singers returned to the stage after a March from Idomeneo in order to perform "Soave sia il vento", one of the songs that sets the story of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" in motion: Schrott's Don Alfonso was acted perfectly as were Netrebko and Garanca playing the two fianc's wishing gentle winds to the men they love: Don Alfonso's deceitful friendliness and both women's shared concern for their loves was a powerful and very unique combination, based on moving individual performances, but just as much on an intricate chemistry between the performers. This perfect balance served Mozart and the audience superbly.

The audience avidly applauded, already missing Netrebko's, Garanca's and Schrott's magic, be it only for a short intermission. The conversations amongst the festival-goers during the interval gave the clear impression that the audience that night was a mix of seasoned opera lovers and first-timers: an interesting, yet challenging mix, as the program and performance could easily loose one part of the audience, while catering to another part. Based on the enthusiastic applause in the auditorium moments earlier, but also on the very interesting conversations between opera fans and opera debutants, one could feel that the excellence of the performances that evening combined with the very smart programming made this Opera Gala directly speak to the heart and soul of all present. Quality has this equalizing effect: it simply elevates all those that it touches to the same levels of bliss. This was definitely the case in the Emirates Palace auditorium that evening, during the first part of the Opera Gala. It would be even more so moments later, when the audience regrouped for what would be one of the defining moments of the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival" The Bolshoi orchestra did not leave anytime for pause for the audience: Verdi's "La Forza del Destino's" Overture masterfully cast a cloud of threat and power, those of destiny as the title indicates, over the auditorium. A very fitting introduction as the following piece was one from Verdi's Macbeth. Demonstrating the range of his voice and his acting, Erwin Schrott returned to the stage to perform a riveting song over the course of which General Banco expresses his feelings that threat looms over him. The beginning of that song was particularly impressive on the part of Schrott as much as the orchestra: indeed, the singer's a cappella performance was nothing less than perfect, engulfing the audience in the General's sense of doom, while the orchestra responded ever so lightly, in both a moving performance and one that let Schrott?s acting and singing fill the auditorium. The audience could only salute such heights with powerful, spontaneous applause. WAM

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Two Evenings of Dance and Music

As part of the ongoing Season of Arts, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is delighted to announce two special dance and music events at DIFC, The Gate.

The famous Ornina Dance Band will enthrall audiences with performances of folk dances from across the Arab world. The performance will feature Bedouin, Syrian, Lebanese and Gulf folk dances.

Location: The Gate; Date: 24th March; Time: 7.00pm - 7.30pm & 8.00pm - 8.30pm

The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a mix of classical, Arabic and popular music. The concert will start with exquisite Arabic-inspired pieces and will resume with the all-time favourite "Themes from 007 Movies".

Location: The Gate; Date: 26th March; Time: 7.30pm - 9.00pm

The performances are part of the Season of Arts - a DIFC lifestyle celebration of all forms of artistic disciplines; from visual to performing and musical to interactive expressions.

Both performances are open to the public and are free of charge.

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Middle East's biggest art fair draws crowds in Dubai

Thousands of savvy collectors and flamboyant art dealers flocked to a Dubai art fair this week to snap up top-end cutting-edge art, unscathed by the protracted global credit crunch, the fair organizers said on Friday.

"The contemporary art scene is booming, and Dubai is well positioned to capitalize on this boom," said Benedict Floyd, the co-founder of Art Dubai, the region's only major international art show.

"There is a growing interest from collectors, both private, institutional and corporate, who realize that art, at least in this region, is protected from the financial woes," he told Reuters.

This year's event, which runs until Saturday, brings together a record 68 participating galleries from 28 countries, and thousands of art lovers.

Serious collectors are expected to generate turnover of more than $15 million.

Buyers took their pick of Andy Warhol's depiction of cars, sold for $1.95 million, photographs by famous Iranian artist Shirin Neshat for more than $300,000, and a Julian Opie piece for $62,000.

Dubai, the Gulf's commercial heart, is increasingly attracting contemporary artists, especially from neighboring Iran and South Asia, as exhibition venues multiply.

Zero import and export taxes for art, and a free flow of capital has already seen the emirate become a possible rival to Hong Kong, the world's third most important art auction hub behind New York and London.

International art fairs in Asia and the Middle East have helped fuel demand for modern art.

This year for instance, both Tokyo and Hong Kong will launch new events modeled along hip fairs such as Art Basel and London's Frieze.

"In the face of a possible international downturn in the financial markets, the global art market is looking to the emerging markets of the Middle East and South Asia to keep it fuelled," said John Martin, director of Art Dubai.

"The growth of the region's finance sector is creating a new generation of young, highly-educated collectors."

Indeed, art galleries have mushroomed in Dubai and a healthy competition has developed with Abu Dhabi, which is building five art and culture centers on Saadiyat Island.

Those centers will include a branch of the Louvre and the Guggenheim, with buildings designed by leading architects including Frank Gehry.

"Maybe two years ago if you tried to associate Dubai as a commercial art centre, you would have met with skepticism, " Floyd said.

"Now the idea of Dubai becoming a rival art centre to cities like London and New York is a pertinent question. We still have a lot of potential to tap here." (Reuters)

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" Arabian Sands "

M.A. Film Production FZ-LLC announced the release of "Arabian Sands" for first time in celluloid in theatres in Dubai.
The film portrays the journey of a great European explorer with the nomadic camel-breeding Bedu in a harsh land where no thought of a world other than their own existed. No man can live this life and remain unchanged.

As the film represents U.A.E. and the Southern Arabia before the oil boom, we recommend you to see the film in order to get an insight of a heritage now almost disappeared and be part in the success of U.A.E.'s film industry.

The film is being shown in the following theaters for a few days only. The film is in Arabic & English with corresponding subtitles and the duration is one and a half hours.

Dubai:
Mall of the Emirates 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm
Deira City Centre 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm

Abu Dhabi:
Marina Mall 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm

Sharjah & Ajman:
AjmanCity Centre 3:15pm, 5:15pm, 7:15pm, 9:15pm

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Art and Antiques Dubai Exhibition

Altogether 44 galleries from 13 countries are displaying their prized collections at the ‘Art and Antiques Dubai’ exhibition which opened at Madinat Jumeirah on Thursday.
The event will run until Sunday.
The event, organised by art dealer Brian Haughton, is being held in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Haughton and his family have been in the art business for decades.

According to the exhibition organisers, the most expensive piece on show is a painting by John Singer Sargent for Waterhouse and Dodd. It is worth $13.5 million.

Another highlight of the event is a piece of decoration dating back to 1745. It was a presented to Frederick-August II, Elector of Saxony, by his wife Queen Maria-Josepha on the 25th anniversary of their marriage. The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Abdul Rahman Al Owais in the presence of Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council, and Bilal Al Boudour, Director in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Al Owais said Dubai is eager to host international art exhibitions as much as it is interested in development in other areas.

“Our leadership is keen on placing Dubai as a cultural hub on the world map. Hosting such an international exhibition, which displays pieces of art and antiques for the first time in the region, comes to implement our leaders’ vision,” Al Owais said.

Al Owais maintained that advancement on the art and cultural front would go on par and, maybe, go beyond the booming architectural activities in Dubai.

Al Murr pointed out that hosting artistic events of this scale in the city was a clear evidence that Dubai has gone a long way in embracing fine arts.

“We often see exhibitions being held in Dubai but to see such high-end work of art is not that common. Many pieces going on display are worthy of being exhibited in museums. It shows the trust vested by the exhibitors in Dubai as a cultural hub. There are antiques and classical pieces as well as modern paintings and art works,” Al Murr noted.

Al Boudour said, “The horizons of arts are increasingly expanding in Dubai. This unique exhibition gives an opportunity to both the dealers and art lovers to get a glimpse or the chance to acquire some of the very rare and original art pieces in the world.”

The show features many rare pieces, including some of royal collections.

Jewellery, clocks, porcelain items, bronze sculptures, oil paintings, calligraphy work and vase coolers in addition to boxes and decoration items.

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Unique Arabic calligraphy art show in Dubai

The fifth edition of the Dubai International Exhibition of the Arabic Calligraphy Art will be held at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association headquarters in Al Mamzar from February 13 to 20 with 165 selected works of 47 contemporary calligraphers from nine countries going on public display.

The hugely-popular annual show, being held under the patronage of Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in cooperation with the Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), an arm of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

It is sponsored by the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association and Emirates-NBD Bank.

This was announced at a Press conference on Monday by the DTCM Executive Director Operations and Marketing Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb.

Hareb said the exhibition has been a successful addition to the cultural landscape of the emirate and the increasing number of participation by calligraphers was an indication of its popularity.

In addition to the UAE, the countries participating in the exhibition are Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Palestine, Bosnia and Bangladesh.

''There will be workshops and lectures on the sidelines of the exhibition.

There will also be a dedicated section at the exhibition for the calligraphers from Iraq,''he added.

The event, he indicated, has been designed to highlight a traditional form of art popular in the Arab and Muslim world. The works cover verses from the Holy Quran, Arabic Poetry, Proverbs and Sayings. (WAM)

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Dubai Fashion 2008 opens tomorrow

Dubai Fashion 2008, the most extravagant fashion event in the region, is all set for a grand fifth edition during this DSF as collections of two young and dynamic designers, Barbara Bui and Stephen Rolland, take to the ramp on the opening day at the Arena Ballroom in Madinat Jumeirah on February 10. Some of the biggest names in the global fashion industry will participate in the three-day event.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, and organized by the DSF Office in coordination with BurJuman, a DSF 2008 key sponsor, this year’s Dubai Fashion follows the hugely successful previous editions that have been largely responsible for creating and maintaining a strategic fashion link for the Middle East with the flamboyant fashion industry in the West.

Eisa Adam Ibrahim, General Manager, BurJuman said, “BurJuman is pleased to once again strategically partner with DSF in bringing the world’s latest fashion trends to Dubai. Being at the forefront of luxury retail, BurJuman’s role has always been to build and cement Dubai’s positioning as a premium shopping destination. In aligning with Dubai Fashion as the key presenter for the fourth consecutive year, BurJuman creates yet another opportunity for Dubai to witness the best of the fashion world in delivering an event with international standards.”

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of DSF said, “We thank Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum for her unstinted support for Dubai Fashion from the very beginning and we thank BurJuman for their cooperation all throughout in this glamorous event. Dubai Fashion has garnered its global status and reputation as a premier fashion event in a short duration of time. Apart from providing the platform for some of the biggest names in the global fashion industry to showcase their latest collections, Dubai Fashion has without a doubt placed the city of Dubai as a prominent destination on the world map of fashion.”

“Fashion enthusiasts and observers will very much identify the combination of experience and vibrant youth in the collections displayed during Dubai Fashion 2008; experience, as reflected through the collections of Christian Lacroix, and sheer pulsating liveliness through the collections of Barbara Bui and Stephen Rolland. The second day of Dubai Fashion will reveal this combination through the etoile collections that will include renowned global designers,” she added.

The first day of Dubai Fashion 2008 will present the creations of Barbara Bui and Stephen Rolland. The Etoile group collections will take to the ramp on the second day, including creations of such renowned names like Karl Lagerfield, Christian Dior, Ungaro, Valentino, in addition to Stella Cadente and Michel Klein who will also be attending the show. The final day will be reserved for one among the giants in the global fashion industry, Christian Lacroix.

Barbara Bui
Born in Paris to a Vietnamese father and a French mother, Barbara Bui entered the fashion world in 1983 by opening the boutique Kabuki on the rue de Turbigo in Paris. The designer slowly launched herself into the fashion world by selling her own designs. The brand Barbara Bui was born when she presented her first full collection in 1987. Since then, she has grown from strength to strength, and is today an admired entity in the fashion world.

Stephen Rolland
Commenting on his first visit to Dubai during Dubai Fashion 2008, Stephen Rolland said, “I am very happy to present my latest Haute-Couture Collection in Dubaï, a new center of international luxury that has now gained a genuine legitimacy. I am truly in love with the Oriental cultural world which I very much respect. Being considered today as the most Oriental of all French couturiers, I am particularly honored by this invitation."

Brought up in the South of France, Argentina, and the West Indies, Stéphane Rolland’s destiny lay in Paris, where he studied fashion at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. At the age of 20, his talent was recognised by Balenciaga, who hired him to work on the menswear collections, and promoted him to Creative Director within a year.

At 24, Stéphane Rolland left Balenciaga to design his own prêt-à-porter collection. Success came immediately and in its first year of existence, Stéphane Rolland was stocked in 80 boutiques and department stores world-wide.

Today, Stéphane Rolland has set himself the new task of opening of his own Couture House, with which he hopes to contribute something entirely new to an industry that has never stopped evolving since its conception in the Renaissance. Source

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"Arts of Islam" & "Luxury Car" exhibitions currently at the Emirates Palace Hotel

Shaikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, yesterday inaugurated at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the First International Middle East Auto Motors Show, where 30 most luxurious and expensive cars in the world will be showcased.

The price of the cars put on display ranged from Dh500,000 to Dh10 million, Abdullah Al Mannai, Executive Director of Emirates Auctions Company said. Only 3000 rich people in the UAE and the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council Countries have been invited to this exhibition.

The hotel is currently hosting also the one of the world's largest and most impressing Islamic Art exhibitions. With over 500 pieces of Islamic artwork, dating back to over 1,000 years, the 'Arts of Islam: Treasures of the Khalili Collection's exhibition is one the largest and rarest exhibitions in the world.

Some of the unique collection of the worlds finest Islamic art are being shown to the public for the first time.

The Arts of Islam exhibition, which was inspired by the saying :''Truly God is Beautiful and loves all beauty runs at Gallery One in the Emirates Palace until April 22nd, 2008. Professor Nasser Khalili, Iranian scholar, collector and Benefactor, said the exhibition is showcasing over 500 works constituting an important art asset of the Khalili Family Trust of 20,000 pieces portraying the wonderful achievements of the Islamic art and its far-reaching evolutional impact on different countries of the world.

A breathtaking collection of Islamic exquisite treasures, antiques and paintings, covering the period from the 7th to 20th century, are decorating the Emirates Palace gallery. One of the most rarest, finest work on display is a bound holy Quran written in Kofi calligraphy dated back to the six Hijri century.

The work reflects the great attention and care lent to the holy book in terms of script and colour which sometimes laced with gold and silver fonts.
A matchless, and most oldest panoramic water-paining drawing for the holy city of Makkah painted on 1843 is also on display. The works on display have been specifically chosen to illustrate the development of Islam’s rich artistic heritage over a period of some 1400 years and originated from the Far East, China, India, Iran, the Middle East and North Africa and Spain.

The covered subjects include religion, science, poetry, literature, calligraphy, painting and architecture, in addition to the decorative arts. Visitors can enjoy during the tour of the exhibition watching the finest in textiles, pottery and ceramic, carpets, books and manuscripts, jewels, coins, paintings, wood engraving works, metalware, glassware, calligraphy, portraits and belongings of sultans.

The event epitomises the determination of the Government of Abu Dhabi to transform the city into a world melting pot for human culture, knowledge, interaction and communication by hosting premier global cultural and artistic events.

Guided Tours of the exhibition for children, students and the general public: groups from school, universities & clubs are particularly welcome.

(by Gergana Mineva, Editor)

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DreamWorks brings its magic to Dubai

DreamWorks Animation is the latest Hollywood major to plant its flag in the UAE, signing a multi-billion dollar strategic alliance with real estate company Tatweer to develop in Dubai a range of tourism and leisure projects, the highlight of which will be a theme park.

The five million-square-foot DreamWorks Animation-branded park will see rides incorporate characters from DreamWorks titles such as the "Shrek" franchise and upcoming "Kung Fu Panda."

Other aspects of the DreamWorks-Tatweer partnership call for DreamWorks-themed restaurants, hotels and retail outlets to be built across the region.

"We are thrilled to bring the first DreamWorks Animation-dedicated theme park to Dubai," said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. DreamWorks' push into the region marks the latest in a rush of deals involving Hollywood studios and UAE-based real estate developers.

Tatweer announced in May 2007 a US$2 billion deal with Universal Parks and Resorts to build Universal City Dubailand. The 505-acre development, which will include a 149-acre Universal theme park along with a range of hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, will open in 2010.

In April, UAE-based real estate concern Al Ahli announced a deal with Marvel Entertainment to bring Marvel's full library of superheroes - including Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Incredible Hulk - to Dubai for a US$1 billion theme park to open in 2011.

Then, days later, Al Ahli unveiled another long-term partnership with Nickelodeon that will see such Nickelodeon properties as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer" join the Marvel characters in the park.

And in June, Paramount signed a licensing deal worth US$2.5 billion with Ruwaad Holdings to turn Par properties such as "Mission: Impossible," "Top Gun" and "The Godfather" into a series of Dubai-based parks and rides. Source

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