That’s not all though, as the hotel is also offering 100 lucky children the chance to enter into a raffle draw to meet Barney in person! From now until the end of July, simply spend AED 100 or more at InterContinental Dubai Festival City to earn a ‘purple ticket’. 100 of these will be selected to meet Barney after his performances. Every child who comes to the ‘Purple Brunch’ will also enter into the draw, with extra tickets available for the best dressed Barney impersonators!

Tickets for the Purple Brunch are expected to sell faster than the shake of Barney’s tail, so book yours quickly to avoid disappointment. For more information or to book your place on the Purple Brunch, call 04 7011128 or email restaurant.reservation@ichdfc.ae. To learn more about the dining options at InterContinental Dubai Festival City where you can spend AED 100 or more to earn the chance to meet Barney, visit www.diningdfc.com.

To win the holiday at Atlantis, applicants have to make a video depicting why they should win a holiday with nine friends or family for five nights. The awe-inspiring prize includes return economy class flights for all 10 guests, five deluxe rooms at Atlantis on a bed and breakfast basis, return private transfers, ten Dolphin Encounters at Dolphin Bay and a complimentary dinner at Ronda Locatelli.

There are three ways to enter the Atlantis Big Break Competition:

1.) Download the Atlantis iPhone application and go to ‘Win Amazing Prizes’. Make a video explaining why you and nine friends should win a holiday to Atlantis. Upload the video entry and fill in the competition entry form.
2) Visit www.atlantisdubaibigbreak.com and read the instructions. Make a video explaining why you and nine friends should win a holiday to Atlantis. Upload the video entry and fill in the competition entry form. The video can also be uploaded to http://www.youtube.com/atlantisthepalmtv
3) Visit www.facebook.com Search for the fan page “Atlantis Resort.” Click on Atlantis, The Palm and The Atlantis Big Break Competition. Read the instructions, make and upload the video entry and finally, fill in the competition entry form.

In addition, Atlantis is offering the ‘Romantic Rendezvous’ Competition where entrants only need to answer a multiple-choice question correctly after watching a short video. The winner of the “Romantic Rendezvous” will win round-trip economy airfare for two guests, three nights in an Imperial Club room, daily breakfast, one complimentary dinner in Nobu and Seafire respectively, a spa treatment for two in the Atlantis Spa and two Dolphin Adventures.

As the competition is judged by the number of total of votes, applicants should encourage their friends and family to vote for their video to increase their chances of winning. The ten videos with the most votes will then be reviewed by a panel of judges and a winner selected.

“This competition really gives potential guests an opportunity to show us their creativity on why they should come and enjoy Atlantis,” commented Alan Leibman, President/Managing Director, Atlantis, The Palm. “I can’t wait to watch the videos from the Atlantis iPhone application, the Atlantis facebook page, as well as the Atlantis website.”

To enter the Atlantis Romantic Rendezvous competition, watch a video on the Atlantis iPhone application, the Atlantis website at www.atlantisdubaibigbreak.com or by visiting the Atlantis Resort fan page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/atlantisthepalm

Both competitions are open until midnight (Dubai time) on 25 June 2010. Winners will be announced on 2 July 2010.

Mr Abdin Nasralla, Vice President Meydan Hotels and Hospitality Division said “The Meydan and its offering of unique experiences is a gift not only to the racing world, but for all who can appreciate superior service and hospitality excellence. We are especially pleased to open The Meydan in time for this year’s Dubai World Cup where a room at the The Meydan will naturally make this already special occasion a once in a lifetime experience.”

Venue: Art Couture gallery. Blue Al Fattan Marine Tower II, JBR, (Between Ritz Carlton & Hilton) The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence.

This exhibition is an insight into three very different approaches to contemporary art by three international artists, who are expressing themselves in their own individualism. The art works include – Abstraction, Abstract Representational Art and Abstract Realism. A scintillating plethora of mixed media, colours and techniques make this exhibition a must see’.

The exhibiting artists are the well known Corine Pagny, Natasha Barnes one of South Africa’s most published abstract artists and Art Couture’s innovative Canadian artist Cynthia ‘Reta’ Richards.

Horses and the Living Model

French artist Pagny revisits Dubai with her new collection of ‘horses’ combining minimalist strokes with dynamic effects. She will also display pieces from her signature collection ‘calligraphies of the body’ where she paints ‘the living model’ The artist uses brushes and bamboo on canvas or paper with inks or acrylics. In the artist’s words “I study human beings with no complexes…The emotions are translated in black or white, the colour is nothing but a pretext, the drawing and the gesture is a need”.

Every Day is a Painting

The natural talent and pure passion for painting of this South African self taught artist is evident in her profound style, exhibiting expressionism, colour and movement. Every painting reflects the artist’s mind, the nuance of her mood, the exhilarating trip into her aesthetic world. Barnes finds inspiration from her travels, transferring her myriad feelings onto canvas. Each piece different, following the mood of the day…….

From Weaving to Woven

Art Couture’s resident Canadian artist exhibits new additions and existing art works from one of her favourite collections ‘From Weaving To Woven’ which is a continuous work of art. The title symbolises the axiom ‘as you sow, so shall you reap’. Strikingly decorative designs captured on paper and canvas jostle alongside woven designs in subtle hues. A depth of meaning unfolds in the woven lines.

Art and Coffee – March 3, 2010 at 10.30am
Horses and the Living Model by Corine Pagny

An amazing live demonstration by French artist Pagny as she paints in her signature style ’the living model’ This well known artist was the invited speaker for a morning and by popular demand an evening coffee morning last year at Art Couture. All those who missed it don’t miss out this time. Register at art@artcoutureuae.com as limited spots available.

Art and Coffee is a monthly event Art Couture organizes as part of its vision and mission of promoting contemporary art in Dubai. Artists, art professors, curators and other guests talk about their expertise areas, once a month. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of art, learn something new, and share your cultural interests over a nice cup of coffee.

For more information visit artcoutureuae.com

The package costs AED 2500 per person and includes:

• Pearl Flights
• Dinner for 2 at La Traviata
• Bottle of House wine

The offer is valid throughout February. For further details contact Seawings.

The final height of the Burj Khalifa was revealed to be 828 metres high, much higher than the 508 metres of the previous record holder, Taipei 101.

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum renamed the skyscraper, known as the Burj Dubai throughout construction, after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, president of the UAE and ruler of the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The tower is home to over 1,000 luxury apartments, 49 floors of offices and the 160-room Armani hotel. Around 12,000 people are expected to live and work in the tower, which is part of the Downtown Burj Dubai development.

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004 and involved some 12,000 workers. The first residents are expected to begin moving into their apartments in February 2010. The Armani Hotel is scheduled to open a month later.

The event was held under the patronage of Ministry of Education, and Education Minister Humaid Al Qutami, hoisted the national flag amidst a sea of students.

Said Mary Joseph, publisher of QUEST, an educational magazine that organized and presented the event, said ‘We are very encouraged by the response and turnout at the Walkathon. We have been getting excellent feedback from the students, schools and the various organizations involved with the event, that we are considering increasing the scale and scope of the Walkathon in the future.’

Stargate UAE National Day Walkathon is first of its kind in UAE and intended to promote national solidarity among the younger generation of different nationalities.

Celebrating the UAE National Day this year will be a uniquely spectacular and unforgettable experience for thousands of school students in the UAE. On December 7th, students from the various schools in UAE will meet together at Zabeel Park in Dubai in a massive show of solidarity with the nation and to display their harmony with the diverse nationalities in the country.

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Education, more than 3000 students are expected to take part in the Stargate National Day Walkathon in a spectacular display of national unity by the younger generation. The event gives children a memorable opportunity to celebrate the National Day at the park in a fun-filled and meaningful manner and will help inculcate in them a sense of belonging and respect for UAE’s values and culture.

Honouring the occasion with his esteemed presence will be H.E. Humaid Mohamed Obaid Al Qutam Minister of Education, and many other dignitaries and government officials.

The National Day Walkathon will provide a whole day of fun and excitement for the students, parents, teachers and others who will participate in or witness the celebrations. Cultural and entertainment programs include: Human Flag formation, hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the Minister of Education, joint singing of the National Anthem, balloon release, art & science exhibition, treasure hunt, and lots more.

Students will be provided with a specially-designed T shirt for the occasion, along with a certificate of participation.

The event is organized by Quest Educational Magazine. Stargate is the main sponsor.

Maz said ‘After one year of being away, I am excited to return to Dubai with my new show, ‘Brown and Friendly.’ I think the crowds are going to love the 2 new comics that are coming out with me – K-von and Eman. It’s going to be a great night of comedy!’

Performances are taking place at the Centrepoint Theatre at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, Mall of the Emirates at 8pm and 10.30pm on Thursday 10th December. Tickets on the balcony are AED 195 and stalls are AED 275. Tickets are now available online from www.timeouttickets.com and from the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre. Tickets are restricted to those 13 years and above.

The opening was marked with the first digital screening in the UAE of the film 2012. It was shown in Screen 22, the region’s first and only THX-certified cinema hall.

Reel Cinemas also includes The Picturehouse, the first cinema in the UAE dedicated to art house and independent films.

The first 10 screens at 22-screen multiplex opened in August 2009.