Events

Dates: March 2, 2010 – April 28, 2010

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

Seawings are offering visitors to Dubai the chance to take their loved one on a scenic flight over Dubai for Valentine’s Day.

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.

JMC Guitar Orchestra, JMC Jazz Band and intermediate and advanced students in singing, piano and flute from Jumeirah Music Centre will be performing on February 13th in the ballroom of Movenpick Hotel at 7:30 pm. The concert is in aid of Bantay Bata 163, a charity program in the Philippines whose mission is to rehabilitate sick and abused children. Admission to the concert is free but charitable donations are most welcome.

Thank You For The Music, Part 2 is a sequel of the first Thank You for the Music charity concert held last January 10, 2009 at Movenpick Hotel featuring performing artists/teachers of Jumeirah Music Centre. This time, Thank You For the Music, Part 2 features their students. The concert programme includes piano pieces by Mozart and Khachaturian, as well as jazz pieces by Jobim and Brubeck and repertoire from musicals such as You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, West Side Story, Annie and The Wizard of Oz. The concert will conclude with the song popularized by the group ABBA which is also the title of the concert: Thank You For The Music.

For reservations, please call 04-3492662 or email jumeirahmusic@eim.ae.

Award-winning singer and songwriter David Gray will perform at the 8th Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival on Thursday February 18th 2010.

‘We received continual requests to bring back David Gray to the festival due to the huge applaud for his outstanding appearance in 2007; his fan base is constantly growing in this region as well as worldwide, and with his latest release, we are confident that his upcoming show will be another huge success’, said Anthony Younes, founder and organizer of the festival.

The same night will feature Attila Molnar, Jane Monheit and Lao Tizer.

The Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival will kick off on February 10th with 7 nights of unique jazz shows at the Network Jazz Garden followed by three nights at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on February 17th, 18th and 19th featuring legendary artists.

Tickets will be available online through boxofficeme.com, ticketingboxoffice.com and timeouttickets.com, and all Virgin Megastores outlets in UAE starting January 13th 2010.

For more details, please visit dubaijazzfest.com or call Chillout Productions on 04 3911196.

Acid jazz masters The Brand New Heavies will perform at the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival on February 17th 2010 at Dubai Media City.

“The Brand New Heavies show will greatly add on to the festival, they are considered a legendary name in the world of acid jazz music genre as well as for their regional fan base, we are sure their show will be remarkable and exciting” said Anthony Younes, founder and organizer of the festival.

The same night will feature James Taylor Quartet, U-Nam and Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani.

For tickets release date information and line-up details, please visit dubaijazzfest.com or call Chillout Productions on 04 3911196.

Get ready for the stirring appearance of Britain’s favourite idol James Morrison at Dubai Media City Outdoor Amphitheatre on the closing night of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, which will kick off on Wednesday February 10 2010.

Best described as the British Stevie Wonder, Morrison’s music incorporates a variety of elements from the soul music maters such as Ray Charles, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, and Joe Cocker.

Morrison had performed for thousands of fans and at some of the largest stadiums and arenas around the globe, and now adding Dubai to the list!

“We are really excited about adding such a star to our artists portfolio, James will surely attract a huge fan base, which he built in this region due to his unique style and voice” declared Anthony Younes, founder and organizer of the festival.

Although James Morrison hit the charts at the tender age of 22, his expressive voice sounds like it has been around for much, much longer.

The same night will feature the rising star Brett Dennen, the sensual Laura Izibor and Marion Meadows.

For information on tickets, please visit www.dubaijazzfest.com or call Chillout Productions on 043911196.

The 8th edition of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival will run from February 10 – 19 2010.

The annual music event will feature legends, virtuosos, divas and musicians from all around the globe, with musical styles including jazz, blues, Pop, R&B, Soul and everything in between. Festival fans can look forward to all sorts of concerts and live shows throughout 10 consecutive nights all at the Dubai Media City Outdoor Amphitheatre.

The festival will host a total of 26 international acts. For more details, please visit dubaijazzfest.com or call Chillout Productions on 04 3911196.

On Dec 7 nearly 3000 students from over 40 schools across the UAE participated in the Stargate UAE National Day Walkathon. The Walkathon covered a 1.5 kilometre stretch at Zabeel Park in a show of solidarity with the nation, in addition to displaying their harmony with the diverse nationalities in the country. The event also included a human flag formation and a treasure hunt which was held at Stargate, a space theme park.

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.’

38th National Day Walkathon, December 7th, Monday, 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m, Zabeel Park, Gate 4, Dubai

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.

Delwood in association with Orbit Showtime presents “Maz Jobrani; Brown and Friendly” stand up comedy show. If you are not going to see Maz perform in Amman then this is your chance to catch up him for a limited time in Dubai. Maz is back in Dubai by popular demand with a new show and joined on stage with two new rising comedy stars K-von and Eman.

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.