What effect has Covid-19 had on the UAE's entertainment industry? And how can local musicians reposition themselves in the wake of the pandemic?
These are some of the questions the Emirates Music Summit hopes to answer when it returns this month.
Running as part of the Breakout DXB festival at Dubai's Rove Downtown on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7, the two-day conference features a selection of UAE artists and leading music industry figures who will appear in panel discussions and interview sessions.
What is on the agenda?
Available to Breakout DXB ticket holders, the conference will take place in the hotel foyer with social distancing measures in place.
The first day mostly looks at the big picture when it comes to the music industry. In a session entitled UAE Music Scene during Covid, rapper Swerte from the group The Recipe and Nigerian Afropop singer MKO will join Tobie Allen from artist management company Ma'ana to reflect on how the local scene changed in the wake of the pandemic.
The role of women in the regional music industry will also be highlighted in a session featuring event producer Megatronic and singers FaFa and Sandra Sahi. Berklee Abu Dhabi Centre artist director Mayssa Karaa will also be on hand to highlight the Saadiyat Island institution's programme of events.
The final day of the conference looks at the future of the UAE's live events industry in the age of Covid-19, while The Art of Production session will feature UAE producers A'Y and Rayan Bailouni breaking down their beat-making process.
Taking the next step
According to co-organiser Albert M Carter, artist manager and creator of local music education initiative Hip Hop University, the Emirates Music Summit is the continuation of a discussion that began at the onset of the pandemic.
The event follows March's inaugural iteration, days before a government-mandated suspension of live events and venues. With rumours of the virus's ability to upend the international music industry racing at the time, Carter recalls conference attendees discussing the need to support each for the foreseeable future.
“Covid-19 was so new that we didn't know what to expect or how to handle it. The way that we were talking about this disease back then was that it could be one or two months, max, and six months later we are still here,” he said.
"But as a result of that, we did see some positive things emerging from the local scene. We saw a lot of musicians here band together and discuss ways to support each other. There were also a lot of organisations that sprouted up to help the arts community in whatever way they could.”
Now that artists and event organisers have begun to get a clearer idea of how to operate during the pandemic, Carter says the upcoming conference will look at ways to reactivate the live events space.
"For the time being, we need to learn how to live with Covid-19 and work within that space. But more than that, we want to look at all the opportunities that have come from this," he said.
"We will highlight those ideas and events. Since this situation will hopefully not last forever, we want to talk about both the present and future of the UAE music industry."
Emirates Music Summit will run as part of Breakout DXB, on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7; doors open at 11am. Tickets are Dh199 for a one-day pass and Dh249 for two-day pass, inclusive of a food voucher. For more information go to Platinumlist
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
