Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for May 20, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.
Want to see your event listed here? Email us with the details and contact information at listings@thenational.ae
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Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Register to attend tonight's screening of the 2017 documentary Losing Sight of Shore presented by Cinema Space, as well as a Q&A with Lizanne Jansen Van Vuuren, one of the women featured in the film. The documentary focuses on the Coxless Crew, four women who set out to row, unsupported, across the Pacific Ocean from the United States to Australia over nine months.
Tonight, 7pm, free with registration, auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, cinemaspace-losingsightofshore.splashthat.com
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Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Register for the kick-off of the ladies-only series Fit & Flourish, presented by #theADmovement. The first event will be a 90-minute yin yoga session followed by a healthy four-course vegetarian iftar by Nectar Cafe, plus a discussion and Q&A with nutrition expert Suzan Terzian.
June 1, 5.30pm to 9pm, Bodytree Studio, Abu Dhabi, search Fit and Flourish in Abu Dhabi at www.eventbrite.com
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Nationwide
New movie
The Zookeeper's Wife tells the story of Antonina and Jan Zabinski (Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh), the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion. The film is based on a true story and the book of the same name by Diane Ackerman. Drama, also starring Daniel Brühl, Timothy Radford and Efrat Dor.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE. (15+)
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Abu Dhabi
Fashion event
Check out the second edition of Fashion Days Closets at Nation Towers Abu Dhabi. The event features six UAE-based designers of different nationalities and backgrounds showcasing a selection of their designs, all of which will be on sale.
Daily until Monday, 10am to 10pm, free, Nation Towers, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabifashiondays.com
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Dubai
Art tour
Sign up to take part in today’s Saturday Tours as part of Alserkal Programming and join the one-hour tour of the galleries at Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz. Meet the people running the spaces and learn more about the current exhibitions and programmes.
Today, 4pm, meet at Nadi Al Quoz, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, reservations at rsvp@alserkalavenue.ae
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Dubai
Comedy show
Enjoy an evening of laughs as the students of Dubomedy Arts School present Comedy Mid-Tape: Stand-up & Improv Comedy Special, which includes a blend of original stand-up, improv games, audience participation and special appearances by Improv Revolution troupe members.
Tonight, 7pm, free with registration, Centre for Musical Arts, Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai, register at rsvp@dubomedy.com
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Dubai
Kids’ camp
Register children ages 3 to 13 for the Gulf Star Summer Camp, where they can enjoy a variety of activities, including sports, team games, arts and crafts, drama, dance, martial arts and more.
June 25 to August 31, 9am to 2.30pm, Sundays to Thursdays, from Dh800 per week (Dh650 if booked before June 1), Foremarke School, Dovecote Green Primary School, Jebel Ali School, Hartland International School, Clarion School and Repton School, Dubai, info@gulfstarsports.com, 050 429 4860
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Dubai
Photo contest
Submit your photographs for the International Photo Contest presented by Alliance Française Dubai. Amateur photographers are invited to share two images that reflect the theme of “Fashion and Dress Codes”. A winner from the UAE will receive a trip to Paris and the winning images of the global competition will be exhibited at Alliance Française locations worldwide. The top 10 UAE winners will be shown at La Galerie at Alliance Française Dubai.
Online submissions accepted until June 22, ages 21+, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712, www.afdubai.org
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Dubai
Art exhibition
The Bruce High Quality Foundation art collective – who call themselves the Bruces – present The Second Coming. The exhibition features a central sculpture of Joan of Arc surrounded by grey-on-grey paintings of birds, a reference to Yeats's poem The Second Coming. The poem itself is recited on a speaker system and, according to the Bruces, the exhibition and literary work are about immigration. Pictured: Spiritus Mundi
Daily until June 4, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 831 3520, www.leilahellergallery.com
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Dubai
Art exhibition
See Illuminated Space, an exhibition of abstract paintings by Samia Halaby. The artists draws inspiration from the contours of living organisms, such as soft edges of plant life, as well as the interplay of light in an urban environment. Pictured: Flowers
Daily until June 17, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays; noon to 6pm on Saturdays (closed Fridays), Ayyam Gallery, 11 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 323 6242, www.ayyamgallery.com
listings@thenational.ae
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
More on Quran memorisation:
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
More from Armen Sarkissian
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company%20Profile
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
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.