Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for May 28, 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.
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Abu Dhabi
Ramadan festivities
Visit Bawabat Al Sharq to take part in family friendly Ramadan festivities that uphold the Year of Giving and promote Emirati culture. Souq Al Omniyat, which is organised by and supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, features 50 vendors selling clothing, perfumes and accessories. There will be henna, calligraphy, a falcon show and children’s arts and crafts where they can make lanterns and more.
Open daily during Ramadan, 10am to 2pm and 8pm to 1am, Saturdays to Wednesdays; 10am to 2pm and 8pm to 2am, Thursdays and Fridays; the souq and Ramadan activities begin at sunset, Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, www.bawabatalsharqmall.ae
Dubai
Performance
Get tickets to see the Grammy Award-winning Chamber Orchestra of Europe perform at Dubai Opera in two gala evenings featuring works by Mozart, including Magic Flute Overture, Violin Concerto No 3 and Symphony No 4, as well as Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, Violin Concerto and Symphony No 5. The orchestra will be led by conductor Robin Ticciati with Christian Tetzlaff (pictured) on violin.
November 2 to 3, from Dh250, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
Abu Dhabi
Kids’ camp
Sign up your children, ages 5 to 11, for the Ramadan Kids’ Camp at Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, where there is plenty to keep them busy, including swimming pool games, indoor activities, arts and crafts, movies, a talent show and games.
Starts today and runs until Thursday; then June 4 to June 8, 2pm to 6pm, from Dh160 per day, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiya, Abu Dhabi, register at 02 697 9302 or bodylines.beach@rotana.com
Abu Dhabi
Fitness offer
Vogue Fitness has extended its hours during Ramadan to accommodate early-morning and after-iftar training with additional classes. Plus, women who join Yas Ladies, can take part in the introduction class for free. Membership packages are available for CrossFit and personal training.
Open 5.30am to 1am, Vogue Fitness, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 583 2380, www.vfuae.com
Nationwide
New movie
In the film Berlin Syndrome, Clare (Teresa Palmer), an Australian photojournalist, is on holiday in Berlin, where she meets Andi (Max Riemelt) and begins a passionate romance. When she wakes up, however, she discovers that Andi has left and has locked her in his apartment, where he intends to keep her forever. Thriller, also starring Lucie Aron, Cem Tuncay and Matthias Habich.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE (18+)
Abu Dhabi
Fitness offer
St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort offers a variety of fitness options and water-sport activities throughout the summer. Enjoy the state-of-the-art indoor facilities, including a 3,500-square-metre gym, squash and tennis courts, plus group classes such as HIIT, Zumba and yoga, personal training and a 25-metre lap pool. Swimming lessons are available, as well as tennis classes and activities, including paddle-boarding, kayaking and boogie-boarding. Members can enjoy access to the three outdoor pools and the 9-kilometre private beach.
From 8.30am to 11am and 6pm to 8pm for group classes; Dh65 per group class for members; Dh85 per group class for non-members, packages available at various prices for swimming, tennis, watersports, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 498 8777, athleticclub.saadiyat@stregis.com
Abu Dhabi, Dubai & Sharjah
Ramadan menu
Jones the Grocer combines local flavours and regional traditions in its Ramadan menu, which includes pumpkin and corn fritters, a zataar-grilled halloumi wrap, a barramundi burger with moutabal and pomegranate (pictured) and Moroccan meatballs with crispy kale and sesame bread.
Open from 9am to 11am for take-away and 11am to 10.30pm for dine-in and take-away at Khalidiya and Al Raha, Abu Dhabi; open 9am to 11pm for dine-in and take-away at Al Muneera and Al Mamoura, Abu Dhabi; from 9am for take-away and from iftar for dine-in and take-away at Al Manara and Al Safa, Dubai; 24 hours at Dusit Thani Dubai; from 5pm to iftar for take-away and iftar to 3am for dine-in and take-away at Flag Island, Sharjah, www.facebook.com/JonestheGrocer
Dubai
Art exhibition
See the exhibition A Fast, Moving Sky. It features works curated by Dexter Wimberly that reflect the African diaspora. The four artists chosen to participate come from vastly different parts of the world, but are all connected through the theme. They present works that exemplify the complexity of the phenomenon, illustrating how ideas, aesthetics and people are constantly in a flux. Pictured: Crashing Drone II by Rushern Baker
Daily until July 25, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed on Fridays), The Third Line, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 341 1367, www.thethirdline.com
Dubai
Iftar offer
Qasr Al Sultan has a special iftar and suhoor offer. It features an enchanting ambience that reflects the splendour of a sultan’s palace, and immerses guests in the warmth of Arabian hospitality. Enjoy iftar with hot and cold mezzes, roasted lamb ouzi and shawarma, along with a dessert counter and homemade ice cream. Arabic singers and oud players will entertain throughout iftar. Suhour features a set menu of Arabic snacks and wholesome soups. Plus, visit the traditional souq and shisha terrace while children will enjoy the games and play area.
From sunset to 9pm for iftar, Dh195; 10pm to 2am for suhour, Dh150, 50 per cent discount for children ages 6 to 12; free for children ages 5 and younger, Qasr Al Sultan, near Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai, www.qasralsultan.ae
Dubai
Family fun
Dubai Ice Rink and VRZoo have teamed up to bring a special offer for family fun that includes an ice-skating session and an immersive, virtual experience with animals. Have a skate around the cool Dubai Ice Rink, then delve into a 360-degree virtual world featuring live-action endangered species, including dugongs, African elephants and meercats on the VRZoo at Dubai Aquarium.
Available until Wednesday, Dh110, Dubai Ice Rink, ground floor, The Dubai Mall, 04 448 5111, www.dubaiicerink.com
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
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.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
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The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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).
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
