Alserkal Avenue in the Al Quoz area of Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National
Alserkal Avenue in the Al Quoz area of Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National

A guide to navigating Galleries Night at Alserkal Avenue



On Monday, for the third time since the beginning of the season, the galleries in Alserkal Avenue are coordinating their openings to bring us a jam-packed, art-filled evening.

However, getting around the 13 art galleries, plus a fashion outlet and an independent music venue, in the three winding passageways that form Alserkal Avenue in only three hours takes bit of strategic planning. Here are my tips on how to do it.

Come alone or with one carefully selected friend

Although viewing several art exhibitions can seem like a social affair, Galleries Night is not the kind of place to go with your girlfriends for a night out. The most important thing to remember is that you need to cover a lot of ground – and unless you are prepared to carry a yellow flag and lead your friends with military precision, I suggest going it alone. If you have a like-minded buddy who is willing to keep up the pace, that’s a great option because, really, art is better shared.

Plan your time

Covering 15 outlets in three hours means that you have only 12 minutes in each one – less than that when you factor in the time to get from one to another. Doesn’t sound like much when you break it down like that, does it? Now you know why I am stressing the issue of timing and staying focused so much.

Don’t get caught in conversation

The key to a good Galleries Night is not to do too much talking. This can be a challenge because the event happens only three times a year and that means that most of the art crowd is out in force. Therefore, it can be the one occasion where you bump into someone you haven’t seen in ages and, naturally, you will want to stop and say hi. However, remember that the art clock is ticking. You need to master the art of greeting someone and moving on in the same breath. If you want to chat to them more, arrange to catch up over dinner later in the night.

Wear flat shoes

This is not DIFC, this is dusty Al Quoz – and veterans in the field will know that only well-worn flats will do for Galleries Night. Now, one of the events tonight will be The Cartel capsule collection launch so, ladies, we know you want to look your best. A great tip is to carry your heels with you in your bag.

Then you can slip them on for the fashion show and, if you want to hit the town afterwards or catch up over dinner with that long-lost friend, you are also good to go.

Schedule regular refreshment breaks – but keep them short

A perk of the evening is that many galleries will have a selection of nibbles and goodies for you to munch on. As the event runs from 6 to 9pm, these come in very handy as this coincides with what is generally considered the normal time for dinner. But you need to spread these visits strategically across the evening.

My proposed route

The natural layout of Alserkal Avenue will guide you through the evening, but here is my basic plan. Start with Lawrie Shabibi – it is the first gallery on the first row and not only is the art really strong but they usually have a good selection of drinks, so refresh yourself there. Then move through the first row. Salsali Private Museum and Ayyam are the two biggest galleries on the avenue, so you may want to allow a little extra time for those.

After Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde and Satellite, you will definitely need a short refreshment break, so make sure to pop into A4 community space.

They usually have live music and will be giving out free popcorn, so this is the perfect place to take stock of all the art you have already seen.

On the second row, Green Art Gallery and Grey Noise will present deep-thinking shows, so you will want to visit these first before moving on to FN Designs, which usually focuses on street art presented in a light-hearted manner, and then design gallery La Galerie Nationale for a change of pace.

This month, Mojo has art by children with special needs, so this will also provide a different taste for the art palette and transfer you nicely around the corner to enter the third row.

By this point, you are in the home straight. Only three galleries remain and they are so varied that it makes for a great finale.

Carbon 12 will offer conceptual art, Gulf Photo Plus brings you top-quality photography from across the region and, finally, Showcase usually has art with an African undercurrent and a heavy focus on tangible and sculptural art.

Showcase also always presents a delicious array of cheese on their central table so, like a good meal, this is the ideal way to wrap up the evening.

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Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

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Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

FIXTURES

All games 6pm UAE on Sunday: 
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa

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A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

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SPECS
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Director Ashutosh Gowariker

Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment

Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman

Rating 3 /stars

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel

A cheaper choice

Vanuatu: $130,000

Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.

Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.

Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.

Benefits:  No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

RESULTS

6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).

7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
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8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:

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Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
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Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

THE SPECS

Touareg Highline

Engine: 3.0-litre, V6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 340hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh239,312

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.