The singer Diana Haddad will give a free concert in Fujairah on Friday, October 31. She will take the stage in the northern emirate’s City Centre as part of the venue’s regular series of special musical performances. The UAE pop-star Shamma Hamdan performed at a previous event at the venue in May. The Lebanese-born Haddad, who has Emirati citizenship, has been performing for 25 years and has released more than 10 albums. Known for her eclectic style, ranging from Lebanese folk songs to Khaleeji and pop, Haddad is also a seasoned live performer. She will take the stage at 8.30pm.- The National staff
Jazz star Herbie Hancock honoured
The legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock has received a lifetime achievement award from the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) at a benefit concert at New York City's Apollo Theater. Introducing Hancock at Friday night's show, the actor Bruce Willis offered a glance at "the future of jazz" as he brought out an 11-year-old Indonesian piano prodigy Joey Alexander to play a solo rendition of Thelonious Monk's Round Midnight. "When I was 8 years old, you heard me playing," Alexander told Hancock, who was standing alongside him. "You told me that you believed in me and that was the day I decided to dedicate my childhood to jazz." The tribute also featured a historic reunion, for the first time in decades, of Hancock's groundbreaking jazz-fusion Mwandishi band from the early 1970s – with the pianist joining Bennie Maupin, Julian Priester, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart and Buster Williams to play his composition Toys. The Great Night in Harlem concert raised funds for the JFA, which provides emergency financial assistance and free medical care to musicians facing illness, hunger or eviction. The Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White also received an honorary award for a band that "changed the shape of R&B". – AP
Disney’s magic hat to disappear
Disney is making the sorcerer's hat disappear from its Hollywood Studios resort in Florida. The company said the giant blue display will be replaced next year. The hat greeted fans who entered the park and was inspired by a story in the classic 1940 Disney film Fantasia, in which the sorcerer's apprentice Mickey Mouse steals the hat and disaster ensues. Disney unveiled the hat in 2001 in honour of the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth. Disney has yet to say what will replace the hat. – AP
Dolce and Gabbana cleared of tax fraud
The Italian supreme court has overturned fraud convictions and 18-month jail terms against the celebrated fashion duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. “We have always been honest and we are extremely proud of this recognition by the Italian court of justice. Viva l’Italia,” the fashion house chiefs said. In April, an Italian appeals court upheld a guilty verdict against Dolce and Gabbana for evading €200million (Dh930m) in taxes. Dolce and Gabbana had been accused of transferring control of their brands to a shell company in Luxembourg in 2004 and 2005 to avoid paying Italian taxes. They were found guilty in June last year and given jail sentences, which they appealed. On Friday, the supreme court annulled the conviction, saying that the prosecution’s case was “unfounded”. – AFP
