UAE residents have proven to be quite creative in the present circumstances.
Those living in cities such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, have gained popularity by showcasing their talents, including the balcony musicians, bedroom DJs and of course, the odd bag pipe player.
Now, two of Dubai's leading performance venues want you to display your talent to rest of the country through separate online talent quests.
With Dubai Opera and Coca-Cola Arena both temporarily shut as a health precaution against the coronavirus, the venues are taking the show online, so to speak.
From singers and musicians to stand-up comedians, the competitions aim to unearth hidden talents from within the UAE, while at the same time spreading some good cheer during these challenging times. Here are the details for both initiatives.
#Fromhometostage by Dubai Opera
Ever fancy setting foot on Dubai Opera’s hallowed stage, not as part of a tour, but as an actual performer?
Well, the venue is offering just that through its social media competition. Running until Saturday, April 18, contestants aged 12 years and above are invited to submit a pre-recorded 90-second video via their Instagram account showcasing their talent. All you need to do is use the hashtag #FromHometoStage.
Two winners will be chosen with different prizes up for grabs. One will get the rare opportunity to be an opening act for an upcoming Dubai Opera concert. The second winner will get a chance to hold a one-hour performance at the venue's intimate Dubai Opera Studio stage. The allocation of the prize will be decided by the venue. More information can be found at www.dubaiopera.com
Be Live in Dubai by Coca-Cola Arena
With no concerts on the horizon, Coca-Cola Arena still wants us to rock out. This talent quest, running throughout April, is open to talents who want to display their skills in music, dance, comedy, or even sport.
All you have to is upload a video on your Instagram and tag @cocacolarena alongside the hashtag #beliveinDubai. Coca-Cola Arena will choose the best videos to repost on its own Instagram page. Check out the venue's Instagram account for more details.
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
