UAE-based singers, actors, poets, filmmakers and musicians are encouraged to take part in The Dream Players talent competition, auditions for which are being held tomorrow.
Only six finalists can go through to the September competition, to perform on stage during the opening show for the new season. The finalists will show off their skills in front of a live audience and a panel of industry judges for the chance to become the next Dream Player.
Since launching last January, three winners have been chosen. The first, Rebecca Morrison, was asked to be a model for an Emirati fashion designer, followed by Osama El Kamel, a singer who attracted the attention of an Emirati music producer, and the third was Christopher Roebuck, who could well be on his way to Broadway, according to Sana Bagersh, the executive producer of The Dream Players.
“We are excited because we are inundated with audition requests and we are getting amazing talent. There are people here just waiting to be discovered and we hope to provide the first stage of recognition,” says Bagersh.
From September onwards, the competition will be a monthly event, where each six finalists will be offered photo shoots and composition cards used as résumés for performing arts professionals.
“The winner will receive more publicity and a custom-made logo. We try to represent different talents and we have had dancers, poets, rappers and guitarists, for example,” says Bagersh. “In December, we are holding a grand competition that will feature all the previous winners.”
More than 40 people of all ages and nationalities are expected to audition.
"This is truly representative of the UAE, and we are delighted to be offering these performers the opportunity to achieve their dreams," she says. "This is a community event."
Auditions will be held on Wednesday from 3pm to 6pm at the Innovation@Work Hall behind Al Nahyan Camp on Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi. Those who want to audition must register at www.thedreamplayers.com. The team will then reply to them with further details about the audition and location
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
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The biog
Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.
Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.
Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.
Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
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World Cup League Two
Results
Oman beat Nepal by 18 runs
Oman beat United States by six wickets
Nepal beat United States by 35 runs
Oman beat Nepal by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Oman v United States
Wednesday, Nepal v United States
The years Ramadan fell in May
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
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