Somewhere around our third or fourth visit to a hotel opening in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, we noticed a pattern. Each time we asked who was behind the colossal modernist chandeliers and dazzling lighting sculptures, the answer came back, "Lasvit".
This collective of Czech lighting designers produces some seriously impressive bespoke pieces that take weeks to delicately ship here, then several more weeks to carefully install. In the capital, you can see their work in the lobbies, restaurants and bars of the Hyatt Capital Gate, Jumeirah Etihad Towers and the Rocco Forte. In Dubai, they can be spied on the ceilings of the Ritz Carlton, Meydan and Pullman.
Those magnificent, opulent chandeliers suspended above you on the Dubai Metro? Lasvit.
Each element of every Lasvit fitting is handblown, following, preserving and enhancing the thousand-year-old Bohemian tradition of glassmaking. The techniques and skills have been passed down through generations, and, together with Lasvit's partnerships with cutting-edge designers, result in wonderful pieces of sculptural art.
Beautiful, powerful and mesmerising, they're currently our favourite local thing to check out. Next time you're out, remember to look up.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
