• You are free to share what’s on your mind at a Sunrise Nation gathering.
    You are free to share what’s on your mind at a Sunrise Nation gathering.
  • The early morning revellers called Sunrisers fill the A4 space and repurpose it as dance floor.
    The early morning revellers called Sunrisers fill the A4 space and repurpose it as dance floor.
  • DJ’s Mohammed Abood and James Locksmith supply the beats.
    DJ’s Mohammed Abood and James Locksmith supply the beats.
  • A 'Sunriser' does the Limbo as fellow dancers watch on.
    A 'Sunriser' does the Limbo as fellow dancers watch on.
  • Sunrisers dance to their hearts content before facing another day.
    Sunrisers dance to their hearts content before facing another day.
  • Finding a unique vantage point from where to dispense 'liquid wishes'.
    Finding a unique vantage point from where to dispense 'liquid wishes'.
  • Some prefer a different approach to early morning fitness activities with trampolines as their method of expression.
    Some prefer a different approach to early morning fitness activities with trampolines as their method of expression.
  • A sunriser finds balance during a yoga pose while the DJ’s continue to pump bright dance music into the morning air.
    A sunriser finds balance during a yoga pose while the DJ’s continue to pump bright dance music into the morning air.
  • Expression comes in many forms as gatherers take to the dance floor.
    Expression comes in many forms as gatherers take to the dance floor.
  • Francesca Carlson, an aerial performer, shows off her talents to the crowd.
    Francesca Carlson, an aerial performer, shows off her talents to the crowd.
  • A couple practising Acrobatic Yoga shares a gentle balance while the crowd carries on.
    A couple practising Acrobatic Yoga shares a gentle balance while the crowd carries on.
  • An artist sketches a temporary wall mural while a plug and play kaleidoscope shines it’s watchful coloured eyes on her work.
    An artist sketches a temporary wall mural while a plug and play kaleidoscope shines it’s watchful coloured eyes on her work.
  • One of the first participants to arrive inflates a beach ball while waiting for the morning to start.
    One of the first participants to arrive inflates a beach ball while waiting for the morning to start.

Dubai’s early risers dance from dawn

Mark Asquith

September 28, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

At a time when most of us are still staggering around bleary eyed and sipping on that first cup of coffee, a particularly dedicated type of Dubai partygoer is hitting the dance floor.

Sunrise Nation is an event that takes place between the hours of six and nine. That’s AM, not PM.

Among the early risers for last week’s Sunrise Nation was The National’s Antonie Robertson, who captures the party spirit as the day begins.

“It’s not often that one gets the chance to document a group of people who are so dedicated to their cause,” he says. “Willing individuals who are happy to sacrifice the hours of sleep mere mortals are ever hesitant to relinquish. This always provides great visual opportunities that allow for creative framing and timing.

Held in the Al Quoz industrial area, revellers gathered at the A4 Space ready to dance from dawn. According to the organisers, Rasha Gebran, Alamira Reem Alayedrous and Tamara Ghazi, this is a “transcendent morning party” with an emphasis on fitness that might include trampolines, a conga line and limbo dancing.

The most recent party was the fifth this year and attracted more than a 100 people despite the unsocial hour.

More on this story
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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