Hey. Well we need a thread for the latest events, whatever they may be. I thought we had a thread before but I was wrong. To start off, it looks like the serious party days are coming back:

Ibiza coming to Bahrain...

DON'T panic if you can't make it to Ibiza this summer - Ibiza is coming to Bahrain. Nine DJs who together hold the Saturday night residency at Space, one of the party island's most famous clubs, are bringing the sounds of the sunshine isle to Manama.

They will play at The Massive Summer Party 2006, which will take the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre by storm on June 15.

Included in the line-up are The Preacher (Rubik's Cube) and his partner in crime, legendary percussionist Pedro Garcia, along with show dancers from Ibiza.

The venue will be transformed into a clubber's paradise with three dance floors offering a selection of the best music from Ibiza.

The main room will feature The Preacher (Rubik's Cube) and Pedro Garcia playing Balearic beats, house and funky house, while the other dance floors will be jamming with urban vibes like R&B, hip-hop, ragga, reggae and for the first time in Bahrain - drum and bass.

There will be a VIP section upstairs overlooking the main dance floor and VIP guests will also have a dance floor of their own, as well as a chillout lounge with a private DJ playing just for them.

The event is being put together by Warren Stalls, who has masterminded the Bahrain album launches for clubs as big as Buddha Bar, Hotel Costes and Café del Mar.

"Bahrain has never seen anything quite like this before," he said. "Prepare to be amazed - this will be the party to end all other parties."

The nine DJs all play at the Balearic People night at club Space, which is renowned for its uplifting beats and infamous foam parties.

Rubik's has been voted one of the best DJs in Ibiza and was nominated two years in a row by DJ Magazine as the Best Resident DJ in Ibiza in 2003 and 2004. He tours internationally with Space and has played in some of the world's most prestigious clubs.

His style ranges from house and tech house to tribal, deep and funky house. He's also into minimal and electro - making him a versatile international artist. The Massive Summer Party 2006 is open to over-20s only and tickets cost BD7 before 11pm, BD10 afterwards and BD40 for VIP passes - which includes welcome drinks. For more information, call Warren on 39154801.

Paris-based DJ plays a music mix

FRENCH DJ Fafa Monteco will be spinning the discs at Likwid, City Centre Hotel, Manama, tomorrow night.

Fafa - born in 1968 in Lyon, south of France, and raised in Marseille - is now based in Paris. The artist began to make a name for himself in the 1980s when he was presenting a show on a Riviera radio station, mixing funk, disco, hip-hop and dance music.

His Mastermix Show ended at the beginning of the 1990s, when Fafa decided to get into the Techno Movement, organising and promoting rave parties.

His career took off in 2000 with the release of Lucky Star, under the alias of 'Superfunk', which sold one million singles worldwide.

Fafa's solo productions and remixes that followed showed his real talent in deeper sounds, and quickly big names like Depeche Mode, Moby, Cerrone, Shirley Bassey and Omar asked Fafa to collaborate with them.

Fafa also plays in the most famous clubs of the world, cementing a reputation of a jack-of-all-trades DJ, playing the finest in Deep-Techy House, Electro, Techno and All-Time Classics.

This weekend, Fafa is to show his moves to fans in Bahrain. He performs at 11pm sharp. Prior to this, resident DJ Mr K kicks off at 10pm.

Tickets are BD5 at the door and BD3 for ladies and Likwid ID holders. For more information, visit likwid.net or contact Arun at 36766627.

This is great, I think it's worth a visit if you're in the country:

Brainy way to avoid stress

A SEMINAR aimed at increasing self-esteem, harnessing motivation, improving skills to identify and avoid stress - and improve eyesight - is taking place in Bahrain today.

Rita Edwards, a trainer from South Africa who is a faculty mentor for the Brain Gym Middle East Network, will lead the Natural Vision and Learning event at the Hawar Ballroom in the Novotel Al Dana Resort.

She will focus on the so-called dynamic brain theory concocted by Brain Gym and Vision Gym founder Paul Dennison, who claims that people with bad eyesight do not need glasses for it to be improved.

Research apparently shows that less than 10 per cent of our vision comes from the eyes and it is, in fact, the brain that interprets what we see through integration with other senses. Ms Edwards will discuss the physical aspects of the brain as well as its emotional, mental and spiritual aspects during the event that starts from 6pm.

Another really hot event if you're into salsa (I know I am)


Salsa stars to sizzle...

SALSA fever is all set to grip the nation, as two of the world's best performers heat up the dance floor next month. Workshops, private lessons, competitions and a grand dance party featuring the reigning World Salsa Champions Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroitor have been lined up to be held on June 13, 14 and 15.

Only a very limited number of spaces are left for the Salsa workshops being organised as part of the first international Latin dance event in Bahrain.

The workshops, being held at Garden City in Budaiya and Club Seven at Mishal Hotel in Manama, will be held in all three days.

The June 13 and 15 workshops are being held at Garden City from 7pm and 3pm respectively, while the June 14 workshop is already sold out.

The June 14 workshop will begin at 7pm at Club Seven prior to the start of the Bahrain First International Baile Latino 2006.

The workshop with the world champions are BD28 per couple and BD15 per person.

Organisers told the GDN that private lessons with Oliver and Luda are available and can be scheduled by calling Celi Fonseca on 39676349 or e-mailing latindance@salsabahrain.com.

Oliver is Sydney's only two-time World Salsa Champion having recently won the 2005 World Salsa Championships in Nevada, Las Vegas.

Of Chilean descent, the dancer is one of Australia's undisputed talents.

His dance style and teaching methods make him one of the most admired and sought-after instructors.

Oliver's partner Luda, originally from Russia, also holds the Word Salsa Championship title.

As children, Luda and Oliver were paired in a Lambada Club in Australia "because they were the smallest in the class". They've been dancing together ever since.

Other major contests they won include the 2001 IDO World Salsa Championship.

The Bahrain festival also includes a competition for all Salsa enthusiasts, which Oliver and Luda will be judging.

Open to amateur dancers of all ages and nationalities, the deadline for entering this contest is June 10 at 5pm. The categories are Salsa Freestyle for beginners and improvers, Intermediate and Advanced.

Application forms have been sent out by organisers to various dance schools in the country.

Tickets for the June 14 show, priced at BD20 (VIP) and BD10 (in advance), are selling fast.

If not sold out by the night of the event, tickets priced at BD12 will be available at the door. The party is set to start at 9.30pm.

Tickets are available from Club Seven, Likwid and SalsaBahrain.com.

Gulf Air is the official carrier and Mishal is the official hotel.

Other sponsors include Garden City, Coca-Cola, Gulf Weekly, Heineken, Bahrain Confidential, Fashion Brazil, Viva Magazine and Ehsan Optics.

Singers tuning up for concert

THE Manama Singers are geared up to present their most ambitious concert to date this weekend.

The popular group will be joined by ranks of professional opera singers from Portugal, France and the UK, as well as specialist musicians from Germany, Norway, the UK and Egypt.

Other orchestra members hail from Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

The Verdi Requiem will be performed for one night only on Friday at the Art's Centre near the Bahrain National Museum, Manama, starting at 7.30pm.

Admission is free.

The group's musical director Alistair Auld said the Verdi Requiem was a huge undertaking with no fewer than 160 performers, and over half of them live in Bahrain.

"The event is a truly international occasion and a unique one as this will be the first Verdi Requiem ever performed in Bahrain and probably the Middle East," he said.

The singers have been rehearsing for weeks now and will have just two days of rehearsals prior to the concert to fine-tune their singing with the visiting choirs, orchestra and soloists.

Visiting soprano Katy Tansey is an experienced and talented singer who studied at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Guest contralto Juliana Mauger began her musical education in her native Brazil. She now lives in Portugal where she sings with the Gulbenkian Choir.

Last year, Juliana made her debut with the National Opera of Portugal singing the role of Flora in Verdi's La Traviata. She will travel from Portugal especially to sing with the Manama Singers.

Tenor soloist Clifford Lister studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and enjoys a busy schedule as a soloist, musical director and teacher.

He also sings with the Westminster Cathedral Choir with whom he regularly broadcasts for radio and TV.

Frenchman Bernard Polisset singing the bass solo completes the soloists' line-up.

The performance of the Verdi Requiem is a tremendous opportunity for music lovers to enjoy a concert of a major work normally only accessible in the major western cities, said organisers. Main sponsors of the event are Business Communication Services, British Airways, Viacloud and BAE Systems.

There is a lot goin on at the moment:

British trio to raise a laugh

THREE British comedians take centre stage at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel's next Comedy Club.

A television actor from the hit show Only Fools and Horses, an Irish-Welsh-English comedian and a film trailer and television commercial editor by day and stand-up comic by night are to star in the June 21 show at the hotel's Skylight Lounge in Manama.

Harvey Oliver is new to the comedy club circuit but not new to comedy.

Starring under a different name (as Jeff Stevenson in fact), Harvey played the so-called mainstream circuit and appeared in many TV situation comedies including Only Fools and Horses, until 1999 when he admittedly "got bored".

Always a fan of alternative comedy, Harvey signed up for a stand-up course at the Cosmic Comedy Club in Hammersmith in the UK hoping to reinvent himself and perform on the comedy club circuit performing his own material rather than "a man walked into a pub jokes".

Within weeks, Harvey was performing open mikes and half spots at comedy clubs all over the UK and Ireland.

Soon he was appearing on the Jongleurs circuit as well as The Cosmic, Up the Creek, Downstairs at the Kings Head, The Bearcat, The Comedy Café and later at The Glee Clubs, The Hyena and The Comedy Store.

Now after five years on the circuit, Jeff and Harvey work alongside each other. The term mid-streamer has been used for Harvey or Jeff as the diary is full of gigs from both circuits.

This makes Jeff Stevenson or Harvey Oliver one of the most flexible comics in the business.

Jack Cowley is considered as the "laid back comedian" in the UK.

His sophisticated jokes often boast two or three punch lines, each funnier than the last.

Jack's set is a mix of the physical and the cerebral, the profane and the profound. He has a drama degree and onstage he has been described as a pacing, physical performer, expressive and charmingly confident.

Born in Wales to Irish parents who raised him Surrey, he has a fascinating pedigree and clearly enjoys playing around with different stereotypes, both religious and social.

He was brought up as a Catholic "so much guilt, so little time to feel bad" and his storytelling ability is classic Irish with the surreal twist, which keeps the laughter coming.

Jack has performed all over the UK and as far afield as Bali and Dubai.

This will be his first visit to Bahrain.

James Branch has been doing stand up comedy since 2003 and has never looked back.

Actually, he has looked back several times, especially when driving.

Born and bred in Slough, he spent his teens in Exeter and then film school in London.

"I have spent most of my life on the M4," he joked.

This has prepared him perfectly for life as a comedian.

By day, he earns a living as an editor of movie trailers and TV commercials and also does a voice over work.

And by day he gigs regularly all over the UK. The monthly Fosters Comedy Club is sponsored by British Airways.

Tickets for the show are priced at BD5 from Fiddler's Green or BD6 at the door. Doors open at 8pm. For more information, contact the hotel on 17531666.

http://www.springofculture.org/

I really do love this festival. It truly has the potential to become a world class event, and a fantastic platform for talented Bahrainis.

Article of AMEinfo:
Bahrain announces Spring of Culture Festival 2010 programme
http://www.ameinfo.com/224117.html

Bahrain has today launched the programme for its Spring of Culture Festival 2010, which begins on 1 March and extends until 31 March. It is the fifth occasion of the annual event that combines the best in international arts with the Kingdom's own rich cultural heritage.

This year, the Spring of Culture Festival 2010 will include performances from Grammy Award-winning Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall; Omar Bashir, son of Munir Bashir - one of the most famous 20th century musicians in the Middle East and one of the first Arabian instrumentalists known to Europe and America; Mohammed Abdou; the Italian Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio's multicultural version of Mozart's The Magic Flute; vocalist sisters Trio Tomb's concert of Arabic and Lebanese song; and Bale de Rua, featuring Afro-Brazilian music.

The family-orientated programme will also feature many more performers and artists from the fields of the visual arts, music and theatre. An expanded educational programme of seminars, lectures and workshops will, this year, also include "The Spring of Culture Talent Programme", through which industry experts will motivate young people to participate. In addition, this year's education agenda will also give members of the audience the opportunity to go backstage and learn more through a series of workshops. The event has something for everyone, including tourists from the region and beyond according to Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB). Spring of Culture 2010 is organised by the Economic Development Board in collaboration with Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, Sector 0f Culture and National Heritage, Al Bareh Art Gallery and Al Riwaq Art Space.

"Each year, the Spring of Culture Festival showcases the Kingdom's finest cultural locations alongside a programme of international appearances. In 2010, a focus on inspiring children and youth reflects our wider efforts to nurture the potential of our growing young population. Our rich history and culture is at the heart of what makes our country so attractive to international business and tourism alike, both playing a key role in achieving the ambitions of our Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy."

Bahrain's Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy are designed to drive the private sector as an engine for growth, support further diversification of the economy and ultimately elevate national living standards by creating greater opportunities for Bahrainis.

Bahrain has been particularly active in protecting its cultural heritage to allow visitors a journey through the Kingdom's historical sites. Manama's Souq has been famous for hundreds of years; Qalat Arad (Arad Fort) dates back to the 15th Century; Qalat al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) - once capital of the ancient Dilum civilisation - is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Bahrain National Museum displays archaeological artefacts spanning 6000 years of Bahrain's history; and a restoration programme on the island of Muharraq - former capital of Bahrain - aims to preserve the Kingdom's pearling heritage. This "heritage tourism" is part of a tourism sector that today represents about 10 percent of GDP for the most diversified economy in the Gulf.

In 2011, Bahrain will host the first regional summit in 12 years of the world heritage arm of UNESCO, which recently chose the Kingdom as its headquarters for the Arab world.

Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre Board of Trustees, added, "This festival presents Bahrain's interest in cultural development by bringing to light its most talented youngsters and introducing them to the most renowned performers of the festival who share the common vision of promoting cultural understanding to every world citizen."

I love it too.. One of the few festivals bahrain got right...

I attended 2 or 3 events in the past couple of years..!

Too bad i wont be around for any of the events this year...

What bothers me is, if theyre going to keep on having this festival... Build a big grand proper National Opera House or Theatre!!

To answer myself :)

يقع شمال بحيرة المتحف الوطني بمساحة 11.869 متراً مربعاً
الأشغال تطرح قريباً مناقصة مشروع لإنشاء المسرح الوطني

http://www.alayam.com/Issue/7624/Articles/images/p7-2.jpg
رسم تخيلي للمسرح الوطني

تطرح وزارة الأشغال خلال الأيام القادمة مناقصة مشروع المسرح الوطني والذي سيكون معلماً حضارياً بارزاً في مملكة
البحرين وعلى مستوى المنطقة.
وسيتم دعوة المقاولين المصنفين كفئة (AA) لأعمال القائمة المعتمدة في وزارة الأشغال، بالإضافة إلى توقيع العقد معهم ومن المقرر إنشاء المشروع شمال بحيرة المتحف الوطني على مساحة قدرها 11,869 متراً مربعاً.
ويتجلى الهدف من إنشاء المشروع في استخدامه خلال المناسبات المحلية والعالمية المختلفة من عروض موسيقية وثقافية وغيرها، حيث روعي في التصميم أن تتسع القاعة الرئيسية للمسرح لجمهور يصل إلى 1000 متفرج .
أما فيما يتعلق بمنصة (خشبة) المسرح، فإن تصميمها من شأنه أن يتيح المجال أمام استضافة مختلف أنواع الحفلات الموسيقية، كالأوركسترا، وأنماط أخرى من العروض الموسيقية، إلى جانب ذلك، فسوف يتم بناء قاعة أخرى تتسع لمائة شخص، سيتم تخصيصها لأغراض التدريب وتغطية المناسبات البسيطة واستضافة ورش العمل المختلفة.
وتمّ تصميم مدخل المسرح بحيث يخدم عدة أغراض إلى جانب الدور الذي يلعبه كاستراحة واسعة تعتبر كنقطة تجمّع للجمهور قبل بدء العروض المختلفة داخل قاعات العرض، كما سيكون هناك مطعم (كافيتريا) متصل بقاعة الاستراحة. وتشتمل المرافق الثانوية الأخرى على غرف تبديل للفنانين وغرف لتخزين الأدوات.
وسيجهز المسرح بأحدث أنظمة وتجهيزات الإضاءة والصوت والأنظمة البصرية ذات التقنية العالية. أما فيما يتعلق بالتجهيزات الأخرى، فسوف تكون هناك مواقف للسيارات تتسع لـ 280 سيارة، إلى جانب المواقف الحالية لمتحف البحرين الوطني. هذا إلى جانب الأعمال الأخرى كتطوير واجهة بحيرة المتحف وأعمال التشجير والتزيين.
وتجدر الإشارة إلى أنّ أعمال التصميم العمراني قد أوكلت إلى الشركة الفرنسية Architecture Studio فيما يتولى مهمة الإشراف على المشروع W.S Atkins and Partners Overseas. ومن المقرر أن يبدأ العمل على المشروع في شهر يونيو من العام الجاري وينتهي خلال فترة زمنية تصل إلى سنتين.


I think we had a thread about this, need to dig it up.. I think it was supposed to be located near the museum, with a possible design from Zaha Hadid..?

Anyways.. Either way.. Its great news :)

^^ Done, but you have to redo the title of the thread

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=562417

The Zaha Hadid design is for the contemporary art museum not the theatre

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=496054

Just an update on the Spring of Culture, I heard from many people that "My Dream" (the Chinese show by deaf/blind people) was a great! The people I heard from were amazed.

Cool.. Good to know its off to a good start.. :)

Bahrain will be featured on CNN all of next week, starting tomorrow... on Quest..

Should be interesting..

Ubs5ja6XVMk

Just an update on the Spring of Culture, I heard from many people that "My Dream" (the Chinese show by deaf/blind people) was a great! The people I heard from were amazed.
^^ yeah, I was there ....
It was AMAZING :banana:

This was in there :
I6Jn58bPcAI

Another personal update on the Spring of Culture:
I attended the Diana Krall concert and it was superb. The weather was class and the whole evening was nice. Throughout the concert I remember Mrs. Krall saying she'd love to stay some more in Bahrain...

I heard it was slightly dull.. But glad it was a success overall.. And yes, i have no doubt the weather was amazing.. :)

No it wasnt dull at all. But keep in mind, some people find listening to jazz concerts overall dull so maybe that has something to do with it. The general reception was that she was a top class singer/pianist. Her backup band were great too. I dont think there was an empty seat. The only negative thing was getting there, as the traffic leading up to the fort was unbelievable and many people decided to get out and walk to it. Traffic coming back home was bad too...

Another update on Spring of Culture; Bale De Rua:

I attended the thursday show and it was spectacular! Truly superb, everyone was amazed. It was more lively then Diana Krall and had more audience interaction, but I enjoyed both the same.

Just a bit of news...
I recently heard the the Nuwab want to question Shaikha Mai for overspending on the Spring of Culture....its a shame if they do. She deserves praise for her efforts as its Bahrain's top festival.

Just a bit of news...
I recently heard the the Nuwab want to question Shaikha Mai for overspending on the Spring of Culture....its a shame if they do. She deserves praise for her efforts as its Bahrain's top festival.
F**K THEM ALL .... :bash:

They're ridic.. Either investigating 'immorality' in the events (remember the Spring of Sex Saga), or now this... Its like they're anti-culture or something...

Never trust bearded guys.. :)

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/4208/socratesn.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/i/socratesn.jpg/)
Socrates

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/897/williamshakespeare2.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/williamshakespeare2.jpg/)
Shakespeare

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4300/charlesdarwin.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/charlesdarwin.jpg/)
Darwin

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1315/abrahamlincoln.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/abrahamlincoln.jpg/)
Lincoln

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/7879/steven20spielberg2011.jpg (http://img243.imageshack.us/i/steven20spielberg2011.jpg/)
Spielberg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3074/g213144u59555stevejobs4.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/g213144u59555stevejobs4.jpg/)
Jobs

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5912/beardclooney453.jpg (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/beardclooney453.jpg/)
Clooney

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2419/chucknorris002thumb400xy.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/i/chucknorris002thumb400xy.jpg/)
Chuck Norris!

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3466/gandalf775126.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/gandalf775126.jpg/)
Gandalf

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2620/santaclauskz.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/santaclauskz.jpg/)
Santa


:| lol

Clooney, Norris, Jobs, are fine.. 'normal' beards :)

They rest belong to a different era.. so it doesn't count/matter..

And santa.. Never really trusted him.. Not since i turned 10 at least :)

Yes To Shaikha Mai Al Khalifa

http://www11.0zz0.com/2010/03/28/12/954045868.jpg (http://www.0zz0.com)

http://www6.0zz0.com/2010/03/28/12/932084291.jpg (http://www.0zz0.com)

http://www6.0zz0.com/2010/03/28/12/942474165.jpg (http://www.0zz0.com)