Sports
Green firms miffed at being shown the exit
Green firms miffed at being shown the exit Staff Reporter / 4 October 2013 Thirty-five exhibitors of ‘green companies’ who had come together to promote eco-friendly products at a mall in Dubai were allegedly shown the door by a manager. Ten days ago it was confirmed that Goumbook — an online green business directory in the Middle East — would host the event called Future Green for the fourth consecutive year. Goumbook had partnered with the mall to host Future Green 2013 on Thursday and today. The Eco-friendly products that were on display before the exhibitors were asked to leave the mall. — Supplied photo Future Green is an exhibition designed to promote environmental awareness and eco-friendly products and services, supporting eco-wise consumer behaviour and sustainable living in the UAE. This event had 35 exhibitors for two hours on day one before the chaos started. Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Owner and Managing Director at Goumbook-your green connection, said: “It was him, one person who insulted us, called this ‘worse than a carboot sale in the UK’, and said to the exhibitors that your products are not up to the standard to be sold in a mall.” The art and craft products up on display, as well as all other products and exhibitors were selected by Goumbook and were certified eco-friendly products and services covering different categories, including Food & Beverage, Home & Garden, Health & Wellbeing, Beauty, Business & Technology, and Environmental Science. The exhibitors were doing good business in the two hours that they were up for. The suppliers told Abella they were selling their wares even a little while after the tables were taken away. The manager was, however, not available for comments. One company, ‘6 am Babies’, wrote online: “Very disappointed that the Future Green event was cancelled midway due to management’s last-minute change of heart! Thank you for Goumbook-your green connection for handling it very professionally … we look forward to joining you in the next event you organise! The power of social media kicked in when the manager came back and told Tatiana she could have her stalls back if the tweets stopped. “But he did not apologise,” she said. And so a two-day event that had gathered publicity in the last fortnight and won the support of three dozen exhibitors was unceremoniously canned. A lady was stranded at the mall with her wares, as her husband from Ras Al Khaimah had planned to pick her up only later in the evening. — nivriti@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Dubai keen on promoting cultural values and art
Dubai keen on promoting cultural values and art Staff Reporter / 4 October 2013 The country is keen to promote cultural values and art among its people, speakers at a recent discussion said. More studies and research are needed on how to implement the process. Dr Mohammed Al Murr, leading Emirati Author, Speaker and Member of the Federal National Council, speaking at the fourth session of the Dubai Partnership Agenda (DPA) said education should cover areas such as urban architecture, literature and fine art. DPA was launched in 2010 by the General Secretariat of the Executive Council with the encouragement and endorsement of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai and under the directives of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Chairman of the Executive Council. Al Murr said: “The recommendations that will be put forward from the session are numerous, and will require intense study and research from the participating institutions concerned with art and culture. Each institution should be aware of the most important points that have been put forward and seek to exploit the positive points and overcome the negative points associated with them. At this point we should leave the initial planning and consider more practical solutions to better solve the gaps between the youth and the UAE culture, as this is what our wise leadership encourages. Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Dubai Executive Council said: “Dubai Partnership Agenda is a strategic dialogue platform between the government and the community and it has the endorsement and encouragement of Shaikh Mohammed and Shaikh Hamdan. Enhancing sustainable development and promoting Dubai are the responsibilities of each and every member in the community. It’s also our obligation to nurture the UAE culture among the youth, and today our focus is on exploring the current art and culture scene to better recommend practical initiatives that link between education, employment and art to create a generation conscious of the importance of Emirati culture.” The session was attended by Saeed Al Nabooda, Acting Director General – Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Rashad BuKhash, Director – Architectural Heritage Dept. at Dubai Municipality; Dr Stephen Trantal, Dean of College of A.rts and Creative Enterprises – Zayed University; Jamal Al Shehhi, Founder – Kuttab Publishing; George Kostas, Chairman – Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre; Hisham Samawi, Managing Partner – Ayyam Gallery; Jill Holey, Manager – Tashkeel Studio; Yvette Judge, Head of Education – Emirates Airline Festival of Literature; and Dubai Abulhoul, Emirati Author. The discussion was moderated by Marwan Al Hel, distinguished media figure with a great passion for Emirati culture. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
KK, Shalmali to perform at MTV concert tonight
KK, Shalmali to perform at MTV concert tonight David Light / 4 October 2013 A veritable musical institution, MTV’s Unplugged series has always endeavoured to bring audiences the bare bones of popular artists’ work, allowing performers to record a set for broadcast with the minimal amount of accompaniment. Since its inception in 1989, acts such as Nirvana, Mariah Carey and Bob Dylan have proved their mettle by playing acoustic versions of their greatest hits. MTV India also provides the same platform for artists to showcase their talents. From 9pm onwards this evening, however, the channel is going one step further. In celebration of its first anniversary of operations in the Mena region, instead of airing an Unplugged episode, the station will be putting on a live concert at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. Featuring KK and Shalmali Kholgade, the event will maintain its television counterpart’s modest approach and allow guests to get to grips with the meaning behind the tunes. Bollywood singer KK has recorded over 500 Hindi songs during his career and more than 200 songs in other languages. Some of his popular tracks include Party on my mind from Race 2, Yaaron from his award-winning album Pal and It’s time to disco. Twenty five-year-old Shalmali Kholgade has experimented with Western and classical music, but is perhaps best known as the lead female vocalist, dubbing for Parineeti Chopra, on the track Pareshaan in the film Ishaqzaade — a song which has won her a host of prizes. A few of her other famous tunes include Daaru Desi from Cocktail, Lat Lag Gayi from Race 2, and BalamPichkari from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Tickets for the Safina Ballroom, Jumeirah Beach Hotel concert are available at Time out Tickets, Dobazaar.com, Spinneys Outlets, Barter Card and Chin Chaaus Restaurant; by calling: 04 3393179/056 7397041; or by emailing tickets@emiratesevents.com. david@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
