Out&About

Over the next seven days Bahrain is set to blossom with a national celebration that will take place on the world's biggest sporting stage. The world is watching, with record TV viewing figures expected as half a billion sports fans around the globe tune in for the next installment in a gripping Formula One season.

Martin Whitaker, CEO at the BIC said: "The Bahrain Grand Prix, unlike almost any other in the world, is all about the people coming through the gates. The Grand Prix was designed as, and remains, a showcase for all that is good about this country, and offers the people of this country an unbeatable mix of action and excitement, arts and entertainment in a family-orientated environment."

With a full racecard the on-track action will fill the BIC with colour and excitement throughout the three days of this year's Grand Prix. As well as the all-star battle of the Formula One race there is the next generation of talent on show in the Grand Finale of the GP2 Asia series, featuring Bahrain's own Hamad Al Fardan.

There are also some of the sport's biggest names - including former world champion Jacques Villeneuve and Grand Prix winners Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert and Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the Speedcar Series.

Sports car action will come thick and fast in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, where 20 of the Porsche 911 GT3R racers will battle doorhandle-to-doorhandle for victory.

And finally the Grand Prix weekend will see the launch of the all-new Chevrolet Supercars Middle East series, the biggest circuit racing championship in the region, with drivers from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Lebanon and Egypt taking to the track in all-new 500hp Lumina CSV supercars.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has brought his collection of what amounts to the 'crown jewels' of Grand Prix racing to the island for a once-in-a-lifetime display; ranging from the magnificent 1930s Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union cars that raced wheel-to-wheel at some 380km/h to the first Ferrari to win a Formula One Grand Prix and the mighty 1500hp Brabham-BMW from the 1980s.

The array of entertainment will be bigger than ever, led by international soul-funk band Bijoumiyo, ably supported by a record 15 acts including African acrobats, live jazz, top pop dance acts, DJs, performance artists and children's entertainers.

For families there will be the Gulf Air Gulf Air Sky Nannies on hand in the Children's Area, and for a little extra glamour the exclusive Gulf Air Lounge will be open for all-day five-star refreshments, relaxation and socialising for BD35 on top of the admission price, bookable wherever you purchase admission.

The chance to take the wheel for some flat-out action is also available at the BIC KartZone, or experience the thrill of the sky-high reverse bungee: adrenaline-seekers are guaranteed a fun-filled weekend. Meanwhile the extra value 'fourth day' of the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place once again on Thursday, April 23 when three-day ticketholders will be welcomed to come and walk through the Formula One pits, see the teams and cars up close and savour the atmosphere.

The entertainers performing in the Vending Area at the 2009 Gulf Air Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix will be:

Addagio- Master violinist

Daniel Sutcliffe is a musician who has accompanied many major artists on stage including The Game, Daniel Bedingfield and Emma Bunton from the Spice Girls and has also opened a major catwalk at London Fashion Week.

Limpopo Zambezi- African Acrobats

Drawn from Mozambique, Kenya and Ghana, three groups of five acrobats combine in high-energy displays of power and grace, athleticism and balance to provide entertainment using sheer body strength, fire and a few props.

Thomas Trilby + Steve Kaos

Juggling, unicycles, minibikes, stilts and plate spinning.

Bijoumiyo - Street Band

The word Bijoumiyo (so many people ask..!) is partly derived from the French word 'bijou' meaning 'jewel' and the collective interpretation of their name roughly equates to 'Shining Jewel'. Bijoumiyo have a tendency to meander between straight up sleaze funk grooves, and eerily ethereal pop-edged mini-epics that are allowed to roam uncompromised by pre-written structures. Myles Sanko's soulful voice is encouraged to roam over the melody of delicately layered guitars, melodic keys and horns, whilst the solid and assured rhythm section provides groove and the ever-pounding heartbeat.

The top Bananas

With Jazz beats and funky disco music, the Top Bananas are a stilt walking band of musicians, based in Brighton.

ICONic

Based in New Jersey, credits for this group of dancers include special guests appearances on MTV's TRL, The Tyra Banks Show, Unite in Fashion, the House of Roses charity event and more and members have worked with such artists as Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Pink and the Black Eyed Peas.

Pop The Baloon Man

One of the UK's leading balloon twisters who can create any shape you want.

Bitter and twisted - Caricature badges

A team of unique caricature drawers, Simon and Sheba will make badges to leave a lasting impression of guests at the F1.

Benedict - A classical guitarist who will play in the spectator tunnel.

Karla the Face Painter

Petebox- Beatboxer

PETEBOX is one of the world's finest human beat boxers and winner of the year's prestigious Channel 4Talent Awards in December 2007. He has toured Africa, Norway, France, the Czech Republic and the UK and showcased at a host of festivals over the summer.

Decibella

Decibella is a professional female dance team featuring 10 of the UK's top commercial dancers.

Funk stylerz

Funkstylerz is a collection of specialist dancers each with international acclaim.

Cash Cows - Buskers

Their instantly loveable mix of popular tunes from across the last century, with a bouncy upbeat feel and incredible ability to change tempo together at anytime makes them suitable for any gig or event.

Hoop La La

Reaching the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent 2008, Hoop La La provide a unique fusion of acro-balance and dance, hand balancing, contortion with hula-hooping as seen by millions worldwide.

Former Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan will perform live with his band at Upstairs Downstairs Restaurant, Adliya, on Saturday.

Irish founder and former owner of Jordan Grand Prix, a Formula 1 constructor that operated from 1991 to 2005, he has been playing since selling his team to the Midland Group in 2005.

His band Eddie and The Robbers are billed as the 'road warriors of rock and roll' and have played across the world appearing at various events including the Isle Of White Festival and 'T' in the Park.

The band will perform a mixture of covers and originals, including their latest single.

Tickets cost BD25 inclusive of a three-course meal. Doors open for dinner at 6.30pm and show starts at 9.30pm.

For details and bookings contact the restaurant on 17713093.

Fashion TV's Heels and Wheels party opens the F1 weekend at the Gulf Hotel on Friday night and the Coral Beach Club, Manama will host the sixth annual official Fashion TV Grand Prix After Party on Sunday, April 26. For further details see Page 17.

On the three days of Formula 1, April 24, 25 and 26, the La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Arts, Manama will host vocal recitals in the terrace area performed by Reanata Swierczynska. She is a well known polish jazz singer who has performed successfully in many European cities, as well as in Jordan and some of the Gulf countries. Her programme will include selections of popular jazz standards/ballads and soul music. Accompanying her on the piano will be Witold Wnuk. Their co-operation goes back more than 20 years. Tickets are BD35 including a fixed menu at the Terrace Area and BD30 for a special buffer at the Fountain Area. For details contact 17230123.