Out and About

Dates for your diary

May 6 - 12, 2009
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Bahrain's popular arts group, Elham, will present a four-day arts and cultural festival from May 13 to 16 at the Qal'at Al-Bahrain Museum. With the slogan of 'Art to the People', the group aims to establish a creative and artistic atmosphere that will showcase local talents and expose local art to the public. From poetry, to music and from film to art, the festival will promote cultural dialogue and artistic expression.

A variety of events will be held including workshops, performances and screenings.

Bahraini artists participating in the festival include Elham founder, festival organiser and author Ali Al Saeed, folk singer and song-writer Ala Ghawas, conceptual artist Mariam Haji, digital artist Fawaz Al Olaiwat. Irish artist Keith Winters and American artist Steve Mykietyn will conduct a performance and installation art project and workshop titled 'Speed Towerz'.

The festival will commence with the opening of a group art exhibition on May 13 at the Arts Centre from 7pm. On May 14 guests can enjoy a poetry recital accompanied by an oud and acoustic music set followed by a music concert featuring local bands and musicians on May 15 at the Cultural Hall from 8pm. A talk on documentary photography by Lebanese artist and photographer Camille Zakharia will also be held on May 15 from 10am to 1pm.

For more information please visit www.elhambahrain.net, email elhambahrain@yahoo.com or contact 36621223.

A Yoga workshop will be held at the World Beat Fitness Centre in Budaiya by Nicky Knoff on May 15 and 16. She has over 38 years of intense Yoga study. Cost per student is BD180BD. She will also be available on Sunday, 17 for private yoga therapy sessions. One-on-one 60 minute private sessions with Nicky cost BD35. Bookings essential. To register contact the centre on 17612 576 or visit www.worldbeatfitness.com

Art lounge 4 will be held from May 14 to 23 at Villa Lutz, Barbar. The exhibition will feature German glass blower Wilfried Markus, French painter Sophie Stephan Berger, Bahraini painters Abbas Almosawi, Sayd Hassan Al Sari, UK sculptor Cheney Fairchild and Lebanese photographer Christian Ghammachi.

The exhibition opens at 7.30pm on May 14 with the glass blowing performance starting at 8pm. The second glass blowing session will be held on May 16 at 3pm. The exhibition will remain open daily from 5pm until 8.30pm. For details contact Marion Labani at 17580522 or 39212060.

The Culture Vultures are hosting the Arthouse Open Studios 2009 event from May 14 to 23 at the Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort. Twenty eight of Bahrain's prominent artists will perform during the event. There will be bus tours and other activities including a special event for children organised at the Bahrain Fort Village and Farm by Abbas Almosawi. For details contact Deborah Lanyon on 39459621.

Grammy-award winning artist Akon is set to perform at the Evolution Festival at the Palladium, Dubai Media City on May 21.The event will also feature world club dance sensation, Fedde Le Grande. The 'Something is Out There' space theme of the event will add to the visual effect of the overall festival with the dress code specified as 'all in white'. Ticket prices start from Dhs350 and are on sale from all Virgin Megastore outlets. For details log on to website www.ticketingboxoffice.com as well as www.itp.net/tickets

The Indian Ladies Association and KIMS Hospital is organising a full day free medical camp targeting low income women of all nationalities at the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam premises in Segaiya on May 22. The event 'Seva' meaning service will benefit a large number of ladies who work as domestic helps, beauticians, cleaners and other in other fields. Expert medical professionals from KIMS will do the basic medical examinations and ILA members will help out in registration and other formalities. The medical camp timings are 10am to 4pm. For details contact ILA Community service coordinators Vani Krishnan on 39873357 or Shantini Raja on 39338832.

Under the patronage of Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, president of Children and Mothers Welfare Society, the Thai Ladies Society (TLS) will organise a Thai Culture Night on May 22 at the Awal Ballroom at the Gulf Hotel, Adliya at 7.30 pm. It will showcase Thai costumes, silks, a dance pageant and authentic Thai Food prepared by the hotel's Royal Thai Restaurant. All proceeds from the event will go towards charity for Children and Mothers Welfare Society in Bahrain.

Acclaimed international pool and billiards player Steve Lillis will perform a series of 'Trick Shots' at different pool centres in Bahrain and a final free public event at the Al Raja School Auditorium at 7pm on May 29. Entrance is open to all. Trick Shot or Artistic pool is an entertaining discipline of pool where observers are often fascinated by the rhythmic dancing of the balls which then magically make their way to the pockets. Steve performs about 100 shows a year around the world in addition to competing. He has held titles including US Navy champion, as well as state champion of Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. Steve has been ranked in the top 32 players in the world according to the UPA rankings of 2003-2008. He has also served as the chairman of the World Pool and Billiards Association (WPA) from 2000-2004 and is the founder and president of Gospel Trickshot Ministries Inc (GTS). GTS is a non-profit Christian organisation whose mission is to entertain and encourage young and old alike through the combined used of amazing Trick Shots and inspiring talks.

The event is hosted by the National Evangelical Church and organised by R11. For details contact Earl Martins on 36108160 or NEC office on 17254508.







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