FACT Abu Dhabi July 2015 by Fact ME

JULY 2015 VOL 2. ISSUE 02 AED 10

fact magazine

Fact Finds Say hello to the mandrill monkey as this beautiful creature arrives at Emirates Park Zoo.

city Rides

Our resident motoring man got behind the wheels of the ‘moparized’ jeep wrangler. Read all about his thrilling drive here...

Ramadan

Make a difference this Holy Month by supporting the various charities in the UAE, and experience the joy of giving.

Globetrotter FACT visited the beautiful city of Madrid, and in a nutshell – it was amazing. We share our experience through 24 hours.

AD summer season

Hungry castle

There’s a whole host of amazing activities, live shows and performances on the way.

There’s a new artist collective in town and we caught up with the frontman to learn more about what they offer.

contents It’s July and we’ve got your arts, fashion, dining, tech, travel and motoring needs covered! Not to mention, we’ve got all the coolest cultural events in the capital for you to mark in your diary.

35 Arts

FACT takes a look at the annual Made in Tashkeel exhibition to see what’s on offer for creatives.

Around the Gcc

summer camps There’s no way that little ones are going to be bored this summer. Check out what’s on offer right here...

We bring you the best in shopping, arts, leisure, spas and more from around the region. fact magazine

THE EDITOR

The Gulf Life “Life in the Middle East is quite different from other places.” – Zaha Hadid

’m going to have to agree with Zaha Hadid on this one. Life in this

Editor-in-Chief Shabana Adam (shabana@factlive.com) Group Regional Editor Tony Sidgwick (tony@factlive.com) Features Editor Pallavi Ramesh (editorial@factlive.com) Creative Director Paula Leal

heart’s content, have barbecues all year round, spend a day out on the

Graphic Designer Jyoti Rawat

positives to living in the GCC. You can shop ‘til you drop, eat to your

attend. We really do have the best of all worlds! In the July issue, we celebrate

the Gulf countries and some of the best in food, fun and awesome experiences that they have to offer. Turn to p25 for a round up of the best malls, spas, leisure activities and more from this beautiful region.

Our arts pages are also keeping the creative spirit alive. FACT caught

up with Simon Coates of the world-famous Hungry Castle (p41). He’ll be

running the collective’s Middle East office out of Dubai, so expect to see plenty of cool and crazy things at the region’s best events. Our funky cover comes

courtesy of Hungry Castle too –pretty awesome, right? We also take a look at

the fantastic initiative Made in Tashkeel and its latest annual exhibition, from p35 onwards.

Want somewhere awesome to spend the long Eid weekend? I took

a trip to the amazing city of Madrid, where it’s parks, plazas, and beautiful

architecture galore! Turn to p47 for the ideal itinerary for your stay. Looking

for the perfect Eid gift? Check out our picks on p76. As Ramadan comes to a close mid-month, all the food outlets will be up and running once more and

there’s plenty to look forward to. We meet the man behind the delicious menu

at La Mamma Restaurant for July’s Chef ’s Table (p83) and the team reviews the beautiful Sho Cho at Souq Qaryat Al Beri for all you Japanese-food lovers out there (p89). There’ll be plenty of Eid brunches and new dining deals to treat yourself to. We’ve chosen some of the best starting p92.

I hope that Ramadan has been a joyous month for you all – we’ve

certainly had a lot of fun experiencing all the Iftars and Sohours in town.

There’s much to look forward to in August so stay tuned into FACT for all the info! Eid Mubarak in advance and happy reading…

Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@factlive.com

fact magazine

Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes

region is, indeed, very different from anywhere else. There are so many

water, and there will always be a cultural hotspot to check out or cool event to

FACT Magazine Abu Dhabi Edition July 2015 Volume 2, Issue 02

Photography Rashed Bin Daina Sunder Pratap Singh Production & Distribution Neil Mahmood Ajit Kumar Regional Sales Director Chelsea Copenhaver Sales Manager Yasmine Qawasmeh Sales Coordinator Renie Simplina Advertising Enquiries Email: chelsea@nansgroup.com Printed By United Printing Press All Rights Reserved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication. However, FACT M.E. FZ-LLC cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions. FACT M.E. FZ-LLC, Office 907E, TwoFour54, Park Rotana Complex, P.O. Box 769328, Abu Dhabi, UAE License Number: D.L. 361/14/A

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issuu @ISSUU Today is the first day of #Ramadan! Discover the do’s and don’ts in @FACTbahrain. JUNE 2015 VOL 2. ISSUE 01 AED 10

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17,247 reads of the June issue

Find FACT’s dapper designer chilling somewhere in this issue and you could Win a dinner for four people at Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi. Email editorial@factlive.com with the page number you think he’s on, and your contact details! Good Luck!

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CHECK IT OUT

Say Hello to the Mandrill Monkey! Discover more of Abu Dhabi with FACT Finds. Every month we’ll bring you a new hotspot, our favourite happening, eatery, activity, or interesting find from around the city.

Emirates Park Zoo has welcomed the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) as the newest addition to its animal family. These amazing monkeys have travelled from a zoo in Europe; there are two males and one female. The mandrill is a primate of the Old World monkey (Cercopithecidae) family, closely related to the baboons and even more closely to the drill, and they are mostly found in southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. This monkey species is adept to living in tropical rainforests and forestsavanna mosaics. Mandrills have an omnivorous diet consisting mostly of fruits and insects. If you’re visiting the zoo, you’ll instantly notice the mandrill monkey by its distinctive appearance, which is both colourful and striking. They have olive green or dark grey pelage with yellow and black bands and a white belly. Its hairless face has an elongated muzzle with distinctive characteristics, such as a red stripe down the middle and protruding blue ridges on the sides. It also has red nostrils and lips, a yellow beard and white tuffs. A little fun fact for you; the male mandrill is the heaviest monkey in the world! These beautiful creatures will be joining the zoo’s extensive animal 8

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kingdom, which includes elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, tigers, lions, reptiles, and all kinds of birds and aquatic species. One of the most fun areas of the zoo is the domestic section. This is where most of the interaction with the animals takes place. There are more than 16 different species which can be fed, touched and handled by children of all ages. During Ramadan, operation hours of the Zoo are from 5pm to midnight, and the special price is AED25 per adult and AED15 per child (under six years old). GO: Visit www.emiratesparkzoo.com for more information.

Ramadan at the Palace Built as an iconic Abu Dhabi landmark on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, Emirates Palace exemplifies Emirati culture and hospitality at its finest. This Ramadan, watch the sunset from our terrace and celebrate a rewarding and spiritual occasion with family and friends. Relish the wonders of Ramadan and enjoy your Iftar and Suhoor in the most stunning beachfront pavilion embodying Ramadan traditions and Arabian luxury. Iftar Buffet is AED 265* and Suhoor served Ă la carte starting from AED 125* per person, including shisha. For more information or reservations, please call +971 (0) 2 690 7999 or email restaurants@emiratespalace.ae

In partnership with:

*Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee.

emiratespalace.ae fact magazine

LISTEN UP

Workshops

Share inspirational moments with your family and friends at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island this Holy Month. Mark your evenings with an extensive selection of authentic Iftar and Sohour options while enjoying true Arabian hospitality at Rosewood Abu Dhabi and The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, or enjoy a variety of Ramadan lifestyle Rosewood experiences including Arabic calligraphy and Moon Phase display workshops which will enlighten visitors on the significance of the moon during Ramadan. Other activities and offers include glitter painting display and demonstration, and for the first two days of Eid an Ayallah Band will entertain guests with the fascinating traditional UAE folk dance with performers and drummers showcasing their talents. If you need to keep the little ones entertained, pay a visit to Caboodle, an indoor kids’ entertainment haven which has recently opened at The Galleria. GO: Visit www.thegalleri.ae or www.almaryahisland.ae for more information on Ramadan and Eid activities.

Every weekend throughout July will see a whole host of creative craftmaking workshops and puppet shows take place at Mushrif Central Park. For kids there’s tons of indoor fun at the exhibition hall where little ones can get the hands dirty and unleash their creative spirits. Three daily activity sessions will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout the month; from 10am to 12noon, 1pm to 3pm, and 4pm to 6pm. The fun-tastic workshops are organised by Merry Makers and will include everything from silk painting, magic tricks, build your own gingerbread house, a play zone and so much more. This is the perfect place to keep children between the ages of five to 12 entertained with education through recreation. Each workshop session will host 30 children and will cost AED150 per child for two hours. GO: Mushrif Central Park is located on 15th Street between Airport Road and Karamah Street. Visit www.mushrifcentralpark.ae for more information 10

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If you love to eat clean and want to bag some of the best produce for your kitchen, then listen up! Every Friday, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, invites foodies and health enthusiasts to explore the recently launched Mawasim Organic Market. Taking place from 2pm to 8pm on the Ground Floor of the Mall, shoppers can expect an array of nutritious seasonal fruits and vegetables that have been sourced from the EU organically certified, local farm Mawasim. Whether stocking up on groceries for the week ahead, or spending a leisurely day with family and friends, at Mawasim Organic Market you’ll find it all. With a wholesome variety to choose from, including fresh cherry tomatoes, seedless watermelons, coriander, and celebrity vegetable of the moment, kale, there’s a host of nourishing delights to discover. GO: Visit Mawasim Organic Market at The Mall at World Trade Centre. Go to www.mawasim.ae for more information.

A special Iftar

CELEBRATION

This Ramadan, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi invites you and your loved ones to break the fast at The Foundry Restaurant and experience the finest Arabic hospitality. Alternatively, head for an unforgettable experience to the Kahraman tent and indulge in Arabic and traditional Ramadan delicacies, delectable Ă la carte Suhoor menu and flavourful shisha, while you are serenaded by a traditional Oud Player. Special rates for Corporate & Group bookings are available

AED129++ per person

Valid during the Holy month of Ramadan. Terms & Conditions apply.

The recognition you deserve southernsunabudhabi.com Al Mina Street, Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi t: +971 2 818 4888 I e: abudhabi.dine@tsogosun.com

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RAMADAN

The Gift of Giving One of the most important aspects of Ramadan is to give alms to the less fortunate. Make a difference this Holy Month by supporting the various charities in the UAE, and experience the joy of giving….

TAkAToF RAmADAn

If you really want to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate this Ramadan then Takatof is a great initiative to get involved with. Takatof offers the youth with meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the year, but more so in Ramadan. Inspired by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Takatof is a voluntary social program, designed by the Emirates Foundation to promote social and civic responsibility through volunteering and providing assistance to low-income families in the UAE. Volunteers could be tasked with everything from doing field surveys to understand and tackle the needs of individual families, to distributing food, or arranging Iftar programmes for the elderly, workers, and those with special needs, amongst many more charitable acts of giving. Visit www. emiratesfoundation.ae for more information.

The khAliFA Bin ZAyeD Al nAhyAn FounDATion

The Khalifa foundation is coordinating with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and health department (to ensure complete food safety) in providing 1.8 million free Iftar meals, distributed throughout Ramadan in 110 centres across the country. This wide-scale Ramadan campaign will see Iftar meals prepared by more than 500 national families in their homes. The foundation aims to 12

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help underprivileged families and urges the government and corporate bodies to employ ladies to prepare meals for Iftar initiatives. Visit www.khalifafoundation.ae for more information.

“mAke A DiFFeRenCe This RAmADAn” By mAjiD Al FuTTAim PRoPeRTies

Majid Al Futtaim has launched its annual ‘Make a Difference’ this Ramadan

phones to regional families in need. The 2014 campaign, which included the GCC, Lebanon, and Egypt, saw thousands of much-needed items collected and distributed, including non-perishable food items, electronics, toys for children and even wheelchairs. To extend the reach of the initiative in 2015, other Majid Al Futtaim businesses are also participating. Carrefour locations across the region will feature donation points while offering significant reductions on essential items that can then be donated onsite. Mall visitors can also give goods at Magic Planet, where they can donate toys won instore to less privileged children. At Ski Dubai, visitors can donate their AED20 locker deposit, while AED1 from every ticket sold at VOX Cinemas will go to the campaign. Visit www. majidalfuttaim.com for more information.

emiRATes ReD CResCenT CAmPAign

initiative to collect donations and everyday essentials for distribution to those in need across the region. This year sees the campaign extending its platform of charitable giving through collection points at 17 malls throughout the region as well as hypermarket and entertainment destinations. Now in its ninth year of partnership with the UAE’s Red Crescent Society, and coinciding with City Centre malls’ 20th anniversary, Majid Al Futtaim’s ‘Make a Difference’ this Ramadan programme encourages visitors to donate funds, clothes, books, food and mobile

Boxes have been placed by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) outside all UAE mosques with the aim to collect donations for the needy. People are welcome to donate all kinds of clothing, shoes and other durable items. In addition to this, ERC will provide Iftar meals to needy families across 123 locations in the UAE. In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society, 50,000 packages of essential commodities will also be distributed. Items include rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour and drinks. Visit www.rcuae.ae for more information.

#HOUSE #OF #FRASER #STORE #YAS #MALL House of fraser Has expanded its presence in tHe Middle east witH tHe announceMent of tHe brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second uae location opening tHis MontH, House of fraser Yas Mall, abu dHabi.

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DIARY DATES

GCC GETAWAYS Thinking about jetting off around the region this month? We’ve rounded up some of the best hotels for you to stay in whilst exploring our neighbouring nations…

BaHraIn

QaTar

DuBaI

Unparalleled in design, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay rises 68 floors high with 273 extra-spacious rooms, including 57 suites, all with a stunning view of the Manama skyline or the Arabian Gulf. Discover seven options for indoor-outdoor dining and drinks, including two signature restaurants and a lounge by Wolfgang Puck. Relax by any of the five sprawling swimming experiences and rejuvenate at the spa with an array of unisex and women’s-only amenities. There are big meeting rooms, including all amenities and a fantastic view. The hotel’s majestic spa and fantastic Friday Brunch are also a must-try! Call +973 1711 5000 for bookings and more information.

Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Doha is located on its own secluded island. From the palatial corridors and public spaces, to the luxuriously appointed 281 rooms and 69 suites, to a selection of the finest restaurants and lounges, this hotel is set to become a benchmark for bespoke luxury in Doha. Additionally, the hotel also features a secluded beach located in a private bay along with outdoor swimming pools, water sports facilities, yachts jetty, tennis courts and plush gardens. Visitors can select from six different types of restaurants, two cafés, al fresco pool-side dining, a sophisticated bar and a rooftop nightclub. Call +974 4035 5555 for bookings and more information.

Media One is one of Dubai’s most stylish hotels catering to the savvy business traveller and local corporations as the spacious hotel rooms’ dynamic sense of style and striking design appeals to the region’s multicultural customers with a total of 260 hotel rooms. Media One’s collection of culinary and nightlife choices are a vibrant and eclectic mix. Café M is for a casual get together, the Z:ONE is a lounge bar and terrace for lunches, light snacks and evening drinks, The Med is a signature Mediterranean restaurant and terrace. Groups of friends, young couples will love this sociable hotel, located in Media City. Call +971 4427 1000 for more information.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

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Marsa Malaz Kempinski

Media One Hotel

HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in Abu Dhabi

Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (and you can stil find more throughout the rest of the mag!)

0407 10 13 16

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

MONDAY

THURSDAY

RAMADAN BOWLING TOURNAMENT AT ZAYED SPORTS CITY

LOUVRE ABU DHABI STORIES AT MANARAT AL SAADIYAT

SUMMER FUN WORKSHOPS AT MUSHRIF CENTRAL PARK

IFTAR AT FAIRWAYS WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT & SPA

RAMADAN & EID FESTIVAL AT ADNEC ABU DHABI

This exciting bowling championship is presented by the NDC and features cash and trophy prizes for victors, running until July 13. Head down there to take part and earn a title, or join in the atmospheric event as an observer! Squads open from 9pm to 3am. Call (0)2 403 4648

Check out Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories: Al Qalam, running until July 25 and, explore the art of the written word at an exhibition featuring a broad selection of textual artworks including a Qur’an bifolio, miniatures, and a manuscript.

Taking place three times a day from Thu to Sat at the park’s indoor exhibition hall, these workshops will have creative crafts for children, as well as puppet shows, painting, magic tricks, a soft play area and many more super fun kids’ activities.

Enjoy a contemporary selection of world cuisines at Fairways. Live cooking stations will be dishing up a delightful selection of Arabic delicacies. Iftar fare is served from sunset to 8.30pm for AED180++ per person inclusive of Arabic beverages. Call (0)2 616

Celebrate the end of the Holy Month with this annual exhibition that combines visitor favourites with traditional activities. Purchase familyfriendly goods, unique gifts, toys, and clothes, Arabic food and so much more.

for more information. 16

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Visit www.louvreabudhabi.ae for more information.

Visit www.mushrifcentralpark.ae for more information.

9999 for more information.

Visit www.royalshowexpo.com for more information.

HAPPENINGS

20222529 31

MONDAY

SUNDAY

FRIDAY

ARABIAN INDULGENCE KIDS’ SUMMER CAMP ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY AT TALISE SPA, JUMEIRAH AT SHERATON ABU DHABI WORKSHOP AT AT ETIHAD TOWERS HOTEL & RESORT ABU DHABI ART HUB

SO MUCH SUSHI AT TOSHI, GRAND MILLENNIUM AL WAHDA

CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP AT ABU DHABI ARMED FORCES OFFICERS CLUB

Book the 90-minute Arabian Indulgence and receive a 30 minute foot reflexology. This treatment is velvety hydrating marine algae and body butter wrap followed by Jasmine, Miru Miru, Ylang Ylang and Rose mask. Then it’s a full body massage. Priced at AED750. Call (0)2 811 5858

Japanese food lovers, this one’s for you! Enjoy a lavish and flavourful spread of unlimited sushi and sashimi every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm to 11.30pm for AED119++ (food only) or AED189++ including selected drinks.

Summer camps don’t get more fun than this! Head over to the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel with the whole family to enjoy a summer camp that kids will love. There are lots of age appropriate activities and camp runs until August 27 from 9am to 2pm.

for more information.

WEDNESDAY

Let Sheraton entertain little ones all season long. There’s a wide variety of water and sport activities, arts and crafts, beach games, swimming and dancing, with supervised programmes. Sun to Thur, from 9am to 2pm for children aged five to 13 years old. Visit www. sheratonabudhabihotel.com for more information.

SATURDAY

Presented by Professor Calligrapher Alaa Al Rayaan, this is a 15-session course to help improve the writing of beginners. Morning and evening sessions available for students aged 18 years and above. Priced at AED1700 for 15 sessions including all materials. Visit www.adah.ae for more information.

Call (0)2 495 3921 for more information.

Visit www.afocs.com for more information. fact magazine

SOCIETY

#DISNEY #ON #ICE #AT #DWTC disneY on ice presents princesses & Heroes beautifullY recreated tHe defining MoMents wHen tHe wisHes of eigHt disneY princessesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (ariel, cinderella, belle, JasMine, snow wHite, sleeping beautY, rapunzel and tiana) were fulfilled witH tHe Help of eacH of tHeir devoted princes. special guest tinker bell guided tHe audience froM one storY to tHe next, sHowing tHat wHen iMaginations soar, anYtHing can Happen if You Just believe. 18

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a Bu D H a B I

Summer

Season The 2015 edition of summer’s biggest entertainment programme is set to be more awesome and more thrilling than ever before. We check out what’s coming up …

hink hilarious comedy acts, breathtaking illusionists, starstudded concerts, world-famous stage shows and so much more – this is what you can expect from the threemonth long Abu Dhabi Summer Season, running from June 11 to September 5. Aside from live performances and exciting events, there will be plenty of great summer, Ramadan and Eid deals too, as the emiratewide festivities take place in Abu Dhabi, Al

Ain and Al Gharbia. Shoppers can enjoy special deals in malls, as well as make the most of superb attractions across the city. A number of hotels are offering promotional packages and offers for you all to take advantage of and celebrate summer to the max. FACT will bring you a lowdown of all the fantastic upcoming events throughout summer! Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to for July… fact magazine

LISTEN UP

Mohamed Abdo Live Famously described as “The Artist of Arabs,” Mohamed Abdo will entertain crowds during the Eid Al Fitr holiday period. The Saudi singing sensation will be putting on a one-night only show to serenade music fans with his catchy sound. His infectious rhythms and charming stage persona along with incredible vocal talent, Mohamed Abdo will help you celebrate Eid in true traditional style.

If your little ones love TV’s favourite cartoon sheep, then this special show, dubbed Save Our Tree is not to be missed. The all-time favourite characters come alive in the farmyard, as mischievous Shaun leads them into all sorts of fun and chaos, turning Mossy Bottom Farm into pandemonium. Shaun and his pals are joined by toddler Timmy and the huge Shirley. This is laugh out loud, slapstick comedy at its best.

Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Sesame Street Live

Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets

Habib Elyasi

He’s one of the country’s most popular upcoming singers with a unique voice and flair for music. Habib Elyasi will perform on two magical occasions in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, bringing his beautiful combination of powerful yet sweet vocals to the stage. Expect an enigmatic performance from this promising singer. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Barney Live

It’s one of the most recognised children’s TV shows of its time, and not to mention, the Sesame Street feature films were a massive hit, globally. Now, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie, Bert and clan are on their way to the UAE. Sesame Street Live will be a show that continues to bridge cultural and educational gaps, perfect for children as well mums and dads too. The live production is packed with excellent, high-tech props and a clever script, and there’ll be plenty of singing with the classics like The Hustle, C is for cookie, Rockin’ Robin and more. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

He’s one of TV’s most-loved characters and has been around for years, now Barney and crew are heading our way. The American children’s TV star first rose to fame when Barney aired in April 1992, and stole the hearts of little ones all over the world. The purple Tyrannosaurus rex and his friends promise a family-friendly show with educational messages, singalongs and dancing, and entertainment with fun, music and lots of laughs. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Shaun The Sheep

Mythbusters: The Explosive Edition Making its debut in the Middle East, Mythbusters is ready to take you on a thrilling ride of mind-blowing onstage experiments, with lots of audience participation and behind the scenes stories. So, exactly how hard is it to find a needle in a haystack, anyway? It’s questions like this that Adam Savage, one of the co-hosts of this hugely popular TV show, will bring to the stage along with myths and urban legends that will steal your curiosity. If you love the show or just want your mid blown, get your tickets today! Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

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LISTEN UP

Shreya Ghoshal Live Celebrating Indian Independence Day, Abu Dhabi Summer Season will bring to the capital one of Bollywood’s most renowned singers for an evening of serene melodies and fantastic music. Shreya Ghoshal’s talent is beyond words as she sings in seven languages; Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Nepali, Malayalam and Tamil. If you want an evening of pure, natural talent then go and hear the best in ghazal, bollywood dance, pop and classic hits. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Hans Klok: The World’s Fastest Illusionist If illusions, tricks and magic are what gets you excited, then this is the perfect show for you. World-famous illusionist Hans Klok comes to the Middle East for the very first time and guarantees a show full of spellbinding surprises. His on-stage persona and illusions are compared to Houdini, the master of escapes. Expect edge-of-the-seat action where you won’t be able to take your eyes off the stage. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

The Illuminaire, Fire & Light Spectacular

multimedia, pyrotechnics and fireworks, all to make into a visually stunning performance. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Mummenschanz: Musicians of Silence -

The unique brand of mime performance is on it’s way to our shores, and we can’t wait to see it. This Swiss mask theatre troupe do something innovative and fresh with their stage performance; a non-verbal show of just movement and transformation – yes, it’s a “wow” thing! You’ll see odd-ball masks, weird moving shapes and tricks with the light, all making this a fun and fascinating spectacle. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Comedy Night If it’s big laughs and a chilled out vibe that you’re after then this event will deliver. Regional comedians gather to share their witty humour and stand-up banter with the audience. Tonight, Badr Saleh, whose hugely popular YouTube show Eysh Elly has gained him a massive following and countless fans, will also take to the stage. This is all about simple fun and laughter! Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

Drawing deeply from mythology, ancient cultures and a vision of an enlightened future Phoenix lead their audience on a mystical journey through time and space. The troupe consists of international and Olympic athletes, visual artists and technical experts, all specialised in many different aspects of the company, producing a well-oiled and multitalented combination. This is more than just dance and theatrics, it’s an incredibly surreal ride from start to finish that includes everything from dancers, acrobats, gymnasts and high altitude aerial artists, synergised with music, huge fire effects, liquid light effects, light effects, projection,

Comedy Friday As of now, this exceptional line-up of comedians will mark the end of Abu Dhabi Summer Season 2015. The main man of the evening is American actor and funny man Eddie Griffin, best known for his roles in movies such as Deuce Bigalow, Undercover Brother, Scary Movie 3, and Norbit. Joining him will be fellow American comedian Wil Sylvince, as well as popular Comedy Story and The Laugh Factory performer Ahmed Ahmed, and the hilarious Mo Amer who will share some very funny life stories. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to buy your tickets.

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LISTEN UP

Summer Camp Fun Keep boredom at bay for the kids and treat them to an activity-filled season with our round up of some of the best summer camps in Abu Dhabi…

Hilton Abu Dhabi Summer Camp

For the 11th year running, Hilton Abu Dhabi is helping to keep children active with its Hilton Summer Camp. Children can escape the summer heat with fun-filled, age-appropriate indoor activities, as well as some cool outdoor activities too, all supervised by Hiltonia qualified staff. Mornings include team sports like cricket, tennis and football in the gardens, exciting water sports such as pool games, water polo, water-skiing, slinger-rides and snorkelling. After a filling lunch from the healthy summer camp buffet, the children enjoy indoor activities such as table tennis, yoga, martial arts, and arts and crafts. There will also be treasure hunts, exciting day trips, face painting, and 22

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cooking classes with the chefs of Hilton Abu Dhabi to keep the little ones entertained. The Hilton Summer Camp runs from Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm. One-week summer camp is priced at AED875 per child including all activities, snacks and lunch. One-day summer camp is priced at AED200 per child including all activities, snacks and lunch. Beach club and pool access for parents are available at AED150 per adult or AED265 per couple. GO: Call (0)2 692 4205 or email hiltonia.abudhabi@ hilton.com to register and for more information.

Ritz Kids Summer Camp

Offering daily and weekly admission options, this excellent summer camp provides a daily-changing activity schedule designed for different age groups. Week one is Get Creative Week – this is a chance for kids to let their imaginations run wild. Week two sees Environment Week take place, as kids are taken back to nature with a diverse collection of activities focused on the environment. Week three is themed Around the World where children will learn everything from wilderness survival skills to participating in hotel-wide treasure hunts. Week four is Wellness Week, bringing a mixture of indoor and outdoor sports and games, and teaching kids about embracing a healthy lifestyle. The final week is dubbed Best of the Best – combining all the favourite activities from all the themed weeks and letting kids enjoy them all over again. Activities run Sunday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm. Weekly pass (5 days) is priced

LISTEN UP

at AED1,000++ and a Day Pass is AED250++. Reservations are recommended, as space is limited.

Sandcastle Club Summer Camp

GO: Call (0)2 818 9145 or email rc.auhrz.ritz.kids. attendants@ritzcarlton.com for reservations and more information.

Al Forsan Kids Summer Camp

You can call this the mother of all summer camps with a fully indoor camp spread across the 3,200sqm air-conditioned sports dome. The summer camp here has core values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, excitement, fun, creativity, respect, reward, achievement, responsibility and lots more life skills. Kids can join in the unique sports and games, fully supervised with dedicated councillors per age group. Lunch can be provided as an option, too. There’s everything from martial arts, mini basketball, swimming, archery, gymnastics, kayaking, football, arts and crafts, and watersports, along with so many more great classes and activities for children of different ages. Camp runs from Sunday to Thursday – administration and registration fee is AED150 per child, and prices start from AED650 per week (5 days). Various packages are available. GO: Call (0)2 656 5656 or email sales@alforsan.com for reservations and more information.

Summer camp done right, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, has a wide range of summer activities both beachside and within the hotel. Now parents can again be at ease keeping their children entertained through the long summer holidays with the third annual Sandcastle Club Summer Camp. Programmes have been thoughtfully designed to combine fun with education, and feature an array of activities from arts and crafts, to exercises and competitive games. The country’s young aficionados will be provided with snacks and lunch, as well as memorabilia of their time at the camp. The camp costs AED250 per day per child, or AED900 per week. Each week, one optional off-site excursion will be organized for an additional cost. The camp will last from 9am to 3.30pm, Sunday to Thursday. With limited availability, advance registration is required. GO: Call (0)2 498 8991 or email Sandcastle. Saadoyat@stregis.com to register or for more information.

Kool Adventures Summer Camp

ZSC Kids Holiday Camp

One of the best summer camps in the capital is back for another year of pure fun. While the weather is hot, kids will be indoors enjoying sports, playing games and getting creative with new friends. Each week the schedule will be filled with lots of sports including bowling, ice skating, billiards, table tennis, ball games, films, arts and crafts, challenge games and more. Featuring a full day programme filled with activity and supervised by experienced professionals, the ZSC Kids Holiday Camp is not to be missed this summer. The camp runs over a full nine-hour day, providing the perfect opportunity for busy families with active kids. Priced at AED900 per week, running from 8.30am to 5.30pm, inclusive of snacks, lunch and all activities.

Beat the heat and register your kids for a fun filled camp with so many ‘kool’ activities. Children will enjoy getting creative and active, whilst learning, both indoors and outdoors. There are arts and crafts, jewellery making, lego creations, plans and wildlife discovery, science experiments, karaoke, dance classes and free play in all of the edutainment zones, plus much more. In addition, kids will get to take part in cooking classes hosted by Papa Murphy’s Pizza as well as participating in fun sports classes hosted by ‘Ball Skills’. nd kids will get active with our special sport classes hosted by “Ball Skills”. Kool camp runs from 9am to 1.30pm and includes lunch. Priced at AED800 per week or AED175 per day (a 10 per cent sibling discount is available).

GO: Call (0)2 403 4222 or email kidscamp@zsc.ae to register or for more information.

GO: Call (0)2 677 0954 or email frontdesk@ koolkidz.ae for bookings or more information.

Piccadilly Nursery Summer Camp Where: Piccadilly Nursery, MBZ City, Zone 19. With fantastic activities for all ages, this summer camp is perfect for interactive activities and games. Kids aged one to three years old can enjoy singing songs, story time, pretend play, kitchen fun, sports, arts and crafts and plenty more. Children aged four to six years old can join in splash fun, football, talent shows, piñata making, and more! The theme this summer will be Fun and Fairies and Pirates. From 9am to 2pm. GO: Call (0)2 553 7956 or email info@ piccadillynursery.com for more information.

Odyssey Nursery Summer Camp Where: Odyssey Nursery, Khalifa City A. It’s the season to have fun and Odyssey Nursery is offering little ones aged four months to six years old an exciting line up of activities. The kids can take part in the Little Pro’s Golf and Sports programme, creative sand and water play station, Arabesque ballet and dance centre and EYES weekly themed interactive activities. Running from July 1 to August 13, - prices vary according to selected package from either 8am to 2pm, or 8am to 5pm. GO: Call (0)2 665 5995 or email info-abudhabi@ odysseynursery.com for more information.

Kipina Krazy Summertime Where: Kipina Kids Nursery, Al Bateen. This is the nursery’s first summer camp and it’s packed with awesome activities for kids aged four months to four-years-old. There’s water play, treasure hunts, sporting events, performance arts, cooking and baking, science experiments, bug hunts, camping, exploring and lots more. Summer camp runs from June 28 to September 6, Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 3pm. Priced at AED650 per week and AED500 for three days per week. GO: Call (0)2 667 2445 or visit www.kipinakids. com for more information.

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SOCIETY

#DUSIT #THANI #RAMADAN #IFTAR #PREVIEW MeMbers of tHe Media, vip invitees, and corporate guests were tHe first to experience raMadan deligHts under tHe Magical skYdoMe of dusit tHani abu dHabi. guest saMpled an arraY of traditional arabian and turkisH favourites and Had tHe cHance to win exciting prizes.

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more cool things to see and do in

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CULTURE

NO ONe KNOwS HOw tO DO Big SHOPPiNg CeNtReS AND COMPlexeS quite liKe tHe gCC. HeRe, we ROuND uP SOMe OF tHe MuSt-viSit MAllS iN tHe RegiON…

City CeNtRe, BAHRAiN Living up to the famous brand name, City Centre Bahrain is a shopping paradise on this charming island. With over 340 stores to choose from, the retail mix includes something to suit all tastes and pockets, from toys for kids, to the best in high street fashion, and cool gadgets and gifts. City Centre Bahrain is also the destination for Centrepoint that houses Babyshop, Splash, Lifestyle, Shoe Mart and Beauty bay under one roof. Additionally there is an extensive selection of electronics stores which includes Sharaf DG, household appliances, home furnishing, children’s fashion, plus the massive hypermarket; Carrefour. You will be spoilt for choice! The mall has major attractions such as the indoor Wahoo water park; the Magic Planet arcade filed with games and rides for the whole family, and a bowling alley right by the massive food court – what’s not to love? GO: Visit www.citycentrebahrain.com for more information.

yAS MAll, ABu DHABi Yas Mall is Abu Dhabi’s ultimate destination for shopping, dining and entertainment located in the 26

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heart of Yas Island. It’s big with plenty of space to roam around, but organised enough to know exactly where everything is! It offers three floors of muchloved international and regional retail and restaurant brands, alongside a 20-screen state-of-the-art cinema operated by VOX Cinemas, and a family entertainment zone by Funworks. Visit Candylicious for some sweet treats; stop by The Cheescake Factory for a bite to eat, and pick up the latest items from your favourite store. Located 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall is an all-round, onestop shop for a fun day out with family and friends. GO: Visit www.yasmall.ae for more information.

villAgiO MAll, DOHA A unique shopping experience – that’s how we’d describe Villaggio Mall. This is an experience – a place of shopping, entertainment and unlimited fun, where the architecture and décor transports you straight to a different world. Running through the centre of the mall is the now famous Venetian Canal that takes visitors on a journey to the shores of Venice. Villaggio offers a unique mix of brands, from the boutique to the most exclusive. Entertainment takes a front seat here at Villaggio. There’s a 13

screen luxury cinema as well as the only IMAX screen, and Gondolania; an indoor theme park with a classic Ferris Wheel, carousel, bumper cars, horror street ride, state-of-the-art Go Kart racing, 12-lane bowling, pool tables, a 4D theatre, and an arcade. Let the good times roll at Villaggio Mall! GO: Visit www.villaggioqatar.com for more information.

DuBAi MAll, uAe Wondering where to shop in Dubai? How about the giant of all malls? In a city where shopping is a serious pastime, there’s no shortage of options, but we suggest you hit up the biggest and the best - Dubai Mall. This mall is a shopper’s den; if you may call it so. With 1,200 retail stores and over 200 food and beverage outlets, Dubai Mall offers an unparalleled retail mix combined with worldclass dining, entertainment and leisure attractions, all under one massive roof. It’s also home to worldclass and Guinness record-winning entertainment attractions such as the massive Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, KidZania, SEGA Republic, Reel Cinemas Megaplex and an Olympic-sized ice rink. What more can you ask for in one mall? GO: Visit www.thedubaimall.com for more information.

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CULTURE

t H e A Rt S C e N e i N t H e A R A B wO R l D i S FA S t- g R Ow i N g t O BeCOMe ONe OF tHe MOSt exCitiNg witH exHiBitiONS, wORKSHOPS AND eveNtS gAlORe. HeRe ARe juSt SOMe tO CHeCK Out iN tHe gCC…

ABu DHABi When it comes to museums and arts galleries, Abu Dhabi is certainly more up and coming, however, there are some fantastic places to check out when visiting. Head to Etihad Antique Gallery made up of two villas, in Al Bateen, to marvel a huge collection of artefacts including paintings, furniture, statues and other items like swords and carpets, as well as contemporary pieces. There’s N2N Gallery, at the Nation Galleria, which houses and hosts beautiful exhibitions; and Salwa Zeidan Gallery at The Collection, Saadiyat Island, renowned for its conceptual and innovative showcases. For the ultimate artistic escape head to Manarat Al Saadiyat for a whole host of exhibitions displaying international art collections from around the world. GO: Visit www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae for more information.

BAHRAiN Probably the most underrated but one of the most active art communities in the region, Bahrain has a huge variety of exhibitions and events taking place all year round. Head to the National Museum where there’s always an interesting exhibit to check out but, more importantly, you’ll want to stop for a coffee or a quick bite at the waterfront Darseen Café – one of the best in the country. For culture vultures and creative minds we’d highly recommend a visit 28

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to Malja Bahrain, Amwaj Islands. A brand new space by Red Bull where the island’s most expressive and innovative crowds flock to hang out and perform. Galleries are also a big deal here and some of the best include La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, Al Riwaq Art Gallery, Albareh Art Gallery and many more that you can learn more about on the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities website. GO: Visit www.culture.gov.bh for more information.

qAtAR Doha is another place in the GCC where art is truly alive. Here, local and regional artists take centre stage as well as famous international names. For a quickpro intro into the art scene here, visit the Museum of Islamic Art which is home to one of the world’s most impressive collections of pieces crafted using traditional styles and techniques from the Middle East and central Asia. For a more current approach,

head to Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art where the focus is, mainly, contemporary Arab art, with permanent collections as well as solo exhibits to view. For something a little more community-based and quirky, Anima Gallery will deliver with its aim of taking contemporary Arab art to the international scene. Other galleries worth a trip to include QM Gallery Al Riwaq, Katara Art Centre, and VCUQatar’s university gallery. GO: Visit www.qm.org.qa for more information.

OMAN In Muscat, head to Al Madina Art Gallery which showcases Omani and expatriate amateur artists, as well as many established photographer, painters, and artists for many different disciplines. Pick up a keepsake from the impressive gift shop that sells Omani artefacts and little treasure troves. At Bait Muzna Gallery you’ll find exhibits of multimedia work by a range of both local and international artists, whereas MuscArt Gallery takes Oman’s burgeoning art scene to new heights, creating a space for the country’s visual arts community. Then there’s Stal Gallery, focusing on Muscat’s residents and local artists; and two other smaller artistic venues with big ambitions – Fatma’s Gallery and Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art. GO: Visit www.omantourism.gov.om for more information.

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ISSUE 1

ABU DHABI AED20

CULTURE

RelAxiNg BReAKS iN tHe gCC ARe MADe All tHe MORe iNvitiNg By tHe NuMBeR OF e xC e l l e N t S PA S . H e R e A R e j uSt S O M e O F t H e P l A C e S t O tA K e R e t R e At…

ReMeDe SPA,

tHe St. RegiS DOHA Remède Spa at The St. Regis Doha is committed to creating an exceptional and unique experience for each guest. From fruits and truffles, to luxurious throws and customised treatments, the goal here is to surpass all expectations and to help you escape to a sanctuary of indulgence and relaxation. Create your own private retreat in a Remède couples suite or experience the rejuvenating hydro-massage pool developed exclusively for the Remède Spa. All packages include pre-treatment consultation to assess guests’ needs, as well as post treatment relaxation time accompanied by a selection of healthy infused waters, dried fruits and chocolate truffles. Relax, sit-back and experience this tranquil escape, specially-designed to meet your individual needs and deliver the benefits you seek. GO: Call +974 4446 0300 or email remedespa. doha@stregis.com for more information.

ReBORN SPA,

RAMee gRAND HOtel & SPA Begin your journey to wellbeing and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul at the exquisite 30

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Reborn Spa. It has all the luxuries you need for a refreshing experience. Expect a royal treatment by the staff, made up of international professionals and experts in this field. The carefully crafted rituals on the spa menu are inspired by the ancient renewing traditions of Indian, Thai and Moroccan therapies and complemented by Elemis skincare spa products. Each of the 13 treatment rooms provides an atmosphere of serenity, allowing you to relax and escape into another world, far from the stress of everyday life. There are separate treatment rooms for men and women and two couple rooms as well. GO: Call +973 1711 1980 or email spa@ rameegrandbahrain.com for more information.

SeNSe SPA,

ROSewOOD ABu DHABi In an exquisite environment of luxury and tranquillity, Sense, A Rosewood Spa offers an extensive range of indulgent therapies, treatments and services. The pampering services are enhanced with biotechnology and state-of-theart equipment - this spa helps guests achieve

a greater state of well-being. There are nine full-service treatment room boasting soft neutral tones to soothe the senses and invite the mind to unwind. In addition, two signature rooms are dedicated to traditional hammam cleansing rituals. Relaxation areas feature cold mist showers, a large whirlpool and, a sauna with fibre optic lighting and a steam room with chromo therapy features. GO: Call +971 (0) 2813 5537 or Email abudhabi. sensespa@rosewoodhotels.com for more information.

ONe & ONly SPA, ONe & ONly ROyAl MiRAge DuBAi One & Only partnered with ESPA to create a centre of pampering excellence and wellbeing for the best treatments and massages in Dubai. A serene sanctuary with 12 private treatment suites, the spa offers a range of holistic and tailored experiences to help aid the relaxation of mind, body and soul. The Signature treatments feature authentic, powerful techniques using highly natural products, which are tailored to return your natural equilibrium. The holistic body wraps include lymphatic skin brushing, body exfoliation or a wrap of Algae. Classic full body massage is essential, professional and specific. Select from the various themes to find the perfect solution for you. The Oriental Hammam located separately, offers the traditional Hammam rituals for guests to enjoy a rejuvenating setting. GO: Call +971 4315 2140 or email spa@ oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae for more information.

CULTURE

l e t ’ S tA l K l e i S u R e AND ACtivitieS – tHe RegiON iS Full tO tHe BRiM witH SOMe OF tHe MOSt e xC i t i N g PA St i M e S , AND we’ve PiCKeD juSt SOMe OF tHe S tA N D O u t S …

lOSt PARADiSe OF DilMuN wAteRPARK, BAHRAiN You’re likely to be splashing around in the water for most of your time here which will, no doubt, keep you cool, so a summer vacay to Bahrain should be on the cards! The absolute best place for a great family day out, Lost Paradise of Dilmun even has wonderful cabanas that you can rent for a more enjoyable experience. There are three tiers of air-conditioned cabanas; Royal, VIP and Beach. Depending on what you go for, you can benefit from a waiter service, a safety deposit box, water and juice, and access for the kids to the rodeo bull and bungee trampoline. We love the Water Temple and the Wave Pool and don’t forget to check out the different slides, the lazy river and the fantastic beach-like area too. GO: Visit www.lpodwaterpark.com or call +973 1784 5100 for more information.

FeRRARi wORlD, ABu DHABi It’s the world’s largest Ferrari-themed park with a sprawling area packed with fun family attractions, thrilling rides and the fascinating story of Ferrari. Discover everything about Ferrari with behind the scenes experiences in makeshift settings. Check out Viaggio in Italia, inspired by the legendary Mille Miglia race, where you’ll soar into the heart of Ferrari’s homeland. Other exciting encounters, to try, include the 4D Speed of Magic; the Galleria Ferrari (especially if you’re a car enthusiast!) with the ultimate display of Ferrari models; Made in Maranello – an insight into the historic Ferrari factories; Bell’Italia with a miniature Italy on show; and Tyre Twist, a spin on the traditional teacups ride, amongst many others. If they think karting is fun, the kids will love a whole little word set up especially for them. Little ones have the chance

to become junior pilotas behind the wheel and learn to drive and cruise through mini streets, in small Ferrari cars. There’s a junior training camp, junior grand prix, and a junior GT driving school for children to hone their racing skills! Shopping and dining options are plentiful too. GO: Visit www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com or call +971 2496 8000 for more information.

SOuq wAqiF, DOHA In comparison to waterparks and rollercoasters, this is a way more laid back option, but nonetheless an interesting one. Souq Waqif is one part of Doha that will export you back to the bustling markets of the old days. Small alleyways are lined with fabric and jewellery shops, gift and souvenir stores, and plenty of opportunities for window-shopping or picking up a rare find. Enjoy an authentic Middle Eastern meal or sit down for shisha with friends and family at one of the many great restaurants. Al Rawnaq is one of our favourite shops for a treasure trove of amazing craft supplies, costume jewellery and random bits and bobs, perfect for bringing that design you had in mind come to life! There

are even stables for horses and camels here! A leisurely stroll or some serious bargain hunting can be done at Souq Waqif, either way, this traditional bazaar is perfect for spending a few hours away from the city’s skyscrapers. GO: Visit www.qatartourism.gov.qa for more information.

DOlPHiN BAy, DuBAi As far as leisure goes, there’s no chance that you’re going to run out of things to do in Dubai. But, when the shiny malls and buildings just don’t cut it, head to Atlantis, The Palm for a more once in a lifetime experience and swim with Dolphins! Get up close with these beautiful creatures and choose from a range of dolphin experiences, speciallycreated to suit all ages and swimming abilities. You can have memorable interaction in shallow waters or scuba dive alongside the charming marine mammals – the choice is yours. The dolphin experiences include complimentary same day access to Aquaventure Water park – bonus! GO: Visit www.atlantisthepalm.com or call +971 4 426 2000 for more information. fact magazine

CULTURE

wHO DOeSN’t lOve tO e At i N t H e g u l F ? B R u N C H e S H Av e B e C O M e A S tA P l e PA Rt O F S O C i e t y A N D we’ve gOt SOMe OF tHe BeSt tO CHeCK Out iN tHe RegiON…

FRiDAy BRuNCH At NuSANtAO,

FOuR SeASONS HOtel DOHA Start the weekend on a leisurely note with the Four Seasons Hotel Doha’s Friday Brunch, featuring an authentic selection of offerings – from fresh seafood to sushi, Asian street food favourites, Western fare and sumptuous desserts – matched by an all new setting of action stations that serve up an unforgettable backdrop for flavourful cuisine. For dessert, guests may indulge in sinfully delicious treats ranging from sweet and fruity tarts to a luscious chocolate fountain. This brunch is irresistible and extremely delicious. Our advice is to skip breakfast and enjoy this lavish brunch to the fullest. Indulge in this exquisite Friday Brunch from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Price: Regular brunch at QR340 and Sparkling brunch at QR425 GO: Call +974 4494 8600 or email dining.doh@ fourseasons.com for more information.

SteAK & jAZZ BRuNCH At tHe FOuNDRy,

SOutHeRN SuN ABu DHABi The perfect partners of steak and jazz come together for a brunch that celebrates the lavish atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties. Jazzy riffs will add the musical pizazz to a Great Gatsby-esque feast of a dining experience at The Foundry; the evening steakhouse and all day dining restaurant. 32

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Guests can look forward to selecting from the hotel’s bountiful selection of meat cuts, watching talented chefs cook each steak to perfection while soulful performances are orchestrated by a live band. Delivering a unique blend of buffet and sitdown dining, The Foundry will serve a delicious assortment of starters and desserts directly to tables as well as offering guests the freedom to move around the restaurant to explore the other tantalising selections from the buffet, including an Oyster Bar, Thermidor Station and Cocktail Bar. Price: The Brunch is priced at AED275 with soft beverages, AED 350 with house beverages and AED 475 with bubbly. GO: Call +971 2818 4888 for more information.

SAtuRDAy BRuNCH At lA viNOteCA & CAFé AMSteRDAM, BAHRAiN Indulge in a delicious Saturday Brunch for a change, amidst a delightful ambience and excellent food options. La Vinoteca and Café Amsterdam host a brunch that includes breakfast and lunch options; some dishes are served piping hot on your table, come are buffet style. With live cooking stations situated around the venues, a huge fresh salad display, live mixed seafood and chicken paella, live fired homemade sausages, a magnificent desserts display and children’s entertainment available all day that includes face painting, marzipan modelling and games. Enjoy live acoustic guitar performance from

between 3pm to 6pm. Price: Saturday Brunch at BD26++ including alcohol and BD22++ including soft drinks. GO: Call +973 3200 0177 for more information.

BuBBAliCiOuS BRuNCH, tHe weStiN DuBAi MiNA SeyAHi BeACH ReSORt & MARiNA

Bubbalicious is the exciting Friday brunch at The Westin Dubai. With more than 10 live cooking stations in three of Dubai’s hottest restaurants, Bubbalicious is the trendiest, liveliest, and among the most interactive brunches in Dubai. Guests will be able to move freely through each of The Westin’s fabulous eateries of Blue Orange, Hunters Room & Grill and Spice Emporium, seeing their delicious meals prepared by the chefs as they enjoy the amazing entertainment. Blue Orange is a lively buffet restaurant with expert chefs preparing everything from seafood, Arabic mezzeh, and salad to dessert, with a pasta section and sushi station taking you on a culinary trip. At both Hunters Room & Grill and Spice Emporium, there are different buffet sections and food displays offering up a wide variety of culinary treats. Price: Bubbalicious spread and soft drinks at AED450 and Bubbalicious spread with free flow Bubbly at AED680. GO: Call +971 4399 4141 for more information.

CULTURE

t H e g u l F C O u N t R i e S A R e AwA S H w i t H FA S C i NAt i N g S t O R i e S , H i StO Ry A N D t R A D i t i O N S . A N y v i S i t tO t H e t H i S PA Rt O F t H e wORlD wOulD Be iNCOMPlete witHOut A litlle ONe-ON-ONe w i t H lO CA l C u lt u R e …

qAtAR If you want a flavour of what life may have been like before the big buildings and the Corniche sprung up, one of the best things to do is go desert camping in the winter months. Many find that tour companies offer the best options, with special packages custom designed to the visitor’s timeframe, needs and budget. Desert safaris are the most popular, whisking people away on thrilling 4X4 rides over massive sand dunes all the way to the beautiful inland lagoon, for a day of swimming and a night in a luxurious yet traditional tent. Locals on the other hand do it completely different, setting up semi-permanent winter camps all along the coast. The camps, which are fenced, are licensed by the government and have all the modern day amenities and comforts of home; water tanks, generators, electric lighting, televisions, and even air conditioning! This pimped out version of Bedouin living is quite far-fetched from what desert life will have been like some 50 years ago, but it’s as cultural as you’ll get and a real treat for all. GO: Visit www.qatartourism.gov.qa for more information.

ABu DHABi, uAe

BAHRAiN

Arabian horses, ayallah dancing, falconry, camel racing and so much more makes up the traditional activities in the UAE. Take a guided tour of the amazing Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital – the world’s largest of its kind – and marvel the falcon museum or step into the luxurious wards where the falcons are kept, and try your hand at the pursuit of this age-old desert sport. Learn more about Salukis – a distinctive breed of dog found in desert regions and famed for their hunting prowess – at the Saluki Centre which honours the Bedouin traditions of hunting, training and breeding the domesticated dog species. Another stop to make would be the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club where you can come face-to-face with the beautiful Arabian horse. Aside from their love of animals, Abu Dhabi has many more charming cultural activities and sites to be experienced! GO: Check out www.visitabudhabi.ae for more information.

As well as having a host of annual events that celebrate local culture, Bahrain is one of the places in the GCC where mixing with locals is pretty easy to do. We’d recommend planning a whole day of traditional exploration, beginning with a real Bahraini breakfast at Chai Café and then hitting the heritage trail which will take you past some of the country’s cultural treasures and tell the story of a wonderful past such as that of Muharraq’s pearl trade. Visit Al Khamis mosque – one of the oldest in the region and don’t forget to do a tour of the many forts in the country including Arad, Bahrain, Riffa and Bu Maher forts – each has an intriguing tale to tell. No trip to this little gem of an island is complete without seeing the Tree of Life – though it’s become somewhat of a joke, it represents resilience and longevity, and with a few snacks in hand, watching the sun go down here could just about make the experience a cooler one. GO: Visit www.culture.gov.bh for more information.

MuSCAt, OMAN Muscat is far from a metropolis; there are very few high-rise blocks, and even the most functional buildings are required to reflect tradition through architecture, with a dome or an arabesque window feature – culture and tradition is literally seeped in the walls of the city’s buildings and stunning landscape. Here, we’d recommend visiting Souq Mutrah; from Omani daggers, rustic silverwork, gold, spices, fashion, jewellery items, and all sorts of treasure troves, this labyrinth of alleyways under a barasti (palm leaf) roof, is where you’ll want to seek out the most unique finds. Advice: haggle hard! The sea plays a major part in the city; fishermen in small motorboats are up at the break of dawn for the catch of the day; and cruise ships brings visitors, while goods arrive in containers, to the historic ports of Mutrah and Old Muscat. Find out where the morning markets are and go and watch how the friendly Omanis do business! GO: Visit www.omantourism.gov.om for more information. fact magazine

SOCIETY

#MAJID #AL #FUTTAIM #GIANT #MONOPOLY MaJid al futtaiM - tHe sHopping Mall, retail and leisure pioneer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; invited tHe coMMunitY to take part in a two-week drive in raising funds to Help build HoMes in nepal, tHrougH plaYing tHe all-tiMe favourite board gaMe MonopolY at citY centre deira, citY centre Mirdif and Mall of tHe eMirates. tHe life-sized gaMe was a tailor-Made version featuring uae iconic landMarks and celebrating tHe Heritage and diversitY of tHe eMirates. 34

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ARTS

and it has since grown to recognise the fastchanging world of art in the Middle East. And now, the contemporary, non-profit organisation is further continuing to showcase a variety of artistic disciplines, tools, and skills through its annual group exhibition Made in Tashkeel 2015. Located in Nada Al Sheba, Dubai, this fantastic new exhibition will feature recent works of UAE-based artists, demonstrating their creativity resulting from experimentations, workshops and residencies facilitated by and held at Tashkeel. Both traditional and contemporary techniques throughout the different practices, including hand-made jewellery, bespoke furniture, typography, painting, 36

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vinyl record to digital and screen-prints, will be presented during the three-month exhibition. More than 20 artists are displaying their work this year. Exhibiting artists and designers for this edition include: Alia bin Omair, Bahar and Sawsan Al Bahar, Debjani Bhardwaj, Fari Bradley and Chris Weaver, Hadil Moufti, Judy ShinnickNolan, Latifa Saeed, Maitha Demithan, Myneandyours, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Ruba Al Araji, Ruben Sanchez, Saher Oliver Samman, Salama Nasib, Sawsan Al Bahar, Talin Hazbar, Tamsin Wildy, Tulip Hazbar and Zuleika Penniman. UAE-based designers Talin Hazbar, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Saher Samman and Latifa Saeed will showcase products created for the 2014/15 Tashkeel Design

contemporary ar t organisation based in Dubai committed to art and design and crosscultural the artist at the supports the

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Programme, which highlights designs, styles and production processes innate to the UAE. Sound artists Fari Bradley and Chris Weaver will exhibit a vinyl record, the result of their New Media residency at Tashkeel. In collaboration with The Vinyl Factory, the duo recorded experimental music in A Model Studio – a central installation part of their first solo show Systems for a Score. Established in 2008 by Lateefa bint Maktoum, Tashkeel is a contemporary art organisation based in Dubai committed to facilitating art and design practice, creative experimentation and crosscultural dialogue. Placing the artist at the core, Tashkeel supports the UAE’s creative community through studio facilities, artists’ residencies, international fellowships, a programme of exhibitions, events and professional as well as recreational workshops. Tashkeel’s exhibition space accommodates up to six main projects a year, as well as a series of small-scale events. The programme includes solo and thematic exhibitions, screenings, workshops and seminars, fulfilling Tashkeel’s commitment to bringing art and culture to a wider audience and engaging the local community. GO: Made in Tashkeel 2015 will run until August 20. Tashkeel is open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 10pm. Visit www.tashkeel.org for more information.

01 Salama Nasib 02 Bahar Al Bahrar 03 Ghalia Kalaji 04 Tulip Hazbar 05 Ruba Al Araji 06 Hadil Moufti 07 Sawsan Al Bahar 08 Ruben Sanchez 09 Design Programme 10 Myneandyours - Something to believe in 11 Zuleika Penniman 12 Tamsin Wildy 13 Fari Bradley and Chris Weaver - Systems for a Score 14 Judy Shinnick 15 Alia Bin O 16 Design Programme fact magazine

SOCIETY

#ZENITH #& #RIVOLI #GROUP #EXHIBITION swiss watcH Manufacturer, zenitH, in collaboration witH rivoli group took watcH connoisseurs on a voYage as tHe brand’s 2015 novelties were unveiled at a special exHibition. Held at tHe r lounge in tHe H Hotel, dubai, visitors at tHe exHibition got tHe opportunitY to discover tHe inspiration beHind zenitH’s 2015 novelties. tHe 4-daY exHibition was attended bY select Media and vip clients. 40

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TheRe’s A new ARTisT ColleCTive Coming To The menA Region, CReATing minD-Blowing PRojeCTs FoR All TyPes oF Cool evenTs. FA C T C Au g h T u P w i T h s i m o n CoATes who will Be Running The miDDle eAsT oFFiCe oF hungRy CAsTle ouT oF DuBAi…

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ARTS

i simon! Tell us more about hungry Castle where did it start and what is the vision? studio is based in Barcelona and run by two

design agency that also threw parties in

big and they have a very openhearted

Simon Coates will be running the MENA office of Hungry Castle, based in Dubai.

what does hungry Castle do?

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the Keyboard Hat which is based on the

somehow manages to encapsulate the look

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been the most extravagant, unusual and fun project to date?

back I was determined to bring the Hungry world so I suggested to Dave and Killian that

reasons why I care very much about the

what do you hope to achieve with hungry Castle in the middle east? and to open discussions; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one other

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merchandise lines in selected stores out

have you ever said no to a project, and what would hungry Castleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultimate dream project be?

them may clash but the attitude is always

GO: Visit www. hungrycastle.com for more information.

others but working on a project that reaches and teaches at the same time would be very

how can people get involved? Whenever we set up at an event we rely on people to help spread the word so tag us

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Eat, drink and click photos... ‘CELEBRATE GOOD FOOD’ for tomorrow you might win.

ONE THEME, three categories: 1. Food Portrait 2. Food from the Farms 3. Market Scenes

photoawardme

Magic Hues Little magic of colors to enhance your business

fact magazine THIS THAT OR the butterfly effect

SOCIETY

#HESHAM #MALIK #& #SOTHEBY’S #CHARITY #ART #SHOW pioneer britisH auction House sotHebY’s, internationallY acclaiMed artist HesHaM Malik and HigHlY revered auctioneer edward rising coMe togetHer for a unique cHaritY art auction at tHe one and onlY roYal Mirage, wHere 25 of tHe artist’s collection espãrito (spirit) went under tHe HaMMer. tHe sold-out auction, attended bY art lovers and art connoisseurs, was trulY applauded bY all for tHe brilliant collection froM tHe ‘Young Master’ tHat was displaYed. 46

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24 Hours in

MADRID

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GLOBETROTTER

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On a recent long-weekend jaunt to Spain’s capital, FACT ’s Shabana Adam took on the challenge of hitting the streets in Madrid to discover what the city has to offer in the form of parks, plazas, royal buildings, and artsy attractions. Here’s how she got on…

7:00 am

Wake up in the heart of Plaza De Santa Ana at ME Madrid hotel in the Personality Suite, where its outdoor terrace will offer spectacular views of the city, before a delightfully Spanish breakfast at Ana La Santa restaurant and setting off to explore on foot.

Bershka, H&M, Salsa and many more. Stop off for a snack at one of the many quaint cafes serving delicious churros (crispy sticks of fried batter) with chocolate sauce, before continuing up Calle Fuencarral or Calle Hortaleza, dotted with cute vintage shops.

2:00 pm

Take a wander west of the hotel, visiting monuments like Palacio de Santa Cruz, walking through Plaza de La Villa and towards Catedral de La Almudena and Palacio Real de Madrid or the Royal Palace of Madrid. It’s the largest in Europe and open to the public most of the year.

Continue on foot towards one of the coolest parts of the city, Alonso Martinez. Spanish lunchtimes usually run from around 2pm to 4pm. Soak up the vibrant culture whilst tucking into a lunch of traditional paella or tapas at one of the many local hole-in-the-wall eateries, or people watch from a spot in Plaza de Alonso Martinez.

10:00 am

4:00 pm

8:30 am

After your architectural fix, it’s time to walk up to the hustle and bustle of the city. Follow Calle Mayor from the cathedral towards Puerta Del Sol – the official centre of the country. There’s a photo opp with the famous El Oso y el Madroño (bear and the tree) statue and the Tio Pepe neon sign as well as street performers to marvel.

12:00 noon

Continue up Calle Montera towards Gran Via, the ‘Broadway’ of Madrid where you’ll find popular brands like Zara,

Burn off the fuel with a walk southeast down Calle Genova, or catch the metro a few stops, to Retiro. Parque de El Retiro is a stunning, grand park filled with lovely water features, magnificent sculptures and monuments, galleries and palaces and plenty of open space to walk or cycle.

5:00 pm

When you’ve strolled to your heart’s content, head south making a pit stop at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, housing a huge collection of 20th century contemporary

and modern art. Make sure you take a ride in the panoramic glass lifts for the full artistic experience.

6:00 pm

Take Calle Argumosa to the city’s oldest district and Madrid’s multicultural heart, Lavapies where African, Indian and Asian influences come to life with charming restaurants and street-market-style shops. Keep heading northwest through the narrow streets to La Latina, in Madrid’s Old Town. A hidden gem with a centuries-old garden, juxtaposed with modern hotels and chic shops.

8:00 pm

After a change for dinner, head to ll pezzo di Giuseppe, right on ME Madrid’s doorstep in Plaza de Santa Ana. Treat yourself to authentic Italian food in a lively Spanish square. I recommend the Melanzane parmigiana for starters and a delicious pizza or pasta dish to follow.

10:00 pm

Madrid has plenty of options when it comes to nightlife. Theatre, tapas bars, flamenco shows and clubs galore. Check out Café Central, a sophisticated jazz club in Plaza Del Angel, hosting some of the best performers from across the world. Booking is recommended.

Getting Around On Foot A true culture fix means setting off on foot around Madrid. All you need is a city map (available at the airport and hotels) with some basic Spanish phrases and a sense of adventure to get going.

Metro There’s a station located in all major parts of the city – inner and outer – and as long as you can navigate the map, this is a relatively fast and cheap way of getting around.

How to get there? Qatar Airways operates daily flights via Doha to Madrid. Visit www. qatarairways.com to book. fact magazine

SOCIETY

#SEARINA #SUMMER #PREVIEW #AT #ASIA #DE #CUBA asia de cuba, tHe internationallY-renowned cHino-latino restaurant, lounge and beacH deck, Hosted tHe launcH of fasHion label searina’s suMMer collection - i’ve got sunsHine. designed bY tHe abu dHabi-based, upcoMing palestinian/Jordanian fasHion designer, searina abdel kader, tHe event was attended bY a Host of tHe citY’s trendsetters. guests enJoYed tHe vibrant lounge area and a HigH-octane fasHion pop-up sHow. 50

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Madrid

The saying ‘in the heart of the city’ comes to mind when you talk about the beautiful ME Madrid Reina Victoria hotel. FACT stayed here to find out why you should make this your property of choice when visiting the Spanish capital…

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TRIED & TESTED

e’ve been to many resorts and hotels in Europe, but none got the reaction that ME Madrid did. Out of Sol metro station and a few minutes walk away (400

will catch your eye is the stunning façade at the top of the square. ME Madrid ‘s architecture is one of character, class and charm. The hotel building was revamped from the historic Gran Hotel Reina Victoria into the elegant property it is today. The outside is a traditional structure, which pays homage to its rich past. It was named in honour of the beautiful wife of King Alfonso XIII, and was considered a symbol of elegance and luxury in the Spanish capital. The inside of ME Madrid is just as pleasing. Thanks to the work of renowned architect Keith Hobbs, the hotel design conserves the splendid beauty of the building’s historic architecture and blends this with the trendy spirit of ME by Meliá, through the use of cutting-edge interiors, eclectic accessories and its creative art works. We were in hospitality heaven!

ThE PErsonaliTy suiTE ME Madrid’s accommodation options are plenty (180 rooms and 12 suites), and there’s a room to suit every guests’ needs. On this occasion, we were there on a leisurely trip to soak up the vibrant city life, and there was no better room to experience this than the Personality Suite. From the second we entered 610 it exceeded all our expectations. We walked into a beautiful sitting/lounge room with comfy leather sofas and an armchair, a home cinema, welcome amenities, and there was even a Nintendo 52

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TRIED & TESTED

Wii. Walk through a small corridor area and you’re in the bedroom, which is pure perfection. There’s a king-sized bed with dreamax pillows and mattress (we had the best night’s sleep here), a large work space, and, more importantly, you have access to your own private terrace, decked out with sun loungers and an outdoor dining table – ideal for in-room breakfast and dining – but the terrace is even more impressive for its farreaching views over Madrid. We also fell in love with the spacious bathroom, which was a whole room within the suite. It housed a huge tub and walk-in shower with hydro-massage, twin dressing areas and a separate lavatory. The only thing that we found a little odd was fact magazine

TRIED & TESTED that there was no door on the toilet and the didn’t have locks on them. For travellers comfortable with each other, this shouldn’t pose a problem, and, to be fair, the excellent services and extras that come with the room will make you forget about not having a door on the toilet. What was one of the standouts in this suite? It has to be the maxibars (not minibar – this is stepping up a notch) – it’s suite conveys a sensation of complete bliss for guests who wish to experience pure luxury

ana la sanTa Yes, ME Madrid has one of the coolest nightspots in town – The Roof – with panoramic views and a crowd made up of the city’s most stylish. However, it was the out over Plaza de Santa Ana that really had our inner foodie jumping with joy. Every morning you can enjoy a delicious breakfast of eggs, pastries, cereals, varied cheese and meats, breads and hot and cold drinks, in the comfort of this lovely venue, reminiscent of a lounge at home. In the evenings, dinner is a must here. The menu consists of traditional tapas prepared to order and also new-style world. We’d highly recommend from the tapas menu the Spanish omelette, the tuna, and the anchovies, and for the mains, if will do the trick. For dessert, the chocolate brownie and ice cream is exquisite. ME Madrid is the type of place you stay for complete escapism from everyday life. Its friendly and helpful, and inside you’ll be greeted by modern facilities that will make your stay an unforgettable one. The attention to detail at the hotel is impeccable – you can even get a portable Wi-Fi device from the hotel reception to carry around the city and make sure all those cool pics make it onto instagram in real time. There’s even a SkinC – everything that the contemporary traveller needs. We’d recommend, at least, a 4-day trip! GO: VISIT WWW.MELIA.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ME MADRID. CALL (34) 91 7016000 FOR RESERVATIONS. 54

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REVIEWS

BIG Screen

The Look of Silence What’s it about:

The Look of Silence is the bold and confrontational companion to the Oscar-nominated The Act of Killing. Joshua Oppenheimer revisits Indonesia’s communist purge of the 1960s, but this time the focus shifts to the victims of the mass murders with documentary storytelling through the eyes of a family that survives the genocide and confronts the men who killed one of their brothers.

Highlights “The Look of Silence takes us back to a more traditional style of documentary storytelling, but with extraordinary goals.” The Look of Silence

Minions What’s it about: The lack of a master is driving the minions into depression, so minions Kevin and rebellious teens Stuart and Kid Bob take a trip to the villain convention, where they are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a stylish and ambitious villain determined to dominate the world. Alongside her inventor husband, super-villain Scarlet devises a plan to take the Queen of England’s crown, when, along the way, the minions learn of a threat to the existence of their kind.

DIRECTOR: Joshua Oppenheimer WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING? It’s even more poignant and shocking as Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing – the powerful documentary about the men responsible for the cruel and ruthless murder of some million Indonesians, during the country’s communist purge in the 1960s – The Look of Silence takes us back to a more traditional style of documentary storytelling, but with extraordinary goals. Where The Act of Killing took a stab at laying bare the insincerity and hypocrisy of the perpetrators of the brutal Indonesian genocide, this film offers a more riveting approach by focusing on a family of survivors who discover how their son was murdered. The documentary follows optometrist Adi, the youngest son, and his personal search for answers as he decides to break free of social suffocation by bravely confronting his brother’s killers – the men who still remain in power – and asking them to take responsibility for their actions. This is groundbreaking filmmaking at its best.

“ …this 3D computeranimated comedy flick is packed full of cute and quotable Minion moments and enough belly laughs for 104 minutes of pure escapism. ” Minions

DIRECTOR: Kyle Balda & Pierre Coffin CAST: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING? Minion fans get ready to fall in love with the small, nasal-sounding yellow creatures all over again. Following in the footsteps of animated hits Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, this 3D computeranimated comedy flick is packed full of cute and quotable Minion moments and enough belly laughs for 104 minutes of pure escapism. It’s no surprise that these breakout Despicable characters have been given their own film – they can certainly carry it (straight to the top of the box office, we think!).

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REVIEWS

on THe recorD

FuLLy BookeD

SUSPENSE FICTION

14th Deadly Sin By James Patterson

POP/ROCK

The Original High

ELECTRO FUNK/SOUL

Time For Love

By Adam Lambert

By The Winachi Tribe

THE PSYCHEDELIC FUNK OF GEORGE CLINTON, the brooding menace of Massive

Attack, the rolling hypnotic beats of Happy Mondays and the vision and flow of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five are all essential ingredients to the sound and style of The Winachi Tribe, a sonic soul, electro funk collective who are unconstrained by boundaries or formulas, musically or culturally. Lyrically explosive and musically diverse, the band was born from the belly of Northern D.Funk collective China White. The Winachi Tribe is made up of exceptional musicians and producers who have collaborated and toured with a range of artists from Ian Brown to Alabama 3, Keith Allen to The Furious Five. The band’s influences are as diverse as their own musical output, something that is evident on the band’s debut release, Time For Love – a record that blends eclectic beats to create a truly individual sound. Parliament/Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone sit alongside The Happy Mondays, Primal Scream, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, creating a melting pot of references that produce a truly individual sound.

Detective Lindsay boxer is more than happy with her beautiful baby daughter and a devoted husband. In fact, things seem to be going well as all the members of the Women’s Murder Club gather to celebrate San Francisco Medical Examiner Claire Washburn’s birthday. The party is cut short when Lindsay is called to a shocking crime scene, where a woman was murdered in broad daylight. Lindsay begins her investigation and finds video footage of the cold blooded criminals, covered with masks. It could be anyone, and Lindsay’s co-workers are suspects. With shocking twists and riveting suspense, 14th Deadly Sin, proves yet again that when it comes to suspense fiction, James Patterson nails it again!

We just had to review this album, because, let’s be honest, Adam Lambert has become somewhat of a revelation and pioneer in modern-day music. He has some of the most hardcore fans on the planet and a powerhouse voice that has him singing all the way to the bank! We’ve already heard Ghost Town off this 14-track album, and fans everywhere loved the haunting rhythms and heartfelt, emotional sound of this memorable tune. The song has many layers: it’s simple and complicated, it’s light and dark, it’s happy and sad. Plus, the heavy bass beat is infectious. The rest of the album follows suit with powerful vocals and provocative lyrics. Looks like the world of music will be whistling to the sound of Adam Lambert this summer!

“...and fans everywhere loved the haunting rhythms and heartfelt, emotional sound of this memorable tune. ”

FICTION

The Heir (The Selection) By Kiera Cass

In this fourth romantic novel, follow Illéa’s royal family into a whole new Selection - and find out what happens after happily ever after. A new generation of swoon worthy characters and captivating romance awaits in the fourth book of the Selection series, as Princess Eadlyn realises happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she’s always thought. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. But, Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy tale love story, but her mind changes as the competition begins. Kiera ‘Selection’ series has enchanted readers from the very first page; get ready for another magical ride.

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SOCIETY

#TAG #HEUER #EXHIBITION #BY #NATACHA #TOUTAIN tag Heuer unveiled its latest exHibition in Honour of steve Mcqueen and tHe art of falconrY bY frencH artist, natacHa toutain. tHe exHibition was sHowcased to a private audience at tHe tag Heuer boutique, tHe galleria Mall as a great tribute to tHis iconic sportsMan. tHe tag Heuer exclusive sHowcase was visited bY a nuMber of vips froM al Manara international JewellerY, MeMbers of tHe abu dHabi falconers club and MeMbers froM tHe roYal faMilY. 58

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“MOPARIZED” JEEP WRANGLER

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CITY RIDES

THERE ARE A THOUSAND AND ONE WAYS YOU CAN CUSTOMISE A JEEP (AND THEN SOME), BUT THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER MIDDLE EAST…

his is the Jeep Wrangler as custom-built by Jeep’s performance division, Mopar, especially for display and demo purposes for the Gulf. We first laid eyes on it at the Dubai motorshow in 2013, where it was displayed for the first time in the region. One look at those Rubicon 10th anniversary alloys and huge Cooper off-road tyres, the 60

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lift kit, and that Rubicon hood, and we knew we wanted a go! It took a while to get round to it, but here it is – our experience of the ‘Moparized’ Jeep Wrangler. First impressions, as you might have guessed, are good. We loved the look of it – beefy without going overboard into ostentatious, which so many Wranglers are prone to do! The lift kit is one of the more minimal on the market, but

still adds two inches to an already good ground clearance. The steel bumpers look great too, but they do add some weight, especially with the addition of the winch. In a one-off exercise, Mopar even managed to drill through the extremely hard rear bumper to install a rear-parking camera, something that you won’t see on any other Jeep in the region. The platform for this custom beast was the already high-spec Sahara edition, so once you climb in you’ll find all the features that it entails – cruise control, CD/MP3/radio with a six-speaker audio system, leather seats and so on.

CITY RIDES

Unfortunately, quite a bit of on-road refinement is sacrificed to the kings of dune-bashing. Even the small 2-inch lift makes for a rather bouncy and wallowing ride when combined with those big Cooper off-roaders, and they cause a serious amount of road noise inside. Those adding these features for offroad performance know what they’re getting themselves into, and accept the consequences. However, unless you actually plan on taking the Jeep for some serious off-roading, there’s little point in ruining the ride comfort for ‘big-wheels-that-look-cool’. It is on the rocky paths and rolling dunes, though, where this beast is

“It is on the rocky paths and rolling dunes, though, where this beast is truly at home. This Jeep absolutely dominated anything we threw at it.” truly at home. This Jeep absolutely dominated anything we threw at it. Being relatively lightweight compared to the bigger luxury SUVs, the 3.6l Pentastar engine, with its 285hp and 353Nm of torque, provides more than enough power to

tackle anything in its path. Once we’d let a little air out of those massive Cooper radials they glided over soft sand without a care in the world. Even when things got a bit sticky, we simply threw the Jeep into 4-lo, and slowly churned our way out with minimal fuss. It was huge amounts of fun tearing across the dunes in this Jeep, as you can probably tell from the images. If you only venture into the desert occasionally for your average camping trip, a standard Jeep Wrangler is more than adequate for your needs. For anything more serious, we highly recommend a rig like this. It will go anywhere! fact magazine

MOTORING NEWS

TCA TO GIVE AWAY 1 2 MERCEDES CARS THIS SUMMER! Abu Dhabi’s Tourism & Culture Authority is launching a major promotions drive across its malls with twelve luxury Mercedes-Benz cars to be given away to shoppers as part of this year’s Abu Dhabi Summer Season. Shoppers spending a total of AED200 at any of the 12 participating malls in the emirate will be eligible to take part in the promotion. A total of 12 consecutive weekly draws will be held in TCA malls, including Al Wahda Mall, Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Dalma Mall, Deerfields, Marina Mall, Khalidiya Mall, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi Mall, and World Trade Centre beginning on June 20 and ending on September 5 with a new Mercedes-Benz given away each Saturday.

FUTTAIM

The UAE’s Toyota dealership Al Futtaim Motors has launched a unique Ramadan Upgrade program on a select range of vehicles, including Toyota Yaris Hatchback and Sedan, Prado and Land Cruiser, as well as the AlFuttaim Motors 60th anniversary limited edition range. With upgrades worth up to AED30,000, Ramadan also brings with it special gifts worth more 62

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RAMADAN DEALS than AED2,000 each to any customer who takes delivery of their brand new Toyota during the Holy Month and Eid. During the Holy Month, Toyota showrooms will welcome customers from 9am to 2pm, and 8.30pm to 12am, Saturday through Thursday. Showrooms will also open on Friday from 8.30pm to 12midnight.

MOTORING NEWS

A L TAY E R L A U N C H E S N E W J A G U A R X E Al Tayer Motors, the official UAE importer for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles has launched the all-new Jaguar XE. The latest addition to the British marque’s award-winning range, comprising the XF, XJ and F-TYPE, the XE was launched at a glittering event held at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

Speaking at the event, Bruce Robertson, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan said: “The Jaguar XE is one of the most exciting products to be launched by Jaguar in recent times and we strongly believe this car will drive Jaguar to the top of the competitive sports saloon segment.”

NEW INFINITI Q70 H I T S T H E GULF Infiniti Middle East unveiled the new Q70 sedan last month at a glamorous launch event in Dubai studio city. With a fresh new exterior, the latest evolution of the Infiniti Q70 takes the emotion-packed character of the performance sedan up another level. In the new model, the Active Noise Control feature monitors cabin noise levels and generates “canceling” sound from four door speakers to reduce noise. Premium audio systems include the Bose Studio Surround sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 16 speakers, two of which are mounted in the shoulders of each front seat. The new Q70 is equipped with a 3.7l V6 engine, rated at 329hp and 363Nm of torque. Also available is the 5.6l V8 engine that delivers 402hp and 550Nm of torque. fact magazine

PLUGGED-IN

T HE A I RWHEEL

SO WE WERE AT THE YAS MARINA CIRCUIT recently, at an event, which involved driving around in a car park at speed dodging traffic cones. Some of the cones, inevitably, weren’t dodged quite well enough, and required the event staff to run out there and upright them. To everyone’s amazement, the supervisor glided rapidly past us and off out into the car park at speed on what can only be described as some kind of electric unicycle. Being the intrepid tech journalists that we are, we had to find out more! Accosting the poor man, we discovered that this was the Airwheel X3, and that they were now available from Virgin Megastore if we wanted to try one for ourselves. The Airwheel X3, as well as the rest of its range of personal mobility devices, uses 64

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the same kind of gyroscopic balancing system as the famous Segway. In fact, Airwheel make two-wheeled versions with handlebars much like the Segway, but this was old news. We were more interested in their range of hands-free, single wheeled devices like the X3. You control it much like the Segway, leaning forwards and backwards to go…

Well, forwards and backwards, and left and right… you get the idea. It takes a little getting used to, specifically as to how much leaning is actually required, and controlling

X 3

speed and so on, but once you’ve got it, you’ve got it, like riding a bike. This particular model impressed us so much because of its convenience. Weighing in at only 10kg, it can be carried around in a backpack (which also boasts space for other items), and then whipped out when needed. It is fully charged in just 90 minutes (not much more than a mobile phone), and boasts a maximum speed of a brisk 18km/h, and a range of 23km. The added bonus – you look like a robot from the future, and EVERYONE will want to ask you about it! VERDICT: While we have reservations about technology that can only make people lazier by giving them alternatives to actually walking, if you have a practical or occupational application for this gadget as with the gentlemen we came across, you will simply never regret buying something that is so useful and fun at the same time!

PLUGGED-IN

APP-LICIOUS Today’s tech-savvy generation of smartphones and tablets means the world is at your fingertips, literally! FACT has three great apps to download for your device, keeping you plugged-in to all the best techie help for every area of life...

PHOTO EDITING

GETTING AROUND Careem

HangKeys

Need to brighten up an evening shot? How about a fun effect, or getting the right crop? All of these thins are so essential to regular photo snappers and, let’s say, instagram addicts! Perfect your photos in a snap with the new Snapseed 2.0. This app brings to your mobile device the power and control of professional photo editing software. Now with the tap of a finger you can retouch, adjust perspective, re-edit, and more. There are plenty of tools to achieve your desired photo perfection. Tune image - use to auto adjust for instant fixes, use Ambience to create depth and vibrancy that uniquely adapts to colors and fine tune brightness, saturation, contrast, and more.

A reliable chauffeur-driven car service, Careem takes the world of taxis to a whole new level. So, how does it work? Download the Careem app and get booking! Some of the app’s cool features include the ability to make NOW bookings for immediate pickups or LATER bookings for a pre-scheduled time; ordering a car takes less than 20 seconds with the estimated fare and driver and car information too; payment is made through either a registered credit card or credits which can be bought in cash. A luxurious fleet of cars is available 24/7 with excellent customer support. Careem’s service is comfy, professional and safe – what more could you want?

Who remembers hangman? Who still puts pen to paper or marker to whiteboard sometimes to play this addictive classic game with friends? Well, HangKeys is bringing hangman into the 21st century. This app lets users play the age-old pen-and-paper game in any messaging service. HangKeys allows players to challenge their friends at the word-guessing game. This is a really clever idea and tons of fun! As far as brain stimulation and a little break in the day goes, 10-20 minutes exercising your word game and hangman skills might just do the trick. This might just be the most straightforward and fun keyboard game on the App Store right now.

Snapseed

GAMES

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SOCIETY

#ALICE #& #OLIVIA #FALL #15 #COLLECTION #PREVIEW alice & olivia bY staceY bendet Held an exclusive preview of tHe fall 15 collection at Mall of tHe eMirates boutique. tHe brand put togetHer a vibrant and entertaining presentation for tHe citY’s vip press and bloggers. Models sHowcased tHe fall 2015 collection wHile guests listened to Music plaYed bY one of tHe capital’s best dJs and enJoYed a personalised alice & olivia bags witH tHeir initials and exquisite frencH canapes and Mocktails. 66

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itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S All ABOut

D e N i M fact magazine

FASHION FOCUS

SA l SA SPRiNg SuMMeR 2015

ave you checked your denim stash lately? There’s a whole stock of fresh new trends to update your wardrobe. Portuguese denim brand Salsa, presents its new Spring-Summer collection 2015. The collection is inspired by denim blue in perfect harmony with the colours of the ocean to give an Always on Vacation feel. That’s indeed very inspiring, considering we all are planning our vacay to beat the heat. The new collection was showcased by international models Alexandre Cunha, Gui Fedrizzi and Reka Ebergenyi. The collection takes inspiration from the energy flow from am to pm. For women, the selection reflects an active, urban woman who knows everything about what is going on in terms of trends but still wants to feel comfortable. All the pieces are a mixed bag that includes some darker items; perfect for a confident, cosmopolitan woman, some blending patterns with different textures, and black leather jackets that pair well with darker washed jeans. But the brand also has vibrant orange, beige and white tones for a more casual look in its trench coats, patchwork jeans, flowing dresses, shorts and dungarees; perfect for an afternoon stroll or a walk on the beach. Men are presented with a collection of

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geometric patterns, edgy items and a sporty look. The summer-themed colours highlight the oranges, olive green, navy blue and reds. The darker shades are not forgotten and can also be used to create sophisticated looks. Apart from the collection pieces, there are also more than 20 styles of jeans that represent the brand’s Denim Fit Guide, namely the technical and innovative Products; PushUp, Push-In, Hope Maternity, Shape-Up, Mystery or Er-Go, the 3D ergonomic model for men, and Mystery - the jeans that create feminine curves. Salsa’s collection is ideal for day to evening wear so don’t be afraid to step up your summer look with a dash of denim. GO: SHOP SALSA’S SS15 COLLECTION AT ABU DHABI MALL.

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FASHION FOCUS

SHOP THE BRAND HERE IS OUR WISHLIST FROM SALSA’S SPRING/SUMMER 2015 COLLECTION.

for her

for him

THE WOMEN’S COLLECTION TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THE ENERGY FLOW FROM AM TO PM.

MEN ARE PRESENTED WITH A COLLECTION OF GEOMETRIC PATTERNS, EDGY ITEMS AND A SPORTY LOOK.

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Ohlala! Arabia Bringing style across The Middle East

ARABIA

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

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STYLE

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Marks and Spencer New Look

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New Look

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GIFT GUIDE

Eid Gift Guide For Women

01. BUCCELATI 02. MULBERRY 03. DSQUARED 2 04. BUCCELATI 05. JO MALONE I06. DSQUARED 2 07. SWAROVSKI 08. MIULBERRY 09. MARC JACOBS 10. DSQUARED2 11. BUCCELATI 12. DSQUARED2 76

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GIFT GUIDE

Eid Gift Guide For Men

01. TED BAKER 02. RIVER ISLAND 03. CALL IT SPRING 04. ALDO 05. CALL IT SPRING 06. MAURICE LACROIX 07. DAVIDOFF 08. RIVER ISLAND 09. OROS 10. MOUAWAD 11. ALDO 12. MOUAWAD fact magazine

BEAUTY

✓

CHECKLIST

HAVE YOU STOCKED UP ON THE BRAND NEW PRODUCTS FROM THE WORLD OF BEAUTY? FACT BRINGS YOU A NEW LIST OF BEAUTY ESSENTIALS EVERY MONTH. SO LADIES, WHAT IS ON YOUR CHECKLIST THIS MONTH? MAKE SURE TO TICK THEM ALL OFF…

DAily CleARing CleAnseR

GUERLAIN méTéoRiTes

REVLON Revlon ulTRA hD liPsTiCk

Glamglow comes out with a revolutionary cleanser for skin imperfections, pore refining and clarifying. It’s the world’s first mud to foam daily cleanser that changes colour and transforms from the mud in your mask into a gentle and effective foaming lather to dissolve oil and makeup, rinse away pore-clogging debris, impurities and excess oil. Apply two to three pumps and massage gently.

This cult constellation of multi-coloured powder pearls with an unforgettable violet fragrance has been created in 1987. Each pastel bead in the Météorites harmony has a quite specific function for beautifying the skin. In one swish of the brush, they work their magic to bathe the skin in light. This product transforms light invisible to the naked eye into a pure and endless glow.

Break free of dull, muted shades and broadcast your lips in high-definition. This game-changing lipstick formulated with Revlon’s wax-free high-definition gel technology that allows for true traditional wax-based lipsticks. Choose from the 14 terrific shades and add just one coat of the deliciously scented, silky formula and lips are instantly hugged in rich weightless colour.

RIMMEL

SALLY HANSEN

URBAN DECAY

ComPleTe sAlon mAniCuRe ColleCTion

AFTeRglow – 8 houR PowDeR Blush

Sally Hansen presents the new Designer Collection. Accent your summer wardrobe with six stylish, irresistible new shades. Vibrant red/ orange, deep turquoise and tender grey and pink are the shades that are hot now, and they are going directly onto your nails thanks to this all-inone manicure revolution.

Urban Decay introduces Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush - the fool-proof way to create that effortless, radiant look. Just a few quick swipes of Afterglow gives you the kind of easy, sexy, litfrom-within glow. The extremely blendable, finely milled formula goes on sheer and provides eight long hours of wearable, buildable colour.

25 houR nuDe FounDATion Rimmel launches its first lightweight long-lasting, transfer-proof foundation that reveals naturally flawless skin, with a nude, barely there feel. Blending smoothly and evenly, hiding fine lines and imperfections for a poreless, seamless nude complexion; this foundation has it all! Have natural looking, flawless kin for 25 hours, nonstop nude around the clock! 78

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CUT HERE

GLAMGLOW

For the Modern Middle-Eastern woman BAHRAIN

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

QATAR

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OVER 65 LOOKS TO MAKE YOU FEEL PHENOMENAL

Hot for Winter

A FABULOUS GUIDE TO THE NEW SEASON’S TRENDS

KATY PERRY

GAME CHANGING THE SHOES & BAGS YOU NEED NOW

EXCLUSIVE

GLorIa EStEfan SETS THE STANDARDS

MEGAWATT FASHION

Basking in Royal Allure

DECEMBER 2013 OHLALA!

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SEPTEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 118

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SOCIETY

#YAS #MALL #FASHION #& #BEAUTY #WEEK Yas Mall welcoMed visitors to its fasHion & beautY week in town square. visitors of all ages enJoYed tHe fasHion lounge, wHicH included Make up stations witH deMonstrations on skin colour palette and eYe and lip sHades, and nail stations offering tHe latest in nail art trends. tHere were also dress-up rooMs for private consultations witH valued opinions froM renowned stYlists, like tHe lunberg stYle acadeMY. 80

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BEAUTY MASHUP

SEPHORA

LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO CRAIG REDMAN AND KARL MAIER! THIS FRIEND AND ARTIST DUO IS SPECIALISED IN HUMOROUS GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION. WHEN THESE TRENDY, FUNKY MINDS JOIN FORCES, THE RESULTS ARE A MAKE-UP COLLECTION WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ECCENTRIC FLAIR AND ULTRA-POP, GRAPHIC STYLE...

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SOCIETY

#VACHERON #CONSTANTIN #COLLECTOR’S #PREVIEW vacHeron constantin, tHe world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie Manufacture recentlY Held an elite vip collector’s preview in tHe presidential suite of tHe eMirates towers Hotel in dubai. tHis exceptional event Heralded tHe launcH of tHree striking collections froM tHe brand, naMelY tHe HarMonY collection, tHe Metiers d’art collection and tHe HigH JewellerY collection. tHe event was attended bY 15 nicHe collectors froM tHe region. 82

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“Food is the foundation of our families in Italy; it is part of our soul.” – Chef Juri Pelusi

Chef Juri Pelusi A little slice of Italy is what you’ll find at La Mamma in Sheraton Abu Dhabi, with authentic Mediterranean flavours leading the way. FACT went to meet the newest Italian chef to join the restaurant’s team and learn more about what he’s bringing to the table…

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CHEF’S TABLE

Mediterranean cooking is simple that mostly uses modest ingredients. Care, attention and passion will elevate an Italian dish to a memorable experience.

hef Juri’s gastronomic roots run deep when it comes to culinary experience. He’s a native of the beautiful region of Abruzzo, Italy, growing up in the town of Terrano. He’s worked in many fine restaurants, from Michelin-Star establishments in Verona and Rome to fine dining Italian restaurants in London and Dubai; Chef Juri’s career is an impressive one. However, despite travelling the world through his profession, his homely culinary roots remain extremely important to the chef. “I started my chef training at the age of 15 in a small hotel near to our home where we cooked simple, Mamma-style dishes,” Chef Juri recalls. “It was a tough and challenging experience but those years provided me with foundations that I could build on later in my career. Also, I wasn’t just learning the basic skills to become a chef but I had to learn how to handle pressure, which is essential if you are envisioning your future in this business.” Those basic skills have come a long way, as he is now the Head Chef at La Mamma. Over the years, La Mamma has become one of the city’s favourite Italian restaurants providing the perfect setting for intimate dinners, family gatherings and business lunches. “La Mamma is celebrating authentic Mediterranean flavours and traditions with simple, honest dishes,” Chef Juri explains. 84

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“Evoking the atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria, we offer classic favourites such as lasagne and Margherita pizza; a variety of fish dishes and meat courses with veal, lamb and beef; innovative pasta dishes as well as my signature dishes.” Now, it was time for us to immerse ourselves in the authentic Italian atmosphere and a special tasting menu. We begin with two beautifully presented starters: fresh burrata cheese served with asparagus, cherry tomato and “taggiasche’’ olives; and beef carpaccio with wild rocket, semi-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. The first of the two was exquisite – light and creamy burrata cheese, well complemented by the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes and the flavourful punch of the taggiasca olives – we love it! The beef carpaccio is cut into the most perfect thin slices, teamed with fresh rocket leaves; this is a delicious, reliable dish for those who want a classic taste of Italy. We move onto the mains: risotto with porcini mushrooms, parmesan fondue and shaved black truffle; and braised veal ossobuco served with gremolata sauce and saffron risotto. Now, one of our foolproof checks at any Italian restaurant is the quality of its risotto, and let us tell you this, La Mamma has its risotto game on lockdown. A dish that’s a staple of any good Italian venue, the risotto is usually quite a heavy main. Here, the flavours of the mushroom and truffle shine through and the dish remains pleasantly light but filling, and we enjoy every last bite. If you’re looking for a heartier main course then the tender veal will please all the meat-lovers out there. We ask Chef Juri how La Mamma stands out from other Italian eateries in Abu Dhabi. He says: “La Mamma has been part of the life of Abu Dhabi’s residents over three decades. Some guests told me about memorable family dinners and business events that took place here 10 or 20 years ago. “We are in a very unique position to have this emotional connection to our customers. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and welcoming neighbourhood restaurant where our guests can enjoy

good conversations over great food,” he adds. We happily move onto dessert, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Chef Juri’s signature Nutella pizza. Originally from Naples, this indulgent dish is the perfect combination of Nutella, vanilla ice cream and crunchy pizza dough sprinkled with brown sugar. “Once you have tasted it you will never want your Nutella any other way,” Chef Juri says. It was INCREDIBLE! So good that we have no idea why people everywhere aren’t making and eating Nutella pizza already – if there’s anything we could have asked for it would have been more Nutella filling! We also tried the warm chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream – a decadent and delightful dessert that diners will love. As far as food philosophy goes, Chef Juri tells us: ““Food is the foundation of our families in Italy; it is part of our soul. I cook for our guests as I would cook for my loved ones. Mediterranean cooking is simple that mostly uses modest ingredients. Care, attention and passion will elevate an Italian dish to a memorable experience.”

Menu Fresh Burrata Cheese Beef Carpaccio Risotto with Porcini Mushroom Braised Veal Ossobuco Nutella Pizza

Chef Juri’s main goal at La Mamma is first and foremost to get to know the customers and get a better understanding of what pleases their palate. “While there are a lot of people familiar with La Mamma, there are still many potential customers yet to experience it. So my aim is showcase what our team can offer to a new wave of patrons.” With food like this, we’re sure the diners will be visiting, and returning, frequently! GO: VISIT LA MAMMA AT SHERATON ABU DHABI. CALL (0)2 677 3333 OR GO ONLINE AT WWW.LAMAMMAABUDHABI.COM FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.

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FOODIE CORNER

PA S S I O N I N E V E RY B E A N M A I S O N M A AT O U K O P E N E D N E A R LY 2 0 Y E A R S A G O A N D R E C E I V E D A G R E AT R E C E P T I O N F R O M C O F F E E L O V E R S I N T H E U A E ! T H E B R A N D H A S BEEN SERVING ITS VERY OWN ROASTED-FRESH-FOR-YOUR-COFFEE AND OTHER PREMIUM COFFEE BLENDS TO CITIES AND TOWNS ALL OVER THE W O R L D. FA C T C A U G H T U P W I T H P R & M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R L A R A A L A S K A R I T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T T H I S R E N O W N E D C O M PA N Y …

i Lara! Tell us more about Maison Maatouk - where and how did it all begin? In 1960 Mahmoud Maatouk, a pioneering coffee enthusiast, inaugurated the first Maatouk Maison du Café in Azarieh, downtown Beirut. The café specialised in freshly roasted premium coffee with uniquely distinguished blends. The coffee house became widely acclaimed for its outstanding brew and Maatouk proceeded to open up a restaurant, a pastry shop and a sweet shop to complement the Maison du Café. A mere 15 years later the business moved to the United Kingdom where Mahmoud Maatouk continued his passion by founding the first Lebanese coffee factory in Hayes, Middlesex. In 1985 the family re-established the coffee factory in Lebanon before leaving for Dusseldorf, Germany in 1987 to continue growing the coffee empire. The Maatouk family permanently returned to Lebanon in 1990 and plugged in all their efforts to reviving their coffee brand. Once the brand had grown in stature, Mahmoud’s daughter Samira

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expanded the brand’s operation in the UAE by opening a branch of Maatouk Maison du Café in Abu Dhabi. Mrs. Samira took over the business empire after the passing of Mahmoud Maatouk in 1996 and has since expanded the production facilities to state-of-theart factories in Abu Dhabi. 50 years since its inception, the company is still committed to its vision, of playing a leading role in the hot beverages sector.

varies in type and characteristics depending

What is the aim of the service that Maison Maatouk provides for customers? We aim to provide premium coffee blends for all our customers. Staying true to this vision while still keeping up to date with the latest industry technology has allowed the company to grow into a recognisable international brand. At Maatouk, we’re more than coffee roasters, we’ve been coffee crafters for half a century. Take us through the process of selecting coffee beans and creating a unique blend? We select the finest coffee beans from different parts of the world. The main sources for us are mainly Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Kenya. Each individual crop is unique and varies in type and characteristics depending on their seasonality. We micro dissect and select the beans from the crop to meet our industrial quality standards that are set by our coffee experts and tested in our labs. After selecting the beans comes the roasting process, it’s the most critical as the flavor and Aroma develops during this stage .we mix the roasted coffee and blend it for all our coffee types.( Lebanese ,Arabic, Espresso and American). Then the grinding

“Blue Mountain is moderately higher in

stage follows. We grind our freshly roasted coffee beans to powder by using high tech monitored grinder. Once its roasted and grinded to perfection, it goes instantly to fresh preserving Packaging that is a highly advanced technology to retain the rich aroma and taste ensuring its authenticity and unique flavor for a longer period. What sets Maison Maatouk apart from other coffee shops in Abu Dhabi? At our retail boutiques, we combined both the concept of fresh coffee roasting and a modern coffee shop that fits nowadays demands, that differentiates us from other

internationally to be the grows in the highest spot

coffee shops in the market. Our concept is simple yet a very unique and personal one. Freshest coffees at our customer’s convenience, which is why we are available in a variety of places such as Malls and Hyper Markets.

What’s the most expensive coffee bean you house, and do you have a personal favourite? Blue Mountain is moderately higher in price and one of my personal favorites as well! It is known internationally to be the best type of coffee bean by coffee experts. It grows in the highest spot in Jamaica. Tell us more about any plans for growth over the next few years... Our mission is to maintain our name and heritage becoming the coffee leaders in the coffee industry. We are always in search for innovative ways and updated technologies to cope with today’s aggressive market. We have expanded our business and have opened more than four outlets within the UAE in the past few years and we’re now in the process of expanding different outlets across the MENA Region. GO: VISIT MAISON MAATOUK IN KHALIDIYA OR MARINA MALL. GO TO WWW.MAATOUK.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine

SOCIETY

#ATELIER #PERFUMERY #GRAND #STUDIO #OPENING on beHalf of Mr. adnan abdulraHiM and Mr. abdulla karJi, tHe citY of dubai and Her greatest perfuMe lovers were invited to tHe official opening event of atelier perfuMerY, a nicHe perfuMe studio. tHe event took place at tHeir luxurious new studio in tHe galleria Mall, JuMeiraH. tHe identitY of atelier perfuMerY eMbodies tHe luxurY, craft and qualitY of nicHe perfuMerY. 88

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Sho Cho at Souk Qaryat Al Beri FACT was invited to one of Souq Qaryat Al Beriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more recent additions, the Japanese fusion seafood restaurant Sho Cho, for a mammoth tasting experienceâ&#x20AC;Ś

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VENUE REVIEW

ho Cho was already a highly successful concept in Dubai, having been a popular dining and social hotspot at Dubai Marina Beach Resort for many years now. Now it has opened its doors in Abu Dhabi, with a light and stylish venue boasting a welcoming outdoor terrace with tranquil views across the creek to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It ’s a particularly spectacular spot for a sunset dinner, as the light silhouettes the many minarets and domes of the impressive monument. As we sit down, we’re welcomed with a delicious variation of the 90

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“By now we were beginning to struggle, but there were still two dishes to go. Thankfully, they were both very impressive. The salmon in yellow chilli Sauce was delicious, and the sauce was just the right level of spicy, without overpowering the fish...

classic edamame beans to nibble on while we wait for our dishes – they’re prepared with ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil, and we could eat these all night alone. This was not to be though, as soon came a unique dish to start off with, the hot mushroom salad. While we liked the idea, there’s room for improvement, as the sauce was a little overpowering, and a bit too salty. If the sauce had been more subtle and allowed the flavour of the mushrooms to do some work, it could’ve been a much tastier and memorable dish. We had no reservations about the next dish to come though – it was tuna steak wrapped in a crispy

VENUE REVIEW

pastry with a superb sesame mayo dressing. This was a highlight of the evening for us, and we devoured the lot! Next up was a dish of Yellowtail slices in a lovely tangy yuzu citrus dressing, which was almost like a ceviche with an Asian twist – light and delicious. Then came Sho Cho’s version of the well-known battered shrimp in spicy cream sauce (commonly known as TNT shrimp). It wasn’t the best example of the dish we’ve had, as the batter and sauce overpowered the prawns, so we couldn’t really taste them. Next in quick succession came some very good prawn gyoza dumplings, and an expansive sashimi platter that was presented excellently, and would make an ideal dish to share with friends. By now we were beginning to struggle, but there were still two dishes to go. Thankfully, they were both very impressive. The salmon in yellow chilli Sauce was delicious, and the sauce was just the right level of spicy, without overpowering the fish – this is what we like! Then, to round off an enjoyable experience, the triple maki platter, comprising dragon maki, soft shell crab maki, and Philadelphia maki. The soft shell crab maki was something unique, and very tasty, although the spindly legs poking out of the rice rolls at the end might put off the more squeamish diners. The clear winner, though, was the dragon maki, which was fresh and tasty! After all that, unfortunately, we were forced to skip dessert… so the lesson here is to take it easy and pick the perfect menu items for your palate! We’re convinced that once more people start to discover Sho Cho’s beautiful setting and varied menu, this place has the potential to rival its sister venue in Dubai. GO: CALL (0)2 558 1117 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine

CITY BITES

At the InterContinental Abu Dhabi there’s a fantastic choice of dining experiences to celebrate Eid. Head to Byblos Sur Mer with family and friends for a festive lunch or dinner and choose mouthwatering dishes from the rich a la carte menu. Set on the edge of the water, Byblos Sur Mer has amazing views of the sea and serves delicious Lebanese cuisine, from traditional grills to spectacular mezzeh, prepared by a handpicked team of chefs. Eid dinner here includes a special set menu and live entertainment from an Oud player between 8.30pm and 10.15pm. Priced at AED350 per person (food only). At Chamas you can tuck into a live seafood ceviche station and also experience the legendary Churrascaria of 16, running from the first day of Eid, for the whole week, and priced at AED315 per person (food only) and AED399 inclusive of soft drinks and mocktails. Fishmarket will treat you to a wonderful experience of choosing your seafood in a charming setting and enjoying the freshest catch, expertly prepared to your preference. GO: Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea runs from March 13 GO: Call (0)2 666 6888 for reservations and more information.

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Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel has unveiled attractive offers for summer and Ramadan including an Iftar buffet at Corniche Restaurant for just AED185++. Guests can also enjoy Ramadan nights at the famous Grills@Chill’O restaurant (P8 level) where the Layali tent is located, offering sohour in a typical Arabian atmosphere that includes live oud playing and shisha. The Hotel also announced offers for company Iftars at the Layali Tent for AED185++ per person provided groups book for at least 100 persons. Another offer is Iftar buffet in the splendid Crystal Ballroom when companies book for a minimum of 40 people starting from AED145++ per person. For guests with a sweet tooth, there’s a whole host of pastries and delicious delights at Le Cafe bar and the famous Dammann Freres tea at the Dammann Freres cafe on the first floor. GO: Call (0)2 813 7777 for reservations and more information.

This Eid, Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi will delight guests with a delicious international buffet, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, at the all-day dining Bistro restaurant that blends traditional cuisine with contemporary fare. Sit back and relax within its vibrant and stylish setting with an array of mouth-watering dishes available. Diners can begin their culinary journey with a selection of hot and cold appetisers, followed by mains that include an outstanding selection of meats, fish and vegetarian dishes. Diners are urged to save room for dessert, as the menu features a wide selection of favourites like Blueberry Crumble, Vanilla Crème Brûlée and the assorted Baklava. Perfect for individual diners or sharing with friends and family, the buffet is AED135++ per person, with selected soft beverages such as tea, coffee, local still and sparkling water, as well as refreshing fruit juices or AED250++ per person inclusive of selected house beverages. GO: Call (0)2 698 2222 for reservations and more information.

CITY BITES

Emirates Palace invites you to its spectacular Ramadan pavilion - the perfect venue for Iftar and Sohour in the city. The custom built pavilion sits on the Palace Terrace and will provide stunning views of the beach. Measuring 2,400 square metres in size, this year’s tent is a sight to behold. With a large open dining area for Iftar buffets, guests will enjoy the best traditional dishes including signature dishes from Mezlai, Emirates Palace’s famous Emirati restaurant. The à la carte menus and buffets feature a sprawling selection of traditional delicacies, Arabic mezze, Middle Eastern and international inspired culinary creations and gourmet desserts. A custom-built climate control system will keep guests comfortable as they are taken along a culinary journey with fragrant shishas and traditional Quanun music to create the perfect ambiance. Ramadan pavilion rates are AED265 for the Iftar buffet and a minimum spend of AED125 for the Suhour à la carte menu. GO: Call (0)2 690 7999 for reservations and more information.

Are you a meat eater and love a good burger? The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa has got your foodie needs covered in July! Sample a distinct selection of Hamburgers f rom around the world at The Retreat. Choose f rom the following: The Kiwi, The American, The Mexican, The Frenchie, The Italian, The German, The Indian, The Briton, The Asian, The Habibi and The Westin Whopper. Every day f rom 4.30pm to 11pm, priced f rom AED70++ (Ramadan timings will be 7pm to 11pm). GO: Call (0)2 616 9999 for reservations and more information.

Indulge in a special weekend that marks the end of the Holy Month at Yas Island Rotana. Celebrate the Spirit of Eid Al Fitr this year with two brunches – all weekend. Choices Friday Brunch which hosts a splendid array of International cuisine – bringing only the best Continental, Arabic and Indian specialities in town; with brunch favourites, a healthy salad bar, a heavenly dessert counter, and live cooking stations. And if that’s not enough, you can enjoy the special Choices Saturday Family Brunch, serving delicious food. There’s a Kid’s Corner during Friday Brunch, as well as special rates for children - under 12 years receive 50% off. Starting from AED180++ per person with soft drinks and AED260++ per person inclusive of selected house beverages, for the Friday Brunch; and AED140++ inclusive of soft drinks and water and AED220++ inclusive of free flow selected house beverages for the Choices Saturday Family Brunch. Brunch runs over the weekend of July 17-18 from 12.30pm to 4pm. GO: Call (0) 2 656 4000 for reservations and more information.

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SOCIETY

#SWAROVSKI #WINTER #GARDENS #COLLECTION #LAUNCH swarovski Made its autuMn winter 2015/16 runwaY debut in dubai, sHowcasing tHe winter gardens collection of fasHion JewellerY and accessories. witH tHis versatile, on-trend collection tHat speaks to tHe needs of Modern and Multi-faceted woMen, swarovski expressed its dna and iconic toucH of glaMour and sparkle. swarovski invited tHe citYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social elite to tHe idYllic all-new beacH lounge, cove beacH. 94

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Personalised Pampering

Whilst many people will venture to Yas island for the marina, the circuit and for shopping at the city’s newest mall, FACT’s Shabana Adam had something else in mind… an escape from city bustle to get a good dose of relaxation. For this, ESPA at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, kindly, obliged…

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SPA REVIEW

hen you’ve done your fair share of spa reviews, it takes something way beyond expectations to really impress. This was exactly what happened as soon as I walked into ESPA at Yas Viceroy; it blew me away. The spa is HUGE! Not just spacious and practical, but sprawling both upwards and outwards. There are nine treatment rooms, two Viceroy presidential treatment suites, a relaxation lounge overlooking the Yas Marina race track and lavish, separate, private areas for male and female guests. The spa is also home to a hammam, rounding off the practice and philosophy of classic healing traditions blended with modern techniques. I would highly recommend arriving 30 to 45 minutes prior to your treatment, so you can make full use of the extensive facilities within the changing area. There’s a good-sized steam room and sauna, both perfect for a pit stop to get your body ready for your chosen treatment. The changing area was one of my favourite elements of the spa. It had big showers, private and open changing areas, and all the amenities you can ask for, including hair straighteners, toiletries and plenty of clean towels and slippers. It’s a calm and relaxing area and there’s no rush to get ready and leave after your treatment has finished. Today, I was here for a 90-minute Personalised Signature Treatment (also available for 120-minutes), which 96

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consisted of an Aromatherapy Massage and a Refreshing Facial. The reason why such a package works well is because it’s created to meet your individual needs. The expert spa team will guide you to make the perfect relaxing choice to leave you feeling revived. My therapist Yani is friendly and professional and I chose the beautifully aromatic Soothing essential oil by ESPA, for my massage. Yani tells me that this oil is extremely calming and good for active bodies and energetic minds (at least half of that is true in my case!). The massage was an ideal way of de-stressing and taking some time to just, simply, chill out. The Refresher Facial was absolutely amazing. Though only 30 minutes, it involved a cleanse, exfoliation, personalised facial mask and an application of a booster serum to suit your skin. I didn’t realise how effective it was, and how much I needed it until I saw the end results – my face looked fresh and vibrant! ESPA at Yas Viceroy is the type of spa where you want to spend a few hours – whether that’s a combination of treatments or one big package, it’s well worth taking your time here for the ultimate in luxurious spa escapes. GO: Visit ESPA at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. Call (0)2 656 0862 for bookings and more information. fact magazine

Samah Konia

Wedding and Events Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

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TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE LATEST WEDDING TRENDS...

THREE EVENT & WEDDING SERVICES THAT YOU OFFER...

Every couple and family that approaches us with a wedding inquiry has a dream celebration in mind. They are looking for an event-planning partner that can assist them throughout the entire process. Couples are always looking to create a memorable experience for their guests, be it through the latest culinary trends, unique table settings or entertainment programmes. A recent trend I have noticed with Emirati weddings, for example, is serving the starters on a beautifully designed starter plate rather than offering a traditional family-style sharing experience.

The most appreciated service The RitzCarlton offers is a dedicated wedding specialist that accompanies the couple from the first time they walk into the property to the day of the event. The key selling point for us is the Bridal Suite, located on the first level with private elevator access to the ballroom. All our brides love being able to get ready there with their bridesmaids and the assistance of a lady butler. We offer as well a wedding show room, which is a space that features the latest trends in terms of table setups, floral decor, wedding favours and cake designs.

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DO’S AND DON’TS FOR WEDDING PLANNING… DO’S

Give yourself enough time to plan a wedding - six months is the ideal duration. Prioritise the venue booking; once you do that, everything else follows smoothly. Select a theme that structures your event and helps you through the process.

DONT’S

Leave anything unplanned, have a detailed wedding agenda in place. Don’t forget to have fun. After all, you are creating the most beautiful memory in your life!

Let us create a moment that you’ll never forget.

Let us pamper you with style and discretion.

Let us make your stay be anything but foreign.

Let us promise you’ll never feel the same way about staying at Club Level again.

Experience the new level of luxury with Club Level accommodations. The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Club Level Lounge, is an exclusive retreat of supreme comfort, convenience and privacy. Indulge in five complimentary food and beverage presentations daily while captivating in the serene surroundings and views atop the 23rd floor. For reservations, call The Ritz-Carlton, Doha at +974 4484 8000 or visit us at ritzcarlton.com/doha.

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