OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES
VOL 10 ISSUE 34 / AUGUST 25, 2016
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THE LIVE ACT
THIS WEEK IN OMAN
HAVE A NIGHT OUT From a fancy dinner with live music to a pulsing dance club and event space, a night at Rumba Lattina offers a world of possibility for enjoying Muscat after-dark. PAGE 18
TREAT YO’MAN (OR YO’SELF) A crop of male-only spas are bringing the manliest hair treatments, facials, and body care to the well-manicured men of the capital. PAGE 12
EAT AMMAN From fresh baked sweets and fatayer to traditional dishes like yoghurt-cooked lamb mansaf, Jadara Bakery & Restaurant in Al Khuwair is serving up the best of Jordan on a daily basis. PAGE 14
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Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong felicia@timesofoman.com
Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash
ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
shafeeq@timesofoman.com Senior Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair
salim@timesofoman.com
shruthi@timesofoman.com
Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers
richard@timesofoman.com
aziz@timesofoman.com
Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker P Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Waleed Rabin Photography Salim Hamood Al Afifi For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com
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Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
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FRIDAY
10pm Live from Seeb
2pm Break it Down
After playing for Tomorrowland in Belgium, the 2 Faced Funks have landed in Muscat where they will be performing live at OTR. Stag entry OMR10. Ladies Free.
Learn some crazy new hip hop moves from Yaz and Eddy who are conducting a free hip hop workshop from 2pm to 6pm for potential dancers ages four and older.
On the Rocks Golden Tulip Seeb +968 2434 6765
Mumtaz Residence, Ruwi +968 9329 3247
SATURDAY 12pm Take a Bite of America Head to Muscat Hills for authentic American food and live music, courtesy of Decade Apart. Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club +968 2451 4080
9pm Dinner and a Magic Show Prepare yourself to be amazed at The Bollywood this weekend, where a magician will be thrilling kids and adults alike with mindbending tricks during the Thursday night magic show. The Bollywood, Qurum +968 2456 5653
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
THE WEEKEND LINEUP
Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly
8pm Fashion at Rumba Attend the Flower Power fashion show to see the latest trends and local models strutting their stuff. Rumba Lattina The Cave, Darsait +968 9531 8629 reservation@rumbalattina.com
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Have you tried any of these five? What do you think of them? Did we miss any of your favourites? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly
FIVE T O T RY BEST EDM ALBUMS ADVENTURE BY MADEON Adventure is the debut album of the young French DJ who burst onto the music scene after uploading a mash-up video on YouTube titled ‘Pop Culture’. All the 12-tracks are euphoric. Highlight Songs: You’re On; Pay No Mind; Home
ARTPOP BY LADY GAGA ARTPOP is a pure electronic music that came to life in 2013; it’s full of catchy pop hooks combined with signature dance beats from talented DJ’s such as Zedd and Madeon. This is the album that marked Lady Gaga’s departure from pop to EDM. Highlight Songs: Gypsy; X Dreams; Applause
TRUE BY AVICII Another one from 2013, True remains one of the best and most unique dance records by the mastermind Avicii. The entire album has country and guitar-y elements that combine with massive beats to get the dance party started. Highlight Songs: Addicted To You; Lay Me Down; Wake Me Up
SKRILLEX AND DIPLO PRESENTS: JACK U BY JACK U Jack U is a 2015 project that united two of the world’s biggest DJs—Skrillex and Diplo — both of whom are known for being very experimental with their beats. Get this Grammy award winning album if you’d like to experience a different kind of EDM. Highlight Songs: To U; Where Are U Now; Take U There
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES BY DAFT PUNK Random Access Memories was Daft Punk’s critically acclaimed album released in 2013 to a huge commercial success. The beats on this album are subtle and will give you 90’s disco vibes. Highlight Songs: Instant Crush; Lose Yourself to Dance; Get Lucky
THE ARTIST: AUDREY SPENCER Follow Audrey Spencer if you’re interested in art. She’s a Snapchat artist who creates intricate doodles that often feature her cats as her subjects. Snapchat: Cakes1todough1
THE SOCIAL COMMENTOR: MARK KAYE Being a radio host didn’t stop Mark Kaye from sharing his sense of humour on Snapchat as well. He will keep you updated and laughing as he quips about current events. Snapchat: Markkaye
THE FITNESS QUEEN: ANNA VICTORIA Anna is a beauty and fitness blogger who created a 12-Week Fit Body Guide that will certainly show you how to stay fit and keep you motivated too. Snapchat: Annavictoriafit
THE NERD PACK: TECH CRUNCH You will find all you need about technology by following Tech Crunch on their Snapchat account. They will also keep you updated with the latest technology news. Snapchat: Techcrunch
THE COMEDIAN: SARA HOPKINS It all started out as a joke for Sara Hopkins, who turned out to be one of the funniest ladies on Snapchat. Sharing her absurd travel experiences and funny thoughts about life in general, she is worth following. Snapchat: Sayhop
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
HI SOCIAL NEW TO SNAPCHAT? FOLLOW THESE ACCOUNTS
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THE WEEKEND ESCAPE
AN OASIS BY THE SEA Only an hour north of Muscat, the quiet, palm-lined walkways, picturesque marina, and hammock-strung beach of Sifawy Boutique Hotel, along with their phenomenal resident rate specials, have been luring me on impromptu weekend getaways all summer. STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL
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It typically hits me on a Tuesday afternoon — that sudden, intense desire to run from the office and the traffic and the dirty dishes sitting in my sink at home —and head somewhere beautiful and quiet where I have no option but to be lazy for a day or two. More often than not, before the day is out, I’ve texted my husband, “Sifah?”, received his resounding, “YES!”, and booked a room.
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ifawy Boutique Resort does not have the best beach for swimming, as the waves are rough and the beach itself is rocky, and the pool is always packed with families splashing around with their children. But it doesn’t matter. We don’t go to Sifah to swim. We make the hour long drive south to spend our mornings sipping coffee on the terrace of our room overlooking the bobbing boats in the marina or the revelry happening in the pool below. We go to Sifah to spend the afternoon sunning on the quiet, never crowded beach in comfortable loungers, sipping on the creations of our favourite barman, Raju. We go to spend the evening dancing in the sand to the music streaming from our playlists through the speakers of the beach cabana for the always small, but always lively group who likes to remain at the beach after sunset. We head down to Sifah, quite simply, because it is relaxing, the service is great, the rooms are clean, the food is surprisingly good, and for an hour drive and around OMR60 for a room, breakfast, and dinner (inclusive of tax), there simply is no better deal going right now. Peak season is almost upon us, and with the cold weather comes tourists and higher rates at properties around Oman. This is the last month that Sifawy’s resident rate will include dinner, going back to a B&B, tax inclusive rate (still a great deal) October 1st. As a result, I have a feeling that our impromptu Sifah getaways will become more frequent in the coming month. I’m sure we will still head down to Sifah in the winter season to enjoy even longer days lounging by the sea, this time feeling cool breezes instead of hot, but this property will forever remain, in my mind, my personal summer refuge. —felicia@timesofoman.com
ESCAPE TO SIFAH Sifawy Boutique Hotel Jebel Sifah +968 2474 9111 sifawyhotel.com SUMMER RESIDENT RATE (FOR OMAN RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS) Includes: Sifawy King or Twin room, Breakfast, Dinner, and Taxes. Free upgrade to Marina Suite, based on availability. Price: OMR60
ON THE WEEKEND MENU • In-room welcome fruit and Nespresso espresso machines • Massage therapist on-site • Restaurant (A la carte and buffet) and 24-hour room service • Pool with poolside beverage service • Beach with shaded lounges, hammocks and Beach Bar (serving snacks and beverages from 11am-11pm) • Water sports for hire (Jet ski, kayaks, fishing) • Bike rentals
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GROOMI N G
GENTLEMEN ONLY We men need a little bit of a pampering now and
then, but there is no term more feared by most guys than the word ‘spa’. That’s starting to change. STORY SALIM AL AFIFI
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s male-only spas are growing in popularity, many are finding their way into the weekly routine of Muscat men. Manicures, pedicures, and facials, once thought of as too feminine for us dudes, now require advanced booking at these male-centric centres. Gone are the days of masculinity being associated with dirty fingernails and unkempt hair, so welcome the era of the well-cared-for gentlemen with a visit to one of these spas.
CRYSTAL CLEAN NAILS Spa Bar for Men in Qurum offers a wide variety of treatments for your delicate nails, you can try out their Essential Manicure and Pedicure, which are basic treatments for cleaner nails, but I’d recommend you go all the way with their amazing spa treatments for hands and feet. They also offer feet spa treatments, as well as whitening and oxygenating facial masks. Spa: Spa Bar for Men Location: Jawharat Al Shatti, Qurum Contact: +968 2469 9440 Try: Citrus Hydrating spa for a refreshing and sparkled up feel (OMR13)
ALL ABOUT THE BODY Spaloon got you covered; their endless list of services will get you well-groomed and ready to go. They have fantastic packages for full body treatment, as well as full body waxing, hair treatment, hairstyling and shaving products, manicures and pedicures, a variety of facial masks, body polish, body wraps, hot hammams, and popular spa massages such as bamboo fusion and hot stone massage. Spa: Spaloon Location: Al Qurum Street, Qurum; Al Ghubra (new 2-floor branch) Contact: +968 2466 2906 Try: Stress Breaker package, which has hot stone massage, soothing and cooling body wrap, and Asian foot massage (OMR63)
HANDSOME HAIR Head to Cut Zone at Buyoot Al Fay in Al Khoudh and get treatments for your hair. They offer a variety of hair treatments for problems such as hair fall and frizzy hair, and they also do hair and beard styling done by professional and certified stylist Lamjad, as well as French and Moroccan hammam, manicures, pedicures, and body peel. Spa: Cut Zone Location: Buyoot Al Fay, Al Khoudh, Seeb Contact: +968 9792 8774 Try: Keratin Hair Treatment for softer and manageable hair (OMR40-60, depends on the hair length)
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Join fellow photography lovers for lectures, workshops, and competitions, whether you are professional photographers or young amateurs and aficionados. STORY HANEEN AL LAWATI
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hotographic technology was developed around the year 1800 by Thomas Wedgwood and it has been improving ever since. As cameras shrank, becoming easier to carry from one place to another, photography became more popular all around the world. Nowadays, capturing the moment has become an essential part in our daily lives as we snap, filter, and store our memories and the beauty of the world around us in the form of photographs. Here in Oman, the Photographic Society of Oman was founded in 1993 to help photographers in Oman pursue their dreams through local and international competitions, training and workshops, and community building. The Photographic Society represents Oman in the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and has won many awards over the years, especially in the black and white biennial. Beyond mere competition, the society is also committed to demonstrating the power of photography,
through campaigns to raise awareness of issues like, water waste. In a recent competition, photographers were asked to take photos that demonstrated the importance of saving water. At the end of the competition, the top three photographers are awarded cash prizes. Seeing the social impact thoughtful photography can have, is an important aspect of the development of this artistic endeavour in Oman. For young, amateur photography lovers, the Photographic Society of Oman organises summer courses that are perfect for both new photographers who want to improve their skills and for professional photographers who want to share their knowledge. Weekly and monthly activities such as lectures, workshops, and contests are organised by the society. Call or e-mail for membership information, or to register for workshops like the upcoming Basics of Digital Photography. —hiweekend@timesofoman.com
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JOIN THE CLUB Saturday–Thursday, 8am to 9pm (closed Fridays) Facebook.com/PhotographicSocietyOman omanpso@gmail.com +968 2428 3706
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FIRST LOOK
FROM MEZZE TO MANSAF: JORDAN ON A PLATE STORY SWATI DASGUPTA PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E ‘Sahtain wa Afiyah’, said one of the Jadara staff as he placed a plate of warm, luscious-looking kanafeh on the table. It was the final touch on the bounty of vibrant colours and irresistible aromas set out before us. From one corner of the table to the other, platters of different shapes and sizes jostled for space. There were shawarmas and falafel, hummus, ful medames and khubz, pattice rolls, and an enormous platter of mansaf, that beloved Jordanian specialty of lamb slow-cooked in dehydrated yoghurt and served on a mound of rice. If it was to taste half as good as it looked, I knew I was in for a memorable meal. The only question was, where to start?
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f you are thinking this is an anecdote from a fine dining experience here in town, then you are in for surprise. Jadara Bakery & Restaurant, a welcoming new establishment serving fresh, authentic Jordanian, is just a small, simple storefront in the heart of Al Khuwair. But trust me, you won’t care about the ambiance or white tablecloths after you’ve had a taste of their fresh Jordanian delicacies, which are as opulent as many meals I’ve had in upscale establishments. After a half hour inside the brightly lit little restaurant, as the staff busily rustled up our lavish spread, the wonderful smells of a bakery filled the air. Unable to resist my curiosity, I followed the whiffs and found myself peeking inside the open kitchen counter at Jadara’s best kept secret — the hot stone oven where the baker stood pulling out perfectly crisp rounds of bread. “Jadara Bakery and Restaurant is an authentic Jordanian restaurant and bakery, one of the first of its kind here in Muscat,” said Ashraf Ali Al Heilat, General Manager of Abraj Oman International LLC, the parent company of Jadara, who had walked up behind us. “Bread is very important in Jordanian cuisine and they are served with just about anything you eat, mostly used to scoop up the different dips,” he explained. Back at our table the typical Jordanian mezze had arrived, including hummus, a puree of chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon, olive oil, and garlic; falafel, a deep-fried patty of ground chickpeas and spices; fresh chopped vegetables and olives; all served with freshly baked, golden circles of crisp pita bread. Next up, a platter of shawarma sandwiches arrived. As in most Middle Eastern countries, shawarma is a popular, casual food in Jordan. Here at Jadara, the spiced, roasted chicken slices are wrapped in flat bread with a touch of cheese, and the whole sandwich is then grilled to crispy perfection and served with a side of tasty fries and pickled vegetables. It was my first experience with cheese shawarma, and despite being sceptical about the combination, it was totally delicious. What came next captivated our attention entirely. A heaping platter of mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, which is usually only made for special occasions. Prepared by simmering lamb with fresh herbs in jameed (dried yoghurt), the tender meat is served
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atop rice which is served atop a base of thin khubz bread. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of a toasted almonds and pine nuts. The traditional Bedouin dish is usually eaten by hand, the platter shared by an entire family or group of friends. Despite the fact that the lamb pieces were huge, the meat was soft and done to perfection. Pulling apart the tender pieces of meat, so rich and plentiful, was an experience in and of itself. “Having mansaf is like having Jordan in one bite,” Ashraf said, smiling. As we ate, more dishes arrived, and with each one Ashraf shared more about Jordanian cuisine and the culinary influences on the foods from the kitchens of North Africa, the Middle East, Persia, and the Mediterranean. “You might think, ‘why ful medames is in a Jordanian restaurant? Isn’t it from Egypt?’ but it is an extremely common dish in Jordan too and like ful medames there are many Jordanian food that might not have originated in Jordan, but have been imbibed so well over the years that you cannot separate it out from our traditional cuisine,” he explained. As our meal began to wind down, plates of Jordanian cookies and baklava began to appear, then came the steaming, massive slice of kanafeh. Cheese is the most important ingredient in kanafeh, which is a popular Leventine dessert of soft, stringy, slightly salty cheese topped with semolina cake, soaked in sugar syrup, and finished with a pinch of ground pistachios. Jadara claims to have the best kanafeh in town, bringing many of the key ingredients, including the cheese, all the way from Jordan to maintain the dish’s authentic taste. Full and happy, we stood to leave Jadara. As we walked towards the door, the man who had greeted us, held the door open. I stopped and turned to him. “One last question,” I smiled, “what does Sahtain wa Afiyah, mean?” “It is a term we often use when we serve a meal,” he replied, “It means, wishing you health and wellness.” Delicious, authentic, Jordanian food and warm wishes — what more could a diner ask for? —swati@timesofoman.com
01. Baklava Platter an assortment of sweet pastries made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. 02. Pattice with fillings of chicken, spinach and sausages 03. Fresh Bread Khubz or Shrak, the traditional thin Jordanian bread. 04. Assorted Jordanian Cookies like Mamoul or stuffed shortbread cookies. 05. Kanafeh cheese pastry soaked in syrup. 06. Fol Medames cooked fava beans served with herbs and spices. 07. Falafel deep fried chickpeas patties. 08. Fresh Salad a platter of freshly cut cucumber, tomatoes, carrots and olives. 09. Hummus a Levantine dip made from mashed chickpeas and blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. 10. Shawarma roasted chicken slices and cheese wrapped in khubz. 11. Mansaf Special Jordanian delicacy of lamb meat simmered in dried yoghurt served on a bed of rice.
Jadara Bakery & Restaurant Location: Al Khuwair, behind the McDonalds (entrance near Palayok and Bin Ateeq) Phone: +968 2448 6810, +968 9623 1501 Email: jadarab@omantel.net.om
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OMANI SLANG
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MONEY Interspersed with the Arabic conversations overheard throughout the capital city, even native Arabic speakers might be surprised to hear some unfamiliar words. Though Arabic is the official language in the Sultanate, there are all kinds of words and phrases that are purely local. Here’s your monthly primer from Hi’s Omani team members, Salim Al Afifi and Asmaa Al Balushi. STORY SALIM AL AFIFI & ASMAA AL BALUSHI ILLUSTRATION WINIE ARIANY
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STORY: SHRUTHI NAIR PHOTOGRAPHY : DAWOOD AL ADHOUBI AND SHRUTHI NAIR
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am a 21 year old girl who graduated from university about a year ago. Since then, my daily routine has been pretty monotonous — go to work, meet friends, go back home. About 83% of my weekend is spent deciding with my friends where to go, and 100% of the time we end up going to the same restaurant, same lounge, or the same person's house. Our favourite subject? Complaining about the lack of nightlife and places to let loose after a strenuous week at work. Last weekend, that all changed. To be honest, when I first heard about Rumba Lattina and the new "Club scene in Oman", I scoffed. "Yeah right, nightlight in Muscat," I rolled my eyes. So, when I got invited to go to nightclub-slash-restaurant-slash-event space to cover an event in which the Brazilian ambassador was inaugurating their week-long Brazilian food fest, I went with a high dose of cynicism and low expectations. My colleague and I reached the restaurant at 6:40pm and met with the Ambassador of Brazil to Oman Mitzi Gurgel Valente Da Costa. We had a formal conversation in the surprisingly subdued restaurant. There were a few people murmuring at different tables around the room, enjoying their Latinflavoured meals and intimate conversations. After parting ways with the ambassador, I was given a tour of the place. The whole space was seamlessly divided into different areas for different purposes. There was the restaurant space, which looked like a classy, dining spot with Mexican flair; an outdoor dining space; a lounge area with long big
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THE LATINA LADIES HAD TRADED THEIR WOODWINDS FOR CONGO S... ....THE SUBDUED CROWD WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HUDDLED TOGETHER, SPEAKING IN HUSHED VOICES, WERE NOW LOOKING UP AT THE STAGE SMILING, AND ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE ROOM WAS SWAYING TO
THE CHEERFUL BEATS...
sofa’s like the ones you’d see in a 50Cent rap video; an elevated VIP area for guests who want to enjoy an upscale party scene, a separate VVIP area for small private groups; an area with two pool tables; and, of course, a dance floor set between the VIP lounge tables and the dining room. The urban, contemporary space lives up to it's Latin moniker, with interiors decorated with ancient Latin American designs and Aztec patterns showing up everywhere from the bar counters to the table clothes. The lighting, however, was perhaps the most distinctive design feature of the space. While there were bold yellow lights illuminating the bar counters, tiny bulbs encapsulated in coloured glass bottles hung from the ceiling, throwing soft, trippy light over the tables, one of which, was set and waiting for my colleague and I. As we sat, two gorgeous Cuban women carrying string and percussion instruments stepped onto a little podium. One of the girls started playing the flute, pure poetry to my ears. As the soft and oh-sosoothing music played, a Salto Angel and a Blue Margarita were set before us. The Salto Angel was basically an aerated fruit punch; I could vividly taste the pineapple, litchi, and lime along with the sparkle of Mirinda. I resisted the temptation to lick all the salt off the rim of the beautiful blue beverage glass. It was a perfect counterpoint to the sweet-sour flavour of the blue lagoon syrup, served over a mountain of crushed ice. We settled in to the chilled out ambiance, chatting about work, holidays and life in general as we sipped our drinks. By the time we were ready for our next round, I realised that I was raising my voice to be heard. I looked up and the Latina ladies had traded their gentle woodwinds for congos and were singing some amazing, upbeat songs. The subdued crowd who had previously been huddled together, speaking in hushed voices, were now looking up at the stage smiling, and almost everyone in the room, myself included, was swaying merrily to the cheerful beats. Since I am a perpetually hungry person, my face lit up when I spotted our waiter approaching with steaming plates. He set them down, telling us they where
...THE LIGHTS GREW DIMMER AND THE STROB LIGHTS BEGAN THROWING THEIR ELECTRIC RAYS AS THE DJ PLAYED TRACK AFTER TRACK OF
GROOVEWORTHY DANCE MUSIC
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For the first time since I'd come back to Muscat, I felt 21 years young. The lights grew dimmer and the strob lights began throwing their electric rays as the DJ played track after track of grooveworthy dance music. My friend submitted and we joined the joyful crowd dancing freely on the dance floor. Last Thursday night, I had a proper night out in Muscat. Rather, I had several. From a formal afterwork engagement, to lively dinner with a friend, to a full-blown night of dance club partying. More fun in one night than I usually have in a month. And it turns out that in addition to being a super restaurant and a great nightclub, Rumba Lattina also hosts fashion shows, visiting DJs, and other special events on a weekly basis, so there is always something new happening at this energetic venue. Who knew that the answer to my weekly quandary of what to do? and where to go? was tucked away in The Cave Complex, just waiting for me to get out of my routine, walk into the low-lit dining room, and let the rhythm of the night carry the stress of adulthood away. —shruthi@timesofoman.com
1. CHIMICHANGA 2. PABELLON VENEZOLANO 3. FLAUTA 4. SALTO ANGEL
the edible magic of Chef Antonio Cuara — flauta and chimichanga. My eyes widened as I looked at the chimichanga. If it were up to me, I would've named it The Titanic. The gigantic, overstuff tortilla looked majestic; plated like the ship whose bow was emerging from a sea of sour-creambased sauce. I reached for a flauta, deep-fried tortillas rolled around shredded, spiced chicken. Crispy and salty, they would have been the perfect snack to eat alongside our sweet beverages. Then I turned to the beautiful monster, taking a trembling bite of the so-called chimichanga. As the chewy, spicy, cheesy flavours melted in my mouth, I was lost to everything else around me. After five or six bites, I pulled myself out of my lusty stupor and started to take note of what was inside that culinary architectural wonder. Stuffed with well-seasoned chicken, rice, beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo, the crowning glory of the dish was the gooey, melty mozzarella cheese, which oozed out of every bite. Sufficiently stuffed, I began trying to convince my colleague to dance, in an attempt to prevent me from embarrassing him by breaking into an awkward samba in the middle of the restaurant, he suggested we go checkout the outdoor seating area. The quiet restaurant of three hours earlier had transformed into a jampacked party scene. Unable to find a seat outside, we headed back inside to the dimly lit lounge area where we snagged two high chairs that offered a perfect vantage point from which to watch the restaurant begin its transformation. The Cuban musicians had been replaced by a DJ, who was testing his mix right behind us. Big groups of young men and women of all nationalities dressed in smart club clothes, began to fill the space.
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HAVE A NIGHT LIFE RUMBA LATTINA The Cave, Darsait + 968 2465 1051 facebook.com/rumbalattina rumbalattina.com
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THE SEEKER
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In Paris, Ahmed Al Mullahi took a few art courses, met likeminded artists, and came to the realisation that his true passion was performance.
S TORY AND PORTRAITS SALIM AL AFIFI
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n this modern, global age, the term "performance" is often confused with pageant, showmanship, and acting. Legendary performance artist, Marina Abramovic, put it best when she said: “Theatre is fake ... the knife is not real, the blood is not real, and the emotions are not real. Performance is just the opposite, the knife is real, the blood is real, and the emotions are real.” Performance art can be most simply defined as an art that brings visual art and dramatic performance into the same sentence. The performances themselves are often randomly executed, but almost always are attached to a desire to raise awareness or to share a different, sometimes controversial, perspective. Some people see this form as a way to make political and cultural controversies, which in some contexts it does, and others think it’s just plain weird, but what many fans and critics alike fail to realise is that this peculiar art form uses genuine, unscripted emotions as its main tool. A successful performance artist doesn't make a statement, he or she taps into a basic, shared human instinct in a way that is compelling and emotionally arresting for the audience.
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Ahmed Al Mullahi performing his piece titled Monotheism (photo courtesy of the artist).
A few weeks ago I met Ahmed Al Mullahi, an Omani performance artist whose video installations share the most sensitive theme possible — religion. By recreating and re-imagining beautiful spiritual stories from the past in an artistic way, he hopes to both remind his audience of their spiritual legacy, as well as challenge them to think more deeply about their faith. Born in London, raised in Oman, and educated around the world, Ahmed studied engineering in Australia, architecture in the UK, and finally settled in Paris where he finished his studies in interior design. It was during his time in Paris that Ahmed discovered his love of performance art. In Paris, Ahmed took a few art courses and met like-minded artists with whom he began exploring questions of perception, reality, and human behaviour. He began studying the theories of identity, fascinated by the idea that there is a powerful entity within human beings, hidden away underneath our self-consciousness, a visceral manifestation of spirituality. He began to question his religion in hopes of understanding it more fully. Eight years later, when he returned to Oman, the cultural shock of losing his performance art community, and his ability to openly question the world around him, threw him into a depression. “We are not allowed to question religion, but I’m the type of person that asks, why is this a sin, and why is this a reward,” Ahmed said. The more he questioned and explored not only Islam, but world religions, the more concerned his friends and family became. His family took him to meet an Islamic scholar in hopes of putting all his questions to rest. The scholar didn't take the young man seriously. Ahmed continued to study on his own, and as he learned more, he became inspired, experimenting with performances that combined art and religion, through inspirational stories acted out in unconventional ways. Performance art did wonders for Ahmed, as he became more organised and observant, living a life full of purpose. According to
him, art is one of the most powerful tools we have to lift ourselves up when we are down. Art embodies continuous self-development. In 2008, Ahmed began recording videos of his performances. Ahmed’s filming style has a minimalistic feel to it, owed in part to his background in interior design and knowledge of spaces. His videos are unedited, a one-take, one-go shoot that stays true to the unrehearsed nature of his art form. “I like to document my life; one day I’ll be gone, but this is what will remain to inspire others,” said the artist. “Maybe I haven’t talked to a little child now, but my work can speak to him later.” But why performance art? A traditionally fleeting and temporal art form. “Because it’s real and not theatre, it allows your body to be in the moment and to express itself in the present day. It can’t be rehearsed, edited, or repeated,” he said, adding that the best part is the honesty of using your own body and your true emotions to explore something as personal and sensitive as our spiritual selves. The primary inspiration for Ahmed’s work is religion. To him, the Holy Quran
The young generation is my only hope, those are the only people I’m here for, and I want to teach them something, because they’re the ones who could truly make a change
THE PERFORMANCES Gazing Through The Divine Ahmed started doing extensive research on different religions, and came across a religious practice in Sufi-ism called mirror gazing, which is a practise that represents the human being and the superior intelligence facing one another by gazing through a mirror. To him, this piece was about selfexperimentation in hopes of finding something incredible within ourselves beyond our own comprehension. He began to physically prepare his body for the performance, which involved six months of abstaining from meat and other potential pollutants, as well as daily meditation. On final three days leading up to his performance, he fasts to complete his purification. He set up his camera and stood in an all-white room, gazing at himself in the mirror for 45 minutes. At one point, his eyes stop flickering, and he ceases to blink. The footage of his performance was exhibited at the Stal Gallery, in which he placed a gigantic photograph of his eyes on one wall, seemingly watching the video installation of his gazing on the other, a representation of the exchange of unconditional love. “The first time I watched it gave me goosebumps, it felt like the first time I’m coming face to face with my true self, it didn’t’ feel like me, it felt like someone else, as if I’m observing Ahmed the way other’s observe me,” the artist explained after his intense and emotional experimental performance, the aim of which was to see and welcome the true self.
Monotheism A brief incarnation of the beautiful story of Adam and the forbidden fruit, this video performance featured the artist with a live snake, a live crow, and an apple. Projected onto a white wall at the Stal Gallery, he placed four graves representing the four major world religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism) in front of the projected images. On each grave stone he placed an iPad with short videos of objects representing an aspect of the religion's practice. For Islam he used misbaha, for Christianity he used the holy trinity prayer, for Judaism he used the torah, and for Buddhism symbol of reverence (the touching palms). "I took wisdom from all those religions,” said the artist, explaining that his performance was meant to demonstrate the common monotheistic principle of seeking and worshiping.
Upcoming Work Ahmed hasn’t done a live performance yet, but is looking forward to performing live in the future. “I don’t think we are ready for this in Oman. I will perform for an audience when the time is right,” he said. Until then, keep an eye out for his upcoming video installation titled "Reflection", which is scheduled to be released in September.
is the most beautiful of its embodiments. He feels that his questioning of religion is not an attempt to undermine faith, on the contrary, it is a celebration of it. “The beauty of religion is that it makes me think, question, and challenge my understanding, and to me it’s more of an internal journey rather than external,” Ahmed explained. To prepare for his performances, Ahmed clears his mind, meditating until he reaches a state of divine consciousness in which to listen to his own pure thoughts and instincts. “When you go to that understanding, and trust what’s inside you, and what is it telling you, that’s the best gift and lesson you’ll ever get.” Other times, Ahmed listens to music as he works, Nicolas Jar being one of his favourites. Art has altered Ahmed's daily habits, he now gives right to his body through a daily routine of meditation, workouts, cardio, and yoga. What’s more interesting is his "daily goal", for which he aspires to do something for himself, and not for other people’s expectations of who
he should be, each and every day. He is grateful that he discovered this art form as its practice has bettered his lifestyle and helped to pull him out of depression. Ahmed's greatest challenge remains educating his audience about both his medium and his intentions. The performance art scene in Muscat is still relatively new, and it is seen by many as a foreign practise. He has found that his work is often misunderstood by the older generations, though it has found a following with younger folks. “The young generation is my only hope, those are the only people I’m here for, and I want to teach them something, because they’re the ones who could truly make change.” —salim@timesofoman.com
FOLLOW AHMED INSTAGRAM @MULLAHI
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The Oman Film Society organised the six-day Dhofar Arab Film Meet in Salalah, which was attended by ямБlm celebrities from all over the Arab world.
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Mazaya Oman and Yellow Chilli Oman organised the Yellow Chilli Kitchen Masters 2016 cooking competition, which took place in Panorama Mall. The finalists will battle it out at the same venue where Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor will judge the dishes and announce the winners.
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Talent Hunters Oman organised Musical Journey V Saare Jahan Se Achcha, a musical evening dedicated to India’s Independence Day last Friday at the Al Falaj Hotel.
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SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.
Level | Very Easy
Level | Easy
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