Focus Issue

Written by Youth for Youth

Ali Mostafa

talks to us about UAE film industry and his upcoming production ‘From A to B’ DENIM & MONOCHROME

hot new trends for Fall/Winter’13

SKYLANDERS, FIFA 14 best gaming of this season

BATTLE OF THE BANDS and massive head banging

PAROV STELAR

exclusive interview

NEW ANDROIDS REVIEWED

HTC One mini and Huawei Ascend P6

free one8one.com

Focus Summer is like going into a cupcake shop and trying every single multicoloured cupcake you can get your hands on after a full year of sugar starvation. You go on a sugar high and then crash and want your veggies again. Traveling has overwhelmed our taste pallet and has left us starving for our usual routine; wake up early, work, study, eat, sleep and maybe watch some movies (p.42) and go out for pizza with friends (p.20) on the weekends if we’re feeling adventurous.

It’s time to concentrate (p.56) on trying things that are outside the box, experiences that are beyond your comfort zone; like listening to heavy metal (p.19), going to a circus (p.18) or starting to lift weights (p.50).

Take loads of pictures (p.52), add some filters to create amazing effects and show your Instagram friends how cool you really are.

Focus on what you want. If you want it enough you may just get it. Yes, it’s that simple. Go for it!

MARIA ROUSAN editor@one8one.net

My Say Tell us what you think!

Ali wears: Coat/ Dior Sweater/ Dolce & Gabbana Trousers/ Basicon available at Saks Fifth Avenue Write to us at mysay@one8one.com and tell us what you think. All submissions must include your name and contact details.

Submissions may be edited for spelling or length and may be published in any medium. All submissions become property of one8one.

C. C. Hi, I recently heard about you guys and I find this really cool because it’s youth work!

I’ve always had a thing for journalism (sorta) because I’ve always like asking people strange questions. On twitter I try an get my questions out to different kind of celebrities and I was hoping that if I joined this magazine it would give me a chance to get noticed and giving me a chance to do what I enjoy.

M. T. Hi! I absolutely love your magazine and have a collection of every one of them since the very beginning. Thank you for the wonderful articles and letting us, young people, express ourselves freely. I love that you don’t focus on skinny and anorexic models in the fashion shoots and give everyone a chance.

S. G. I am a student at the American University of Dubai and would like to be a part of your magazine. I love music and would like to intern for one8one and interview inspirational celebrities all over the world.

1 Editor’s Letter 2 My Say 4-5 ‘sup 6-9 S’cool News 10-11 Gaming 12-13 Parov Stelar 15 Hitlist 16 Album Reviews 18-19 Out & About 20-25 itzza Fashion 26-29 Fashion for him and her 30 Baaangs!

32-37 Cover Story: Ali Mostafa 38-41 Gizmos & Gadgets 42 Movies 44 Bookshelf 46-47 Artist of the Month: Slava Noor 48-49 Strike!

50-51 Burrrn!

52-53 Photography 54 OMG! 56-57 Concentration Times Seven 58-59 Letters to a Coach 60-61 Astrology 62 Quiz 63 Brain Food

‘s up What When Where

September

Experimental Art & the Arab World, NYUAD, Abu Dhabi

Rawiya | She Who Tells a Story, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai (Sep 9- Oct16)

Dubai Fitness Championship (Final Round), Dubai Mall (Sep 12- 13)

Monster Jam, Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tom Jones Live, du Forum, Abu Dhabi

Moscow Grand Circus, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi (Sep 25-28)

Dubai International Dance Festival, DUCTAC, Dubai (Sep 25-28)

The Fig and The Fountain: Nadia Ayari, The Third Line, Dubai (Sep 18- Oct 30)

GAMES13, DWTC, Dubai (Sep 26- 28)

Know of something going on in town? Want to share? Write to us about it to mysay@one8one.com

The Blind Owl : Pouran Jinchi, The Third Line, Dubai (Sep 18- Oct 17)

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S’cool News LinkedIn launches University Pages World’s most popular network just launched University Pages – one cornerstone of their strategy is to help students at every critical milestone from campus to fulfilling successful careers.

University Pages are a great place to get regular updates about campus news and activities from the schools themselves, to ask questions, and engage with both the campus community and alumni of schools.

Interested in graduate schools in France? Start by searching for schools in Paris. Then, explore the careers of graduates to see which schools will get you to your goal. Connect with students or alumni for their perspectives on the school.

Are you choosing a major or considering a mid-career shift? Explore the careers of philosophy or physics graduates. You might be surprised at the diverse professional paths they’ve taken. See where they live and work, what they do, and even the skills they’ve acquired along the way to see what’s possible for you.

Transform those brilliant, creative, hard-working people you met (or will meet) on campus into a lifelong professional network. Alumni can reconnect with former classmates, and students can cement relationships with current and future classmates.

University Pages will be especially valuable for students making their first, big decision about where to attend college. Therefore, beginning on September 12, LinkedIn will be available to high school students who can use the network to explore schools worldwide, greatly expand their understanding of the careers available and get a head start on building a network of family and friends to help guide them at every milestone.

Research Publication on Arabian Gulf Coral Reefs released at NYUAD A special issue of the academic journal Marine Pollution Bulletin was released addressing current challenges, management strategies, and future research questions for coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf. The marine environments in and around the Gulf have been attracting increasing levels of interest in recent years from the international scientific community, largely due to the ability of its reef fauna to withstand extreme environmental conditions and temperatures.

The special issue, titled “Coral reefs of the Gulf: Past, present and the future of a unique ecosystem,” resulted from discussions at the 2012 Coral Reefs in the Gulf conference hosted by the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute that was attended by more than 160 reef scientists from 19 countries. The event was organized by John Burt, NYUAD assistant professor of Biology, who co-edited the special Gulf issue alongside David Feary, chancellor’s postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Technology, Sydney, and Bernhard Riegl, associate director of the National Coral Reef Institute at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

The 12 published articles in the special issue cover topics ranging from the impact of both environmental and manmade developments on reef communities, to investigations on the high thermal tolerance of Gulf coral reefs, and assessments of conservation techniques, such as the development of Marine Protected Areas and translocation programs to replace degraded reef communities.

Boeing hosts Khalifa University Aerospace Engineering students in Seattle Eleven Khalifa University students traveled to Seattle, Washington, as part of a discovery visit to the Boeing facilities. The trip provided students with the opportunity to better acquaint themselves with the Aerospace industry and the history of aviation. Additionally, the students presented the outcomes of their senior design project and received feedback and guidance from senior Boeing engineers.

The trip to the Boeing facilities provided the students with an opportunity to experience the day to day responsibilities of working engineers and to get a sense of how large international companies function, in addition to viewing state of the art aircraft fabrication facilities.“It was a wonderful experience,” said Khalifa University student Khalifa Ibrahim Al Tamimi. “I had the opportunity to see how innovative aerospace engineers can be, and learn about how they think, and how to solve problems in a real world scenario. It was interesting to see how a change to any part of an airplane will result in a change in its aerodynamics and performance. Most importantly, I learned that teamwork is vital for innovation and success as an engineer”.

Want to study in the US? Don't know where to start?

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US UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS MADE EASY

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Exclusive UAE Partner of Veritas Prep

SAE’s Nikhil Menon and Mani Kollengode finish work on season five of the hit Arabic series ‘Freej’ With a strong passion for Post, Audio students Nikhil Menon and Mani Kollengode put everything they had into their degree. Audio Course Co-ordinator Randula Desilva hand picked the two for a unique placement opportunity at JBM Studio. With access to the only Dolby Sound Atmos system in the GCC, the boys showed no signs of stopping.

The guys soon began work on the first Emarati cartoon series, Freej.

Menon says, “When we were contacted by Julien, the co-owner and Senior Sound Designer at JBM studio, he informed us that we were selected based on assessment analysis. The assessments we handed in as SAE projects.”

HPAIR conference held at AUD AUD hosted the prestigious Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) conference.

Running from the 22nd till the 26th of August 2013, this year’s theme was “Extending Horizons: Charting Asia’s Flourishing Future”. The opening ceremony took place at the Meydan IMAX Theatre where prominent guest speakers shared their visions and expertise.

HPAIR is one of the largest student-run conferences in the world, attracting more than 400 university students from all over the globe.

The 5-day HPAIR conference drew a diverse group of students, especially from Asia. A group of 31 AUD students have worked under the supervision of their advisors and professors for several months to put together the full-fledged conference, which focused on the environment, education, entrepreneurship, among other timely topics conferred with more than 150 international influential speakers and panelists.

AUS architecture program earns prestigious international reaccreditation AUS has added another significant achievement to its roster of accomplishments. The Bachelor of Architecture program at its College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) has not only been reaccredited but also granted the maximum accreditation term of eight-years by the prestigious National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), based in the United States. The five-year, undergraduate BArch degree at CAAD / AUS continues to be the only NAAB-accredited program outside of North America.

Students who have graduated from a NAAB-accredited degree program may undertake the process to become a licensed architect in America.

Students from the United States studying at AUS will have the same status toward professional licensure as any other student in America attending a NAAB-accredited program.

S’cool News

WMA future of media debate World Media Academy Dubai (WMA) organized an event on 15th of June 2013 to discuss the future of media. Experts from different fields of media discussed how media has evolved in front of a number of students looking to pursue their careers in journalism.

The guest speakers were Austyn Allison Analysis Editor at MEED magazine, Miriam Farshoukh the PR guru from Microsoft Gulf and Kimberley Leonard an anchor/reporter at Dubai One’s Emirates News. The event was hosted by Michael Shagoury Director at WMA Dubai and former journalist at Al Jazeera English. Mohammad Aldalou, WMA graduate and journalist at MediaQuest, co-hosted the event.

The debate primarily focused on the themes of “Media yesterday, Media today and Media tomorrow” and whether journalism has changed in a way that has surpassed the old but basic principles. Starting with print, Austyn Allison shared his views on how the print industry has been affected by online media. “The print journalist is no longer working in isolation; the readers have become active and reactive. Due to the online evolution of print media journalists face the consequences as soon as the piece is done and not a day or week later. This factor has really put them on their toes; they have to be more accurate and proactive now.”

Moving on from print, the role of technology was discussed in TV journalism. The advancements in technology have forced the average reporter today to multitask. “TV reporters today often have to drive to the location, shoot footage themselves, do the reporting, come back do the final editing and then forward it for broadcast, so you have to be able to offer a complete package” said Kimberley Leonard from Emirates News. Technology and the development of new media has involved the citizens a lot nowadays and social media has been a great platform for citizen journalism. The news cycle and speed of publication has changed a story is now out in there in the social media world before it is published in print.

“Twenty years back the news cycle was reactive but today it is interactive; the media cycle has become much shorter” said Miriam Farshoukh.

Students and other attendees found this event informative and beneficial. Sheikh Saleh current WMA student said that “Events like this let students interact with media professionals and help them look at the real big picture. WMA should conduct other such events in future as well.”

Located in Knowledge Village Dubai, World Media Academy offers different courses which include Diploma in Journalism and PR and short courses in media training. Most of the visiting lecturers in WMA are the industry professionals who help the students acquire hands-on experience in their course. www.wma-dubai.com

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Gaming by

natasha aguiar

Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita) Killzone: Mercenary is a first person shooter game, which picks up straight after the first game. Playing the event for the first time through a freelancer, a gun man for hire, UAC-soldier Arran Danner, doesn’t care who he accepts contracts from; be it from the ISA or Helghast as long as he gets paid. The game opens to a seemingly routine mission of evacuating an ambassador and his family but soon discovers all is not as it seems as the outcome of the war may depend on the fate of the ambassador’s son. He soon begins to question if this is worth his paycheck as both sides fight to get their hands on the young boy.

The gameplay has a number of unique modes as well as innovative mechanics and has a new daily ranking system as well as the most advanced multiplayer options on a handheld platform. It also supports up to eight players, three game modes and six different maps.

Skylanders Giants

(Nintendo 3DS, PS3, WII, Wii U, Xbox 360) Skylanders Giants is a sequel to the Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure.

It introduces the ‘Giant’ Skylanders who were banished from Earth, but are brought back when a new threat is cast upon the Earth to fight against KAOS, who is back and has taken over a giant robot and uses their strength to fight epic battles and save Skylands. The game plays as a platform adventure with same-screen co-op and new and improved player battle modes. It has the same heavy dungeon-crawling style design.

Players can use toy figures in the game, which are sold separately.

The progress of the game is stored in the characters so you can use them across consoles. The game introduces over 40 new toy figures in addition to the old Skylanders with which you can bash around the levels collecting money, solving puzzles and killing monsters that drop experience orbs and level up your characters.

FIFA 14

(Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PS3, PS4, PSP, PSVita, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One) FIFA 14 Career Mode has been revamped with additions such as Global Scouting Network that searches for specific talents of players during football seasons globally. The Career Mode hub navigation pane has been streamlined to improve gameplay. Career Mode focuses on the type of player needed rather than the player’s overall rating. The Ultimate Team mode now has more elaborate customisation options with the new Chemistry Styles.

Angry Birds Star Wars II

(Android, iOS, PC)

The popular Angry Birds Star Wars now has a prequel, Angry Birds Star Wars II. It is based on the prequel trilogy of the Star Wars Movies.

You are able to play as either the Republic or the new Pork Side Angry Birds version of the Dark Side; it features around 30 Angry Birds characters from the Star Wars movies. This game offers new stories and new levels. Telepods support allows users to scan the figures they have purchased into the game, by placing them onto the camera of your phone or tablet and selecting new characters.

FIFA 14 makes gameplay as real as possible allowing players to have more control of the movement, making each step count, as well as letting players adjust their approach and stride to score the perfect goal.

Parov Stelar

Austrian electro-swing musician, Parov Stelar is now performing with his band, the Parov Stelar Band. He is still riding high following the success of their latest album, The Invisible Girl, and he is also playing numerous shows around the world. Parov Stelar does a beautiful job of infusing their message through electric sounds, catchy synths and beats along with echoing smooth vocals. Parov talks about various things; the process of making the new album with his band, the direction electro-swing is headed in a few years, future projects and what he does in his spare time.

What are your favorite types of music to sample from?

I am completely open to all kinds of music, so I do not set any borders for myself.

Music has to have feelings, a special emotion or something else that makes it unique. If I can’t forget a part, melody or a drum arrangement after hearing it once, it has passed my personal taste and I’d have to sample it.

If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any musician/band, whom would you choose?

There are so many great musicians out there! To be quite honest, I wouldn’t know where to start when naming them; I’d love to work with Adele because she fascinates me or Damon Albarn.

Any predictions about how the direction of electro-swing will go in a few years?

The scene definitely has a great potential and is already in the phase of evolution.

There are a lot of Electro-Swing Clubs around the world right now and they’re still rising. I think the interest is not limited to just Electro-Swing. It’s also in blues, jazz and further great styles/genres that will experience a new sensation. Also, ‘old fashioned music’ is being influenced in other types of modern music. A reason for this trend could be that the demand for a happier or livelier sound, good quality and style, is growing since life is not easy for many people these days.

Swing and anything similar to that genre are giving us this necessary easiness, positive vibes that people are searching for. In the end, the developing of the scene depends on the quality of the music and how long the crowd will support it and be in to it as well. With the new album ‘The Invisible Girl’ released recently with my band ‘Parov Stelar Trio’.

Do you think you’ve matured towards the making of your music over the last decade?

Of course, every new album is in a state of development. It would be really boring for me as an artist to always make the same or similar music. It is a logical deduction that you change your style and interest from time to time and you also get influenced by different performances and experiences. Also, our fans deserve diversification.

Tell us something about the production process of ‘The Invisible Girl’. How long did it take and when did it happen?

The basic idea came during our US tour. Over the course of the main concerts and DJ sets, I did the recording together with Max the Sax and Jerry di Monza. At this time we got closer, not just musically, but personally as well. New ideas and visions came to life and The Invisible Girl is one of them. I wanted us to complete this project in our own free time away from our tour craziness. So we took the time off for it as the record needed space to breathe and the result is very light and breezy.

What do you do in your free time? Any hobbies? What is “free time for me”?

At this point in my life, the most valuable thing for me is to spend as much time as possible with my little son Max. He is growing up incredibly quick and is learning new things every day. I am often on tour, as well as spending a lot of time and energy in producing new music. I intensively use my free time being with my family as I do not want to miss any phase of Max’s development.

Have you ever been to Dubai?

Unfortunately I haven’t been to Dubai yet, but it would be a pleasure for me to visit and play a concert in your city. I am definitely interested in the Arab culture, the local people and food and if people would be in favor with the sound of Parov Stelar, then it would be a pleasure for me.

What are your next plans for your musical career?

As an artist, I would love to go and produce more Parov Stelar sound, further collaborating with amazing artists and taking part in different projects in various artistic fields. As the owner of the Label Etage Noir Recording, a further desirable thing is definitely to support other great acts.

by

Serena umer

For more on Parov Stelar scan the QR code or check out their website at www.parovstelar.com

Music

Hitlist

1. Blurred Lines

Robin Thicke ft. T.I. + Pharrell

2. Roar

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Katy Perry

3. We Can’t Stop Miley Cyrus

4. Radioactive Imagine Dragons

Apps

5. Holy Grail

Jay Z ft. Justin Timberlake

6. Applause Lady Gaga

7. Get Lucky

Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams

Squaregram

Frontback

Have you ever wanted to post your photos in their original ratio on Instagram or be more creative and have them in a circle frame? Now it can be done with Squaregram, an app that does just that! All the users have to do is log in and start posting. iOS only.

We thought this app was weird at first and then grew to love it. The concept is, users can photograph using both, front and rear cameras at the same time, then share the result via social media networks as well as Frontback’s internal network. Something worth trying out. iOS only.

Warm Bodies

(500) Days of Summer

127 Hours

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer and Rob Corddry

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel and Chloe Grace Moretz

Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara

8. Treasure Bruno Mars

9. Cups

Anna Kendrick

10. Safe And Sound Capital Cities

Out on DVD

by Ramya Rupanagudi

R is in love with Julie. The only problem is…he’s a zombie! Based on Isaac Marion’s novel, Warm Bodies is charming romantic-comedy. Julie’s father is a stern man who believes that killing all of the undead is the only way for the remaining citizens to survive the zombie apocalypse. But Julie soon realizes that zombies are not as bad as they same when R rescues and takes care of her.

Warm Bodies is unique as it is told from the perspective of both the zombies and the survivors- unlike many zombie movies. It presents a very quirky take on the Romeo & Juliet plotline and has many sweet, funny moments to boost.

(500) Days of Summer is a story where boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, but boy does not get girl. It chronicles the 500 day relationship between Tom and Summer, from when they first met until they finally part ways. Tom is a hopeless romantic who believes in love and destiny.

Summer is cold-hearted and unemotional.

The former wants a relationship while the latter doesn’t want to get attached. The film has a unique non-linear narrative structure, lovely music and some very funny moments. It is a quirky romance that doesn’t conform to the stereotypes that most romantic comedies do.

There is no force more powerful than the will to live. When reckless adventurer Aron Ralston goes hiking in the canyons, he could not predict that his arm would be trapped under a giant boulder that would leave him a prisoner.

Furthermore, no one knows where he is!

Thus begins the tale of survival where Aron must reminisce about his mistakes, find the will to carry on and consider amputating his own arm. 127 Hours is an unusual yet terrific film that works due to director Danny Boyle’s unique vision and James Franco’s amazing performance.

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Album Reviews by

Emma Dourado

J. Cole ‘Born Sinner’ Reaching number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart Born Sinner by J. Cole dethroned the two kings of hip-hop Jay-Z and Kanye West from their summer reign. This is the second album that has been released by the American artist. The album kicks off with “Villuminati” where he talks about the struggles he faces and ignoring all the haters. With interesting lyrics and head nodding-beats Born Sinner is a must hear for all you hip hop fans.

Bastille ‘Bad Blood’ Debut album by the British quartet, Bastille; Bad Blood is a great album that hit number one in the UK. All the songs in the album are fairly good, some better than others; with influence of Indie-pop, the music is well crafted and has soaring melodies. Although the lyrics can be uncanny, you will find yourself tapping your feet to the beats of songs like “Things We Lost in the Fire” and “Flaws”.

Are you a teen between the ages of 13 and 17? Do you have a passion to share and participate in discussions with other teens and life coaches? Do you want to help teens have a voice, and be heard? Do you dream of being on a live panel, on a YouTube show? If you answered yes to any of these questions, send an email to maria@teenstalk-me.com or contact the show through their Facebook ( facebook.com/ teenstalkmiddleeast) and you too could become a Teens Talk Middle East co-host or even and ambassador.

What is Teens Talk?

Teens Talk Middle East is the ONLY talk show for the youth.

Teens Talk Middle East is an online TV show, in which teens from all around the UAE have the opportunity to discuss, relate to and receive advice about common and popular topics amongst teenagers, without sharing identities. The anonymity of the whole scenario creates a safe yet fun environment for hosts as well as viewers. For the first time in years, the youth have a voice to project their thoughts and ideas on today’s frequent issues in the life of a typical teenager. Whether its family problems at home, or the usual drama with friends and teachers at school, Teens Talk Middle East is the talk show where these problems and dilemmas are not ignored, but acknowledged.

About Maria

‘Teens Talk’ experience Who is it created for?

Maria works in Dubai as a Relationship Coach. She strives to empower family communication across the region. Her most recent accomplishment was her study of the relationship between Academic Achievement and Student/teacher relationships.

Teens talk is the ONLY talk show for the youth. Teens talk is an online TV show, in which teens from all around the UAE have the opportunity to discuss, relate to and receive advice about common and popular topics amongst teenagers, without sharing identities.

The anonymity of the whole scenario creates a safe yet fun environment for hosts as well as viewers. For the first time in years, the youth have a voice to project their thoughts and ideas on today’s frequent issues in the life of a typical teenager. Whether its family problems at home, or the usual drama with friends and teachers at school, Teens Talk is the talk show where these problems and dilemmas are not ignored, but acknowledged.

Maria is a curious coach who is always looking to better understand how relationships impact the world.

She spends her days working with private clients that want to better communicate with their spouse, their children or their family units.

Keep an eye out for Maria in the “Letters to Coach” segment of the magazine.

send yuour questions and interest in our internship program at admin@teenstalk-me.com

Teens talk was created to empower and assist teenagers (13-17) and parents alike. It has become apparent that teenagers within the region have become discouraged from sharing their thoughts and ideas, almost as though the youth of the UAE “don’t have a voice”.

Although the majority of teenagers and parents have friends and peers they can turn to, it is sometimes hard to reach out to the ones we love in order to ask for help or advice. This is where Teens Talk becomes a great tool for teenagers and parents of the UAE.

www.teenstalk-me.com

Cirque Eloize

Swan Lake

Cirque Eloize has become a leader in contemporary circus arts since its birth in 1993 and the Canadian circus has enthralled their audience in Dubai with their spectacular show ID.

ID is a part of Cirque Eloize that brings out the inner child in you. It features a variety of acts and disciplines ranging from jugglers, acrobats, contortionists Circus has always been a fascination and stunt masters. The ambiance created in the World Trade Centre, where this to all as it transports you to a place spectacle was held, was fun, interactive and kept everyone at the edge of where anything is possible and Cirque their seat.

Eloize did just that. Eloize, from Acadian dialect means “heat lightning” which did Cirque Eloize brought to life circus acts mixed with different dance styles, while justice to its name. It was a marvelous incorporating mind-blowing stunts. production that dragged the audience into its thrilling acts. Cirque Eloize was Highlights of the show included the act where an acrobat would climb up a put together to form a concept which was pole with utmost ease and then free fall all the way down stopping just before vibrant exhilarating and very unique. he hit the ground. The ‘trampowall’ performance as a finale act was something new and it brought out the fun side with a little bit of danger involved as the acrobats were doing all sorts of stunts in mid air.

The most unique feature of the ID show was the stage and the lighting projections used to create illusions for every act. The stage was pre-set and looked bland, more like a prison from the outside, but once the show started, it transported you to a new world. The entire 90 minute performance kept the audience craving for more.

Is there an event you would like to cover for one8one? Submit your writing or photography through www.one8one.com writing by

SERENA SIBI

photography by brendon A. rodrigues

A member of the cast, Amy, was happy to give us a little insight on her first hand experience with the circus. She was inspired to join from all the previous performances she had seen and, like anyone in the audience, she felt the circus worked its magic on her. From the age of five, Amy took up rhythmic gymnastics and ballet. She now does the contortionist acts and the ariel silk act. Her best experiences would be traveling around the world with her “family”, who are her other cast members, as they have become extremely close. Amy described the circus for us in one word; ‘amazing!’

Battle of the Bands The ‘Battle of the Bands’, held at Holiday Inn, was no ordinary contest as it was grounds to a fierce battle. Every metal head’s dream. Six bands went head to head to win an opportunity to tour India. The judges panel consisted of Storm Ovhell (UAE Metal DJ), Melissa and Barney Ribeiro (NerveCell). The event gave way for the bands to promote and share their music. The line-up of competing bands included; Drasbor & Obselion, Nightmare Obsession, Voice of The Soul, Coat of Arms among others. All these bands had a different take on the genre each with their own style out to rock, turn heads and set the stage ablaze. At the end of the night, the three judges announced Voice of the Soul as the winners of the battle of the bands 2013. Here is what Khalid Tamimi, Voice of the Soul’s drummer, had to say: How long have you guys been rocking?

The band started in Kuwait in the late 2007. Kareem is the only founding member left. Original material only started being written around when Monish joined...somewhere in the late 2008; since then, those two have been the longest lasting members of the band. I joined in January 2012 and Bam’s been playing bass live for us. Since Monish and I are both in Dubai, we’ve officially been a Dubai-based band since January 2012. We’ve released 3 EP’s and in the midst of writing our full length album.

When Does the India Tour Commence?

It’s currently in the planning stage. We’ll be playing three shows in three cities in India so be sure to keep an eye on Facebook and twitter for updates.

For more on The Voice of the Soul scan the QR code:

writing and photography by

brendon A. rodrigues

Now that you guys have won, what’s next for the band?

We are still working on our debut full-length album and hoping to start recording as early as possible next year. We’re really stoked to get it done!

Is there anything in the pipeline apart from the India tour?

We’ll be back for a show on September 6th in Dubai, supporting Dubai’s metal veterans, Perversion, who will be releasing their album that night. If you missed our performance at the Holy Noise Battle of the Bands, we hope to see you then.

We are also very active online. So any updates on our band related to shows, the album, and other news will be up on our Facebook and twitter pages.

itzza Fashion

Reka Simon wears Top/ Miss Selfridge

Justine Fajardo Ramos wears Dress, necklace/ H&M Olivia Jane Johnson wears Top/ Top Shop Skirt/ New Look

Art at Tashkeel Olivia Jane Johnson wears Denim vest/ H&M Dress, shoes/ New Look

Jacob N. Webb wears Waistcoat, T-shirt, Shorts/ River Island Skateboard/ Rage

Anton Fateev wears Shirt/ Top Man Shorts/ Pull & Bear

Serena Sibi wears Dress, shoes/ Miss Selfridge Necklace/ H&M Lina Darren Khairallah D’costa wears B Cap, T-shirt/ Dress/ TopRage Man Waistcoat/ Shirt/ American NewEagle Look High Trousers/ tops/ River Pull & Island Bear Skateboard/ Shoes/ TopRage Man

Olivia Jane Johnson wears Top/ New Look Pants/ Top Shop Darren D’costa wears T-shirt/ Top Man Jeans/ H&M Anton Fateev wears T-shirt/ New Look Shorts/ Pull & Bear

Justine Fajardo Ramos wears Shirt/ H&M Shoes/ New Look Reka Simon wears Jumper, necklaces/ H&M Jeans/ New Look Serena Sibi wears Top, necklace/ New Look Pants/ Top Shop

Want to be a model?

We are looking for all shapes and sizes. If you know how to smile and want to try modeling, apply at www.one8one.com If you know a bit about fashion, write to us or help out our stylists and a photographer during the fashion shoots. It’s loads of fun!

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Fashion for Him by

hommam arbi

Bag to work!

River Island, AED 115

Pull & Bear, AED 175

In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re already all about back-to-reality here at one8one. Since the only accessory you use every single day is your bag, we had to kick off shopping season with the top on-trend backpacks for Fall. From classic styles to standout prints and bold colours, we rounded up the most stylish satchels from our favorite brands.

Urban Junk, AED 175

Nike, AED 175 Asos, AED 145

Asos, AED 75

Topman, AED 145

All-urban

Adidas, AED 335

Sportswear as a fashion trend has been evolving for the past few years.

Be it surfing or biking, baseball or badminton there’s no escaping the fitness fever. Think bomber jackets, high-top sneakers and even slouchy joggers.

Topman, AED 150

H&M, AED 99

onedapperstreet.com

Pull & Bear, AED 179

H&M, AED 79

H&M, AED 179

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Fashion for Her by

hommam arbi

D for Denim Denim is such a versatile look that’s quite simple to incorporate into your wardrobe. When it comes to denim this season, you can’t go wrong! Whether it’s a shirt, skirt, dungarees or a dress. Just chose the style and cut that works for your body shape.

Mango, AED 199

Zara, AED 250

Master the trend by wearing denim on denim. Pair you jeans with a denim shirt or complete your look with a denim jacket.

Mango, AED 199

Pull & Bear, AED 175

Mango, Fall/Winter 13 Forever21, AED 120

Pull & Bear, AED 129

H&M, AED 149

Black & white Black and white has made an unusual appearance this season, with designers and icons making a dash for this colour clash. We just can’t ignore the trend. Walk the line in stripes or work the look in black and white separates.

Mango, AED 165

H&M, AED 99

Miss Selfridges, AED 130

As an optical illusion, vertical stripes make you look taller, while wearing horisontal stripes can add a few pounds to your figure. This is helpful if you are petite.

River Island, AED 295

Alexandra Wang, Fall/Winter 13 Topshop, AED 170

blogger: Victoria Tornegren H&M, AED 59

Bershka, AED 295

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Baaangs! by

Epica

hommam arbi

Its official! Bangs are back this season..

Whether you have curly, wavy, or straight hair, there is a flattering fringe that will work for you.

Carly Rae Jepsen

Tips!

1. A good brush is a must to

tame natural waves and help control the direction of your bangs.

2. Wrap your bangs (they can

be either damp or dry) around a velcro roller, hit them with a little heat from a dryer, and add a spritz of hairspray. It gives bangs shape and volume.

3. Use a good Shampoo and

conditioner, followed by hairserum to help keep frizz away.

You can use a hair-spray for protection if you’re going out.

Sophia Bush

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Log on to: http://one8one.com

Ali Mostafa “I want the viewers to walk away from the film and relate to it differently”

Ali Mostafa, an Emirati filmmaker, most widely known for his feature debut ‘City of Life’, is a charming yet humble presence. After enrolling at the London Film School and returning to the U.A.E, Ali shattered the glass ceiling of the local film industry and now represents a hopeful future for the cultivation of arts in the Gulf. Ali was awarded ‘Best Emirati Filmmaker’ at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2007 and his movie ‘City of Life’ has been screened at film festivals around the world. He is currently working on his second feature length comedy film ‘From A to B’, which will begin production in October.

Cover Story

Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?

I’ve always thought that I was going to become a filmmaker since I was a kid. When I was a child my father had an extensive collection of DVDs. Well, we had Betamax in those days, so I used to watch a lot of films and they inspired me. One of my favourite films growing up was Star Wars, I was moved by how they could achieve something like that and I would start to make my own films.

Was there a particular event or time that you recognised that filmmaking was not just a hobby, but that it would be your life and your living?

No. I just didn’t stop making films. I have been doing it since I was nine and when I grew up, and it was time to get serious, I said, “You know, I can actually take this as a career and sustain it as a career” so I went to film school.

In London?

In London. But before I went to film school in London I wanted to start making my own money and, obviously, there was no way of doing that in the film industry. There was no film industry for an amateur filmmaker. So I developed a company, a division from an existing company for interior design, and I started doing that for a year and a half and we were very successful. I had about 30 people underneath me and I had a portfolio that was about that thick [large hand gesture], and that was straight away. Actually it was a few months before graduating high school that I started this venture. So I did that for a year and a half instead of going to college, and when I went to apply in London for filmmaking it was for a Master’s degree course.

So you skipped your Bachelor’s Degree completely?

Yeah, I skipped my Bachelor’s and I only skipped it because they saw my extensive portfolio and how much work I did. Because I did interior design, I also created wedding stages, which actually look a lot like production design, just like in film, so they accepted me based on my experience.

What challenges do you personally face being a filmmaker in general and in the Gulf and how did you overcome them?

Main challenge - well there’s a lot of challenges obviously because, like I said, we don’t really have a film industry yet; we have a film movement and I mean it is happening. It’s solidifying around us as we speak. Right now I’m working on my second film, other filmmakers are prepping theirs. We are now facilitating international filmmaking but it’s not happening very regularly. It is happening quite rarely every year. Having one film a year doesn’t consist of having a film industry.

What I feel the main challenges though actually are a few things.

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One is funding your films, which is a challenge all over the world, not necessarily here. I guess particularly here is a challenge of censorship which is actually improving a lot since my last film, ‘City of Life.’ I had a lot of problems, it was almost not even going to be released. It took a very long time for the script to get approved and it never was. The script was done on the basis where they said, “Shoot the film and once you finish we’ll sit down as a committee and see it, and only then we’ll decide if it’s allowed.” I mean, it’s a multi-million dollar movie so imagine doing it, then having to wait. Anyway, that’s a whole other story. But those are areas which are definitely improving; funding and censorship. Acting is another thingwe don’t have enough actors, and we don’t have enough writers, that’s for sure. Producing is a skilful job - you can train yourself to become a producer but it’s not easy to become a writer or an actor.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into filmmaking, particularly in the Gulf region?

That you’re crazy [Laughs]. I’d like to say that you are very brave and don’t let anyone look at you or tell you that it’s an underachievement because for you to even take that step is a big deal. You are stepping into ground that’s so fresh and new that you will become a pioneer regardless. Whatever you doif you truly have the passion and this is what you want to do (you want to make movies) then don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams won’t be achieved because as soon as you believe those people you will fail.

Many say that ‘City of Life’ paved the way for film to emerge from the U.A.E and have hailed you as the most prominent filmmaker in the Gulf. How does that feel?

You know, when ‘City of Life’ came out there was a lot of miscommunication. A lot of people said it was the first film from the Emirates, which wasn’t true, there was a film in the 80’s. Just because people didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, right? So I don’t want to take credit for that. There was even a film before mine that was a feature length. Just because it didn’t go to the cinema doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. I’m very blessed that my film went to the cinema and it lasted so long and received the recognition that it did. In terms of spreading awareness about an Emirati film then I am very blessed to be in the position that I’m in.

Your film ‘City of Life’ became the U.A.E’s first international big budget feature. Would you consider ‘City of Life’ the most significant production in your career?

‘City of Life’? Absolutely. ‘City of Life’ changed my life. I mean I’d always known I was going to make films for the rest of my life but ‘City of Life’ actually propelled me much quicker.

I didn’t think I was going to be representing brands after my first film, you know? I mean it’s crazy. It was quite significant and it’s helped me now mark my second film. I’m glad it did well because people can look back at it as a reference. When I first tried to make ‘City of Life’ I had a 7.5 million dollar budget and I was trying to make this movie and others were like, “Who are you? You are just some kid who wants to

make a movie. Fine, okay, you graduated from film school.

Bravo!” At least now I have something to show. Actually, I did make a film before, I know how to make one. ‘City of Life’ has really helped.

Your next full length-feature comedy film ‘From A to B’ will begin production in October. Could you tell us a little bit about it?

It was announced in Cannes this May and we are now in the process of finalising the cast with one last contract to be signed. Then we are completely green lit for the shooting schedule in October. I’m really excited about it, it’s something very different that hasn’t been done before.

I mean, obviously, there have been comedies but not this certain style that I am trying to do. It’s very similar to the ‘City of Life’ in terms of being very bilingual, so it caters to an international audience. We’re looking at a fantastic cast, famous cameos, cameos from the Arab world, and it’s a tiny budget which I’m very excited about because that’s always a challenge.

In terms of your artistic vision, how will ‘From A to B’s message differ from the one you portrayed in ‘City of Life’?

Obviously every film has a message but I want the viewers to walk away from the film and relate to it differently. I never like to give away the message. I mean, I can give you a general idea; in ‘City of Life’ it was where everyday you can change someone’s life without knowing it.

Ali wears: Blazer/ Dunhill (Ali’s own) Sweater/ Dsquared Trousers/ Basicon available at Saks Fifth Avenue

With ‘From A to B’ it is about a group of guys who grew apart and are taking a road trip for them to come together after they’ve changed so much. It’s about these characters and what happens to them on this trip that helps them really see themselves - it’s a very human story and although it’s masked as a comedy it still has a lot of dramatic elements in it.

I understand you grew up in Dubai. Are any aspects of ‘City of Life’ or of your upcoming film ‘From A to B’ a reflection of your own experience?

Yeah! A lot. I think it is important that any filmmaker has to pull something out from a personal experience, something he witnessed, or something he knows a lot about that he can play with. Cinema is something that has to be truthful and honest and if you don’t know anything about it then it’s not going to make anyone feel anything when watching the screen.

In addition to creating wonderful films I understand you are involved with humanitarian services with Oxfam, would you mind telling us a little bit about that?

See what I mean? I’ve always dreamt, since I was a kid when I’d watch those shows on TV, that I would want to be able to do something like that and after making a film, I am contacted by one of the biggest charitable organisations on the planet to ask me to be a friend of their organisation. They fly me to the third poorest country in the world and these things started happening. It was crazy! I’m very honoured to be a part of any charitable organisation, I strongly believe in helping however way I can and I’ll do whatever I can.

What does a day in the life of Ali Mostafa look like and how are you not burnt out yet?

You know, I’m always burnt out [Laughs]. That’s why I wish I had clones.

If I’m not in meetings or on set I want to just relax. Or at least try to, I pretend I’m relaxing even though I have a million things running through my mind, and spend time with my family.

Regardless of his talents and his claim to fame, Ali Mostafa has managed to keep himself grounded. This determined filmmaker isn’t going anywhere soon and only seems to be getting started.

Ali wears: Coat/ Dior Sweater/ Dolce & Gabbana Trousers/ Basicon available at Saks Fifth Avenue To get the latest updates on Ali Mostafa, head over to his website at: www.alimostafa.com

asma alabed nizar al-sibai styled by hommam arbi

writing by photos by

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Gizmos & Gadgets

by Kaylon Mathew Craig Koeries

A deliciously thin form factor and elegant hardware design contrasts an unfortunately outdated UI, which tastes far too similar to its competition.

Huawei Ascend P6 Firstly, the Ascend P6 sports excellent hardware with a unique curved bottom which has a nice effect of linking the front and back of the device. The ridiculously slim, beautifully brushed, aluminium clad casing is very pleasing to the eye and I had quite a few people actually staring at the device whilst in use. My hands did not share the same sentiments as my eyes however, they found the device to be too hot at times and the corners a tad too sharp to hold for extended periods, especially without the included cover.

Both Wi-Fi and network signal were usually strong even in areas where other devices struggled. The phone lacks LTE, limiting you to HSPA+ connectivity, it also omits NFC. The UI feels like an uncomfortable mash-up of iOS 5 and Samsung’s TouchWiz. It can either be a confusing horrible mess or a beautiful amalgam of apps with fittingly informative widgets (dependant on the severity of your OCD and amount of free time on your hands). It is, unfortunately, a far cry from the clean, minimalist design movement most modern UIs seem to be following. The keyboard lacks gesture or trace typing, a la Swype, but does have an intuitive swipe down gesture that replaces a long press to input punctuation and numbers.

The 8MP camera impressed me, especially the detail and focusing in close up shots. Editing options were good, allowing a number of Instagram-inspired filters, contrast settings and other tweaks to be applied to the countless pictures of your meals and pets before deeming them Facebook worthy.

Sound quality was nothing to write home about and the speaker and headphone jack placement seemed illogical. If you are right handed your hand will muffle the speakers sound. Whereas lefties will have a hard time using the phone with headphones jutting out of the bottom left corner.

The screen ticks all the necessary boxes. Away from the damaging sun the screen displayed natural colours and struck a decent balance between brightness and saturation. Overall it is a great piece of hardware crippled by software. Luckily, being an Android device the software issues can quickly be resolved with a (possibly free) shopping spree in the Play Store.

Though it might not be the flagship its bigger brother is, the HTC One mini is a brilliance that will quickly have you forgetting its “mini” moniker.

HTC One mini The device follows the same aesthetic as its bigger namesake and the similarities continue well past its looks. Despite being a mid-range device, the HTC One mini still manages to retain the impressively premium feel of the One series. Being used to larger, quasi-tablet phones, the size of the One mini felt a tad awkward at first, though my Avatar-sized hands quickly grew accustomed to the ergonomic shape of its curved aluminium-clad back.

The device includes expected connectivity; LTE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but lacks an NFC chip. Reception was good for the most part rarely dropping below three bars. Battery life was nothing spectacular but sufficient nonetheless. Another oddity was the lack of expandable memory, 16GB is simply not enough space.

Topped and tailed by two aluminium speaker grills, the 720p screen dominates the front of the device with the HTC logo and the non-standard back and home buttons residing below it. The screen is not full HD, but it doesn’t need to be; it is still brilliant and better than most. It is not as bleakly washed out as other LCDs and doesn’t have the overzealous saturation of AMOLED screens.

Sound quality from internal speakers on smartphones is mostly mundanely dismal at best; tinny, annoying mono speakers lacking depth. That is not the case here, with Beats Audio listening to music on the One mini (even sans earphones) was like rediscovering all my favourite songs; the stereo sound is mind-blowingly superb. The headphones included were brilliant, with a cool sleek design and flat tangle resistant cords. The sound quality is far beyond anything I’ve heard on a mobile device and surpasses even most laptop speakers; it almost made Rebecca Black sound tolerableI am beyond impressed.

The 4MP camera doesn’t sound like much, but uses the same UltraPixel technology found in the bigger One. The pixels are bigger than normal, allowing more light to be absorbed. Though the difference in picture quality only really shows when used in low light conditions, under normal conditions the camera was on par with other devices.

HTC Zoë from the original One is also present and the photo editing features are quite impressive.

The UI is identical to the original; dark, clean and simplistically modern. HTC has somehow managed to refine the intricacies of Android, providing a wonderfully simple experience without sacrificing customisation that fandroids love. One annoyance was the recent apps list showing only the previous nine apps. The execution is really amazing though; showing the nine screenshots with a black background in full screen as opposed to a vertical thumbnail list.

In the end, this is a great device in a convenient size, a brilliantly designed piece of hardware coupled with an unexpectedly simplistic flavour of Android.

Nokia Lumia 520 Available in several dynamic colours, the device consists of a rectangular 4-inch scratch-resistant touch-screen with three buttons: back, menu and search. It is the perfect balance between having a screen large enough to navigate easily while being sleek and light enough to slide into your jeans pocket. The home screen consisting of Windows tiles is elegant and makes browsing easy.

The device includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a removable battery and a micro-SIM, but no NFC chip or compass. The internal memory is at 8 GB but can be made up for by a microSD card of up to 64 GB. The battery life is satisfactory though not impressive.

A feature that immediately catches your attention is the super-sensitive screen. It is easy to swipe, type and click. It works flawlessly even while wearing gloves. Another small feature that makes a huge difference is the camera button at the corner of the phone with a focus option. Taking photos is now just a click away. It is a simple feature but extremely convenient when you consider that smartphones are used mostly to take pictures.

Put quite simply, the Nokia Lumia 520 is the ideal smartphone for the common man. Elegant. Affordable.

Dependable. The 520 is at the very bottom of the Nokia Lumia range, and yet it stands to be very impressive. It is probably the most sophisticated technology produced

by Nokia thus far, while still retaining what Nokia is known for: simplicity.

The quality of the pictures isn’t superb especially when compared with other Nokia Lumia models like 720 and 920, which have much crisper quality, but it is good enough.

The video also holds up well at 720HD. The Creative Studio feature has a few filters to add, while the camera has lenses that can be downloaded including Panorama, Smart Shoot and Camera Timer. Unfortunately, there is no front-facing camera so taking ‘selfies’ is out of the question; lack of flash also means that pictures might turn out dark and grainy if not taken in a darker environment.

Windows Store is still limited on selection. Amongst the standard built-in apps, the office apps like OneNote and Microsoft Office stand out. The music player is solid, and it is easy to organize the songs. There is also a free FM radio.

However, the biggest plus point of the Lumia 520 is its price. It is one of the most affordable smartphones without compromising much on features and performance.

If you’re searching for a good, reasonably priced smartphone that would still let you enjoy the benefits of today’s sophisticated technology, then the Nokia Lumia 520 is a great choice.

by Ramya Rupanagudi

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Movies by emma dourado & asma alabed

The Lone Ranger Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and William Fichtner What first appears as an overdone Western genre movie plot slowly proves itself as one of the most entertaining films of the summer. Being two hours long, it keeps you laughing the whole way through. Tonto, played by Johnny Depp is the witty Native American partner of the Lone Ranger, who initially both set out to avenge events, from the past and present, only uncover a dark twist that lands them right in the middle of murders. Taking place during the expansion of the railroads in the Wild West, the duo uncovers secrets about the trade that lands them on the Most Wanted list of their enemies. The humorous friction between the unusual pair is irresistible despite the tragedies that are uncovered and together they set out into the Wild West to seek justice for the corruption they later discover. Told from the point of view of Tonto, the untold story of the Lone Ranger is a must watch.

Percy Jackson 2: Sea of Monsters Starring: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario and Brandon T. Jackson The magical borders protecting their safe haven are failing and, unless something is done, their home faces the fear of being destroyed by foes. The only way to save their home from the doomed fate is to retrieve the mythical Golden Fleece from the uncharted waters known as the Sea of Monsters. By embarking on the dangerous journey, Percy and his friends will have to battle terrifying creatures and demons in order to save their home and stop an ancient evil from rising.

Planes 3D

Riddick

Upside Down

Starring: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach and Brad Garrett

Starring: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban and Katee Sackhoff

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jim Sturgess and Timothy Spall

Betrayed and left for dead in the scorching heat of a desolate planet, Riddick fights for survival against alien predators making him more powerful and dangerous than ever before.

Soon, bounty hunters from around the galaxy descend upon the planet to collect Riddick’s head in a box.

However a more greater and powerful evil resides on the planet and the only way to ensure survival is for both Riddick and the bounty hunter to join hands and work as one.

In the only known solar system with two twin planets, each with its own and opposite gravity; a love story emerges. Adam and Eden, each from the opposite world, fall in love despite the fact that their worlds are divided by wealth, forbidden to communicate and most importantly have different gravity. However, they are caught and are forced to separate. But this doesn’t stop Adam. He sets out on a dangerous quest to reconnect with her, going against all boundaries so he can be with his one true love.

A famous aerial race where only the best of the best compete, ‘Dusty’ a cropdusting plane dreams of becoming one of the high flying air racers, however there is one problem: Dusty is afraid of heights. Despite what everyone says, Dusty overcomes his fears with the help of his mentor and sets off to make his dreams come true. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving the world a spellbound performance and becoming an inspiration to all.

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Books by

Rishya Suresh

Looking for Alaska

by John Green

Poignant. One of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Filled with love, hate, anger and a range of mixed emotions, John Green aims to portray a fun-filled atmosphere with humor in between along with an emotionally damaging end. It’s written beautifully- it’s a hilarious, passionate and stimulating read and you will not be able to put it down until the end. Being a very inspiring book, it helps readers deal with the bigger picture of life such as self-discovery and loss. In the beginning, readers will have a laugh, however towards the end they will be moved to tears. The story follows Miles “Pudge” Halter whose life is fairly monotonous despite his obsession with the last words of famous people making him yearn for the “Great Perhaps” even more. Following his boring and uninteresting life, he heads off to Culver Creek Boarding School where his life turns anything but boring and safe. Here, he meets Alaska Young, the beautiful, temperamental and crazy girl who Miles instantly likes. They bond over exciting pranks and breaking rules. Then, Alaska Young goes out to play the greatest prank ever.

The Lost Symbol

by Dan Brown The third of the Robert Langdon series; The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown is the epitome of storytelling.

In this phenomenal sequel to the world renowned Da Vinci Code, Brown proves, yet again, his brilliance and intricacy of writing such gripping novels. This book depicts Brown’s outstanding and brilliant storytelling techniques. The story follows Robert Langdon, the Harvard symbologist, who is caught in a dangerous and fatal race through a real-life maze of enigmas, terrifying secrets and unimaginable truths, all this directed by one of the most petrifying and distressing villain of all time. Located in the concealed and unknown halls, passages and sanctuaries of Washington D.C., The Lost Symbol is an intellectual, fast-paced book with incredulities, shocks and revelations at each and every corner. If you’re in for a mystery that will keep your head turning, then this is the book for you.

Slava Noor Monster Jam

This month we’ve caught up with a UAE-based photographer Slava Noor.

She is the mastermind behind the notorious ‘My Ramadan’ exhibitions project as well as the founder of the ‘UAE Goodwill Photographers’ group. She talked to us about her passion for art; career goals and inspirations.

“photography is not a final destination but a tool that helps me express my thoughts and feelings ” Can you name some photographers/artists who you find particularly inspiring, and what it is about them that draws you to their work?

I think artists like Salvador Dali and M. C. Escher have influenced me the most.

Salvador Dali gave me a lot of confidence to accept and embrace who I am with all the unique and unconventional traits of my personality which helped me immensely as an artist. There are a few photographers whose work I enjoy but not on a role model level. My mother loves photography and so I grew up surrounded by photos reflecting every important moment of our lives. I am proud to have friends who are some of the most creative and acclaimed artists in the UAE; their success and feedback on my work helps me grow as an artist too.

Finally, I am influenced by the Islamic art and architecture.

What do you do to maintain your motivation and passion for your occupation?

I guess the biggest challenge is to balance commercial photography, curating photo exhibitions and leading our photography group with my personal artistic and conceptual photo explorations. Sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming and hectic but I love what I do and I always keep the big picture in mind; this helps me move forward. I specialise in fashion and event photography, but recently had a chance to try myself at photo journalism during the protests in Turkey which turned out to be a beautiful experience. The next step is underwater and martial arts photography.

A great motivation is also seeing the results of my work; sleepless nights and dead nerve cells are compensated with a few hours of a successful opening night of our group’s photo exhibitions.

Are you working on any exciting new projects at the moment?

Recently I started the ‘UAE Goodwill Photographers’ group that focuses on providing both an online and an offline platform for photographers to share their knowledge, helping local charities and volunteer organisations through photography as well as organising exhibitions. The next project is called ‘Smiles of UAE’ with focus on street photography showing the many people coming from different backgrounds and finding their home in the UAE. Living here has

changed my life as well as lives of many other residents and I want to show their happiness of witnessing the growth of such a great country.

What are the projects you are most proud of?

Until now, ‘My Ramadan’ project is my biggest accomplishment; it is my “baby” that showed me how I can nurture a project and turn it into a series of successful exhibitions uniting professional and amateur photographers in the country. It started as a simple idea to share the spirit of Ramadan with people around the world; it got hundreds of people involved since its birth. It has taught me a lot and has given me an opportunity to try myself as a curator and a leader while building my name in the industry.

What message are you trying to convey through your art?

To me photography is not a final destination but a tool that helps me express my thoughts and feelings; my personal reflections on events I witness around myself.

Recently it has also become a way of giving a voice to those in need and important causes in our community with the ‘UAE Goodwill Photographers’ group.

What do you think about the art scene in the UAE? I love it! I think it gives many opportunities to artists such as myself to grow and start our own initiatives, striving for success. In the recent years, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi art scenes have grown a lot. I have a few close friends who became quite successful lately and I love their company as we face the same challenges and can support and inspire each other.

Do you believe in quality or quantity?

Quality! I advise photographers to learn and shoot more as it does take at least 10,000 hours of doing it to really become good and understand where you are going with your work. No one should limit themselves only to the technical knowledge and should try to understand the artistic component of this media. In addition, it is important to have several skills; speaking languages will help while doing travel photography, reading quality books will help understand people better and create better portraits, having good communication skills will help in developing a better career and math will help to count the earned money.

To know more about Slava and her work check out her website at: www.slavanoor.com

Strike!

With another academic year dawning upon us, what we require is more focus.

What better way than to go bowling? Bowling is a sport that does not only rely on luck alone. Sure, any game has a slight leeway for luck but bowling also incorporates focus from both the mind and body to get a perfect strike. All of us at work decided to check out how much focus we had on a given task; especially since a new beginning is upon us and we wanted to prove to each other how much focus we each exuded. While we were bowling we realised that it all starts within the mind, and therefore it was important to concentrate on our bowling aim and the steps we took before we started. From most of the games played, we noticed that the best way to do this was to concentrate on the target rather than the approach. As the games progressed we saw a remarkable difference not only in our aims but also in the way we approached and released our bowling ball. The mind is responsible to remember content and tells our muscles to act accordingly and thus focus is core. Switch bowling at Ibn Battuta was where we decided to chill out on a sunny day. The game was fun filled and the scores ranged all the way from thirty to a hundred but a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. It was a blast and a great way to relax, have fun and yet stay focused and alert.

photos by

writing by serena sibi brendon rodriguez

49 Serena Sibi One of the best ways to hang out with friends, sheltered from the intense heat in Dubai, is to go bowling. Even though I didn’t score so well; I came last, it was still fun bowling against the others. The game requires a lot of focus and that is something I got a hang of by the end. It was a great way to unwind but also kept me alert.

Kaylon Mathew Craig Koeries Bowling at Switch was so much fun, mostly due to the fact that I was much better than I had anticipated. Definitely something I’d go do again.

Ramya Rupanagudi

Mrudula Chakravarthy

Going bowling was a great way to start off my internship. It brought me back into a focused mindset. After a long vacation I learned to concentrate again. I enjoyed the friendly competition and it was a lot of fun!

It’s been a while since I went bowling and I had forgotten how much fun it was. It was an enjoyable experience especially once I got the hang of it. It was also just fun to sit with my friends and talk and watch everyone bowl. A truly wonderful way to start my internship here at one8one.

For more info on Switch Bowling, check out their website at: www.switchbowlingdubai.com

Burrrn!

There are many ways to stay healthy and fit; while an obvious solution for many is to join a gym, it was also apparent majority of gym enthusiasts make a lot of mistakes that lead to injuries during the first few weeks of their freshlyadopted lifestyle. Luckily for us, we did not have to go too far to get our questions answered. Enter, The Burn Room, a fitness center that is rather different from your average gym around the corner. At The Burn Room one can do two things, attend group CrossFit sessions or a small-group personal training program-both options focus on building up overall strength and developing general physical preparedness. We took advantage of their free session for new members, trained with Kim and here are some tips he shared with us in the process.

Get Fit

51

Weightlifting Many young adults believe that starting weight training in their late teens would hinder their height; this is not true, in fact, weightlifting improves the overall muscle development and adds strengths to the body as well as prevents injuries in the long run. It must be added, however, that one should not try and lift more than they can handle to avoid any injury.

Ideally, one should start working on the lower body and slowly move up. Many guys tend to focus on developing the upper body, which could lead to injury in the long run as well as little strength in the legs. It is extremely important to work on the lower body as much as the upper half.

Dieting Diet is not a temporary routine where one cuts down on food; diet is a lifestyle of healthy eating. Food is the fuel that keeps the body and mind going throughout the day. Choosing the right food is as important as choosing the right workout routine. In fact, food makes up 70% of your fitness goals.

While many believe they should not eat at least two hours before a workout, in reality, eating fruit or oatmeal before a gym session can prove beneficial as it sustains the body for the duration of the exercise.

Hydration Water, water, water! Exercise dehydrates the body; people sweat, therefore losing the essential minerals and liquids the body needs. Drinking water prior, during and after the workout is critical. Water acts as a lubricant for your joints, vital organs and muscles. Many believe that drinking water during a workout can cause side-aches, however, side-aches are more likely to be caused by extensive consumption of food and water. In the end, it is all about drinking enough instead of too much.

Choosing the right routine First and foremost, treadmill-only routine is not enough; yes, it is great to get your cardio toning, but it just doesn’t cut it. Choosing the right balance between cardio and other body strengthening exercises is the most beneficial. Most common belief amongst trainers is that to increase one’s stamina they should include cross fitness, swimming and cycling. When weightlifting, one should always change their routine and work on different muscle groups.

In the end, we’ve learnt that one should not be afraid of weights; eating healthy is key; having a proper workout routine that involves every part of the body is the way to go; and drinking balanced amounts of water is essential.

For more info on The Burn Room, check out their website at: www.theburnroom.com

52

Photography

Yulia Terziyan This issue we decided to share the works of the fantastic UAE Goodwill Photographers group whose motto is “Photography as a Way to a Greater Good�.

UAE Goodwill Photographers is a group of dedicated photographers who use their skills to contribute to the community by raising awareness about various social causes, educating and organising social and art related events through the art of photography. They are the connection between photographers and various volunteer organisations across UAE.

Daniel Andrews

Nawaf Al Barwani

To get the latest updates on UAE Goodwill Photographers group, head over to their official Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ uaegoodwill

Jaffer Shadiq

54

OMG! shared by

Roksar kamal

The unicorn is one of the national animals of Scotland, together with the Red Lion.

You only have two fears when you were born, falling and loud noises.

There are Buddhashaped pears growing in the Northern Chinese Province in Heibei, China.

In Korea, a baby is born being one year old because they include the time in the womb as being alive.

People tend to fear spiders more than death.

Coffee doesn’t taste like it smells because saliva wipes out half of the flavor.

Multitasking not only makes our work 50% less valuable but it takes 50% longer to finish.

Didaskaleinophobia is the fear of going to school There’s a route called Melody Road in Okinawa, Japan that plays the song “Looking up at the Stars in the Night” every time a car drives over it.

Free Delivery 11:30am - 11:30pm

Downtown 04 422 7797 SZR 04 388 9422 Jumeira 04 394 4212 Mirdif 04 288 8192 JLT 04 454 2805

56

Concentration Times Seven by

KIRAN SUNNY

Concentration is merely the process of channeling the information entering your sensory receptors towards your brain for comprehension. For the most part of a regular day, this process is subconscious.

Going back to work or school, it becomes a must to improve your focus. By following a few simple steps, you could give your concetration techniques a significant boost.

1

Note it down

Literally, jot down when your mind is wandering. Simply taking a note on a paper every time you lose concentration awakens your mind to the issue.

2 Take five Taking breaks won’t hurt you. Short five-minute breaks help your brain cool down and improve efficiency. You’ll feel naturally more refreshed when you continue after.

3 Get up and walk Get exercise. If your job requires more of sitting and typing make sure you get up and take short walks; this helps boost blood flow to the brain and helps you concentrate better.

5 Light is good Make sure you’ve got plenty of good, white lighting. White light is the easiest on your eyes while trying to concentrate; so if you have a lot of work to do, better do it in a well-lit room in order to be able to focus more and finish your job with ease.

6 Free your mind Give your mind some free time. This is highly recommended by a number of psychologists as it provides an outlet for all that creativity building up within your head. This can be done while taking a shower, waiting for food to cook, or you could just set aside 15-20 minutes a day to do nothing.

7 Don’t multitask

4

Breathe easy Before beginning a mentally strenuous activity, start by taking deep breaths, preferably in a quiet environment; listen to your own breathing. Gradually slow your pace and increase the length of each inhale.

Cut down on your multi-tasking. It has been proven to reduce efficiency and it is more likely that you will make mistakes. Do one thing at a time and focus.

Good time management and a clear work place can also contribute to a better concentration. Always remember that other than these few tips, perseverance and determination is a part of achieving greatness.

58

Letters to a Coach

Get advice from our life coach Maria Chatila. Write to her at coach@one8one.net. All writing will remain anonymous.

Maria V. Chatila is the creator & host of Teens Talk Middle East, a YouTube show created for teens to have a voice. She also coaches teens, teens and parents and families in her role as Family & Relationship Coach. Maria strives to empower youth with the tools, skills and beliefs that they are resourceful, powerful and wise!

I have no friends Q.

Dear coach, I’m more of an introvert and tend to get really awkward when I talk to people. I don’t have many friends and I’m too shy to make the first move.

Could you give me some tips on how do I get out of my comfort zone and make some new friends?

I don’t like labels as I believe that labels put us into boxes and for some reason, we nail the box shut for an eternity. You are too young for a label. I want you to start by ‘removing’ your label of being an introvert. It is awkward for every-one to make new friends. At the core, we are all afraid of rejection.

So, start with little things like asking for help with a topic in a subject that you both have. As you said, it feels awkward so ask the person that smiles at you first. Remember to ask an open question like, ‘what does it mean when….’ And not a closed question like, ‘is it….’. An open question will encourage a more detailed conversation and give you more openers to ask more open questions. A closed question will give you a yes or no answer which will increase the likelihood of the person walking away immediately.

Another suggestion is join a club that involves conversation. This is a great way to meet new people.

A book club or a team sport is always very successful.

There are always opportunities for socializing after the group meets and many times, friendships are grown from these types of clubs/teams.

Getting uncomfortable is just really uncomfortable but the rewards are HUGE!! As I say so often, ‘what is the worst thing that could happen?’ Chances are, you will make some great friendships! Go for it!

Stage fright Q. Recently at uni we’ve been asked to

make presentations on various topics and present them ourselves in front of the class.

I have terrible stage fright and tend to freeze once I go up in front of a crowd. I find it very embarrassing; I want to be able to give a good presentation but I just cannot.

What can I do to get rid of this stage fright?

According to studies, the top fear that humans feel is ‘the fear of speaking in public’.

So guess what, you’re not alone. This is THE most common fear. Why am I telling you this? Because you want to remind yourself of this fact every-time you are standing up and speaking to a large audience or any audience for that matter.

There are many tips that you can follow but what I tend to do with my clients is ask them to present in front of a video camera.

Watch it and share it with a couple of people that you trust. Ask them and yourself to look for the skills that you do well in the presentation and then look for the things that you are challenged with. When you have seen yourself present, you can start acknowledging the strengths that you have and become conscious of what you can work on to better improve on your presentation skills.

Another tip is to know exactly what you’re talking about. Don’t stand up unless you understand your topic. The best public speakers talk to the audience as if they are telling a story and not repeating a memorized script. Being confident about your topic and making the presentation lively, interactive and interesting will create a receptive audience that will show you signs of approval. For example, they will nod, smile and even participate in your discussion. You will be most confident with yourself if you know that you are confident with the topic that you are presenting.

Finally, if I’m very honest with you, aside from what I have already mentioned, I believe the most important thing to do is practice, practice, practice. Until you stand up and speak hundreds of times, you will be more ‘frozen with fear’ because you are afraid of the unknown. After all, speaking in public is a skill just as dancing or singing or driving. All skills are best achieved with consistent practice. So, why don’t you join a public speaking group? These are created to help the participants improve their skills and feel more accustomed to speaking in public.

The feedback is empowering and you meet wonderful people with the same challenges.

Astrology

September 2013

60

Virgo 22 August- 22 September Being a Virgo, you’re sweet and naive. A true friend, you’re always out there to lend a hand to anyone in need. Not only are you a good listener but you also give great advice. Be sure to let your friends return the favour too. Don’t be afraid to receive. People shouldn’t be fooled by your innocent looks because your sharp mind is constantly analysing everything. Sometimes, your need for perfection can lead you to be overcritical.

So just relax your mind and be yourself.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Fresh new challenges are in the horizon. You love challenges and will get plenty at work or in your studies.

Stay focused and put all your energy into what you want and you will achieve greatness. Get a head start and begin working on your projects while everyone is still making up their minds as to what they want to do.

Take a big step back and get an overall view of your life. If there is something you don’t like then plan to change it.

There are many people in your life that care about you and want what is best for you.

Don’t run away from them and listen to what they have to say.

You don’t have to listen but it would be nice to get a different perspective on life.

Express yourself; send emails, keep a journal, call the people you love and go out to socialise. People will appreciate that and will include you in all their plans.

Work on your patience and rearrange your home. It will come in handy when your friends come for a visit.

Besides, there is a lot of junk you need to get rid of.

You like it when you make or receive money. Who doesn’t?

Just don’t spend too much on fun since you’re already living day by day. Make sure you finish all your work before you go out to have fun or else you will need to renegotiate a lot of contracts. You have a good listening ear but maybe it’s time you find someone that would listen to your worries as well.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You hide your shyness well and love being the center of attention. Enjoy all the attention you will get this month. You are looking for new ways to make money; whether it’s a new job or small business project.

Analyse before you plunge into something new. Speak up when something needs to be said.

You work well alone or with someone you trust. And this month you will find yourself working on quite a few important things. You may not want to take advice you’re not comfortable with. It will feel like you just got another chance and a new beginning.

Enjoy the new projects and ideas, just try not to step on any toes.

Since you’re so creative you always have a list of things you would like to have or experience. What do you want right this minute? Think about it, plan how you want to achieve it and make it happen.

Be gentle with your friends and use kind words, which will work out to your own benefit.

Try to stay away from direct confrontations while you’re reaching for the top of the mountain. You are heading to great places and will need to learn to communicate cautiously. You plan everything in secret and there is no-way anyone can find out what you’re up to. Don’t disregard your friends feelings.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You are happy with the new project you’ve chosen to focus on. Everything will come together this month and you may even need to travel somewhere exciting. All your statistics, facts and figures are perfect and all plans will work out as planned. Be interested in others and they will become interested in you.

You will get a fresh start in all aspects of your life. So relax and let great things happen. Have confidence in your talent and skill because you are wonderful and can achieve greatness easily.

Focus on your conscious mind, which controls your body, and exercise both in one go. You will be amazed with the results.

You have been working on something exciting. People will approach you with an agreement. Go over it carefully and re-read it as many times as you need before you sign on the dotted line. Don’t hide but also keep your research to yourself. Determine what is confidential and what is not before you say too much.

Although you are quite a calm person you tend to be a great leader. Be kind and understanding to your friends and family, they will need it.

Get a second opinion when it comes to new projects and big agreements. Stay away from conflicts and tough situations.

20 March- 19 April

22 July- 22 August

22 November- 21 December

19 April- 20 May

22 August- 22 September

21 December- 20 January

20 May- 21 June

22 September- 23 October

20 January- 18 February

21 June- 22 July

23 October- 22 November

19 February- 20 March

62

Are You Fashionable? by

asma alabed

Tick the answers in the quiz: 1: Your ideal day is:

a. Chilling with friends at the mall, buying a cool ring, and going to a movie. b. Hitting the low-key stores scavenging for a vintage pair of jeans. c. Not going near a mall and hitting the beach for a game of volleyball instead.

2: When you get dressed for a casual hang out, you:

a. Dress it up with a unique accessory. b. Take an hour to pick just the right outfit, trying on at least three in the process. c. Put on a clean t-shirt and jeans.

3: When you’re not at the gym, you wear sneakers…:

a. Sometimes. b. Never… unless you’re trying to look sporty. c. All day everyday.

4: You’re excited for Prom because:

a. Dressing up and being with friends will be a memory to remember. b. The Dress Hunt… and then finally getting to show it off. c. Dancing!

5: Your favorite movie genres are: a. Indie. b. Rom-coms. c. Action.

6: You have ____ pairs of jeans:

a. 5-7. b. Like... 15. c. 2? Or 3? They all look the same anyways.

7: Your bag is important because:

a. You need to hold stuff and it looks cool. b. Doesn’t matter if you barely have anything to carry, it completes the look. c. Bag? Are you talking about my backpack?

Mostly A’s:

Effortlessly fashionable. You know how to be stylish and cool, but you are not obsessed with fashion trends. Shopping can be fun or it can be a drag, and you never blow too much money at the mall.

Your style is usually hip, but every once in a while you’ll go the whole nine yards with your look and leave everyone speechless. Stunner!

Mostly B’s:

Fashion obsessed. Fashion editorials are where you belong (or writing for the fashion section of this magazine!) You know all the ins and outs of the latest brands and designers and you attack sales like a hawk. How you present yourself is ALWAYS important to you and you always have to look glamorous. Just be careful you don’t take it overboard… wear your favorite band’s t-shirt with a normal pair of jeans every once in a while.

Mostly C’s:

Tomboy. You can’t care less about the latest trends and the runways all seem like ridiculous costume parties to you. Going to the mall just to shop without eating or watching a movie seems like a waste of a day to you, and you’d way rather stay home with a bowl of popcorn and watch your favorite TV shows.

Your attitude is what makes your style attractive…but bring out your inner diva occasionally. Everyone will surely be impressed at your change of pace.

63

Brain Food

Across

Down

1 A two-player game played on black and white squares 3 A game of blocks stacked into an unstable tower 6 Used to take photographs 8 In basketball, to aim for a basket 10 A narrow, intense beam projected at a person 12 A sport involving bow and arrow

2 In bowling all the pins knocked out from the first try 4 An entertainer who performs gymnastic feats 5 A throwing game where small missiles are aimed at a board 7 The thin rope upon which circus performers walk at great heights 9 Tiles which have to be knocked onto each other 11 The beach sport of riding a moving wave

SUDOKU Easy 1

1

2

2

5 3

8 9 6 1

1 3

4

5

6

7 5 8 9

4 4

8

3

5 9

9

1

2

6

7

2

5 6 8

3

4 1

5 8

Hard

10

4

8 2

11

9 1

12

9

4 2

7

8 3 1

1 4 7

5 1

1

8

7 9

6 8

6

Easy Hard 5 4 2 9 7 8 1 3 6

9 6 7 1 3 2 8 5 4

8 3 1 6 5 4 7 2 9

6 8 5 4 2 9 3 7 1

4 2 3 5 1 7 9 6 8

1 7 9 3 8 6 5 4 2

7 9 8 2 6 5 4 1 3

3 5 6 8 4 1 2 9 7

2 1 4 7 9 3 6 8 5

3 2 9 4 6 5 8 7 1

7 1 4 2 9 8 6 3 5

8 6 5 3 1 7 4 9 2

6 5 1 9 3 4 7 2 8

4 3 8 5 7 2 9 1 6

2 9 7 1 8 6 3 5 4

9 7 2 8 4 1 5 6 3

1 8 6 7 5 3 2 4 9

5 4 3 6 2 9 1 8 7

Our Academic Supporters

Editor in Cheif Maria Rousan Artistic Director Anton Rodionov Deputy Editor Dina Hassan Fashion Editor & Stylist Hommam Arbi Photography Cover Nizar Al-Sibai Photography Fashion Slava Noor Graphic Design Intern Maha Bassadiq Youth Contributors Ali Mostafa Anton Fateev Asma Alabed Brendon A. Rodrigues Daniel Andrews Darren D’costa Emma Dourado Jaffer Shadiq Justine Ramos Kaylon Koeries Kiran Sunny

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The Dubai Youth Orchestra is a creative environment where young musicians from every imaginable social, cultural, educational and economic background come together to rehearse and perform masterworks from many different countries. The orchestra offers young musicians the chance to receive the highest quality classical music education through professional-caliber instructors and perform to a big number of audiences.

If you play an instrument and want to be a part of the orchestra please email Dubai Youth Orchestra at imadabeidoh@gmail.com or nasserabeidoh@gmail.com to secure an audition.

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