P7katanani Brings P20 Buena Vista out Some of His Will Perform at Masterpieces for the Sheraton Grand Audience in Doha in Doha As Part of Its His Recent Exhibition

Community Community Palestinian Legendary Abdul Rahman Cuban band P7Katanani brings P20 Buena Vista out some of his will perform at masterpieces for the Sheraton Grand audience in Doha in Doha as part of its his recent exhibition. farewell world tour.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Jumada I 28, 1437 AH

DOHA 19°C—26°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 13 PUZZLES 14 & 15

COVER STORY

DOHA ROUND: Malte Zeeck says he came to Doha to thank his ambassador and members for their activities. Photo by Umer Nangiana Staying connected German Malte Zeeck, founder and CEO of InterNations, on how the expat-based network found its calling and what makes it tick. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.35am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.51am Zuhr (noon) 11.45am Asr (afternoon) 3.08pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.41pm Isha (night) 7.11pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Zootropolis other. Comprising But when rookie offi cer Judy Hopps Emergency 999 GENRE: Action, Adventure habitat neighbourhoods like ritzy (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she Worldwide Emergency Number 112 CAST: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, discovers that being the ﬁ rst bunny on Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Bateman, Idris Elba it’s a melting pot where animals from a police force of big, tough animals isn’t Ooredoo Telephone Assistance 111 DIRECTION: Byron Howard, Rich every environment live together — a so easy. Local Directory 180 Moore place where no matter what you International Calls Enquires 150 SYNOPSIS: The modern mammal are, from the biggest elephant to the THEATRES: Royal Plaza, Landmark, Time 141, 140 metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no smallest shrew, you can be anything. The Mall Doha International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Medical Commission 44679111 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Weather Forecast 44656590 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444 Qatar University 44033333

Kalyana Vaibhogame (Telugu) further stressing it that, marriage involves two families and GENRE: Romance, Drama not just two people. Did they stay together, post the marriage? CAST: Naga Shaurya, Malavika Nair How did they ﬁ x their struggling relationship? What role does te Unqu DIRECTION: Nandini Reddy the families play in their relation? This forms the rest of the uo ot SYNOPSIS: The plot of the movie is straight to the point story. Q e as it completely revolves around a guy and a girl, who are not Think in the interested in marriage, but enters the wedlock. It proceeds THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall morning. Act in the noon. Eat in the evening. Mall Cinema (1): Zootropolis: Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 4pm; Zootopia (2D) 2.30pm; Action Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 6pm; Jai Sleep in the night. Hero Biju (Malayalam) 4.30pm; Gangaajal (Hindi) 8pm; Jai Gangaajal Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 7pm; Jai 6.45pm; Kings Of Egypt (2D) 9.15pm; (Hindi) 11pm. Gangaajal (Hindi) 8.45pm; London Has Pokkiri Raja (Tamil) 11.15pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Race — William Blake Fallen (2D) 11.30pm. Cinema Land Mark (2): (2D) 2.30pm; London Has Fallen (2D) Mall Cinema (2): Jai Gangaajal (Hindi) Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 2.30pm; 5pm; Bachaana (Urdu) 7pm; Always Be My 2.15pm; Zootropolis: Zootopia (2D) 5pm; Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 4.30pm; Maybe (2D) 9pm; London Has Fallen (2D) London Has Fallen (2D) 7pm; Race (2D) Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 6.30pm; 13 11pm. 9pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): 13 Benghazi (2D) 11.15pm. (2D) 8.30pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi Community Editor Mall Cinema (3): Kalyana Vaibhogame Of Benghazi (2D) 11pm. (2D) 2pm; Bachaana (Urdu) 4.30pm; The (Telugu) 2.15pm; Kings Of Egypt (2D) 5pm; Cinema Land Mark (3): Kalyana Revenant (2D) 6.30pm; 13 Hours: The Kamran Rehmat Always Be My Maybe (2D) 7pm; London Vaibhogame (Telugu) 2.30pm; Race (2D) Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 9pm; e-mail: [email protected] Has Fallen (2D) 9pm; Pokkiri Raja (Tamil) 5pm; Always Be My Maybe (2D) 7.30pm; Race (2D) 11.30pm. 11pm. London Has Fallen (2D) 9.30pm; London Asian Town Cinema: Action Hero Biju Telephone: 44466405 Cinema Land Mark (1): Pokkiri Raja Has Fallen (2D) 11.15pm. (Malayalam) 5.30, 7, 8.15, 9.45 & 11pm; Fax: 44350474 (Tamil) 2.30pm; London Has Fallen (2D) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Jai Gangaajal (Hindi) 6, 8.45 & 11.30pm; 5pm; Action Hero Biju (Malayalam) Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 2pm; Pokkiri Raja (Tamil) 6, 8.45 & 11.30pm. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS The Great British Festival Qatar Qatar International Food Festival their practice for revisional and complicated DATE: Until March 19 DATE: March 22-28 bariatric surgeries. Wakrah Family Beach Clean Up The Great British Festival Qatar 2016 will VENUE: MIA Park DATE: March 11 celebrate UK culture, education, tourism and Qatar Tourism Authority will organise the Childhood Cultural Center TIME: 6am business. The festival will feature a number seventh edition of Qatar International Food DATE: Until March 31 VENUE: Wakrah Family Beach of events organised by the British Council, Festival under the theme “a diff erent side of TIME: 9am-10:30am the British Embassy and others, including an food”. This year’s festival will be extended to VENUE: Katara Much Ado About Nothing inter-school football competition, an education seven days and expanded to other landmarks Childhood Cultural Center participation DATE: March 15 fair and a pop-up science event. Also, as the and eateries, including: the Pearl-Qatar and in ‘Schools Enrich our Culture’ programme TIME: 7pm-8:30pm UK is marking 400 years since Shakespeare’s Katara Cultural Village. Chinese food lovers includes a variety of educational and artistic VENUE: Katara death, the best of Shakespeare will be celebrated will also have plenty to look forward to, with workshops. The Great British Festival Qatar and through a number of fi lm, music and theatre Chinese cuisine featuring as part of “Qatar- Katara Cultural Village are pleased to present events. For more details, please visit: https:// China 2016 Year of Culture” celebrations. Art Exhibition Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing as a www.facebook.com/britfestqa/ DATE: Until April 18 tribute to Kenneth Branagh’s extensive creative Shrek the Musical! VENUE: Porto Arabia, Pearl abilities, as well as arguably one of the best 01 Mall Novo Cinemas 3×3 Basketball DATE: March 9-19 Diff usion by Peter Zimmermann — A Shakespeare adaptations ever fi lmed. Display: Tour TIME: 7:30pm mesmerising solo exhibition of colourful, Movie will play in English with Arabic subtitles. DATE: March 10-12 VENUE: QNCC Theatre futuristic works. Anima Gallery, Parcel 17, Porto Parental Guidance, suitable for general viewing VENUE: Ain Khalid Shrek the Musical! tells the touching story of Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Contact: 40027437 but some scenes may be unsuitable for young QSports and Qatar Basketball Federation a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked, children. invite you to participate in the eagerly awaited feared his entire life by anything that crosses his Qatari Agricultural Product Yards 01 Mall Novo Cinemas 3×3 Basketball Tour 2016 path, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in DATE: Until June 30 Spring Exhibition MIA to be held inside the 01 Mall in Ain Khalid. As happy isolation. VENUE: Al Mazrooa, Al Zakheera, Al Khor, DATE: March 14-July 16 part of QSports Mall Jam programme, exciting Al Wakrah TIME: 10:30am- 5pm cash prizes of over QR22,000 will be awarded Cultural Diversity festival The Ministry of Environment has opened the VENUE: QM Gallery Al Riwaq to top three teams in each division. The venue DATE: Until May 31 4th season of Qatari agricultural product yards An exhibition of 15 contemporary Chinese is a specially constructed FIBA approved court TIME: 7:30-9pm for selling locally produced fruits, vegetables, artists, curated by internationally acclaimed inside the 01 Mall! VENUE: Katara Beach poultry, fi sh and livestock. Work in these yards New York-based Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, Over 20 countries from all over the world are will continue for seven months. The yards will will be on view at the QM Gallery Al Riwaq. Spring Fest showcasing their traditions and heritage. operate three days a week on Thursdays, Fridays The exhibition will be the major highlight DATE: March 11 and Saturdays from 7am to 5pm, with livestock presented in the context of the Qatar China TIME: 1pm-6pm vendors in Al Mazrooa operating at the same 2016 Year of Culture. Artworks exemplifying VENUE: Gems American Academy times throughout the week. each and every artist’s unique artistic language Delicious food, weekend bazar, art display and methodology will be displayed in individual and much more. Come one, come all and be Pottery workshop for kids galleries. a part of this exciting spring festival at Gems DATE: Every Monday American Academy. To top it up you can also TIME: 5pm-6pm Chinese Silk Art enjoy outdoor cinema under the twinkling stars, Kids will learn a new hand building technique DATE: March 24-May 9 at 6in the evening. Please get Qatari Id for adults for creating and fi nishing artworks in clay. For VENUE: QM Gallery in Katara and children over 12 years. more, call 44865201. The second major exhibition of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture, ‘Silks from the Symbols of Latin America and Ladies day at Beach Silk Road – Chinese Art of Silk’, presents silk Caribbean DATE: Every Monday as a theme, and as a special local product of DATE: Until March 15 TIME: 9am-7pm Zhejiang that played an important role in trade TIME: 7pm-10pm VENUE: Sheraton Doha along the Silk Road. The exhibition highlights VENUE: Katara Art Studio Bldg 19 For all the ladies in Doha! Do you feel like ancient and modern Chinese silk works, with Documentary photographs that represent taking some time off for yourself? Come join around 100 pieces due to be showcased at the 11 Latin American countries in fi ve categories us at the Sheraton Resort for an all-day-access QM Gallery in Katara over a period of 6 weeks. which are the capital of the country, the Al Gannas to the beach and pool, along with aqua gym national animal, the national plant or fl ower, DATE: Until Oct 30 aerobics for free. Nestled on the edge of Qatar’s Reduced Shakespeare Company the national dish; and the historical monument. TIME: 9am - 11:30 am West Bay with an unbeatable and uninterrupted DATE: March 11 VENUE: Al Gannas Society views of the blue sea. Our pool and beach adds TIME: 1pm-8pm Al Gannas Association is participating in an exciting experience to enhance your senses VENUE: Katara Drama Theatre the ‘Our culture is a school’ programme by of relaxation. Enjoy only for QR100 per person. Join and enjoy the fun and laughter and see 37 organising many activities for the students Plays in 97 Minutes! An irreverent, fast-paced every Monday and Wednesday of the week. Fitness Training romp through the Bard’s plays, The Complete These activities include explanations on DATE: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was hunting and related tools, kinds of falcons and TIME: 6pm-7pm London’s longest-running comedy having preys, in addition to workshop on how to carry VENUE: MIA Park clocked a very palpable nine years in London’s a falcon, set a traditional tent (made of goat & There are fi tness classes in the park on West End at the Criterion Theatre! Join these camel hair), prepare traditional Arabic coff ee, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights between madcap men as they weave their wicked etc. 6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of fi tness, way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Bootcamp is an intensive and fun way to train Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that Winter Weekends at Aspire Zone and also meet new people in the open and will leave you breathless and helpless with DATE: Until March 24 friendly group atmosphere. More information laughter. TIME: 4pm-9pm from Bootcamp Qatar or info@bootcampqatar. VENUE: Aspire Park com Baby & Kids World Qatar 2016 Pakistan Cultural Festival Aspire Zone Foundation invites you to come DATE: March 21-23 DATE: March 31-April 3 along with your family and friends, and to bring Join in our Walk-in Weekends VENUE: Doha Convention Center VENUE: Katara Cultural Village your kids every Thursday for outdoor sport DATE: Every Saturday Elan Events and Fira Barcelona announce Biggest made in Pakistan expo, ethnic food fun activities, including football, volleyball, VENUE: MIA Atrium the very fi rst Baby & Kids World exhibition street, huge kids zone, live musical concert by competitions and games for boys and girls, from MIA art education and calligraphy teams taking place in Doha from the March 21-23 Pakistani singers, folk dancers, performances 4pm to 9pm. off er walk-in workshops in MIA’s atrium every at Doha Exhibition & Convention Center and more. Saturday. These walk-in workshops are for open (DECC). Baby & Kids World Qatar will be held Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Summit for all family members. as a business-to-business platform with a full Aspire Tennis Cup – Men DATE: March 10-12 range of children’s needs: child care, maternity, DATE: March 11-19 VENUE: Hajar Auditorium children’s fashion, toys, education and food, in VENUE: Aspire zone Hamad Medical Corporation will organise FOODIE CHOICE addition to a festival dedicated to families giving Aspire Zone will organise the fi rst edition the Third Qatar International Metabolic companies an opportunity to interact with end of Aspire Tennis Cup - Men for four days (two and Bariatric Surgery Summit with the RESTAURANT: A l Sufra Doha consumers directly. weekends) on March 11, 12, 18, 19, 2016 from participation of distinguished keynote speakers LOCATION: Kempisnki Marsa Malaz 4pm to 8pm. Registration fees: QR100 per and panelists who will share their experiences Al Sufra means “the dining room” in participant (paid during technical meeting). through lectures and discussions on bariatric Arabic. Blending traditional recipes and The tournament is open for men aged 18 years and metabolic surgery techniques. The summit fl avours from Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Jordan and above and will include two categories: will feature live sessions to provide technical and Palestine, Al Sufra, the Levant-inspired First category: doubles match for 12 teams of knowledge from experts around the world and restaurant, is set to entice guests to an participants aged 18 to 39. support specialists to adopt new techniques in unforgettable dining experience.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY COVER STORY One global family The beauty of Internet is that we could build a global portal and roll it out to all these diff erent cities around the world and everyone could easily sign up, Malte Zeeck, founder and CEO of InterNations, tells Umer Nangiana

PLEASED: Zeeck says Doha has one of the vibrant InterNations communities. Photo by Mark Thomson

n a diff erent cultural setting, Germany. Himself an expatriate, were facing similar problems,” Zeeck the co-founder and co-CEO of (business) partner. Today, I can surrounded by strangers Zeeck would often fi nd himself tells Community. InterNations, going through the say that the decision I took was speaking a foreign language, “lonely and lost” during his postings So he came up with an idea. same situation. Both quit their absolutely worth it. It gives me great how do you fi nd like-minded abroad as a TV reporter. Internet was at hand and provided respective jobs and worked full-time pleasure to do what we are doing,” he people and make new friends? Out of this frustration and the the basis for its execution. on InterNations to make it a reality. explains. TheseI days, you may head straight to desire to fi nd people like him stuck “I thought forming a platform Quitting an established TV Zeeck wanted to see InterNations InterNations, a community of over 2 in a similar situation was born the through the Internet to bring these reporter’s job was not easy for grow big, but he did not imagine it million expatriates across 390 cities idea of fi nding a common platform. people together and connect them Zeeck. “I was always passionate could to reach the magnitude it has of the world. Where and how could I fi nd other globally would make life a lot easier about journalism and I really enjoyed today. It was one man faced with the expatriates like me, he would often for expatriates,” says the founder of doing that. It allowed me to meet Going about the dynamics of the same question some nine years ask himself. perhaps, the world’s largest social new people and ask questions. But platform, Zeeck and his friend fi rst ago who created this global online “Arriving in a new country, you do network for expatriates. Community then this idea was also something built the website. Once the platform community and has seen it come to not know anyone, speak a diff erent caught up with Zeeck at a recent that fascinated me to build my own was up, they started to invite their life all along. language and the culture is diff erent, expatriate gathering at Hilton hotel organisation out of nothing,” says friends that were living in places Meet Malte Zeeck, the founder so I felt a little lost and lonely. I had a to discern about the InterNations. Zeeck. around the world. Those friends and co-Chief Executive Offi cer strong desire to meet up with people Zeeck found his friend from “I knew it was the right timing started to invite their respective (CEO) of InterNations, from Kiel, who were in the same situation or University, Philipp Von Plato, and right idea, and I had the right friends. The network grew virally. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

Then came InterNations’ make the network grow faster,” says ambassadors, the people who the founder of the online platform are very well-connected in their that also facilitates its members to respective expat cities. They helped meet offl ine. the network eventually grow by At InterNations, they have a team proportions. Today, it has multiple of about 100 employees based in individual activity groups through Germany and they split up in terms which the expatriates meet and take of responsibilities. Philipp is in part in activities of their interests. charge of developing the platform “Interestingly, this whole idea of further and building it with their offl ine activities and events was not product engineering team. the part of the original plan, but we Zeeck focuses more on the saw very early on that people started community management aspect writing in our forums things like, and marketing to move people to ‘hey, let’s meet for a coff ee.’ So we join InterNations. The revenue to ﬁ gured that this is something the run the operations comes from people want,” says Zeeck. membership fee and corporate An events calendar was put in partners promoting their products place and the InterNations team and services on the platform. activated their ambassadors to Zeeck believes InterNations is the organise one get-together every only social network dedicated for month to give the members a chance expats that is present all around the to meet. world in 390 cities. Eventually, these events got so “A great member-base of people bigger that sometime more than that you meet at InterNations’ 400-500 people were joining it. To events is internationally minded make it easier, they then went for with interesting backgrounds and smaller activity groups. interesting stories to share and this The offl ine component of the is something that I don’t think any platform is something that makes it of the other platforms have to off er,” special, says Zeeck. And he says it is says Zeeck. only possible because of people like A mobile app for InterNations PARTNERS OF GOODWILL: Malte Zeeck, right, with his partner Philipp Von Plato. Mark Thomson, the InterNations has been long awaited and the Ambassador in Doha. InterNations’ founder says they are “They put their free time already in the process of developing into creating opportunities for it for both iOS and Android. It would members to meet and get involved. be up and running in a month’s time, And without them, InterNations he hopes. would not be what it is today,” On his ﬁ rst trip to Doha, Zeeck acknowledges Zeeck. also visited a labour camp in the city “And that is also one reason why outskirts and made donations. He I am here today, to thank people like believes most expats live a privileged Mark to be so active and involved life and InterNations has a vision to and create these great events on a enable them to reach out to people regular basis,” he adds. who are not so affl uent. Zeeck says without internet such Through diff erent volunteer a platform would not have been groups, the InterNations’ members possible. take part in diff erent kind of charity “The beauty of Internet is that and community service activities. we could build a global portal and Zeeck says the Doha community was roll it out to all these diff erent cities “fantastic” and is one of the most around the world and everyone active and diverse among the 390 could easily sign up. It just helped to worldwide.

InterNations’ members take part in different kind of charity and community service activities. Zeeck says the Doha community was “fantastic” and is one of the most active and diverse among DOHA CONNECTION: Zeeck with Mark Thomson, InterNations Doha ambassador, left, during his recent visit. the 390 worldwide Photo by Umer Nangiana 6 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY Warm welcome for Jamia Millia Islamia VC

By Umer Nangiana

MU Alumni Association (AMUAAQ) and World Bihar Association Qatar hosted a Areception in honour of Professor Talat Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi; Kamal Akhter, Minister of Food Supplies in Uttar Pradesh; and Kunwar Danish Ali, Secretary General of Janta Dal (S) at Grand Qatar Palace Hotel recently. Aqueel Ahmed was the host of the programme. The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Faraz Alam. Habibun Nabi, the Chief Patron of AMUAAQ, welcomed all the guests and different association members. The programme was organised under the president-ship of MS Bukhari, the Managing Director TOGETHER: From left to right, Kunwar Danish Ali, Secretary General Jantadal (S); Kamal Akhtar, Minister of Food & Civil Supplies UP; MS Bukhari, Chairman of Satco International and AMUAAQ; Prof Talat Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia University; and another guest. Chairman of AMUAAQ. Many dignitaries were present in the hall, the present facilities available in of the Central University. He took India Fellowship and another from about the situation in India and including Ali Akabr al-Farabi, Area Jamia Millia Islamia. charge from Professor SM Sajid University of Cambridge under opined that the democracy in Manager Qatar Airways; Sarfaraz Talat Ahmad took charge as who had been serving as offi ciating Natural Environment Research India is maturing. He emphasized Khan, Chairman of World Bihar Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Vice-Chancellor since July 2013. Council (NERC) during 1997–98. the importance of education in Association; Shahabuddinm, Islamia, New Delhi on May 15, Talat Ahmad did his schooling In 1999–2000, he did another life. “Prosperity can be achieved President of Sadaf; Najmul 2014. He had earlier taken over from Giridih Higher Secondary Post Doctoral Fellowship under in any community by spreading Hassan, President of Jamia Milya as Vice-Chancellor of University School. In 1977, he joined Aligarh Japanese Society for Promotion education,” said Danish. Islamia University; President of of Kashmir from Professor Riyaz Muslim University to pursue MSc of Science (JSPS) with Nagoya Chairman MS Bukhari KMCA; Deputy Chief Patron of Punjabi on June 1, 2011. Prior to in Geology. He completed M Phil University, Japan. highlighted the importance of Bazme-Urdu Qatar; and Simon this, he was teaching Geology at the in Ore Petrology from Jawaharlal Kamal Akhther, the minister education and also spoke of Dsouza, President of Goan Welfare University of Delhi. Nehru University in 1980 and in from the government of UP, praised supporting any cause related Association. Ahmad was formally appointed 1985, he completed his PhD in the role being played by AMUAAQ to education. He announced a Chief guest Professor Talat as the 14th Vice-Chancellor of Igneous Petrology from JNU. and WBO in promoting the name few running trophies to support Ahmed addressed the audience. He Jamia Millia Islamia on April He did a Post Doctoral Fellowship of India. Urdu and also assured the Vice praised Qatar’s eff orts to promote 29, 2014 by President Pranab with University of Leicester during Kunwar Danish Ali, the Secretary Chancellor of scholarships for education globally. He talked about Mukherjee in his capacity as Visitor 1988–89 under a Government of General of Janta Dal (S), talked deserving students.

AMUAAQ members with the guests. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

BARBED TREE: Abdul Rahman Katnani’s olive tree symbolises Palestinian history and culture. Photos by Umer Nangiana Katanani’s exhibition revolves around the olive harvest in Palestine. Children and the olive trees For instance in a piece with a girl and MFA in Beirut. little girl and the boy here who are these children. These are normal By Umer Nangiana in it, fl owers in her hair, and the Heather says she personally carrying olive tree branches behind children like any other children and ribbon in her hair is an old Mirinda loves the large olive tree in this them. they would be normally playing on bottle. The shoes and the gold exhibition. “They will do something simple grass,” Heather explains. is work is always pieces are usually from an old olive “That is something amazing. He because they do not have money “But let me tell you how much unorthodox. Not just oil or cheese tin. generally tends to work in a way to have the iPad, like perhaps sack grass is there in the camp. I have the idea, the medium “I know he has told me that the that his fi gures are almost always races. The olive trees are new and actually gone to the camp and he chooses to express hat on the head of the girl comes children. Sometimes they might be I think within the last one year, he there is no grass there. So this is them itself is unique. from metal plates as a lot of times like a whole refugee family and the has started doing the olive trees,” kind of ironic. The children who RevolvingH around the olive harvest they have to eat out of metal plates. reason for that is that he believes Heather says. are like everybody else’s children in Palestine, with the olive tree So he would take them out of his that the children are the future, as Katanani’s work would be at have committed no crime and have symbolising Palestinian history and mother’s kitchen and he would cut many of us do,” she adds. Christie’s auction in Dubai in April no guilt are left to play in a barren culture, Abdul Rahman Katanani, and dye them and that metal plate Children are innocence, they this year. place,” she adds. the 33-year-old Palestinian artist, becomes a hat for a child,” says are the hope, they are the dream. The olive tree is one of his She believes Katanani’s work brings out some of his masterpieces the gallery’s marketing and sales And just like other children, even masterpieces and it is the most is great. He is dealing with for the audience in Doha in his manager. if they are refugee children, they expensive item on display here. The Palestinian issue but he is dealing recent exhibition. Katanani was born right after the do the same things as do the other piece is priced over QR90,000. with it in a medium that is Currently on display at Katara Art massacre in 1983 in the camp and children. They play, and run and “He is using barbed wire because completely new and he is dealing Centre (KAC), building 5, the exhibit he still lives there. He has somehow collect fl owers and they carry their it reveals to us, who know the with it in a way that does give us ‘Children, Olive Trees and Barbed managed to acquire both his BFA little patrimony with them like the refugee camps, the reality for hope, says Heather. Wires’ presents the risks to the tree through occupation, bulldozing and uprooting which the artist believes are like those facing the Palestinian people as they are encircled by barbed wire and dispossessed of their land. “He lives in probably the most famous Palestinian refugee camp, the site of a massacre during the civil war. And as we all know it is a very expensive undertaking, you cannot aff ord canvases and brushes, so he decided to make his art from found objects that surround him in the camp so all of the children are cut out of roofi ng material,” Heather Alnuweiri from al Markhiya Gallery, the organisers, tells Community. The fi gures are cut out of the traditional zinc roofi ng material in the camp and, as it is a refugee camp surrounded by barbed wire, the barbed wire fi gures prominently. “He has been doing an artist residency. In the last year, I believe he was doing the lithograph but know when you think of Abdur Katanani makes his art from ordinary raw Rahman Katanani, this is what you material found in the refugees camp in think of,” says Heather. Children and barbed wires feature prominently in Katanani’s work. Lebanon. 8 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY Opinion: Gender equality is men and women working together

source of inspiration and motivation, thus all By Rashmi Sanjeev of us have developed the power of positive thinking. The work culture in our institution e are all aware that March inculcates the habit of team spirit which 8 (today) is celebrated as makes us think “it is less me, more we”. International Women’s Day. Another quality unique to our organisation Every year we have diff erent is that our leaders make us grow more because themes for the day, which I joined my institution in 2015, and have I am very glad that I was given equal they believe that “true leaders do not create helpW bring out tremendous changes and been the only woman in the seven-member opportunity in expressing my independent followers, but they create more leaders”. improvements in the approach towards women. team. And when I look back, I am very happy opinion and due weightage was given to my We are a team because we respect, trust and The emphasis is on gender equality. Every that I never felt alone as a woman. The opinions in the decision making processes. care for each other. We are a team because we one of us, whether man or woman, should take existing congenial working atmosphere made This has given me inspiration and freedom work together. We are a team because we trust concrete steps to achieve gender parity to help me more attached to the institution and I feel to contribute to the growth of our institution in “Together Everyone Achieves More.” women and girls achieve their ambitions in a proud to be a member of the team. and commitment to work. We have been Let us all rededicate ourselves for the more inclusive and fl exible society in general, I never felt that there is any discrimination advised to think and work independently and noble cause of eradication of gender parity. and workplace in specifi c. between men and women. Everyone in my none of the employees were held responsible Let us not forget the golden words of Kofi This being the backdrop, I would like to share team is given the same opportunities to work for any commission or omission. Because Annan, former Secretary General of the my experience working in an organisation and grow. Being a lady, I have never been of this, we enjoy working in the group and United Nations, that “the women have the where gender parity does not exist; but I harassed or exploited. I have never been this has increased our level of comfort and right to live in dignity, in freedom from want am proud to mention that we have already overloaded with work because I do not react. decision making ability. and freedom from fear”. Let us reaffi rm that acknowledged the theme of International In the same way, being a lady, I was also not All the way it has been a confi dence gender equality is critical to the development Women’s Day 2016: “Pledge for Parity”. given any concession or additional incentive. building exercise and this has proved to be and peace of every nation. Grand Hyatt appoints new Director of Rooms rand Hyatt Doha has appointed hands on experience in different departments Xavier Halbi as the new Director to increase his understanding of how each of Rooms. Xavier brings more than department contributes to the hotel’s success. a decade of experience to his new He worked as VIP Team Manager at Grand role at the 249-room leisure retreat Hyatt Dubai then joined Hyatt Regency Dubai & blessedG with picturesque, breath-taking views Galleria as Revenue Manager and later on added of the Arabian Gulf. Park Hyatt Maldives under his responsibilities. Xavier has been passionate about the His most recent position was director of hospitality world from a young age, which drove operational strategy at the same hotel. him to pursue a degree in hotel management “I seek to understand my customers first,” at the hotel management school VATEL in said Xavier, “Until you understand your Lyon, France before obtaining his MBA in customers, deeply and genuinely, you cannot International Hospitality Management from truly serve them. That is the key to exceptional Cornell University and ESSEC Business School service.” in 2004. Being a certified NLP master practitioner and A French native with a service-oriented NLP coach, Xavier is an expert on behavioural mindset, Xavier started building his career at analysis, which is integral for being an effective the age of 19, when he got his first hospitality manager and leader. “I want to coach my team job in Lyon as a bell attendant and continued to reach their potential, that’s why I took it to enhancing his skills in service in destinations myself to become a professional coach. Creating as diverse as China, UAE, France, England and a motivating environment for my employees is the Maldives. He started his Hyatt career at the essential – you can only deliver good service Hyatt Regency Xi’an, China, as Guest Relations from happy employees.” Manager and Assistant Manager Front Office With his new appointment at Grand Hyatt and has been with Hyatt for 11 years. Doha, Xavier aims to turn the hotel into Xavier aimed to understand the hotel a benchmark for exceptional service and operations as a whole and went on gaining excellence for hotels in Doha. Xavier Halbi AAB announces 6th National Dream Car Contest

bdullah Abdulghani & Since 2004, Toyota Dream Toyota Dream Car Art Contest Prasad artwork was named Toyota polls with the collaboration of Bros. Co (AAB), sole Car Art Contest has been invites children from all corners of Geometry Car and was designed Judges. agent for Toyota in conducted as part of Toyota the globe to share ideas about the on the dream that all children are The previous year’s dream Qatar, have announced Motor Corporation Japan’s social future of mobility by drawing their given education, whether privileged contest was held at the schools the 6th National Dream contribution initiatives. It gives dream cars that may enable them to or not. AAB is collaborating with where 800 contestants ACar Contest, aimed at developing children throughout the world the visit Japan. more than 70 schools this year to participated. AAB is aiming children’s creative abilities and opportunity to develop an interest Last year, Siddhi Prasad of DPS- organise the contest. The winner to attract more contestants to to motivate them to express their in cars and helps them feel the joy MIS won the Silver Medal in the of this year’s contest will be participate in this year’s edition of talent. and importance of having a dream. global edition of the contest. Siddhi determined through social media the contest. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY

Qatar Steel Electrical Supervisors Association gives farewell to colleagues

The Qatar Steel Electrical Supervisors Association gave farewell to their colleagues recently. The farewell mementos were presented to Radha Krishna, Kalid Saber and Tarik Baumi by Mohammed Gado, Mohanan and Vargheese.

Women make up majority of searchers on Zomato bout 56% of the searches on the Thursday and Friday are the most popular by searches for steaks, sushi, kebabs, ﬁ sh and followed by 34% on Safari and 17% on popular food search platform search days for all foodies. While the ladies shawarmas. other browsers. Zomato in the second half of 2015 tend to do more searches on Wednesdays, For a city that thrives on brunches, Two of W Doha’s restaurants ended up on came from women. The platform Saturdays and Tuesdays, men prefer to searches are the highest for dinner time, top of the ratings on Zomato. Market by Jean termed the metric “interesting,” search for foods on Saturdays, Wednesdays between 6pm to 7pm. Georges is rated at 4.9 (out of 5) and Spice Agiven that about 80% of the people living in and Mondays. About 55% of the searches came from Market is rated at 4.8. In a very close third is Qatar are men. Burgers, chicken, pizza and biryani were Apple iOS, while the remaining came Ipanema of Marriott Marquis (4.7), followed The portal did not make available the most searched-for food items on the from Android. About 49% of the people by Longhorn Steakhouse (4.6) and Choices of the total number of users, but said that platform. These items were closely followed querying the portal were on Chrome, Oryx Rotana (4.6). McDonald’s Qatar celebrates double win

cDonald’s Qatar Executive Offi cer, and David Operation Consultant Winner of has announced that Fairhurst, McDonald’s Executive “2015 MEA - DT, MDS & PEAK two of its restaurant Vice President and Chief People Building the Baseline Award”. managers have been Offi cer. Nishad who has been working awarded with the Ray Kroc Awards was founded to for McDonald’s for 18 years and is prestigiousM “Ray Kroc Award” and identify and celebrate the very best managing seven restaurants, will “2015 MEA - DT, MDS & PEAK McDonald’s Restaurant Managers be recognised by attending the Building the Baseline Award- from across the world. Named after biggest event of McDonald’s where Incentive Program” for their McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, employees, suppliers and owner/ outstanding performance. the Award was ﬁ rst established operators will gather for 2016 Frederick Santos, Manager of in 1999 in the United States and World Wide Convention in Orlando McDonald’s Restaurant in Ras Abou has expanded globally since then. Florida between April 10 and 14. Aboud branch, competed for the The award is bestowed to honour “McDonald’s Qatar has provided ‘Ray Kroc Award’ award against hardworking restaurants manager. me with the necessary training and 340 restaurant managers from “I’m extremely happy development to further enhance my around the world. Frederick joined and honoured to receive this skills and knowledge, and be able to McDonald’s Qatar in 2011 and has award. This is certainly a huge compete with some of the world’s been a high performer ever since. motivational factor for me and best. I owe this achievement to my In recognition for his hard work, reﬂ ects the appreciation of all my entire team and the management of Frederick will attend the award colleagues and my management McDonald’s Qatar who have been Restaurants & Food Co., the at McDonald’s Qatar. They are role ceremony in Orlando, Florida, who have helped shape my career,” instrumental in my success,” said owner and operator of McDonald’s models for the entire organisation where he will receive a cash award Frederick said. Nishad. restaurants in Qatar said, and have led by example, and trophy from Steve Easterbrook, The second award winner is Kamal Saleh al-Mana, “Frederick and Nishad have displaying complete commitment McDonald’s President and Chief Nishad Dhammika Jayasinghe, Managing Director of Al Mana excelled in their role as managers and loyalty to the company.” 10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY Come experience the culina Eight restaurants all over Doha are participating in this year’s edition

Ambassador of France to Qatar, Eric Chevallier, along with 10 top chefs of the eight French restaurants in Qatar that are participating in the global event.

haute cuisine to fi ne-dining bistros, As the chefs pay homage to the while remaining true to its values of Torch Doha, Liquidity Restaurant at By Anand Holla chefs from all over the world would excellence of French cuisine and the sharing, pleasure, and respect for good Crowne Plaza Doha, Market by Jean- serve special dinners simultaneously value of sharing that it promotes by food and for the planet.” Georges Restaurant at W Doha Hotel in participating restaurants by paying serving on the same evening more In the words of Ducasse, French & Residences, Yum Yum Restaurant t’s an initiative that’s as tribute to the merits of French cuisine. than 1,500 “French–style dinners”, the cuisine talks about “joie de vivre, at K108 Hotel, Prime Restaurant at ambitious as it is delicious. As ambassador of France to Qatar, global event organised at the initiative delicacy, optimism, and pleasure – InterContintental Doha-The City, La A delectable one-of-a-kind Eric Chevallier, told Community of the renowned French Chef, Alain ideas that are all crucial to the image Villa Restaurant at Mercure Grand chance to savour France, 1,500 moments after announcing the event Ducasse, and the French Ministry of of France.” As Ducasse elaborates, Hotel, or La Mer Restaurant at The chefs will whip up 1,500 menus at his residence on Sunday afternoon, Foreign Aff airs, is sure to fuel even “French cuisine is the interpreter of Ritz-Carlton Doha. acrossI fi ve continents with the “Last year’s Good France was a fi rst more fascination for French delicacies. a cuisine that has evolved towards The main objective of Good France assistance of 150 embassies over one attempt, and we had more than Chevallier said, “The concept is lightness in harmony with its is to promote French tourism by grand evening. Meanwhile, Qatar, 100,000 guests in 1,300 restaurants to have on the same day, all over the environment. The common point capitalising on the international too, is checking in as an enthusiastic all over the world. We didn’t know world, restaurants serving a very of this event is generosity, sharing visibility, and “send a strong message participant as eight of its top French how this experiment would fare. But special French gastronomic dinner, and the love for what is beautiful and to the world, through dynamic and restaurants gear up for the big day. since the test proved to be extremely based on the fact that Unesco, in tastes good. It will be a delightful creative chefs.” As a note on the Good On the back of a successful debut positive, we thought we should 2010, listed ‘The Gastronomic Meal interlude and an opportunity to France website, the event carries the edition of Goût de France/Good continue with the second edition by of The French’ as Intangible Cultural celebrate French cuisine worldwide.” message that the French cuisine is France, the second, new and improved upping both quantity and quality. Heritage of Humanity.” In Doha, the If you wish to celebrate French contemporary and that traditional edition will, on March 21, celebrate the We are happy that this initiative in French Embassy to the State of Qatar gastronomy on March 21 in Doha, French cuisine is not a dominion wonders of French gastronomy across Doha will be even better and more is contributing to Good France, along you can book your table in any of the of the 21st century culinary scene. the world. More than 1,500 chefs on wholesomely developed than last with eight restaurants in town that eight participating restaurants: IDAM This is why the participating chefs all fi ve continents are expected to join year. We will also have additional will pay tribute to a French cuisine Restaurant at the Museum of Islamic are encouraged “to blend their own the event on the day of spring. From restaurants participating in the event.” that is “vibrant, open and innovative, Art, Panorama Restaurant at The culinary culture to that of France, Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 11 COMMUNITY ary delights of Good France on March 21

Ambassador Eric Chevallier announcing the event at his residence on Sunday afternoon.

Photos by Shaji TASTE OF FRANCE: Benoit, Alain Ducasse’s upscale French bistro, serves up classic fare in New York. Good Food is organised at the initiative of Ducasse and the French Ministry. Photo by Pierre Monetta

guests can order the full course, they Khala believes that an initiative of as The Chef of Kings and the King of can also choose to opt for individual such magnitude, impact and reach Chefs, started Les Dîners d’Épicure dishes,” Morin said, “Having grown helps bring the chefs together. “The (Epicurean Diners): one day, one up on French cuisine, I am very happy culinary scene of Qatar needs a bit menu, served in cities around the to share my culture with the people of more of a push,” he said, “Good world, to as many guests as possible. Qatar. At times, French food tends to France is a great start to put the Last year’s fi rst edition of Good carry the wrong impression that it’s word out there, to get the chefs France took the idea to the next too sophisticated, which is why I will communicate with each other, to do level by “bringing all categories of lean towards serving more of comfort more promotions, and to let people restaurants together globally.” food using French products, which and especially the locals know what Visibly proud about Good France everybody can understand.” French cuisine is all about. Qataris preparations gathering steam in William Khala, Chef de Cuisine have their own way of dining. We Qatar, ambassador Chevallier of La Mer Restaurant at The Ritz- want to try and make them think out remarked in good humour, “It’s not Carlton Doha, said, “Since we had of the box, present to them diff erent because I am the French ambassador rather than discounting it.” Apart from told them to feel free to experiment great success last year, this year, we fl avours and ingredients. I think in that I will say something which is representing the heartiness associated and try diff erent things,” ambassador are swerving more towards classical the coming years, we can achieve obvious to everybody – the French with the pleasures of eating, food Chevallier said. fl avours but by giving it a unique, this as the Qataris are keen to try cuisine is the best cuisine in the also becomes the symbol of France’s Dominique Morin, Executive Chef, modern spin that we do at La Mer. something new.” world. I will say that because it’s a positive values, the note says. Liquidity Restaurant at Crowne Plaza It’s still quintessentially French, The early roots of Good France fact.” “Last year, the chefs had to stick to Doha, feels this liberty to play around and it’s still a set menu but it’s a can be traced back by more than a As Good France closes in, Doha a set menu. This time around, we have the framework will bring out the fi nest more interesting menu based on the hundred years. It was in 1912 that can’t wait to discover this “fact” all given the chefs a framework but have of culinary creativity. “Also, while feedback we got last year.” Auguste Escoffi er, who was known over again. 12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 13 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY 4 important summer camp qualities

s this time of year activities. And don’t forget to approaches, kids start pack a swimsuit and sunscreen. staring at the clock, counting down the Healthy meals and snacks minutes until the last Active kids need to be properly Aday of school. But as a parent, fuelled during the day, so make you’re likely not wishing this time sure whichever camp you choose away so quickly, especially if you provides adequate and healthy haven’t fi nalised any day care or nutrition and time for breaks. day camp plans. Sugar-fi lled, processed foods are The sheer number of summer day often the norm and it’s always okay camp options can leave any parent to question the menu. And, don’t feeling overwhelmed. And there’s forget to ask about how the camp more to consider than just sing- handles food allergies. Make sure alongs and friendship bracelets. whichever camp you choose makes The best camps provide your kids nutrition and hydration a priority. with lifelong memories and the skills they need to be successful. Flexible drop-off and pick-up With an endless stream of options possibilities, how do you navigate Just because your kids have the and fi nd the best fi t for your child? summer off doesn’t mean your Shares four things you need to schedule becomes more fl exible. consider before signing your child Look for camps that off er the up for a summer camp: option to drop them off early so you can still make to work on time. A history and well-trained staff There’s no need to worry about It’s important to send your kids fi nding the right kids’ camp when to a camp run by an organisation should be background checked and A mix of activities and crafts to field trips, sports, you know what to look for. Use this you trust. There is something to certifi ed to take care of children Whether it’s a camp with a swimming and games, find a camp as a checklist and your child will be be said about a camp that’s been on a daily basis. Before you sign theme or a general kids’ day camp, with activities your child will on their way to a summer full of fun in operation for several years, and up, ask about safety standards and kids do well when presented love. Your child will thrive at a and adventures. a well-trained staff defi nitely has what the camp’s protocols are for with a variety of options when camp that offers full days of play, something to do with it. The staff camper-staff interactions. it comes to activities. From arts thrilling field trips and healthy © Brandpoint

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

What a day it is today. The majority of planets are lined up in Pisces Making new friends is never easy and for that reason, we all often In your career zone, today’s Super Moon is joined by the Sun, — your twelfth house of past karma and self–renewal — the Sun, put up with things we shouldn’t from friends/frenemies. Today’s Neptune and Mercury the communicator. This makes things really Mercury and Neptune. And today, a Super Moon charges up the Super Moon in your friendship, hopes and wishes zone will help you good for those of you who are ready to make moves and have their same part of your chart. You need to forgive, forget and move on separate your friends from your frenemies today and for the rest of resume polished and networking connections good to go. Rams. the month.

CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

This is one of those special days for you Cancers. Your sign is ruled Don’t let someone steer you down the wrong financial path today. In your opposite sign of Pisces, today’s Super Moon lights up your by the Moon and today’s Super Moon in your fellow water sign of It’s a day to run down a great financial day today Leos with the Super relationship zone alongside the Sun, Mercury the communicator Pisces, your spiritual and higher education zone. This is the perfect Moon, Mercury, the Sun and Neptune all transiting your eighth and Neptune the planet of fantasy. Single? Today is a day to fall head time for you to plan a fabulous overseas odyssey or check out a house of joint resources. If you and your partner have been talking over heels in love. Or back in love with your other half. class you would like to do. about buying real estate, this is the week to start looking at options.

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

In your sixth house of hard work, health and wellbeing, a fabulous In your fifth house of romance, self–fulfilment and creativity, today’s A Super Moon transits your fourth house of domesticity, home and Super Moon joins the Sun, Mercury and Neptune today. If you need Super Moon is joined by the Sun, Neptune and Mercury. This is family today and is joined by Mercury, the Sun and Neptune. If you to go and get your hair done or a mani/pedi or go for a Doctor one of the best weeks for single Scorpios to meet someone worth know it’s your time to move, sell, rent or buy...this is a great time to checkup...today’s a great day to do so. meeting. Pisces, Taureans and Cancers are all purfect matches for do so. you.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

In your third house of communication and planning, today’s Super In your second house of money and self–esteem, today’s Super Not only is today the day of your new moon Pisces, the start of your Moon is helping you get your point across to pretty much everyone Moon is joined by the Sun, Mercury and Neptune. Money is power cosmic solar year, but it’s also the day of your Super Moon which is and anyone. If you need or want to get emotional and really get and whatever you do today, don’t get emotionally involved in money extremely lucky — especially for anyone born today or tomorrow. something off your chest, today’s the day. discussions today if possible. Make a wish! 14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe Eddie

ACUFF COCHRAN KENDRICKS ALBERT COLLINS MURPHY ANDERSON CONDON SHORE ARCARO FISHER STANLEY BRACKEN FOY VAN HALEN CANTOR HEYWOOD VEDDER CLINE HOLLAND Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 15 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Ripe (6) 1. Unassuming (6) 4. Cadge (6) 2. Triangular (5-8) 9. Skin specialist (13) 3. Respond (5) 10. Ghost (7) 5. Lengthen (7) 11. Different (5) 6. Locality (13) 12. Sac (5) 7. Whole (6) 14. Radiant (5) 8. Slum (5) 18. Proprietor (5) 13. Procession (7) 19. Opposed (7) 15. Talk (6) 21. Clandestine (13) 16. Squander (5) 22. Cushioned (6) 17. Tenant (6) 23. Span (6) 20. Elector (5)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS DOWN 1. Outlandish rental on a deer’s head? (6) 1. A directors’ gathering on the ship (6) 4. Guard in battle next to study (6) 2. A sign for rate reduction? (7,6) 9. An indication of juicy pickings to be 3. Keen on Eastern exotic gear (5) made soon? (6-7) 5. Fruit served with a cod and ova diced (7) 10. Whistler whose art is sticking to the 6. Marked out as eminent (13) rules (7) 7. Amount of anaesthetic? (6) 11. Being disguised in a veil (5) 8. See bouncing baby around Oriental 12. Notch up twenty (5) convent (5) Yesterday’s Solutions 14. Avoid American car (5) 13. Take a break from mineral fix (7) 18. See in south area shrouded by cloth (5) 15. Shut model cupboard (6) QUICK CRYPTIC 19. Joy abounds in tale retold about love 16. Using cogs for grinders (5) Across: 1 Constituency; 7 Shear; 8 Cover; Across: 1 Turn the screw; 7 Bored; 8 Ratio; (7) 17. Cracked nut on French road is not 21. Instructor of fishy group and naughty straight (6) 9 Use; 10 Eloquence; 11 Shroud; 12 Ravine; 9 Dog; 10 Tram-lines; 11 Rueful; 12 Fitter; 15 cheater (6-7) 20. Gem of an opening? (5) 15 Repulsive; 17 Gas; 18 Binge; 19 Slope; 21 Throbbing; 17 Tea; 18 Rumba; 19 Eagle; 21 22. Tried to set about Edward (6) Contrariwise. Bowling green. 23. Irritate with sharp tool (6) Down: 1 Circumscribe; 2 Tie; 3 Terror; 4 Down: 1 Thunder-storm; 2 Tar; 3 Endear; 4 Encourage; 5 Coven; 6 Irreversible; 7 Smear; Carolling; 5 Eaten; 6 Conservation; 7 Bugle; 10 10 Ebullient; 13 Ingle; 14 Fiesta; 16 Pinto; 20 Thumbnail; 13 Title; 14 Pigeon; 16 Romeo; 20 Obi. Gag. 16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY POP SPOT in brief

April Towers

Nottingham-based duo April Towers have just released their latest single, Silent Fever. Charles Burley and Alex Noble have been best friends for 13 years and made music together since 2007. Despite this, it was only in the electronic pop music of their April Towers project, which began in June 2013, that Charles and Alex found complete harmony in the songs they created. “We did quite a bit of musical experimentation in our earlier years,” Charles explained. “Neither of us actually disliked any of the tracks we made but there was always one of us who liked the songs more than the other.” “We felt we’d found our place in the music world when we started making the April Towers tracks,” Alex stated. “We’re still experimenting in the sense that we use a wide range of instrumentation to create our music. But it’s all in the electronic pop genre which we both absolutely love.” Silent Fever is the most recent post at (no www.) soundcloud.com/ april_towers Their musical output over the past year can also be found here. Some of the tracks are off ered for free download. Augustines

American indie-rock trio Augustines have just released the video for Are We Alive, lead single from their forthcoming third studio album. The band do not appear in the video. It was filmed in Bristol, England, and features local concert-going legend Jeff rey Johns, better known as Big Jeff . Renowned among fans and bands for his love of live music, it is entirely appropriate that he should star in an Augustines video as no band are SLOW BURNER: Released last September, Cake by the Ocean by DNCE got off to a slow start but has now sparked more interactive with their fans. enough interest for the song to have reached number ten on Billboard’s Hot 100. The Are We Alive video can be found at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Oi4Mjh_nVOY Videos for more of the band’s singles are also posted on YouTube. So too are their previous albums, “Rise Ye Sunken Ships,” credited to We Are Augustines, and “Augustines.” Both can be Joe Jonas enjoys heard in full. Lorde / David Bowie

Following his disapproval of Lady Gaga’s tribute to his father at the Grammy Awards ceremony, everyone wondered what film director Duncan Jones would think of the tribute to David Bowie at the BRIT success with DNCE Awards. After an introduction by Annie Lennox and David’s long-time friend, actor Next up was guitarist JinJoo by dance music DJs and producers. Gary Oldman, who accepted the BRIT Icon Award on his behalf, David’s By Geoff rey Rowlands Lee. She played for Joe on his solo Our stuff is a nice blend of pop, backing band played excerpts from some of his most popular songs. This concert tour in addition to backing dance and funk. But we defi nitely was followed by New Zealand songstress Lorde, who David had described artists such as Jordin Sparks, Ciara, expect people to move to the music as the future of music, performing the track voted his best song in a 2012 oe Jonas has packed a good Charli XCX, JoJo and Cee Lo Green. when they hear our songs.” poll conducted by Digital Spy, his 1973 hit single, Life on Mars. deal of living into his 26 The line-up was completed by Although there is one ballad, His son used Twitter to thank all concerned for a tribute which he years. A show-business Semi Precious Weapons bassist Jinx, on “SWAAY,” the band’s debut described as “just beautiful.” The entire piece can be viewed at www. veteran since childhood, he Cole Whittle. Joe got to know him EP, lead single, Cake by the Ocean, youtube.com/watch?v=C7l3y7LOzLc. is best known as a member while writing songs with the New typifi es their musical style. One ofJ The Jonas Brothers with his York-based band’s frontman Justin of the songs to emerge from Joe’s Birth of Joy siblings Kevin and Nick. Tranter. With Cole playing on the work with Justin Tranter, it was The trio enjoyed massive success demos of their songs, a friendship recorded under the guidance of Dutch indie-rock trio Birth of Joy recently released their new single, including a pair of chart-topping developed which saw Joe invite him Swedish production duo Mattman Hands Down. It is the second track taken from the band’s forthcoming albums on the Billboard 200. They to join the new band. & Robin, Mattias Larsson and Robin album, “Get Well.” The off icial song video is posted at www.youtube.com/ were also hugely popular with the But what about a name. Several Fredriksson. watch?v=9LdwMOvlINg Disney Channel audiences appearing suggestions were made and rejected Released last September, Cake by You Got Me Howling was released last December as the lead single. The in numerous shows and movies. until they were in the process of the Ocean got off to a slow start but video for this is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F2WG5bos8c Disagreements among the writing a song about being too has now sparked enough interest Numerous other Birth of Joy videos can be found on YouTube. There brothers saw the trio break up in drunk to spell the word dance. for the song to have reached is also a full one-hour concert video filmed last year at the Down The 2013. Joe had recorded a solo album “The song was called DNCE, all number ten on Billboard’s Hot 100. Rabbit Hole music festival. It is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH_ two years earlier. “Fastlife” debuted in capital letters,” Jack explained. “It’s number ten and still rwuO7U-c at number 15 on the Billboard 200 “The idea just came that we should climbing,” Joe smiled. “To have but rapidly fell off the chart and call ourselves after the title of this done so well with our fi rst single Weezer was not deemed commercially song. It’s an unusual name and is truly amazing. Our debut album successful. attracts interest from both the will be out later this year so we Weezer’s latest self-titled LP will be released on April 1. Dubbed “The White “I intended to try for solo success mis-spelling and being in capital hope this will be equally popular.” Album,” the band recently released LA Girlz as the fourth single from the LP. again with a second album,” Joe letters.” Did Joe have Jonas Brothers fans The off icial song video is the latest of many posted at www.youtube.com/ revealed. “But I much preferred “DNCE without the A is not in mind when writing songs for user/WeezerVEVO/videos being in a band. It felt more a perfect word,” JinJoo added. DNCE? Among these are videos for King of the World, Thank God For Girls and Do comfortable than when I performed “But you don’t always have to “Not necessarily. I hoped they You Wanna Get High?, the three singles previously taken from “The White solo. I wanted to have other people be a perfect dancer to dance and would be interested to hear the Album.” with me who love music as much as enjoy dancing. Similarly, you don’t music I’m doing now. But the songs Frontman Rivers Cuomo described the new LP as an “LA beach album.” I do.” always have to make perfect songs are basically created for our own “The songs were inspired by my experiences hanging around the west The obvious fi rst choice was Joe’s to enjoy playing music or for people enjoyment and in the hope that side of Los Angeles. Particularly on the beach at Venice and Santa Monica. best friend and former housemate, to enjoy hearing your work.” others will share the pleasure we I’d put a message on Twitter asking if anyone wanted to hang out and drummer Jack Lawless. Jack had “The name also applies to our get from them. We want everyone I’d get together with those who responded. I wanted the album to make played in the Jonas Brothers band style of music,” Cole remarked. “We to feel like they’ve been invited into listeners feel like they are there with us on the beach no matter where they since 2007. don’t create the type of tracks made our little world.” actually are in the world.” Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 17 BOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Preity Zinta confi rms she is married

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has conﬁ rmed that she has given up her ‘Miss’ tag by marrying her American beau Gene Goodenough. The dimpled beauty made the announcement on her offi cial social media pages, just days after news of her secret wedding in Los Angeles surfaced. “I was holding on the ‘Miss Tag’ rather seriously till now, until I met someone ‘Goodenough’ to give it up for. So now I join the Married Club folks. “Thank you all for your good wishes and for all your love. Love you all. Ting! Let the Goodenough jokes begin,” Preity wrote. Last year, there were reports that she will be marrying Goodenough in January, and then around Valentine’s Day. But back then, she had declined the reports, saying that she is fed up with all TURNING MISSUS: Preity Zinta the speculation about her personal life. no time once the news of their But the virtual world went into wedding news spread. A user a tizzy earlier this week over news posted: “Finally #PreityZinta of the Kal Ho Naa Ho actress’ married a Goodenough Gene!”, wedding as veteran actor Kabir Bedi while another shared: “Actress SMITTEN: Shah Rukh Khan congratulated her. Preity’s close Preity Zinta gets married to friends, fashion designer and stylist Gene Goodenough - so will she Surily Goel and Sussanne Khan now have the epic name, Preity were also reportedly a part of the Goodenough?”. But as one can make celebrations. out from her latest social media Shah Rukh keen to Online memes surrounding post, Preity has taken them all in Preity and her husband began in the right stride. — IANS

Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil to go on fl oors March-end visit Egypt again Actors Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam will start shooting for Kaabil by the end of March, and will devote their time to the project till July, says the fi lm’s director Sanjay Gupta. hah Rukh Khan is yearning to pack his bags The actor, who has earned epithets like Bollywood’s Gupta shared the development on Twitter, while saying that he is and jet off to Egypt, which left him smitten ‘Badshah’ and ‘King of romance’, also said that he will making the most of his time before he begins rolling the camera for with its historical landmarks and food on a soon turn into a teacher, and give how to walk lessons Kaabil. “My last long weekend with my family because Kaabil shoot starts past visit. “Time to make a visit again and to his son Aryan. After seeing a video of Aryan doing in three weeks and then it is non-stop work till July. So making the most do ‘Suraj hua madham’. The Sphinx the a cartwheel, he shared: “My boy, tall dark and hands! of it. Thanks to my assistant director Nadeem Shah, there are no free pyramidsS falafel, koshari and Cleo. Thanks Egypt,” Need to teach him to start using his legs and walk weekends once we roll Kaabil at the end of this month,” Gupta posted. SRK tweeted. normally soon.” The fi lm, which will be produced by Hrithik’s father, fi lmmaker Rakesh The actor expressed his desire to go to the foreign On the fi lm front, the superstar is ready to be back on Roshan, brings forward a new onscreen couple, and the plot of the story is country after a Twitter page - SRK EGYPT FAN CLUB - the silver screen with a power-packed performance in kept well under wraps. – IANS shared a video from the Dilwale discussion. Fan. — IANS

Madhuri Dixit launches her jewellery line Bipasha Basu quashes engagement rumours Actress Madhuri Dixit launched her line of jewellery ‘Timeless by Madhuri Dixit’ in association with a popular Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu jewellery brand last week. About her reasons for tying up snubbed rumours that she has with P N Gadgil (PNG) Jewellers, Madhuri said it was due to got engaged to her Alone co-star the “kind of values and integrity they have”. Karan Singh Grover, after she was “They have been in the industry since 184 years, and captured wearing a prominent they have the determination where customers are always diamond sparkler on her ring the priority. The way they make the jewellery and the work fi nger. “Wait for me to announce they do on it, is very good. “The quality is very good, so all my wedding when I want to and these things made me sign up with them. They have been if I want to. Please stop treating it kind enough to associate ... I hope people like this. We are frivolously,” Bipasha tweeted. Some planning to diff erent kinds of jewellery under this, range of images that have surfaced online jewellery also will be something we would pay attention to.” feature Bipasha sitting on the back Madhuri was present at the launch of a new store of the seat of a car, while Karan is seated brand in Borivali. She had also worn a shiny white outfi t and in front, next to the driver. Looking wore a stunning diamond necklace from her own collection casual, deglam and tired, Bipasha at the event. can be seen looking down, trying to “I’m feeling very good, because my association with PNG avoid the papparazzi. STOP SPECULATION: Bipasha has been since several years. So it is a joyous day for me,” she The Jism actress, who was Basu said. earlier famously dating actor John Saurabh Gadgil, the owner of the brand, who regularly Abraham, has urged fans and media Commenting on the images that gets fi lm industry celebrities for the brand’s events, stated persons to avoid speculating on her have sparked speculation of her that Madhuri was actively involved with the making of the current relationship status. engagement, she said: “And yes, I jewellery, giving inputs in designing as well as regarding the “For years, I have dealt with this don’t like getting clicked at 10 pm shape of the diamonds. He added that every design brought constant discussion. Please be post a massage. Oily and dirty. Am about various facets of Madhuri’s life. patient. After all it’s my life. Thank sure all women will understand Madhuri has also come up with her online dance you all. Humble request to all those that. It’s not rocket science.” — academy, Dance With Madhuri. — IANS BRAND AMBASSADOR: Madhuri Dixit who love me,” she said. IANS 18 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY HOLLYWOOD Still in the presidential race House of Cards star Kevin Spacey is not giving up the Oval Off ice just yet

By Stephen Battaglio

evin Spacey has spent so much time around the American presidency that he should have his own KSecret Service code name. The actor recently completed his fourth season playing President Frank Underwood on the Netfl ix political drama House of Cards, which began streaming last week. He also wrapped up his fi rst big- screen presidential role in Elvis & Nixon, inspired by the strange 1970 Oval Offi ce meeting between the king of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley, and the imperial president. Amazon POWER POLITICS: Kevin Spacey in season 4 of House of Cards. Studios is releasing the feature this spring. George H W Bush in 1992. original series to run in a year cadences. “The level of paranoia says — back when the Democrat And off -camera, Spacey is known “These races give you a pretty when CNN is providing saturation — ‘They are out there trying to get was governor of Arkansas. The to pal around with former White great swath of time,” said Spacey, coverage of the presidential in, trying to get us.’ He was a man actor was also in the ballroom the House occupant Bill Clinton, who is who narrates the series as well as campaign. Most of them were looks who felt entrapped. A man who night Hillary Clinton, the 2016 apparently a fan of the actor’s spot- serving as co-executive producer. at the 2016 race from an insider’s felt unhappy. The thing that was front-runner for the Democratic on impression of him. “He loves “They show that whether perspective, which she believed really most surprising was his use of presidential nomination, celebrated it,” said Spacey, sipping a large cup someone’s ideas travel very slowly might be overkill. language — ‘the damned (expletive her election to the US Senate. of coff ee recently as he prepared or very quickly, there is a lot that Then along came the pitch for deleted)’ — I think that was more His connection to Washington for a long day of press interviews hasn’t changed in terms of how Race for the White House. Spacey, shocking than a missing 18-minute has been further solidifi ed by Frank at a hotel in Manhattan’s NoMad politics works.” a fan of Tom Hanks’ CNN series gap.” Underwood. The Smithsonian district. While people complain about the The Seventies, came attached to Spacey also examined his screen recently added a portrait of Spacey “When we toured Africa together deterioration of discourse in the the project with Dana Brunetti, test for Ron Howard when the in character as Underwood painted — he used to get up and pretend he current political environment, Race his partner at Trigger Street director was casting his 2008 by British artist Jonathan Yeo. was hoarse and say (as Clinton), for the White House shows how ugly Productions and the British TV feature “Frost/Nixon.” (Nixon was That blurring of art and reality ‘My voice is gone, my friend Kevin it was back in the day too. company Raw. played by Frank Langella.) — no doubt aided by the use of is going to give the speech.’ So I’d Supporters of Adams leaked “It might have been one of the “Ron Howard really needed to see real-life TV journalists who eagerly get up and start giving his speech, letters to the press that showed fastest greenlights we’ve given to if the actors tested could do Nixon,” appear as themselves on House of and he’d go, ‘Sit down, you’re doing Jackson was bad at spelling (just like anything,” Entelis said. he said. “I thought I was talking too Cards — has admittedly become too good. I’m going to do it.’” 2016 Republican contender Marco The premiere episode recounts slow and thought it was too much bizarre for Spacey. He’s been told Clinton, Nixon and even Rubio is doing to his tweeting rival Nixon’s loss to John F Kennedy in of an imitation. I learned quite a lot there are “a great number of people Underwood fi gure into Spacey’s Donald Trump). They called the 1960, a hard-fought race so close watching again.” in China” who believe he is the real new CNN original series, Race for general a bigamist and a brutal killer that it may well have been decided Spacey’s portrayal in Elvis president of the United States. the White House, which premiered who executed his own men on the on some dubious results in Illinois & Nixon is based more on the As comfortable as Spacey looks this week. Each week, the show will battlefi eld. Jackson’s camp accused and in JFK running mate Lyndon B president’s essence — a public man behind an Oval Offi ce desk, he’s look at a compelling presidential Adams of being a pimp, claiming he Johnson’s Texas. Nixon, who had who didn’t like dealing with the never been seriously approached campaign from the past using some once procured female company for trouble adapting to campaigning in public. “It’s often said he went into about running for any public offi ce, combination of reenactments, the Russian czar. the emerging television age, comes the wrong profession for the kind of nor would he consider it. Like archival news footage and Such campaign handiwork would off as sympathetic and even heroic person he was,” Spacey said. “You many Americans, he’s angry about interviews with historians, experts make Frank Underwood proud. The for choosing not to contest the look at private photos of him sitting political gridlock. and participants. intrigue, music and even the credits outcome. in the White House, he was kind “The reason I wouldn’t think The races were selected for for Race for the White House are It’s a diff erent Nixon than the of uncomfortable being in his own of running is because I like to get their historical signifi cance and, bound to remind viewers of House one Spacey became acquainted body.” things done,” he said. “I like to have perhaps coincidentally, have a of Cards, and that’s just fi ne with with as he studied for the role in Spacey’s interest in politics goals, and I like to achieve them, high quotient of dirty tricks and CNN. Elvis & Nixon. To prepare, the actor goes back to his teenage years and I think I’d be very frustrated bare-knuckle tactics. They range “We wanted it to feel like a spent hours listening online to the in the San Fernando Valley. He by the situation as it exists now. It from the 1828 rematch between political thriller,” said Amy Entelis, obscenity-laden White House tapes stuff ed envelopes for Jimmy doesn’t mean I don’t admire those Andrew Jackson and incumbent executive vice president of talent that revealed Nixon’s knowledge of Carter’s successful 1976 campaign in public service. I’d be enormously John Quincy Adams, which led to and development for CNN. “We the Watergate break-in, which led and worked on John Anderson’s frustrated by not being able to get the rise of the Democratic Party, to didn’t want to make it a history to his resignation. independent White House bid in everything done that I wanted to the generational power shift that lesson.” “He was remarkably grumpy,” 1980. get done. I might take on tactics of came with baby-boomer Clinton’s Entelis looked at a number of Spacey noted as he channeled He became friends with Clinton a Frank Underwood.” — Los Angeles victory over World War II hero election-themed ideas for an the 37th president’s rumbling — his favourite president, he Times/TNS Tuesday, March 8, 2016 GULF TIMES 19 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

George Clooney boosts security of his mansion Actor George Clooney has reportedly stepped up security to protect his mansion after his wife and lawyer Amal was sent death threats. The couple have taken drastic measures to protect their $10.7mn mansion in Berkshire, South England and have been advised not to travel without bodyguards, reports femaleﬁ rst.co.uk. The couple now is HIGH ALERT: George, left, and Amal chauff eured to local Clooney. restaurants just 300 yards away following worrying messages which the 38-year-old lawyer has received. It is supposedly in relation to her current case, which is seeing her represent jailed former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed. “Security isn’t so much for him but for her. From George’s point of view, the high-level legal work she does and the death threats she gets, it’s quite serious,” Grazia magazine quoted South Oxfordshire district councillor Paul Harrison — who has been involved in negotiations to beef up surveillance at the Clooneys’ home — as saying. The Tomorrowland actor and his wife initially applied for permission to erect up to eight cameras on 6m poles in the grounds, plus another 10 ﬁ xed to the ground, but the plans were denied as the cameras would represent a potential infringement of the privacy of neighbouring properties, though a compromise has now been reached. — IANS Olivia Wilde was ‘obsessed’ with Rolling Stones

Actress Olivia Wilde, who is working with the Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger in the American period drama TV series Vinyl, says she was completely obsessed with the British rock band in her teens. Vinyl is a collaboration of fi lmmaker Martin Scorsese with Jagger and scriptwriter Terence Winter. “I’m completely fi lled with awe when he (Jagger) is around. Sometimes, I just kind of turn away and try not to say anything. What he has created has always meant so much to me,” Wilde said in a statement. “When I was 12 years old I was completely obsessed HEARTBREAK: Jessica Simpson with the Rolling Stones, and I learned about the blues through the Rolling Stones,” she added. The actress also said that “people will learn a huge amount from the show”. “That’s what I keep telling people. I love the show not only because it’s so well-written and intense, but what you will learn Jessica lost trunk is so fascinating,” she added. Vinyl is set in 1970s New York. — IANS of new collection inger and fashion “We had to rework a few of the shoot because I didn’t want to take designer Jessica Simpson looks last minute and we really love them off ,” she said. was forced to rush re- how the styling turned out. It was a The 35-year-old is hopeful style a series of looks blessing in disguise,” she added. some of the items from her Jessica from her new collection But one piece she wasn’t Simpson Collection can be passed Safter she lost a trunk-load in planning to part ways was her on to her daughter Maxwell, three, transit the day before she shot the navajo woven platform, featuring whom she has with her husband campaign. pretty fl oral detailing on the sides, Eric Johnson, when she’s a little bit “My mom and I worked together as she wore them home after older. on the styling for this shoot, and as shooting the campaign. “The Jessica Simpson Collection AWESTRUCK: Olivia Wilde luck would have it, a trunk from our “The navajo woven platform was is timeless, just like the shell pink showrooms in New York was lost in immediately one of my favourite long fringe vest. It is a special piece transit the day before the shoot!” styles from the new collection. I I can hand down to my daughter Barlow off ers to perform Simpson told people.com. even wore them home from the one day,” she said. — IANS at birthday parties for fans

Singer Gary Barlow has promised to give his special fans a Dunham in hospital due she suff ered from an ovarian cyst because of her “chronic condition” birthday treat to remember by performing at their parties. The to ruptured ovarian cyst rupture and has been taken to the she would be taking a break from singer, who last year surprised unsuspecting brides at their hospital. Lena will be undergoing media to rest. She had shared: weddings, has promised to help dedicated followers to celebrate Actress Lena Dunham has been surgery at an undisclosed “As many of you know I have their milestone birthdays, reports mirror.co.uk. hospitalised for ruptured ovarian hospital. We thank you for your endometriosis, a chronic condition Barlow invited fans to campaign over social media. “2015 was cyst and will undergo surgery soon. understanding and hope that Lena’s that aff ects approximately 1 in 10 the year I sang at weddings! And what fun we had.... If you have a The Girls creator and star, who has privacy will be respected,” her women’s reproductive health. I am milestone birthday this year start your campaign now,” Barlow wrote written about her ongoing health spokesperson Cindi Berger said in a currently going through a rough on Twitter. “21, 30, 40, 60, 110! I’ll come and sing at your party. struggles on social media, was statement. patch with the illness and my body Good luck everyone,” he added. His followers responded almost taken to the hospital last week, The location and hospital’s name (along with my amazing doctors) instantly to the tweet. “Gary Barlow, I’m 40 this year and having reports people.com. has not been disclosed. Last month, let me know, in no uncertain terms, a BBQ! Come and sing in my garden!” wrote a user. Another user “Lena Dunham has been very Dunham took to her Facebook that it’s time to rest.” responded: “My best friend of 35 years had her 50th birthday we public with her personal bouts page to update fans on her ongoing It is unclear, how long Dunham have followed you since the beginning." — IANS with endometriosis. This morning, health struggles, sharing that will be in the hospital. — IANS 20 GULF TIMES Tuesday, March 8, 2016 COMMUNITY Buena Vista to stop by Doha for farewell gig The legendary Cuban band will perform at Sheraton Grand Doha on March 25 as part of its ADIOS world tour. By Anand Holla

hat could be a more triumphant testament to the boundlessness of music than the Wstory of a group of retired Cuban musicians becoming super famous as Buena Vista Social Club? Fortunately for Qatar, before bowing out of the scene, the band will perform at 7pm on March 25 at Sheraton Grand Doha, as part of its farewell world tour. Phoenix Entertainment, a new and upcoming Qatari live entertainment company, is bringing down the 13-member Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club for the fi rst, and what is also set to be the last, time to Qatar. The story, success and fame of Buena Vista Social Club is as delightful to recount as their soulful music. It used to be a members’ club in Havana, Cuba, that closed in the 1940s, and was later a 1990s band, a 1997 album, a 1999 fi lm, and an unoffi cial brand name representing the musical spirit of the original Havana club. The original club held dances and musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. As Rolling Stone puts it, “Buena Vista Social Club wasn’t actually a proper band “but a confl uence of MEET THE LEGENDS: Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club will perform in Qatar on March 25. veteran Cuban musicians brought together for a recording session by and Candela winding their way in the musicians’ small apartments, American guitarist Ry Cooder after around restaurant tables, bar which lent a deep, rich atmosphere a 1996 trip to Havana.” stools and dinner parties the world to the sound. Rolling Stone’s biography over,” writes Laura Barton in The One of the songs, Buena Vista points out, “The project became Guardian. Social Club, was written by the surprise hit of 1997 when its “But in the last two decades Cachaíto’s father about an old resulting album, Buena Vista Social much has changed. Six of the Havana gathering place. Rolling Stone Club, wound up selling over fi ve original members – Ibrahim Ferrer, points out, “Cooder decided to name million copies, largely by word of Compay Segundo, Rubén González, the group and album after the club. mouth, and won a Grammy for Best Orlando ‘Cachaíto’ Lopez, Pío When Cooder returned to Havana Tropical Latin Performance. The Leyva, Manuel ‘Puntillita’ Licea two years later with his percussionist Buena Vista Social Club did more – have passed away,” Barton son, Joaquim, to record Ferrer for a internationally for Cuban music elaborates, “Although singer solo album, director Wim Wenders than decades of cultural exchanges Omara Portuondo and guitarist followed them. ever could and simultaneously and vocalist Eliades Ochoa remain, “His fi lm, Buena Vista Social helped popularise the world music for the past few years the group Club, is mix of footages from genre in the late-1990s.” has toured as the Orquesta, with that trip and Buena Vista’s live Having recorded their 14-track a shifting lineup. The repertoire performances in New York City debut album in just six days, remains much the same, though.” and Amsterdam. The fi lm was the ensemble became a global While the epic album’s nominated for an Academy Award phenomenon and led to live opening tune, Chan Chan, was in 2000.” performances in Amsterdam a composition of 89-year-old These days, Orquesta Buena and New York. “In its wake came Compay Segundo, who was a Vista Social Club is touring the further recordings, world tours, bandleader in the ’50s, the cover of world as the original heritage solo albums and, for a while, the early-’50s tune De Camino a la formation. Last year, they have this cluster of Cubans seemed Verada was sung by the 72-year-old embarked on their very last tour inescapable – the distinctive strains composer Ibrahim Ferrer. All the named ADIOS which brings them of Chan Chan, Dos Gardenias songs were recorded live, some even to Doha on March 25. The album cover of Buena Vista Social Club.