What effect has Covid-19 had on the UAE's entertainment industry? And how can local musicians reposition themselves in the wake of the pandemic?
These are some of the questions the Emirates Music Summit hopes to answer when it returns this month.
Running as part of the Breakout DXB festival at Dubai's Rove Downtown on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7, the two-day conference features a selection of UAE artists and leading music industry figures who will appear in panel discussions and interview sessions.
What is on the agenda?
Available to Breakout DXB ticket holders, the conference will take place in the hotel foyer with social distancing measures in place.
The first day mostly looks at the big picture when it comes to the music industry. In a session entitled UAE Music Scene during Covid, rapper Swerte from the group The Recipe and Nigerian Afropop singer MKO will join Tobie Allen from artist management company Ma'ana to reflect on how the local scene changed in the wake of the pandemic.
The role of women in the regional music industry will also be highlighted in a session featuring event producer Megatronic and singers FaFa and Sandra Sahi. Berklee Abu Dhabi Centre artist director Mayssa Karaa will also be on hand to highlight the Saadiyat Island institution's programme of events.
The final day of the conference looks at the future of the UAE's live events industry in the age of Covid-19, while The Art of Production session will feature UAE producers A'Y and Rayan Bailouni breaking down their beat-making process.
Taking the next step
According to co-organiser Albert M Carter, artist manager and creator of local music education initiative Hip Hop University, the Emirates Music Summit is the continuation of a discussion that began at the onset of the pandemic.
The event follows March's inaugural iteration, days before a government-mandated suspension of live events and venues. With rumours of the virus's ability to upend the international music industry racing at the time, Carter recalls conference attendees discussing the need to support each for the foreseeable future.
“Covid-19 was so new that we didn't know what to expect or how to handle it. The way that we were talking about this disease back then was that it could be one or two months, max, and six months later we are still here,” he said.
"But as a result of that, we did see some positive things emerging from the local scene. We saw a lot of musicians here band together and discuss ways to support each other. There were also a lot of organisations that sprouted up to help the arts community in whatever way they could.”
Now that artists and event organisers have begun to get a clearer idea of how to operate during the pandemic, Carter says the upcoming conference will look at ways to reactivate the live events space.
"For the time being, we need to learn how to live with Covid-19 and work within that space. But more than that, we want to look at all the opportunities that have come from this," he said.
"We will highlight those ideas and events. Since this situation will hopefully not last forever, we want to talk about both the present and future of the UAE music industry."
Emirates Music Summit will run as part of Breakout DXB, on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7; doors open at 11am. Tickets are Dh199 for a one-day pass and Dh249 for two-day pass, inclusive of a food voucher. For more information go to Platinumlist
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Scores in brief:
Day 1
New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38
Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.