Get ready for some oud splendour, courtesy of a series of online concerts curated by a master of the instrument.
After wowing online audiences in April with a solo show, Iraqi oud artist and composer Naseer Shamma will return to screens with three distinctive performances.
Joined by students from his Bait Al Oud conservatories (locations include Abu Dhabi and Cairo), who will perform remotely from their homes, the Visits from Bait Al Oud series aims to celebrate the diversity of the instrument.
With each streaming from 8.30pm on the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) YouTube page, Shamma says the shows hope to be a soothing balm in this tumultuous period.
“In trying times such as these, it is important to continually foster a sense of community and togetherness, and to spread hope as much as we can,” he says.
“I’ve found that one of the best ways to deliver the message of hope is through music. The Visits from Bait Al Oud series has enabled my friends and I to safely be invited into homes around the world to share a message of hope and solidarity.
"We are excited to show the depth of classical music, offer unmissable vocal and instrumental experiences, and have viewers leave our concerts inspired to carry on this message of hope.”
Here is the breakdown of the three concerts.
Wednesday, May 13: The Story of the Oud
A great introduction to this rich instrument. If you think all ouds sound or are played the same, prepare to be blown away by the variety of styles on show here. The concert will also highlight the instruments taught in Bait Al Oud, including the violin, qanoon and cello.
Wednesday, June 3: Bait Al Oud and Abu Dhabi Classics: Universal Mozart
A cosmopolitan affair celebrating the life of composer Wolfgang Mozart. Shamma will lead an ensemble of Bait Al Oud graduates and guest musicians from Europe and Asia to perform Mozart compositions inspired by the Arab world.
Wednesday, June 17: Bait Al Oud’s Tribute to Classical Arabic Singing
Prepare to be taken back to the golden age of Arabic popular music as graduates from Bait Al Oud perform a selection of songs from legendary singers such as Egypt’s Um Kulthum and Lebanon’s Fairuz.
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Read more:
Oud master Naseer Shamma’s new book shows how music can be a tool for peace
Maya Diab promises to perform the region's 'first virtual live show'
The 11 best Arab independent musicians you should be listening to right now
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The candidates
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Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
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Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
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Best Team: Atalanta
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Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
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6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
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Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
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'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
