Maha Amiri loves what she does. Every week, she tracks down artists, filmmakers, writers, comedians, musicians and poets in the UAE and asks them one question: what music do they listen to when they want to be inspired?
Amiri is the host of The Muse, an hour-long talk and music radio show on Abu Dhabi Classics FM (owned by Abu Dhabi Media, who also own The National) that is broadcast on Fridays from 3pm to 4pm.
“A lot of people tell me they haven’t heard something like this on the radio before,” says the 32-year-old Emirati, adding that the show is always unpredictable because every person has different taste in music, so Vivaldi might play alongside Elvis Presley, or Jennifer Lopez might follow Enya.
“The unpredictability lends a fun angle to the show,” says Amiri. “The listener doesn’t know what’s coming next – it might be Michael Jackson, or some French music or an Italian song.”
Amiri is both comfortable and energetic on air — she quickly establishes an easy rapport with her guest and draws them out until they are comfortable sharing personal anecdotes to go with each musical choice.
“The show is a combination of me talking to my guests and learning about what they do, as well as playing the music that they like,” she explains. “The music they pick is usually something that influences them, or touched them at some point of their life. They bring a different energy to each episode.”
Amiri believes it is a good way for the listener to learn more about the guest and how he or she might approach their work.
When it launched in October, the show’s first guest was Emirati painter and fashion designer Sumayya Al Suwaidi. Since then, the show has hosted an eclectic mix of people, including artists Jacqueline Craig, Shurooq Amin and Sara Dheays, Emirati filmmakers Mustafa Abbas and Nawaf Al Janahi, and Emirati comedian Ali Al Sayed, who Amiri says made for one of the most entertaining interviews.
“I learn a lot from my guests and there is so much happening that isn’t on TV or in mainstream news,” says the radio jockey. “I kind of feel like I’m uncovering gems here, these people and the things they do and the events they are involved in. A lot of it is grass roots, things that don’t make a big splash but people should still know about this.
“I love it, I love the interviewing part of it. I get to talk to people their creative work, something they are so passionate about, and they always get energised as they talk and you can feel it.”
Matthew Sansom, head of station at Abu Dhabi Classic FM, says The Muse gives a voice to those working in the country's cultural landscape.
"There is quite a cultural scene and sometimes it's hard to find out about it," says Sansom. "Creative people come on The Muse and get to talk about their lives, their interests, what they do, and it's really interesting to hear about the kind of music that creative people listen to when they are working – whether it's an Emirati artist who likes to listen to Pink or to rap music, or someone who says, 'All I listen to is music my dad played when I was growing up'."
• Abu Dhabi Classic FM (@abudhabiclassic on Instagram) is on 91.6FM in Abu Dhabi, 87.9FM in Dubai and 105.2FM in Al Ain. The Muse, presented by Maha Amiri, airs every Friday from 3pm to 4pm. Follow The Muse with Maha on Facebook and on Instagram and Twitter (@TheMuseWithMaha). Visit www.abudhabiclassicfm.ae to stream online
artslife@thenational.ae
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French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
more from Janine di Giovanni
More Iraq election coverage:
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
BABYLON
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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