UAE dance troupe to compete in Paris in celebration of inclusivity


Andrew Scott
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A UAE dance squad will take on performers from all over the world in Paris this week, in an inclusive programme of ballet and performing arts.

The 19-strong team, including dancers from 11 different countries with two Emiratis, will showcase their skills in the International Festival of Dance and Performing Arts from Thursday to Monday.

The Special Olympics UAE Unified Dance Team, which includes 12 team members with intellectual disabilities, are hosted at Dubai's Dream It Possible Ballet and Performing Arts academy.

They also have the support of Dubai Sports Council and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the emirate's private education regulator.

“Our troupe have their own designated 20-minute stage show inside Disneyland on one of its stages,” said the academy's founder Vicky Lovering.

“We will be competing against 18 other dance schools from around the world and the pre-parade, which will feature about 350 other performers.”

Dream It Possible Ballet and Performing Arts founder, Vicky Lovering, and unified dance-troupe member, Josie McIntyre. Andy Scott/ The National
Dream It Possible Ballet and Performing Arts founder, Vicky Lovering, and unified dance-troupe member, Josie McIntyre. Andy Scott/ The National

Ms Lovering explained that the motivation for the Special Olympic Unified Dance Team came from the UAE's desire to be as inclusive as possible.

“Since 2019, when Abu Dhabi hosted the Special Olympics, the UAE has made it one of their missions to become an all-inclusive country,” she said.

“It's mixing people of determination with mainstream people, so everyone is all-inclusive. We've got a unified team.”

The UAE team dancers are aged from six to 29, with many experienced performers and gymnasts in their ranks. Josie McIntyre, 18, won three medals, including one gold in rhythmic gymnastics at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi five years ago.

Clare McIntyre, mother of Josie, who has Down syndrome, said the scope of opportunities that have opened for those with special needs is incredible.

“Josie joined a dance group eight years ago when there were few opportunities for people of determination to express themselves,” Ms McIntyre said.

“It is testimony to the aspiration of the UAE. We would never have thought that in such a short space of time we would be competing in an international dance festival.

“Josie can't wait to go, although she did say she would prefer to go to Hollywood – she is obsessed with Kevin Hart.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
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MATCH INFO

Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:

Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4

Second leg:

Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm

UAE SQUAD

Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Scorebox

Sharjah Wanderers 20-25 Dubai Tigers (After extra-time)

Wanderers

Tries Gormley, Penalty

Cons Flaherty

Pens Flaherty 2

Tigers

Tries O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly

Cons Caldwell 2

Pens Caldwell, Cross

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Updated: March 13, 2024, 6:54 AM`