Bahrain This Month - March 2020

TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - TRAVEL

Since 1997

March 2020 | Vol. 24 | Issue 3 | BD2 / SR20 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

HAPPENINGS Holi, Holi, Holi

MOTHER’S DAY

Ideas for dining and gifting

Spring of Culture Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

WTM

ST PATRICK’S DAY

The Dragon (boat) Lady Spring Florals Walking to Fitness

Events in the Kingdom

PEOPLE

Farouk Almoayyed Interview ive clus

Ex

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Nightlife

Digital Edition

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THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton

Bahrain This Month March 2020

Editorial Director Liz O’Reilly Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Dick Potter, Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Kristian Harrison, Razan Al Arabi.

Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Hatem Monem, Romeo San Miguel Photography Editor Muna Yousef Staff Photographers Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Corporate Affairs Director Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales ANURADHA MANHAS anuradha@redhousemarketing.com SARAH AMIN sara.amin@redhousemarketing.com TATUM TURNER tatum@redhousemarketing.com

The only Lifestyle Magazine distributed with the GDN

DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Editorial Consultant Kristian Harrison Digital Marketing & Social Media Executive Farah Baig Art & Animation Director Hatem Monem Videography Danny Sokov Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain Published monthly by

RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.

•

Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month.

Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24

Welcome to March and boy do we have a packed issue for you this month? Between Spring of Culture – which runs to five full pages in the Happenings section, with more online – and the big F1 weekend, there’s lots to look forward to. In the regular Happenings, there are plenty of places to spend a colourful Holi, as well as international musician and DJ appearances, beach parties, tribute acts and more.

Following on with the events theme, we’ve rounded up themed brunches and nightlife for St Patrick’s Day and have come up with some great gift ideas and more brunches to help you celebrate Mother’s Day. Our interviews this month include an exclusive chat with Farouk Almoayyed, Chairman of YK Almoayyed Group of Companies, who shares tales from his childhood and thoughts for the future. Gavin Lawlor, of Bahrain Irish Society, gives us the lowdown on the St Patrick’s Day Ball, and hotelier extraordinaire, Ebrahim Kooheji, talks about his 40 years in the business. Ahmed Alammadi, the new CEO of Diyar Al Muharraq, gives an overview of the major development and special consultant, Bill Grieve, talks advice and action.

In the Motoring section, lucky Dick takes another spin in the Ferrari Tributo, this time a shiny red one, no less. And he also put the new Mercedes-Benz C200 through its paces. While, in dining, Liz gives her recommendations for the yummiest dishes at what sounds like her new favourite eatery.

We’ve stuck with the Irish theme in the Travel pages and, I must say, looking at them, I am getting itchy feet.

And, of course, there are our regular pages of news from the worlds of business and motoring as well as the lifestyle section where you’ll find music, movies and TV and the latest tech recommendations.

In the Woman This Month section we have trends for the new season, which looks to be all about Flower Power, as well as healthy recipes and tips on walking yourself to wellness. Our interviewee is Kata Draxler, the Kingdom’s only female dragon boat captain, who wants us all to join her on the water.

March looks like being a great month so make sure to keep BTM close at hand for your guide to a great way of life.

As we went to press, cases of Coronavirus were increasing in the Kingdom. Keep an eye on www.bahrainthismonth for updates and please stay safe!

COVER Cover Picture:

Holi, Holi, Holi George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

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March 2020 5

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ISSUE 271

CONTENTS

MARCH

22

26

Happenings

32

14 22 24 43 26 28 30 32 34 44 36 BYSTANDER

Spring of Culture

Festival of events around the Kingdom.

International Design Week Creativity from across Bahrain.

Foodie Fiesta

Food Festival returns for part two.

Colourful Capers Holi celebrations.

Gipsy Kings Live

Spanish folk heroes on stage.

F1 Circus

Cirque Le Soir at Four Seasons.

Rockin’ Robbie

Robbie Williams tribute at the Brit Club.

Festival Time

The return of TribFest

Formula One Events

All the trackside fun at the big race.

Visit bahrainthismonth.com for a comprehensive list of events.

Interviews

In another busy month, our photographers took in the Indian Republic Day celebrations, a reception at the British Embassy, live theatre and musical performances, car launches, sporting and charity events and much more.

Did they catch you on camera?

40 www.bahrainthismonth.com

40 43 44 45 46

Decades of Achievement

Exclusive interview with Farouk Almoayyed, of YK Almoayyed Group.

Building a Mega-City

A chat with Ahmed Alammadi, the new CEO of Diyar Al Muharraq.

Wearing the Green

Gavin Lawlor of Bahrain Irish Society gives us the craic on St Patrick’s Day.

Words of Wisdom

Hospitality veteran Ebrahim Kooheji on his 40 years in the industry

Professional Advisor

Bill Grieve on the darker arts of consultancy.

March 2020 7

CONTENTS

81

83

84

WOMAN THIS MONTH CONTENTS

Fashion

88 91 92

Trends:

Flower Power.

10 To Try News:

Goss from around the industry.

Interview

94

Kata Draxler

Bahrain’s only sole female dragon boat captain.

Beauty

95 96 97

Tips: Body Polishing.

Essentials: New products.

News: The latest on the glamour front.

Lifetyle

98 99 100 101 102 104 105 106

www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth www.bahrainthismonth.com

Well-being: Step Up To Health Well-being News: Information on the latest developments.

Switch Off, Switch On

Behnaz Sanjana relaxes in style.

Razan Recipes: Fishy faves.

Homes: Enchanting Emerald Opinion: Ouiam

Charkani El Hassani

In Her Shoes: Pamela Panduric

AD Index and QR Codes

ISSUE 271

MARCH

64

Features

52 64

St Patrick’s Day Events

55 56 57 58

My Life in Cars

Dig out your inner Paddy.

MOTHER’S DAY

Ideas for dining and gifting

Motoring

Dick Potter shares his passion for motors.

A Double Tribute

Dick gets fast and furious with the Ferrari Tributo.

An Emphatic Affirmative Putting the new Mercedes-Benz C200 through its paces.

Motoring Bites

BTM brings you the latest news from the world of motoring.

Commerce

60 62

Business Bites Opinion: Pria Mason Tanwar

Dining

67 68 72

Worldwide Yummyness

74 76 77 78

Gadgets:

80 81 82

New on TV:

83 84 86

What’s Green:

Liz’s top picks from Chef & The Whale.

Table Hopping F1 Dining

Themed feasts for you to enjoy.

Technology The newest gizmos in town

Computer Games:

The hottest games of the month

Websites:

The coolest sites on the web

Apps:

Essential apps to try

Entertainment Shows to download

Hollywood Faves: Latest film releases

Music:

Top new tunes

Lifestyle

bhthismonth

Eco-friendly products

Travel: Ireland Out and About: Click Bait March 2020 9

bystander

Republic Day of India On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, the Indian Ambassador, HE Alok Kumar Sinha, and his wife Mamta, held a reception at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel Residence & Spa

10 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

bystander

Gala Dinner

Women’s Crisis Care International, now Shamsaha, held its annual gala at InterContinental Regency Bahrain with a Latin Carnival theme. All proceeds support the organisation and women’s empowerment programmes in Bahrain

Farewell and Welcome Reception

British Ambassador, HE Roddy Drummond, and his wife Yasmin, held a reception to bid farewell to Assistant Defence Attaché Staff Sergeant, Dan Bean, and his wife Jess, and to welcome Assistant Defence Attaché Staff Sergeant, Martin Clarkson, and Head of Political, Ian Mason, and his wife Judy

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 11

bystander

Bentley Launch The New Bentley Flying Spur was launched at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Jack Parow Live

South African rapper, Jack Parow, performed live at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club

12 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

happenings

MARCH 2020-HAPPENINGS

SPRING OF CULTURE

There’s a packed month ahead full of Spring of Culture events. We’ve highlighted some of the most exciting and you can see a full roundup at bahrainthismonth.com – further information and ticket contact details are at springofculture.org unless otherwise stated.

ITALIAN EYE MARCH 1 -MAY 31

EXHIBITION BY EZIO GIRBAUDO

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM

The first regional solo exhibition for the celebrated Italian artist Ezio Girbaudo. Born in Turin, in 1929, he is an artist and art publisher with experience in graphic design at Brera Academy and engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin.

Girbaudo manifests his dreamy artworks with a distinctive sense of chromatic precision and historical determination that underscores all his works. His award-winning production has been recognised with various international prizes, such as the IX Rome Quadriennale in 1965, the XXXIII Venice Biennale Prize (for graphic arts) in 1966, and the São Paulo Biennale in 1967.

Open daily, except Tuesdays, 8am-8pm. Admission included in museum entrance.

TUNISIAN SCREENINGS MARCH 4 AND 14

FILM FESTIVAL

The Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in cooperation with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, presents the Tunisian Film Festival 2020 screening the latest cinematic films from Tunisia. March 4 is Railway Men, from director Erige Sehiri, and March 14 is Lune Noire, directed by Nawfel Saheb Ettaba.

From 6pm. Age eight and over.

14 March 2020

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM AUDITORIUM

MUSICAL DIALOGUE MARCH 2

ELIE ACHKAR AND MANUEL DELGADO LIVE

SH. EBRAHIM BIN MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR CULTURE & RESEARCH

Lebanese qanun player Elie Achkar teams up with Barcelona native and guitarist Manuel Delgado to present a unique musical dialogue between East and West.

It displays authenticity, modernity, sorrow and joy through the melodic interplay between Spanish and Arab folk music.

Free event. From 8pm. Suitable for ages 16 and above. www.shaikhebrahimcenter.org

SHOWCASING LOCAL MOVIE TALENT MARCH 4-8

HOLLYWOOD POPUP BAHRAIN FILM FESTIVAL

OASIS MALL CINEMA JUFFAIR

The Bahrain Film Festival, organised by Bahrain Cinema Club, thrusts young filmmakers into the limelight, aiming to showcase the works of undiscovered creative talents in the Arab region. The festival celebrates filmmakers, intellectuals and artists alike across the region through various programmes and events.

Suitable for ages 18 and above. Check website for programme. bahrainff.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings

L IV E IN C O N

• MARCH 6 •

STICK STOCK MARCH 5-7

STREET THEATRE

VARIOUS

This is where the fun starts: Three different people with three different heights, cultures and disciplines.Together they use sticks to unravel circus in new ways.

Making fun creations together, building a jungle to climb through, balancing the sticks and themselves! A journey into a world where a dancer, a juggler and a Chinese pole artist can play, tease and work together.

March 5: 4.30pm, Mercado Mall, Janabiya; 9pm, Adliya, Road 3803, Car Park Building March 6: 4.30pm, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Park, Hidd; 8.30pm, Seef Mall, Muharraq March 7: 4.30pm and 7.30pm, The Avenues – Bahrain

MEDICINAL PLANTS MARCH 7

TOUR

QAL’AT AL-BAHRAIN SITE MUSEUM

Folk medicine has been prevalent in Bahrain since ancient times starting with the Dilmun and Tylos civilizations, as the ancient people of the land extracted medicines from the plants and herbs around them to help cure their various illnesses and ailments.

Participants of this tour, will learn about the medicinal and healing properties of these plants and herbs, followed by a visit to a nearby factory to observe the distillation processes of these folk medicines.

Meet at 10am. Suitable for ages 18 and above.

Free. Registration is required on www.culture.gov.bh

C E RT

OMAR KAM A L & BA N A H • BA H R A IN B AY

The stunnin g Omar Kam al is back. Follow ing the succ ess of the 2017/18 tour of his d ebut album Seren ade, the sm oothvoiced star p resents his n ew album Show Me the Ligh t. He brings togeth er a delightf ul, multilingual repertoire an d emotional hits for one enchanting e vening!

Banah, one of the most unique, eme rging Arab a rtists today showca ses a new st yle of music. Th e evening is a musical journ ey that blen ds the best of both worlds comb ining a special mix of English a nd Arabic classics sho wcased in a new and modern way while reminis cing back to song s by the lege nds.

Suitable for ages eight a nd above. From 8pm. Tickets required.

ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 8 AND 11

JAPANESE FILM SCREENINGS

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM AUDITORIUM

The Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in cooperation with Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, will hold the Japan Animation Film Festival 2020 screening the best of Japanese animations.

March 8: Princess Arete March 11: Time of EVE Free. Suitable for ages 13 and above.

STREET THEATRE MARCH 12-14

THE MARLON BANDA SHOW

VARIOUS

A hilarious and explosive comical show where live music and all aspects of theatrical comedy meet. Vivacious, irreverent, engaging; the Irresistible rhythm will drag you into a whirlwind of laughter with no way out!

March 12: 4.30pm, Riffa Palms March 13: 4.00pm, Atrium Mall; 6.00pm, Mercado Mall March 14: 4pm, Saar Mall; 8pm, Seef Mall, Seef www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

March 2020 15

happenings

SPRING OF CULTURE 2020 TRADITIONAL JAPANESE VAUDEVILLE THEATRE MARCH 12

When? Until March 26, 9am-1pm and 4pm-7pm Event? Hala Al Khalifa – Where Do We Sit? Venue? Memory Of The Place: Bin Matar House

Where Do We Sit? represents Hala Al Khalifa’s latest body of work.

Chairs and sofas take centre stage in this series of paintings on canvas, an exploration of feelings of belonging and connection, emptiness and loss.

RAKUGO AND DAIKAGURA LIVE

In collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Bahrain, two distinct performing arts from Japanese Traditional Vaudeville Theatre, Rakugo and Daikagura, take centre stage. Rakugo is a comic storytelling art that expresses the humorous side of traditional Japan. Daikagura is a Japanese Traditional performance which used to be given on auspicious occasions. Now it is performed as a form of entertainment Free. From 7pm. Suitable for ages six and above.

PIANOTAINMENT MARCH 13

PIANISTS STEPHAN WEH AND MARCEL DORN

When? Until June 14, 9am-1pm and 4pm-7pm.

Event? Atelier Bow-Wow Architectural Ethnography Venue? House of Architectural Heritage

the various styles of the uniquely Bahraini Fjiri tradition, a mystical genre that traces its roots back to the island’s glorious legacy of its world-famous pearling heritage.

AN EXISTENTIAL QUESTION

OUTDOOR ART

MARCH 15-18

MARCH 17 -MAY 31

PERFORMANCE. WHAT IF RASHID DIDN’T EXIST!

STUDIO 244

What if a painting came to life and approached its creator? What would the painting say to him or her? What are the secrets behind the colour palettes and what are the artist’s intentions?

Does the soul have a colour? How do we recognise the When? March 4, 8pm Event? Prof. Dr. Albert De Roeck - astonishment of a viewer contemplating a painting?

The Large Hadron Collider: The Through the direction Big Bang Machine and scenography of Venue? Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Centre for Culture & the artist Khalid Al Ruwaie, this exhibition Research Prof. Dr. Albert De Roeck is a senior looks at the aesthetic of Bahraini artist research scientist and a staff member of the largest particle Rashid Al Oraifi, physics laboratory in the world, building bridges to CERN. He gives seminars and create different worlds lectures all over the world on the as art influences the physics potential and results of the creation of more art.

LHC project.

Free. From 8pm.

Suitable for ages 12 and above.

16 March 2020

THE CULTURAL HALL

In collaboration with the Embassy of Germany in the Kingdom, the critically acclaimed, one-of-a-kind concert, Pianotainment, comes to Bahrain. Starring concert pianists Stephan Weh and Marcel Dorn, Pianotainment is a spectacular four-handed piano show that has dazzled the world for over 20 years. It is a fascinating concert perfect for young children and the elderly alike – there is truly no other show like it in the world. This award-winning ‘crossover’ programme is the perfect symbiosis between piano comedy and amazing virtuosity. Unique, wacky and endlessly entertaining, a performance is not to be missed.

Free. From 7pm. Suitable for ages six and above.

Atelier Bow-Wow utilises drawings to show the synthesis of their worldly findings in order to challenge the usual reading of these issues.

When? March 14, 8pm Event? Dar Al Muharraq Venue? Building 1068, Road 1617, Block 216, Muharraq Live performances highlighting

THE CULTURAL HALL

SCULPTURES ON SHOW

MUHARRAQ

With an opening ceremony at 7pm, on March 17, artist and master sculptor Khalid Farhan launches his latest works – three beautiful oversized outdoor sculptures.

During this special launch event, these sculptures will be revealed in the beautiful setting of historical Muharraq, with its characteristic narrow and winding streets and traditional urban squares. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings When? March 5, 7pm Event? Walt Disney Film: Alice in Wonderland (2010) Venue? Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum 19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure. Not remembering the events of her first visit, she faces the strange fantasy world after most of its creatures have turned evil.

SPRING OF CULTURE 2020 WALL PAPER MARCH 17-APRIL 9

SOLO EXHIBITION BY ZENA ASSI

Produced in her London studio, Lebanese artist Zena Assi’s new body of works consists of paintings on canvas, etching prints, an experimental animation movie as well as drawings on paper. The canvas is treated as When? March 7 and 21, 8pm a fabric, a kaleidoscope of symbols; either flowers weaved in patterns or Event? Dar Al Riffa cities forming an urban tissue like fading images on a paper wall. It is Venue? Building 2608, Road an attempt to put on record how our urban contemporary environment 368, Block 903, East Riffa is constantly changing and how our society’s ideologies and political Dar Al-Riffa hosts a series of musical concerts, accentuating the tendencies are playing a major role in this change. rich tapestry of Bahraini folk music. Opening night 7pm-10pm. Opening hours 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm, Saturday-Thursday.

When? March 9, 8pm Event? Souvenir of the Opposing Chairs FINEST WORLD MUSIC BOOKS Venue? House of Poetry Ebrahim Al Arrayed BARBAROS THE A poet and translator of literary works, Ahmed Abd al-Salam Al-Ali of Saudi Arabia introduced American readers to such Arab writers as Alaa Al-Aswany.

MARCH 19

IN CONCERT

CULTURAL HALL

Barbaros Büyükakkan is a When? March 16, 8pm famous Turkish Event? Novel of History or a singer with nine Historical Novel years of professional Venue? Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Centre for Culture experience under & Research his belt – he has An Egyptian journalist and founder released two albums of the prominent Egyptian and four singles and newspaper Addustour, Ibrahim Issa’s bold opinions are reflected in performs more than 100 concerts his articles and books. annually around the When? March 19, 7pm Event? Film Screening: Lagaan, globe. Barbaros is Once Upon A Time In India (2001) distinguished for his Venue? Pearling Path unique music as he Visitors Centre bridges various This film, directed by Ashutosh styles and performs in different languages. He is fluent in Gowariker, is set in the Victorian French, English, Italian and Greek, and sings in period of India’s colonial British Raj. The story revolves around a Portuguese, Spanish and Arabic as well. From pop to jazz, small village whose inhabitants his concerts present world music at its finest. find themselves in an extraordinary Free. From 8pm. Suitable for ages eight and above.

MARCH 25 -APRIL 4

ALBAREH ART GALLERY

GALORE 19TH BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM

A biennial literary event showcasing regional and international publishers and booksellers spanning all subject areas under one roof. In addition to engaging readers at all levels, the fair hosts a dynamic cultural programme with book signings, talks, exhibitions, music and film screenings, as well as an interesting children’s programme.

Timings: Daily 9am-1pm and 4pm-9.30pm. Friday 4pm-10pm.

situation.

When? March 21, 6.30pm Event? Erse and Forget Venue? Bahrain National Museum Auditorium

This documentary feature by Andrea Luka Zimmerman is a portrait of Bo Gritz, officially Lieutenant-Colonel James Gordon.

When? March 23, 8pm Event? Iran and its Policy of Linking to Iraq Lecture Venue? Abdullah Al-Zayes for Bahrain Press Heritage

A London and Beirut-based Lebanese journalist, Kheirallah Kheirallah writes political articles in several Arab newspapers, including Al-Mostakbal, Al-Rai, Al-Arab, Al-Raya and others.

18 March 2020

SONG AND DANCE MARCH 25 AND 26

MUSICAL THEATRE RAYA AND SAKINA

THE CULTURAL HALL

In collaboration with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Bahrain and in celebration of International Theatre Day, this contemporary performance showcases two popular figures across Egypt and the Arab world. Raya and Sakina are two personalities that have roused contradictory opinions as some consider them thugs whereas others consider them heroines in the face of colonialism. This production highlights another perspective of these characters, through psychological analysis of the two personalities as well as research on the economic and cultural conditions of the time, reflecting the intertwining interferences and struggles of the human psyche in the form of modern dance.

Free. From 8pm. Suitable for ages eight and above. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

T H E B E S T

T H O E R M ’ S Y P D P AY A H S P E C I A L D I S C O U N T S A V A I L A B L E

TONIANDGUYBAHRAIN | FOR LADIES & GENTS 1700 1700 SEEF MALL | 1701 1701 CITY CENTRE GATE 7 LEVEL 3 www.toniandguybh.com

happenings When? March 24, 7pm Event? Kingdom of Bahrain, A Joyful Tributary of Civilisation Venue? Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum Auditorium

SPRING OF CULTURE 2020

HURRAY FOR BOLLYWOOD

Dr Murad Abdullah Al Janabi, professor of religious studies at the University of Applied Sciences, will conduct a lecture on the historical importance of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

• MARCH 26 AND 27 • THE MERCHANTS OF BOLLYWOOD • BAHRAIN BAY The glamour and glitter of Bollywood electrifies Bahrain Bay! The Merchants of Bollywood charts the history of the world’s largest and most prolific film industry paying tribute to a dynasty of Indian film stars. Featuring a stellar cast and extravagant costumes, the colourful production highlights hit songs from the biggest Bollywood Blockbusters. At the heart of the lavish musical, is the story of a young girl, her grandfather and their love of dance. “Their energy is electrifying, their movements suffused with a rush of joy and yet ruthlessly precise, and the frenetic flow of onstage activity is almost non-stop. It’s a high-octane pleasure to warm up the coldest winter night.” - The Times, London Ticketed event (including children). From 7.30pm. Suitable for ages six and above.

When? March 28, 3pm Event? Pearling Path Board Games League Venue? Siyadi Public Square

15 groups consisting of two participants each will challenge themselves to learn the story of The Pearling Path through a series of board games.

When? March 28, 6.30pm Event? Film Screening: The Two Sights Venue? Bahrain National Museum Auditorium

MELODIES OF A BEAUTIFUL TIME

The Two Sights is a portrait of our rapidly changing maritime environment with its acoustic ecology and culture in flux at a time of uncertain futures.

When? March 31, 6.30pm Event? Topologies of Air Venue? Dar Al Muharraq

A discussion between the artist Shona Illingworth and Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Director of Archaeology and Museums Directorate at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, revolving around the upcoming art exhibition at the Bahrain National Museum.

MARCH 28

BULGARIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY MUBARAK NAJEM AND DEYAN PAVLOV

The Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra conducted by the Bahraini maestro, Mubarak Najem, and Bulgarian maestro, Diane Pavlov, is set to enchant the audience with a musical evening glorifying the beauty of Bahrain through nationalistic, emotional and traditional tunes that are an unwavering part of local heritage. The concert is arranged in a distinct way by Mubarak Najem reflecting the local character.

Ticketed event. From 8pm. Suitable for age eight and above.

FROM THE BARD MARCH 30 AND 31

ROMEO AND JULIET THE MUSICAL

Presented by Entertainment Live, this Romeo & Juliet adaptation by awardwinning artistic director and producer Paul Taylor-Mills, along with his divine, professional cast takes centre stage.

Brought to you all the way from the United Kingdom, experience the iconic tale like never before through this enthralling modern take on a Shakespearean classic enlivened with a recognisable pop score.

Timings: March 30, 11.45am. March 31, 11.45am and 7pm. Suitable for ages eight and above.

Ticketed event: www.bahrainthismonth.com/entmt

20 March 2020

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

FROM DEBUSSY TO DARWISH THE CULTURAL HALL

MARCH 30

AN EVENING OF SONG WITH MARIAM TAMARI AND FADI DEEB

SH. EBRAHIM BIN MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR CULTURE AND RESEARCH

Palestinian pianist Fadi Deeb and Palestinian-Japanese artist Mariam Tamari join forces for an extraordinary performance; he, a professional pianist who has dazzled audiences worldwide, and she, a classically trained singer equally adept in classical and Korean and Chinese songs.

Free. From 8pm. Suitable for age 16 and above. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings

JUST ONE CAN 2020 MARCH

HAPPENINGS

ONGOING TILL RAMADAN

LIVE BLUES

PET FOOD APPEAL

RIA ADLIYA

Celebrity canine Baloo, star of several books and inspiration behind the Baloo’s Buddies reading initiative, is about to When? Every Sunday mark his 15th birthday! He’s Event? Hoteliers, Retail staff and decided to celebrate it with the Crew night launch of his ‘Just One Can’ pet Venue? Players’ Lounge, food appeal. Animal lovers Wyndham Garden Manama Employees of hotels, retail across the Kingdom are invited establishments and airline crew to donate one can of dog or cat enjoy a 50-per-cent discount on any food to help Baloo feed as malt or spirits from noon to midnight. many cats and dogs in need as Call 66 316-666. possible. The food will be given to the BSPCA and other animal rescue groups in Bahrain.

When? Every Monday Event? Ladies’ Night With a target of 15,000 cans, he’s going to need all his Venue? The Harvesters Pub & buddies to participate!

Terrace, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Please drop off your cans at RIA Institute in Adliya or follow @ Ladies can indulge in an irresistible baloosbuddies on Instagram for other drop-off locations. cocktail selection, grape, spirits or Baloo’s Just One Can appeal will run until Ramadan. draughts while enjoying the live band with a tad of karaoke for BD5 Call RIA 17 716-871.

MARCH 1

AQLI SUNDAY SESSIONS

CALEXICO

The Bluesaders return to the stage at Calexico bringing you the only true power trio in Bahrain playing the best of blues / rock and classic blues. If you love classic blues and modern blues rock, but want to listen to something new, don’t miss this amazing band!

In fact, catch the best live bands on the island, every Sunday at Calexico with the AQLI Sunday Sessions Call 17 666-644.

for five drinks from 5pm–10pm.

Call 17 531-122 / 39 920-163.

When? Every Monday Event? Martini Monday Venue? Players’ Lounge, Wyndham Garden Manama

For BD4, guests get a selection of the best Martinis prepared by the bar chefs. Have it shaken or stirred, and choose from frozen, fresh fruit or Dirty!

Call 66 316-666.

When? Every Tuesday Event? Tapas & Mexican Tuesdays Venue? The Harvesters Pub & Terrace, Crowne Plaza Bahrain

Enjoy three different Mexican drinks paired with three different tapas menu items for BD8 at any time of the day.

Call 17 531-122 / 39 920-163.

When? Every Tuesday – Thursday – Friday Event? Sound & Light Show Venue? Bahrain Fort (Qal’at Al Bahrain)

An interactive and moving audio visual experience which takes the audience through a guided journey from the present into the past, and back.

Call 17 567-171.

When? Every Wednesday Event? Ladies’ Night Venue: Players’ Lounge, Wyndham Garden Manama

From 7pm-midnight, ladies pay BD5, inclusive of three drinks and one appetiser.

Call 66 316-666

22 March 2020

KIDS’ FAVOURITES MARCH 3-7

MR MEN AND LITTLE MISSES LIVE

CULTURAL HALL

Join your favourite Mr Men and Little Miss characters as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this beautifully crafted and hilarious live stage show! For almost 50 years, Mr Men and Little Misses have brought joy to millions of children all over the world through self-expression, colour, simplicity and humour.

Featuring Mr Bump, Little Miss Splendid, Mr Tickle, Little Miss Inventor and many more, Happyland bursts to life in a series of colourful and timeless stories told through puppetry and music. Performances are at 9am and 10.45am on March 3 and 4; 10.30am and 6.30pm on March 5; and 11am and 4.30pm on March 7.

Tickets available through: www.bahrainthismonth.com/entmt

DESIGN PARTY UNTIL MARCH 7

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN WEEK

AL AALI SHOPPING COMPLEX

An annual event gathering together artists, creators and designers. It’s divided into three categories: personal design, featuring the latest in fashion, apparel, jewellery, accessories and perfume bottles; architecture and interior design, including paintings and sculptures, objects and furniture, textile and kitchen design; and lastly, services, including design universities and schools. Visitors can also learn more about game and graphic design, visual and specialist communications design. The mall is open daily 10am-10pm.

Call 33 117-424 or 33 117-783. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings When? Every Wednesday Event? Grape Wednesday Venue: Players’ Lounge, Wyndham Garden Manama

Get a bottle of Daisy Darling from South Africa at BD22, with any one paired dish.

Call 66 316-666.

When? Every Saturday Event? Sayonara Saturday Venue: Players’ Lounge, Wyndham Garden Manama

Say good bye to the weekend and order any food from the extensive menu with a minimum spend of BD10 and get a food voucher free.

Call 66 316-666 .

When? Every Thursday Event? Five P.M. at Bab Venue: Bab Al Bahrain – Front Outdoor Space (Market Area)

A weekly activity offering visitors in the area diverse cultural activities that represent the dynamics of the venue and its historical value.

Visit www.culture.gov.bh

When? Every Thursday Event? Boys’ Night Out Venue? The Harvesters Pub & Terrace, Crowne Plaza Bahrain

End the week in the company of friends where you and the boys get to enjoy a complimentary selected beverage for every drink purchased, from 5pm-10pm. Price varies as per your chosen beverage.

Call 17 531-122 / 39 920-163.

When? Every Thursday Event? Mixology Hour Venue: Blue Moon Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Taste test three of mixologist Emmanuel’s tantalising cocktails or mocktails. Pick your favourite and learn the tricks of the trade in a fully interactive session, from 6pm-7pm, priced at BD12, including three samples of mocktails or cocktails, your choice of a regular-sized mocktail or cocktail and a bite.

Call 17 115-000.

When? Every Thursday Event? Club Elements Venue: Elements Pool and Lounge, InterContinental Regency Bahrain

Here’s a one night stand ‘pop-up club’ from 9pm-1am as you enjoy an evening with a London clubbing vibe with DJ Jackson.

Ladies will receive three complementary house drinks.

Call 17 227-777.

24 March 2020

NEW CLUB NIGHT MARCH 5

CENTRAL PRESENTS ANDY P

CALEXICO

Central is a necessity in many hip-hop and R&B lovers’ diaries, celebrating these cultures from the ‘90s to now in a new, hot, monthly event with worldclass, international guest DJs. This month it’s Andy P, whose career is defined equally by the prestige and diversity of his achievements as a DJ. Whether controlling a European festival stage with an audience of 20,000-plus or building the vibe of an intimate celebrity-filled dance floor in central London, Andy is very much at home behind the turntables.

Over the years he has exported his unique, party-rocking style from his home in London to 27 countries, across four continents. With roots founded in hiphop and R&B, but with thousands of hours experience playing genres from pop, right through to disco and house, Andy has the tools to rock any party regardless of the clientele. The evening kicks off from 8pm and dress code is casual.

Call 17 666-644.

HOT, HOT, HOT MARCH 5

WALSHY FIRE LIVE

FOODIE FIESTA THE ONE

Billed as “the event of the year” get ready to welcome Walshy Fire, aka Leighton Paul Walsh, the Grammy Awardwinning JamaicanAmerican DJ, MC and record producer, who is better known as part of the dancehall, reggae-influenced group Major Lazer alongside fellow DJs Jillionaire and Diplo. He has performed all around the globe mixing world-influenced dance grooves with carnival culture that’s guaranteed to have the dancefloor hopping.

Tickets are BD10 for men and BD5 for ladies. Doors open 8pm-2am.

Call 33 366-659.

MARCH 5-14

BAHRAIN FOOD FESTIVAL

BAHRAIN BAY

The second part of the annual festival from Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

One hundred restaurants are taking part over this and the earlier session, bringing the total number of participants this year to over 200. The eateries will be providing a wide range of delicious cuisines in a larger than usual space divided into several sections.

The festival will offer a variety of F&B options and feature a creative and diverse selection of vendors, ranging from healthy and organic food, to street food and gastronomic delicacies.

It will also include fun activities and entertainment suitable for the whole family, including a children’s play area, a traditional village which will offer local food and live cooking stations, as well as fun competitions and live musical performances on stage.

Timings: Sunday to Wednesday, 4pm-11pm and Thursday to Saturday, 4pm-midnight.

Visit btea.bh

IRAQI BEATS MARCH 6

MAHMOD AL GAYATH LIVE

BUSHIDO

The debonair Iraqi singer, Mahmod Al Gayath enthralls audiences with his popular hits which garner millions of plays on YouTube.

This promises to be a really spectacular evening of soulful Arabic sounds to set the heart racing.

Call 17 583-555. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

bystander

in the Arabian sands of time, Bahrain Ballet Centre presented its latest Aladdin’s Magical Ride Set dance adaptation Aladdin’s Magical Ride at the Art Centre

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 25

happenings When? Every Thursday & Friday Event? Farmers Market Venue? Oasis Mall Muharraq

Between 8am and 12.30pm, the market will have around 15 vendors selling fresh vegetables, fruits, and local spices. A freshly-made Bahraini breakfast is also available.

Call 17 564-005.

When? Every Saturday Event? Ladies’ Night Venue: Blue Moon Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Two free drinks for all ladies from 6pm-midnight.

Call 17 115-000.

When? Daily until March 16 Event? Dive into the Jurassic Venue: Bahrain National Museum An exhibition bringing together immersive CGI films with original fossils and replica casts from the London Natural History Museum’s unique marine fossil collections to bring the ancient seas to life. Go on a journey beneath the waves to meet the amazing creatures that inhabited the oceans 200 million years ago at a time when dinosaurs ruled the land. Closed on Tuesdays.

GET RUNNING MARCH 6

BAHRAIN MARATHON

From noon to 8pm, take advantage of 20-per-cent discount.

From Sunday to Thursday, 6pm-8pm, buy one and get one free on draught ales and spirits.

Call 66 316-666.

When? Every day Event? The Blue Hour Venue: Blue Moon Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Enjoy signature cocktails and bites at BD4 while taking in the best view from the 50th floor on weekdays between 6pm-8pm, and Friday and Saturday between 4.30pm-8pm

Call 17 115-000.

When? March 3 Event? IDP Study Abroad Expo Venue? Movenpick Hotel Bahrain

Are you looking for the best study opportunity overseas? Need to explore available courses at leading universities, and get answers to all your questions in one place? Find it here from 5pm-9pm.

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

Head down to Sakhir for one of the oldest marathon events in the region. The Bahrain Road Runners (BRR) Marathon predates the London Marathon! It was inaugurated 1979 to celebrate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Bahrain. The 1979 BRR Marathon had 15 participants and was won by Pete Rogers. In 1983, BRR vetran, Mustafa Fulad, became the first Bahraini to complete a full Marathon. If you’re not up to the full 42.2km, there will be a 5km side race, or just go along to enjoy the spectacle and cheer on the athletes. The main race starts at 6am and registration is open until March 3.

Visit http://brr.bh/events/marathon/#

COLOUR CAPERS MARCH 6

Call 17 298-777.

When? Every day Event? Happy Hours Venue: Players’ Lounge, Wyndham Garden Manama

GOLFING GATHERING DILLY OPEN

MARCH 6

DILMUN CLUB – ROYAL GOLF CLUB

The Dilmun Club is proud to present its sixth annual Dilly Open golf competition. Hosted by the Dilmun Club and held at the Royal Golf Club, The competition is Stableford, team and individual-based. And after the competition, it’s back to the Dilmun for results, prizes, barbecue and live music from Music Mix Trio. The day gets underway with a meetup in the Bull’s Head Bar at 9.30am and registration is open at the club.

Call 17 690-926.

ISLAND OF COLOURS

BAHRAIN RANGEELA COLOUR FESTIVAL

CORAL BAY

Get ready for one of the island’s biggest Holi celebrations as Coral Bay Beach Resorts throws its doors open for 10 hours of non-stop music with DJs Rink, Nirmal and NYK, who is known for sending crowds crazy with his best Bollywood EDM beats. A three-time winner of ‘India’s Best Bollywood DJ’ title, the ‘King of Remixes’ has toured 63 cities across the world to date. There’ll also be live dhol and Bhangra dance performces, Desi food stalls, organic colours to douse your friends, a colour pool and more. The event runs from 2pm-11.30pm and pre-sale tickets are BD7.

Call 39 777-701.

MARCH 6

FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

AL DAR ISLANDS

Have a truly bright experience at Al Dar’s Festival of Colours where you can take advantage of the desert island vibe to let loose with the wonderful coloured powders that traditionally mark the Hindu festival of Holi.

There’ll be three DJs playing throughout the day to ensure your festival is swinging and the islands’ other entertainments are on offer too. The islands are open from 9am but the fun gets underway at midday and runs right through to 11pm. And the first 100 ladies to arrive go free.

Entry is BD8, which includes return boat transfer. Don’t forget to bring your passport or other recognised ID, which is required by the Coastguard.

Call 17 704-600.

CARNIVAL FUN MARCH 6

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FAIR

BRITISH SCHOOL OF BAHRAIN

It’s one of the school’s biggest public events of the year, an open-to-all carnival with rides, games stalls, live performances and food aplenty, all aimed at celebrating BSB’s diversity. The event runs from 10am-3pm. Tickets are priced BD1.

Call 17 610-920.

Call 17 460-000.

26 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings When? March 5 Event? Melodic Ride Venue? Irish Village Rooftop

Dance to melodic house and techno one more time under the moonlight from 8pm onwards.

Free entry before 10pm, BD5 from 10pm onwards.

Call 35 091-542.

When? March 5 Event? The Mixtape Club Venue? Corners, Dragon Hotel Amwaj Islands Featuring DJ Cossta playing nothing but the best music from the 80s ‘n’ 90s. 8pm-2am.

Call 33 282-727.

When? March 6 Event? Local Authors Talk Venue? Neo Books and Coffee

Pick up expert writing tips from Bahrain’s finest wordsmiths at this workshop.

Call 17 002-233.

When? March 6 Event? PeaKnights 1x1 | aktivate, HSE, Reelaxx Venue? Irish Village

ROCK ON

MELODIC TECHNO MARCH 12

STEREO EXPRESS

THE RITZ-CARLTON, BAHRAIN

Worldwide Top 10 Melodic techno artist, Stereo Express, from Berlin, takes to the decks at Thai Lounge for a very special night supported by Tiger Roar’s DJs Katrin Love and Mysterioo Arif as well as Mesut Kutbay. The event will also include special art shows, installation artists, projector mapping, giveaways and more!

Tickets: Pre-sale: BD10, including one complimentary beverage; on the day BD20 also including a free drink.

Ticket holders will also get an invitation on the day to a secret exclusive afterparty.

Call 37 777-845 35 091-542.

HOLI BY THE SEA MARCH 13

SGS FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

BAHRAIN SAILING CLUB

Techno Bahrain presents an exciting new night that will feature quality artists, sound and lights, and cover all forms of underground electronic music from 9pm-2am.

Call 39 150-505.

When? March 6 Event? Bahrain vs. Dragons Venue? Bahrain Rugby Football Club

Watch the local rugby team in action as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table. Kickoff is 5pm.

Call 17 695-809.

When? March 6 Event? Community Jam Venue? Fitness Hub Gym

Witness the first ever community jam competition in the country, a platform that was made for all local dance community artists to represent themselves and their art.

Call 38 357-445.

When? March 6 Event? Tide Turner Venue? Marassi Beach

Watch the most challenging water dragon boat race in Bahran alongside other games such as beach volleyball from 9am.

Call 77 890-010.

When? March 7 Event? 3rd Anniversary Venue? Club Liv

Experience great tunes and a party atmosphere as this popular nightspot celebrates its third birthday.

MARCH 13

BAHRAIN ROCKS

THE DILMUN CLUB

Get ready to rock at one of the island’s biggest events. Bahrain Rocks is a family-friendly music festival, celebrating the Kingdom’s excellent rock talent. It’s a great day to chill out, relax and listen to a superb lineup of 10 excellent bands who will be performing back-to-back for 10 hours! There’ll also be full outdoor bars along with multiple food vendors and stalls.

Lineup: Kyle, Annie, Past Masters, Cactus, BG Harmony, Fox Hat, Jackrabbit Slims, The Oracle Project, Bloodshel, The Legendz The event runs from noon-10pm. Tickets, available at the club reception, cost BD7.5, non-members’ kids aged six to 12 pay BD3.5. All other youngsters go free.

Call 17 690-926.

Shree Gujarati Samaj has chosen Bahrain Sailing Club at Zallaq as the venue for its massive Holi party. DJ Nirmal will provide the music and there’ll be masti and dhamaal as well as plenty of entertainment, great food and, of course the necessary colours, without which no Holi would be complete.

Call 33 460-789.

GIPSY RHYTHMS MARCH 13

GIPSY KINGS LIVE

BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

The Gipsy Kings are a group of flamenco, salsa and pop musicians from Arles and Montpellier in the south of France who perform in Andalusian Spanish. Although group members were born in France, their parents were mostly Gitanos, Spanish gipsies, who fled Catalonia during the 1930s’ Spanish Civil War. They are known for bringing Catalan rumba, a pop-oriented music distantly derived from traditional flamenco music, to worldwide audiences. Their music has been described as a place where “Spanish flamenco and gipsy rhapsody meet salsa funk”. There’s a full day of music and live entertainment from 3pm with the headliners on stage at 9pm. Tickets from BD15 are available from the club.

Call 36 994-343 or 66 664-447.

FESTIVAL OF COLOURS MARCH 14

HOLI UTSAV

DELMON HOTEL

Join in with celebrations for one of the most important dates in the Hindu calendar, the Festival of Colours. Organised by the Maharashtra Cultural Society (MCS) and taking place at the hotel’s poolside, the event will see participants doused in traditional coloured powders while enjoying various entertainment and food. The fun takes place from 10am-4pm and entry is BD1 for MCS members BD3 for non-members.

Call 17 272-050.

Call 66 600-025.

28 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

bystander

Al Areen Trifecta Weekend

The Spartan Beast Marathon was held under the patronage of the His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Foundation at The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 29

happenings When? March 8 Event? AQLI Sunday Sessions Venue? Calexico

AQLI Sunday Sessions brings you the amazing BG Harmony. If you like good music here you have a great band covering music from Pink Floyd, Police and The Beatles all the way to Queen and Coldplay.

Call 17 666-644.

When? March 8 Event? The SHE art Canvas Painting Workshop Venue? Smart Kids Academy

Women and girls of all ages are invited to paint and breakfast. For BD12, from 9am-11am.

Call 33 433-595.

When? March 8 Event? International Women’s Day Promotion Venue? ART Rotana’s Wellness Spa, Amwaj Islands To all the ladies, ART Rotana is opening its beach doors complimentary along with a 50-per-cent discount on spa treatments.

Call 16 000-111.

When? March 9 Event? Bahrain Writers’ Circle Monthly Meeting Venue? ERA Tower 5th floor, Party Hall, Seef

The Bahrain Writers’ Circle will hold its monthly meeting at 7.30pm.

Call 39 574-795.

When? March 11 Event? The Second Circle Poetry Meeting Venue? Mannai Sea Plaza, Juffair The Second Circle Poetry Meeting will be held at 7.30pm.

Call 39 574-795.

When? March 16 Event? Bahrain Creative Writers’ Workshop Venue? Café Chantilly, Saar

The Bahrain Creative Writers’ Workshop will be held at 7.30pm.

Call 39 574-795.

When? March 18 Event? MENOG Meeting and Peering Venue? Manama

MENOG 20 and Peering Forum will take place from March 15-19.

Call 17 531-122.

When? March 18 Event? Yes2Malaysia Information Day Venue? Crowne Plaza Bahrain

From offer letters, to visa facilitation and securing scholarships, the day will offer support to all looking to study in Malaysia.

Call 1753 1122

30 March 2020

CLASSIC FUSION MARCH 15

ARD LIVE

F1 CIRCUS CALEXICO

MARCH 19

AQLI Sunday Sessions brings you ARD, the Acoustic Rock Duo. Whether you’re a fan of rock and metal, but your other half is not, or if you just miss listening to the great classics, here is a brand-new proposition for you: acoustic versions of rock and metal songs by ARD! These guys bring the best of both worlds to make your night out with friends or your Photo Credit: Jodie Baker Photography date just perfect.

Don’t miss out on the best live bands on the island, every Sunday at Calexico with the AQLI Sunday Sessions.

Call 17 666-644.

FOOTIE FUNDRAISER MARCH 20

KICK FOR A CAUSE

BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

It’s the Rotary Club of Manama’s big annual fundraiser with six-a-side teams battling it out for first place and, more importantly, raising cash for charity at the same time. There’ll also be funfilled activities, raffle prizes, music and more.

Call 33 980-900 or 39 969-799.

BEACHSIDE CONCERT

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BAHRAIN BAY

London’s most A-list nightclub (think plush, circus-themed venue with DJs, burlesque snake charmers, fire eaters and indoor funfair) and decadent circus is back in Bahrain with its top performers and acts flying in from the United Kingdom!

Dress to impress this F1 weekend for an exhilarating night out, never to be forgotten. As Cique Le Soir members always say: “If You Don’t Know, Don’t Worry…”

The event runs from 8pm-2am and entry is BD20 for gents and BD15 for ladies. Minimum spend BD300 for tables.

Dress code: smart elegant!

Call 17 115-500.

GRAND PRIX SUNSET MARCH 20

SEASIDE SPECIAL MARCH 20

CIRQUE LE SOIR

ART ROTANA

The sixth annual Beachside Concert coincides with this year’s Grand Prix weekend and promises to be a world-class festival with the biggest lineup of international and local DJs, musicians and live acts, including Mario Bazouri (Blue Marlin Ibiza), Barada (Solace dxb), DJ Katrin Love, DJ Mysterioo Arif, Sandra Knight, Aktivate, DJ Elena, Ramy Awad, Ranjit, Boudi Aridi, AMR, Sam Aujan, saxophonist Elton, percussionist Abdulla, dance performance by Lucie Ibiza and Katya, fire show, installation arts and more!

Tickets: pre-sale BD10 including one drink, on the door BD20, also including a drink.

Call 37 777-845 or 16 000-111.

F1 SUNDOWNER BEACH PARTY

SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA

Keep your adrenaline pumping during the Grand Prix season with Sofitel Bahrain’s extravagant Formula 1 Sundowner Beach Party against the picturesque Arabian Gulf backdrop.

It will feature saxophonist, Jen Acosta, and top-notch live entertainment! Savour the tastiest barbecue grilled delicacies from live cooking stations and wash them down with energising cocktails by the sea. Get ready to boogie with Formula 1 VIPs well past sunset following enthralling celebrations for a perfect F1 weekend. The event runs from noon-9pm and is priced at BD35 including selected beverages and live barbecue stations.

Call 38 885-789.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

bystander

Dar Al Teeb Perfume Launch

Dar Al Teeb launched its new perfume - ZOYA. A mix of Turkish rose and raspberry, ZOYA is an outstanding fragrance with its own identity

Sunday Meeting

Rotary club of Manama held its Sunday meeting with speaker Dr Rufia Amiri, first Bahraini Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, speaking on who is what in the field of Mental Health

IT’S OUR 1st BIRTHDAY COME KICK IT WITH US!

EXCLUSIVE FOR BAHRAIN THIS MONTH READERS SEEF AREA, JUMEIRAH HOTEL

30TH APRIL 2020

Other T&Cʼs apply.

For more information call

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 31

happenings When? March 19 Event? InterGulf 20 Venue? Across Bahrain

Enjoy the hashiest experience of your life with a weekend full of hashing, drinking, dining and good fun!

Visit www.bahrainhash.com/ intergulf-2020/

When? March 19 Event? AGU Internal Medicine Conference Venue? Gulf Hotel Bahrain

ROCKIN’ ROBBIE MARCH 26

IT’S SHOW TIME THE BRITISH CLUB

THE BIG NIGHT OUT

MARCH 26-28

ALADDIN

BRITISH SCHOOL OF BAHRAIN

Long recognised as one of the island’s best nights out, The Big Night Out is back featuring local stars Ali Malik and DJ Essie with an award-winning Robbie Williams tribute act from the UK. The ticket price, of BD10 for members and BD15 for non-members, includes a buffet and welcome drink and there are lots of sensational offers on the evening.

Call 17 728-245.

The three-day conference will aim to deal with all aspects related to early diagnosis, including innovative technologies and treatments and will bring together professionals from various fields.

Call 17 713-000.

When? March 24 Event? Opex MENA Venue? Diplomat Radisson Blu OPEX MENA is a high-level and interactive annual forum that offers access to current thought leadership and advanced methodologies.

Rub the lamp and the genie will grant your wish for a show featuring talented young performers, a sprinkling of stardust and loads of fun directed by Lydia Martin and brought together by a team of hard-working staff and gifted pupils.

Performances are at 7pm on Thursday, 1pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday. Tickets cost BD6.

Call 17 610-920.

Visit www.europetro. comweekopexmena2020

When? March 26 Event? Rumble at the Rugby Club Venue? Bahrain Rugby Football Club Get set for an evening of action in the ring with some of the county’s most talented boxers going head to head. The event runs from 5.30pm-10pm. Entry BD5.

Call 39 237-359.

PERFECTLY SHEERAN MARCH 27

ED SHEERAH TRIBUTE BRUNCH

THE DILMUN CLUB

When? March 26 Event? Women in Innovation and Creativity Globally Venue? Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

This event will bring together all the remarkable ladies around the world to think bigger for themselves and their businesses, expanding their creative approach.

Call 17 636-363.

When? March 31 Event? Women and the 4th Industrial Revolution Venue? Gulf Hotel Bahrain

The 4th industrial revolution has deeply transformed our society including the role played by women with interesting variations.

Call 17 713-000

32 March 2020

If you like your music folksy, poppy and fun and your food plentiful, tasty and great value, then this is the place for you.

The Dilly is hosting another of its regular tribute brunches, this time featuring superstar singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, whose great lyrics and catchy tunes have earned him millions of fans worldwide and a serious celebrity following too. Head to the club for the brunch and make sure to bring your dancing shoes as this one promises to be great fun.

Call 17 690-926.

BIG BEACH BASH MARCH 27

CANDY BEACH

SOLYMAR BEACH

Solymar Beach plays host to Candy Beach, an epic event with DJ Carlos from Egypt as the headline act.

At the top of Egypt’s and the Middle East’s DJ A-list since joining Cairo’s number one radio station in 2003, Carlos has consistently been given a mandate to control Cairo’s airwaves with the broadcast of his weekly shows. Ranked number two on DJ Mag’s top 50 Middle Eastern DJs poll 2010, his star continues to burn brightly.

As well as releasing his music, his performances have been rated by Nielson’s as the most popular electronic music shows in the Middle East broadcasting on Cairo’s Nile FM 104.2 and reaching an audience of some 15 million.

Carlos will be supported by DJs Jackson, Nacim, Mesh, Cossta, Audeh OverDose and Epic, as they unleash their own mixes of the latest club blasters.

Get ready for a night of chic mainstream to underground house sounds with energetic beats.

The event runs from 2pm-midnight.

Tickets: gents BD15 and ladies BD10.

Call 35 094-777 or 36 906-900. www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings

FESTIVAL TIME APRIL 3

TRIBFEST

BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Trib Fest: BH is back for its spring edition of musical fun for the family! The 12-hour long festival is made up of different tribute acts brought in especially for their entertainment value.

The confirmed line-up so far includes The Rolling Stones, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Paul Weller – The Jam, George Ezra, Lady Gaga, The Stereophonics, Abba, Robbie Williams and many more. There’ll also be local acts taking to the stage and, while the festival promises fun for the adults, kids too will have their share of entertainment with a bouncy castle park and Disney characters.

There will be food and beverage stalls and all kinds of attractions to keep you excited from 10am-10pm. Tickets are BD18 for adults and BD9 for kids 12 years and under.

Call 39 429-935 or visit tribfestbh.com

MAGICAL TALE APRIL 4, 5 AND 6

ALADDIN LIVE

ROW YOUR BOAT THE CULTURAL HALL

Brought to you by Entertainment and this S4K International production is part of Spring of Culture. Aladdin tells the story of a young street urchin in Arabia who is tricked by a wicked sorcerer into retrieving a mysterious oil lamp – a lamp that contains a mystical genie. Aladdin eventually learns the lesson that in life there is no easy way to get what you really want – and that you should be very careful what you wish for!

Timings: April 4, 11.30am and 5.30pm, April 5, 10.45am and 7pm, and April 6th 10.45am and 7pm.

The show is suitable for ages five and above and tickets cost BD16 per person or BD56 for a package of four.

Tickets are available at https://www.bahrainthismonth.com/entmt/ or from Alosra.

Call 39 616-858.

34 March 2020

APRIL 17

ROTARY CLUB RAFT RACE

AL BANDER RESORT AND HOTEL

Registration is now open for this year’s raft race – the annual water-based fundraiser organised by the Rotary club of Sulmaniya. This year’s theme is Home of Hope. The incoming chairperson is Amira Ismail, whose term begins in July, under this theme. The focus during her year will be to renovate homes of people who are needy or unfortunate. A few people in Bahrain live in very substandard conditions and cannot afford to renovate.

The Rotary Club of Salmaniya will plan to renovate a number of homes to make them comfortable for a large family.

The day is always great fun with activities, entertainment and great food.

Teams of eight rowers can be either men, women or mixed and the entry cost is BD450 per team. Official registration forms must be received no later than March 31 and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Open practice sessions will be available from March 1 to April 15.

Call Khalid AlQoud: 33 006-665 or Luai Alagha: 36 050-500.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

Mother's Day Special Let's honor the women who love us unconditionally!

Mother's Dine for free across all outlets

21st March, 2020

*Terms & Conditions Apply

+973 1711 1999

happenings

//// TRACKSIDE ENTERTAINMENT

MARCH 20

The Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will set Bahrain International Circuit ablaze with headlining concerts under the evening sky and fantastic off-track performances and acts ranging from the bizarre to the quirky all day long at the races.

AFROJACK

S T R E C N O GRAND C

The crowds are raring to catch Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter and DJ, Afrojack, perform live at this year’s highly anticipated F1 weekend. He is known to be one of the top 10 DJs in the world in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll of 2019 (marking his ninth consecutive year of appearing in the Top 12), and is one of the most popular dance music acts around, besides being a sought-after producer.

Afrojack has worked with everyone from Pitbull to Sting and Beyoncé, won a Grammy for his and David Guetta’s remix of Madonna’s Revolver, and has released an array of diverse hits. This year, he plans to dominate dance floors across the globe with the

MARCH 21

KHALID

Multi-platinum-selling global superstar, Khalid, graces the star-studded roster of artists lined up by BIC for this year’s racing and entertainment spectacle, making his regional debut in Bahrain. Named one of Time’s Most Influential People of 2019, Khalid is one of the biggest singer-songwriters in the world today.

His first single, the five-time-platinum Location, exploded onto the scene followed by the release of his debut album, the double-platinum-certified, American Teen. His sophomore album Free Spirit, released to critical acclaim in 2019, was declared a New York Times ‘Critic’s Pick’ and was called “superb” by the Associated Press.

The pop prodigy, as referred to by Rolling Stone, has

DON DIABLO

Electrifying audiences, Dutch DJ and producer Don Diablo will also appeart on Saturday night, enthralling race-goers with his major hits like On My Mind, Take Her Place, What We Started, Chemicals and Cutting Shapes, and most recently his sophomore album Future, released early 2018.

As a founding father of the Future House movement, Don Diablo is widely considered as a pioneer in dance music. He has earned praise from talent and tastemakers across the globe and has had the privilege of collaborating with artists such as Gucci Mane, Diplo, Emeli Sandé, Calum Scott, Ansel Elgort, Kelis, Alex Clare,

36 March 2020

release of multiple collaborations.

In the last four years, the Dutch-born genre-bending musician was named one of the 50 Most Important People in EDM by Rolling Stone and placed on the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list, also receiving a stamp in his likeness in the Netherlands and becoming the second DJ ever to cement his hands into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Visit bahraingp.com

been streamed over 16 billion times worldwide across all partners, has been nominated for six Grammys and has won numerous awards including multiple American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, a Teen Choice Award, an MTV Video Music Award and an MTV Woodie Award.

Khalid has collaborated with some of music’s biggest stars, including artists Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, Marshmello and more.

Visit bahraingp.com

Dragonette, A R I Z O N A and Tiësto amongst others. His remix portfolio includes the likes of Kygo, Martin Garrix and Khalid, DJ Snake and Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Bastille, Madonna, Birdy, Chainsmokers and Coldplay, MØ and Diplo, and many more.

A packed global tour schedule sees him play more than 150 live shows a year, taking to the main stage of renowned festivals including Tomorrowland, EDC, Creamfields, Mysteryland, Lollapalooza and Ultra, whilst also selling out his own shows in major venues throughout the UK, the rest of Europe and the US. Visit bahraingp.com www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

happenings

ROAMING AND PLATFORM ACTS

W

itness and revel in the magnificent performances and inimitable charm of Travelling Funfair – a wandering parade of performers and attractions including games, puppeteers, magicians and more!

Inspired by the colourful Aras bird from the rainforest, the German Aras Stilt Band presents a combination of percussion and stilt-walking in vivid costumes with big wings and beautiful music.

Masters of magic, Sebastien and Rebecca are an artistic duo that bring you Street Magic.

Together they work to unite the manipulation from small everyday objects to large illusions in a single display. They deliver a unique magic show made for the street, close to the audience, where moments of improvisation, public participation and amazing illusions flow into each other to achieve a perfect balance.

The Eccentrics are bearers of joy – their mission is to spread an epidemic of good humour. See how their joy is contagious.

Funky Style Band is an innovative and captivating project in the panorama of marching bands. Sporting eye-catching uniforms, they play and dance with the grit and enthusiasm typical of a respectable street band, but without forgetting the elegance of funky Italian style.

With Jam Batucada, fans will feel the freshness of the movements, the beats with the drum and they will be surprised with the effects. A young and talented batucada from Spain, Papaya Jam is a fusion of rhythm, taste, colour and dance through Brazilian and Latin American sounds.

For the first time in Bahrain, Hot Air Balloons will showcase a travelling parade on stilts with grandiose handmade costumes and great visual impact to take all types of audiences on flights of fantasy.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/events

Pop the Balloon Man, a multi-award-winning magician and balloon artist from Scotland, returns for the fourth time to the Bahrain Grand Prix. Check out his incredible skills!

Jam Batuca da

Ghost Rider

With Latin rhythms and dance, Papito presents a fresh and entertaining show – out of a chest come two chairs and a variety of objects with which an uncommon relationship is established. Prepare to be surprised.

Abraham Thill is a professional street and circus performer who gives an energy-packed street performance, including clowning, pantomime, comedy, object- and subjectmanipulations, improvisations, some magic and extraordinary, mind-blowing Diabolo skills.

Katastrofa Clown brings a comedy show to the rhythm of rock-and-roll, where the audience becomes an integral part of the performance.

Dr Bubbles returns with flamboyant soap bubbles that reflect the lights, making them shimmer in the colours of the rainbow and awakening the inner child in you. Watch the gigantic bubbles spark your joy!

n Man

o e Ballo Pop th

Abraham Thill

Kids and grown-ups can partake in the many fun activities offtrack, including a Ferris wheel, lots of food stalls and trucks, souvenir centres as well as the Ghost Rider - a carousel-like carnival ride with 16 gondolas.

March 2020 37

bystander

Dinner Theatre Bahrain India Society held a Blame it on YashRaj - Dinner Theatre event at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

38 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

bystander

Women’s Association held its fundraiser, Cherry Tree Trot American the Cherry Tree Trot, at Bahrain International Circuit

Villa 1165, Road 3834, Block-338, Adliya Phone : 17728700, 17593212, Mobile : 38358980 Email : hongkong@batelco.com.bh hongkongrestaurantbh OPENING HOURS 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm

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March 2020 39

interview

DECADES OF ACHIEVEMENT

BTM SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH FAROUK ALMOAYYED, CHAIRMAN OF THE YK ALMOAYYED GROUP OF COMPANIES, ABOUT HIS HISTORY WITHIN THE ORGANISATION AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. What are your memories of growing up in Bahrain?

Well, actually I was born in Bahrain and am from a very large extended family. At the beginning, we all lived in a big house behind the stationery shop [in the Souq]. Our education was in the local schools. And, of course, Bahrain had only one secondary college, so all of Bahrain that’s my age went there – so, we know everybody from the Kings to the chiefs, so it made for a good network.

Then I went to the UK to study business, but I found out that my English was not that great.

So, I switched to engineering. I came back in 1966 to work with my father – who always wanted me to join him to help in the business.

Was that what you wanted as well? Did you ever want to do something else?

I didn't say no. I never really thought of doing anything else. I felt a need to help my father because when I was a child he was always travelling to Saudi Arabia. We were seven, but one of my brothers died early, so we are six now. Four sisters and one brother and I am the oldest.

When was the business founded? How did it all start?

The group started with my father, as he mentioned in the book he wrote, when his father sent him to India to sell pearls. He was successful and was given 2,000 rupees, which was a lot of money then. But he realised that it was not a lasting business because it was supply and demand. So, he started buying electrical equipment from India and they started a small shop to sell it. By that time, the first electrical station was built and people were getting electricity. I think it was 1943 or ’44.

After the war, he went to the UK on a sea plane, it took about 22 hours with seven stops!

He went to seek agencies to bring products to Bahrain; he got the full GEC agency and another company, Blackstone and Lister, for diesel engines and pumps. That's how his real business started and began marketing to Saudi Arabia. At that time, Saudi Arabia, of course, was at the beginning of the oil cycle, so that was an opportunity for him.

As a boy, I used to go to the office every day from the age of 10. I would go in the afternoon and I would sit and watch, you know, and make tea and coffee.

I got my first official role when I came back 40 March 2020

from university in July 1966. We had just got the agency for Ford, the motor car company, and my father told me to just take it over.

But unfortunately, after a year it was boycotted, because of Israel. You know, at the time, there were very strong sentiments and we couldn't deal with them until 1984 actually.

So, in the meantime, I started writing to car companies. We got Honda and GM and, in 1968, I wrote to Nissan and got that agency, which continues to be very big in this market.

Who was leading the expansion?

My father was really the guiding light and, of course, he was the old generation, conservative. He was the right influence to keep us, sort of, restrained and he didn't like to take money from banks. So, we were working with our own money, which restricted us, of course, sometimes. But it's also helpful when there are problems as you have no debt.

What is the scope of the business today?

We are now, maybe, one of the biggest commercial companies in Bahrain. We are, of course, mostly cars, but we also have electronics and household appliances. I started the contracting business. We started with air conditioning and then developed it into ACG (Almoayyed Contracting Group) which covers about 18 companies. From supply

to fit and maintenance, we do practically everything. There’s a huge waste transport station, security and cleaning, landscaping and agriculture. We develop to meet people’s needs which can help the economy also.

We currently employ around 7,000 people.

We've got about 40 per cent Bahrainisation and we are working on it. We have developed a programme of training locals to take over the jobs. So, especially in the retailing side, most of our top guys now are Bahraini, about 70 per cent, and they're doing a good job.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

You must've seen quite a lot of changes over the years?

We started with a small shop at Bab al Bahrain and a smaller store on Shaikh Salman Highway. Now, of course, we have moved into this [the multi-storey YK Almoayyed building on Government Avenue]. And, of course, we built the tower [the 47-storey Almoayyed Tower in Seef] but we never moved there. We were planning to move, but it was the beginning, it was the first big tower and it was full. So, we decided to stay here.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

What about the changes you've seen in the business climate in Bahrain?

At the beginning, you could get a margin of 30 to 40 per cent on goods, but not anymore. Now you can barely make six, seven or a maximum 10 per cent. wWhat is that down to? Is it competition or suppliers?

There're only so many customers.

In 1966, there were maybe eight or 10 air conditioner shops, aside from the supplier. Now they are everywhere.

There are several dealerships, so they take off the margin also.

The business climate generally is really difficult partly because of the introduction of VAT and, of course, the changes in electricity and other costs.

The amount people have [left] to spend has decreased. So, 2019 was a very difficult year.

What, in your view have been the company’s greatest challenges and achievements?

We have been steady going forward.

We have never had, you know, a crisis because we don't work with debt. Yes, we are conservative, so we go steadily forward. This is part of my father's advice. It's been very tough for the last couple of years. But, we have always made money ever since my father's times. We're celebrating 80 years and we're marking it with a reception and we'll put the emblem on our cards and our letterheads What do you see as the future? Is there still further expansion to come?

Well, now life has become very difficult. In Saudi, you know, there are a lot of obstacles to expanding into the market. Frankly, we are trying but it's very difficult. We had a good operation in Qatar… We are very strong in Bahrain.

We are one of the biggest landlords and we are also one of the biggest owners of shares behind the market.

We have about 70 or 80 properties, apartments and houses, all over. This side of the business was started by my father who loved real estate.

You're on the board of a number of other companies as well?

I'm on the board of four publicly traded companies. They are National Bank of Bahrain, which is the biggest bank in Bahrain, and the Gulf Hotel, which is really the biggest hotel in Bahrain, Bahrain Duty Free and Bahrain National Insurance – BNH. I’m chairman of all of them What would be your message to young Bahrainis coming to the work place?

The market is very tough now so

people have to work hard. I see a lot of young people turning towards things such as restaurants and entertainment and, of course, social media, which we are not adapted to. Hard work never hurts and actually coming to work, but a lot of young people think they can do things on email. I think it's very important that your staff see you coming in early, working hard and then they work hard. If they don't see you, they start relaxing.

Absolutely you must lead by example.

You recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Crown Prince's Awards for Entrepreneurship. How did that feel?

I feel it’s recognition of my role in Bahrain’s economy and I'd like to thank His Highness the Crown Prince for choosing me for the award. It was a great achievement and a great honour for me and it was very pleasing to receive.

Scan the code to watch the full interview March 2020 41

17th April, 2020

2020

Home of Hope

For inquiries: rcsulmaniya2452@gmail.com

For Team participation Please contact Khalid AlQoud: +973 - 33006665 Luai Alagha: +973 - 36050500 For sponsorship please contact Amira Ismail: +973 - 36973377

interview

BUILDING A MEGA-CITY BTM sat down with Ahmed Alammadi, the new CEO of Diyar Al Muharraq, to learn more about the project.

H

ow long have you been with Diyar?

I have been in Diyar Al Muharraq for about four years. Prior to the CEO position, I was Head of Investments and Asset Management for more than three years.

What is your professional background that has prepared you for this role?

My undergraduate was engineering, and my Master’s was in a governance. My past 15 years of work experience in the financial sector, working with investment relations, sales and marketing, asset management, and retail real estate development, has positively contributed to my skill set, earning me the position of Head of Investments and Asset Management at Diyar. During that time, I worked closely with the board and CEO, Dr Maher Al Shaer, as well as sharing many responsibilities such as Diyar’s overall portfolio strategy, all of which prepared me for the next step, becoming the CEO. Diyar is a massive project. For the uninitiated, please can you tell us exactly what it comprises?

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Diyar Al Muharraq is one of the largest, most visionary and progressive urban developments in the Kingdom. It is a fully integrated modern city that incorporates a strong lineup of residential and commercial projects, ideal for both personal and investment purposes.

The total area is 12sq/km, which is a massive master plan, comparable to any other major city [it’s equivalent to 2,242 football pitches].

It comprises seven reclaimed islands, with 40km of waterfront living and sandy beaches.

How long has the process taken so far? And how much is completed and handed over?

It has been 14 years so far, since reclamation began in 2006. Construction started in 2012.

Construction in the city is ongoing, with the completion of six major projects in 2019, which are: - Portable water distribution station, ground storage tanks and elevated storage reservoir.

- Completion of TSE storage reservoir and pumping station.

- Completion of main highway as well as Diyar Business Park, Hai Al Sherooq, Hai Al Noor and Souq Al Baraha internal primary infrastructure (South Island).

- Completion of landscaping (South Island).

- Completion of Hadiqat Al Diyar.

- Completion of Phase 1 of Al Bareh Project secondary infrastructure.

There are many other projects nearing completion in 2020 and others in 2021, which are: - ThaiMart due in 2020.

- Al Naseem Gated Community marine works, secondary infrastructure and Al Naseem seafront villas (73 units) due in H2 2021.

- Al Bareh Villas Phase 1 (36 units) due in Q4 2020.

- Completion of Hadiqat Al Diyar park

located near the main entrance of Diyar.

- Jeewan Phases 1 and 2 (292 units) due in Q4 2020.

- Souq Al Baraha (470 units) due in H1 2021.

- Jeewan Phase 3 (160 units) due in Q1 2021.

Further projects have already completed the planning stages and will commence in 2020. The majority of the project is due to be completed by 2030, in line with the Kingdom’s economic vision.

One subject often raised in Bahrain is the apparent lack of facilities for young people, apart from shopping malls. Will you be addressing this?

That is important for us because they are the future and entertainment and activities are important. We have a respectable-sized plot dedicated to education. So, Applied Science University will be coming in. There is also Hadiqat Al Diyar Park which contains a lot of activities like the jogging track, an outdoor gym, picnic areas and football, tennis, and basketball field and courts. There is also Marassi Beach, which is an amazing outdoor facility for the young generation, including water and beach activities What are the biggest challenges the project has encountered and how are you dealing with these for the future?

We are the first private sector company to create a fully-integrated modern city in the Kingdom, and with new experiences come new challenges that require fresh and innovative solutions. With that, we have introduced energy-saving solutions such as solar panel provisions on villas.

There have been issues with geopolitical risks and sometimes with the supply of building materials and manpower but we have passed them all.

There are also sometimes challenges in creativity because we are always looking for the unique, to top the best. But that is a fun challenge!

As technology expands, we continue to face new changes daily. It is important to learn from the challenges and think outside the box.

March 2020 43

interview

Wearing the Green

With St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, we caught up with Gavin Lawlor of Bahrain Irish Society to find out about the group and its activities.

How long has the Irish Society been running and what is the story of its establishment?

The society was formed in 1975, by a group of homesick Irish expats wanting to come together and have ‘the craic’! So, this is a big year for us, the 45th year of the Bahrain Irish Society. The society has grown from strength to strength over the years to become one of the most active expatriate societies in Bahrain. We have more than 300 members which includes families. All our events are well attended and not just by the Irish. We have members from many different nationalities and walks of life.

What we like to say is: “If you have an interest in Irish sports and culture, then you’re more than welcome in the Bahrain Irish Society.”

What is the primary function?

We are a Bahrain-based organisation that supports local charities through fund raising. We raise funds by holding Irishthemed events in Bahrain throughout the year. We support a vast range of local charities, from animal welfare societies to the Migrant Workers.

Everyone knows about the St Patrick’s Ball but what else do members get up to during the rest of the year?

44 March 2020

Yes, the St Patrick’s Day Ball is the highlight of our calendar but the society holds many events throughout the year. Kids’ horse riding, beach clean-ups, music seisiúns, quiz nights, race nights, breakfast movie mornings, the children’s Christmas Party and Paddies’ Picnic to name a few.

The AGM is coming up, can we expect many changes with so many people moving on?

The AGM is a time to reflect on the year just completed. There are a couple of places becoming available on the committee. We are interested in new blood joining the committee as it brings new dynamics. This year we are hoping to find people with an interest in bookkeeping, kids’ events and PR to come on board. The AGM is planned for the end of March.

Please tell us about this year’s ball – what’s in store and how come it is so early?

We decided to hold the ball a little earlier in March this year as we did not want to clash with the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The ball is taking place on Thursday, March 5, at the Gulf Hotel. The St Patrick’s Day Ball is the most popular expatriate society event held in the Kingdom and over 600 tickets were taken

within days of going on sale. The Bahrain Irish Society Committee strongly feels that this year’s ball will be a truly memorable and enjoyable evening. There is a great line-up of entertainment in store; the highlight for guests will be the appearance of hugely popular Irish band Catch 22 who are being specially flown in from Ireland for the event. In addition, Irish artist, Aaron Rowe, and Irish dance troupe, Unity, hailing from Scoil Rince an Chroí, are also flying in for the night.

The Bahrain Irish Society ensures that guests will experience how the Irish celebrate all major events in life and understand the unique tapestry of the Irish character inspired by the wonderful traditions of our colourful past. The theme for this year’s event is top secret and all the committee members’ lips are sealed.

The party goes on till the wee hours and we serve a traditional Irish Breakfast roll to any of the revellers still standing at sunrise.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

WORDS OF WISDOM

BEHNAZ SANJANA

Bahrain’s dynamic hospitality industry sees new faces come and go, but there’s one that has been an enduring industry icon – Ebrahim Kooheji’s.

“I remember the day, in 1981, when a guest furnished a piece of plastic as payment for his meal. As his steward, I just looked at him and asked him where the money was,” Ebrahim laughs, reminiscing over memorable anecdotes in his 40-year career. “I had no idea about credit cards!” This is just one of the many learning incidents that Ebrahim, now Consultant – Business Development with the Crowne Plaza Bahrain, remembers vividly.

In 1979, a positive attitude and thirst for learning enabled the 17-year-old kitchen steward to gain experience in all departments.

Along the way, Ebrahim grew not only in rank but also personally, learning invaluable lessons in teamwork, commitment to the job and the fruits of loyalty to the organisation. “I attribute my success to adapting to changing times. I have worked under 17 different general managers, and have been flexible enough to adopt their style of working,” he says. “Also, I had a role model; a fellow Bahraini who was food and beverage manager of another famous hotel. He was my benchmark, and I focused on reaching his level and ultimately surpassed it!”

Ebrahim took the opportunity to further hone his skills by undergoing training at prestigious institutions like Cornell University in the US and École Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland.

Besides making him an able leader, it armed him to oversee the opening of numerous outlets for a hotel chain in Bahrain and a new property abroad.

The watch aficionado (his favourite among many is a significant Rolex purchased years ago) has felt it necessary to contribute to the development of the hospitality industry within the Bahraini community. His efforts to integrate more young locals into hospitality have been tireless, and his honorary services on the boards of many social and government-affiliated organisations, including the Ministry of Education, Tamkeen, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chaine des Rotisseur and SKAL, amongst others, are well known. “I hope that one day Bahrain has a dedicated hospitality school for its students,” he says.

Ebrahim’s past year has been fraught with the diagnosis of stagefour cancer. “If one fights this disease with a strong, positive mentality, half the battle is already won. I was lucky to receive the best possible care right here in Bahrain,” he says. “Three weeks after a major surgery, I was back in my office, to take my mind off the ordeal. Of course, there are many things that we, as a family, changed after this episode, like not getting stressed with little things. I also maintain a better work-life balance, eat healthier (refined sugar is a complete no-no) and I go fishing more often.

When I’m on the boat, I leave my cares on the shore and enjoy my precious time.”

Ebrahim nurtures the ambition to continue dedicating his services to the hotel and the very many institutes he is associated with by being on their advisory boards. He says: “I’m happy to share my knowledge for the development of youth, creation of jobs and enrichment of the hotel industry in Bahrain. I want to inspire youngsters to work hard for success. I have managed to make it, and they can too!” www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 45

interview

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE WITH A DIFFERENCE Ever wondered what a consultant does? We spoke to Bill Grieve, a different kind of ‘consultant’, about his role and experiences in the Middle East. Bill’s piercing eyes can be intimidating, no doubt stemming from his background as an experienced former Special Forces officer with unique skills that set him apart – so we were careful what we asked!

So Bill, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a consultant, and the principle function of a consultant is to give good advice – accurate, useful and up to date, in a variety of circumstances.

Advice is based not only on logic and fact but situational reality – and sometimes I also take appropriate actions where needed for the client.

The type of advice I give is often called upon by leading CEOs, business heads and industry leaders who find themselves facing uncertainties, difficulties and demanding expansion.

Are you a specialist consultant or a jack of all trades?

I have experience in a lot of diverse fields and a range of skills developed over a lifetime that often impress my friends, amaze my enemies and shake opposition. Passion brings its own skills and experience. Observe a young person with a digital game, if they are passionate, they quickly develop skills and experience and often become masters at the game rapidly through dedication and focus – just so with a good consultant.

How do you view business in the Middle East?

We have a great range of mature and developing businesses in the region, however many are seen as easy pickings for criminals and fraudsters as well as CSL managers and employees (CSL stands for Cheating, Stealing and Lying).

What also negatively impacts on businesses is the FFF management system – Family, Friends and Fools – often found as a consolidated group running what might be 46 March 2020

very good companies into the ground, taking every opportunity for personal enrichment and leaving behind chaos, confusion, friction and poor productivity in their wake.

Who do you work for?

I am still licensed by the New Zealand Government’s Ministry of Justice in a range of special classes and I often advise and work for large companies and groups as well as law firms and global corporates. I never divulge my clients’ details and most of the time even my close associates don’t know who I am working for. In this business you are only as good as your last job.

Can you give us an example of the consultancy work you do?

Anything from routine in-house corporate work to specialist assignments and tasks. Generally I advise my clients on the most appropriate course of action to take for resolving problems, sometimes under difficult and tense circumstances, to achieve the best possible outcome in line with their expectations and, where necessary, I will get involved myself to ensure a positive executive outcome.

Routine work can be standard strategy, change management, new management insertion, system/process analysis, performance enhancement, talent bridging, interim management and productivity or process measurement and development.

No two days are the same and situations often unfold at high speed necessitating agility, expertise and rapid decision making – and sometimes very practical, pragmatic solutions.

On top of normal consulting, I have carried out planned escorting of senior business figures into potentially dangerous environments, accompanied VIP children and families travelling, carried confidential documents and valuables, terminated potentially violent and threatening senior executives, broken single-nationality mafias and crime syndicates, carried out scientific large-scale downsizing in big companies and attended high-level meetings as a minute taker.

All in a day’s work!

Any last words?

The greatest wrongdoings in a company or organisation are disloyalty and dishonesty – both are unforgivable.

Lead, follow or get out of the way! People are either part of the problem or part of the solution – if they are a part of the problem… it’s going to be a rough ride if they are on my radar, I don’t suffer fools lightly. www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Bahrain Reggae Beach Festival

Miami Events, together with Stadium Rockerz, hosted the Bahrain Reggae Beach Festival 2020, a tribute to the legend Bob Marley, at Coral Bay Bahrain. The event featured the most popular and engrossing bands The Legendz and Likwid supported by an exclusive lineup of international DJs

Love Edition Brunch

Black Angus held a buffet with steakhouse specials on Valentine’s Day accompanied by performances from DJs Epic, Essie and Slydz

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 47

bystander

Meet & Greet Niche Garden and Orto Parisi hosted a Meet & Greet with Alessandro Gualtieri, co-founder of Orto Parisi and Nasomatto

Xenia’s Ladies’ Night Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain held the first ladies’ night event in Xenia Bar

Unique Arabia ll The Unique Arabia Il Fashion Show was held at Gallery 21 Bahrain 48 March 2020

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bystander

All Friday Brunch

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa held a Grand Festiv’ All Friday Brunch

Valentine Oriental Concert Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa held a Be My Valentine Oriental Concert

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 49

bystander

BHR4ALL

The opening ceremony of BHR4ALL 2020 Leaving Nobody Behind, was held at Bahrain Bay. The event was officiated by HE Shaikh Hisham bin AbdulRahman Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governate

is Culture, a creative experimental project that aims to bridge together the Food Is Culture 5 Food mediums of art and food, was held at the Bahrain National Museum

The Autumn Fair 2020

50 March 2020

Now in its 31st edition, the Autumn Fair was held at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre

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bystander

BBBF Lunch Bahrain British Business Forum held its monthly lunch meeting with guest speaker HE Roddy Drummond, British Ambassador

Sports Day

The Bahrain Paralympic Committee participated in the National Sports Day activities organised by the Bahrain Olympic Committee at the Sports Village in the Bahrain National Stadium

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 51

feature - st patrick’s day

It’s that time of year when everyone finds themselves just a little bit Irish. Well, there’s no doubt about it, the boys and girls from the Emerald Isle certainly know how to party, so it’s no surprise that the whole world wants to join in! So, to help you go green, we’ve rounded up some of the best Irishthemed events happening across the Kingdom this month.

Mercure Grand Hotel Seef

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on March 13 with a lavish Irish-themed St Patrick’s Al-Sofra Friday Brunch from 12.30pm-4pm, full of culinary delights infused with local flavours for a day filled with good fortune and festive vibes. All dining guests receive a 50-per-cent discount on the day. Children are in for a special treat with fun-filled games and activities that will keep them entertained throughout the celebrations. Brunch prices start from BD12++, inclusive of soft drinks, and BD14++, including selected beverages.

Call 17 584-400

DIG OUT YOUR INNER PADDY

Crowne Plaza Bahrain

Buffet with Harvesters will host an Irish Pub BD10 on for ge era a traditional selected bev m.

-11p 7pm March 17 from

Call 17 531-122.

McGettigan’s

Celebrate the luck of the Irish with the St Pa trick’s Garden Brunch at Mc Gettigan’s. It will featur e live music from Kyle, Padd y McClane, The O’Dwy ers and resident band Road Hit s.

The free-flow drinks package is BD20++ fro m 4pm8pm if you have atten ded brunch or from 5p m-8pm without brunch.

Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain

Deck yourself out in green and celebrate Ireland with the Saint Patrick’s Day-themed brunch on March 13. Price is BD28, including soft drinks and water, or BD36 including selected free-flow beverages. Book for eight people or more and get 20 per cent discount.

Call 17 171-441.

Call 17 000-415.

Sherlock Holmes – Gulf Hotel Bahrain

If you love U2 then you won’t want to miss this. U2UK perform the Best of U2, featuring a mesmerising, charismatic and energetic performance from the band that is rapidly gaining a reputation for producing one of the best live shows around. It features all of the greatest U2 songs from their greatest ever albums and live shows, packed into a stunning two-hour show encapsulated by spectacular projected visual imagery and lighting effects that will rock you to the soles of your feet! If you’re a fan of U2, are looking for a great night out or just love live music and want to feel part of an amazing show, then this is the one for you.

It might just be you ‘Bono’ pulls out of the crowd! Two shows will take place, on March 12 at 8pm or on March 13 at 12.30pm as part of the brunch party. Entrance to the evening is BD10 inclusive of a free selected beverage.

Call 17 713-000.

52 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

feature - st patrick’s day ices a ART Rotanaddy’s Day in style at Chaoy

P id Celebrate ’s famous Fr t & Terrace n ra read sp sh Restau vi la cover the Brunch. Dis cooking stations and e n liv ke place o of dishes, ks. It will ta n e ri d th d d e n it a unlim -4pm om 12.30pm nks and juices fr 13 h rc a M dri 25 with soft rages. Children price is BD ve e b se d u o h ith lf price, an or BD36 w dine for ha n a c 12 to aged six s for free. under-sixe .

11

-1 Call 16 000

Bahrain Irish Society

The highlight of the year’s Paddy’s Day events, the St Patrick’s Day Ball will taking place on Thursday, March 5, at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain. There is a great lineup of entertainment in store with an appearance from the hugely popular Irish band Catch 22, who have been specially flown in from Ireland for the event. In addition to Catch 22, Irish artist, Aaron Rowe, is also being flown in from Ireland to perform on the night, as are Irish dance troupe ‘Unity’ who are part of Scoil Rince an Chroí dance school.

There will be a pre-reception in Sherlock Holmes at 7.30pm on the night followed by doors to the ballroom opening at 8pm. Tickets are available by emailing membership@bahrainirishsociety.com and they are BD50 for members and BD55 for non-members.

On Friday, March 6, McGettigans will be hosting the St Patrick’s Day Ball Afterparty.

Dilmun Club

On March 7, the Dilmun C lub is putting of St Patrick on an aftern ’s Day Celeb oon rations, know Picnic Irish Fe n as the Pad stival, with m dy’s usic and fun 8pm. It featur from 11am to es a big fest ival for this even t, large stage, area specifically setup liv several acts flown in spec e bands from Bahrain an d ially, food stal bars, bouncy ls, outdoor castles, big sc and more. reens for the Six Nations Members an d non-membe rs of the Dilm the Bahrain un Club and Irish Society are all welco members an me. Dilmun C d children ge lub t free entry, Society mem Bah bers pay BD 1 and all othe rain Irish BD2. r guests are Ca

ll 17 690-92

6.

y ounge Wembley Lmrocks & Shenanigans Party from

le a Join the Sh Patrick’s Day at Wemb the St 21 for D B is It . celebrating 13 , m on March d beverages package 12.30pm-4p lecte h c se d su n s a e d in o is in unlimited fo ge of international cu rlton, Bahra ran food grills, The Ritz-Can as the hotel’s including a carvery, sea s, n o ti a st g fu n Get set for green as live cooki esserts and more. aurant goes med a, d party La Med rest e salads, past ainment with resident th ick’s Daytr rt a P te R Trio t n J S e D e m is e o th for There sic with th arch 13, fr u M m n e o liv h galong. c s n lu karaoke sin Super Bru J Tintin, p d D n a s it h . ic 0pm class 12.30pm-3.3 performing rechaun for ur inner Lep tion and yo 40-009. l 6 e n 3 n 3 a h ll C Ca celebra h is Ir t n ra e an exub h dishes ssential Iris q Thalassa enjoy quinte green. el Bahrain Zalla fit So g in th and every ft drinks, Sea & Spa BD30, with so verages. reen duds and The cost is be your shamrock-g ed t or ct Sp le ew with se ith a frosty cup of br and BD38, w prepare to quaff . bience 9 9 am -4 sh 6 Iri 8 tic 5 authen Call 17 your mates in an le Is d from the Emeral inspired straight ay id Fr d an trick’s Gr with the Saint Pa from 13. Taking place ch ar M on Brunch a and m m the Saraya, Fia 12.30pm-4pm at ck of lu e th e at br s, cele Pars International Hotel Rivaaj restaurant acked -p ur lection of flavo On March 17, Boomers is tune the Irish with a se e th to e nc d step da hosting a Saint Patrick’s Day traditional fare an e. liv ed ay pl jams Party. It will take place from of your favourite drinks, , inclusive of soft 28 BD is e ic pr e 12pm-7pm and feature live Th ges. ra ve be ed g select music, raffle draws, party games or BD35, includin per cent 50 t ge s ar ye 12 to and more. Entry is free.

Children aged six off.

Call 66 605-302.

Call 38 885-789.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

The Irish sure do know how to throw a party, and this brunch at the Bahrain Bay Kitchen themed on the Emerald Isle will be no different. Expect foods such as Boxty (traditional potato pancake), savoury donuts and Irish Stew, desserts like apple sorbet and an Irish cream and coffee dessert station.

The price per person is BD30, including soft drinks and BD43 with an extended beverage package. Children below five years eat for free; those aged six to 12 years get a 50-per-cent discount to BD15.200.

Call 17 115-000.

There are bound to be more events announced as the day gets closer, so, please keep an eye on: www.bahrainthismonth.com for details as they’re released. www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 53

bystander

SKAL Dinner Mohanan Pillai, General Manager of Delmon Hotel, hosted the January dinner for SKAL

Appreciation Gathering FinMark Communications held a Special Appreciation Gathering at Platinum Tower Terrace Indian Utsav Inauguration

India Utsav Festival 2020 was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador, HE Alok Kumar Sinha, at Lulu Hypermarket Dana Mall.

The event was followed by a cooking demo by Master Chef Ripu Daman Handa and a dessert competition followed by various cultural activities lined up by different states of India

Club of Manama held its Sunday Meeting with speaker Nejib Friji, Director of The International Peace Sunday Meeting Rotary Institute, MENA, presenting on the topic of ‘Regional Integration and Peace in the MENA Region’ 54 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

MOTORING THIS MONTH

A double tribute, p56

MY LIFE IN CARS

Dick Potter examines the latest tech making our car journeys safer.

M

y mate Elon, a certain Mr Musk, filed a patent for hightech windscreen wipers that clean a car’s windshield by burning off dirt and debris using laser beams. The patent, recently filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, notes the inefficiency of traditional windscreen wipers – good to see I’m not alone then. Windscreen wipers are typically unable to reach every part of a screen, to say nothing of their longevity; I’m convinced they rot away during the summer months of non-use and carwash chaps messing with them.

The patent also claims that the process of removing dirt with water and soap results in “unproductive time” spent while waiting for the glass to dry.

Hmmm, indeed.

The “pulsed laser cleaning” system would be set up in such a way that it does not damage the retinas of the vehicle’s occupants, or other bits that might be damaged by a high-intensity beam of light. The cleaning apparatus may be installed as a modular device in a vehicle and provide a contactless means to clean different glass articles, for example windshields, in-vehicle camera lenses, side windows, rear-view mirrors and the like. How interesting.

Furthermore, the end of the ubiquitous car-wash chaps perhaps?

Now, imagine you are approaching an intersection as another vehicle jumps the light? I know — difficult to imagine that happening in our neck of the woods, right?! You don’t see them at first, but your car gets a www.bahrainthismonth.com

signal from the other car that it’s directly in your path and warns you of the potential collision, or even applies the brakes automatically to avoid an accident.

Good news, a developing technology called Vehicleto-Vehicle communication, or V2V, is being tested by vehicle manufacturers such as Ford as a way to help reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

V2V works by using wireless signals to send information back and forth between cars about their location, speed and direction. The information is then communicated to the cars around in order to provide information on how to keep the vehicles at safe distances from each other. This is going to be a brilliant addition to new cars once it takes off.

Another exciting development is night vision. OK, not hugely essential on our well-lit island, but driving at night is often hazardous. Travelling down dark roads or unfamiliar roads can be quite a scary challenge – my missus lives in the sticks in Ireland – believe me, I speak from experience. Cars with night vision will be able to alert the driver to objects, people or animals that aren’t readily visible to the naked eye. Thermal imaging provides drivers with the information needed on what lies ahead.

With car technology and technology in general having developed so quickly in the past 10 years or so, we can surely look forward to even further innovations in the motor industry. These technologies will transform the way we drive and increase automotive safety dramatically. The good news is that car companies and governments are already working to make this a reality.

Mercedes C200 Test Drive, p57

Middle East debut, p59

View more info online

March 2020 55

motoringtestdrive

A DOUBLE TRIBUTE Having delighted in a brief taste of Ferrari’s new beast here in Bahrain, Dick Potter jumped at the chance for a return visit across the water.

I confess to a partiality for all things Italian.

Food, clothes, cars and hotels – you read that correctly, Italian hotels. I recently had the pleasure of the full Italian job in Dubai – all for the purposes of work you understand. Checking into the Bvlgari Hotel is always a joy, but throw in the use of the Ferrari F8 Tributo for a day and it’s a whole new level of joy.

Since I’m in confessional mode, I’ve driven a lot of Ferraris in my time but surprisingly never a red one. Well, the F8 Tributo that purred up at the hotel for my day use was scorching hot red.

Could it get any better?!

Now, those faithful followers amongst you know that I have driven the F8 Tributo before. In Bahrain. For a very short while. It was therefore particularly pleasing to get behind the wheel knowing I had a whole day of fun ahead of me this time round.

The Tributo – translating as tribute, which you already figured – sports 3.9 twin-turbo V8 engines. Ferrari fans will recognise these numbers from the track-ready 488 Pista, from which this engine is derived. The aforementioned engines were taken from the 488 and souped-up even more, making it the most powerful conventional V8-powered Ferrari produced to date. This results in the Tributo having more power coupled with reduced weight. Alas, I am reliably informed that the

56 March 2020

Tributo may be the last of the V8s to glide off the assembly line at Maranello as Ferrari intends to focus more on the V6 models.

Whilst the Tributo looks similar to the 488, it features more classic Ferrari design elements such as four round taillights and a louvered rear window (more on that later) similar to the iconic F40. Inside, the Tributo is completely redesigned, compared to the 488. The drivercentric dashboard sports a mix of traditional switchgear, digital displays and, as expected, swathes of ubiquitous Ferrari-style luxurious upholstery materials. The flat-bottomed steering is a tad smaller in diameter than the 488, but the paddle shifters are a familiar sight.

Your (thrilled) passenger is provided with a newly introduced seven-inch touchscreen.

Ferrari claims that this will “significantly enhance their on-board environment” (who writes this stuff?!) I think anyone lucky enough to be sat in the passenger seat of this beauty would already be provided with more than enough thrills!

Driving along in my automobile, between Dubai and Sharjah, huge grin duly on face – care must be taken with the omnipresent speed cameras – the Ferrari promise of 0-96kmh in less than three seconds is correct. A scant five seconds of foot pressure shot me to 198kmh and, on a particular stretch, I – albeit very

briefly and don’t tell anyone – hit the eyepopping 320kmh!

I do love it when a driver ahead spots you in the rearview mirror and, giving deference to this growling F8, swiftly moves out of the way to let you pass. Those more stubborn drivers? The merest pressure on the Tributo’s oomph pedal and, hey presto, swoop around and they’re eating dust.

Should I veer towards the negative – gasp, negativity concerning a Ferrari?! Well, I might mention the reduced visibility through the (aforementioned) louvred rear window – but that’s a common comment on pretty much all supercars. That and a minuscule lag before the twin turbo chargers kick in, but when they did – rocketman in a red rocket – absolutely awesome. The engine cut off when idle – supposedly eco-friendly – is pretty much standard in modern cars but I wish it wasn’t in this one as I just love hearing the constant burble of those eight pistons.

My Italian experience unfortunately came to an end and, regrettably, the scorching red Tributo had to be handed back in Dubai. But here in Bahrain? Thankfully, Euro Motors showcases this stunning supercar and is sure to arrange a colour to suit your preference.

Happy motoring all. dick@redhousemarketing.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring test drive

MERCEDES C200 TEST DRIVE I

’ve been driving my trusty Mercedes for over 23 years now, so when I get the call from Al Haddad motors for an opportunity to drive a newer model, then it is a treat indeed!

This C200 model did indeed prove to be just that. The C200 is the new generation in the C class. The C class, if you include the preceding C190 has sold over 10 million units since 1982, successful is an understatement!

One in 5 of all Mercedes is a C-class model. The C200 incorporates more than 6,000 changes from its predecessor, nearly 50% of all its components, whilst maintaining a similar look. The changes mainly involve electronics, taken chiefly from the S class in safety and self-driving technology, and a new range of engines.

The C200 has a 2 liter, 4 cylinder power unit producing 204bhp and gives a surprising 16.4kms/liter fuel economy which, in a small saloon market that is extremely competitive, this is vital.

Sliding into the driver’s seat may seem a little overwhelming with its array of buttons, levers and knobs but you quickly learn their purposes. They mostly configure to operate with ease without you having to take your eyes off the road.

The Germans are extremely clever and hence you can bet this car is with www.bahrainthismonth.com

features such as Apple car play, lane tracking, blind spot assist, park assist, rain sensor wipers, 360-degree cameraslots of lovely techie stuff there! And I still maintain the infotainment system and ease of SATNAV by Mercedes are top of the league. A large instrument display has three display options of classic, sport and progressive.

Dick Potter puts the new MercedesBenz C200 through its paces.

The interior is typically Mercedes, luxurious and refined. Its also surprisingly spacious for the back-seat passengers with excellent headroom for the taller amongst us and has a spacious trunk for those shopping or holdiay trips.

Cruising along, my goodness, it is quiet.

The only time I heard the engine is when I successfully pushed it to test its claim of 0-100kms in 7.1 seconds.

The C200 is an emphatic affirmative from me for comfort, safety, user-friendly technology, performance, fuel economy and of course good looks. Any negatives?

I was provided with the much loved principal Mercedes-Benz colour of “iridium silver metallic” – but I prefer black, not much to complain about then!

I look forward to my next encounter with this prodigy manufacturer sooner rather than later In the meantime, I urge you to go see this model, and others of course, in the newly refurbished Al Haddad showroom in Tubli.

March 2020 57

motoring news

LOCALS TAKE TOP PRIZE

Bahrain’s Al Haddad Motors came away with the award for Best Customer Services CSI Improvement 2019 at the annual MBCME (Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East) Customer Services Conference, held in Dubai.

The awards were presented by the Director of Customer Services at

MBCME, Thilo Grossman, to the Aftersales Manager of Al Haddad Motors, Ian Beattie, the Parts Manager, Jorge Roldao, and the Marketing Manager, Imran Ali. Al Haddad Motors has recently taken extensive measures to improve its customer experience. The MercedesBenz Customer Service Centre located in Salmabad has been revamped to reflect the MAR 2020 vision and is now better equipped to welcome customers with state-of-the-art technologies and an enhanced layout.

N

BAHRAIN-BRITISH PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, has announced a joint venture with Prodrive, the British motorsport and engineering group.

The new company, Prodrive International, has been established with the aim of designing and manufacturing cars to compete in the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia from 2021.

Bahrain sponsored the winning car in this year’s Dakar Rally and the new Prodrive International car, specifically developed for the showpiece event, will compete in the top-level T1 class.

Two rally cars will be manufactured and operated annually, while Prodrive International will also produce other customer cars and offer a range of performance parts and body kits as accessories for clients.

The Dakar Rally was first established in 1978 and opened in Saudi Arabia for the first time this year. Rally cars race one at a time, against the clock, across multiple stages of the intense off-road terrain.

TOW N I V U S W NE

Motorcity has launched the new Korando, the fourth generation SUV that boasts a fresh new look and the latest safety and tech features for the Bahrain market.

The new motor sports an overall look designed to maximise its robust character with a distinctive new grille and headlight treatment at the front. It is also longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, which enhances safety, comfort and a smoother drive.

The model is available in a 1.5L turbo engine with the company announcing plans for an electrified version next year.

Starting at BD7,700, Motorcity is offering registration, insurance and window tinting, along with a three-year service package and a 10-year warranty.

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE AND TECH

Audi Bahrain has qualified to compete in the Audi Twin Cup, a competition between service and technology experts. The regional final will be held in Dubai and the winning country will get to participate in the Audi Twin Cup World Final.

The top teams from service and technology categories have been evaluated based on the combined results from rounds one and two.

The Audi Bahrain team ranked amongst the top five in the region and will be up against their regional rivals in a one-day competition, all the participating teams will be evaluated and the winners will then represent the region in the International Audi Twin Cup final.

58 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news

NEW DESIGN TEASED Hyundai has teased the new i20, indicating that it will feature a completely new design and will be the first car to carry the company’s new design language: ‘Sensuous Sportiness’.

Sensuous Sportiness is characterised by the harmony between four fundamental elements: proportion, architecture, styling and technology. The purpose is to bring instinctive beauty to Hyundai vehicles, creating emotional value and giving them a distinctive look.

The new i20 will have a more sporty and dynamic profile. The cascading grille in the front running horizontally to the sides results in the characteristic wide and low body and the bold character line on the side of the body emphasises the car’s sporty proportions and agility.

The new i20 will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this month.

ADDITION TO ICONIC LINE

The heartbeat of Aston Martin’s sports car range just got that little bit faster with the introduction of the new Vantage Roadster. Joining the Vantage Coupe, which was launched in 2018, this convertible model amplifies the emotional appeal of a model renowned for delivering a compelling blend of potent performance, outstanding dynamics and everyday usability.

Powered by Aston Martin’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo 510PS/685Nm V8 engine and mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, the Vantage Roadster accelerates from 0-96.5kph in just 3.7 seconds and is capable of 305kph with the roof raised. Weight increases by just 60kg compared with the coupe thanks to a new, lighter Z-fold roof mechanism and optimised exterior and chassis revisions throughout.

As you’d expect from a dedicated sports car, a choice of Sport, Sport + and Track chassis modes give the driver control of its dynamic character and behaviour.

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ACCREDITATION The state-of-the-art Ebrahim K Kanoo Training Centre has officially received its first international accreditation from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

The accreditation will allow the centre to offer more to the Bahrain automotive industry in terms of qualifications and training.

The facility is the only private one in the Kingdom to receive the prestigious accreditation based on its quality, size, equipment and knowledgeable staff who are trained locally and internationally by top automotive companies around the globe.

IMI Accreditation is a practical, non-academic way to demonstrate individual capability, providing independent proof of current competence, knowledge and skills.

MIDDLE EAST DEBUT The Ferrari Roma made its first appearance outside the Italian capital at a launch party held at Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, Dubai.

With its distinctive flair and style, the car is a contemporary representation of the carefree, pleasurable way of life that characterised Rome in the 1950s and ‘60s, bringing the concept of “la Dolce Vita” right up to date.

Not only is the Ferrari Roma an icon of Italian design, but it also represents the pinnacle of performance in this category, thanks to its turbo-charged V8 from the family of engines that has won the overall International Engine of the Year award four years running. In this version, the engine reaches 620cv at 7500rpm and is coupled with the new eight-speed DCT gearbox

www.bahrainthismonth.com

that was first introduced on the SF90 Stradale.

The Ferrari Roma’s dynamic development was focused on delivering superior driving pleasure and comfort thanks to the low vehicle weight and to the introduction of the latest evolution of the Side Slip Control. The car’s chassis benefits from the technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation models; bodyshell and chassis have been redesigned to incorporate the latest weight reduction and advanced production technologies. In fact, 70 per cent of its components are entirely new. The midfront-engined 2+ Ferrari Roma has the best weight/power ratio in its segment (2.37 kg/ cv), which enhances handling dynamics and responsiveness.

March 2020 59

business bites DUE RECOGNITION

Atiram Premier Hotel, the well-known hospitality hub in Juffair, has been recognised for its outstanding guest services by world-renowned lodging reservations portal, Booking.com. The hotel has achieved an average scoring of 8.1 on the global website, for which it has been bestowed with the Traveller Review Award 2020 which is an annual appreciation programme that recognises partners for their exceptional hospitality, as evidenced in the review scores left by travellers after their stay or experience. This is the eighth edition of the coveted hospitality award.

LANGUAGE OF PROFESSIONALS

A new automatic coding language, Au, was launched in Bahrain at the Bahrain British Business Forum’s ICT meeting. The country has been chosen as the first international market for the launch of Au created for a new generation of software developers.

Information technology specialists gathered at the exclusive launch event, at Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain, where Dr Raj Curwen, the inventor of Au, was the keynote speaker at the meeting. The language has been in development for six years, and during this time has completed software development projects in the UK for multiple clients including the National Health Service and the Metropolitan Police, generating more 20 million lines of code in the process. Au is quicker to learn than other comparable coding languages and has been proven to be more than four times more efficient, delivering solutions to the market faster and more cheaply.

NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AIESEC in Bahrain has appointed its new board of directors for the period from January 2020 to December 2021. The international youth-run organisation, which is non-governmental and non-profit is regarded as one of the biggest youth organisations in the world and aims to provide young people with leadership and development programmes, cross-cultural internships and global volunteer exchange experiences.

More than 1,500 youngsters from Bahrain have participated in different AIESEC activities and work on a social development project to bring awareness to society, impact it and at the same time develop their potential and skills.

The new board will be chaired by Amal Ishaq AlKooheji, with Omar Abdulaziz Ayoob serving as vice chairperson. The board aims to provide mentoring and support for AIESEC in Bahrain in order to allow the process of empowering youth and developing their leadership skills.

60 March 2020

IMPORT-EXPORT STATUS

As per the data in the 2019 foreign trade report of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), the value of Bahrain’s imports decreased by 11 per cent, reaching BD4.984 billion during the year.

According to the report, China ranked first when it came to imports to Bahrain, with a total of BD777 million, Australia was second with BD352 million, and the United Arab Emirates was third with BD349 million.

Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates emerged as the top product imported into Bahrain. Aluminum oxide came in second, and four-wheel drive cars third.

The value of exports of national origin increased by 0.52 per cent to BD2.298 billion during year 2019, compared to BD2.286 billion for the previous year. Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries receiving Bahraini exports of national origin, importing BD534 million.

Meanwhile, the United States was second with BD284 million and United Arab Emirates third with BD272 million. www.bahrainthismonth.com

business bites A PRUDENT PARTNERSHIP

The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications signed a partnership agreement with Arab Financial Services (AFS) as exclusive POS (point-of-sale) acquirer for Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2020. BIAS has a 10-year successful track record and is now a proven platform for facilitating business generation for global companies, including the world’s leading aerospace companies, in the Gulf region. Its sixth edition will be held on November 18-20 at the Sakhir Air Base under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and under the supervision of Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, King Hamad’s Personal Representative and Head of the BIAS Supreme Organising Committee. Director of the Bahrain International Airshow, Yousif Mohammed Mahmoud, expressed appreciation to the management team of AFS for their support of BIAS 2020 and for their positive contribution in further propelling Bahrain’s positioning in the sphere of global events.

STRATEGIC ACQUISITION

Bahrain-based Investcorp has announced that it has acquired Fortune International, a super-regional speciality distributor of seafood and gourmet food products. The company was founded in 2001 by Sean O’Scannlain, who will continue to lead the company as CEO and maintain a significant ownership stake.

Fortune distributes fresh and frozen seafood and gourmet foods across the Midwestern US and has continually expanded its geographic footprint by acquiring speciality distributors in strategic markets. It has grown to become one of the largest speciality food and seafood distributors in the US. “Specialty foodservice distribution in the United States is a highly fragmented, resilient and growing $40-billion market,” said Hazem Ben-Gacem, co-CEO at Investcorp. “We believe that Fortune is well-positioned to capture significant share with its unique platform as a scaled, speciality seafood enterprise.”

JOINING THE TEAM

Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) recently announced the appointment of three new board members, Jean-Christophe Durand, Yaser AlSharifi and Dana Buheji.

Chairman of BisB, Dr Esam Abdulla Fakhro, said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors of BisB, it is with great pleasure that I extend my congratulations and welcome to the new members.

We look forward to working together to achieve unprecedented levels of growth for BisB.” The three newly appointed board members currently occupy key positions within the structure of the executive management of NBB. Jean-Christophe Durand has held the position of CEO since 2016, Dana Buheji, the Chief Human Resources Officer of NBB, has more than 19 years of experience in HR and Yaser AlSharifi, the Chief Strategy Officer of NBB, boasts more than 24 years of experience in investment management and corporate finance across the various regions, besides leading NBB’s digital transformation and innovation efforts.

COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR WOMEN Royal Bahrain Hospital is thrilled to announce the joining of Dr Bhanu Handa, its specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology from India. Dr Bhanu has more than 22 years of experience and certification in the field after completing her residency training at the Lady Hardinge Medical Complex, in New Delhi.

Dr Bhanu is also a certified member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Ireland, and has various publications in local and international peer-reviewed journals in this field.

She is actively involved in the diagnosis, treatment and management of pregnancy-related conditions, antenatal and delivery care (normal and caesarean www.bahrainthismonth.com

section) of pregnant women. Dr Bhanu also deals with gynaecological procedures such as smears, colposcopy, hysteroscopy, hysterectomy and ovarian cystectomy.

She is available for assessments of various gynaecological and obstetrical conditions faced by women including managements of miscarriages, family planning and more.

Patients can now download the Royal Bahrain Hospital mobile application to book appointments on iOS and android devices.

Call 17 246-800 or visit www.royalbahrainhospital.com.

March 2020 61

commerce

THE BUSINESS OF SPECIAL DAYS Financial expert Pria MassonTanwar casts an eye on the celebration market.

A

lmost every month of the year seems to have a special day attached to it. This month, March, has Mother’s Day and St Patrick’s Day. Through the year we celebrate Father’s Day, Sibling Day, Environment Day, Valentine’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, etc. So, what is the idea behind all this? Is it just coming from people who like celebrating? Is it a creation of companies that gain from you celebrating? Or, perhaps it’s something else?

Like everything else, let’s break down the various aspects of these special days. I will begin with the most pleasant one – the need and desire to celebrate. It’s a wonderful feeling to celebrate anything. To mindfully acknowledge any specific occasion, relationship, milestone etc. It’s what takes the mundane out of mundane life.

But, how did we get the idea to celebrate these things? It could have begun with some marketing manager in some company engaged in gift-giving, let’s call it ‘Company H’, who realised that there needed to be more reasons to ‘gift’ in months other than Christmas, Eid, birthdays, anniversaries etc. Through a smart advertising campaign, the concept spread.

It spread only because that smart company figured out a human need to celebrate, commemorate and mindfully cherish occasions and relationships.

How did it spread so easily? Because it’s a win-win situation for every person involved. The

companies that sell gifts or that create ways to celebrate – restaurants, hotels, experience resorts, spas, gift companies, card companies, flower shops – it’s a whole ecosystem of celebration that gains. Thus, as the consumer, we have no reason to reject this because it’s a pleasant experience, it can fit any budget and it helps all our relationships.

The downside of this, as with all businesses, is if you rest your entire business on special occasions. Because, not everyone celebrates everything. So, if the infrastructure you put in place or the expenses you plan to provide an experience over a special occasion, are high, the risk of losses is equally high. Like all products, the ‘occasion’ business also has a price-sensitive utility which is unique. In the luxury offerings, it is high expenses but steady customers. Same for the low-priced offerings.

It’s the middle group that suffers the most or gains the most.

Celebrations and special days are perhaps one of the steadiest industries that, in their small way, drive economic activity. Whether the overall economy is thriving or on a downslide, people will celebrate – just as they will marry, have children etc. In fact, usually, when the economy is on a downslide, people look for small ways to celebrate and lighten their lives.

The impact of a downward sliding economy is that while the amount spent may reduce, expenses continue. They must continue to keep money churning. If people are losing jobs, they may not buy something ‘just because’ but, they will buy when it’s an occasion. If they can, they will send those simple flowers to a parent or a loved one and bring a smile to themselves and the recipient. It’s a business of spreading happiness. And happiness is always in demand.

All you must do is package and price it right.

Pria is an Advisor with JEO Management Consultants (http://www.jeomanagement. com). You can follow Pria at her Instagram handle money_cues or learn more about her professional experience at http://www.i2d-consulting.com

HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY

62 March 2020

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bystander

Master Chef Season 6

Culinary mayhem took place in Cucina Italiana as contestants went head-to-head in the kitchen for the grand final of this much-loved annual event

Swiss Tourism Event The Swiss Consulate held a Swiss Tourism Dinner event at MĂśvenpick Hotel Bahrain

Pluck Cancer Bahrain Rotaract held a cancer awareness and wellness campaign called Pluck Cancer, at Darseen Cafe

Al Hawaj Celebration

In continuing celebrations for winning the 24th Gulf Cup and in the presence of Ayman Almoayyed, Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs, Al Hawaj held a ceremony to honour the coach of Bahrain’s National Football Team, Helio De Sousa, and his support staff www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 63

mother’s day

A REAL TREAT

AFTERNOON TEA WITH MUM

Flowers, afternoon tea, time with Mum – you’ll be the favourite of all her children after inviting her to the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay. Indulge her in the luxury of delicious afternoon tea with all the frills, including a glass of sparkling juice and a chocolate box to take home, at BD48 for two, from March 20-27, between noon and 9pm.

Make it all the more memorable with a stunning bouquet of fragrant flowers for her.

Call 17 115-044.

Delight the most special lady in your life to an exquisite brunch affair at Mercure Grand Hotel Seef’s Al-Sofra Friday Brunch, where all mums are invited to dine for free on March 20, from 12.30pm4pm. Savour a perfectly presented international and Mediterranean spread bound to satiate your appetite. This delectable meal boasts rustic vibes and the finest gastronomy, starting from BD12++, including soft beverages, or BD14++, for a bottomless brunch with selected beverages.

Call 17 584-400.

MAKE IT SPECIAL

Treat mum to a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea including unlimited sparkling grape at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s Gallery Lobby Lounge throughout March.

Enjoy this special time priced at BD20 for mum and child. Or take advantage of the high tea and spa package which includes a half-hour massage voucher for two for BD50.

Call 17 460-017.

MUM’S DAY OUT

On March 20, treat your mother to a lavish Friday brunch at Choices Restaurant & Terrace at ART Rotana for an indoor garden setup from 12.30pm-4pm. Enjoy the extraordinary spread of popular dishes and wide range of live cooking stations perfectly designed for the occasion for BD25, including soft drinks and juices, or BD36, including house beverages. The fabulous inhouse band, Soneando, will play the greatest hits while you enjoy the unlimited flow of drinks. Flowers will be gifted to all mothers dining in.

Call 16 000-111.

WHERE MUM CAN CHILL OUT

In appreciation of mothers across the island, Jumeirah Royal Saray will be hosting a very special Afternoon Tea at The Palm Lounge on March 21, specially designed to pamper, indulge and spoil mums while children are fully entertained by the Bulbul Kids Club professionals (complimentary for children from three to 12 years). Relax and enjoy a blissful afternoon with family or friends over an assortment of delicious pastries, savouries and mouth-watering, warm scones with a rich homemade chocolate hazelnut spread and cream, from 1pm-7pm. The event is priced at BD10 per person, inclusive of one hot beverage.

Call 66 720-026.

AN UNBEATABLE AFTERNOON

Spoil Mum by taking her to Flavours on 2, Downtown Rotana, for a spectacular celebratory five-star lunch on March 21, from 12.30pm-3.30pm. Enjoy an extravagant spread priced at BD11, with soft drinks, or BD 22, with selected drinks. All mothers accompanied by their children will be treated to a complimentary meal on the day.

Call 13 119-999.

64 March 2020

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mother’s day

Gifts For Your

Lea Dubois

On Mother’s Day we celebrate the most important woman in our life; the reason we are here today; healthy, educated, and with a home. The least we could do to thank her is a gift! Here are a few ideas for Mother’s Day on March 21 for Bahraini families, March 22 for our English sisters, and June 7 for our French buddies. We assure you; these gifts are way more interesting than the basic tulips or chocolate boxes. Here we go!

It’s the little things that matter —

Oh God! It’s c

What about a cute assortment of succulents instead of roses? Make sure all the pots are decorated, and arrange them carefully on her night table or next to her hundred pairs of shoes!

o

ne — emory La Down Mring back a memoryLook

A gift from the heart —r

you Is there a place you and k, bac y wa it mother would vis old an n eve or k par a maybe of summer camp? Make a list her e tak ns, atio all those loc with there and overwhelm her her tell ’t memories. Just don ’re from the start where you . her ing tak

b ?

Why not you were a baby r n ea e w h sed to from w es you u bear you o h s e th dy out e or a ted of your all the tim rm with in front ues!) rfo would pe n’t forget the tiss o mother. (D

A teenager ag

ain —

ld again! — “Ugh! I just w armed it up!”

Doe her coffee ge t cold by the tim s e she takes her third sip? The Temperature Cont available on am rol Smart Mug, az drink perfectly on, will keep her warm at all tim es.

A modern book —

Was there a m ovie that your mum used to watch over an d over again whe n she was younger? Look for and prepare so it on Netflix me popcorn.

Movies like B ack Future, or even to the Dirty Dancing will have her fangirling.

If the leader of the house is quite a reader, this is someth ing she will cherish. Make mom an e-reader with an Amazon Kindle book. She can take all her books with her everywher e on a single device!

Fashion h

Spoil her er up — wit make her h clothes that will feel 10 ye ars young Buy an ‘8 er.

0s jacket for vintage grunge example, or from an o ld, popula jeans r brand.

Win the game —

Let the chef rest —

g up Surprise her with cookin yet, tter Be her favourite meal. ! bed breakfast in www.bahrainthismonth.com

A little mother-child(ren) day will make your mum so happy. Take her to a carnival, or an arcade to train her skills! Win the pink bear for her and always let her win, it’s her party!

Bring out her inner queen — For her hair to look presentable, gift her hand-made accessories!

Grab flowers from your garden, or buy some from the local flower shop, scissors, a hot glue gun, a big midrib and start crafting. It will make her smile, knowing that you made it yourself.

March 2020 65

bystander

Ice Breakers Ice Show

Ice Breakers figure skating team held their annual ice show at Funland ice rink. This year’s programme was titled The Greatest Showman

Medical Group Dinner

66 March 2020

Bahrain Medical Group held a dinner event at Premier Hotel

JJs Valentines JJ’s Irish Restaurant celebrated Valentine’s Day

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

G N I DIN onth this m

WORLDWIDE YUMMINESS Liz O’Reilly tried Chef & The Whale, the newest eatery on the Budaiya Highway, and went back again and again and again!

I’m always up for new dining experiences, so was delighted when this little hot spot popped up quite close to home. I first visited at the beginning of January and, since then, have been back so frequently that I reckon I’ve tried virtually the whole menu.

It’s not just that the food’s good, although it undoubtedly is, but Chef Steve McGowan (he’s the one referred to in the name, of which more later) has come up with a menu that not only caters to your everyday Joe but is also heavy on both vegan and gluten-free options – a real boon for those following these diets.

As I said, I’ve tried a lot of the dishes, so, I’m going to share my own personal recommendations.

If you’re a meat eater, you truly must try the chicken liver parfait – flavoursome, with a liberal sprinkling of herbs and a rough meaty texture – this would be perfect for a lunch dish or starter. Ask for some extra bread and you’ll find the chunky paté portion will fill you for the rest of the day. It’s served with red onion jam, which adds a distinct touch of sweetness to complement the meat.

Another of my absolute favourites is the Baja Fish Taco.

All the tacos here are gluten-free and freshly made in house daily. Steve has substituted tofu for the sour cream and mayo in the classic Baja sauce, so you’ll also find a vegan version of this dish on the menu featuring tempura banana blossom. Personally, I love the fish. It’s local seabass, perfectly cooked with its meaty texture and mild taste intact. Served atop a bed of crunchy raw red cabbage, it looks every bit as good as it tastes.

My good friend and regular dining companion would not forgive me if I failed to mention the Beef Birria Taco.

Perfectly flavoured with mild chillis and adobo spices, the traditional Mexican street food meat has clearly been slow cooked and is melt-in-the-mouth tender. It is, www.bahrainthismonth.com

however, served with a light sprinkling of coriander, which is not to everyone’s taste. I you don’t like it, make sure to say so.

If you have a big appetite, try the Superfood Bowl.

Exactly as it sounds, this is a veritable mountain of healthy goodness which actually manages to taste really great at the same time as being good for you. I’m not going to list everything that’s inside – there are up to 19 ingredients and there’s a prize for guessing them all. Flavours to be aware of are the pumpkin, carrot and cumin hummus, puffed black rice and a truly impressive falafel – it makes me happy just thinking about it.

The dessert selection is pretty impressive too but I must admit I have yet to try anything other than the San Sebastian Cheesecake – partly because I always get carried away with the main menu and partly because I love it so much. The famous burnt cheesecake looks impressive and tastes divine; rich, creamy and at the same time both sweet and vaguely salty.

So, there you have it. My much-loved favourites.

However, I’m told Chef & The Whale has also now introduced a breakfast menu. So, ask me in a few weeks and I’m sure I’ll have some more recommendations to add.

a & The Whale is The name Chef I as , e chef bit whimsical. Th ss Steve bo is mentioned, the whale is an McGowan. And els right across animal that trav es the menu. the globe, as do

AN ASIAN AFFAIR, p68

FRESH FEAST, p70

FI-THEMED DINING, p72

View more info online

March 2020 67

tablehopping

G N I P P O H g E n L i n B i D TA h c Mar

A TASTE OF ROME From March 5–13, explore the Roman art of fine dining with the launch of Fiamma’s revamped menu at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, specially crafted by Italian Executive Chef, Marco Terranova. As you revel in live entertainment, enjoy an authentic Italian experience with a delicious array of gourmet delights created with the freshest locally-sourced ingredients from the à la carte menu on weekdays, between 7pm and 11pm. On weekends, feast from a buffet for BD18, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD25, inclusive of three glasses of red or white grape.

Call 38 885-789.

AN ASIAN AFFAIR Let re/ Asian Cuisine redefine your Friday brunch experience, as Wolfgang Puck’s team of highlyskilled wok and dim sum chefs use the finest ingredients and traditional techniques to create timeless yet innovative signature dishes, for BD24, for food only, or BD32, with selected beverages, from 12.30pm-3.30pm. A post-brunch beverage package will be available from 4pm-6pm for BD15.

Call 17 115-046.

SUNDAYS ARE FOR SHARING THE T-BONE EXPERIENCE Indulge in a full-flavoured and tender angus T-bone steak (1 kg) at Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain’s Brasserie Royale. The Florentine beef tagliata is the perfect option for meat lovers. Good for two people, it comes with your choice of accompaniments and your favourite sauce. A four-course menu including homemade ravioli and a vanilla crème brûlée is also available for a full Italian experience.

The meaty affair will run through March and April, and is priced at BD35 for two, and the set menu is for BD55 for two.

Call 66 720-026.

THURSDAYS DONE RIGHT

68 March 2020

Flaming Thursday – the newly-innovated theme night at Silks’ restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, is a great place to meet with friends at the start of the weekend to enjoy a great range of grills, flamegrilled meats and sizzling skillets while listening to the resident band. The evening is priced at BD34, inclusive of unlimited premium beverages and is on from 7pm-11pm.

Call 17 460-017.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy delectable sharing platters of fresh, locally-caught seafood and shellfish served with accompaniments of your choice at Waves Seafood Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Bahrain. Prices are BD12 for a sharing platter for two, or BD20 for a sharing platter for four, available from 7pm-11pm.

Call 17 531-122 / 38 411-272.

AUTHENTICALLY YOURS Adliya’s Osama Bin Zayed Avenue, better known as Shawarma Alley, has a new entrant - The Frying Scotsman chipper shop, which claims to be Bahrain’s one and only authentic Scottish chipper. Islanders can savour all the great classics with haddock, sausages, puddings and pies all the way from the north east of Scotland, from noon to midnight.

Call 17 686-669. www.bahrainthismonth.com

tablehopping

DINNERS AT THE BEACH DECK Enjoy the best front row seats of Manama’s skyline and spectacular sunsets, alongside a contemporary and chic dining experience offered at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s Beach Deck. Relish sophisticated cocktails, signature Mediterranean plates to share, unrivalled shisha experiences and a resident DJ in the evenings from Tuesday to Saturday.

Call 17 115-500.

WORK AND DINE

MAKE THE MOST OF MARCH

Head to Rosso restaurant at ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands, every Saturday of March from noon to 4pm, for Il Mese Della Grigliata, or The Month of Barbecue, to enjoy amazing weather and a delicious barbecue at the beach. This Italian brunch feast with an enticing barbeue section will have you licking your fingers. It’s priced at BD20, with soft drinks, or BD26, with selected drinks.

Call 16 000-111.

Silks’ restaurant at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, is the ideal spot for a lunch break or for a working lunch with colleagues. A wide international buffet with a live cooking station is available daily from 12.30pm3.30pm, priced at BD15. Big groups receive a special discount.

Call 17 460-017.

When? March 6 Event? Day Terrace Party Venue? WU Terrace - ART Rotana Witness a spectacular sundown view and sensational live music, with delicious Asian dishes, speciality drinks and a variety of Shisha Call 16 000-111.

When? March 6-10 Event? Holi Festival Venue? Rivaaj, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Celebrate the festival of colours with your loved ones over a delicious spread of Indian fare from an exciting new menu or live cooking stations.

Call 38 885-789.

When? March 6 Event? International Women’s Day Super Brunch Venue? La Med, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain In celebration of the International Women’s Day, all ladies get a treat of 10 off on the famous Friday Brunch as a token of appreciation. Regular price is BD30, with soft drinks, and BD38, with selected beverages.

Call 17 586-499.

CELEBRATE WOMEN HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

cheers to all the great women out there PLAN YOUR LADIES NIGHT - CALL +973 17522733 WWW.OLIVERMAKI.COM

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 69

tablehopping When? Sunday to Thursday Event? Business Lunch Venue? Brasserie Royale, Jumeirah Royal Saray Spa Delight in a tasty Mediterranean three-course menu with delicious options to choose from for BD15 per person.

Call 66 720-026.

When? Every Monday Event? Seafood Night Venue? Silk’s restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain Dive into aquatic delicacies like Sushi, sashimi, seafood dim sum, tempura, oysters, slipper lobster and tiger prawns prepared just the way you like it for BD25, inclusive of soft drinks and water, or BD30, inclusive of unlimited selected ale and grape.

Call 17 460-017.

When? Monday – Thursday Event? Bistro-Inspired Lunch Venue? Cut by Wolfgang Puck Explore a flavor-focused lunch menu that complements the pace of your lunch break.

Call 17 115-044.

When? Every Tuesday Event? Sushi Social Venue? Waves Seafood Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Bahrain An all you can eat Sushi for BD10, inclusive of a glass of house grape or a fresh juice.

Call 17 531-122.

When? Every Wednesday Event? Wednesday BBQ night Venue? Baharat Restaurant, Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain A stylish yet rustic barbeque experience showcasing barbeque ribs and Wagyu prime rib steak for BD22, including soft drinks and water, or BD28, including selected free flow beverages.

Call 17 171-441.

When? Every Friday Event? Brunch The Brasserie Way Venue? Brasserie Royale, Jumeirah Royal Saray Spa Treat family and friends to a delicious brunch and complimentary pool and beach access for BD27 per person with soft drinks, or BD35 with selected beverages.

Call 66 720-026.

When? Every Friday Event? The Butcher’s Board Brunch Venue? Flavours on 2, Downtown Rotana Enjoy a contemporary buffet spread of sushi, salads, Asian, Arabic and European dishes for BD22, including unlimited juices and soft drinks, or BD33, including unlimited selected beverages.

Call 13 119-999.

70 March 2020

FRESH FEAST Head to La Mosaique Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain every Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm-11pm for Sea to Table — an endless buffet of fresh, locally-caught seafood dishes. Featuring seafood dishes from all around the world, enjoy the live cooking and raw fish stations. The feast is priced at BD18, including water and soft drinks, with an additional charge of BD7 for the selected beverage package.

Call 17 531-122 / 39 242-391

BAKING FOR LITTLE HANDS Baking will never be so much fun, as kids three to 12 years of age can partake in baking classes at The Westin City Centre Bahrain, every Saturday, from 9am-10am. The young ones will learn the basics of baking at BD5.

Call 17 171-441.

FOR THE FAMILY Enjoy the Family Friday Brunch at the lively Samavar restaurant located at Ramada by Wyndham Manama City Centre, for BD8 per person from noon to 4pm. Kids under eight years dine for free.

Call 17 104-040.

DINING IN THE DARK Join Downtown Rotana as it participates in the symbolic movement of Earth Hour on March 28, from 6pm-11pm. Experience a unique candle-lit evening at Teatro Restaurant with a four-course set menu paired with four types of grape or soft drinks of your choice. The menu costs BD15, with soft drinks, or BD27, with selected drinks.

Call 13 119-999.

EXPLORE A NEW MENU From 7pm-11pm, tuck into Rivaaj’s brand-new, flavourful menu with inimitable, speciality dishes and unique recipes prepared by Chef Javed Qureshi throughout March at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. Dig into a scrumptious array of aromatic dishes that will unlock India’s rich gastronomic history with every bite. Explore the new menu in the elegant indoor dining area or opt for al fresco dining under the stars on the breathtaking terrace under the stars.

Call 38 885-789. www.bahrainthismonth.com

FRIDAY AT THE BISTRO

tablehopping

Furn Bistro, at The Westin City Centre Bahrain, lets you explore a selection of dishes from an international buffet, freshly prepared by talented chefs every Friday from 7pm-11 pm, for BD8 per person. Beverages are charged upon consumption. Kids from six to 12 years get 50-per-cent discount and those below six dine for free.

Call 17 171-441.

CAVIAR MENU Discover the rich nuanced taste of Oscietra caviar at Havana Club, at the Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain, every day from 4pm to midnight while the live band creates a wonderful ambiance. The special à la carte menu includes freshly-caught sea bass carpaccio, caviar spaghetti and caviar pizza bites.

The price for four courses is BD58 per person.

Call 66 720-026.

GRILLS BY THE WATER On March 21, from 2pm-6pm, get together with friends and family for Skewers & Sunset at WU restaurant, ART Rotana, to relish in unlimited flame-grilled Asian skewers while enjoying an amazing view of the sea from indoors or out. The skewers will be served with three crisp salads and five Asian dips, rice and your one drink of your choice for only BD13 per person.

Call 16 000-111.

COOK LIKE THE THAI Learn to master Thai cuisine and cook like an experienced street food vendor in Bangkok by joining the Thai Cooking Class at Teatro Downtown, Downtown Rotana on March 21, from 5pm-6pm. You’ll leave knowing all there is to know about the Thai culinary world and its secrets. The class costs BD15 person, and will be followed by a complimentary meal and drinks, including two glasses of grape, ale or soft beverages.

Call 13 119-999.

POWER LUNCH Strike a deal in the heart of Bahrain’s commercial district with Neyran Restaurant’s Turkish Business Lunch buffet for only BD6 per person. The spread features authentic and scrumptious fare, guaranteed to impress! This business lunch is available from Sunday to Wednesday from 12.30pm-4pm. On Tuesdays, take advantage of the Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer.

Call 17 584-400. www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 71

tablehopping When? Every Saturday Event? Saturday Lunch Buffet Venue? Furn Bistro, The Westin City Centre Bahrain Indulge in an International buffet spread for BD8 from 12.30pm-4pm.

Call 17 171-441.

When? Every day Event? Afternoon Tea Venue? Bay View Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Sip on a cup of quality tea along with gourmet bites for a little break during a busy day, for BD14.600, or BD26.700 for two guests.

Call 17 115-000.

When? Every day Event? Local seafood with an Indian Twist Venue? Spices Indian Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Seafood caught fresh off the coast of Bahrain will be prepared in a range of authentic regional curries.

GET SET, GO!

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa hosts the F1 Grand Friday Brunch on March 20, from 12.30pm-4pm, for BD28, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD35, inclusive of selected beverages.

Fuel your appetite with a distinctive selection of international delights and enjoy a heart-racing afternoon with special live musical performances and plenty of surprises for the whole family.

Call 38 885-789.

VROOM ON

In the spirit of speed, Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain will host a Formula 1-themed brunch on March 20, costing BD28, including soft drinks and water, or BD36, including selected free flow beverages. Book for eight or more guests and get a 20-per-cent discount. The brunch will be on from 12.30pm-4pm, during which guests can enjoy live entertainment.

Call 17 171-441.

RACE THROUGH

Don’t miss the Formula 1-themed brunch on March 20, where you can savour an extensive range of plated specialities cooked to perfection by expert chefs, at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s newly renovated Silk’s restaurant and Gallery lobby and lounge. For BD38 per person, inclusive of unlimited premium beverages, feast on an exquisite selection of dishes at the international buffet, including a live cooking station, whilst enjoying the best musical performance by the resident band and DJ. Call 17 460-017.

Call 17 531-122.

When? Every day Event? Your Table BBQ Venue? Poolside Terrace, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain For BD12, enjoy Frankfurt sausages, Shish Tawouk, beef tenderloin and lamb chops.

Call 17 460-017.

When? Every day Event? The Arabian High Tea Venue? City Lobby Lounge, Downtown Rotana Indulge in a classy Arabian High Tea experience with exquisite sweet and savoury options and tea for BD6 per person.

Call 13 119-999.

When? Every Friday Event? A Night In Italy Venue? Fiamma, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Relish flavoursome Italian fare for BD20, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD25, inclusive of three glasses of red or white grape.

Call 38 885-789.

G N I N I D D E M E FI-TH BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Rev up your body with an energising Formula 1-themed breakfast at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s Saraya restaurant, from March 20-22, between 6.30am and 10.30am.

Enjoy a tasty mix of breakfast classics with a French twist and satisfy your appetite with a healthy selection of freshly-squeezed juices all for BD20 per person.

Call 38 885-789.

FRENCH CONNECTION

Channel the charm of the French Riviera with a soirée like no other on March 21, from 8pm-2am, at The Lawn of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. Dress up in your finest for the garden party of the season, complete with a bubbly bar and tunes by Reyes Heritage. Executive Chef Brian Becher and team take culinary inspiration from Monaco, Avingon and the entire Cote d’Azure to bring you iconic dishes like Bouillabaisse and Ratatouille.

The enormous bonfire will be used to grill Loupe de Mer and Wagyu Beef Brisket on the Lawn. The evening is priced at BD69, or BD55 if purchased before March 14.

Call 17 115-044.

72 March 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Brazilian Carnival

Coda Jazz Lounge in collaboration with Vibes entertainment held a Brazilian Carnival night of music and culture

SoC 15th Edition Press Conference

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Bahrain Economic Development Board, and Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, in collaboration with Albareh Art Gallery and La fontaine Centre for Contemporary Art, held a press conference to announce Spring of Culture 2020 at the Bahrain National Theatre

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 73

gadgets

GADGETS

BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.

LASER KEYBOARD

HEXAGON LEVITATE 2.0

The Hexagon Levitate 2.0 speaker floats above its base as if by magic whilst it blasts out your tunes. It has touch-sensitive buttons and a black matte finish, while also being magnetic if you want to stick it to a metallic surface. The speaker is charged wirelessly as long as it’s floating above the base.

This keyboard is as ultra-portable as it is pioneering. Simply connect your smartphone, tablet or computer via Bluetooth or USB connection, switch on and place on a dark, flat surface. This innovative and compact design features a full integrated English QWERTY keyboard layout with over 400 characters. The keyboard omits a glowing red laser and makes small sounds as you type, making the transition from buttons to surface easy.

Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk

Available at: https://www.red5.co.uk

ZEROUND SMARTWATCH

This watch is jam-packed with functionality and a cool, elegant design to boot. Seamlessly working with all the different aspects of your life, the ZeRound combines call functionality, SMS, email and social media notifications, music streaming, full activity tracker and sleep tracker, all within a colour circular touchscreen design.

Available at: http://www.red5.co.uk 74 March 2020

HP SPROUT G2 3D-SCANNING PC

The Sprout G2, with its integrated 3D and 2D scanners, is perfect for product designers, CGI creators and other folks who can benefit from incorporating 3D models into their workflow. It’s also got a stylusenabled touch mat that acts as a second screen.

Available at: https://www.hp.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

gadgets

8BITDO DPAD USB HUB

POWERVISION POWERRAY UNDERWATER DRONE

This underwater drone can submerge up to 30m and records 4K video streamed to your phone, which you use to navigate. With its add-on Fishfinder sonar, it can detect fish up to 40m away and lures them with a blue light. It also features VR goggles that allow you to robot around by tilting your head.

It’s not hard to stay powered up and connected with this USB hub that gets back to that most basic of gaming controls: the directional pad. Featuring three USB 2.0 inputs and a transfer rate of 480Mbps, the directional arrows even light up when a device is connected so you can see that the power is flowing.

Available at: www.thinkgeek.com

Available at: http://powervision.me/en/

LEECO SMART BIKES

Integrating a four-inch Android touchscreen into a bicycle for navigation, music playback and a walkie-talkie might not seem the safest idea, but the growing thirst for technology while on the move has led LeEco to develop the first smart bike.

Available at: www.leeco.com

COOLADO

Go from zero to comfortable in seconds with the Coolado Self-Inflating LoungeBag. This lightweight lounger is perfect for chilling out at the beach or relaxing at festivals. Unlike other inflatables, it has a built-in pump powered by a USB rechargeable battery. In addition, the LoungeBag inflates/deflates itself in under two minutes. Made from durable nylon-TPU, the waterproof outer skin is happy on all surfaces.

Available at: www.thegadgetflow.com

SLEEP NUMBER 360 SMART BED

Not everyone has pets to lie on their feet and keep them toasty. So Sleep Number made a bed that knows when you’ve got cold feet and turns heat on at the bottom of the bed. In theory, the mattress changes its Sleep Number settings to compensate for changes in position and while it can’t stop someone snoring, if it senses you are, it raises your head to reduce your volume.

Available at: https://www.sleepnumber.com/360 www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 75

games

GAMES

JOURNEY TO THE SAVAGE PLANET

WHAT IS IT?

VERDICT:

Journey to the Savage Planet is an upbeat first-person adventure game set in a bright and colourful alien world filled with weird and wonderful creatures. As an employee of Kindred Aerospace, which proudly touts its rating as the ‘4th Best Interstellar Exploration Company’, players are dropped onto an uncharted planet deep in a fictitious, far-away corner of the universe.

GAMEPLAY

Launched with high hopes but little equipment and no real plan, players are tasked with cataloguing alien flora and fauna and determining if the planet is fit for human habitation. There’s combat, but Journey to the Savage Planet’s world is also used as a platform for non-guided exploration, puzzle solving, scavenger hunts and loads of toilet humour.

GRAPHICS

The lush, explorable map is an intoxicating setup, with the game prodding you into its well-conceived, pulp sci-fi world. There are monsters that liberally spray neon gunge, giant mushrooms, inexplicably floating islands and a plethora of other weird and wonderful alien inventions.

DARKSIDERS GENESIS

In Darksiders Genesis, the fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, Strife, is called upon to save humankind from certain destruction at the hands of Lucifer. True to its roots, Darksiders Genesis features intense combat, exploration, puzzle-solving, epic boss battles and serpent holes from heaven to hell, but the game also carves its own path as a full-scale Darksiders adventure played from the top-down perspective.

76 March 2020

A fun but flawed adventure.

RATING:

DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

Discover the story of the mysterious Dragon Balls and play through iconic Dragon Ball Z battles on a scale unlike any other. Fight across vast battlefields with destructible environments and experience epic boss battles against the most iconic foes (such as Raditz, Frieza and Cell).

Increase your power level through RPG mechanics and beyond the epic battles, experience life in the Dragon Ball Z world as you fight, fish, eat, and train with Goku, Gohan, Vegeta and others.

DREAMS

This ever-expanding game universe allows you to explore, experience and join in the limitless imagination of players around the world. Dreams also gives you the opportunity to unleash your creativity, building, sharing and bringing your own ideas to life in the online Dreamiverse platform.

From games to gadgets, music to movies, puzzles to paintings and literally anything in-between… this is a beautiful playground of creativity where everything is possible. www.bahrainthismonth.com

websites

websites

Karaoke Night

Camelot Restaurant held a Karaoke Night

SITE: www.quickdraw.withgoogle.com RATING: VERDICT: An amusing aside to pass the time.

WHAT IS IT?

This is a game built with machine learning. You draw, and a neural network tries to guess what you’re drawing. Of course, it doesn’t always work. But the more you play with it, the more it will learn.

THE GOOD

So far, the AI has been trained on a few hundred concepts, with more added over time. This is an example of machine learning done in a fun way and how many different interpretations of the same thing or object can be brought together under one word.

THE BAD

The site isn’t good at recognising generic circular objects, with the annoying AI constantly guessing the same thing over and over. There could also be a wider variety of tools to make drawings more specific.

www.gutenberg.org

Project Gutenberg is all about digitising, archiving and distributing ebooks. In fact, it has taken it upon itself to digitise as many of the classics and other cultural works of the written word as it can for current and future generations to enjoy. Best of all, everything on Project Gutenberg is available to read online or download free of charge.

Cycle Safe Bahrain The Cycle Safe Bahrain

2020 Campaign was launched along with Bahrain Cycling Academy

www.rescuetime.com

Need help staying focused and productive? RescueTime may be able to help. This browser plugin and time management programme includes a personal analytics service that tracks how you spend your time online and gives you tools to increase your focus and productivity while improving your work-life balance and overall quality of life. www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 77

apps

APPS REVIEW BTM BRINGS YOU THE LOW-DOWN ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST APPS ON THE MARKET.

APP: OVER RATING: VERDICT: A great app for personalising your photos.

WHAT IS IT?

Over is designed primarily for adding text to images, which you might want to do if you’re making a poster or Instagram post, for example. The app lets you select from a wide range of canvas sizes, including some created specifically for different social media purposes, such as Facebook cover photos. Then you can add images, text and graphics.

THE GOOD

For images you can adjust the exposure, contrast and various other things; for text you can choose from a range of fonts, alignments and colours; and for graphics you can select from a range of pre-made designs, then adjust colour, position and more. Projects can have multiple layers, and when you’re done you can save the result as a JPG or PNG, or share it.

THE BAD

It’s a handy app and everything mentioned above is free, but it locks you out of an ever-growing library of templates, hundreds of extra fonts, far more graphics and the promise of additional features in future, unless you cough up a fairly hefty fee.

APP: GLITCH LAB Glitch Lab is a photo editor packed full of digital glitch effects. If you like making your pictures look a bit glitchy or retro, this is one of the most capable and versatile ways to do it. There are more than 100 effects here, and many of them are customisable, ensuring your glitches won’t look like anyone else’s. As if to demonstrate the power, it’s even possible to generate an image from scratch, building it up through a number of effects and tweaks.

78 March 2020

APP: DOODLELENS Simply doodle something, then point your phone’s camera at the doodle from within the app and you can copy it and paste it on top of the world around you in augmented reality. You can also change the colour of the doodle and even make very basic animations by copying multiple doodles and having the app cycle through them. You can then record and save the results. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Get your favourite partner anytime at www.redhousemarketing.com

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tv releases

FANCY SOME CHILL-TIME AT HOME? Check out the latest TV series to hit your screens.

Hunters

Al Pacino portrays the leader of a group of Nazi hunters in 1977 New York City, who uncover – and work to assassinate – former Nazi officials hiding in America and plotting to form a Fourth Reich. The series also stars Logan Lerman as the group’s newest member, along with Josh Radnor, Kate Mulvany and Lena Olin, among others.

Katy Keene

This Riverdale spin-off follows the trials and tribulations of Katy Keene as she tries to become a fashion legend in New York City.

Katy Keene is based on the Archie Comics character of the same name and stars Lucy Hale, Ashleigh Murray and Julia Chan.

The Coldest Game

Starring Bill Pullman, this thriller is spoken mostly in English but released first in Poland. It’s set during the early 1960s’ Cuban missile crisis and follows a maths genius, Josh Manksy, who gets drafted to play in the United States vs Soviet Union chess match.

80 March 2020

The Farewell

In this funny, heartfelt story, Billi’s (Awkwafina) family returns to China under the guise of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to their beloved matriarch – the only person that doesn’t know she only has a few weeks to live.

Altered Carbon (Season 2)

P.S. I Still Love You

The highly anticipated sequel to Netflix’s popular rom-com To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, P.S. I Still Love You is the new release which brings back Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) and Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), picking up right where they left off from the first film. But this time, there’s a new boy in town.

Altered Carbon is based on the novel of the same name written by Richard K Morgan.

The story is set in a future world where humans have conquered their death by digitally uploading their consciousness into disks known as cortical stacks. These stacks grant individuals immortality as their consciousness can be downloaded into a physical body, called a sleeve.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

S E I V MO Onward The Way Back

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure Release Date: March 4 In a classic feelgood tale, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, go on a journey to discover if there is still a little magic left out there in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him. All manner of magic and mayhem ensues after a spell goes awry.

Bloodshot

Genre: Drama, Sport Release Date: March 5 This sports drama is about a former high school basketball phenom named Jack (Ben Affleck), now struggling with alcoholism and a tragic loss, who is offered a coaching job at his alma mater. As the team starts to win, he may have a reason to confront his old demons. But will it be enough to set him on the road to redemption? And will we discover the secret that made him walk away from the game in the first place?

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama Release Date: March 12 After being killed in battle, elite soldier Ray Garrison is resurrected via a cutting-edge military programme which grants him super-human strength and accelerated healing. Defying protocol, he pursues the man who he believes murdered his wife. In a mesmerising ride of twists, turns and conspiracies, it becomes apparent that he may not even be able to trust himself.

Following in the tradition of lesser-known but acclaimed comic books brought to the big screen, Bloodshot promises to be an exciting return to Sci-Fi for seasoned actor Vin Diesel. The film also serves as the feature directorial debut of Dave Wilson, who previously worked as a creative supervisor on The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), as well as the cinematic trailer for video game franchises such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, BioShock Infinite and The Elder Scrolls Online.

A Quiet Place Pt.II

Mulan

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Suspense Release Date: March 18 Having discovered the creatures’ weakness at the end of the first film, the Abbot family fights back and returns to the outside world.

They quickly discover that the blind monsters that have hunted them thus far may not be the only threat that lurks in this unforgiving terrain.

Following the heart-breaking events of the enthralling first installment, John Krasinski returns to helm this much-anticipated sequel, once again directing spouse Emily Blunt and introducing renowned actors Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Djimon Honsou (Gladiator) into the franchise.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Release Date: March 18 One of the most anticipated Disney live-action remakes of the decade. The immortal story of the fiery young Chinese maiden, who disguises herself as a male warrior, and takes her aging father’s place in the Chinese army during their war against the Huns.

Director Niki Caro has a long-running success rate of strong female-led films, and the casting of Yifei Liu (The Forbidden Kingdom) as Mulan, as well as Donnie Yen (IP Man) as Commander Tung and none other than Jet Li as the Emperor – we might just be looking at the next big hit of the year.

Sing it with me: “Let’s get down to business!”

www.bahrainthismonth.com

film releases

Deerskin Genre: Comedy, Horror Release Date: March 15 In a distant corner of an unknown village, a man purchases a designer deerskin jacket, which awakens such an obsession within him, that he is forced to turn to a life of crime.

Every laugh is followed by a sense of discomfort, and every choice the characters make can be questioned to no end.

The outlandish plot is only further accentuated by the terrific performance of Oscar winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist) and the meticulous directing of Quentin Dupieux, one of today’s more eccentric leading auteurs.

March 2020 81

music

Sepultura

Quadra Quadra is a concept album which expresses the delineated nature of society and the power of money. The album is so titled because its 12 songs are divided into four groups of three songs each. Each grouping showcases a different aspect of the band’s musical persona.

Its first section offers the band at its most aggressive in a short set of thrash metal. The second quarter hearkens back to more rhythmic, groove-metal-oriented albums while the third shows the band at its most experimental and progressive. Introduced by the brief interlude of a title track, the final section pursues more melodic, less aggressive prog metal. It features gorgeously layered acoustic and electric guitars, ghostly female vocals and even elements of symphonic metal.

Stone Temple Pilots

GREEN DAY

Father of All…

Verdict:

A short, sharp punk blast.

What’s the story?

Father of All…is the 13th studio album by American rock band Green Day. With a running time of 26 minutes and 12 seconds, it is Green Day’s shortest album, surpassing their debut album 39/Smooth, which is 31 minutes and 13 seconds.

Worth a listen?

With Father of All..., Green Day take an aggressive about-face into high-energy glam punk with the most danceable songs they’ve produced in their 30-plus-year run. Kicking off with the stomping title track, the trio inject a plethora of unfamiliar elements into their sound. Falsetto vocals, handclaps and choruses full of grimy hooks permeate the album. For all the power balladry, rock opera dabbling, and other sidebars of their long career, much of Father of All... is new territory for the group. Even moments that draw closer to past material are enhanced by production experiments with vocal samples, piano parts and electronic touches. While the album doesn’t deliver their most memorable songs, its wild glam experimentation and attitude-heavy performances show a band still seeking new thrills even decades in.

82 March 2020

Perdida After a decade bookended by just two album releases and capped off with a pair of tragic deaths, Stone Temple Pilots press pause on their usual big rock sound to process grief with their back-to-basics acoustic eighth album, Perdida. Titled after the Spanish word for ‘loss’, this introspective set is weathered, weary and surprisingly beautiful, an intentional therapy session for a band that’s experienced its fair share of tragedy and drama. As such, loss is the central theme for much of the album, but instead of being weighed down by sadness and misery, Perdida does its best to find hope in the darkness. Drawing from a deep well of emotions, Stone Temple Pilots bare their souls and take the first steps toward moving on into a new era.

The Lone Bellow

Half Moon Light There’s just enough twang audible on Half Moon Light to mark this as Americana, but the dominant sound hovers somewhere between indie rock and adult alternative, a smart mix of acoustic and electric instruments that gives keyboards a larger role than before and sounds cool and refined. Half Moon Light also finds the band trading someplace where they felt right at home in favour of a musical direction that seems just a bit foreign, and even when the songs and production mesh, this never flows as naturally as they did on their earliest work. www.bahrainthismonth.com

WHAT’S

green AN IDEAL OPTION

Perfectly Pressed is a Bahraini venture that provides health conscious islanders with fresh, cold-pressed juices and nut milks. This process keeps vital enzymes and nutrients in the juices intact, which help in boosting health and immunity.

What’s sustainable here, is that the products come packaged in glass bottles, which can be returned to the company to be reused and/or recycled. Besides a variety of juices and dairy-free drinks, the organisation offers one-, two- or three-day cleanse packages. Drink away! www.perfectlypressed.co

what's green

BTM takes a look at the latest easy-touse, planet-friendly products.

A SUSTAINABLE WIPE Would you believe that all your makeup (including waterproof beauty) can be removed with just water and The Original MakeUp Eraser? All you need to do is wet a section of the cloth and remove the day off your face in gentle, circular motions. It’s made up of millions of tiny hairlike fibres that stand straight up and, when wet, work together to reach and suction all makeup, dirt and oil out of each individual pore. The Original MakeUp Eraser is touted to be a premium, plush, no-chemical polyester blend designed for sensitive skin. It is dermatologist-approved, reusable and machine-washable, thereby eliminating one of the most wasteful products in the world — wipes! www.amazon.com

WASTE NOT

A CLEAR CONSCIENCE The Onya compostable dog waste disposal bags are a convenient carry, whether you’re on a dog walk, need an away-from-home nappy change or are camping. They are palm oil-free, made from 100 per cent GMO-free renewable plants and are free from any plastic additives such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and PVC. They are certified compostable to Australian, European, USA and Japanese standards, which means they have been independently assessed to break down to virtually undetectable levels in the soil, and are deemed ‘worm safe’ with no micro plastic residues left behind. Each pack includes the carry pouch along with 30 renewable plant-based, compostable waste disposal bags. www.onyalife.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Now here’s a more cost-saving alternative to disposable paper cups. The AmazonBasics Reusable Silicone Baking Cups are made of foodgrade silicone and work with any standard baking or muffin pan, are stain- and odour-resistant, and require no greasing before baking. The flexible silicone allows you to bake not only muffins and cupcakes, but also individual cheesecakes, brownies and various other desserts.

Freezer-, microwave-, dishwasher- and oven-safe, these colourful cups are ideal for the busy kitchen. www.amazon.com

SMART JACKET Onya’s drink bottle jacket is made from premium neoprene and has a heavy duty carabiner to easily clip on to a bag or backpack, so you always have your reusable drink bottle handy. It works to keep drinks fresh longer and protect your bottle from wear and tear.

The premium neoprene is free of any nasty toxins and is tougher with greater insulating abilities than normal neoprene. It also takes less energy and petroleum used in its manufacture, and comes with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. www.onyalife.com

March 2020 83

travel

Céad Míle Fáilte Home to many secrets and hidden treasures, the Emerald Isle is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in Europe! A land of craggy mountains, salt-sprayed coastlines, rolling greenery, mysterious Celtic ruins, crumbling castles, leprechaun-dotted forests, shanty pubs set to the ditties of Gaelic folk, rowdy bars with gallons of the black stuff … whatever your tastes, Ireland really is a wonder to behold. By the way, Céad Míle Fáilte means a hundred thousand welcomes, which is what you’ll find in the Emerald Isle.

CLIFFS OF MOHER

The Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway, a coastal area of about 40,000 basalt columns near the town of Bushmills in County Antrim, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.

Folklore tells us that an Irish giant named Finn MacCool once lived in the area. From across the sea he could spy a Scottish giant, Benandonner, his rival, whom he had never met.

Finn challenged Benandonner to come to Ireland to fight. Because no boat was big enough to carry the giant, Finn built a causeway of stones in the water so that Benandonner would be able to make it across.

In truth, Giant’s Causeway was created by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago – an interesting fact, but the Finn MacCool myth is a bit more fun to believe.

No matter how it came to be, the Causeway is one of the best places to walk through in the North.

84 March 2020

One of the most visited natural attractions in all of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher rise up from the swells of the great Atlantic Ocean like petrified bulwarks of stone.

On top, they are covered with the island’s trademark meadows of verdant green grass, while the waters of Galway Bay crash and froth against the stone below.

At a whopping 120 metres in height, these great cliffs offer dramatic views of the coastline and the Aran Islands out at sea, while a new visitors’ centre makes it easy for travellers to uncover the hundreds of millions of years of geological history that helped form the strata of sandstone and shale.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

travel

Blarney Castle

Forever drawing day trippers out of the centre of Cork, this partly-ruined set of keeps and battlements is high on the list of Ireland’s bucket-list sights.

It was built more than 600 years ago by Irish chieftain Cormac McCarthy, and you can tour the massive stone building from its towers to its dungeons. Extensive gardens surround it, filled with stone features and secret corners. Blarney Woollen Mills is known for its sweaters and other knitwear and has a shop selling crystal, porcelain, and other Irish gifts.

The real attraction, however, is the mythic Blarney Stone, which is said to imbue any that kiss it (easier said than done!) with the gift of the Irish gab.

Dublin

Rowdy, raucous Dublin surely needs no introduction! A town of folksy, Guinness-fuelled pubs and elegant Georgian architecture, this capital city continues to draw travellers from far and wide with its cocktail of culture and heritage, class and hedonism.

Set midway down the beautiful coast of the Irish Sea, the city boasts the colossal St Patrick’s Cathedral (the largest of its kind in Ireland) and the acclaimed Dublin Writers Museum, where visitors can unravel the lives of Joyce, Yeats et al.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular tourist attraction of all, The Guinness Storehouse, also draws tasters with its brooding ales, while distilleries are never too far away and Temple is famed for its foodie delights, killer restaurants and entertainment spots.

The Rock of Cashel

Ireland’s most visited heritage site, the Rock of Cashel, stars in countless images of the Emerald Isle. Oozing a certain gothic mystery and eerie charm from every one of its Game of Thrones-style turrets and keeps, crumbling walls and crenulated gatehouses, it clings like an ancient limpet to the green hills of County Tipperary in the south.

The site was the fortress of the Munster kings way back in the early middle ages, and still hosts buildings like the Round Tower and Cormac’s Chapel from that period – many of which stood up to English invaders in later years.

There are also beautifully haunting graveyards of Celtic stones to see, not to mention sweeping views of the beautiful Munster backcountry. www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2020 85

out & about

CLICK BAIT

Bahrain is a picturesque island, full of photographic gems worthy of being on your Instagram page. From the quaint to the quirky, there are numerous spots around town that make for attention-grabbing posts. We’ve rounded up our faves.

AHRAIN QALAT AL B e Bahrain

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86 March 2020

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www.bahrainthismonth.com

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

March 2020 | Issue 204

FASHION FLOWER POWER 10 TO TRY

FOOD

RAZAN’S RECIPES

BEAUTY

SCRUB THE WINTER AWAY

WELL-BEING WALK TO FITNESS

PEOPLE KATA DRAXLER

DRAGON BOAT CAPTAIN

www.womanthismonth.com

M&S

This is one look that never really goes away but this season designers have gone all out with florals in all manner of shades, shapes and styles hitting the runways and, very swiftly, making their way onto the high street.

Kristina Fidelskaya

FL WER POWER If you don’t want to go particularly girly-girly, take a leaf out of Gucci’s style book and pair a flamboyant top with sombre blacks – swapping out the black for white linen pants or shorts would update this look for summer.

Gucci

Osman

Loewe

Chloe

Givenchy

Kate Spade New York

M&S

FASHION | trend

Elsewhere, Chloe flashed a pop of neon; there was applique aplenty at both Ingie and Givenchy; and both Osman and Kate Spade New York went bloomin’ bonkers, the former with gorgeously clashing patterns (so wrong, yet, so right) and the latter sending models down an outdoor runway in head-to-toe florals with bags and even live plants adding to the mood.

Rene Caovilla

Ingie

Start adding florals to your wardrobe now and they’ll take you right through spring to late summer.

88

March 2020

www.womanthismonth.com

bystander

dinner was held in honour of the Indian Basketball Team, who were in Indian Basketball Team Dinner ABahrain for the Asian Cup, at Tanatan Restaurant, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa

btm.pdf

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BD. 8 NET ONLY 12:30 PM UNTIL 3:30 PM EVERYDAY EXCEPT FRIDAYS *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 89

Your local search engine for restaurants and hotels in Bahrain Restaurants

Hotels

25m

40m

Entertainment

CafĂŠs

65m

20m

Serviced Apartments 35m

www.thebhrg.com Featuring: Apps / Updates & Blogs / Promos & Deals / Events / Menus / Videos / Photos / Answer Reviews & Chats / Listings / Digital Campaign

The Bahrain Hotel & Restaurant Guide 2019 @bahrainhotelandrestaurantguide

@thebhrg

FASHION |essentials

10 Things to Try This Month New Sunnies Cos you can never have enough.

1

2

Tie a Turban Perfect all year round.

Embrace Your Curves Larger ladies have been storming the catwalks, you can too with great shapewear!

8

Bright Eyes Go for it!

5 Add some sparkle Who cares if you didn’t get them for Valentine’s Day?

4

3

7

6

Eco Fashion OK, you don’t have to wear grass but check the labels and do your bit.

Off the Cuff Add funky cufflinks to your favourite shirt.

Channel Your Inner Billie The teen singer is a pop and style sensation. Need we say more?

Look Good Feel Good Buy from the Boss-Meissen Big-Five inspired collection and they’ll donate to Elephants for Africa

9

10 Boots, boots, boots Probably the last chance you’ll get to wear them until next winter.

www.womanthismonth.com

March 2020

91

news

DOING THEIR BIT

EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY

MANGO has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), a leading organisation in the textile sector which aims to promote good practices in the supply chain and measure the environmental and social impact of brands. The multinational has joined more than 250 brands, retailers, manufacturers, governmental and environmental organisations and academic institutions that form part of this initiative, which represents a total of 35 countries. Signing up is part of the ambitious plan the company will implement over the next few years to fulfil one of its strategic goals: the sustainable transformation of the firm.

Gucci, one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands, has joined The Lion’s Share Fund, a unique initiative raising much-needed funds to tackle the crisis in nature, biodiversity and climate across the globe. Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a coalition of businesses and UN partners, the fund aims to raise over USD100 million per year within the next five years for environmental conservation by asking brands to contribute 0.5 per cent of their media spend every time an animal is featured in their advertisements. Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci, said: “This groundbreaking initiative has the potential to be transformative by organically connecting the business community with direct action to protect our natural habitats and species.”

A COLLABORATIVE COLLECTION

Contemporary womenswear brand RIXO and historic fashion house Christian Lacroix have launched an exclusive See Now, Buy Now collaboration collection. The limited-edition RIXO x House of Christian Lacroix capsule was unveiled at RIXO’s fourth on-schedule London Fashion Week. Limited and special, each piece in the collection is one of 50 or fewer globally. The capsule designs play with varying scales and combinations of prints – juxtaposing diagonal stripes, florals, polka dots and checks. Lacroix’s dynamic motifs combined with a contemporary RIXO twist create colourful pieces merged together in bright and punchy hues.

PLASTIC PUT TO USE

Following on from the ‘I’m Not A Plastic Bag’ project in 2007, Anya Hindmarch has created ‘I Am A Plastic Bag’. Made from an innovative new fabric which is created from the yarn from recycled plastic bottles and coated with recycled plastic windshields, the collection uses the incredible technology and craftsmanship that is synonymous with the brand. The bag has a luxurious, cotton canvas-feel fabric. It takes 32 half-litre bottles to make each large tote. To create a weather-resistant durable finish, the fabric is then coated in recycled PVB, which is extracted from old car windshields. The bag is trimmed with leather, which is a sustainable by-product of the meat industry.

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TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE

Belgian designer Raf Simons is set to join Italian megahouse, Prada, as co-creative director, working alongside Miuccia Prada with equal responsibilities for creative decision-making. The appointment is effective from April and their first show will be Spring/Summer 2021 womenswear, presented in Milan in September this year.

Simons, who will continue to design his namesake menswear label, is the first major design talent from outside the Prada family to join the house. He says: “Prada is a brand that I have been interested in my whole life. I cannot wait to express to all of you the dialogue I will have with Mrs Prada and her team.” www.womanthismonth.com

bystander OTHER EVENTS The latest Diner Amical of the Bahrain Chapter of The Chaine des Rotisseurs was held at the La Mer, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, with over 50 members and guests enjoying an evening of revisited Classic French Cuisine

As part of Marriott Business Council Bahrain’s commitment to giving back to the community members, including The Westin & Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain, Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Marriott Executive Apartments and Residence Inn by Marriott, handed over a cheque amounting to BD 2,450 to Al Sanabel Orphanage Hatim Sharif Zu’bi, Hon GBE launched his autobiography book titled: A Story of Will, Determination and Hope Cancer Care Group in association with MVR Cancer Institute and Research Centre and The Indian Club conducted a Cancer Awareness Lecture and introduction of the treatment scheme of the MVR Institute

Indian Ladies Association inducted its new executive committee for the year 2020-2021

An Akin Saatci-Pilates Mat and Reformer Workshop was held in Bahrain

In an attempt to promote public health among youth, INJAZ Bahrain hosted the annual INJAZ Walk initiative as part of its participation in Bahrain Sports Day 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2020 93

PEOPLE | interview

ENTER THE DRAGON (BOAT)

F

Liz O’Reilly chatted to Kata Draxler, Bahrain’s only female solo dragon boat captain, to find out what’s so great about this relatively new sport.

irstly, Kata is quick to point out that there are other female captains but they are all parts of male-female duos. Dragon boating’s also not new, as it has been going for years, but it is new to Bahrain.

So, what exactly is it? Dragon boats are shallow canoe-type craft in which teams of paddlers, led by a drummer, use large oars to propel the craft through the water. It originated in China’s Pearl River Delta and dates back thousands of years. The modern sport was revived in Hong Kong around 1976 and, in recent years, it has become widespread across the world both for competition and general fitness. It’s also great fun!

Always active and sporty, Kata became involved when Bahrain Rowing Centre brought the first boats to the Kingdom a little over two years ago. She explains: “They were offering free sessions. I got together with some friends and the Black Dragons was formed, we were one of the first teams on the island.”

Kata was co-captain from the beginning but took over the role on her own when her fellow captain had to step down.

When the Black Dragons are racing, there are two boats each with 10 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman, who guides the craft with an extra-long oar – not an easy task according to Kata.

Asked what draws her to the sport, Kata says: “I took it up because it’s a team sport and I love all types of water sports, so this is the best combination for me. I also do open water swimming. The whole dragon boat community helps each other. For example, at the moment, our coach is from another team; come race day, we will be competing against him, but it’s great sportsmanship.

“There are around six to eight regular teams and others that just come and go for the races.

We are also looking into racing outside of Bahrain as dragon boating is becoming more and more popular. The World Championships were held in Hungary last year and the UAE had a ladies’ team entered.”

Though she would love to be in sport full time, Kata currently works in education and, keen to encourage people to give dragon boating a try, she says: “It’s important to point out that all the team have different backgrounds; some work in education, others in embassies or at the airport. There’s also a great age range with the youngest being around 21 and the oldest in her 60s – an amazing committed lady. It really is a sport for everyone.”

You can see the dragon boats in action at the next race event at Marassi Beach on March 6.

If you’d like to know more about the Black Dragons such as practice times etc, check them out or get in contact on Instagram @black.dragons.bh

The team currently consists of around 30 people and there will be 10 on the boat at any given time. They range from the elite, who are there for the regular practices and races, to others who are only able to come along occasionally and pursue the sport socially. Thirty sounds a lot but, according to Kata: “Some of the other teams have 60 or 70 people, my team is one of the smallest and we are actively trying to recruit more members.

“Also, we’re the only team I’m aware of that has Bahrainis on board. Membership is about 50-50 Bahraini-expat, so I’m hoping we might be able to attract some more locals and some sponsorship.”

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Silk BEAUTY | tips

S A TH

O O SM

The days of strutting your stuff by the pool or at the beach are not far off. You may have a new pair of killer shorts lying in wait, but are you ready to bare your winter-rough skin?

Just like on your face, the skin on the rest of your body also sheds dead cells, that, when accumulated in the epidermis, leave you with lackluster skin. Besides trapping dirt and oil, gunk doesn’t allow other products to seep in effectively.

Here are some ways you can act now to have smooth skin come summer. nfidence.

Worth its Salt RESTORE AND FORTIFY

Massaging salt into the skin in circular motions can help to increase movement in your lymphatic system, thereby giving the body a detox and the immune system a boost. Magnesium-rich Epsom salt has a finer grain than others, and is ideal to exfoliate sensitive skin, besides reducing muscle pain and tension. Himalayan salt, rich in trace minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron, imparts detoxifying and healing properties.

Its coarse texture is good for areas that need tough love – like elbows, knees and the sides and back of the thighs.

Caffeine’s the Fix ANTI CELLULITE

Caffeine is hated by cellulite for its ability to dilate blood vessels, which temporarily tones and tightens tissue. It also increases circulation and reduces water retention, both of which can help make the cellulite look less apparent. While this scrub smells invigourating, it certainly cannot completely rid you of the orange-peel effect. The antioxidants in fresh coffee grounds may help to up collagen production and release toxins, which helps in overall skin health.

While we’re on the topic of dimpled skin, a word on dry brushing. It is touted to reduce cellulite when done regularly, and also remove dry, dead skin.

Harness the Hammam VELVET-LIKE SKIN

Deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culture, everyone in this part of the world has heard about the Moroccan Bath. In the pampering ritual, one sits in steam to loosen all the ‘dirt’, followed by application of the traditional black soap, which is kept on for a few minutes to let its deep cleansing and purifying properties work. Once the skin is prepped for the next step – the rigourous scrubbing with a kessa glove commences. The exfoliating texture of the glove might feel unkind, but is well worth it for the buttery, baby-soft skin it reveals.

From Your Garden ANTIBACTERIAL SHIELD

Aloe vera is renowned for its cleansing constituents that are enriched with antibacterial and exfoliating properties to banish impurities gently. Its antiseptic properties shield skin from bacteria in turn preventing issues like back-acne and skin infections. Mix some oatmeal or sugar granules into fresh-cut or genuine store-bought aloe gel and scrub away for problemfree, bright skin. www.womanthismonth.com

DIY AT HOME

No time for a spa hour? Whip up your own body polish with ingredients readily available in your kitchen pantry. Depending on your mood, just mix and match one element from the below to make your customised concoction: Exfoliators – Granulated sugar, oatmeal, powdered walnut shell, rice flour, powdered dried orange peel Humectants – Raw honey, avocado, virgin oils – coconut, olive, sweet almond or jojoba, or Vitiman E oil Essential Oils and Extracts – Citrus, lavender, ylang ylang, tea tree or patchouli.

Extracts include green tea and vanilla.

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BEAUTY | new products

Raving In Red

Inglot cosmetics announces the launch of the ‘More than Red’ lipstick, a limited-edition piece that not only comes enriched with a special moisturising recipe, but the crystal-blitzed Swarovski packaging is beautifully handbag-ready, too. This is a shade of sassy scarlet that says ‘confident’ and ‘feminine’; and its formulation of Q10 coenzyme, vitamin E and apricot kernel oil plumps and smooths the delicate skin of your lips to give them lasting shape and contour.

The WOW Effect

COLOR WOW has launched the brand-new and exciting EXTRA Mist-ical Shine Spray, which guarantees to give the most brilliantly, glossy and sparkling hair.

This super-light finishing mist instantly adds intense, glossy shine, making hair look healthy, and lighting up any style you have in mind. The groundbreaking technology behind it promises a non-greasy, nondrying and non-sticky look that will not collapse or weigh down the style you have created. Apply a light all-over misting for intense gloss, apply to any ends that look dull and dry, spray on your brush and brush through the hair, apply to fingers and tousle through your locks to light up your layers or for rich, deep luminosity, hit it with the blow dryer for magnified shine.

Wrinkles, Be Gone!

Enriched by years of research, Guerlain’s Abeille Royale boasts the reparative BlackBee Repair Technology, which takes the best hive products, including exclusive honey from Ouessant Island and Corsica as well as New Zealand clover honey and a Guerlain-exclusive royal jelly, and enlists them in the combat against the signs of ageing – both those that are already visible and those yet to appear. This is achieved by targeting micro-tears and micro-lesions on the skin, as well as damage and changes to the skin barrier stemming from skin cell or nerve dysfunction provoked by stress or the environment. Multidimensional in the way it fights the signs of ageing, Abeille Royale targets wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity. With skin-repairing properties, the product claims to take three years off the eyes, making them visibly younger.

From lips to eyes and hair to skin, we've got something to beautify every option.

Big Sister’s In The House

The Powerpuff Girls - Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup - are joined

by Blisstina, whose extraordinary powers and super hero abilities are reflected in the newest makeup items from INGLOT x The Powerpuff Girls. Check out the confidence-boosting shades of Team Bliss Eye Shadow Palette and Pure Pigment Eye Shadow in Energy Blast that will make your eyes pop. Add LipSatin Lipstick in Super Tough with a touch of Lips Gloss in Find Your Bliss, and you have the last word.

This collection has been extended to 22 functional products, which come in handy, all encased in super cute packaging. The colours and textures allow to create the most fantastic looks and add a bit of fun to your everyday makeup.

Express Yourself, Your Way

Gucci launches L’Obscur, a new buildable mascara for the bold, the bright and the beautiful. The mascara has a uniquely shaped brush and formula to grip lashes and create distinct results. It has an ultra-rich, creamy texture, in an intense black, with a comfortable film, which quickly transfers the perfect amount onto lashes and is near impossible to smudge, flake, feather or migrate once dry. The flexible brush ensures ultimate ease of application, with a thin tip to perfectly catch the smallest lashes at the top and bottom corners of the eyes and also fan, lengthen and separate each lash with panoramic precision. The long-wearing finish lasts up to twelve hours.

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news

A STRATEGIC TAKE-OVER

TOP INFLUENCERS

Dave Lackie, Sarah Berryman and Hannah Ween have been named top three beauty influencers for the last quarter of 2019 on Twitter, as per GlobalData. According to the analytics company, Dave Lackie, editor and founder of Beauty Departure magazine, has surpassed all competitors, reaching the maximum score. With 162,000-plus followers, he reached a maximum ‘influencer score’ of 100 on GlobalData’s Beauty Influencer Platform, which tracks more than 250 global beauty experts and their discussions on Twitter. Sarah Berryman, a beauty blogger, was ranked second with an influencer score of 73, while the UK-based beauty and book blogger Hannah Ween was ranked third with an influencer score of 63. Among the companies, Sephora has emerged as the most discussed company followed by Clarins and Boots UK, respectively.

NEW CREATIVE ROLE

The world’s most sought-after luxury fragrance brand, Amouage, has been undertaking a transformation that will re-write the book on perfume creation and its relationships with the next generation. In line with this, the brand has appointed Marco Parsiegla as Chief Executive Office. A new role debuts in the brand’s leadership team, that of Chief Experience Officer (CXO), and taking up the prestigious post is Renaud Salmon, whose career includes work for some of the most well-known global luxury houses such as Delvaux, Louis Vuitton, Dolce&Gabbana, Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs.

His role positions him at the helm of what will be known as the ‘Amouage Creative Collective’, a diverse team of creative experts who will lead the journey towards the brand’s reimagined future. www.womanthismonth.com

Vegan cosmetics brand e.l.f. Beauty is tapping into the clean beauty market with the acquisition of W3ll People. The company has acquired the cruelty-free, clean beauty brand for USD27 million, marking its first strategic extension.

Since its launch in 2008, W3ll People has garnered a reputation for cruelty-free, plant-based products formulated without fillers, propylene glycol, petrochemicals or petroleum byproducts. "Clean beauty is a strategically important segment given consumer sentiment and strong growth rates," said Tarang Amin, e.l.f.

Beauty Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “W3ll People is rooted in a deep and passionate understanding of clean beauty and shares our mission of making the best of beauty accessible.”

CLEAN SCENTS

Clara Molloy’s Hermetica ventures onto new ground to modernise traditional perfumery. The young brand offers a range of alcohol-free formulas based on Innoscent, Symrise’s patented molecular technology. The founder said: “People want to know if what they wear on their skin is safe, for them and for the environment, so we had to challenge conventions in the world of fine perfumery by leveraging on creativity." The discovery of Symrise’s Innoscent technology, exclusive to Hermetica, convinced her of the advantages of an alcohol-free formula.

Six hours of wear later, the olfactory strength of Hermetica perfumes is 56 per cent more powerful than those containing alcohol, more hydrating and with a softer scent. Also, the top, middle and bottom notes are released simultaneously.

RARING TO GO

Selena Gomez has announced the launch of her own cosmetics brand, named after her recently-released album Rare. As per her social media platform, Rare Beauty is in the pipeline, scheduled to be launched this summer in Sephora stores across North America. Gomez stated that she has been working on the collection for two years, outlining in a promotional video what 'being rare' means to her. “I think Rare Beauty can be more than a beauty brand,” she declared.

“I want us all to stop comparing ourselves to each other and just start embracing our own uniqueness. Rare Beauty isn’t about how other people see you; it’s about how you see yourself.”

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LIFESTYLE | well-being

STEP UP TO HEALTH

It’s simple, practical and free.

Yet, walking as exercise does not get the credit it deserves, finds Behnaz Sanjana.

Y

ou were probably raring to do it all the time as a toddler, but in adulthood you go to great lengths to avoid it – walking, that is! In between struggling for a parking spot closest to your destination and wrestling the routine to carve out time for the gym, we forget the benefits a brisk walk can have; an activity that can be done anytime, anywhere and doesn’t cost anything close to your gym membership.

This low-impact aerobic activity (cardio: check) is easy on the joints. A brisk cadence (steps per minute) can rev up your heart rate and open up the lungs to take in more oxygen, which is great for the body overall.

As per Harvard Medical School, walking, done right, can have tremendous benefit for folks across all age groups: - Keeps weight in check. In a study of over 12,000 people, walking was shown to cut down the effects of obesity-promoting genes in half in those who walked about an hour every day.

- Helps sweet cravings. A 15-minute walk helps overcome cravings for sweet foods and, over time, reduces them altogether.

- Reduces joint pain and prevents arthritis. Lubricates knee and hip joints, and strengthens the muscles that support them.

- Boosts immunity – A study of more than 1,000 individuals found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, five times a week, had 43-per-cent fewer sick days than those who exercised less. And their sickness was for a shorter duration, with milder symptoms.

- Relieves depression and improves memory.

How Much Is Enough?

Catrine Tudor-Locke, a walking behaviour researcher and a recognised expert in objective physical activity assessment, found that for adults, age 21-40, walking about 100 steps per minute constitutes moderate intensity, while vigorous walking begins at about 130 steps per minute.

Strapping on a pedometer to clock in your daily steps could be the easiest way to track your walking intensity, and thereby

your vitals like heartbeats per minute and calories burnt. No pedometer, no problem!

Tudor-Locke suggests simply counting steps for 15 seconds and multiplying by four to determine your walk’s approximate exercise intensity.

By and large, the frequency, duration and intensity parameters of your walks will determine how much benefit you gain out of them. But, even if it’s just an evening stroll you can manage on a particular day, some physical activity is better than none.

Suitable shoes are ideal for comfort and sustainable walking endeavours. Besides feeling supportive, but not constricting, a good pair must have: - A padded tongue and heel pad.

- Uppers that are light, breathable and flexible. ure - Moisture-resistant insol, and shock-absorbent sole.

So, chin up, post ers ld ou sh - Raised heel wedge, so the sole at the back of the shoe is erect and t’s le – re squa two times thicker than at the front. e to - A roomy toe box. comfortably strid ! th al sound he

- Reduces the risk of breast, colon and endometrial cancers. Walking provided protection from breast cancer even for women with risk factors, such as being overweight or using supplemental hormones.

- Reduces risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

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LIFESTYLE | well-being

WELL-BEING

SPREADING AWARENESS

Bahrain Specialist Hospital hosted an event at the offices of the Economic Development Board to build awareness about the novel Coronavirus which is fast spreading the world over, led by BSH’s internal medicine consultant Dr Syed Muneebuddin Ahmed and Mr Emad Almukahal.

The initiative taken by EDB aimed to raise awareness amongst employees and the general public, to impart information related to the virus and how corporates can maintain

AI TO THE FORE a safe workplace.

Some information discussed during the conference was related to employers considering a wide range of steps, including restricting international travel to affected areas, performing medical inquiries to the extent legally permitted, imposing potential quarantine for employees who have travelled, permitting leaves of absence and work from home options, and educating management and employees.

ARE WOMEN STRONGER? BREAKFAST LIKE A KING

A big breakfast can enable the burning of twice as many calories compared to eating a larger dinner, according to the new study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

It also results in fewer cravings, particularly for sweets, and healthier blood sugar and insulin levels throughout the day. Over the course of three days, researchers evaluated 16 men who alternated eating a low-calorie breakfast and a high-calorie dinner and vice versa. Their metabolism, along with overall hunger, blood glucose levels and cravings for sweets were tracked. On average, metabolic rate was 2.5 times higher after breakfast versus after dinner, essentially showing that people’s metabolisms are more active after their morning meal. A high-calorie breakfast was linked to lower blood sugar, hunger pangs and sweet cravings throughout the day. www.healthline.com www.womanthismonth.com

The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has published the largest analysis of Coronavirus cases to date, and although men and women have been infected in roughly equal numbers, researchers found, the death rate among men was 2.8 per cent, compared with 1.7 per cent among women.

Men also were disproportionately affected during the SARS and MERS outbreaks, which were caused by Ccoronaviruses. A number of factors may be working against men in the current epidemic, scientists say, including some that are biological, and some that are rooted in lifestyle. Sabra Klein, a scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says that it’s a pattern observed with many viral infections of the respiratory tract — men can have worse outcomes. When it comes to mounting an immune response against infections, men are the weaker sex. www.nytimes.com

Using a machine-learning algorithm, researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have identified a powerful new antibiotic compound. In laboratory tests, the drug killed many of the world's most problematic disease-causing bacteria, including some strains that are resistant to all known antibiotics. It also cleared infections in two different mouse models.

The computer model, which can screen more than a hundred million chemical compounds in a matter of days, is designed to pick out potential antibiotics that kill bacteria using different mechanisms than those of existing drugs. In their new study, the researchers also identified several other promising antibiotic candidates, which they plan to test further. They believe the model could also be used to design new drugs, based on what it has learned about chemical structures that enable drugs to kill bacteria. www.sciencedaily.com

NEW CHOLESTEROL DRUG

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new type of cholesterollowering drug, Nexletol, aimed at millions of people who can't tolerate — or don't get enough help from — widely used statin pills. It is for people genetically predisposed to have high cholesterol or for those who have heart disease and need to further lower their bad cholesterol. The daily pill is to be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and the highest statin dose patients can handle, the FDA said. Nexletol, also known as bempedoic acid, works in the liver by blocking an enzyme needed to make harmful cholesterol. Used along with statins, the drugs together can further reduce bad cholesterol. It should be available later this month. www.nbcnews.com March 2020

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LIFESTYLE

F F O H C T I N SW O H C T I W S y reboot ived a mind-baod ce re a n ja and n ge Sa Behnaz Remedy Massl Areen Palace te u in -m 60 e A th with e sophisticateesds Centre.

Treatment atYth r Life Welln & Spa’s Live ou

D

riving towards Al Areen Palace and Spa, my car and my mind were both racing along the fast lane, the latter heavy with to-do lists on the work and home front. But walking through quiet, sunlit corridors towards the five-star retreat’s Live Your Life Spa and Wellness helped still my inner conscience and take note of the present.

A quick, straightforward questionnaire later I was entrusted to Hazila, who is not only a certified alternative medicine practitioner, but also knowledgeable in alternative therapy and Thai medicine.

Her soft-spoken demeanour immediately put me at ease, adding to the sense of calm that Al Areen’s serene environs had already instilled in me.

I was in for the Remedy Massage, which is aimed to give relief from the various

niggles that arise from a largely sedentary lifestyle - back and knee pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, frozen shoulder, cramps, trigger finger and the like.

The spacious massage room beckoned, and I quickly changed into a super-soft cotton robe and hopped, face-down, on to the massage table. Hazila applied tactful pressure to the soles of my feet, heels, and calves, moving up to my back and shoulders, thoughtfully checking the intensity I’d prefer. I then felt a soothingly hot herbal compress on my back. The pounding of this bundle of herbs in a slow, rhythmic fashion allowed its heat and healing properties to penetrate the muscles. Hazila concentrated her efforts over my perpetually peeved shoulders and lower back, and I noticed my otherwise shallow, erratic breathing turn into deep,

mindful intakes of air that reached the depths of my lungs.

Next, she rubbed a light, fragrance-free oil onto my back, the pads of her fingers applying just the right amount of pressure.

I’ll be honest, I’ve had massage therapists waging war on my knotted shoulder muscles, leaving me behind, well, in the battlefield of pain in the aftermath. So, when Hazila commented on how ‘tight’ they were, I braced myself. But her thumbs worked firmly, yet gently, coaxing all the stiffness to just dissipate beneath their warmth quite painlessly in a few minutes.

Just as I was dozing off, a cold touch awakened me. It was the poultice that I had been told would be used; a wet mixture of powdered herbs meant to soothe the muscles and draw out any remnant aches and pains. After application, a towel kept me warm while the herbal blend did its job.

And as my mind mouthed a grateful ‘thank you’ I returned to that semi-conscious state of bliss.

Poultice wiped off and enrobed, I was asked to sit cross legged. As only an authentic Thai masseuse can do, Hazila proceeded to contort my upper body in tremendously soothing twists. At one point, my spine ‘cracked’ with the release of all its rigidity, as if to signal the grand finale of my Remedy Massage.

A good massage always tires me out, but sipping on honeyed ginger tea and fresh fruit solved that for me. I left the tranquil precincts of Al Areen Palace and Spa, understanding fully well the true meaning of the word ‘retreat’. With both mind and body fluid and relaxed I actually looked forward to the drive back into the city. And this time around, I soaked in the sights and enjoyed the ride.

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LIFESTYLE | food

P U T I X

MI

ecipe r n a i e tar pesca d in cuisin d n a e r write i, is certifi on) and in ege s s e n d l b l d wel zan Al Ara Bleu (Lon ndon’s Col n a d n o Foo per, Ra Cordo living by L o e l L e v y b de ryday iques techn ion for eve Medicine. t nutri uropathic t of Na

She’s passionate about health and wellbeing and marries her love of great, nutritious food with teaching yoga to both adults and kids. With that kind of combination, you can be guaranteed that the products of her busy kitchen will be both flavourful and healthful.

Try her mixed flavours and textures of fish and flesh for a dish that looks as good as it tastes.

Mexican Rice

Ingredients:

250g salmon fillet 2 tbsp mustard 3 tsp brown sugar 1 tsp sea salt Turkey bacon

Method:

Slice the salmon into two fillets and remove the skin. Season each fillet with one tablespoon of mustard, one teaspoon of brown sugar and half a teaspoon of sea salt. Grill in an oven dish for 20 minutes at 180˚ Celsius.

In a separate oven dish season four slices of turkey bacon with one teaspoon of brown sugar.

Grill at 180˚ Celsius for 15 minutes.

Cover each salmon fillet with two slices of bacon and broil the fillets for three to five minutes at 250˚ Celsius for a crispy brown finish. www.womanthismonth.com

Ingredients:

2 cups basmati rice 4 cloves garlic 2 tbsp chopped jalapeños 3 tbsp organic tomato paste 2 tbsp fajita seasoning 2 tbsp olive oil 3-4 cups low sodium chicken stock 1-2 tsp sea salt

Method:

Soak the basmati rice in water for 15 minutes. Sauté the minced garlic and jalapeños in olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Add the uncooked rice, tomato paste & fajita seasoning. Stir for 10 minutes then add the chicken stock (enough to cover the rice). Let the rice cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Stir every five minutes to prevent the rice from burning. Mexican rice is trendy, vegetarian and full of flavour. Enjoy it alone or as a side.

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LIFESTYLE | home

ENCHANTING EMERALD St Patrick’s Day graces our calendars this month, and sure enough, our thoughts have turned to all things green!

This colour can lend your indoors a feeling of being cocooned in nature and is calming and invigorating at once. Play with the whole colour spectrum to create an entire room in this mesmerising shade, or enhance it with splashes of lush for warm yet stylish dĂŠcor. Then watch envious visitors turn a verdant tint themselves.

Natural Swirl Place mat Home Centre

Richly Toned Cushion namshi.com

Colour Palette Rug Illulian

Jewel-Toned Vintage Ccabinet

The Noohs, Bahrain

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LIFESTYLE | home

Green for Green Hanging planters

‘Freshly’ Made Crockery IKEA

namshi.com

Elegant Olive Curtains Home Box

Amazing Agate Bookends namshi.com

Emerald Treasure Wicker box Colgrave Holmes Creations, Bahrain

Modern Appeal Side Table

Opera Contemporary

Delightful Duo Armchair and footrest Home Box

Green and Gold Sofa Angello Cappellini

www.womanthismonth.com

March 2020

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LIFESTYLE | parenting

CLEAR THAT PLATE!

Ouiam Charkani El Hassani offers tried and tested tips to help mums of picky eaters. phase, and let’s make mealtime great again!

T

he responsibility of sustaining another human being's life is somewhat overwhelming. No child comes with a manual and, no matter how much we know, we are all faced with moments that keep us dazzled, bewildered and sometimes on the verge of tears. One of these moments is when you spend the whole morning making all kinds of scrumptious food and, when lunchtime comes, your toddler totally refuses to take even ONE single bite. Not one bite!

No matter how much you know about health and wellness, once you have a child to feed every day – and especially if that child is a picky eater – you have a big battle on your hands and you need to be prepared.

Picky eating is a normal phase that toddlers go through. A nurturing and accepting caregiver is the key to helping them pass through it, so it doesn't snowball into a bigger problem. If what you're currently doing just isn't working, accept the fact that you need to try something new Here are some tips that will help you and your child overcome this not very pleasant

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• Sit down and have a meal together as a family every weeknight (if possible). This is the most important and often overlooked way of helping your child. The most efficient way of teaching a child anything is by DOING IT, in front of them.

• Make a mealtime schedule and stick to it.

Children are creatures of habit and they thrive with routine. Knowing what’s coming next gives them a boost of confidence, and helps them feel in control.

• Expose your child to a variety of foods. In the early days when you can still control what your child eats, it’s crucial to expose them to a wide selection of tastes and flavours, so they can accept all kinds of foods later on in life. Introducing different shapes, textures, colours, spices… etc, is the key!

• Make mealtime fun. Mealtimes can be stressful and overwhelming for some children, especially when they spy something completely new on their plate.

Try telling stories, or even talking about the food you are having: its colour, its shape…etc. Remember you are also creating memories that you and your children will cherish forever.

• Get your kids involved in cooking. Being involved in the preparation of the meal and the cooking helps eliminate the element of surprise, and gives the child a little heads-up on what’s coming on the plate later. It also gives the child a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they MADE that food!

• Offer two or three choices and always include one safe choice. It is just the perfect combination of allowing room for exploration of new foods and textures, and allowing more choices to help balance the meal. If you introduce a new food, always make sure there is something else that your child will surely eat, in case he isn’t a big fan of the new food.

• Choose your words wisely. Instead of saying “Eat it”, how about “Try it”? Children instinctively resist persuasion and reducing coercion will help reduce the child's anxiety.

• Allow total autonomy (but offer help if needed). Children – and all humans really – like to feel in control, especially when it comes to things that are coming directly into their mouths. However, if they need or request help, then that’s OK too.

You can’t force your child to enjoy food, but you can help and guide them to navigate in this food exploration journey.

Chanelmama

www.womanthismonth.com

last word

In Her Shoes

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

We go behind the scenes to quiz Pamela Panduric, PR and Marketing Manager at Al Areen Palace and Spa.

I was always quite adventurous and looking for new challenges. So, two weeks after my graduation from university, I moved to Tunisia. To me, a completely different country, culture, rules and people.

What’s your all-time favourite film?

Since I was little I have watched Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze so many times, I cannot even count. That movie taught me not to judge too soon; learn how to move and dance; the importance of family and that we can’t choose who we fall in love with.

What are three things you don’t leave the house without?

Definitely mobile phone, wallet and a perfume. A lady must always be well organised and pleasant to the eyes and nose.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Winners don’t quit – Quitters don’t win.” I bet each one of us has heard it many times. However, I must say, when I grew older and gathered more life experience, I learned that sometimes quitting is just moving on. Which is healthy and necessary.

Pamela Panduric

What did you want to be when you were a little girl?

A singer. Probably every little girl loves all the sparkling costumes, getting dressed up, fixing up her hair.

When I was bit older, I understood that to perform in front of hundreds of people is not that simple.

Who is your idol or inspiration?

Maybe this will sound cheesy, but it’s my mum. She had a good and a difficult life. Got married at the age of 20, had me at 28 and then my father passed away three years later.

She found her strength and built a beautiful life for all of us. www.womanthismonth.com

What song would you sing at karaoke?

What skill would you like to learn?

To play piano. I started when I was very little but now I can only play very slowly checking the notes.

My Way by Frank Sinatra. Unfortunately, my voice is not at all like his, so I sing it only when I’m alone at home or in the shower. I can proudly say: “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.”

March 2020

105

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BTM retail sales outlets BAHRAIN THIS MONTH, your guide to a great way of life, is available at the following selected outlets:

● 24-Seven Minimart, all outlets

● Muntaza Supermarket, all outlets

● 24 Hours Market, all outlets

● Other leading Cold Stores and

● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets

Ramee Grand Hotel Spa

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● Al Jazira Supermarket, all outlets ● Alosra Supermarket, all outlets ● Amwaj Islands Market, Amwaj ● Aseel Supermarket, all outlets ● Babasons Market, all outlets ● Lulu Hypermarket, all outlets ● Mega Mart, all outlets ● Metro Markets, all outlets ● Midway Supermarket, all outlets

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106 March 2020

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