Sunday, January 10, 2010

TASMENA and MENAlab

www.TASMENA.org

Sponsored by:
Dubai Culture
Emirates Foundation
Zayed University
Dubai Festival City

Yunsun chung-Shin, Nasreen Al Tamimi and Ramsey Jaber joined me in studio for a conversation about TASMENA and the MENAlab!


TASMENA is a newly initiated interdisciplinary design institute, which starts from the premise of participation, exploration, research and conceptualization in all areas of design. TASMENA is a nonprofit organization committed to innovative positions in various design disciplines such as art, graphic, film, photography and architecture. Through a series of exhibitions, talks, film screenings, conferences and publications we intend to generate dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and international boundaries. As a public forum for emerging voices, TASMENA explores issues in all design fields to built upon a critical dialouge and empower local communities in the Middle East and North Africa region with an understanding of design in their daily lives.

TASMENA IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT, DISCUSS, COLLABORATE, LEARN AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY THROUGH DESIGN.

TASMENA | Believes every choice we make is a design decision. | Aspires to give every person in the community an equal opportunity to be a designer. | Facilitates talks and actions to bring out design solutions within us.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

2 Dubai entertainment Stars

www.Diversechoreography.com

Lisa and Scott Marshall join me for a conversation about finding opportunity in the UAE.

Who They Are.

We are a husband and wife team who have many years of experience both as dancers and choreographers, whose passion and knowledge of the entertainment industry will prove invaluable here in the U.A.E. We choreograph and produce all varieties of entertainment ranging from TV and music videos to theatre, corporate and fashion shows...hence the name Diverse Choreography. We aim to produce for each individual client an imaginative and exciting show second to none in our field. By sharing our extensive knowledge and passion for creating tailor made shows for each client, you will achieve unique performances for your product and event.

Simply stated, Scott Marshall’s career history reads like a celebrity hit list. The first chapter of Scott’s illustrious story began at the Dance School of Scotland then on to the Laine Theatre Arts College, London where he gained a Diploma in Musical Theatre. The next chapter entailed Scott establishing himself as an industry leading dancer then choreographer and director working throughout Europe training dancers in established studios in all genres. Scott has since mirrored the decades gifted pop and film icons passion for music and drama with his own innate passion for alluring choreography. Unphased by the glitterati, Scott has collaborated with music’s elite in pinnacle events such as the world famous American Music Awards alongside the biggest selling artists in musical history such as Cher on her European Tour. Other than this, Scott’s sonic portfolio contains more collaborations of miasmic proportions; working with contemporary pop artists such as Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Pink, UK pop sirens Girls Aloud, the Sugababes and Jamelia, transient legends such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Michael Buble and Cliff Richards through to classical artists such as Vanessa Mae. Scott’s TV and film experience is equally as remarkable and includes projects such as Beyond the Sea, directed by and starring Kevin Spacey, the jocular hit Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson and Natalie Imbruglia as well as apearing in commercials for multinational brands such as Mazda, NestlĂ© and the American giant Target. Alas, music and dance are only two constituents of a much larger picture. Scott has choreographed a number of fashion shows, corporate events and launches, working with many fashion designers and brands such as Asian Woman magazine, Orange and Vodafone moblie. And the chances are if you have been to a Nike, H&M or Top fashion show, Scott’s artistic flare would have drawn your attention. And as well as choreographing, Scott has also worked in musical theatre and on the prestigious annual Royal Variety Show in London. Scott’s musical theatre experience has seen him working alongside dance industry names such as Arlene Philips on the production Saturday Night Fever. Scott is also the resident choreographer along the entire P&O cruise liner fleet, The Thursford Christmas Spectacular – The largest Christmas show in the UK and worked on the VE Day Celebrations at the Royal Concert Hall in London attended by the Queen. Since moving to the U.A.E Scott has had his choreographic debut in Dubai at the Emirates Golf Club, for the infamous annual Oil Baron’s Ball and providing dancers for the Shakira Concert at the Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi to name but a few. Needless to say, Scott has unparalleled experience and flair that has and will prove invaluable within the industry.

Lisa Marshall has worked in the entertainments industry for over 10 years. Already, this has been a picture postcard involving the biggest names and projects others could only dream of. After gaining her professional training at the Elmhurst Ballet School in Surrey, UK, and graduating from the Laine Theatre Arts Company with an honours diploma in musical theatre, the seeds of success had been sown and would begin to flourish. Lisa’s prodigious career began in the home of dance – London’s West End. Treading the boards as a professional dancer was only the mere beginnings of her successes in the industry. This soon led to a career change from student to scholar – a change that led to the establishment of her very own company, Diverse Choreography. This ever evolving passion for entertainment has seen Lisa starring as an actress, singer and dancer in West End favourites such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Jus’ like that – a musical comedy about the life of Tommy Cooper. These are but a few entwinements in an impressive tapestry of music and dance. On the big screen, Lisa has worked with many household names and movies that have been enjoyed by millions across the world. Industry legends such as Tim Burton, Stephen Hopkins, Jennifer Love-Hewitt and Charlize Theron jam pack Lisa’s CV, working on sets of movies such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers and If Only. Let’s not forget the small screen, though. Lisa’s experience both as an actor and dancer has seen her grace the screens of millions of UK viewers on major network TV favourites including Bad Girls, Footballers Wives and Top of the Pops as well as presenting roles on cable and the DVD, Dance Party produced for Universal Records. Lisa moved to Dubai in 2008 to become a part of the burgeoning entertainment business in the UAE but still retains a presence in the UK assisting and choreographing productions such as the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, the largest Christmas variety show in Britain. Since her move to Dubai in August Lisa has Choreographed the Middle East’s first annual Alternative Energy Awards; creating a breath taking circus inspired elements show, at The Hilton Hotel, Abu Dhabi, The Diamond and Gold Commodities Conference - Jewelry show, at the prestigious Atlantis Hotel, an event hosted by Mubadala at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi for Ferrari and F1, Shakira at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, Lamborghini Launch and fashion show, Lamborghini show room, Muscat and lastly, invited some of the UKs finest dancers, singers and musicians to the legendary Oil Baron’s Ball at the Emirates Golf Club here in Dubai. She brings with her a wealth of experience as a former professional dancer combined with a passion for innovative, unique choreography.

The Water Prize 2009/10

We spoke to Professor Howard Wheater in London about the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water.

www.psipw.org

On 21 October 2002, His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz – Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General – announced in Riyadh that nominations were being accepted for a new global Prize to be awarded biannually: the "Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water".

The Prize aims to give recognition to the efforts that scientists, inventors, and organizations around the globe are making in water-related fields. The Prize is established to acknowledge exceptional and innovative scientific work which contributes to the sustainable availability of potable water and the alleviation of water scarcity, particularly in arid regions.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

JOURNALISM

Richard Dean of DubaiEye's Tonite program, Dr. Richard Gross of Zayed University and UPI, and Giorgio Ungania of SAE all talk about the future of journalism.
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