Tempo's Feb

1. FEBRUARY 2012
THE DREAM PLAYERS
know more on page 12
KICKS OFF!
+ PLUS
GHADA MAAMOUN
CARICATURIST
page 15

3. 2012 | february issue www.tempoplanet.com
welcome
editor’s letter
My husband and I were invited for dinner at
an Australian friend’s house recently. All her
other guests were from Western countries. The
contents:
04 > letters to the editor
discussion invariably veered to a comparison 05 > uspace
of social gatherings between Arabs and Westerners. A few of those present said they 06 > what’s hot
wished they had an opportunity to get to know Emirati families more intimately, and spoke 07 > the bottom bottom line
about how it appeared that Arabs seem to be insular and prefer to stick to their own. I 08 > campus view / game hedz
told them that as an Arab-American I often heard the very same comments from Arabs 09 > tempo’s top 10 songs / on my ipod
about Westerners, and how this was an egregious misconception. Imagine, straddling two 10 > my style blueprint
civilisations and hearing the very same stereotypical comments from two peoples about 12 > the dream players
each other! I explained to the group at my Australian friend’s home that Emiratis, and other 14 > city bites
Arabs, are genuinely interested in establishing friendships with people from other lands... 15 > the face of the artist
and that they would do this with warmth, kindness, and sincerity, and usually within the 16 > people calendar
parameters of their traditions. 18 > youth talk
19 > time capsule
I find it fascinating to see how much all humans, regardless of their nationalities, are so 20 > valentine stories
similar deep down, and how far we are often tragically divided by the most mundane of 23 > emirati bride
things. 24 > articulate / mum unlimited
25 > just handcrafted
Talk to each other, listen well, and be kind . 26 > media
27 > intelligent business
28 > mini minx / just a thought
Sana Bagersh
Managing Editor
bagersh@tempoplanet.com
ADDRESS
To reach editorial at Abu Dhabi Tempo email:
MICROSOFT TAG SCANNING GUIDELINES editorial@tempoplanet.com. If you need to find out where
you can pick up your copy call: 02 491 8624/25 or check
download www.gettag.mobi out the list of Tempo distribution points on our website.
to your smart phone NOTE TO ADVERTISERS
run application Advertisers can request brand tagging with all
advertisements. To reach advertising call: Cover story: The Dream Players have arrived! In case you haven’t caught
click on tag beside each article to have fun 02 491 8624/25, fax: 02 491 8626 the bug yet, the Dream Players is a community driven talent event and
with online content, videos & cool tags! email: advertising@tempoplanet.com show aimed at promoting talent in the community and giving aspiring
performers and artists a platform to showcase their talent.
DISCLAIMER
Tempo is a publication of BrandMoxie. Although Tempo
Magazine does its best to ensure the authenticity and MANAGING EDITOR
QR SCANNING GUIDELINES accuracy of its contents, the publisher cannot accept any Sana Bagersh
responsibility for errors, mistakes and inaccuracies. The
publisher reserves the rights of this product and no part of FEATURES EDITOR
Scan the QR CODE using your smart phone
this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any Alma Kadragic
for Blackberry this is done through BBM means without the permission of the publisher.
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
for iPhone download BeeTag or Neo Reader MEDIA LICENCE NO. 1/105866/24295
Sharon Carvalho Angeli Castillo
Neena Rai
MARKETING COORDINATOR Jan D’Sa
Manjul Abhishek Ian Mason
Laskar Laipubam Manar Al Hinai
PUBLISHED BY: Sarah Widdup
MAGAZINE DESIGN
Ahmed Samir
Mark De Castro
Justin Thomas
DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Rohith Bhat
Melaku Muluneh Noura Abdullah Al Noaimi

4. www.tempoplanet.com
letters to the editor
Hey Tempo, a unique art event in AD! “Bridging the Gap 2012”
with Emirati artists Khawla Marri held at L’Atelier Des Arts with
Dear Tempo,
DIOGIA Studio - Anais A
I’m one of those people who make resolutions every
single year, but never keep them. I love your “Resolution
Keeper” idea. I’m telling all my friends about it. Hi guys, really I love reading Tempo. Keep going guys!
- @alsaadi999
- Annabelle
Dear Ed,
Hello Tempo,
January’s Tempo was
I thought the story about the Filipino taxi driver
was sweet. Keep it real, guys, we need these wicked!!! Love the
stories. tempo! - Angus
- H. Hassan
Dear Ed, The Dream Players was a ridiculous amount of fun, seriously
- I’m not just saying that – more, more, more please! Tempo and the
entire community need to support getting the word out on DP.
Hi Tempo, - Hana Makki
Thank you for supporting The Dream Thank you for focusing on film, Tempo. I don’t get that
Players! We look forward to seeing you at anywhere else. - Saira
our show!
- The Dream Players team Happy, happy day! Review out; open day
Tempo offices with good finger food. Stuffing
myself now - Azza El Masri
RESULTS OF LAST MONTH’S U VOTE:
u vote Tempo asked our online readers, If you were allowed to use only one of the following, which
would it be? This is what you said:
QUESTION: 0% 100% 0%
If someone next to you in a movie theatre was talking
on their phone. What would be the first thing you do:
1. Tell them to be quiet Phone Computer Television
2. Tell the cinema attendant to tell them to be
quiet
3. Move to another seat go to tempoplanet to vote

5. www.tempoplanet.com
talking books > By Azza El Masri u space
BOOK REVIEW: Mornings in Jenin The Truth? You Can’t Handle the Truth
Author: Susan Abulhawa By: Aditya Jain
While the world today sets foot on a new year, and new beginnings, Can anyone explain the irrational zeal for honesty in this world? Why
Palestine still suffers the condemnation of a war that started in is it that society has an obsession with the truth? The truth must be
1946, that robbed people of their rights, took away their homes, uncovered, no room for deceit here...blah blah. From hearing stories about
and brought with it destitution, misery, loss, and bloodshed. The taxi drivers returning large sums of money found in their cabs to well-
Israeli-Palestinian conflict had long ago been discarded from the meaning friends advising you to ‘just be yourself ’ when meeting new
main headlines, but Susan Abulhawa pulls it right back, bringing people, we are constantly encouraged to be honest with the world. Well
along a new and long-awaited perspective through her novel what would happen if everyone went around carelessly blurting out the
Mornings in Jenin. truth wherever they went? For one thing, unemployment would increase.
Born as a refugee herself, Abulhawa tells the story of the Abulheja family that led a simple life
Interviewer: “Relax and be yourself, we just want to get to know you and
as farmers in the simple village of Ein Hod, and followed four generations of an established and
make sure you’re a good fit for this company.” Be yourself ? Really?? Well,
reputable bloodline. The Abulhejas led a life filled with love –of God and of their land – until they
imagine the horror if you saunter in wearing khaki shorts, fist bump the
were forced to leave their village in 1948 and flea to Jenin. They settled in a massive refugee camp
coffee boy (“hook me up with some karak chai, won’t you”) and start
teaming with people who faced similar circumstances, and grew closer to strangers through a
discussing whether Wiz Khalifa’s inspiration for his music happened to be
shared allegiance to a lost land. Torn apart, only to find ways to fall in love and become reunited
bumblebees…
again, this family bore the deepest scars the injustices of war could inflict. They grew stronger
through their resistance and perseverance.
Believe me, if you’re lucky you could get away without a shoe print on your
Mornings in Jenin is a heart-wrenching story about lost loves, stolen rights, painful historical shorts. No. Do not be ‘yourself ’ under any circumstances, especially as the
events, but, perhaps most importantly, a story about the endurance of the Palestinian nation. next candidate will probably wear a smart suit, greet the interview panel
Indeed the Abulhejas emerge as an analogy of every Palestinian whose daily life has been with a firm handshake, make small talk about the weather, how he had
transformed into a struggle. This novel is absolutely not for the lighthearted: it will have no trouble finding the office, and get the job! Meetings would be fun, but
you sobbing your heart out long after you’ve read the last sentence. Incredibly candid, Susan again, you’d probably be fired.
Abulhawa’s story will gnaw at your consciousness late at night and leave you wondering about
what can be done to save an entire nation. You: (out loud) Hmm…I can’t really read the presentation from here,
I’ll just pretend like I’m listening. This room feels kind of hot. I think I’m
Azz’a el Masri interviewed Susan Abulhawa. Here is an excerpt. Read the entire getting a headache from that perfume she’s wearing. Why was Anil Kapoor
interview in www.tempoplanet.com such a moron in MI4? Co-star? No, barely a cameo, I say. I wonder if that
What made you write this story? constitutes false advertising…
“I had been writing political commentary while working as a biologist for a drug
company. When the massacre in Jenin was happening, I decided to use my vacation Your boss: Ahem…ahem…can I see you outside for a second?
time to go and see for myself. I didn›t know anyone there or what I was going to do Of course, being in a relationship long enough to get married would be an
when I arrived. I just knew I wanted to be there. I was one of the first international impossibility. Honesty would spell out the end of humanity. You’re both at
observers in the camp when Israel finally withdrew. What I witnessed was sheer a restaurant, the waiter’s pouring out a glass of wine, and you decide to
horror. I had only ever read about things like this before. It was a life changing shove a foot in your mouth, by discussing her best friend.
{ Author: Susan Abulhawa } experience to see death so close and personal. To smell it everywhere…”
You: I think Amanda looked really amazing today.
Her: (with accompanying head jerk) Really?
album review > By Kera Thompson You: I think it’s that dress she was wearing, I’ve always seen her in jeans,
but she looked great tonight.
Her: (gripping knife a little too hard; with a silvery laugh) Hmm…I guess I
didn’t notice. Listen to me. Do not be honest. Honesty ruins friendships
SNOW PATROL- FALLING EMPIRES and relationships, and it generally makes daily life a little more complicated
than it has to be.
Snow Patrol’s latest album, Falling Empires dropped
January 10 in the States and debuted at number five on Politicians would never get elected if they were completely honest. No
the Billboard charts. The U.K. band strays a bit from their president in any country (ever!) has won an election with a campaign
previous five albums, adding a bit of “synthi-groove” to slogan like “You’ll all probably be poorer when I’m through”. Imagine the
their usually more subdued sound. I’ll Never Let Go, starts the album off right with a memorable effect on international relations if our heads of state were more honest.
U2-inspired anthem, but the album’s single, Called Out In The Dark, will have you singing along “Pleasure to meet you, shame your face resembles a turnip”. We would be
immediately. “We started writing songs that were more playful, even rawer than before - we stuck in perpetual war with every single nation.
were brave enough to do what we wanted as a band, rather than what convention dictated to
us. It was tough at times, we were out of our comfort zone for most of it, but I think it›s given So the next time someone asks you, “Can I be honest?” realize that
us a great album.” says singer Gary Lightbody. The result is something that is fresh and bold, it’s unlikely to be something you want to hear, and for the sake of the
yet still familiar. relationship, have the courage to just say “No”.

6. www.tempoplanet.com
what’s hot >
Gourmet Abu Dhabi Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival
8th-23rd February | Various Locations in the Capital 16-24 February | Dubai Festival City
Abu Dhabi’s annual event for the refined foodie kicks off its fourth year on the 8th Music lovers take note! Dubai Jazz Festival’s 10th anniversary promises to be one
of February with a glittering gala opening. Gourmet events will be hosted at various smooooth musical smorgasbord. You may want to double-mark your calendar because
venues across the capital, such as the new Hyatt Capital Gate, the ever-fabulous of some of the major international acts lining up to get you grooving to their tunes.
Emirates Palace, and the luxurious Shangri-La. This festival of food is a combination The Jazz Festival has a new, grassy venue this year, near the Al Badia Golf club in Dubai
of innovative cuisine and local culture, with some of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi Festival City. Big names such as James Blunt, James Morrison, Jason Mraz and Jools
hosting their own culinary events. International chefs are expected to pay homage Holland (legend!) are among the scheduled acts, with a host of other musical offerings.
to the region’s history, and add a sprinkling of modernity to classic dishes. As well There will be a total of 27 concerts to pick and choose from throughout the nine festival
as the opportunity to dine on a wide selection of gourmet food, there will also be days, and two huge weekends of main gigs. Detailed information on the festival can be
master cooking classes. the final night of the gourmet calendar will see the Abu Dhabi found at www.dubaijazzfest.com.
Gourmet Stars awards dinner, which will recognize the most significant contributions
to the industry.
The Bride Show | 8-11 Feb | ADNEC
Getting married? Know someone who is? Maybe you
just love fashion and beauty? Whichever it is, you
may find something feminine and sparkly to make you
go ‘oooooooh!’ at this year’s Bride Show. With loads
of major fashion and beauty brands exhibiting, this
show has the bride-to-be’s wish list covered, and for
the slightly nervous among us, will include marriage
counselors on site to offer advice to ladies about to
take the plunge. There’s even a day just for the girls,
with the Friday of the show being declared a ladies
only affair. If walking the exhibits tuckers you out,
head to one of the fashion shows for a breather, and
look out for entrants into the Abaya Design Awards
– one not to miss. Fashion show times can be found on
the event website (www.thebrideshow.com) so you can
plan your day. Ripe Market
Every Fridays | Desert Garden Centre, Khalifa Park
WWE Raw® World Tour
9-11 Feb | Zayed Sports City This is not strictly an event just for February, but hey, what better time to start
perusing a market than when it’s not too hot! Fancy some lush organic produce? The
Right after all that fru-fru and vanilla softness, here’s one for the boys. It’s big, loud, “Ripe Market” famers market at Khalifa Park may just be the place to get locally grown
and coming to Abu Dhabi. It’s the WWE Raw® World Tour, and it’s all spandex, fighting and extra fresh produce, direct from the supplier. As well as all that organic goodness,
excitement, and will present big names such as John Cena® and Kane®, to battle it out organizers promise artisana focused activities to entertain the entire family. Local
in the ring (and probably outside it too) for your entertainment. There’s a live event artists, crafts-people and cooks will come together to showcase everything from
each evening starting at 7pm, with doors opening at 5.30pm. Match cards, information preserves, to baking and boutique food items, to toys, handmade stationery and fair
and tickets can be found on Zayed Sports City’s website – www.zsc.ae. trade crafts. The market runs from 9.30am to 1pm every Friday.

7. www.tempoplanet.com
• Borders is opening up in Abu Dhabi Mall, and there’s another
branch that appears to be doing well in Dubai’s Mall of the
Emirates. So how come Borders is closing down in the US
and other countries, and sprouting up over here? There
must be a story there somewhere.
• A couple of quirky incidents with Mawaqif machines on the
Corniche facing CBI Bank . Concierge was trying to print out
tickets and noticed the writing on the machine screen was
completely flipped. Maintenance time?
• Do you sometimes meet someone so special that you
Romeo and Juliet: Live it, feel it, love it wish you could clone more of them? The Concierge feels
compelled to thank a wonderful government employee
Sky Events Management announces the return of the award-winning British theatre named Saif Ashour Mohamed Al Katheeri, an Emirati who
company Shakespeare 4 Kidz with their entertaining and critically acclaimed adaptation works at the Ministry of Labour’s branch in Mussafah. Saif
of “Romeo & Juliet”.
is what everyone who works with the public should be:
“Romeo & Juliet” will run from Sunday 26th February until Friday 2nd March 2012 at exceptionally polite, sincerely helpful and totally empathic.
the Jaheli Theatre in Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel the main sponsor for the event
with two shows during the day for schoolchildren, Tickets for this will go on sale at
And another huge plus: he treats people with humanity and
the BoxOfficeMe, Timeout, Virgin Megastore, TicketingCo and through the organizer’s kindness. Thank you Saif for making life easier for others.
website www.skyevent.ae. • The Concierge ordered a cup of hot chocolate from Dunkin
The show has already toured the UK and Middle East to much critical acclaim. The Times Donuts recently and found out quickly that this is not a
newspaper has hailed it as “The Number 1 Show for kids” and What’s On Stage advises drink that you drink, but rather something that you scoop
‘If your child gets the chance to see one of their productions, do not hesitate. It could out in big globs and swallow. Concierge went back to DD and
be the start of a lifelong passion,’ as the show has made a strong impact on its young
audiences everywhere. For more information about the show please visit www.skyevent.ae was told that the chain lives by their product pledge that
or call 0503376335. “if you put a spoon in the hot chocolate at Dunkin Donuts
it stays where it is.” This is not Concierge’s same definition
of the drink, but we won’t say more for fear of sparking the
ire of chocolate lovers who clearly eschew drinking their hot
chocolate.
• The capital says goodbye to the photo exhibit experiment
at Manarat Al Sadiyat. It was fun while it lasted, and we still
don’t know where to hang those huge posters.
• The Bayti chain always appeared to be one of those organic
Big Boys Toys brands that had its own sense of product range and style.
9-11 February | ATLANTIS, The Palm
Recently Concierge visited the “new and improved Bayti”
Got a hankering for some high-octane entertainment? Then you may be interested in and was disappointed. Guys, we say, if it ain’t broke, don’t
Big Boys Toys! Held at the BIG venue that is Atlantis, this BIG show brings together all fix it. But if it is a little broke, don’t go out and destroy it
those manly pursuits, as well as few sensible lifestyle sections to balance out all that completely either. Which we segue to…
macho madness.
• We still think Imagenation is much better branding that
Bit of a petrol head? Muscle cars, concept vehicles and motorsport are some of the Image Nation. The first is pretty unique, cool-sounding and
vroom-vroom sights to behold, and even the off roaders get a look in, with dune innovative. The second is well… not, not and not.
buggies and quad bikes sizing up next to their road based brothers. Technology
features large, with gadgets and gizmos aplenty, but if you’re a bit more rough and
ready, the extreme sports action will do the trick in the Adventure Zone. There’s also a
That’s all for today. Send me your rants, raves, gripes and grumbles.
relaxation zone – complete with exercise, health and grooming, or fashion. This event
runs from 9-11 February. More info at a. (Ladies, fake moustaches are optional; you don’t have Write to me: concierge@tempoplanet.com
to be a boy to go!) The Concierge

8. www.tempoplanet.com
campus view > tech talk >
Rohith Bhat Shahid Saeed | Talker for the Non-Techies
Me versus my mom: The (war) room situation What’s new?
The winter break has come to an end and I once again I have to relearn the fact that BLACKBERRY BOLD 9790
the day does not begin at 11 am. Like Dracula, I too hate the day. Why can’t school The bold 9790 is new because it has the Blackberry 7 OS,
start at a more respectable time… like… never! But anyway, I regress; apart from a touch screen and contemporary design that make it a
the happy thoughts of facing quizzes, assignments and seeing my professors’ totally different device. It has a powerful 1GHz processor,
faces again, I have to endure the post vacation battle of the generations. This is 768MB RAM, 8GB internal memory, expandable memory
where my Mom (after nearly a month of carefully avoiding my room) decides to pop MicroSD up to 32GB and with regards to connectivity
in for a visit to my room. She comes armed with an artillery of cleaning supplies there’s Wi-FI (b/g/n), 3G , GPS and Bluetooth.
and invariably breaks into tears at the sight of the nuclear wasteland I call “my
room”. The phone comes with a 5MP camera that has a single LED
Flash and VGA video recording. It may have smaller screen
It starts out simple enough: my mom insists on wailing about the clothes on the size as compared to Bold 9900 but it has a longer-lasting
floor, the unfinished assignment under the bed, and the sandwich on the ceiling battery with 5.2 hours talk time and up to 18 days of
(oh come on like you’ve never done it!). I faithfully follow the Ostrich theory and standby. You should be able to buy it from all major mobile
hide under the blankets with the hope that what I can’t see and pretend not to
outlets across the UAE.
hear can’t hurt me! Unfortunately the bloody bird turns out to be wrong every time
and after merciless being poked and prodded by a broom I graciously decide to
‘participate’ in the cleaning activities or, as I like to called it, in the destruction of my SONY HDR-XR150E
fortress of solitude. Being from different generations, my mom and I have a slight The Sony HDR-XR150E is small in size
difference of opinion when it comes to what constitutes “clean”. While my mom and comes with an attractive price; a
believes that clothes belong in the cupboard folded and colour co-ordinated, I on pretty good follow-up to the CX100.
the other hand believe that piles sorted in orderly piles of “dirty,” “marginally dirty” It comes with 120GB internal memory,
and “not dirty” constitute adequate dressing efficiencies. To give you a sense of and has a MicroSD card slot.
what I’m against, my mom is of the opinion that even my books should be in order;
alphabetised, by author, on the shelves. I concur with her that books are sacred, It is equipped with “Exmor R” CMOS sensor built for superior low light performance, 1080i
and that is precisely why I think they should be kept as far away as possible from Full HD video recording, 3-megapixel still images, “SteadyShot” image stabilization with
the eyes of mortal man! an active mode and 3-way shake canceling. Other specs include Carl Zeiss 25x Optical
Zoom Lens and 300x Digital zoom with less distortion, a 2.5” slim LCS with wide view
We debate the various aspects relating to the cleanliness quotient of my living angle, iAuto and Quick AF. Not a bad deal for what it costs.
area while she shrieks and screams at the rat in my room which I politely insist
is a valued roommate. She insists that I should clean the sandwich off the ceiling NEWS & GOSSIP
and I in turn try to explain that the sandwich is part of a performance art piece
experiment I’m working on called “sandwich sur le plafond”. She is not amused, Ultrabooks Dominate CES
and insists that I remove the bio hazard sign from my door and I, to be honest,
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show there was a good showing of ultra-thin laptops
don’t remember how it got there in the first place. But no matter how compelling
with powerful specs widely dubbed “ultrabooks.” Indeed, they seem to be the hot new
my arguments are, how sound my reasoning (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it) and how
thing. Asus, Samsung, Hewlett-Packard, Acer and Lenovo are just a few of the companies
soulful my rendition of ‘Oh Danny Boy’ (during which my rat usually breaks into
debuting ultrabook models.
tears of empathy), the end results are always the same: the clothes get folded,
the books are arranged and the rat is made homeless. And now, although I do
If you listen in to analyst talk, however, ultrabooks aren’t necessarily a marketplace
appreciate the extra walking space and the lack of toxic odours in the room, I can’t
slam-dunk but the price is more reasonable than they used to be for comparable PCs.
seem to find a single thing!
Palmsecure - The Key For Your Laptop
Long before “face unlock” on Android 4.0, Fujitsu developed an even more intimate
method for secure user identification: your blood flow.
my fav app > PalmSecure is a technology that’s actually been around for
a few years now in Japan, and is in a number of business
applications ranging from health care to banking.
My favourite app is the Abu Dhabi Sports Council app for iPad.
I like sports and this app helps me to see all current and
upcoming sports events in the UAE. I can also read the latest It uses a biometric authentication system that reads your
news in addition to viewing pictures and videos. The special palm vein pattern. It works only on veins with an active
thing about this app is that it has both Arabic and English blood flow. Pretty cool stuff.
{ Muhammad Hassan } interfaces which I can select within the app. Follow me on @shahidaasi

9. www.tempoplanet.com
View the #1 SONG IN THE UAE
Hansel Punnam, 26 year old music enthusiast loves
the kind of music that sounds incredible while
driving and anything that’s electronic and rock. He
detests pop music and soft romantic songs.
1. Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow 6. Kanye West - Power
Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO 2. Teddybears - Lil’ Red Rooster vs The Robodog 7. Deadmau5 - Professional Griefers
3. The Knux - Run Ft. Kid Cudi 8. Example - Dirty Face
We Found Love - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris 4. Bloodshy & Avant - Little of your time 9. Plan B - Stay Too Long
5. The Dewarists - No I.D. Required 10. Kavinsky - Nightcall (Alcala Remix)
The One that Got Away - Katy Perry
Without you - David Guetta ft. Usher
It will Rain - Bruno Mars
Ours - Taylor Swift
Marry The Night - Lady Gaga
Jessie J - Domino
International Love - PitBull ft. Chris Brown
Pressure - Nadia Ali
1. We Found Love - Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris 1. Domino - Jessie J
2. Set Fire To The Rain - Adele 2. Mama Do The Hump - Rizzle Kicks
3. Good Feeling - Flo Rida 3. Titanium - David Guetta Ft. Sia
4. It Will Rain - Bruno Mars 4. Antidote - Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party
5. Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO 5. Good Feeling - Flo Rida
6. The One That Got Away - Katy Perry 6. Dedication To My Ex (Miss That) - Lloyd (feat. Andre 3000 & Lil Wayne)
7. Ni**as in Paris - Jay Z Kanye West 7. Levels - Avicii
8. Rack City - Tyga 8. Kiss The Stars - Pixie Lott
9. Young, Wild & Free - Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Featuring Bruno Mars 9. Troublemaker - Taio Cruz
10. Turn Me On - David Guetta Featuring Nicki Minaj 10. Paradise - Coldplay

10. www.tempoplanet.com
my style blueprint
Name: Elaine Kimchi
Age: 26
Occupation: Freelance artist and full time gamer!
Fashion Statement:
One man’s trash
is another man’s treasure FAV BUY OF THE PAST MONTH:
ARAGORN’S RING OF BARAHIR FROM LOTR SHOP.
Which is your fav store in AD? Top places to shop in AD?
Lulu super-hyper-drive-discount market. Isn’t that where all the kids go these days? Not me. My favourite stores
are back in Auckland, where I grew up and they are The Paperbag Princess and Recycle Boutique which are both
second-hand stores where I sold and bought clothes, I haven’t really come across a shop like that around here.
The “vintage/thrift” shops I found here basically have label bashing and/or overpriced goods.
Does AD have style?
I could probably tell you if I had X-ray vision maybe? AD has a sort of Edo Japan
charm about it. The shadows are safe though, I checked.
Do you have any fashion pet hates?
Personally, I would rather run bare foot than in running
shoes, but then again I could say that about any shoes.
My fashion pet hate is probably fashion pet hates.
You should have fun with fashion, even if it looks
funny, I despise rules and boundaries with just about
anything. Freedom of expression is so scarce these
days I wouldn’t want to limit anyone when it comes to
dressing themselves.

12. We had sound checks and run-throughs and we were totally prepared and ready to
perform for the live audience and judges. Having the live audience was fantastic and
I think, even though made me quite nervous, gave me the confidence boost I needed
and loved the idea of getting feedback on the spot. To win was just amazing and it
has given me so much confidence and opportunities to go forward with my singing
and songwriting. I’m really thankful to everyone who made The Dream Players happen
and I encourage everyone in Abu Dhabi who has a talent to audition for this wonderful
experience because above all else, it was a whole lot of fun.”
Hana Makki, audience member and
director said, “In all seriousness, The
Dream Players was one of the best
nights out I’ve had in a very long time.
It’s so great to have everyone not afraid
to comment on the talent. I can’t wait
for the next one and I know this is
going to be huge!”
A STAR IS BORN
“What an entertaining evening! Dream
Players was a really unique event
in Abu Dhabi. Each contestant had
(AND NURTURED)
something to offer: an original song,
a strong voice, skill on the saxophone
By Sharon Carvalho and piano, and some cool moves. I am
definitely coming again,” said Camille
Heaton, an audience member and
The Dream Players have arrived! In case you haven’t caught Senior Environmental Scientist with RTI
the bug yet, the Dream Players is a community driven International.
talent event and show aimed at promoting talent in the
community and giving aspiring performers and artists a
platform to showcase their talent.
Once the word was out (mostly social media and word of mouth) the Dream Players
was inundated with entries. There were singers, drummers, photographers, painters,
pianists and so many more talented people! Auditions began early in January and
the entries were whittled down to a final five. It was the toughest thing The Dream
Players organizers had to do but the top five finally performed on January 19. Now the
February event is being organized and the doors are open to submissions!
The process is the same every month. The final five contestants get a photo shoot
and professional ‘Composite Cards’ developed for them. The Comp Card is a professional
resume that is submitted to get performing jobs, while the photo shoot gives
contestants a chance to glam up and experience the spotlight.
‘When I found out that the finalists got to have a photo shoot a few days before the
I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and welcoming the process was at “The Dream
competition itself, I was thrilled. It was fun, different and inspiring,’ said Rebecca
Players”. Unlike many talent shows, the emphasis is very much on supporting and nurturing
Morrison, the winner of January’s The Dream Players.
the artist’s career. So you can’t help but feeling part of something wholly positive.”
The Dream Players event brought with it a lot of excitement for the contestants, judges - Laurel Moore, singer, saxophone player and participant.
and organizers. “I was pleasantly surprised to see so much fantastic talent in Abu
Dhabi. This is an initiative that should have started a long time ago but I’m glad that
the community now has this opportunity to showcase their talent and I’m positive that Being a part of The Dreams Players was such a wonderful experience as it was the first
this is only going to get bigger and better, “said Manar Al Hinai, Dream Players judge, the time I had ever participated in a talent contest. It was extremely nerve wracking but being
creative designer behind “Lucky Nooni” and the winner of the prestigious Abu Dhabi’s able to perform made it totally worth it. I really enjoyed the night of The Dream Players. It
Arab Woman of the Year awards in 2011. was fantastic getting to meet new people and be in a different environment. Overall, it was
an amazing, unforgettable experience and watching the other talents inspired me to do
The audience loved The Dream Players’ unique formula, the solicitation of viewpoints more and be better.” - Angela Ching
from the audience. “I really enjoyed myself at The Dream Players. It is a very innovative
idea and has given artists and performers an opportunity to express themselves and
widen their horizons. I especially enjoyed the time when the audience were asked to Performing at The Dream Players brought out mixed emotions for me. On one hand I was
participate in helping choose the winner. A much needed initiative for the community of so nervous that I had to pretend that I was practicing alone in my bedroom just to be able
Abu Dhabi. Keep it up!” said Sahar Abu Omar, a manager at SEHA. to shake off the jitters. On the other hand, being in front of the judges and live audience
helped me boost my confidence. I loved the support I got from them and I know that the
In the end Morrison, a 16 year old student at the British School Al Khubairat, stole feedback will help me become a better performer. Thank you The Dream Players for the
the show by singing an original composition on the piano. “The competition was great! wonderful experience!” - Briggett Kylie

13. THE JUDGES
Khalid Al Ameri Michelle Nickelson
Khalid is a columnist and blogger to various publishers such as Michelle is the President and COO of Mirage Foundations, along
The National Newspaper and Sail Magazine, covering areas such with being the owner of MENA Cinefinance Fund, which is the first
as youth, education and social development. Khalid is a regular film investment fund from the GCC. She has worked at Warner
speaker on areas of youth and entrepreneurship and is also co- Brothers Studio and iBeam Broadcasting. Michelle produced the
founder of Abu Dhabi’s latest food outlet “Slices”, which promotes first ever world-premier of a Hollywood film in the Middle East “The
healthy eating and education through its various community Last Legion”, starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Aishwarya Rai. She is
outreach programs. currently developing the feature film franchise, “Antar the Black
Knight”, and is also the Executive Producer of the film trilogy.
Kera Thompson
Kera Thompson has over 10 years of experience in both the Manar Al Hinai
fashion and design industry. In 2000, Kera reigned as Miss Indiana Manar Al Hinai is a writer and a fashion designer. She holds a
Teen USA, and traveled the country as her state’s representative. Master’s degree in Diversity Management from England, and
The Miss Teen USA competition was aired nationally in which Kera prides herself as being the first Arab to hold a degree in that
placed 8th out of 51 state delagates. Now a seasoned professional field. Her writing has been featured in prestigious publications in
model, she has gone on to work as both an actor and model in the the UAE such as The National Newspaper, Abu Dhabi Tempo, and
international commercial, film, and fashion industries for many Abu Dhabi Week.
high-profile clients such as Sony, Yahoo, Nicole Miller, Hilton, and
Microsoft. Ms. Thompson has been playing the piano since she She is also the creative designer behind her casual line “Lucky
was 6 years old, and has both performed and competed at a state Nooni” which is carried in different boutiques across the region.
level. Kera, who is a lover of anything creative represents The In 2011, Manar received the prestigious Abu Dhabi’s Arab Woman
Dream Players promotional team. of the Year award.
THE PLAYERS
Angela Ching is a passionate dancer born
in the year of the Tiger. She loves watching talent
shows, and has been dancing since birth. It has
always been her ambition to be a famous performer,
and after moving to Dubai in 2008 was a member
of the Filipino Dancesports and Sports Club where
she learned to perfect basic dance moves and
competed and even became a dance instructor! She
is always ready to perform and says: once a dancer
you’ll always be a dancer!
JANUARY’S Briggett Kylie 16 years, a hyper, all-smiles
DREAM home-schooled student of Asia Pacific that has
PLAYER been dancing and singing since birth. She started
acting workshops and modeling in the Philippines at
the age of 13. Briggett has dreamed of performing
live in front of huge crowds and wants to make a
mark in this industry. Joining The Dream Players
will be another stepping stone and an experience
Rebecca Moore, has a real passion for writing and singing worth remembering. Despite being a first timer in
songs and it comes to her very naturally. a talent show, she’s more than ready to show you
all what she’s got!
Rebecca is always ready to take part in anything she can do to improve
her skills and has taken part in numerous workshops with her school
including working with the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra where Laurel Moore is probably best described as a
woman who wears many different hats: Artist, Art
she participated in writing lyrics, melodies and singing and performed at the
Curator, Jazz singer, Saxophonist and Song-writer.
Emirates Palace Hotel with them. Rebecca has also taken every opportunity to
Laurel graduated with a teaching degree in England
perform her own songs at school concerts and is very serious about pursuing in The Arts, and from the earliest age Laurel found
what she loves to do. great satisfaction in drawing and music. The Arts
seems to take her into a different state of peaceful
consciousness - a private, creative place where
anything is possible.
Can you sing, dance, write poetry? Do stand up
comedy? Then you can be a Dream Player! To Vidhya Subramani is a second year
participate in the Dream Players, as contestant or undergrad at Heriot Watt University, Dubai. She has
been studying classical Indian Music since the age
audience member, go to www.thedreamplayers. of 6 and her passion for music has grown stronger
with the years. Vidhya has always wanted to do
com or email contact@thedreamplayers.com. something more with music. Dream players has
given me a wonderful opportunity to take my love
for music beyond being a bathroom singer.

14. www.tempoplanet.com
city bites Mawaweel : A rose by any another name > By Justin Thomas
ith its origins in Roman Catholic bullied into ordering a grapefruit juice. Wifey submissively acquiesced to his
suggestion/threat of pomegranate juice. Awaiting the drinks we turned our
martyrology, February the 14th has undivided attention to the menu, trying desperately not to make eye contact
become a global celebration of romantic with the scary waiter.
love. Feb 14, or Valentine’s Day - if we must - is also
one of the hospitality industry’s busiest days of At first glance it is obvious that Mawaweel is
the year. If you’re seeking a romantic meal for two, Lebanese to the core, from decor, to music, to
or even three, then you may need to book early. My main courses. The word, mawaweel, is Arabic and
valentine’s destination last year was Mawaweel, describes the poetic preamble to a song, those
a Lebanese restaurant on Al-Falah Street, just short spoken verses uttered before the music
off airport road, in the Medina Zayed district of begins - perhaps the musical equivalent to an
downtown Abu Dhabi. appetizer.
For our gastronomic preamble (starters) we chose the hummus beiruti, it was
Like most of the city’s eateries, the restaurant had shed its usual decor, in
fabulous, the best I have tasted anywhere, and I consider myself something
favour of what I like to describe as: “garish ubiquitous redness”. Red table
of a hummus connoisseur. We also had the fattoush salad, it too was perfect;
cloth, red, heart shaped, balloons, and of course, a red rose at each candle
ice cold, fresh, sprinkled - not saturated - with dressing, and generously
lit table. Our waiter, thankfully, did not wear red, he wore a purposefully I’ll-
bejeweled with the deepest red pomegranate seeds.
fitting black suit, which gave him the air a “night-club bouncer”.
For a main course I had the mixed grill, while my wife went for the chicken arayis
After presenting the menu, he rather aggressively barked the word “Drinks”.
- minced chicken with parsley, cooked between two flat breads. The mixed grill
This guy had the unnerving ability to make a polite request sound like
was well crafted balance of delicately marinated chicken and lamb in various
a threatening directive. Not in the mood for a fight, I allowed myself to be
incarnations; skewered, filleted, on the bone and minced. Of particular note
were the accompanying fries, chunky cut, and I suspect fried in good quality
olive oil. Delicious. The mixed grill was also served with a compliment of intense
garlic mayonnaise; not one for the fresh-breath enthusiast. The chicken arayis
was excellent too, and such a huge portion. There was no room left for desert
on this occasion, but on subsequent visits I›ve enjoyed Mawaweel’s excellent
“mahalabia” - a kind of milk based desert with pistachios and rose water.
Our appetites satiated, we began to discuss the “valentine-ization” of the UAE.
The conversation drifted to the significance and origins of the rose as a symbol
of love and romance.
Interestingly, the modern European love affair with roses actually has its
origins in the Middle East. A French nobleman, Thibaut IV, the Count of
Champagne, is reported to have returned from the crusades with a hitherto
unknown red flower - the rose. Perhaps this explains the close connection
between champagne and red roses? The Arab world, of course, already had
a longstanding appreciation of the rose›s beauty and medicinal properties.
Ibn Sina, (Avicenna) 9th century scholar, describes in one of his works how
the Rosa Damascena (Damascus rose) was widely cultivated in Syria for use in
medicines. The Damascus rose is still highly prized for its aesthetic, medicinal
and culinary virtues. No doubt the chef at Mawaweel adds a drop or two of
Damascus rose water to choice recipes, especially on Feb 14th.
Photo by: Shaikha Al Tunaiji

15. www.tempoplanet.com
the face of the artist
Ghada Maamoun > By Sharon Carvalho
GHADA MAAMOUN, AN EGYPTIAN CARICATURIST
TALKS ABOUT HER ART AND HER INSPIRATION AND
SHARES SOME OF HER WORK WITH TEMPO.
Tell us about yourself. I am an artist living in Abu Dhabi with my husband Yasser and
our awesome daughter, Talia. I studied art and interior design at a fine arts college in
Cairo. I worked as an interior designer but I now prefer to follow my passion for art and
painting. I’m especially passionate about caricature, low brow art and pop surrealism.
How did you get in to the business? It started two years ago when Mark Ryden’s work
introduced me to the art of pop surrealism. As I read more about this art, I came across
caricature by Jason Seiler. Being a fan of both types of art, I started to mix both in
my work.
What separates you from other graphic designers? I prefer to be called an artist although
I do graphic design when asked to.
Is there a market for caricaturists? I am new to this field, but in my humble opinion I can
tell that people are starting to pay attention to new and contemporary art more than
QUICK QUESTIONS
traditional paintings. People like to figure out what lies beyond the scene and see the Where would you like to be in five years?
‘different face of the same face’! I would love to display my artwork in an international art exhibition.
Where do you showcase your work? As the internet is the widest window of all galleries, What is your inspiration?
I started a fan page so people can see my art wherever and whenever they are. But we Human feelings, disturbance, sorrow, suffering, love and joy. All aspects of life give me
can’t overlook the importance and joy of seeing original paintings live, so, I am looking good ideas.
to participate in art exhibitions, especially those in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that provide
large spaces to artists and are flexible with accepting new mediums of art. So far, I What would you pursue if it wasn’t art?
have exhibited my paintings in the Bianco Rosso restaurant in Abu Dhabi and I will If it wasn’t art, I think I would go into politics as it is also about reading people’s minds
participate in a show at Café Arabia in February. and revealing their intentions.
What advice would you offer aspiring artists? Stick to what you love and have the What is your motto?
patience to carry on, and to always remember that there is no easy way to winning. I like “Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other” by Laurence
They say that no pain means no gain! I also say don’t do what is expected but do what’s Sterne, and “Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our
insane! And you must do that which you think you can’t. potential” by Sir Winston Churchill.

16. February MY FEBRUARY TO DO LIST
5 6 7
Arjun Suria
Basheer
Sweet Potato Month!
Parades
DSF 2012 Carnival Omega Dubai Desert
Classic
12
@ Emirates Golf Club 6-
Ankit Lodha
12 13 14
Hansel Punnam
Jun Suarez
Gail D’souza
s bai
Toy lm Du
oys Pa
ig B , The
B s 1
nti 9-1
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Gulf Bike Week
Atla @ Dubai Festival Cit
@ y 9-12
19 20 21
Mehreen Malik
Saoud Al-Maamari
Nana Christie
Dubai Duty
Fr
Championsh ee Tennis
Singapore Takeout World Tour Pet Day! ip
Club till 3rd @ The Aviation
in Dubai, 18-20 Love Your March
26 Pakista
27 Mid
Exhib dle East E
itio xclu
Trade n @ Duba sive
Cente iW
r 27- orld
28
Merwin Mathias
Dany Jaber
Zainab Khan
n vs En 29
T20’s 2 gland
3-26
GESS @ Dubai World Trade
Center 28 Feb- 1 Mar

17. 1 2 3 4
Adelle Lumalang
Alaa Mohamad
Alena
Amin
C
Dubai Internation
al @ T arpets
Boxing Champion
ship he A and
@ Aviation Club irpo Arts
rt Ex Oas
dinat Theatre po t is
The First Group Ma Madinat ill 5
present Misery @
Dubai World Cup Carnival @ Feb
Jumeirah 1-11 Meydan Race Course
8 9 10 11
Veronica
Davina Lewis
Estevan
The B
ridal
S Series
@ A how Abu UIM X-CAT World Powerboat Kasabian perform WWE
RAW
DNEC D Dhabi Breakwater @ ZS World To
8-11 habi @ Abu @ Sevens Stadium, Dubai C Abu ur
D
9-11 habi
Chris Xaviour
15 16 17 18
Laveezah Khan
Mariam Abassi
Mariam Abdul Kareem
World
James Blunt Op
hthalm
@ Dubai Festival City @ ADN ology Congre
EC 16- ss Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing
20
Race @ Dubai International
Almost, Maine Marine Club
@ DUCTAC 14-18 Marlene Vaz
22 23 24 25
Richard Brown
Saif Al Madani
Saira Aslam
Go
urm
et
Ab
u
ional Jazz Grapefruit Month!
Dh
Dubai Internat
ab
C 16-24
i8
Jason Mraz Festival @ DF
-23
@ Dubai Festival City
29
Zeeshan Razzaqi
MY FEBRUARY ECO PLEDGE
ear!!!
It’s a Leap Y

18. www.tempoplanet.com
youth talk
Speaking to my Generation:
Save the Novel! By Ahmed Samir
Reading for many, has become a form of labour. It has gone from being the
activity of choice of the masses to being one that is sidelined and neglected.
Why has that happened? Why has the once-loved pastime become hated, and
more so with my generation? Teenagers are reading less and less, and losing
themselves the boundless benefit and enjoyment it brings. Something is The Burqa: Dying Tradition? > By Shamma Al Suwaidi
clearly wrong with a generation that values the written word less by the day.
Hear me out, guys: not reading is bad…like, really bad! rowing up, I remember wondering about the burqa my
grandmother and most of the women of her generation wore.
The reason behind that (which I hate with all my being) is that one part of it It was made of a golden fabric that would be tied around their
is due to misunderstanding, one part is because of distraction, and the third heads revealing their eyes and masking their noses and cheeks.
is failure of initiation. It was a significant part of our culture that all women embraced.
The misleading aspect of it is perhaps the most obvious: How many times Burqas were made in different sizes for different age groups. The
have you - or people around you - made the association between reading and younger the woman, the slimmer the burqa, while the older she was,
nerds? And not reading and being cool? Many of you, I’m sure! It has become a the thicker it was made. It was a symbol of womanhood and beauty.
prevalent notion that reading is for the outcasts and the socially inept. And When a woman changed her status from single to married, she wore a
given our need to be accepted within our respective social circles –let’s not burqa, as a means of letting her status known to society.
pretend, we all want that – we strive to do what we see as our best ticket
to Acceptance Land, where everyone likes you. The herd effect triumphs Some would say that since marriage was very important to women,
over most of us: teenagers do, teenagers emulate, teenagers emulate the they used the burqa as a way of flaunting their success. Some would
emulation, repeat, ad infinitum -- and so reading has been made redundant say they believed it to be beautifying, because it revealed the loveliness
and unwanted, and is slowly being phased out. of a woman’s eyes and smile while masking possible flaws.
The second part is a little more elusive. Here the reader is presented with a The death of a tradition is caused by a new generation taking a different
colourful array of distractions that, on the surface, seem better than reading. route; changing a belief or a custom, and replacing it with a new one.
Social media, perhaps most prominently, along with TV and videogames…. Nowadays we find it strange to see a young woman in a burqa, and the
Everyone reading this, with little exception, uses these in some form. But sad thing is that what’s keeping the “burqa” alive is an older generation
overuse is when trouble arises. Who has time left to read when the entire day of women. It’s as if a strong force of wind is blowing, and taking with it
has been spent on these black holes that suck up all time? a part of us away and we’re just watching it happen.
All that is added to by the fact that many teenagers have not been introduced The death of this tradition causes the death of a skillful profession
to writing beyond the often uninteresting compulsory reads we’re given. Who too, just like the end of pearl diving. Burqa makers will not be needed
wants to read the boring things we’re forced to read, right? Yep, a near-perfect anymore, because the demand for burqas would decrease to nothing.
conspiracy against reading. Evil!
We have always tried our best to stick to our culture and traditions,
The solution? Find a bookstore, a library, scan the shelves, and yes, just read but due to the constantly evolving world around it, the unbreakable
what interests you! Trust me; you’ll be spoilt for choice. Heck, start a book protection we used to have around us is slowly fading away.
club with your friends, and have them join in! It’s
more fun that way. The book and novel has lost The world used to be a sphere full of tradition, a vast wide sea filled
its place in many of our hearts. Let’s give it back with a range of different cultures. The fact of the matter is that beauty
its rightful place. Save the novel! Act now. never lasts. Just like all beauty, this beauty is beginning to die, like a
flower that withers and rots, and all its precious treasures stay locked
Follow me on Twitter or away in a box that’s sealed forever, never to be seen, or experienced.
email: AhmedSamirSalama@yahoo.com