JEDDAH: UAE singer Ahlam Al-Shamsi, dubbed “The Queen,” announced on social media that she is the first Arabic singer ever to perform at the “Walt Disney Concert Hall.”
She shared some videos on her official Instagram account, thanking her fans for their excitement and love commenting, “I love you.” She also posted her picture taken at a party, and during preparation videos before the performance began.
Before her American performance, Ahlam also performed at the London Palladium, which is the most famous theater in London and the UK, especially for musical variety shows.
In 2006, Ahlam signed with the major record label, Rotana. She has released a total of ten albums including two successful ones, El Thokol Sana’a (2006) and Hatha Ana (2009). In 2011, Ahlam joined MBC’s Arab Idol judging panel alongside Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury, Egyptian composer Hassan El-Shafei and Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram.
In March 2016, after the first episode of her show “The Queen” was broadcast on Dubai TV, a trending Twitter hashtag was launched by viewers.
She was awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed at the “Lamst Wafa” honoring event.
Based on online statistics, Ahlam is first in terms of social media followers in the Middle East, and one of the most active people online. Her name has been one of the most searched keywords on the Google search engine.
‘The Queen’ Ahlam Al-Shamsi roams global theaters
‘The Queen’ Ahlam Al-Shamsi roams global theaters
6 planets will parade across the night sky at the end of February
NEW YORK: Six planets are linking up in the sky at the end of February, and most will be visible to the naked eye.
It’s what’s known as a planetary parade, which happens when multiple planets appear to line up in the sky at once. The planets aren’t in a straight line, but are close together on one side of the sun.
Skygazers can usually spot two or three planets after sunset, according to NASA. Hangouts of four or five that can be glimpsed with the naked eye are less common and occur every few years. Last year featured lineups of six and all seven planets.
When will they be visible?
On Saturday, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye if clear skies allow. Uranus and Neptune can only be spotted with binoculars and telescopes.
What time is optimal for viewing?
Go outside about an hour after sunset and venture away from tall buildings and trees that will block the view. Look to the western sky and spot Mercury, Venus and Saturn close to the horizon. Jupiter will be higher up, along with Uranus and Neptune.
How to know if you’ve spied a member of the parade?
“If it’s twinkling, it’s a star. If it is not twinkling, it’s a planet,” said planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei with Humber Polytechnic in Canada.
The parade should be visible over the weekend and in the days after. Eventually, Mercury will bow out and dip below the horizon.
At least one bright planet is visible on most nights, according to NASA.
Glimpsing many in the sky at once is a fun way to connect with astronomers of centuries’ past, said planetary scientist Emily Elizondo with Michigan State University.
Ancient astronomers used to make sense of the universe “just by looking up at the stars and the planets,” Elizondo said, “which is something that we can do today.”
