DUBAI: Superstar YouTube gamer KSI is set to jet into Dubai for the Dubai Summer Surprises Gaming Challenge, held at The Dubai Mall from June 22 to July 2.
Organized with ITP Live and PlayStation Middle East, the event will see regional gaming influencers MoVlogs, Saygin Yalcin and Tareq Al-Harbi joined on stage by the British phenomenon as members of the public battle it out on games such as PlayLink, FIFA World Cup 18 and Fortnite for the chance to win a raft of prizes.
From June 22-27, a special competition will offer shoppers who spend $54 at the mall the opportunity to play either a single-player FIFA game or a four-player PlayLink game for the chance to qualify for the play-off tournament on June 29 and 30.
The winner will then show his or her mettle in a gaming match with KSI himself on June 30 — he will take to the stage in the mall’s Star Atrium between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time, so if you are lucky enough to be in Dubai make sure you arrive early for a chance to see the Internet sensation.
KSI, whose real name is Olajide William “JJ” Olatunji, shot to fame in 2009 when he began uploading videos of himself playing video games onto YouTube. He now has more than 18 million subscribers and helms the 36th most popular YouTube channel in the world.
“I’m pumped to head back to Dubai this year to meet my viewers at The Dubai Mall for Dubai Summer Surprises 2018 and play at the Gaming Challenge event,” KSI said in a released statement.
The comedian, actor, rapper and soon-to-be amateur boxer — he is due to fight YouTuber Logan Paul in a hugely hyped match in August — has even found fame offline, with his album “Keep Up” reaching number one on the UK R&B Albums Chart in 2016.
The event is set to be hosted by high profile Bahraini gamer Ahmad Al-Nasheet, founder of regional gaming website DvLZGaME.
YouTube star KSI heads to Dubai for DSS Gaming Challenge
YouTube star KSI heads to Dubai for DSS Gaming Challenge
Jessica Kahawaty to narrate London concert paying tribute to Arab music icons
DUBAI: Australian Lebanese model and entrepreneur Jessica Kahawaty this week announced that she will serve as the storyteller for “A Night With The Legends,” a one-night musical tribute celebrating iconic women of Arabic music, taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 5.
Kahawaty will portray Scheherazade and deliver spoken narration during the program.
The evening will pay tribute to the legacies of Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Warda, Sabah, Asmahan and Layla Mourad.
Vocals will be performed by Lebanese vocalist Abeer Nehme, accompanied by the UK-based London Arab Orchestra under the direction of conductor Basel Saleh, alongside the London-based Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The program will also feature a 70-member all-female choir.
“I’m incredibly humbled,” Kahawaty wrote to her 1.8 million followers on Instagram. “As storyteller, I’ll be weaving history, memory and meaning into the musical experience in a one-night tribute celebrating the iconic women of the golden era of Arabic music.”
“I cannot wait to see you all there,” she added.
Kahawaty is also an entrepreneur. She co-founded fine jewelry label Kahawaty Jewels with her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty, launching the Dubai-based brand last year as a continuation of the family’s longstanding craftsmanship tradition.
“I grew up watching my father in his jewelry trade. I saw how happy he made people when he created these beautiful pieces,” Kahawaty previously told Arab News. “I’ve always wanted to continue my father’s legacy and my grandfather’s trade. I felt like this is the perfect time to launch Kahawaty Jewels in Dubai, which is a city I’ve been in for over 13 years.”
Kahawaty and her mother are also behind UAE-based food delivery business Mama Rita. In July last year, the pair expanded the venture with the launch of a cookbook, which featured a cover endorsement from Hollywood actress and producer Courteney Cox.
Writing on Instagram at the time, Kahawaty said: “The moment we held the Mama Rita cookbook in our hands for the very first time … after two years of pouring our hearts into it. And we’re beyond thrilled to share a special surprise on the cover — a quote from the one and only (Courteney Cox). Her iconic role as Monica in ‘Friends’ — the talented chef, perfectionist and loving control freak — mirrors so much of the dynamic between mum and me. And her true persona is even more beautiful, warm and generous.”
