Clean Bandit to perform live in Jeddah as part of Saudi Grand Prix
The concert will take place on the main stage of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Updated 16 March 2022
Arab News
JEDDAH: The pop fusion music group Clean Bandit will thrill fans in Jeddah with an evening of hits at the post-race concert on Sunday March 27 to close the second successive Formula One race weekend for the Saudi Grand Prix.
The British band will headline the concert series alongside multi-award-winning DJ and producer, R3HAB, to add to a superstar line-up that will keep fans’ adrenaline flowing long into the Jeddah night after the world’s greatest drivers have crossed the finish line.
The concert will take place on the main stage of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, F1’s newest, longest and fastest street circuit, right after the Grand Prix has concluded.
Clean Bandit, one of the biggest names in pop music, have scored four UK No.1 hits, won a Grammy award, and collaborated with a star-studded list of artists including Lizzo, Sean Paul, Ellie Goulding, Mabel and Demi Lovato.
They recently received two Brit Award nominations for their 2018 smash “Solo” featuring Lovato, which became their fourth UK chart-topper. The band have now notched up nine UK top five singles, more than Bruno Mars or Adele.
On March 26, DJ Axwell will perform after the qualifying session has ended, guaranteeing a world class weekend of live racing action and entertainment for all fans.
The Saudi Motorsport Co., the promoter of the Saudi Grand Prix, confirmed that fans will also be able to see the F2 and Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East support series, while entertainment activities, fan festivals, and live concerts will also take place across the circuit and F1 fan zone all weekend.
DUBAI: Australian director Baz Luhrmann has been chosen to preside over the Red Sea International Film Festival’s features competition jury this year, organizers announced on Tuesday.
The third edition of the Saudi festival is set to take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 in Jeddah.
Luhrmann will head the jury that will be bestowing awards to a competition of 17 titles from filmmakers from the Arab world, Asia and Africa.
Mohammed Al-Turki, the festival’s CEO, said in a statement: “As we work towards our third edition, we are delighted to welcome legendary award-winning director Baz Luhrmann as the head of the jury.”
Luhrmann said: “As a child in the local cinema that we ran near the tiny country town where I grew up, I was mesmerized by the powerful historical and physical landscapes of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.
“Since that time, I have had an abiding passion for the Arabian world, but after visiting Saudi Arabia, I felt truly inspired by the remarkable young filmmaking talent coming up across the region and to see how they are now capturing the attention of the global film community.”
The Academy Award-nominated auteur is known for being a master storyteller across film, opera, theater and music, as well as his critically acclaimed filmography, including double Academy Award-winning “The Great Gatsby,” “Strictly Ballroom,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Elvis” and “Australia.”
Paying homage to world and local sounds, ‘Music and Antiques’ is a vibrant space founded by Saudi collector and producer Anwar Idriss
Updated 25 September 2023
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: In the heart of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s rich musical heritage is being revealed for contemporary audiences with a space titled “Music and Antiques,” thanks to the passion of Anwar Idriss, a well-traveled enthusiast, collector and producer.
The space represents the deep-rooted love Idriss holds for music, nurtured in Saudi Arabia and the US, where he spent his formative years.
Taking inspiration from signature Georgian designs, infused by his own style he labels “organized chaos,” Idriss has created an inviting and enveloping atmosphere within Music and Antiques. It is characterized by symmetrical layouts, decorative molding, and a generous splash of warm tones.
Music and Antiques is home to 4,000 vinyl records, including an original 1931 classic by Ludwig van Beethoven, and a 100-year-old piano. (AN photos by Nada Hameed)
The striking maroon walls are a testament to this style, coupled with polished wooden floors that seem to echo with stories with every step taken on them. Wooden shelves, showcasing a vast array of musical artifacts, line the walls, adding depth and history to the ambiance.
It is like a luxurious living room, with its wooden nuances and sparkling chandeliers. But the true marvel lies on the second floor, which has been transformed into a museum of musical collectibles.
HIGHLIGHTS
• ‘Music and Antiques’ is located on Al-Zahra district’s Al-Batarji street in Jeddah.
• The second floor is a museum of musical collectibles.
• Most of the showcased items were handpicked by founder Anwar Idriss.
Idriss has an enviable musical background, having collaborated with many prominent Saudi and Arab musicians. This expertise includes the production of TV commercials and music videos.
In a conversation with Arab News, Idriss recalled being a part of the last generation to receive formal music classes at Al-Thagour School in Saudi Arabia: “Ever since then my passion for music never died.”
Music and Antiques is home to 4,000 vinyl records, including an original 1931 classic by Ludwig van Beethoven, and a 100-year-old piano. (AN photos by Nada Hameed)
Idriss says the space is a culmination of a “personal dream,” emphasizing that he seeks to foster an appreciation of music without the distractions of modern technology.
The space serves several purposes, including to educate and protect the artistic heritage of generations past. It also acts as a space for live performances, and encourages children to come for rehearsals or simply explore their own passion for music.
“At its core, Music and Antiques is not just about reminiscing; it is about fostering all talents,” Idriss explained.
Anwar Idriss, Music and Antiques founder
“We motivate people to thrive on their skills and not to over-rely on technology when it comes to music,” he added.
Smoking is prohibited during performances, and as well as recording performers. The focus is on nurturing artistic growth and expression, not on seeking fleeting fame, he says.
The beating heart of Music and Antiques is its vast vinyl collection, encompassing genres ranging from blues and jazz to R&B, rock, hip-hop, and Arab music.
At its core, Music and Antiques is not just about reminiscing; it is about fostering all talents.
Anwar Idriss, Music and Antiques founder
Idriss proudly added: “This place houses over 4,000 vinyl records, including an original 1931 classic by Ludwig van Beethoven and a 100-year-old piano.”
The treasure trove of unique items includes paintings by local artists, hundreds of vintage cassette tapes, videotapes, CDs, TVs, and audio equipment, including stereos and gramophones.
Posters of American and Arab music legends including Ray Charles, Abdel Halim Hafez and Fairuz adorn the walls, adding layers to the rich tapestry of musical history being showcased.
Idriss handpicked most of the showcased items at Music and Antiques, and he encourages collectors to exchange music-related antiques.
With an eye on helping people to diversify their income, in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision, Idriss welcomes the selling of items by music aficionados and collectors.
“Everything in the place is for sale, and we support and respect all items,” he said.
The response from the Saudi community has been overwhelming, with visitors flocking from all over the Kingdom to experience the magic of Music and Antiques.
Idriss is even considering franchising the concept to spread its unique spirit far and wide.
Looking ahead, Music and Antiques has ambitious plans to introduce the concept of “Tiny Disc,” which allows musicians to create music on the go. It is a testament to Idriss’ unwavering commitment to artistic creation for generations to come.
Music and Antiques stands as a beacon, reminding us of the enduring power of sound in people’s lives.
“The Phantom of the Opera” is a globally popular show that premiered at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in 1986. It tells the story of a disfigured musical genius haunting the Paris Opera House
Updated 25 September 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: Riyadh will host the famous Broadway production, “The Phantom of the Opera,” at The Arena from Oct. 14 to Dec. 5.
In partnership with Broadway Entertainment Group and The Really Useful Group, the Saudi capital will host 54 days of magnificent shows, aligning with Riyadh’s vision to become a global art destination and enhance entertainment offerings as part of the Quality of Life Program.
During the showing period, there will be 59 performances featuring a cast of 100 participants, including actors, crews and orchestra members. The play will also feature 230 intricate costume designs.
“The Phantom of the Opera” is a globally popular show that premiered at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in 1986. It tells the story of a disfigured musical genius haunting the Paris Opera House.
The show has received more than 70 major theatrical awards, including seven Tony Awards on Broadway and four Olivier Awards in London’s West End.
In 2022, the play was performed in Riyadh with Tim Howar as the Phantom and Laura Tebbutt as Christine Daae.
The play will be a recent addition to Riyadh’s repertoire of plays and performances. It will mark the beginning of many exciting events on Riyadh Season’s entertainment calendar.
Riyadh recently delighted audiences with family favorites such as “Shrek The Musical” and the return of “Disney on Ice” as part of their “100 Years of Wonder” celebration.
More than 10 million visitors have attended Riyadh Calendar events this year so far.
Tickets for the show are currently being sold at a 20 percent “early bird” discount, starting from SR280 ($75), and can be bought on https://phantom.platinumlist.net/ and https://www.ticketingboxoffice.com/the-phantom-of-the-opera-tickets/group/916/en
Review: Netflix’s ‘Love at First Sight’ is sweet but instantly forgettable
Updated 25 September 2023
Gautaman Bhaskaran
CHENNAI: One of the hallmarks of a good movie or book is its ability to lace the structure with dramatic curves. This is even more of a necessity for a romance, and Netflix's latest foray into this genre, “Love at First Sight,” fails in this regard. Added to this is the unimaginative lighting and shots that are oh-so predictable.
Helmed by Vanessa Caswill from a screenplay by Katie Lovejoy that is based on the book penned by Jennifer E. Smith, “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight,” the film begins with numbers. How many people fall in love at the very first sight. How many see through this and so on. But mercifully for 90 minutes, the show is okay — even sweet at times — but for the narrative flatness that might put one to sleep.
Hadley Sullivan, played by Haley Lu Richardson (last seen in “The White Lotus”) is 20, American and ready to fly to England to attend her dad's second wedding. She misses her plane and is bailed out with a business class ticket.
Waiting to get on the flight, she meets Oliver (Ben Hardy). They have coffee together, and as luck would have it, they are taking the same flight. Again as luck would have it, his economy seat belt does not work, and the stewardess upgrades him to business. Luck again, when he finds her seated next to him. Honestly, there’s a bit too much of luck but hey, this is a rom-com after all.
Richardson essays a 20-something college student she is not convincing enough to carry off. But Hardy makes up for this with his quick wit, amazing energy and suffering sorrow when he sees his mother. He is on his way to attend a condolence prayer meeting that the mother insists even though she is not yet gone. It should be noted that British star Jameela Jamil gives the work some amusing levity as the omnipresent narrator.
“Love at First Sight” is sweet but forgettable — worth an evening’s watch if you’re in the mood for a light rom-com with some emotional moments, but not worth a re-watch.
Review: A fantastic Denzel Washington makes ‘The Equalizer 3’ a hit
Updated 25 September 2023
Gautaman Bhaskaran
CHENNAI: The fantastic Denzel Washington returns in this third and final part of the franchise, “The Equalizer 3,” as government-assassin-turned-vigilante Robert McCall. The movie also sees director Antoine Fuqua getting together with Washington after “Training Day,” “The Magnificent Seven” and the first two parts of “The Equalizer.” The seamless style, spell-binding action and lead star make this film a hit.
McCall finds a home, and kinship, in a small community in a small town, and steps in to protect its inhabitants when danger begins to stalk them.
As the first minutes of this drama begin to unfold. we see a man walking through a vineyard with bodies all around. They have all been shot, and even as McCall finishes off the wicked in what appears like a fantasy out of the blue, Fuqua does manage to inject a tiny bit of realism. Our man does get hurt and has to depend on a kind-hearted cop (Eugenio Mastrandrea) to take him to a doctor in the town.
His recuperation time gives him an opportunity to make friends with the locals — and these are a motley group. A priest, a man who runs a cafe and even a fish-seller. McCall soon begins to feel at home and forms a warm bond with them. But his trained eye never misses a beat and he senses danger lurking beneath the surface — the mafia, of course. Its nefarious players have a firm hold on the locals. McCall takes the help of a CIA operative, Dakota Fanning, and swings into action.
The script by Richard Wenk is simple and lends itself to an easy understanding of the narrative. Plot revelations are quick to come and help in taking the work forward. The bad guys are bad, and the plot makes it clear that although McCall may be as violent, he is friendly and helpful – qualities that charm the townsfolk.
Washington holds the movie together and it is a joy to watch him take on the mafia, blow by blow. In contrast, Fanning brings out his humorous side. The third star of the show is the scenery – the Italian vistas are glorious.
