Feb/Marnew

sle-

er elhambahrain.net

Contents

 UpFront………………………………3 17thMonthlyGathering……...5 BahrainFortMuseum...………8 Map………………...…………………9 SMDLaunched….…….….…….10 SneakPreview…………………..11 MeettheIslandMan…………12 UpcomingEvents……….…..…15 Calendar..………………………….17 ArtinFocus………...…………….18 SpringofCulture……………….22 Ourpartners/credits………….23

SaherEsbai©Please note that this photo is taken by Saher Esbai and NOT by Aldin as stated in last month’s ENL. Apologies for the

confusion Saher.!

UP FRONT…

Elhamishavingapre-ybusystarttothenewyear.Followinganeven;ulmonth inJanuary,wearenowlookingforwardtoyetanotherexciCngfourweeksaheadwithsomepre-yneatevents,includingourveryfirstoutdoormonthlygatheringonali-leislandbythebeach‐nextmonth!InJanuary’smonthlyediConofElhamscoresofpeopleenjoyedaneveningofmusic,artandwordsbyfourfascinaCng,brilliantwomen.ReadallaboutitonpageXX.

This month, we are proud to announce a new partner, the Bahrain Fort Museum. The newly opened,wonderfullydesignedmuseum(locatednext to theBahrainFort locaCon,by thebeach),havegraciouslyagreedtohostour17thMonthlyGatheringonFebruary24th.

WehopethatthiswillbethefirstofmanyeventstobeheldincollaboraConwiththemuseum.Thatthecuratorshaveexpressedtheirinterestandeagernesstoworkwithusinfuture,somethingweareallveryhonouredbyandproudof, istestamenttohowfarwe’vecome.Thankstoallofyououtthere!SomakesureyouconCnueyoursupportandturnupatthemuseumtoenjoythisamazingvenueandourabsolutelytalentfilledevening!

SpecialthanksmustgotothemuseumdirectorNadineBoksmaC‐Fa-ouhforhercooperaConandsupport.

Wealsohavea li-le interview(pageXX)withAlDar IslandmanagerMohamedSlaisewhohostedourfirstCreaCveTriplast month and even invited us to have our 18th MonthlyGatheringonMarch28thonthe island!Youdonotwanttomiss this! It promises to be the coolest, most fun Elhameventto‐date!

Big congrats must also go out to one of our foundingmembers, Bahraini celebrated writer Ali Al Saeed, forlaunching his third book, the inCmately Ctled Sad ManDancinglastmonth.Ifyouhaven’talready,youmustgooutandgetyourcopyNOW!This istheonemust‐readbookoftheyear!

EnjoyourlatestediConoftheENL!

17th Monthly Gathering – Feb 24th !A Magical Journey of Words and Music!

Fawaz Alolaiwat ©

The event, to be held for the very first Cme at the new Bahrain FortMuseum (see map page XX), will feature the brilliant award winingBahraini author, Ali Al Saeed, who will unveil a poetry recital from hislatest book “Sad Man Dancing”. The 31‐year‐old writer started hisprofessionin1998asajournalistandhaspublishedhisficConsinvariousmagazinesandjournals.RenownedforhiscapCvaCngstylethatmovesthereader into his fascinaCngworld, hewas the first Bahraini towrite andpublishanovelintheEnglishlanguage.

ThenovelQuixoCQbecameanaConalbest‐sellerandin2004Aliwastherecipient of the Bahrain Outstanding Book of the Year Award. His book'Moments' published in 2006 is a collecCon of short stories, a powerfulreflecConofdailylifewithalightandalmostdream‐liketouch.Ali'stalentsextend beyond wriCng into expressive photography and filmmaking,always reflecCnganaspectofhis soul,mindandheart.Ali isoneof thefoundingmembersofElham,createdfromhispassionforaLifeofArtandCreaCvityforall.

Manybelievethatart isallaboutourability to translateandexpressour lifeencounters, interacCons,andaffecConstocreate,possiblywithoutknowing,asensaConal journeyofuniqueundefinedpleasure.Elham,thecreaCveartsgroup,returnsinFebruarytopresentspellbindingwordsandenchanCngmusicatthemostbeauCfulselng.

AnotherbookwillalsobefeaturedattheeventpresentedbyBahrainiarCstKhalid Al Rowaie, who will talk about his new book "Tranquility…NothingElse". “Tranquility is likeawhisper, it's somethingshort,where there isnoscreaming.” The book, which is the author's third release, astonishinglycombines poetry and photographic captures to present various humanemoCons over unique levels. The book is a reflecCon of how Khalidexperienceslife;howhethinkswomenexperiencetheworld;hisviewoflifein the future and how he feels about his family. The poems, originallywri-eninArabic,havebeentranslatedintoEnglishbyGhadaAbualfath.Hisfirstbook'LessonsofLight'waspublishedin2002followedin2004by'TheBodyTextoftheInternet’.KhalidAlRowaie,whoisalsotheTheatreDirectorof Al‐Sawari, illustrates feelings between people and the world expressedthroughpowerful photos andwords createdover thepast four years. ThearCsthasparCcipatedinmanyplays,moviesandinternaConalartfesCvals,winninganadmirablelistofawards.

Themusical element of the evening will be presented or rather played out in the classical melodies of DinaKhalil'sviolin.Dina,whoiscurrentlystudyingarchitectureattheUniversityofBahrain,hasbeenplayingtheviolinforfouryearsbutherpassionformusicstartedlongbeforethat,“Musicmeanseverythingtome,andsinceIwasakidIhavebeendreamingofplayingtheViolin,asIfinditaverygreatpassionateinstrument”saysDina.The19‐year‐oldviolinisthasperformedinmanyconcertsandeventsaroundtheislandchallengingherselftoexcellence.“Although I find theViolin a difficult instrument to learn, I enjoy everyminuteof playing it and sCll dreamofbecomingagreatmusicianinthefuturetotoucheverybody'sheart.”

Finally, the evening will feature theremarkable Bahraini folk singer and songwriter Ala Ghawas, whowill perform songsfrom his latest album “Whispers”. Ala'sinterest in music started at an early age,playing the accordion and keyboards atschool,progressingtothepianoandacousCcguitar during his teens. Ala is musicallyinfluenced by Jackson Browne and BobDylan. While studying at Boston as aFulbrightscholarhereleasedhisfirstseriousrecordingprojectin2007enCtled“Hums”.

In order to create, ones need faith, strength, energy,empathy,andimaginaCon.OurfourarCstshaveproventobecompetentinthemall.It’snotjustaneveningofart,butit’san eveningof fourdifferent lives and stories fused togetherwith enormous creaCvity. It’s an event not to bemissed byanyonewhocherishesartorlivestocreate.Sojoinusat7pmonFebruary24thforaneveningunlikeanyother.

Alamagicallyblendssoundsandlyricswithhiswarmvoice,tocreatetremendouslymovingemoCons,reflecCnghisdeeplifeexperiences.“Whispers”,releasedinDecember2008,presentsanotherphaseofthisbrilliantarCst.

Earlier this year, a new cultural andhistoriccenterthrewopenitsdoors.Thestunningly designed Bahrain FortMuseum houses some of the mostimportant and significant discoveriesfrom archeological excavaCons iniCatedby the Danish mission in 1954, andcollectedoverthedecades.

In2005thearcheologicalsitewasaddedtoUNESCO’slistofWorldHeritageSites,whichwasagreatachievementindeed.

InauguratedinFebruary2008,theBahrainFortMuseumislocatednearthecoastinthenortheastpartoftheancient fort. FlaunCng a wonderfully modern design that converges light, air and vision, the buildingshowcasesfivemajorerasofarcheologicalfindings.ThemainmuseumareaconsistsoftwofloorsfacingtheseawhilesupporCngfaciliCes–suchasmeeCngroomsandascreeninghall–arelocatedinanothersecConofthebuildingthatincludesalsoanopencourtyardandacafé.

BesuretoscheduleatripouttothisamazinglocaContolearnmoreaboutoneofBahrain’sfinesthistoricaltreasures;openfromSaturdaytoThursday,call17XXXXXXformoreinformaCon.

Bahrain Fort !Museum Map!

Bahrain’scelebratedauthorandElhamfoundingmemberAli Al Saeed launched his third book Sad Man Dancingearlier this month with a recepCon held at the newlyopened Casa dell’ Arte gallery in Zinj. The event wasa-endedbyscoresoffans,friendsandliteraryenthusiastswho got an opportunity to talk to the author about hisworkandthenewbookashesignedcopies.Thebook isavailableatJashnmalbookstoresforonlyBD5.500!

NaylaFokeladeh©

ElhampresentsAlDarIslandThroughtheEyesofanArRst.18thmonthlygathering,March24th,7P.M.@Casadell’Arte,Mahooz

Justwhenyouthoughtthingscouldn'tgetbe-er:Elham,CreaCveArtsgrouppresentsanayernoonofcreaCvityoninspiredbya“DesertIsland”.Thegatheringwillpresentphotography,musicandfilminspiredfromthewonderfultriptoAldarIslandwhichwasconductedinJanuary.Don'tmissthechancetoseethisbeauCfulIslandthroughtheeyesofanArCst.What’smore,thelovelypeopleatAldarareinviCngyouforafundayoutontheislandonMarch28thwhereyouenjoythescenary,thesandybeaches,andindulgeinyourownarCsCcexpression!

OnMarch24th,allthewonderfulartworkproducedfromthe1stCreaCveTrip lastmonth,will be showcasedon a special ayernoon at the newly openedCasa dell’Arte gallery, with other exciCng acCviCes lined up for Elham members on theweekend.OnMarch28th,Aldar isoffering theboat ride toallElhammembersonthe day for only BD2. "Wewere very happywith the response that the trip hasgeneratedandareexcitedabouthosCngElhamontheisland,"saidMrSlaise,"It'safilng combinaCon, to such an arCsCcexpressionout in theopen. Peoplewill beabletomakethemostofthegoodweatherandthevariousacCviCeswehavehereon Aldar Island. Interested individuals can register in advance to a-end and canarriveontheislandanyCmeduringthedaytoenjoywhatithastooffer.Anddon'tforget your ID's. Its like going overseas you need your passport CPR or driverslicense.

Sneak Preview: 18th Monthly Gathering!

TheElhameveningwillstartat4.30pmbutyouandyourfriendsandfamilycanmakethemostofthisdayandarriveearliertoenjoywhattheislandhastooffer.OtheracCviCeswillbelinedupthroughouttheday.FormoreinformaConcallFaCmaon36621223orMohammedatAlDaron39991377(email:elhambahrain@yahoo.com)

An Interview with the Island Man!MohamedSlaise,ManagerofAldarIslandtalkstotheENLaboutwhatAldarIslandshavetooffer,hisfascinaRonwithElham

ELHAM:TellusaboutAldarislandandwhatyoulovethemostabouttheBahrainIslands?

SLAISE: Aldar Islands has been operaCng under new management sinceMarch2007,UnderR.I.H(RashidInvestmentHoldings)andisaman‐madeisland.Ithasbeentakinghugestridesinaaccompanyingallsortsofvisitorsfrom different naConaliCes, and providing themwith be-er faciliCes andbe-erservice.Aldar Islands isoneof theonlypublicbeach's thataremaintained in thekingdom of Bahrain. As one of the closest getaways the island has beenreceivedwell by the public. Its only a tenminute joyful, safe ride to theisland by a fully equipped insured boat, with a low cost of only BD5 foradultsreturntripandBD3forchildrenbetweentheageof10‐4yrsold.AtAldarIslandsthemaina-racConisthelovelystretchesofbeach.Thereismuchtodohere,likesnorkeling,playingvolleyballinandoutofthewater.Awaterslide,pedalboats,kayaks for thechildrentoenjoy inour lagoon.Youcanalsogofishingonourpier.Wealsoprovidesomefun joyfulboattrips,likedolphinwatching,islandtoursandfishingtrips.

Wealsohavea cozybarand restaurantwith fullonBBQon theweekendswith seafoodcuisinemenu.AldarIslands tome is one thing (a beach). As Bahrain is an island it’s surprising thatwe have a huge shortage ofbeachesandI’mgladthatAldarfulfillsthisneedforBahrainand itstourists.That’swhatbroughtmetoAldarIslandsandIwon’tleaveitCllitbecomesapublicbeachthateveryonecanenjoy.Theislandtourswedoarejustbecausewehave33islandsalltogetherinBahrainandthelocalsenjoynoneunlesstheyhavetheirownboats.Soweprovidethisservicesoatleastfourdifferentislandscanbevisited.

E:WhatinterestedyouinElham?WhatdoyouthinkabouttheGroup?

S:Elhamisverygreatconcept.Ienjoyedthegatheringsmorethanonce,andsawthatyouhadaphotographyfieldtrippreviously,sotheideaofusconducCngasimilartripcrossedmymind,andwhenIofferedthisservicetotheorganizerstheyseemedveryinterested.IlovetosupportBahrainanditstalent.Thisconceptgivesalotofpeople toshowoffthere talentseven if its inbeginningstages .Ihopethis isnot the lastacCvitywedowithelham.Wewouldlovetoorganizethesefieldtripsagain.Ihavealreadyspokentothefisheriesauthorityalotofthephotoswillbedocumentedintheirfolders,soweallaredoingwellforBahrain.That’smymaintargetandwithelhamIwasabletocontributebyorganizingthistrip.

E:WhatwasyourexperienceofAlDarwiththeElhamcreaRvesgroup?

S:AVeryfunlovinggroup.Iwishyouallthebesttoyouandyourmembersandhopeitgrows.AndpleaseconsiderAldarasoneofyoursupporters.Ihopetoseeyouontheislandverysoon!

Visit Aldar Islands…

Forbookingscall39991377email:info@aldarislands.com

Coming Up/news!

JehanSoloExhibiRon–Feb18EgypCanBahrain‐basedarCstJehanSalehholdsherfirstsoloexhibiConattheBahrainContemporaryArtSociety in Juffair, Bahrain. Jehan, an arCst in herown right,hasbeenworkingatAlbarehArt galleryforthepastfiveyears.OnecouldsaythatJehanhasbeen a student and observer of the many greatarCsts who have passed through Albarehthroughout the years. Her work embodies bothsensiCvityandtransparencywhichreflectsherownpersonality. The exhibiCon will be held underthe Patronage of Shaikha Mai Bint MohammedAlkhalifa, on the 18th of February, 2009 at 7pmat the Bahrain Contemporary Art Society in Juffair.For more informaCon call 17 717707 or emailart@albareh.com

Fiay‐FiayGroupExhibiRon–Feb23toMar5Fiyy‐FiyyisagroupexhibiConfeaturingtheworksofsevenarCstsfromtheMiddleEast.Theconceptistoprovethat exhibiCons can find new venues away from tradiConal spaces. The arCsts were handed a challenge tosimplyusepaperasamedium,and toexploredifferent techniques.The result is fascinaCng,with techniquesrangingfrometchingstoinkdrawingtomixedmedia.ThearCstsareEbrahimbuSaad,JaffarAlOraibi(Bahrain),AhmedAlBahrani,MahmoudAlObdi (Iraq),AliHassan,SalmanAlMalek(Qatar),andMahmoudAlMaghrabi(Egypt).ForinformaConcall17717707.

TalalMouallaSoloExhibiRon–Feb17to23TalalMoualla,SyrianarCst,criCcandpoetreturnstoAlbarehwithasoloexhibiConayeracoupleofgroupshows.A co‐founderof the SharjahBiennial and Sharjah calligraphyhis ownarCsCcexpressionhasbeenenjoyedbythousandsthroughsoloexhibiConsintheUAE,Egypt,Jordan,LebanonandItaly.Whenitcomestoart,Mouallashuddersatthethoughtofdevelopingasignaturestyle.Ratherthanbeingconstrainedbyafixedapproach,hisarCsCcquestcanbesummarizedbyaconstantstruggletomaintainasenseoffreedomwherehecanimplementideasanddevelopthemtotheirmaximumpotenCal.

TransformaRonofMemoriesAlRiwaqGalleryreturnedayerashorthiatuswithafantasCceventattheirnewlyopenedspaceatAlA’aliMall.CamilleZakariaiscurrentlyconducCngadocumentaryPhotographyworkshopunClFebruary28withthe theme “TransformaCon of Memories”. A group of 12 selected photographers were divided into 4differentgroupstoa-endweeklyclassesforamonthandthengivenassignments.TheoutcomewillbeagroupexhibiConheldatthenewbranchofAlRiwaqgalleryinAlA’aliMall,onApril5th.

CatherineProtsenkoatCasadell’ArteCasadell’ArteispleasedtoinviteyoutotheopeningofanexhibiCon by arCst Catherine Protsenko on the 22nd ofFebruary at 7:30pm. Catherine is a contemporary arCstknowforherastoundworkwithtapestriesaswellascanvaswork.TheexhibiConwilllastunClthe12thofMarch,2009.This exhibiCon is also in support of the Bahraini DownSyndrome Society to support their mission in aidingchildrenandadultswithDownSyndrome.

Elham will be holding its 2nd Open Mic night onApril21stfrom7pmonwards.Theeventwillfeaturea selecConof talents frommusicians, topoetsandfromcomedianstorappers.Lastyear'seventprovedpopular among the Elham fans as it pulled in avariety of talents who took to the mic andperformedinfrontofalargecrowd.Avenuewillbeannounced soon, butwatchout for this event andpreparetoshareyourskillsandtalentswithus,itissure to be a whole lot of fun! If you are keen toparCcipate or learn more about it, email us atelhambahrain@yahoo.comwith the subject “OpenMic”.

Elham 2nd Open Mic in April!

Dates to remember….!

Date Event Venue

February20th AliAlSaeedbooksigning Jashanmal,BahrainCityCenter

February23rd Fiyy‐FiyyExhibiCon AlbarehArtGallery

February24th 17thMonthlyGathering BahrainFortMuseum

March5th TARAConference CrownePlazaHotel

March28th 18thMonthlyGathering Casadell’Arte

March28th ElhamArtRetreat AldarIslands

April21st 2ndOpenMicNight TBC

Moreeventsandprojectswillbeannouncedshortly.Forregularupdates,visitourwebsite atwww.elhambahrain.net, and if you'renot yet onourmailinglist,sendyourfullname,telephonenumberandareaofarCsCcinteresttousatelhambahrain@yahoo.com.We'dalsoliketohearfromyouifyou'dliketopresentyourworkatafutureElhamevent.

Art in Focus!

BryceMcLoughlin©

MazenAlMaskaC©

AliAlSaeed©

The Spring of Culture returns yet again this yearwith another fantasCc line up! Ready yourself for an enCremonthofglobalandlocalcultureandartwitheventsrangingfromtheatreperformancesandartexhibits,tolivemusicandseminars.One of the biggest and leading cultural fesCvals on the regional agenda, the Spring of Culture has grown inreputaConoverthepastcoupleofyears,drawingthousandsofcrowdsfromBahrainandthegulf.

TheculturalextravaganzawillcommenceonMarch1with“LongWasTheNightAtTheEmbassy’sGate”aplaybyNidalAlAchkarfromLebanon,heldattheCulturalHallat8pm.OthershowswillincludetheSoundofMusicbytheSalzburgMarione-eTheaterfromAustria,aconcertbyDanZanes&Friends,fromtheUSA,inAradFort,andSpain’sCamutBand.

WearealsohappytoannouncethatElham’sMariamHajiwillpresentherveryfirstsoloexhibiConaspartoftheSpringofCultureatAlbarehArtGalleryonMarch15th.Youcannowviewthefullprogrameofeventsonlineatthe official event website at www.springofculture.org where you can also get further details and CcketinformaCon.

Spring of Culture 2009!

Credits

WridenbyAliAlSaeed/FaRmaAlSaad

EditedbyRoshelleCharlodeFernandez

Design/layoutbyAliAlSaeed

CoverphotobyCarlaSaliba

Emailusatelhambahrain@yahoo.comWebsitewww.elhambahrain.netFindusonFacebook!

All rightsreserved© 2009.Pleasedonotreproduceoruseanyofthecontentwithoutpermission.

AliAlSaeed©

About Elham…!

Elham provides a monthly forum forarRsRcally minded people, and givesboth expat and Bahraini arRststraversing the creaRve spectrum aplagorm to showcase their work. InaddiRontomonthlysessionsatgalleriesandcafés,therearesatelliteeventssuchas jamming evenings, photographers’daysoutandvariousworkshops.

Our partner!