This week’s editorial musings from magpie’s nest<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quote<\/mark><\/strong> Advice to writers: sometimes you just have to stop writing. Even before you begin\u00a0Stanis\u0142aw Jerzy Lec<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hatta tip<\/mark><\/strong> Get yourself to\u00a0Leem Lake<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Hatta to see\u00a0Deliberate Pauses<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, an al fresco installation by\u00a0Shaikha Al Mazrou<\/strong>. The lake is a bit of gem anyhow, but Al Mazrou\u2019s five sizeable reflective metallic sculptures along its hiking trails make for an excellent reason to visit soon \u2013 and who knows what the sand will do to these polished cylindrical forms in her luscious signature scarlet? Curated with architect\u00a0Faysal Tabbarah<\/strong>, the installations are the second in a series of three large-scale public art commissions at iconic sites by Alserkal Arts Foundation in collaboration with Dubai Culture …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tango time <\/mark><\/strong>Dubai Opera<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has another of its occasional BOGOF deals, with two tickets for the price of one to see\u00a0Tango After Dark<\/strong><\/em><\/a>\u00a0this weekend \u2013 top tango to the music of Astor Piazzolla. There are shows on 26 and 27 April; use the promocode\u00a0TANGO50<\/strong>\u00a0at checkout …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonight’s must-see<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0Synchrony: From New York to Nigeria<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, a fascinating project in the NYUAD Arts Center\u2019s Red Theater that features an extraordinary lineup of writers, directors, actors, and musicians who take inspiration from Wole Soyinka’s harrowing prison memoir\u00a0The Man Died<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0and Awam Amkpa’s 2024 film of the book (Soyinka and Amkpa will both be there). \u00a0Check the lineup\u00a0here<\/a><\/strong>; it’s going to be a great evening …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just the ticket<\/mark><\/strong><\/strong> Incidentally, The Arts Center now has a\u00a0WhatsApp channel for upcoming shows<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 specifically, when they go on sale. Since many Arts Center shows sell out quickly, this could be a very useful tool … Join it\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to be notified when tickets become available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Build it and they will come<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0The 2024 edition of AEA\u2019s\u00a0Cultural Infrastructure Index<\/strong><\/a>, which tracks global investment in cultural projects, reports that the number of completed projects fell last year by 17% from 192 to 159. The total value of those projects was off by even more, 29% lower at $6.1bn, but then there was lots of renovation and adaptive reuse alongside the conventional build from scratch projects. The authors are moderately bullish about the future, but that was before the Trump tariff wars \u2026 There’s a free download\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phenomenal<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Get along to see the newly opened\u00a0teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0when you can. It\u2019s undeniably spectacular, a triumph\u00a0of technology, and its dynamic installations are rather beautiful too \u2013 just as well, given that tickets are\u00a0AED 150<\/strong>\u00a0for adults. It\u2019s part art institution, part entertainment complex, and as such fits easily into Saadiyat\u2019s role as a cultural district that is also a tourism destination. Details are\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>; buy tickets\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jazz hands<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0It’s\u00a0International Jazz Day<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on 30 April, with worldwide celebrations on and around that date including some special gigs in the Emirates. The biggie is the official\u00a0International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0at Etihad Arena, organised by and featuring Herbie Hancock; it competes with\u00a0Blue Note<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0at Dubai Opera, a celebration of 85 years of classics from Blue Note Records. The day before you can catch a tribute to Quincy Jones from top trumpeter\u00a0Riley Mulherkar<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and his quartet at NYUAD Arts Center …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something for the weekend<\/mark><\/strong> With\u00a0Fast and Confused<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0your task is simply to drive your car and follow the instructions. It’s bitesized, quite difficult, and highly replayable \u2013 try it\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things we didn\u2019t know no.94<\/mark><\/strong> The best ever Glastonbury set was by\u00a0David Bowie<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in 2000, at least according to its appearance on ‘best Glastonbury set’ lists (it scores 19 mentions).\u00a0Beyonc\u00e9<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(2011) is second with 16,\u00a0Pulp<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(1995) third with 15\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earworm of the week<\/mark><\/strong> Pulp : Spike Island<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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