What’s happening in the home of Gulf Air this month
SPORT
Top 10s
18-19 October
Competitors from around the Gulf take part in the Middle East’s premier rugby 10s tournament, the 20th Annual Bahrain Duty Free 10s event at Bahrain Rugby Football Club. Over the competition’s 20-year history, Bahrain has won the title 13 times, including an unbroken winning streak between 1992 and 2003, and the first team is looking good this year, with few departures from the squad over the summer.
The overseas challenge will come from the UK’s De La Salle Club, who have reached the semi-finals on their three previous visits. Dubai’s Hurricanes, Exiles and Dragons clubs assume the top three positions in both of the Arabian Gulf’s competitions.
The pool phases are on 18 October, with the finals on 19 October. +973 17 695 809
SPORT
SMASHING TIME
1-3 November
Second only to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Australian V8 Supercars Desert 400 draws a packed crowd to the Bahrain International Circuit. Known as the “thunder from Down Under”, the spectator series is a bumper-to-bumper display of power and speed, as the Holden and Ford V8 cars leave bodywork all over the track jostling for position over several sprint races. As well as trackside activities and attractions, one of the support races this year is the all-new Speedcar series, which is exclusive to the Middle East. Closely related to the hugely popular NASCAR series in America, some of the biggest names in motorsports are taking part, including ex-Formula One drivers Jean Alesi and Johnny Herbert. www.v8supercar.com.au
SPORT
On your bikes
28 Oct-1 Nov
The 3rd Annual Arab Clubs Cycling Championships, organised by the Bahrain Cycling Association, takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit, and features visiting teams from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Jordan.
MUSIC
Cry Wolf
15 October
Canadian R&B star Karl Wolf will perform a family-friendly concert at the Gulf Hotel’s Gulf Convention Centre, supported by local radio DJ Krazy Kevin, along with international DJ Crowe. Montreal-based Wolf is a singer, musician, producer and song-writer who was born in Lebanon but grew up in Dubai, moving to Canada in his late teens. +973 3 9111 943
FAMILY
MAKING A SPLASH
New opening
Bahrain’s latest attraction draws on the region’s ancient history to create a family outing for all ages. The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park features 14 slides and attractions, themed around the 5,000-year-old Dilmun civilisation, which was centred in Bahrain. The US$15 million theme development boasts the Gulf’s largest wave pool – the first in the region with a sandy beach – plus a dancing fountain of 20 jet nozzles, which is especially fun for kids. The park is one of the main attractions of the Al-Areen tourist development, and has special evening opening hours during Ramadan. www.lpodwaterpark.com.
EXHIBITION
Bahrain now – and then
21-22 October
The Ella Art gallery will host a show entitled “Heritage of Bahrain”, which features works by artist Ella Prakash, who aims to give art-lovers an insight into Bahraini tradition and culture over the ages. +973 17 292 815
CULTURE
ART HOUSE
On going
Fatima Alireza is on a one-woman charge to bring world-class art and culture to her home nation of Bahrain. “The only way to bring people together in the 21st century is through art,” she says.
She has rejuvenated her family’s magnificent 19th-century villa in the heart of the capital, Manama, creating the La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. It hosts “The Doors to Yemen: 3,000 Years of Art and Civilisation” from 5 October to 10 November – with a concert by legendary Syrian vocalist Omar Sarmini on 16 October.MT www.lafontaineartcentre.com
EXHIBITION
Arkheo autumn
30 Oct-31 Dec
The French Embassy in Bahrain stages a series of events this autumn under the title “Arkheo: 30 Years of French Archaeological Research in Bahrain”. An exhibition highlighting the countries’ joint achievements runs at the Bahraini-French Cultural Centre (Jam-sheer House), with other events planned. Matthew Teller +973 17 342 682
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