JANUARY
The pick of events, exhibitions and festivals happening in Gulf Air destination cities this month
LONDON
Spice Girls
Various dates until 22 January
In the four years from 1996, these five British women became one of the biggest girl groups of all time. Seven years after they split, Sporty, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Scary Spice reformed late last year for a massive, money-spinning world tour, which now rolls into London’s O2 venue. www.theo2.co.uk
FRANKFURT
Art Machines/ Machine Art
Until 27 January
An exhibition examining the role of machines in producing art organised in conjunction with Basel’s Jean Tinguely Museum at the Schirn Kunsthalle, on the banks of the River Main. www.schirn-kunsthalle.de
DOHA
Qatar Masters
24-27 January
Golf championship taking place at the Doha Golf Club as part of the European and Asian PGA tours. Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are past winners. www.qatar-masters.com
PARIS
Fashion Week
17-24 January
Find out what to wear this summer at one of the world’s most glamorous events, which this year opens with men’s fashions, followed by haute couture, at the Carrousel du Louvre, right in the city centre. www.modeaparis.com
MUSCAT
Muscat Festival
1 January - 1 February
This annual event – which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and hopes to attract more than 3 million visitors – is a great opportunity to discover the heritage of Oman. There will be demonstrations of traditional arts and culture, including many family-oriented events. www.muscat-festival.com
19/01
Apple launches its first personal computer on this day in 1983, the US$9,995 Lisa, with a mouse, 13.5cm floppy disc drives and 1MB RAM
80
The number of Touring, GT and Special cars due to compete in the 24hr Dubai race at the Dubai Autodrome from 10-12 January www.24hdubai.com
MUMBAI
Makar Sankranti
14 January
The Hindu harvest is celebrated across the city with kite-flying. Participants coat their kite strings with ground glass to cut the lines of contestants; for the most dramatic aerial contests, watch adults and children alike battling it out on Chowpatty beach.
BANGKOK
Thailand Toys & Hobbies Show 2008
9-13 January
There should be something for everyone at this show, held at Impact Muangthong Thani and featuring toys for babies to 18-year-olds, plus activities and sports for anyone older. www.thailandtoyshobbies.com
CHENNAI
Chennai Open
Until 6 January
Runner-up at the 2006 Australian Open, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, has confirmed he will play at this US$436,000 ATP tournament, held at the SDAT Stadium. www.chennaiopen.org
BAH
What’s happening in the Kingdom of Bahrain this month
NIGHTLIFE
Straight from the ministry
Monthly
A centrepiece of the house music night-life scene in Bahrain, Housexy takes place on the last Friday of every month. The club night is an offshoot of the London-based dance music super-brand Ministry of Sound. Offering its very own sparkling flavour of glamorous, vocal and commercial house, Housexy imports the best DJ talent to Club 7 at the Mishal Hotel.
+973 3914 3465
MUSIC
QAWWALI CONCERT
11 January
Qawwali originated in Iran and is one of the most popular classical Sufi forms in India and Pakistan. The popularity of the music has grown over the years, largely thanks to the voice of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This month audiences in Bahrain have a chance to experience the form when qawwali singer Fareed Ayaz and his group perform at the La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. www.lafontaineartcentre.com
FESTIVAL
Going for the Burns
25 January
Each year Bahrain’s Caledonian Society celebrates the birthday of Scotland’s most renowned literary figure, Robert Burns, paying homage to his poems, music and life. Regarded as the national poet, Burns is considered a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, and after his death he became a source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. The formal dinner event takes place at the Golden Tulip Hotel, and includes an overview of Burns’s life, poetry recitals and traditional Scottish music by the Travellin’ Be’rbellies. For details, call +973 3917 8909 or 1744 9802.
EXHIBITION
Shopping fever
23-30 January
The biggest shopping fair in the Kingdom offering opportunities to browse thousands of products displayed on from many different countries. Organisers expect up to 200,000 visitors to the Bahrain Exhibition Centre. +973 1755 0033
MOTORSPORT
FEEL THE G-FORCE
14-23 January
In the run-up to April’s Grand Prix, here’s a unique opportunity to experience what it’s like to race a Formula One car as the LRS Formula One School comes to town. You have a choice of cars: the 1998 Benetton B198, as raced by current Formula One stars Giancarlo Fisichella and Alex Wurz, or the 2001 Prost AP04, as driven by the legendary Jean Alesi. These cars boast 700hp, giving you a taste of F1’s extreme speed and G-force. www.bahraingp.com.bh
|
