Your Luxe List of things to see and places to be in May is here!
From the new opening of Le Cirque Dubai (the incontournable burrata – a ‘must-taste’!) and Burberry‘s exhibition ‘The Cape Reimagined’ at Concrete, Alserkal Avenue, this month’s Luxe List takes you to Arab Fashion Week via the latest edition of the Coya Collective at Coya Members Bar, Marwan Sahmarani at Leila Heller Gallery and Amir H. Fallah at The Third Line. Mark your diaries also to hear Xriss Joor at Q’s Bar and Lounge at Palazzo Versace Dubai, see Kid Koala‘s exclusive theatrical adaptation at NYU Abu Dhabi and mindfully unwind at the full-moon yoga session at Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach. Finally, with summer around the corner, rendez-vous at the luxurious and hedonistic Deluxe Beach Party at Nikki Beach!
Burberry’s ‘The Cape Reimagined’ Exhibition | 3 – 7 May 2017 | 10.00 to 20.00 daily | Concrete, Alserkal Avenue
‘The Cape Reimagined’, a unique exhibition of Burberry’s made-to-order couture capes, is currently showing at Concrete in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s Arts and Culture District.
The travelling exhibition, opening on 3 May for five days, will present a curated edit of the limited-edition capes first introduced as part of the Burberry February 2017 show finale. Each cape has been handmade using unique constructions and referencing elements from the Burberry archive. The capes, all individually named, were designed in the brand’s London atelier and are available for special order.
First displayed as part of “Henry Moore: Inspiration & Process” at Makers House in February, the exhibition has travelled to Seoul, Milan and LA each with their unique selection of couture capes.
‘The Cape Reimagined’ in Dubai is open to all with free admission 10am-8pm daily from 3-7 May 2017 at Concrete, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz.
Marwan Sahmarani: Drifting Island | Until 4 June 2017 | Leila Heller Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Vitality and spontaneity arise from Marwan Sahmarani’s current exhibition, from his expressive use of colour and his use of gestural abstraction to his use of perspective to illustrate figuration. His preferred subject matter reflects his lived experience including the day-to-day politics of Lebanon, the landscapes of Spain, and events of our contemporary moment.
Exploring violence is particularly significant for Sahmarani: he attempts to situate the violence he has grown up with as well as the violence now seen daily on television news and in popular culture within the context of traditional representations of violence in art history.
In an attempt to access emotions as raw and dynamic as the acts of violence what often get depicted is a record of man-made violence on a large-scale, using a vigorous gestural style of movement. Sahmarani’s figurative work deliberately avoids specificity with respect to location, suggesting the sheer chaos of conflicting ideologies leading to this moment and raising the question of social action whatever our subject position and location. And yet these works often reference Syrian refugees, in particular, but moreover the general dislocations of people around the world.
This communication, grounded not in words but in emotional gestures, does not offer a resolution to the complexities of socio-political strife. It does, however, promise a beginning.
For more information on the artist Marwan Sahmarani click here & for more about Leila Heller Gallery click here.
Le Cirque Dubai | Ritz-Carlton DIFC
Located at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Le Cirque offers classic French fare with an Italian twist. Newly opened, with Daniel Boulud, David Bouley and Christophe Bellanca all taking the helm of the New York kitchen throughout the decades, Le Cirque Dubai offers a modest approach with fresh, light and contemporary a la carte dishes.
Le Cirque signatures include Lobster Risotto and Crème Brulée alongside new creations, such as the Roasted Lamb Rack with seasonal vegetables and pommes purée, alongside homemade Cappeletti stuffed with Torteau crab and served with crab gratin. Head Chef, Manuel Olveira Seller and his team have developed an extensive menu to compliment Dubai’s diverse culinary scene.
Luxe Tip: No meal at Le Cirque Dubai would be complete without the burrata, which is second to none in the starters by all standards, rivalling even the likes of La Petite Maison. So watch out for this contender!
Over the years, monkeys, circus balls and tent shades have become symbolic representations of the original New York restaurant but customers will enjoy Le Cirque‘s terrace views and their winter garden boasting scenic surroundings, perfect for both lunch and dinner.
For reservations, please contact reservations@lecirquedubai.com or call +971 (0) 4 372 2444
Arab Fashion Week & Designers’ Showrooms | 16 – 20 May 2017 | The Meydan Hotel & Grandstands
On its 4th edition, Arab Fashion Week (AFW) consolidates its unique position as the only platform in the world designed to showcase ready-couture (also known as ‘demi-couture’, ‘prêt-à-couture’ or ‘couture-à-porter’) and resort collections.
From 16 to 20 May 2017, the Arab Fashion Week Ready-Couture & Resort 2018 will take place in Dubai, at the Meydan Hotel & Grandstands, attracting designers from all over the world to present their resort and ready couture collections.
The AFW concept is to offer a single 5 days event that gathers buyers, high net worth clients, and press from around the world: a unique opportunity to organize a pre-collection or ready-couture fashion shows and attending impactful events.
Register to attend Arab Fashion Week here.
Amir H. Fallah | Almost Home | 24 May 24 – 1 July 2017 | Gallery 2 at The Third Line
Last spotted by The Luxe Diary team at the House of Bazaar last fall, Amir H. Fallah returns to The Third Line with a new body of work titled Almost Home reflecting on the idea of belonging outside one’s country of origin. The exhibition shows a series of the artist’s signature style landscapes and portraits, respectively referencing floral Persian ornamentation and Iranian-American immigrants who have not returned to Iran since their departure several decades ago. Amir works deeply from his own experience and explores what it means to exist outside the homeland.
Almost Home looks at narratives that seem congruent in the immigrants’ lives. The concept of a home takes on a new meaning: it is fluid, transient, constantly evolving; it is not one grounded in old land, seeped with the history of generations that have passed through it. A new home, then, is rebuilt holding on to constants that people of migration identify as markers of a culture that they need to perpetuate in newer landscapes. The impermanence of these new homes is a reflection of a very stark reality of modern day mobility and livelihood.
The Filmmaker’s Reflection displays Amir’s bold style of portrait painting. The subject’s identity remains anonymous, though it is surrounded by an assortment of items, primarily personal belongings and memorabilia. These pieces of clothing, jewelry and mementos reference the home, the subject’s roots and cultural heritage. Along the edges of the painting is an elaborate tangle of flowers and vines similar to the ornate borders found on Persian rugs.
In creating this surreal window into a highly schematic vision of typified memories, Amir plays what it means to be away from one’s home and country of origin, and creates an ironically tourist book condition of displacement. Adding a second layer of meaning to the exhibition, Amir chooses to exhibit the works in this home in Dubai, a city that has become a safe haven for thousands of Iranians. Many of Amir’s American-Iranian subjects cannot return to Iran, and they most certainly cannot be permanent settlers in the UAE, but by recreating this mirage and bringing their portraits to Dubai, Amir imagines it as one step closer to their homeland. And so, bringing them almost home.
For more information on the exhibition, the artist Amir H Fallah and The Third Line click here.
Handpicked by Quincy Jones – XRISS and her Trio | Q’s Bar & Lounge at Palazzo Versace | Tuesday to Saturday from 19.00 onwards | Until 26 May 2017
Q’s, Quincy Jones’ first-ever bar and lounge featuring world-class live music, welcomes its latest act. Handpicked by Jones, the soulful XRISS, and her accompanying trio will be performing at the Q’s Bar and Lounge in Palazzo Versace Dubai through 26 May 2017.
At Q’s Bar and Lounge in the Palazzo Versace Dubai Hotel, guests can look forward to an array of jazz and soul standards as well as a fusion of modern-pop and vintage genres. Expect to be transported back to the early 20th century as XRISS puts her own spin on swing, ragtime, and jazz alongside her accompanying guitarist, bassist, and drummer.
Enjoy an intimate setting with high-quality comfort food stirred by New York and New Orleans culinary culture, and a wide selection of rare drinks to the world’s finest music acts complemented by unmatched acoustics.
Quincy Jones, the maestro behind Q’s Bar and Lounge, needs no formal introduction. With a career spanning six decades, he has collaborated with legendary music icons including Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and of course, Michael Jackson.
For reservations email: Qs@palazzoversace.ae or call: 04 556 8865
Kid Koala | Nufonia Must Fall | NYU Abu Dhabi | 11 May 2017 at 20.00 & 12 May 2017 at 16.00
This month, do not miss globetrotting, Montreal-based scratch DJ and music producer Kid Koala‘s magical, multi-disciplinary and theatrical adaptation of his graphic novel and soundtrack, Nufonia Must Fall. Nufonia Must Fall’s charming story centres around a headphones-sporting robot on the verge of obsolescence, who through the course of the story falls in love.
Directed by K.K. Barrett, Oscar-nominated for Her (Spike Jonze), this live adaptation unfolds via real-time filming of more than a dozen miniature stages and a cast of puppets, while Kid Koala and the dynamic Afiara Quartet provide original live scoring on piano, strings and turntables (composed by Kid Koala). The result of which is that the audience seems to be watching an animated film, but simultaneously sees puppets being filmed (and projected) in real time.
For more information and reservations click here.
Full Moon Yoga Session | 10 May | 19.00-20.00 | Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach
Head to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai Jumeirah Beach on 10 May for some yoga under the moon. Replenish your vital energy under the flow of the full moon and stars with sounds of traditional singing bowls.
The yoga session will be held on the grass area, overlooking the flowing waters of the gulf. The yoga class will have calming effects on the body, helping us to embrace our inner power.
Each participant will be given a special goodie bag after attending the session.
Price: 125 Dhs (per person. To be paid on site at Spa Reception). For more information click here.
Deluxe Pool Suite | 12 May 2017 | Nikki Beach Dubai
Get your floats on parade! Flaunt your sexy swim style at Nikki Beach‘s deluxe pool party.
Nikki Beach Dubai features cutting-edge architecture and design with the brand’s signature modern, all white décor, tribal influences and stylish ambiance. Pamper yourself at Nikki Beach with extravagant and plush sun beds, a unique menu filled with flavorful food, lavish parties, exceptional entertainment and stunning waterfront views of the Arabian Gulf. Nikki Beach Dubai offers globally-inspired cuisine, with the tastes and spices representative of all the countries Nikki Beach is located in across the world.
For more information and reservations click here.
Ethiopian Artist Workneh Bezu Kassa | Until end of May | 12.00 -19.00 daily | COYA Members Club | Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach
The artist Workneh Bezu Kassa showcases his top pieces from six differently themed collections at the Coya Member’s Bar this May as part of the Coya Collective. Workneh showcases his versatility through different media to include everything from acrylics and oils to pencil and watercolor.
“Art is a fundamental necessity for me. Art is the modality that reflects a thought. My life is art, art is nature. Through art, my soul is expressed in this world; I don’t think I could survive without art. For me I need art like the air I breathe, my dreams are revealed through my art.” says Workneh Bezu Kassa.
Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach, COYA Dubai is a sister property of the famous Zuma and La Petite Maison in DIFC. COYA Dubai serves contemporary Peruvian cuisine and is also home to the colourful destination bar, the Pisco Lounge, extensive wine showcase corridor and stunning Members’ Club in bespoke furnishings. As part of COYA’s unique, multi-dimensional dining experience, the COYA Collective exists as a form of expression and acts as a link between cuisine and the arts.
For reservations email: Reservations@coyarestaurant.ae or call: +971 4 316 9600
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