1. THE FIRST MAGAZINE IN THE
MAY 2012
REGION TO USE MOBILE TAGGING
THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND
COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE
TALENT TO BURN
CREATIVE CITY
KNOW MORE ON PAGE 12
+ PLUS
PICTURE PERFECT
COFFEE WITH FRIENDS
THE TALENTED MR. IQBAL
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3. contents
www.tempoplanet.com
ed’s
04 letters to the editor note:
05
06
uspace
what’s hot
14 At Tempo we see the UAE developing a strong
artistic identity, and we are blessed to meet so
07 the bottom bottom line many talented people who are truly passionate
08 tech talk / game hedz about their creative pursuits.
09 tempo’s top 10 songs / on my ipod
We are constantly inspired by those who express
10 my style blueprint
themselves creatively. The local film industry is
12 the dream players emerging on the world stage in a big way, and
14 city bites grassroots initiatives such as The Dream Players
15 bandwidth are giving a platform to new talent to showcase
their abilities. We see no shortage of poets willing
16 youth talk
to share their thoughts, and have met so many
17 people calendar sculptors and painters, musicians and dancers who
18 picture perfect are telling their stories and adding their unique
19 time capsule talent to the creative melting pot of the country.
21 planetarians
At the heart of this creative movement is the
22 the talented mr. iqbal community, the very essence of Tempo. Being in the
24 mini minx centre of it all we are thrilled that others’ creations
26 media bring inspiration to us, and our work at Tempo
brings joy to our readers. Feed your soul with art
27 tamakkan knowledge hub and culture, and drop us a line to let us know what
28 doc in the house / just handcrafted you’re doing.
30 just a thought
Be true to yourself and spread kindness,
Sana Bagersh
18 30
Managing Editor
bagersh@tempoplanet.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Sana Bagersh
SUPERVISING EDITOR EDITORIAL
Ian Mason CONTRIBUTORS
FEATURES WRITER Angeli Castillo
Alma Kadragic Shakil Haque
EDITORIAL Jan D’Sa
COORDINATOR
Manar Al Hinai
Sharon Carvalho
Ahmed Samir
MARKETING
COORDINATORS Rohith Bhat
Manjul Abhishek
26
Azza El Masri
Laskar Laipubam
Shahid Saeed
MAGAZINE DESIGN
Blakniss
Mark De Castro
Sadaf Hassan
DISTRIBUTION
Dave Solomon
COORDINATOR
Melaku Muluneh Justin Thomas
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Dear Ed, I love that Tempo keeps FB &
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street, new ideas and budding stars.
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keep it real - Hermoine Macura up the good work!!! - Azam M
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Hermoine. What a great story!
Love my Tempo! - Geraldine L
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Hi guys! Thank you for the Eds note: Ok, Mariana, you can be in this
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My time there and the team were Tempo keeps me in touch with Abu Dhabi
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THIS MONTH’S new size of Tempo? This is what you said:
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5. A team of business “We have considered the TALKING BOOKS
administration students valuable suggestions given to By Azza El Masri
from SZABIST Dubai could us by the competition judges
soon be the UAE’s next and are trying our best to
successful entrepreneurs. implement them into the
plan. When consequences are
Fatima Sarwar, Syed Adil favourable and opportunity
Moshin, Ruqayya Khan and knocks, we would surely take
Kulsoom Khan created an it into the market.”
Book Review:
idea for a restaurant that Further success The Paris Wife
serves diabetic meals and Fatima also recently (Virago Press, 2012)
other healthy options to L- R: Ruqayya, Fatima, Adil, Kulsoom triumphed at the Raymond
combat growing obesity Author: Paula McLain
Big Idea competition with a
levels in the UAE. FUTURE plan to develop an affordable
ENTREPRENEURS: online tutorial portal for
Winning idea Students Plan students, freelancers and To the world, Ernest Hemingway
Their idea received a boost U SPACE For Success the unemployed. “These was one of the greatest writers
by winning the Biz Plan competitions are a great start of the 20th century, whose prose
Competition 2011, a tri- towards our big dreams.” was brilliant, concise and brutal
university initiative involving SZABIST Dubai, IMT
Dubai and Manipal University Dubai. The team is With enterprising students like these, the future of and whose books bled fear, horror
currently working towards improving the idea. business in the UAE looks very bright. and love like no other. To Hadley
Richardson, Ernest Hemingway was
Tamakkan and Tempo supports UAE
“The business of a restaurant has many elaborate the love of her life.
entrepreneurs by sharing business
details, so we are trying to make them all
knowledge.Visit www.tamakkan.org
consistent with each other, along with many other
for more information. FALLING IN LOVE
aspects,” explained Fatima.
In 1920s Chicago during the time of
Prohibition, Hadley is introduced to
the Ernest we haven’t yet heard of: the
bright-eyed, enthusiastic, vibrant lover
GIVING HOPE: care. But his sign didn’t say, ‘Need money or food.’ His
who yearns to be a renowned and
sign simply said ‘Smile’ and he had the biggest smile on
A Heart-To-Heart Chat his face. People like him. famous writer. They instantly fall in love,
By Alia Youssef and after a short and wild affair, they
I’ve had a lot of self image issues. I spent last week at a marry and set off for France, arriving in
Inspired by the Gives Me Hope friend’s house. The first thing her baby sister said to me Paris, the city that buzzes with artists,
website, I wrote this article especially was, “You’re so pretty. I want to look just like you when I writers and poets alike.
for Tempo’s teen readers. As a 16 grow up.” Little kids who open your eyes give me hope.
(soon to be 17) year old girl, I know THE DOWNHILL SLIDE
being a teenager is one of the most For more inspirational stories, visit: In the haze of alcohol, jazz and hearsay,
stressful stages a person goes through. www.givesmehope.com things begin to go downhill for the
married couple, and the arrival of a
Making choices about college, friend
son only takes them further apart just
problems and discovering ourselves
as Ernest’s literary career sets sail.Yet,
are just some of the daily dilemmas Hadley – and Ernest too, in his own way
we go through. I find myself swarmed Inspired by past – tries to rekindle the flame that burned
with choices, questions, homework memories and winter so bright not so long ago but her efforts
and pressure from my parents during in Paris, Sara Al prove to be worthless with the arrival of
this stage of my life. Mazrouei contributed a new character.
this beautiful poem to
Think positively Tempo. A COMPELLING READ
I’m an optimist and I get through by staying The Paris Wife is a heartbreaking,
positive. Be happy and don’t worry. As
I KNEW YOU A WHOLE WORLD beautiful story about Hemingway’s first
someone once said, “Worrying is like sitting
wife, but most importantly, about the
on a rocking chair; it gives you something
to do but gets you nowhere.” The less you It’s the season of mists and beauty and magic
reality of life.
worry, and the more proactive you are, the The ground is covered in sparkly white stardust
happier you’ll be. If you’re feeling down, don’t Pearls fall from the sky and melt into my hair This novel was like a wake-up call to me;
keep it bottled up inside you. Talk it out with The trees look as though they miss their leaves it showed me that life isn’t a fairytale,
a friend or an adult you trust. Talking and And the vintage song starts playing in my head and that there are no knights in shining
expressing your feelings always makes you 4 minutes and 60 seconds of happy memories armour coming to the rescue. It is cruel,
feel better and less down. Don’t let negativity And my thoughts say I knew you a whole world yet full of love; a true and beautiful
get to you; it won’t do you any good! Keep I knew the love of fun and the need for speed romance, told by the Paris wife herself,
smiling.You’ll look better! I knew adventures and heights and pretty views that gives us not only insight into the
I knew good music and lights that drew patterns
Ernest Hemingway, but also a direct
Inspirational stories I knew the dolphins wouldn’t come out that day
These are two stories from the website that I knew because the sea was swollen with waves
link to the heart of a woman in love.
gave me hope: I knew too, that I was trusting a changing moon This novel left me drained with sadness
Still, I think about you like you put stars in the sky and frustration, but also renewed with
I saw a homeless man on the corner of one of You see, a dreamer’s thoughts outweigh reality wisdom. Nothing is ever as it seems, and
the busy streets today. He was wearing ratted And my thoughts say I knew you a whole world. nothing is ever simple.
clothing and it was evident he had no personal
www.tempoplanet.com | 05

6. WHAT'S HOT
International Jewelry and Speak Abu Dhabi:
Watch Show A night of live poetry recitals
1 -5 May, ADNEC 2 May, Abu Dhabi Theatre
A glittering array of the world’s leading Timeless wisdom enshrined in enchanting lyrics will flow freely at Abu Dhabi Theatre
brands will dazzle the Abu Dhabi National on 2 May in Speak Abu Dhabi. The first event of its kind, an ensemble of UAE-based
Exhibition Centre at the International poets will recite their poetry along with verses from the classic masters like Rumi, Omar
Jewelry & Watch Show from 1 – 5 May. Khayyam and Khalil Gibran. The free event at the Abu Dhabi breakwater is organised by
Abu Dhabi’s own spiritual poet Bahareh Amidi.
Elite retailers and distributors will display
an extensive showcase of exquisite Poets from around the world, who call the UAE their home, will illuminate the theatre
jewelry and timepieces from all over the with their deep insights expressed in poetry about light, peace, nature, humanity. Poems
world, aimed at the region’s most affluent will also be shared by members of the audience, the American Community School and
consumers. New York University students.
Entrance Fee: AED 20 Information and RSVPs:
Bahareh Amidi 050 6606142 or email: connect@bahareh.com
Treasures of the World’s
Cultures, Manarat Al Sadiyat
Manarat Al Saadiyat gallery
until July 17
Treasures of the World’s Culture, a new
exhibit at Manarat Al Sadiyat, showcases
over 250 artifacts celebrating more than
two million years of human evolution.
Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture
Authority and the British Museum, the
exhibition offers a taste of the Zayed
National Museum will be like when in opens
in 2015 at the Saadiyat Cultural District. The
artifacts on display include loans from Al
Ain National Museum, Sharjah Archaeology
Museum and the private collection of HE Avenged Sevenfold
Abdulrahem Al Sayed Al Hashemi, and
4 May, Flash Forum, Abu Dhabi
provide insight on the UAE and the Middle
East’s universal context. The exhibition
Heavy metal fans are in for some serious headbanging time when Avenged Sevenfold – or
also includes an impressive collection of
A7X – play the Flash Forum on 4 May. After touring with the likes of Metallica, Guns N’
Greek statues, ancient Egyptian tombs,
Islamic miniature paintings, Michelangelo and Roses and Iron Maiden, A7X are in top form and ready to rock Yas Island. “We are excited
Rembrandt sketches. to come back to the Middle East,” said front man M. Shadows. “We played to some of the
most amazing crowds when we toured the album here, and we can’t wait to bring our live
Open from 10am to 8pm daily show back to our friends in the UAE.”
Free entrance.
Information and ticket sales: www.thinkflash.ae
06 | www.tempoplanet.com

7. THE BOTTOM
BOTTOM LINE
Making Business Cool
One Moment in Time Tempo loves new cool ideas and one of
the most talked about restaurant models
18 - 20 May, Madinat Theatre,
is Make Business Hub restaurant in Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah which combines two things: offering an
environment for Mac toting entrepreneurs
Rock, musicals, movies and divas will be in the spotlight
to desk down, along with pretty decent
when Diverse Choreography Arts School presents
food. Concierge believes this is precisely
their annual show ‘One Moment in Time’ from 18 – 20
the kind of conducive ecosystem that gives
May at Madinat Jumeirah.
This spectacular event covers four diverse styles. Rock birth to new businesses. The one think
Through The Ages is a celebration of rock classics; MBH has to watch out for is making sure
New Musicals features snippets from some of West their lingering patrons spend enough on
End’s biggest musicals; Movie Soundtracks highlights food and coffee to sustain the business.
some of the best film music over the years; and Divas
pays tribute to the worlds’ greatest songstresses. A Slice of Heart
Speaking of innovation and the marriage
Information and ticket sales: of cool concepts in homegrown eateries,
www.madinattheatre.com Concierge applauds Slices on Muroor Road
for having great organic food and a huge
community heart: you see, all food left over
at the end of each day is given away to
mosques to feed the less fortunate.
Beautyworld
Middle East Delectably Emirati
Yet another cool food concept is Fanar in
29- 31 May, DICEC Dubai which claims to be one of the most
unique Emirati restaurants. True dat, and
Beautyworld Middle East, from 29 – 31 May at Dubai International Convention more! As far as Tempo knows, two other
and Exhibition Centre, is the largest international trade fair for beauty products, restaurants, Emirati N More in Barsha and
hair fragrances and wellbeing in the region. Mezlai at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi,
offer true Emirati fare. What we love about
Professional hair dressers and make-up artists will demonstrate their skills on Fanar (check out the one in Festival City) is
centre stage while attendees can enter nail and makeup competitions. The latest that it also provides the experience, so you
trends in beauty will be discussed in talks, live demos and conferences. get to eat machboos on an Arabic majlis
surrounded by cultural accoutrements. We
Open from 10am till 7pm.
love it.
Heritage in the Mountains
Speaking of UAE heritage experiences, we
hear a lot about Heritage Village off the
breakwater in Abu Dhabi, which offers a
pretty decent synopsis to tourists wanting
to learn about Emirati culture. But another
“Heritage Village” that serves a very
authentic and historical experience is Hatta
Heritage Village which is nestled among
the Hajjar mountains. The 16th century
village overlooks a fertile oasis, consists
of a mosque, watchtowers and homes
constructed of khoos (palm leaves), stone
and mud. A definite must see for culture
lovers and historians.
So whether you have coffee
while you work or served up
with lots of culture, remember
there’s so much more to food.
Bon appétit.
Write to me:
concierge@tempoplanet.com
The Concierge
www.tempoplanet.com | 07

8. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
tech talk
Shahid Saeed | Talker for the Non-Techies Follow me on @shahidaasi
LATEST NEWS
ACER AS5742G NOTEBOOK PANASONIC DMC-TZ20GC ATIC and Saxony to open twin semiconductor labs
Acer’s AS5742G laptop has Intel Corei3 2.5GHz The Panasonic DMC-TZ20GC is an ideal choice
Processor, 15.6” LED screen, 4GB DDR3 RAM, for anyone looking for a basic good-quality compact • Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Investment
320 GB SATA HDD (7200 RPM), NVIDIA 1 GB camera. It has 16x optical zoom equipped with GPS Company and the state of Saxony in Germany
DDR3 dedicated graphic card, DVD writer, 5IN1 and can record full HD Movies in AVCHD format, have announced that they will open a pair
Card Reader, Wi-Fi A/B/G/N, Webcam, built-in with shoot sharp images at 14.1 megapixels. The of research labs focused on semi-conductor
technologies.
microphone and speakers, 3 USB ports, HDMI out, 24mm wide angle LEICA Dc lens, MOS Sensor and • The ‘Twin Labs’ project will see one lab located at
full-size keyboard, Windows 7 Home Basic 64bit Venus Engine FHD are really cool features and the the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in
preloaded and weighs about 2.7 kg. 3.0” smart touch screen adds another plus-point Abu Dhabi and the other based at the Technische
if considering this compact camera as your next Universität Dresden.
If you are looking for a good laptop, the AS5742G travelling gadget. • The labs, which will host 10-12 graduate and
PhD students, will focus on research around
has a large screen size, good hardware configuration
three-dimensional chip stacking, a potentially
and is available for a very attractive price - AED It’s available from Carrefour UAE for just AED faster and more energy efficient semiconductor
1,999 - from Carrefour UAE. 999 and comes with a free camera case and 4GB technology.
memory card. • The Abu Dhabi lab will investigate the minimum-
energy/low-power features of 3D-integrated
microelectronics in a variety of computing,
communication, storage and sensing design
contexts. The Saxony facility will work on the
interconnect aspects of 3D integration, especially
the crucial role of TSV in the back-end-of-
the-line structure of 3D-stacked chips. The
goal is to develop modules (design blocks) for
high-rate interfaces between multiple chips in a
semiconductor chip-stack.
• ATIC and Saxony will invest $2.4m in the plan
over two years, which builds on a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) signed between
the two in 2010 to partner on technology
development.
game hedz
Blakniss | Original game head from Atari to XBox!
PLAYING PROTOTYPE 2 GETTING READY FOR XBOX LIVE MIDDLE EAST
Alex Mercer is back but this time he is the enemy. Might I remind everyone, and Microsoft in particular, that plans for a Middle East service were announced
You play Sgt. James Heller who is seeking to exact last May, and it was stated that Live would launch within a year.
vengeance on Mercer for killing his family.
MEA Regional Director for Retail Sales & Marketing, Julian Woods (yes, I’m naming names cuz that’s how I
Though twists and turns ensue, there will be a bit roll!) made the announcement at a conference in Fujairah last year. That makes the due date this May. This
of deja vu - it is a sequel after all. But expect the May, Microsoft. This May.
big final boss battle to be THE Heller v Mercer
No word from Microsoft that we have heard. But we should all remind them. It’s about time. If you have
throwdown of the decade...well, of the month at
gaming related news, views or events, hit up the blog - www.gamehedz.blogspot.com
least.
Game on!
There is a limited edition available with a bunch of
downloads including a total of 55 challenges, events MY FAV APP
and other goodies.
My favourite app is Angry Bird Space for iPhone, iPad
& Android devices. Angry Birds Space is an incredibly
It’s available on both Playstation and XBox. addictive game. Even when you get frustrated that
you can’t find a solution, you keep coming back for
more, and its bite-size levels make it ideal for playing
on the go.
Developer Rovio has pulled off the difficult task
of making a game that feels new and exciting, yet
familiar enough to easily pick up and play, and the
charming cartoon visuals and sounds are used to
great effect. Above all, Angry Birds Space is a lot
of fun for a very small outlay (or for free if you’re
playing on Android)
by Sheeraz Ansari
08 | www.tempoplanet.com

9. 1. Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye ft. Kimbra
2. We Are Young- Fun ft. Janelle Monae
3. Glad You Came- The Wanted
4. What Makes You Beautiful- One Direction
5. Boyfriend- Justin Bieber
6. Wild Ones- Flo Rida ft. Sia
7. Starships- Nicki Minaj
8. Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen
9. Stronger - Kelly Clarkson
10. Part Of Me- Katy Perry
1 We Are Young- Fun ft. Janelle Monae 1. Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen
2. Boyfriend- Justin Bieber
3. Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye ft. Kimbra
4. Climax- Usher
2 Starships- Nicki Minaj 5. Starships- Nicki Minaj
6. She Doesn’t Mind- Sean Paul
7. We Are Young- Fun ft. Janelle Monae
8. Level Up- Sway
3 Boyfriend- Justin Bieber
9. Turn Up The Music- Chris Brown
10. Wild Ones- Flo Rida ft. Sia
4 Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen
5 She Doesn’t Mind- Sean Paul
Ishfaq Zaman, a 21 year old animator loves
instrumental music. For him, it doesn’t matter which
genre, if it’s an instrumental song, he’s sure to give it a
shot. He listens to more jazz, rock and blues music.
6 Part Of Me- Katy Perry
1. You Will Be Perfect - Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory
2. Moanin’ - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
3. Green Onions - Booker T & the MG’s
4. Blue Train - John Coltrane
7 Alone Again- Alyssa Reid 5.
6.
Sevens - Guthrie Govan
Bad Asteroid - The Aristocrats
7. Cheese - Tim Minchin
8. Secret Prayer - Joe Satriani
9. Elation Station - Infected Mushroom
10. 1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky
8 So Good- B.o.B.
Throw Your Hands Up- Qwote ft. Don
9
Omar and PitBull
10 Love U Better- Neon Hitch
View the #1 SONG IN THE UAE
www.tempoplanet.com | 09

10. ES
MARIANA GORGtor
Coordinaent
Age: 28 | Ev
ut fashion
hat I love abo
at ement: W rson. The colours
Fashion St fine you as a pe ow
is how it can de ssories and h
the styles, the acce overall style that is
you choose, er gives an
you pu t these togeth
u.
unique to yo
d
t sophisticate
le: Simple ye
Personal Sty ‘No
aker London
onth: Ted B
Fav buy o f the past m asual Bag
igner Bag’ C
Ordinary Des ti,
Massimo Dut
Dhabi: Zara, . There are heaps
o res in Abu ra
Favourite st inary and Carolina Herre
rd
MNG, Extrao
!
of others too a fashion
ishing itself as
habi is establ bu Dhabi Fashion
style: Abu D A
Abu Dhabi ly with the launch of the obal fashion
pecial ty into the gl n, Paris
capital, es which pro pelled the ci York, Londo
Week in 2007 de similar events in New
si
calendar along
and Milan. outfits
people wear
n’t like seeing ying to be different
t hates: I do . Tr
Fashion pe itable to their body type k you are bold
not su thin
that are ique.You may n but what you are
n you are un oice of fashio
doesn't mea ur ch
and confi dent with yo pe for disaster.
ting is a reci
actually crea
10 | www.tempoplanet.com

12. cover story
By Sharon Carvalho and Ian Mason
THE DREAM PLAYERS
19 April 2012 will be a landmark date in the history of Abu Dhabi’s latest talent show sensation, The Dream Players. For the first time,
The Dream Players moved from its Innovation@Work home and played at one of the busiest locations in town, Al Wahda Mall.
Six extremely talented contestants fought it out for the title of The Dream Player April 2012, but in the end, 25 year-old American music teacher, Chris
Roebuck, blew the competition away with two powerful and emotional performances that will live long in the memory of the 1,000-strong crowd.
Tempo was there to cover this amazing event in words and pictures.
Guests at the VIP recept
ion
The Grand Millennium- Al Wahda Hotel was
the venue for the exclusive pre-event VIP
reception on 15 April for the contestants,
their friends and families, the judges and the d Mame
with sisters Aisha an
cer Sana Bagersh
team behind The Dream Players. Executive Produ
It was another historic moment for The
Dream Players because, for the first time, the
contestants and judges met each other before Judges Emma Stansfield and Michelle Nickelson with guests
the main event.
Kera Thompson, Project Manager for The
Dream Players and one of the four judges,
said, “It was fantastic to be able to meet the
contestants and their families before the event
in such an intimate setting.” Sultan Darmaki and Nicola Ablett
Ian Mason with eventual winne
r Chris Roebuck and his friend
Liz
Contestant Natasha
McLean (far right) and her
family Ali (left) with his friends
Contestant Sufyan
January’s winner Becky Morrison with her parents
Osama El Kamel Sufyan Ali - Thank you very much
Yesterday’s show was for selecting me as a contestant! Gary Maigue - It was a
Congrats to Christopher Roebuck!!! fantastic show! Congrats to
incredible! I’m looking all the contestants and to
Great performance!! ... Congrats to
forward to the next one! The Dream Players for one of the the winner Chris Roebuck. Nanosa Twixy - amazzzzzzzzzzzzing :D
Great job everyone and best, most successful shows of all time! More power to The Dream Jacque Yentsch Watson - So great!
congratulations to Chris! Today was the best day of my life. Players community! Mohsin Raza - Congrats Chris Roebuck!
Muhammad Sehan - It was seriously a fantastic show! Danielle Whitley - Congratulations Chris Roebuck - you’re amazing!!
12 | www.tempoplanet.com

13. THE WINNER
Chris Roebuck, a 25 year-old from Wisconsin
USA, silenced Al Wahda Mall with his
mesmerizing rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’
from Les Miserables which earned a standing
ovation from the audience and a perfect score
from the judges.
A special thanks to the
beautiful host, Mylene Gomera,
The crowd was on their feet again to applaud who kept the show going with
her wit, charm and banter
Chris’ second song, a heart-wrenching
performance of the Simon and Garfunkel
classic, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.
While Chris loves the stage and performing
in front of a live audience, he is even more tants
The contes
devoted to sharing his love of music with
others, especially children, in his day job as a
music educator at the GEMS World Academy
in Abu Dhabi. The Komondors perform during
the intermission
Photo credits: Simone Carvalho
ar old Leya
er up, 17 ye
Second runn dience with
her
Natasha McLean, a 17 year old who
Beidas m oved the au ‘Lego
of Gold’ and
put her own twist to popular songs
rendition of ‘Fields
‘Hey Ya’ and ‘Nobody’s Perfect’
House’
17 year old singer
/dancer, Sufyan Ali
The youngest contestant, 13 year old
Geetika Gopi. A gutsy effort as this The oldest contestant, runner up
was her first performance ever! Venkatesh Vishwanathan, belting out
The winner, Christopher Roebuck! popular Indian tracks
The Dream Players were honoured to
have some very talented and experienced
WINNERS REACTION individuals judge the event.They were Kera
Chris Roebuck spoke with Tempo Thompson, model, designer and project
after his win. manager for The Dream Players; Rajesh
Bhatia, music composer and voice over
“My experience with the Dream Players was artist for Radio Mirchi; Michelle Nickelson,
one I will never forget. It felt so good to be President and COO of Mirage Foundations
back on the stage! The rush of performing and Emma Stansfield, founder of the Abu
coupled with the venue made for a truly Dhabi Community Youth String Orchestra. ORGANISERS REACTION
memorable experience. I was truly honored "We were astounded by the level of
to be part of the event and I have to say that performances especially in the seasoned
my competition was truly inspiring to watch talent of Chris. This clearly demonstrates
and listen too. All of these factors made The that there is a lot of raw talent and
Dream Players so wonderful.” incredibly gifted people in our community,
waiting to be identified and recognized.”
“It was also a thrill to have my friends there.
My school family made my experience that Sana Bagersh,
much more enjoyable because I had someone Executive Producer of The Dream Players
there to share my joys with. The next day
at school was also moving. So many of my
students congratulated me and were asking
questions about singing and performing. I One of the intermission
Mylene with Feb
Osama El Kame
l
ruary’s winner, THANKS
acts, OPMMAD Sincere and grateful thanks to the sponsors and
took time to share the experience with them
and talked about following your dreams and supporters who made The Dream Players event
doing what your heart tells you.” CALL FOR TALENT: possible.
AUDITION FOR THE DREAM PLAYERS. Community Partner
“I cannot begin to describe the feeling that AUDITIONS HAPPENING ALL SUMMER. Al Wahda Mall
this opportunity has given me. Many thanks SINGERS, DANCERS, POETS, STAND UP
to everyone who made the event possible.” COMEDIANS, FILM MAKERS, MODELS, Gold Sponsor
ACTORS ETC. GO TO Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel
WWW.THEDREAMPLAYERS.COM
AND REGISTER.
www.tempoplanet.com | 13

14. city bites
COFFEE WITH FRIENDS:
FOOD SIMPLE ENTERTAINMENT
By Justin Thomas
From its Arabian origins, coffee quickly went global. The first coffee house in western Europe was
opened by a Lebanese proprietor in the university city of Oxford in 1650. Academia and caffeine
have since enjoyed an intimate relationship; but so too have coffee and recreation. Meeting friends
for coffee is now one of life’s most frequent and least complicated forms of entertainment. The
only real challenge is to choose a venue.
JONES THE GROCER CARIBOU COFFEE
KHALIFA ALIF MASDAR
Jones has managed to capture the look and Visiting Masdar is an experience in itself.You
feel of the age with their interior decor. It get to ride the futuristic, driverless electric
reminds me of my Mac AirBook or my iPad - cars to your destination, whilst imbibing the
aluminum, rounded edges, stylish in a totally raw, unpainted elegance of the world’s most
minimalistic and utilitarian way. Even the table sustainable city. This Caribou is small, but given
staff look as though they just stepped fresh Masdar’s current population (a few hundred
from shooting a Gap commercial. students and workers), space and fast service
is not an issue. Caribou has an impressive
I particularly like the way the managers get menu of drinks, including dark, milk or white
to wear black, possibly the coolest looking chocolate mochas.
table staff anywhere. As for the coffee, Jones
does not disappoint. Their mocha, my caffeine Dark is my favorite and Caribou rarely get the
carrier of choice, is delicious and gives a drink wrong although, sadly, consistency is an
strong kick, despite the addition of quality issue. The best thing about Caribou at Masdar
cocoa. is that you’re likely to run into a scientist or
Aska have mastered the art of consistency two at one of the tables. On my last visit,
Jones has a great ambience - no TV screen, and their mocha is first rate - always. A a few science-types, complete with science
no overpowering music, just gentle, socially- minor gripe is that the air conditioning is hair and thick rim specs, were demonstrating
lubricating background chatter. In addition often too high so, depending state-of-the-art robots to a group of
to the edible exotica, it is a upon where you sit, you may enthralled students.
great place for coffee with “ In addition to the need to wrap up.
friends, although the table staff edible exotica, it is COSTA COFFEE
can occasionally be a little a great place for Also the smoking section is ill- AL WAHDA MALL
overzealous in terms of service coffee with friends... defined and you may find it gets
and pseudo-friendliness. uncomfortably smoky, even in For me, the fully mature, illness-free Costa
the non-smoking section. would have been the undisputed king of
ASKA CAFE caffeine, if only they could be consistent.
AL RAHA MALL More often than not, the drinks will deviate
from the prescribed recipes. However when
Aska is great little cafe, right at the heart of they do get it right, it is worryingly good. I
Al Raha Mall. The bright, Ferrari-red, design say worryingly, as I fear addiction; beware of
elements make the place totally unmissable. anything that creates an appetite for itself - as
The seating is super comfy, an obvious the Mormon church once said about caffeine.
enticement to fatigued shoppers to stop The Wahda Mall Costa is like Costas the
and rest their weary legs. Two TVs spew world over, the same décor and characteristic
a constant stream of entertainment upon coffee-colored soft furnishings.
patrons; soccer and MTV are proverbial
favorites. Their coffee bean logo - which looks
suspiciously like a pair of full-lips, if you turn
The coffee is excellent. For their mocha, it sideways - emblazons everything from the
they add chocolate syrup rather than windows right down to the frothy head of
cocoa powder but the result is dreamy - my mocha. Despite the corporate sameness,
probably my favorite mocha in the UAE. Wahda Mall Costa has recently undergone a
In many coffee shops, the beverages are regime change. Overnight a whole new team
disappointingly variable; the taste, strength has appeared but they seem up to the task; on
and even the temperature are too often left my last two visits, the mocha has been perfect
to the whims of the individual baristas. but it’s still too early to judge.
14 | www.tempoplanet.com

15. ‘Unreal’ which can be streamed either on
their Reverbnation page or Facebook page.
GIGGING AROUND TOWN
Corporately, POV has also been responsible
for working on the creation of the Khaleej
Times theme music and a song inspired by
the Dubai Metro. The band has contributed
charitable performances at venues like ‘The
Shelter’. Having drawn inspiration in music
spanning from the 70s to date, they also
dedicate tributes to some of their favourites
like Pink Floyd, The Police, Mr Big and Dream
Theater among others. POV regular haunts
are Dubai venues such as The Music Room,
Central Perk, Touch, Malecon, The Ratsky
Club, Rockwell Pub, The Jam Jar, American
University of Dubai and Wafi Roof Top, and
they have also played the Abu Dhabi
BANDWIDTH Formula 1 main stage.
MUSIC IN THE SPOTLIGHT: POINT OF VIEW POV is currently doing their homework on
the second album and one can only see them
By Shakil Haque soar higher if they get about in this fashion.
‘B een there, fun that’ is my much makes human errors seem like a thing
point of view if I have to of the past when it comes to beating the
dust out the kit with precision and know-
sleeve up my experience of
how. Under his guidance, the poor kit must
witnessing this bunch of talented lads have a point of view as well. Johann does a
who pretty much justify the phrase ‘for six-string bass and quite a swell job on the
what it’s worth’. If you have an ear for groove. If your head goes nod-nod on their
good stuff but have not seen or heard tracks, you now know who to look at. Nik
Point Of View, I suggest it’s about time. Uzi is not your regular open-bolt, blowback-
operated submachine gun but the man is a
Their debut album ‘Revolutionize human synonym of the same when it comes
the Revolutionary’ is at the brink of to jettisoning the ammo off his vocal pipes.
release this season. Take a listen and I am sure you will have a
similar POV.
IN THE BEGINNING
THEIR BIG BREAK
Flashback 2005. Somewhere “The lyrics are about
in Dubai, Nik meets Johann, global awareness The band’s first big
says hello, handshake gesture, transcending to achievement came when
rounds of chit chat and then deliver messages of they were shortlisted for
pop went the question “what’s hope, not your regular SHAMAL in 2006 to open for
your point of view?” (Seems history book syllabi” the legendary Iron Maiden
like a Guy Ritchie screenplay?) and they haven’t turned back.
I reckon so. If you go through Successfully juggling day
their lyrics, it should be obvious jobs, family concerns and the passion for
why they call themselves Point Of View making music, the band has managed to stay
(POV). I guess it’s not just because they have together, despite some initial and necessary
their viewpoint but they also acknowledge early line-up changes, and bring to fruition a
the same on a collective level. The lyrics dream project.
are about global awareness transcending to
deliver messages of hope, not your regular THE DEBUT ALBUM
history book syllabi.
The album ‘Revolutionize the Revolutionary’
THE LINE-UP consists of 11 tracks showcasing the band’s
diverse skills. The album previews within the
Murtaza and Royden give an ambidextrous studio perimeters have been great with some
view to the band as they are respectively left very credible sources in the international Check band information and
and right-handed. Raunchy riffs, piercing solos, rock music industry praising their work. tracks at www.facebook.
sound samples and apt melodic transitions Releasing alongside the album is the global com/pointofviewdubai and
reflect their complementary style of guitar release of the first music video for their song www.reverbnation.com/
playing. Chiro, Mr Percussion of POV, pretty ‘3rd Eye’. They have released a radio single pointofviewdubai
www.tempoplanet.com | 15

16. youth
talk
THE MAD PRISONER:
PLATO’S THEORIES EXPLAINED
By Ahmed Samir
Around 380 BC –or thereabouts– Plato, a Greek philosopher,
scratched his archaic and impressively long beard and dreamed up an
allegory that he thought illustrated much of his views on the nature
of learning and the human condition. The following is a summarized
version of that.
The Cave: Imagine a group of prisoners, each of whom has had his
head and body chained so they could look only ahead of them. The
prisoners have been restrained like this all their lives, and the only
home they have ever known is the dark expanse of the cave. Now
MUM’S THE WORD: imagine another addition: a large fire, burning nonchalantly behind the
THE PERILS OF BEING CONNECTED prisoners, so, as they look ahead of them, the prisoners see their own
By Sadaf Hassan shadows, the ones resulting from the firelight. Between the fire and
prisoners is a raised walkway along which all manner of creatures and
people pass. So all the prisoners have ever seen are their distorted
It entertains me. It knows where I am. It shadows and those of the walking creatures, and the resounding
keeps me updated. It stays by my side. It echoes of the sounds they make.
responds to my touch. It never judges me. The Freed Prisoner: Imagine now that one of the prisoners were
No, it is not my best friend - it is my new to be unshackled and freed, let out of the dark cave. For a while,
smartphone. the prisoner accustoms to the blinding light and is then met with a
surprise of earth-shattering caliber: another world! He finds trees,
The smartphones we have today are very close to the Tricorder rivers, people and animals; an illuminated
in ‘Star Trek’. They can record data in many high definition Our perception, world, unlike anything he had witnessed
formats, scan everything from documents to barcodes and have limited by what we before his release.
GPS. They can also be connected to the World Wide Web, can see and hear and
stream both HTML 5 and Flash video which lets you watch The Return: In his shock –and perhaps
movies and are Bluetooth-enabled. Let us not forget we are still perceive in living,
out of benevolence– the prisoner would
talking about a phone! will only teach us so return to the cave that housed him,
much and provides bearing news of the magnificent world
Smartphones keep us connected to one another all the time an incomplete outside. Perhaps he would speak to his
with universal messengers and social networks like Twitter and picture.
Facebook. From day to night, I am connected to at least three fellow prisoners, telling them of what he
social networks and four instant messengers. I can go on, but had seen. A second surprise now: the
I think I have freaked you out enough. But is it okay to be so other prisoners would think their released friend mad! The coloured
connected? flying creatures he speaks of, the green trees he describes, the sun and
the land, would seem ridiculous to them, preposterous! They would
If you ask my mum, she would definitely give these phones a shun him for having lost his mind, ironically call him stupid, and, if he
thumbs down! According to her, my smartphone is not just a were to try to untie them, to free them as he was freed, perhaps they
phone; it’s a part of my body! Maybe she is right because I do would try to kill him; for they would see his attempts as a threat, not
have the phone just 5 inches away from my face most of the only against them, but also everything they believe. To the prisoners in
time and it seems like there is an invisible cord connecting
the cave, the world outside will never exist, but that doesn’t make it
them!
any less real. The world outside is there, and exists perfectly well.
So has my smartphone done me any good? Well I believe my
hand and brain coordination has improved a lot, thanks to the Plato’s lesson: So what does Plato want to say here? This small story
tiny keys, but I also feel it has drifted me away from the world. speaks volumes, particularly about our limited perception, and the
My obsession with my phone started to scare me as well. Now only true way to learn. Our perception, limited by what we see and
it’s more about striving to not break it (only dropped it thrice hear and perceive in living, will only teach us so much and provides an
with no dents!) whereas my ex-phones did not see out more incomplete picture. It is then a difficult task, that of trying to uncover
than a year without something broken. what truth there is in the world, what there is beyond the ‘shadows’
(the apparent, the trivial), and ‘to venture out of the cave’ (to learn the
This era of technology and our dependence on it really makes
true nature of things). It is a process of continuous mistake-making,
me wonder where we are headed. Should we gear up to fight
robots? Or be prepared to turn into Avatars? In a world where but you don’t learn any other way.You can’t force knowledge into
technology is the propeller of communication, all the addicts anyone, just as you can’t force a mountain through a keyhole.
(you know who you are) should learn to create a balance
between their ‘normal’ and ‘digital’ world. I tried, and it worked There is no greater calling than to break out of the prisons of the
for me. What's the real catch? No more nagging from my mum! caves of the apparent, and to strive for greater understanding.
Otherwise we forever remain prisoners. To think is to attempt to
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16 | www.tempoplanet.com