The Wisperer

You don’t know me; I know you, of course - or at least I know what’s being said about you. I’m ‘the whisperer’.

I am socially mobile: Arabic, Brit, Indian, Pakistani, US and the rest, they all invite me and share their world with me. I move comfortably through the corridors of power; I know the seedier sides of the souq; I mix with those in the know, at the smartest parties. I’m on everyone’s list’, you see. Not much gets past me but if you think it might have done, email me on: gulfwhispers@gmail.com
 I’ll pass it all on so that everyone knows.

Cultural boob
Following the furore surrounding the alleged ‘Spring of Sex’ sessions as Bahrain went cultural it was somewhat surprising for The Whisperer to be told that a dancer really boobed during one of the final Spring of Culture events.
One would have thought that the organisers would have ensured that the cast of Brasil Brasileiro had been fully briefed to ensure everything was taped, buttoned and zipped up knowing the sensitivity surrounding this year’s season of shows. Not easy, I understand when you wish to showcase Brazilian culture with vibrant music in a show which includes samba dancers, steps dancers and capoeira dancers.
Yet during Friday evening’s event at Arad Fort in true Janet Jackson-style nothing was left to the imagination when a dancer slipped out of her costume in front of a stunned audience.
Apparently the costumes were skimpy and something was bound to give and on Saturday’s finale the artistes were visibly pulling down their rising attire to ensure there was not a repeat performance.
Controversy surrounded Bahrain’s Spring of Culture after MP Shaikh Mohammed Khalid attended the event’s opening concert by Lebanese singer Marcel Khalifa and said he was outraged by the dancers’ erotic performances.
MPs later unanimously voted to “investigate” the event, which they described as the “spring of sex”.
However, businessmen, art enthusiasts and human rights activists defended the show, saying that MPs should focus their attention on more important matters.
The Brasil Brasileiro shows were the final offerings of the six-week Spring of Culture 2007 festival, which was organised by the Department of Culture and National Heritage, and supported by the Economic Development Board.
Singer Jackson apologised to anyone who was offended when her right breast was exposed during the infamous US Super Bowl show.
It will be interesting to find out if the busty Brazilian does the same … or whether there will be a cover up.