OUT & ABOUT

Wednesday (Nov 21)¥ 'Aida' - an Italian movie screening at the La Fontaine Contemporary Centre for Arts begins at 7.30pm. Aida is an unforgettable opera and this adaptation stars Margaret Price and the late Luciano Pavarotti. Verdi's masterpiece of musical theater is a blend of human emotion and grand spectacle, full of Egyptian pomp and pageantry.

The movie is in Italian with English subtitles and runs for 160 minutes. The screening will be followed by a buffet dinner priced at BD10. For reservations contact 17230123 or email lfccart@batelco.com.bh.

¥ Trumpeter DJ Gordon Edge is set to perform at the Itza Trumpet Thang event at the Cocoon Lounge in Juffair. As a trumpet player he played for Sade on her world tour, for Madonna in Miami and New York and at various private parties. Doors open at 9pm with a performance by DJ Mo. Tickets are priced at BD7 for VIPs and BD15 for exclusive VIPs. For details contact 36500114.

Thursday (Nov 22)

¥ Twenty Goan dramatists will feature in a play titled - Amkam Xhanti Dhi (Give Us Peace), at the Sea Shell Hotel in Adliya. The play will start at 8pm.

It is organised by FFR Production and Bahrain Goans, who operate under the umbrella of the Bahrain-based Folk Theatre. Performers include Succurine, Joana, Domnic and Luis Bachchan backed by singers Bab Andrew, Albert, Francis De Tuem, S Lemos, Xavier Gomes and Marcus Vaz.

The cast also includes Aplon, Olga, Dolla, Pradeep Naik and Anil Pednekar who are all established names on the Goan stage.

The play is directed by dramatist Mariano Fernandes.

Show begins at 8pm. Tickets are priced at BD5, BD4 and BD3. For details contact 39672776 or 39251103.

¥ 'Island Classics' Beach Party at BJ's Nightclub in the Al Bustan Hotel in Adliya. The evening will showcase two of the world's famous clubbing islands - Ibiza and Ayia Napa - bringing their funky vocal house and clubbing tunes as well as Hip Hop and R&B tracks by resident DJ Kevin. Guests dressed in summer beach styles will receive free entry before midnight. Free entry for ladies all night. For table reservations and more information contact 39649590 or 39532530.

¥ The Indian Fine Arts Society (IFAS) is holding the debut Bharatanatyam (traditional Indian dance) performance by Indian School student Shruti Muthukumaran at the Palace Hotel's Falcon Hall in Adliya. The show begins at 8pm. A combined debut performance by Anagha Anand, Bhavna Ramachandran and Riya Rose Poly will be held at the Cultural Hall near the Bahrain National Museum in Manama at 7.30pm. Musicians including vocalist K Gireesh, violinist K Manavinod and mrindangam player V Harikrishna are flown in to provide the music for the event. For more information contact 39293987or 39884222.

Friday (Nov 23)

¥ Sixteen Filipinos are vying for the top three prizes during the final round of the singing competition 'Bahrain Overseas Pinoy Idol 2007 Search' at the Poolside Area of the Delmon International Hotel in Manama. The finalists are as follows: Rayesha Jae A. Laput, Josephine Lazada, Rochelle G. Santiago, Princess Apple D. Sinchongco, Michelle B. Santos, Mervin A. Flores, Jim M. Conte, Noel M. Porciuncula, Rondel P. Flores, Nilo L. De Lara, Don Russel R. Santos, Christopher D. Laboc, Roderick M. Mahinay, Ronnel B. Lazaro, Lester Cleofe, and Jojo Ferraris.

¥ 'Hustle & Flow' at the BJ's Nightclub in Al Bustan Hotel in Adliya with Urban Ninja. The night will feature styles of Urban Music, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggaeton, Old Skool with a few Latin tracks. Free entry for ladies all night and BD1 for non-member before midnight. There are also selected beverages for BD1 all night. Dress code for the night is smart casual. For details contact 39649590.

¥ As part of Diwali celebrations, the Indian Ladies Association is holding a dance event at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain's Conference Centre in Manama. The event begins at 7pm and will also feature Mumbai-based band Rock Unlimited. For details contact Annapurna Vemulapalli on 39349825, Shiney Koshy on 36715550 or Sushma Anil on 39215637.

¥ Bud Music... Live! at the Coral Beach Club in Manama. Featured bands include Fun Lovin' Criminals, Arrested Development, Watershed, Vix in the Kix, Brothermandude, Juliana Down, Abri & Asono, Synergy and supported by Peter Hook from New Order (DJ Set). Tickets are priced at BD16 with one free beverage on entry and doors open at 1pm.

Saturday (Nov 24)

¥ The Awali Riding Club in Awali is hosting a craft fair and car boot sale at the club premises at 2pm. Homespun handicrafts, creative Christmas decorations, festive food treats, unique gift ideas and more will go on sale during the event. In addition to craft stalls and boot sale bargains, there will also be a host of traditional games and prizes, pony rides for children and refreshments. To book or for further information email awaliridingclub@gmail.com or call 17756525 after 4.30 pm.

¥ 'Picasso and Friends' art exhibition opens at The Arabesque Gallery in Umm Al Hassam. The evening will feature a lecture and presentation of over 60 original lithographs from 6.30pm to 8pm. Visiting art experts Paul and Elizabeth Peyronnet from Paris will showcase a collection of graphic art by artists of the 20th century, including signed works by Pablo Picasso, Toulouse Lautrec, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali, Paul Chagall, or Wassili Kandinsky. For details contact Anne on koh88@batelco.com.bh or 39425049.

Tuesday (Nov 27)

¥ St Christopher's Senior School Production - The Black Remote begins today until Thursday. The play by Glyn Maxwell which is a modern retelling of the myth of Pandora's Box. The heroes - Polly and Norman, are thrown into a world that transforms and regenerates when they touch the forbidden black remote and three winged creatures - Glimmer, Leach and Nono, appear. The imposing television set, the XL8-Kobra-Klassik, casts a shadow over the stage, inviting the audience to consider the evils of the modern world. For more information contact the senior school on 17788101, 17788140 or 17788155.

'Countries of carnival' come alive at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Bahrain in Manama on New Year's Eve where music, dance and great food will be the delights of the night. A Latino band and dancers are being flown in especially for the night. A range of selected beverages will be on offer and the chef will conjure up special New Years Eve buffet delights. Doors open at 8pm and dinner will be served at 9pm. Dress code for the occasion is traditional black tie, evening dress or a Caribbean theme.