Leisure guide

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) has lined up a programme of events with the National Racing Festival taking place from today until Saturday in Sakhir.

The event is set to feature three of the most popular motor racing championships in the region – the WGA Supercars Championship Middle East, the BIC 2000cc Challenge and the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship.

The festival has been organised by Circuit Racing Club and the Bahrain Drag Racing Club, both of which fall under the umbrella of the Bahrain Motor Federation, and in cooperation with the BIC.

Action in the festival will begin along BIC’s world-class quarter-mile strip tonight, when drag racers will hold a ‘Test and Tune’ session.

Meanwhile, action in the WGA Supercars and 2000cc Challenge will begin from Friday morning.

All are welcome to attend the festival. There will also be plenty of off-the-track entertainment.

Tickets for the festival cost BD5 for all days for seats at the Batelco Grandstand and cost BD2.5 for children aged 16 and below. For seating along the Start Line Grandstand, tickets cost BD7 and BD3.5 for kids.

For details or other activities at BIC, call the circuit hotline on +973-17-450000 or visit its official website, www.bahraingp.com

See Back Page for F1 latest

To celebrate Manama being named the Capital of Arab Culture 2012, the month of February has been dedicated to the topic of architecture. The theme will focus around the notion of public space and its contemporary practices in Arab cities around the region.

In collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Bahrain, and in celebration of 25 years of Bahraini-Japanese bilateral relations, an exhibition entitled Parallel Nippon: Contemporary Japanese Architecture 1996-2006 will be held at the National Museum of Bahrain until February 27. The exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese architecture over the span of a decade. Architectural drawings, photographs, models, and film footage will bring to light a unique design aesthetic, known for its fusion of craft and innovative materials.
 
The Ministry of Culture has also organised an open ideas competition for the re-design of the Bab Al Bahrain Square, pictured left, stretching from Bab Al Bahrain to the south, to the King Faisal Highway northwards.

Cultural capital – see Pages 12-13

An exhibition of mosaic creations by artist Faiza Saeed is being held at La artier, Seef Mall. For details, call 39329675.
 
International house DJ Conan Liquid will be performing at Coral Bay, Karma Lounge. Doors open at 9pm. For details, call 39649590.

Comedians Terry Alderton and Noel Brodie will perform in Kicks at the Diva Hotel, Juffair, tonight and tomorrow in Corners at The Dragon Hotel and Resort, Amwaj Islands, and Champs Bar at the Best Western Hotel,Juffair. Tickets for Kicks and Champs cost BD5, while tickets for Corners cost BD10 including three complimentary drinks. For more information, visit www.champsbahrain.com or www.cornersamwaj.com

Theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz (S4K) will perform its version of classic love tragedy Romeo and Juliet at the Cultural Hall, next to Bahrain National Museum, at 5.30pm. Performances will also be held for schools at the same time tomorrow and Monday. Tickets cost BD16 for adults and BD13 for children and are on sale at Words Café, Bookstore and Razzmatazz on the Budaiya Highway, Alosra Supermarket, Saar, Truso in Al A’ali Shopping Complex and Manazel.

Schools interested in attending should email their contact details to entertainmentplusint@gmail.com or call 17566509.
World Beat Fitness Centre will hold a coffee morning with guest speakers Seema Al Shirawi and Samantha De Zoysa on the theme of biodynamic craniosacral therapy. The pair are experts in Reki and remedial massage. The event starts at 9.45am and costs BD2 for members and BD3 for non-members. For details, call 17612576.

A series of artworks symbolising the biblical story of Joseph’s exile in the desert is open at Albaraeh Art Gallery in Adliya. The exhibition, entitled Yousuf, from Iraqi artist Nazar Yahya, will run until February 14 from Saturdays to Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm.

Reiki guru Frank Arjava Petter will visit Bahrain to teach Jikiden Reiki at levels Shoden (Level 1) and Okuden (level 2). There will be an open night on February 15 from 6.30pm at the Bahrain Wellness Centre, Janabiya Highway costing BD8. His five-day course runs from February 17 to 21 costing BD435 which includes light lunch, snacks, manuals and registration to the Jikiden Reiki Institute Japan.

For any further information contact Julie Lomas on info@conscious-connections.com or Janet Chua eightmansions@batelco.com.bh

A range of sporting activities are being held throughout the yearto support Bahrain Cancer Society and the Ria Autism Centre. The first event ‘Run, Walk for Charity’, takes place on March 30 at 9am at Amir Khalifa bin Salman Park.

Ministry of Sound’s Housexy brings DJ Shane Kehoe, above, to Karma Lounge outdoor terrace on February 23. Tickets are available in Coral Bay at the door for BD5 for men, ladies entry is free, plus unlimited free selected beverages. For any further information, call 39649590.

Valentine’s Day

Shift 7 will host a DJ performance of sensual R’N’B, lounge, Arabic, Latin and funky house music. There’s a welcome rose with a glass of sparkly for the girls and complimentary chocolates and strawberries for couples and groups of friends celebrating the night together.

The Elite Grand in Seef is hosting a Romeo and Juliet red and white theme event. The evening features grills and deserts and a DJ for BD25 per couple and Elite Seef Residence is keeping up the red and white theme and playing love songs from the 1950s and 60s.

The Kempinski Grand &Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre has a range of romantic offers.
 
At Boudoir, alongside a dinner, a lucky couple will have the chance of winning a gift courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue. Meanwhile, at the Mezzanine Lounge couples can enjoy a meal in a private booth setting with a movie. For details, visit www.kempinkski.com/bahrain or call 17171000.

Muju restaurant and lounge at Amwaj Islands is serving up a five-course romantic dinner deal. The food is accompanied by live jazz music. Tickets cost BD80++ per couple inclusive of a welcome drink. For details, call 16039800. 

Casa Mexicana is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a three-course meal including a welcome beverage for BD25.

Trader Vic’s at the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa is offering couples a scenic setting this Valentine’s Day. A four-course menu costing BD22++ per person awaits along with a beverage as well as complementary roses and chocolates. There will also be a photographer to take your picture. For details, call 17586555.

Crowne Plaza is offering a special romance package throughout the month for BD149++. It includes one night’s accommodation for two, breakfast in bed and a candlelit dinner with a beverage in Waves Seafood Restaurant. The offer also includes a bottle of sparkly, a bouquet of flowers and canapés in your room.

Cafe Italia in Adliya is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a specially priced BD25++ per person menu which includes four courses. Tables will be set with roses and love songs will be played throughout the night. For details, call 17744744.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa aims to tempt couples in the kingdom with a unique way to enjoy a ‘MAGNIFIQUE’ Valentine’s Day. It is offering a special room rate of BD 85++ per night which includes accommodation, a bottle of bubbly, a romantic flower upon arrival, breakfast served in the room and a late checkout.

The hotel is also running an exclusive spa offer wherein if you buy one package you share the other as complimentary with your partner. For details contact 17636363 or email H6722@sofitel.com