SENSE OF SIGHT

Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai and DUCTAC are proud to present ‘Sense of Sight’, an exhibition of photography by seven aspiring photographers who live and work in the UAE. The show is the culmination of months of work by these talented photographers.

The photographs that make up this arresting exhibition aim to highlight the importance of Moorfields' work by portraying the effects of visual disturbance, either psychologically or through some form of visual impairment. A panel of experts will judge the photographs, and the winning photographer will receive a prize of Dhs 10,000.

www.moorfields.ae

Location: Gallery of Light, Manu Chhabria Arts Centre

ONE SMALL STEP*

The space race was, sometimes literally, one of the most explosive adventures of the twentieth century. One Small Step explores this incredible contest, from the first dog in space to the moon landing and beyond! The action-packed quest for the giant leap is undertaken by two extraordinary young actors who bring dozens of characters (41 to be exact…) to life in a brilliantly inventive portrayal of the space race.

Inspirational and educational for adults and youngsters alike, One Small Step is full of emotion, intense moments, epic achievements and humour, from beginning to triumphant end.

One Small Step is a new play that was launched in 2008 at the Edinburgh Fringe. It thrilled audiences and quickly received five and four star reviews from The Sunday Times and The Scotsman, among others. It was subsequently chosen to be part of the British Council Showcase, a biennially-selected collection of cutting edge British work. Prior to this year’s festival One Small Step completed a successful tour across the UK and Ireland..

Location: Kilachand Theatre

For more information call DUCTAC: 04 341 4777

PAN PA TIM

Performed by the Primate Theatrical Percussion of Venezuela, music, dance and rhythm combine in this highly physical theatrical fantasy. It follows the plight of Tim, a percussionist trying to hold down a regular paid job in an office - without his natural desire to create rhythm taking over. But his musical instinct always betrays him.

It isn't long until a seductive salsa beat evolves, using any object at hand as a percussion instrument. Everything he touches turns to music: the dishwasher, water bottles, tables, his typewriter and the bodies of the other six performers - key board player, percussionists, singers, dancers and jugglers.

“This Afro-Caribbean spectacular is 'like a Latin American Stomp the whole family will enjoy”

•  El Universal

Pan Pa' Tim is great entertainment, regardless of age or musical preference - the biggest challenge is to stay sitting down.

•  Fringe Report

www.primatepercu.com

Location: Centrepoint Theatre

MAHIM JUNCTION*

Bollywood of the 1970s…a time when heroes wore their hearts on their sleeves and the villains paved the mean streets of Mumbai with gold. A time to dream, and the time at hand to chase those dreams.

A slum adjacent to the local train platform in suburban Mumbai is inhabited by a motley crew, including Rahim, the local dada, a good Samaritan with a heart of gold who is in love with Radha, the belle who has many hearts wanting to beat in tune with hers.

Belonging to different faiths, they fear that their respective families will never accept their love. Radha’s harridan mother would much rather sell her daughter than help her marry the man she loves, yet her physically challenged brother is ready to sacrifice anything for his sister and her happiness with Rahim.

Mr Kaladhanda is the amorous Bollywood film producer who sells dreams of stardom to attract young girls into his lair, while Randy Bhai is the Harvard graduate son of a well heeled and corrupt businessman, who dreams of making a difference in the world of black marketers, mobsters and rigged elections. Two further memorable characters, Johnny and Ayesha, complete the cast.

Mahim Junction, written by the internationally acclaimed Sohaila Kapur, has played to full houses across India, in the UK and in Singapore. It is now set to burst onto stage at DUCTAC in Dubai…so book now to guarantee your seat at this must-see show.

www.mahimjunction.blogspot.com

Location: Centrepoint Theatre

For more information call DUCTAC: 04 341 4777

PRELUDE TO THE EMIRATES
6TH INTERNATIONAL PEACE MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG VIRTUOSOS*

Established in 1993 by Mr. Riad Kudsi, the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) is a non-profit organisation created to cultivate and highlight the talent of young musicians, and to teach the universal language of classical music to children and teenagers, from primary school to high school.

The young musicians who play in EYSO live in the UAE and come from 25 nations. Some of its previous members who have completed their studies with Mr. Kudsi have gained distinguished musical scholarships in order to continue their studies.

EYSO has performed many times at international music festivals, including in the Czech Republic, Kuwait, France and Oman; the orchestra is regularly invited to take part in festivals and performances all over the world.

www.musicnus.com

Location: Centrepoint Theatre

For more information call DUCTAC: 04 341 4777

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

‘In the Blink of an Eye’ showcases the work of 6 internationally renowned photographers flown in to Dubai to host workshops and lectures for the sixth annual Gulf Photo Plus event in March. Each photographer brings to this collection their own individually themed collection of images, examining and expressing their unique perspective through an extraordinary range of photographic talent.

Photographers David Nightingale, Steve Simon, Robin Nichols, Zach Arias, Joey Lawrence and Melissa Rodwell will all be present at the opening on the 28th of February, presenting a unique opportunity for aspiring photographers and enthusiasts to meet and mingle with the talent behind the images.

www.gulfphotoplus.com

Location: Gallery of Light, Manu Chhabria Arts Centre

For more information call DUCTAC: 04 341 4777

ASCENDANCE HIP HOP*

A unique opportunity to discover hip-hop culture and urban dance is coming to DUCTAC in March. Ascendance Hip-Hop are a group of dance pioneers who promise to push the boundaries of contemporary dance, in collaboration with the Uzume and Atipik Companies.

The first part of the performane, Cinderella, inspired by the eponymous fairy tale, is a four-dancer show by Atipik. It is followed by their latest poetical creation, a duo that highlights the complex way in which humans interact. The show continues with a solo dance called Crescendo, performed by Claire Moineau from Uzume. This tells the story of an individual who is full of doubts but who finds her ideal through dance.

The performance concludes with the solo Falstaff, performed by Fox. His solo is one of great maturity and depicts the fall of a man, boiling dance down to its very essence – its breathing. Fox has received numerous international awards and was the first hip-hop performer to perform on theatre stages as prestigious as La Villette in Paris .

www.afdubai.com

www.lesdechargeurs.fr

Location: Centrepoint Theatre

DUBAI SINFONIA*

Under the patronage of Dubai Culture, the Centre for Musical Arts (CMA) presents the inaugural concert of Dubai Sinfonia. This exciting project brings together the many talented musicians of Dubai to perform a stirring finale to DUCTAC

SEASON 09/10.

Under the baton of Peter Currie the orchestra will perform a dynamic programme that includes Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, Brahms' Tragic Overture, two orchestral suites by Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony - ‘little Russian'.

The Dubai Sinfonia has its roots firmly in the community and has been founded to help promote the growth of classical music in Dubai . Its musicians all live in Dubai and they come from many different backgrounds, brought together by their common home and love of classical music.

Peter Currie is a well-respected British conductor who has worked with the symphony orchestras of Woking and Maidstone and the Kent Sinfonia. This is not Peter's first professional visit to the UAE; in April 2009 he conducted the very successful debut concerts of the Youth Orchestra of the Middle East .

www.cmadubai.com

ENTRY FREE

Location: Centrepoint Theatre

For more information call DUCTAC: 04 341 4777