What exciting times we live in – culturally and creatively!
In this issue of Tempo you’ll learn about a few initiatives that are close to my heart – one is them is Women Achieve, an initiative that supports the advancement of women in business. Women Achieve is an exciting charter developed by AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Women in Business committee to encourage organizations to adopt seven principles that include giving women an opportunity to become senior executives, serve on board and receive quality training. Women Achieve continues to be embraced by corporations and organizations, and this year’s anniversary singled out Northrup Grumman for its outstanding support of women. We encourage organizations everywhere to adopt the noble principles of Women Achieve. You can find out more about Women Achieve at www.amchamabudhabi.org.
Another exciting initiative we share in this Tempo is the Abu Dhabi International Poetry Festival, an event we co-organized with the formidable Dorian Paul D and his Rooftop Rhythms, as well as Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, the US Embassy and the Fatima Bint Hazza Foundation. It was a magical day where global icons of poetry such as Patricia Smith, Kane Smego and G Yamazawa gave workshops, and performed poetry alongside our own local crop of rising stars. What an unforgettable cultural feast!
Through this issue Tempo we are absolutely delighted to usher the start of the fantastic Smovies, a short film competition developed by BrandMoxie, and hosted by Vox Cinemas. The Smovies provides an opportunity for anyone to shoot their short film using a camera, phone, Ipad – anything! There are cash prizes, scholarships and the opportunity to get your films shown across Vox Cinemas in the nation. Read about it in this issue and participate!
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Rants and Raves
Rave – A quiet transformation is happening across Abu Dhabi emirate as Onwani rolls out. This is the new addressing system by the Department of Municipal Affairs that will see every building, every home, receive a unique address. For longtime residents of Abu Dhabi it is welcome progress. For new arrivals and visitors, it is a valuable necessity.
Rant – The Color Run is one of those energetic annual events that you anticipate with great relish. This year I decided to forgo the registration privileges awarded to the media corps, and instead registered, along with my kids, with the general public. What an eye opener. I went to register twice to Yas Mall, waiting in queues for hours, and then on the day of the run the paint ran out, along with drinking water. It is a shame that such a fun event is marred by shoddy organization. We look forward to a better run next year.
Rave – Mushrif Park has finally opened, and the community vibe is wonderful. It is perfect for gatherings, family outings and children’s play. You’ll also see fresh produce at Ripe Market, and the sale of cool arts and crafts by talented artists and artisans such as one of the city’s best kept secrets, Ruth Burrows!
Rant – We decided to try the food at the newly opened Gusto restaurant, in Ferrari World’s food pavilion. We were drawn in by the specialty Italian look, the black and white photos, the packaged gourmet jars of pesto and the like etc We tried the linguine Arrabbiata and pizza Margherita, and both were anything but gourmet. We hope this is an interim menu, and that the real stuff is yet to come.
