Creative Arts Group Elham Presents:

A Magical Journey of Words and Music

at the 17th Monthly Gathering in February

Many believe that art is all about our ability to translate and express our life encounters, interactions, and affections creating; possibly without knowing, a sensational journey of unique undefined pleasure. Elham, the creative art group, comes back in February to present it’s 17th monthly gathering with yet another magical evening of artistic discovery. The gathering takes place on February 24th the venue yet to be unlocked will feature four astonishing artists who skillfully are able to translate their passions through their art. Spellbinding words and enchanting music.

The event will feature the brilliant award wining Bahraini author, Ali Al Saeed, who will unveil a poetry recital from his latest book “Sad Man Dancing”. The 30 year old writer started his profession in 1998 as a

 journalist and has published his fictions in various magazines and journals. He is known for his captivating style that moves the reader into his fascinating world. He was the first Bahraini to write and publish a novel written in the English language. The novel QuixotiQ became a National best selling novel .In 2004 Ali was the recipient of the Bahrain Outstanding Book of the Year Award.His book ‘Moments’ published in 2

006 is a collection of short stories, a powerful reflection of daily life with a light and almost dream-like touch. Ali’s talents extend beyond writing into expressive photography and filmmaking always reflecting an aspe

ct of his soul, mind and sometimes heart. Ali is one of the founding members of Elham created from his passion for a Life of Art and Creativity for all.

Another book will be featured in the event presented by the Bahraini artist Khalid Al Rowaie, who will talk about his new book “Tranquility…Nothing Else”. “Tranquility is like a whisper, it’s something short, where there is no screaming.” The book, which is the author’s third release, astonishingly combines poetry and photographic captures to present various human emotions over unique levels. The book is a reflection of how Khalid experiences life; how he thinks women experience the world; his view of life in the future and how he feels about his family. The poems originally written in Arabic have been translated into English by Ghada Abualfath. His first book ‘Lessons of Light’ was published in 2002 followed in 2004 by ‘The Body Text of the Internet . Khalid Al Rowaie, who is also Al-Sawari ’s Theater Director, illustrates feelings between people and the world expressed through powerful photos and words created over the past four years. The artist has participated in many plays, movies and international art festivals winning an admirable list of awards.

The musical element of the evening will be presented or rather played out of the classical melodies by Dina Khalil’s violin. Dina, who is currently studying architecture in the University of Bahrain, has been playing the violin for four years but her passion for music started long before that, “Music means everything to me, and since I was a kid I have been dreaming of playing Violin, as I find it a very great passionate instrument” says Dina. The 19 year old violinist has performed in many concerts and events around the island challenging herself to excellence .“Although I find Violin a difficult instrument to be learned, I enjoy every minute of playing it, and am still dreaming of becoming a great musician in the future to touch everybody’s heart.”

Finally, the evening will feature the remarkable Bahraini folk singer and song writer Ala Ghawas, who will perform songs from his latest album ‘’Whispers”. Ala’s interest in music started at an early age, playing the accordion and keyboards at school progressing to the piano and acoustic guitar during his teens. Ala is musically influenced by Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan. While studying at Boston as a Fulbright scholar Ala released his first serious recording project in 2007 entitled “Hums”. Ala magically blends sounds and lyrics with his warm voice creating tremendous moving emotions, reflecting his deep life experiences. “Whispers”, released on December 2008, comes to present another phase of a brilliant artist.

In order to create, ones need faith, strength, energy, empathy, and imagination. Our four artists have proven to be competent in them all. It’s not just an evening of art, but it’s an evening of four different lives and stories fused with enormous creativity. It’s an event not to be missed by anyone who cherishes art or lives to create. The evening takes place at 7pm 

Many believe that art is all about our ability to translate and express our life encounters, interactions, and affections creating; possibly without knowing, a sensational journey of unique undefined pleasure. Elham, the creative art group, comes back in February to present it’s 17th monthly gathering with yet another magical evening of artistic discovery. The gathering takes place on February 24th the venue yet to be unlocked will feature four astonishing artists who skillfully are able to translate their passions through their art. Spellbinding words and enchanting music. 

The event will feature the brilliant award wining Bahraini author, Ali Al Saeed, who will unveil a poetry recital from his latest book “Sad Man Dancing”. The 30 year old writer started his profession in 1998 as a journalist and has published his fictions in various magazines and journals. He is known for his captivating style that moves the reader into his fascinating world. He was the first Bahraini to write and publish a novel written in the English language. The novel QuixotiQ became a National best selling novel .In 2004 Ali was the recipient of the Bahrain Outstanding Book of the Year Award.His book ‘Moments’ published in 2006 is a collection of short stories, a powerful reflection of daily life with a light and almost dream-like touch. Ali’s talents extend beyond writing into expressive photography and filmmaking always reflecting an aspect of his soul, mind and sometimes heart. Ali is one of the founding members of Elham created from his passion for a Life of Art and Creativity for all.

Another book will be featured in the event presented by the Bahraini artist Khalid Al Rowaie, who will talk about his new book “Tranquility…Nothing Else”. “Tranquility is like a whisper, it’s something short, where there is no screaming.” The book, which is the author’s third release, astonishingly combines poetry and photographic captures to present various human emotions over unique levels. The book is a reflection of how Khalid experiences life; how he thinks women experience the world; his view of life in the future and how he feels about his family. The poems originally written in Arabic have been translated into English by Ghada Abualfath. His first book ‘Lessons of Light’ was published in 2002 followed in 2004 by ‘The Body Text of the Internet . Khalid Al Rowaie, who is also Al-Sawari ’s Theater Director, illustrates feelings between people and the world expressed through powerful photos and words created over the past four years. The artist has participated in many plays, movies and international art festivals winning an admirable list of awards. 

The musical element of the evening will be presented or rather played out of the classical melodies by Dina Khalil’s violin. Dina, who is currently studying architecture in the University of Bahrain, has been playing the violin for four years but her passion for music started long before that, “Music means everything to me, and since I was a kid I have been dreaming of playing Violin, as I find it a very great passionate instrument” says Dina. The 19 year old violinist has performed in many concerts and events around the island challenging herself to excellence .“Although I find Violin a difficult instrument to be learned, I enjoy every minute of playing it, and am still dreaming of becoming a great musician in the future to touch everybody’s heart.”

Finally, the evening will feature the remarkable Bahraini folk singer and song writer Ala Ghawas, who will perform songs from his latest album ‘’Whispers”. Ala’s interest in music started at an early age, playing the accordion and keyboards at school progressing to the piano and acoustic guitar during his teens. Ala is musically influenced by Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan. While studying at Boston as a Fulbright scholar Ala released his first serious recording project in 2007 entitled “Hums”. Ala magically blends sounds and lyrics with his warm voice creating tremendous moving emotions, reflecting his deep life experiences. “Whispers”, released on December 2008, comes to present another phase of a brilliant artist.

In order to create, ones need faith, strength, energy, empathy, and imagination. Our four artists have proven to be competent in them all. It’s not just an evening of art, but it’s an evening of four different lives and stories fused with enormous creativity. It’s an event not to be missed by anyone who cherishes art or lives to create. The evening takes place at 7pm on February 24th.

In November, Elham is taking advantage of the balmy weather and moving outside for live music and short movies under the stars in Albareh’s courtyard. On the menu: a performance by talented Omani oud player and singer Mohammed Juma Al-Amri, followed by a screening of several short movies. These include ‘The Body’, a humorous whodunnit made in London by Bahraini director Saleh Nass,‘Shanthi’, a beautifully shot documentary film, by Indian filmmaker Anish Verghese, about a nine-year-old boy on a road trip to the Himalayas and ‘Absence’, a poignant movie about loneliness by Bahraini filmmaker Mohammed Buali, which has won several awards. Add popcorn and it’s set to be another delicious serving of art and entertainment.

Hakim Ghazali has achieved international acclaim for his large-scale textured paintings, often integrating calligraphy, so an exhibition by the Moroccan artists is always something to look forward to, but this one is even more hotly anticipated because, for the first time ever, he has adopted a totally new medium. Instead of canvas, he has applied his brush to old Moroccan doors, producing 10 totally original sculptural artworks that encapsulate history and heritage as an added dimension. Not to be missed.

Last year’s photographers’ day out was a big success. Nine photographers took part in the half-day event which covered Manama and Muharraq. The results from that outing were then published in an issue of Ohlala! Arabia magazine. Now, the popular event returns for the second term and this time it will be bigger and better. We will cover more areas and have a more specific agenda for the participating photographers, who will be once again led by two established and professional photographers.

Prolific Bahraini photographer Ali Al Riffai and French photographer Simon Chauvin. Details of the full program for the day are being finalized now and will be announced soon. This is a heads up though for those interested out there. As slots will be limited, you are advised to register in advance. Email us on elhambahrain@yahoo.com with the subject line “Photographer’s day out”.

*Registration fee BD10

Our next monthly gathering will be hosted by Cocoon Lounge, one of Bahrain’s most contemporary night spots. The lounge, known for its modern, cool interior design and ambience, will bring together three new talents to showcase their work; a musician, a poet and a photographer.

The event will be held on October 28th. Details will be published in next month’s newsletter.

Elham’s third-season debut at Albareh Gallery on Tuesday 23rd September (08:00pm) features a talented cast of emerging artists traversing the creative spectrum.

- Fawaz Alolaiwat
Growing up as an adamant believer in Spider Man and Grendizer, a basketball and football player, a fan of the arts including anime, comics, Sci-Fi movies, techno music and horror novels, Fawaz considers himself a creative mind with a passion for art expression.

His work represents over 14 years of experience in electronic arts, branding, web and advertising design; photography, music, video and writing stories are his latest passions. He has worked in various advertising agencies and design firms as a senior designer. He studied at the art institute International (Pittsburgh, PA) and majored in Visual communication. Born in 1977, into a family of artists in Bahrain has helped him understand the world from a different perspective. It was at the age of 10, that he got his first sign and found his new direction in life as a graphic artist. By the age of 11, Fawaz was a certified Apple user and a year later became the first to teach Canvas 1 in the center.

He still owns his first Mac LC. (www.fawazalolaiwat.com)

- Vijesh Rajan
After completing his high schooling at The Indian School, Bahrain, Vijesh left for Mumbai to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Commerce.

But then his interest in filmmaking led him to Brisbane, Australia, where he then completed his Masters in Film & Television production at the film school in the University of Queensland.

Vijesh now works as a copywriter in advertising whilst making short films to keep his passion going. His films include ‘Fallen’, ‘The Waiting’, and ‘Woken Shell’.

- Ali Milad
Born in 1992, Ali is currently a high school senior at Modern Knowledge Schools in Bahrain. With an ear for music, he first picked up the bass guitar at the age of 12.

His music is made up mainly of the bass guitar, using it as a lead instrument, rather than a rhythm instrument. The bass is always viewed as a boring instrument, and Ali is trying to show people that bass is as good as and interesting as any other instrument.

He writes and records his own music at home, and is planning to release his first EP soon.

- Yacoub Salman Al-Slaise
Born in Awali, Yacoub’s first writings were at the age of ten, writing a detective story called “The adventures of Inspector Yak: In search of the missing Shampoodle” and “The Insect Exterminator” which was later turned into a school production.

After completing a degree in Multimedia Technology at Leeds Metropolitan University, he rediscovered his love for writing and since then has started his blog Yagoob’s Dome (http://ydome.elzeeyed.com) where topics are mostly about the little things that nobody notices in Bahraini daily life and culture.

This also is a recurring theme in his creative writings as he will be reading an as yet untitled short story especially written for the Elham session.

Where: The Palace Hotel, Adliyah.

When: Thursday, April 3rd 2008 – Saturday, April 5th 2008.

This year, those looking for somewhere to chill after the high-octane F1 action at the BIC have an alternative to a straightforward disco or party: Live Art ’08. Brought to you by The Palace Bahrain Hotel and Elham Arts Group, this is an exciting first for Bahrain, a hyper-cool, three-day fusion of the arts served up poolside on the 3rd, 4th and 5th April, from 8pm till late.

During this period, the boutique hotel’s foyer will be transformed by paintings and sculptures created by talented emerging artists, while the pool area, kitted out with beanbags and sofas, will come alive with art – an opportunity to settle in with a drink and enjoy live music, short movies, photography, ‘graffiti’ and music spun by DJs. Tickets cost BD 5 per night, which includes festival access and a barbecue.

The Palace Bahrain Hotel is situated at 67 Palace Street (opposite DHL) in Adliya. For more information, call Kamath on 391 50065 or 17725000.

Festival Programme

Where: Casa Blu, Adliya

When: Tuesday, March 25th 2008, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Elham will host the first open mike night at Casa Blu in Adliya on Tuesday, 25th March at 7 pm! Casa Blu is located close to the Al Jazera Grocery and is renowned for it’s artistic ambiance.

For all of you who have been thinking of sharing your music or prose, this will be your month to shine.

A microphone and piano will be available.