Details of the main attractions and activities for the 2015 Bahrain Summer Festival were unveiled yesterday (July 15).

The schedule was unveiled by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) president Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa during a Press conference at the Culture Hall, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The authority had to work within a strict budget this year and had to reach out to the private sector to be able to put on the shows.

“We didn’t have a big budget this year so we reached out to the private sector to help us,” said Shaikha Mai.

“Without their help there would be no Eid events and no culture programmes or performances in Bahrain this year.”

There will be a series of Eid concerts beginning with a performance by the Mohamed bin Fares Folk Band and the annual Ta’a Al Shabab youth culture festival on July 18 at the Cultural Hall, from 8pm.

On July 19 music with a Moroccan flavour will be performed at the same venue from 8pm, while Saudi musician Majid Al Mohandis will perform at Bahrain National Theatre on July 21 from 8pm.

After Eid a range of activities have been lined up as part of the Summer Festival from July 30 to August 31, under the theme ‘our year of heritage.’

Included are a variety of free cultural, educational and entertainment activities for families at the Nakhool Tent, next to Sitra Mall, with mascot Nakhool, a character symbolising Bahrain’s tradition, culture and its Dilmun history.

The festival continues on July 30 at Bahrain National Theatre with ‘The Charm of the East,’ a moving tribute by the Abdel-Halim Nuweira Ensemble to infamous Egyptian musician Umm Kulthoom on the 40th anniversary of her death.

A selection of her songs will be performed at the concert organised in co-operation with the Egyptian Embassy in Bahrain. Tickets for the concert are free, and will be available at Bahrain National Museum starting from July 28.

‘Taziri,’ a music concert by famed French musician, composer, and improviser Titi Robin, is scheduled for August 25.

The musician is credited with inventing the genre known as ‘Mediterranean music’ which is a combination of gypsy, oriental, and European music. Robin will be joined at the Cultural Hall by Moroccan musician El-Mehdi Nassouli for the free concert organised in cooperation with the French Embassy in Bahrain.

A lineup of family-friendly shows has been organised, starting with ‘LaLaLuna’ from July 31 to August 3 at the Cultural Hall.

Barney the Dinosaur is returning again this year to Bahrain with his friends on their latest fun adventure ‘Barney Live! World Tour’ at the Cultural Hall from August 10 to 15.

Elmo will also be appearing from August 20 to 24 at the Cultural Hall in his own show ‘Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music.’

In co-operation the Philippine Embassy, Bahrain National Theatre will host ‘Master Pieces,’ a one-night-only performance by the Ballet Philippines, one of the Philippines’ most respected cultural institutions.

The show will be on August 10 and will feature the most acclaimed works from the company’s 45-year history, from classical and neo-classical works, to modern and contemporary dance, and more.

Japanese street dance troupe Wrecking Crew Orchestra will be performing on August 28 an 29 at the Cultural Hall.

The name of their act ‘Beat Bumper’ will be performed by the Osaka-based crew that attained global stardom with their choreographed sets that they perform in the dark while wearing special futuristic illuminated costumes to create mind-bending illusions. - TradeArabia News Service