Meet Batman and other superheroes at Saudi Arabia’s biggest costume party
General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh urged people not to miss the Kingdom’s “biggest masquerade party”
Turki Alalshikh’s tweet attracted a lot of attention from the public, with a short promotional video receiving over 1.3 million views and over 5,000 retweets
Updated 05 October 2023
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Riyadh Season has served up another surprise, with General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh announcing a costume and cosplay party in Boulevard Riyadh City and Winter Wonderland on March 17 and 18.
In a tweet, Alalshikh urged people not to miss the Kingdom’s “biggest masquerade party” and said that whoever dressed up as an anime or superhero character on March 17 or a movie or TV show character on March 18 would have free access to the boulevard and Winter Wonderland, with daily prizes for the best-dressed people including a car and PS5 consoles.
His tweet attracted a lot of attention from the public, with a short promotional video receiving over 1.3 million views and over 5,000 retweets and people discussing their costumes and what they should wear.
“When I went to buy a costume today, I noticed that the prices of costumes and cosplays had doubled in the stores, and there's only a few shops to buy costumes in Riyadh,” Aamer Al-Harbi, 28, told Arab News.
Shuaib Jameel, 29, said he was excited to go with his friends to the event and that he would dress up as Loki.
“I think that events like this make us connect to our childhood where we used to wear the costumes of superheroes like Spider-Man. I am definitely going with my friends, and we will be dressed up as Marvel characters,” Jameel told Arab News.
The owner of Fancy World costume shop, Hissah Abdullah, commented on the large number of customers who had come to the store, saying staff had to work on their day off just to deliver all of the orders.
She said the majority of orders were for scary costumes, while children preferred to get Spider-Man and Disney princess outfits, and that customers had called her to ask about outfits that would be suitable for the boulevard event.
She added that the event would help costume shop businesses in Riyadh by creating more demand and more jobs in this sector.
A few days ago, people could be seen in Boulevard Riyadh City and in other Riyadh locations dressed up as Batman, Iron Man, and “Squid Game” characters to promote the event, with images of them going viral on social media.
During last month’s Founding Day holiday, Boulevard Riyadh City was packed with people wearing traditional Saudi attire, and this event is expected to prove a major draw for many people as well.
Social media star Islam Afro adds local flavor to Arabic-dub of ‘Despicable Me 4’
Updated 03 July 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Egyptian social media star Islam Afro is bringing the laughs in the Arabic dub of “Despicable Me 4,” showing in cinemas across the Middle East from July 4.
The Dubai-based star voices Sensei O’Sullivan, a karate instructor. In an interview with Arab News, Afro said: “Sensei is a bit tough on kids and loves discipline. I recorded my voice for other characters; however, when I got the opportunity to do Sensei’s role, I felt it was the best fit and I am so glad the studio thought the same.
“We both have curly hair so that is a plus. I think Sensei is a unique character. I had to practice a lot (to ensure) that I hit the right pitch of voice for the character. The team in the studio helped and guided me to deliver in the best way possible.”
A lifelong film buff, Afro said he was over the moon to enter the world of cinema with Illumination, the production team behind “Despicable Me 4.”
“I was given such an amazing opportunity and was guided professionally throughout. I also want to highlight the efforts of the director and producer of the dubbing house in Egypt. They helped me deliver the character in the best way possible,” he said.
He said the biggest challenge about voice dubbing was “having to repeat the voice multiple times and using different voice pitches. I had to excel in that because with animation your voice is the star. People can’t see your face, movement or body language.”
Afro said he was excited for movie fans across the Middle East to enjoy the film in its dubbed format.
“Having this sequel dubbed in Arabic and Egyptian dialect is a massive win for the industry. I would love for people to watch it in Arabic and to check how amazing the quality is, and the voices are,” he told Arab News. “The dialect and script chosen for the character is just perfect and the comedy side of the film is highlighted in a very nice way.”
A social media star known for his comedy sketches, Afro hopes to further progress in the movie industry.
“I am currently working on a mini album, which I am super excited about and hope my audience will enjoy as we are using different styles this time around,” he said. “And after ‘Despicable Me 4’ and my role as Sensei, (I hope to) ultimately get into the movie scene and get more acting opportunities.”
Dubai-based Lindsay Lohan gets nostalgic on ‘Freaky Friday 2’ set
Updated 02 July 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Dubai-based Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan was hit with a major sense of deja vu on the set of her upcoming sequel.
The “Freaky Friday 2” star opened up about feeling like “a little kid again” amid the nostalgic experience of returning to Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, to film the sequel to her 2003 body-swap family comedy.
“I think really for me was when I went onto the Disney lot. And being back on the Disney lot because that’s not just ‘Freaky Friday’ for me. That’s ‘The Parent Trap,’ that’s ‘Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen,’ that’s ‘Herbie.’ It’s so many moments for me. So, when I got there, I kind of felt like this essence of a little kid again,” said Lohan on “Nightline.”
Reconnect with ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘The Batman’ and more at Jeddah’s new entertainment destination
Comic book displays, virtual and augmented reality games
Several visitors hail venue as ideal for both adults, children
Updated 01 July 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Warner Bros. Discovery’s new indoor entertainment destination in Jeddah is showcasing six concept zones inspired by some of cinema’s most iconic stories.
The venue includes “Batman,” “Tom and Jerry” and “Harry Potter” zones, alongside areas for shoppers.
Enthusiasts will be able to delve into Batman’s storied history and evolution with comic book displays, as well as interactive virtual and augmented reality games.
The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16, featuring interactive, family-friendly attractions and live entertainment. (Instagram/jed.calendar)
The zone featuring Harry Potter’s Magical World zone resembles Hogwarts from the movies. It includes interactive games inspired by the films, including a broomstick ball-throwing contest, and a store replicating the experience of Harry Potter buying his first wand.
Walid Jabbour, managing director of EventBox, said: “The ‘Warner Brothers Discovery Celebration’ is a unique event that brings together the best of Warner Bros. — from 100 years of history encompassing animation studios, ‘Harry Potter,’ movies, and superheroes — all in one place here in Jeddah.”
FASTFACT
The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment destination includes ‘Batman,’ ‘Tom and Jerry’ and ‘Harry Potter’ zones, alongside areas for shoppers.
He added: “What makes it truly special is that it’s the first time such a comprehensive gathering of Warner’s iconic properties is taking place in Jeddah.
“Bringing this grand spectacle to our audience underscores our commitment, and the enthusiastic response from visitors affirms that having ‘Batman,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ and more all in one location is truly extraordinary.”
Harry Potter’s Magical World includes interactive games inspired by the fictional wizarding world. (AN photos)
Young visitors will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite heroes and characters from Warner Bros. Discovery, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash from the “Justice League,” as well as Tom, Jerry, and the Scooby-Doo gang.
Julene Muller, event art director, told Arab News: “The energy and excitement from the crowd have been phenomenal, making this event a vibrant celebration for all ages.”
She added: “There’s always something new to discover, with various experiences, walkthroughs, and plenty of photo opportunities available. And of course, the Batmobile remains a favorite among visitors.”
Aleksandar Radulovic, a crew member of the Tom and Jerry Mini Orchestra, explained: “We are aiming to bring the music of the classic cartoons to life. These are the cartoons we grew up with, and now we want to share them with the younger generation.”
Their ensemble consists of a drummer, trombonist, pianist, bassist, and percussionist who plays the xylophone and produces other effects.
“Everything is meticulously organized, and we’re thrilled to be here. We originally collaborated on these ‘Tom and Jerry’ projects with Warner Bros., starting two years ago in Riyadh,” he added.
Fahad Nazer, a father of three, said: “The fully air-conditioned indoor entertainment area is a lifesaver this summer. My kids explored all the concept zones and had a fantastic time.
“The staff was extremely helpful and supportive, especially with the games, so I didn’t have to worry about my children getting lost.”
He said the crowd control was “impressive with five different time slots for booking tickets, which manages the flow very well and ensures kids can enjoy interactive games with shorter lines.”
Another visitor, Mohammed Harbi, said: “My son was thrilled to train with Superman and Batman. It’s amazing that Jeddah now has such a unique entertainment venue; having Warner Bros. here was a pleasant surprise.
“Experiencing it not only brought joy to our children but also allowed us to reminisce about our own childhood days with the ‘Tom and Jerry’ show. I never imagined we’d have such attractions in the city, and the tickets are affordable.
“However, it was challenging for me with a 9-month-old baby since they don’t allow strollers.”
The entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16.
Highlights and attractions
The “Celebrate Every Story” event features four shows across three stages. On the main stage, there is “Looney Tunes: Get in the Game,” an interactive sports-themed show where Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck compete to become the new team captain of Team Looney Tunes.
The “Tom and Jerry Mini Orchestra Performance” displays classic animations of the iconic cat and mouse duo on a large screen with a live orchestra playing their memorable tunes and sound effects.
The “Justice League Training Show,” allows guests to train alongside Justice League members and assist in saving the day during a live stage event. At the “Scooby-Doo: Mystery at the Mall” show visitors can help Scooby and the gang solve a mysterious case.
At the “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Experience” zone visitors can explore the iconic Batmobile from the movie “Batman Returns,” the Keaton Mobile and impressive life-sized figures of Batman, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman.
The Animation Zone is a must-visit for cartoon lovers. It brings to life the worlds of “Looney Tunes" and “Scooby-Doo,” with interactive games and mystery-solving adventures.
The Celebration Zone allows visitors to take photographs and relive pivotal moments from the history of Warner Bros.
Saudi Arabia’s XP Music Futures announces theme for 2024 edition
Updated 01 July 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: XP Music Futures, the annual music conference held in Saudi Arabia, has announced the theme for its 2024 edition: Flourish.
The theme focuses on scaling up on the reach and impact of XP by collaborating with educational entities to grow impact on the youth, work with partners on experiences and demo lab, plus focus on the maturity of the event’s six initiatives.
The MDLBEAST event, to be held at Riyadh’s JAX District from Dec. 5 to 7, is due to offer a program that spans both day and night. The three-day conference returns with dozens of sessions including fireside chats, keynotes, panel discussions, fishbowls and workshops designed around growing the music scene and industry within the MENA region.
In this year’s edition, XP Music futures will once again play host to a number of initiatives that encourage growth within the regional music industry.
Xperform will provide a platform to regional talents to perform at XP Music Futures and grow their music career with MDLBEAST Records. Judges for this year are Shamma Hamdan, Defencii, Hassan Abouelrouss and Rawan Alfassi.
Xchange tackles the latest issues in the region’s music industry and curates a series of workshops that take place in cities ahead of the XP conference. The key objective of the workshops is to invite key experts to dive into XP’s pillars to identify hot topics for the conference programme, and to give an opportunity for community building between members of the region’s music industry.
Hunna, derived from the Arabic plural of “she,” is a women-led initiative on a mission to amplify women in the music industry.
Storm Shaker, a DJ competition, will invite aspiring DJs from all over the MENA region and beyond, to showcase their craft.
The Artist Management Bootcamp (AMB) is also set to return as a hybrid two-week bootcamp designed to equip aspiring artist managers with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the music industry.
Sound Futures will invite aspiring musicians and innovators to pitch their ideas to music industry investors, with the goal of securing funding and mentorship for their careers.
Dates announced for 2024 AZIMUTH festival in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla
Updated 01 July 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The annual AZIMUTH festival in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla will run from Sept. 19-21 under the theme “Until the Sun Comes Up,” organizers announced on Monday.
The 2024 line-up will feature more than 30 local, regional, and international artists, with the performers set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Previous headliners include Jason Derulo, The Chainsmokers, Tinie Tempah, The Kooks, Jorja Smith, Peggy Gou and Thievery Corporation.
The event is part of the AlUla Moments calendar, which features five festivals offering experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian activities, dining, and astronomy.
The debut edition took place in 2020, followed by the second edition in 2022 and a third in 2023.
