Page 58 - Time Out Abu Dhabi

Art & Culture Chris Maxwell

Edited by
chris.maxwell
@itp.com

Spread

the word

Talent has a voice at Abu
Dhabi’s poetry night.
Art & Culture oetry is in motion in Abu Dhabi – in
By Chris Maxwell

fact, shout it from the rooftops – it
is full-speed ahead. The capital’s
Plongest-running poetry open mic
night, Rooftop Rhythms, has been shining a
spotlight on the city’s creative talents since
2012, and it has never felt more at home.
The regular event was set up by Dorian
“Paul D” Rogers at Café Arabia and caused
such an initial stir it expanded to new
venues at the Hilton Capital Grand and
the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr to meet growing
demand before finding a
perfect cultural base at the
NYUAD Arts Center in 2016.
Rogers, who discovered his
passion for poetry while at I was blown
university in the US, says he
saw an opportunity to further away by the
spread the word when he and perform in front of an monthly basis at its now permanent home.
moved to the UAE. immediate appreciative audience. The next big night at the Marketplace at
“I was blown away by the success From traditional performance the Saadiyat Island spot will be on Friday,
immediate success,” he poetry to hip-hop-influenced February 23, when an open mic and a poetry
explains. We were getting 90 rhymes, everyone can find their slam (a space for lyrical masters to compete
people attending from the start. voice at the sessions. against each other) will take place.
“We moved to hotels but had a lot of Rogers adds: “Everyone is encouraged to A special sixth anniversary open mic night
requests to move to a place that was more cheer, it is the coolest thing. It is all about will be next on the agenda on Friday, March
inclusive and that everyone could attend and celebrating people having the courage to get 30, before another successful season gets
feel comfortable at. on stage.” the last word with the grand slam finale on
“We took a leap of faith coming to the A wide variety of issues are verbalised Friday, April 27.
Arts Center but there has been such major during the individual three-to-five minute All are welcome to come along and cheer
growth, it has sky-rocketed. performances, covering everything from love on the poetic participants by applying for
“It really feels like home for us. We now to humanity itself. free tickets at www.nyuad-artscenter.org.
get around 230 people coming to each The hugely popular poetry nights not only Budding poets can register their interest
event. I never would have dreamed it.” pack in a big crowd, but also see as many by sending a message to the Rooftop
Rooftop Rhythm welcomes all ages, as 25 performers take to the stage during Rhythms group page on Facebook,
backgrounds and styles to take to the stage the two-hour shows, which are held on a www.facebook.com/rooftoprhythmsAD/.
58 January 31 – February 6 2018 timeoutabudhabi.com