Latest news with #culturalactivities
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: RAK kids learn traditional Emirati crafts, meals at heritage summer camp
Children in Ras Al Khaimah are getting a unique opportunity to connect with their roots this summer, thanks to a newly launched heritage camp by the Al Mataf Society for Maritime Heritage and Arts. From learning how to stitch burqas (traditional face covering primarily worn by women) to preparing traditional Emirati meals to learning how to tie fishing nets, the two-week programme invites children aged 8 to 14 to explore Emirati traditions through a variety of practical, hands-on activities. The camp, held under the slogan 'We row through heritage', will run from July 7 to 20. The camp offers a variety of traditional craft-making sessions, including talli embroidery, burqa stitching, and Al Sadu weaving — a heritage textile art that uses wool from sheep, camels, and goats to create intricate geometric patterns. It also offers cooking workshops to teach girls how to prepare classic Emirati dishes, while boys are introduced to cultural customs such as serving Arabic coffee and greeting elders, key elements of traditional Emirati etiquette. Beyond crafts, the camp's agenda includes lessons on values, safety, and religion, supported by local Civil Defence and traffic departments. These sessions cover essential topics like first aid, road safety, and respectful behavior. Participants will also take educational field trips to museums and cultural sites, giving them a broader understanding of local heritage beyond the classroom. The camp was launched to offer more than just a way to pass the time during summer, said Mohammed Abdullah Al Shehhi, Chairman of the Al Mataf Society. Al Shehhi said he saw a gap in meaningful seasonal programs for children and wanted to create something that's both engaging and educational. Despite being the Society's first time organising such a programme, he said the experience came together with the help of local supporters, and he now hopes to take similar workshops into schools in coordination with the Ministry of Education. Maryam, a mother of two girls attending the camp, said the programme has been a welcome change from typical summer activities. 'Every year I try to register them in something useful, even if it's in another emirate,' she said. Her daughters, 11-year-old Afnan and 8-year-old Bushra, are now taking part in this summer camp, which teaches skills ranging from handicrafts to first aid and Quran lessons. 'These are essential life skills,' she said. 'I'm glad they're spending time doing something that actually teaches them.' Maryam also highlighted the social aspect of the camp. With cousins and neighbours attending, her daughters are even more excited to participate. 'It becomes something they look forward to even more when they're with familiar faces,' she added. With its varied daily schedule and blend of indoor and outdoor learning, the camp offers more than just entertainment — it's a community-based effort to keep heritage alive. Organisers hope it's only the beginning of a long-term initiative to ensure Emirati traditions are not just remembered, but lived by future generations.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
15 Cheap Thrills In Charlotte That Cost Next To Nothing
Enjoy Charlotte's cultural side for free with museum nights, public art walks, and live music in Midtown. Savor the outdoors with scenic bike rides, garden strolls, and picnics in Freedom Park or the Whitewater Center. Keep it fun and frugal with open mic nights, yoga at Lenny Boy Brewing, and bustling farmers not difficult to find something to do in Charlotte; the Queen City is filled with all sorts of ways to stay busy, from sporting events and public art exhibitions to gorgeous green spaces and world-class museums. And if you're trying to stick to a budget while simultaneously immersing yourself in all that Charlotte has to offer? You've got options. There are plenty of low-cost (or even completely free), low-effort things to do that visitors and residents of all ages will enjoy—you just have to know where to find them. To save you the time, we went ahead and did the legwork for you. Below, you'll find our official list of the best cheap or free things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte's roster of museums is impressive; there's history, science, and art of all mediums to explore. Several of the institutions also offer free admission on select days every month. On Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m., the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, both of the Mint Museums, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art are all free to visit. The Schiele Museum of Natural History is also free from 4 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 500 South Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (Uptown); 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 (Randolph) 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054 Charlotte's creative side isn't just relegated to museums and galleries. Its neighborhoods—including NoDa, South End, and Plaza Midwood—boast a variety of their own public art displays and murals. Spend a morning or an afternoon exploring your chosen area, and using the Art Walks curated maps to guide your journey. There's always a reason to celebrate in Charlotte, and its residents go above and beyond during several free-to-attend festivals throughout the year. The family-friendly Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival and the Asian Festival out on Lake Norman celebrate Asian cultures, and the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade includes improv shows, live music, film events, and more. Taste of Charlotte is another exciting event to add to your summer calendar; admission is free, and you can purchase 'coins' to buy food, drinks, and tickets for kids' activities. You don't have to leave the city to find green spaces and an abundance of natural beauty. The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are free and open to the public, and the greenhouses and outdoor gardens are the perfect places to ground yourself among all kinds of flowers and other types of plants. Don't miss the McMillan Greenhouse's collection of desert succulents and tropical and exotic plants. 9090 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262 Late spring and early summer days (before the real heat sets in) call for a bike ride through some of Charlotte's beautiful neighborhoods. There is a seemingly endless number of places to ride, and you can plot out your journey using TrailLink or Tarheel Trailblazers' maps. Just be sure to wear a helmet, share your location with a friend or family member, and bring enough water to keep you hydrated. Walking around a local farmers market is a fun, affordable way to spend a weekend morning, and Charlotte has several to choose from. The year-round Charlotte Regional Farmers Market has everything you might need on your weekly grocery list: fruit, meat, dairy products, and vegetables, among other goods. Kings Drive Farmers Market and Mount Holly Farmers Market are both open seasonally, April through October. 1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217 226 S. Main St. Mount Holly, NC 28120 938 S Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC, United States, North Carolina Weekends at the Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte (or CATch, for short) are full of laughs. There's an improv show every Friday and Saturday night, and tickets are just $10 per person. You can purchase tickets online or in person, and the theater serves a selection of local and regional beer, as well as red and white wine options. Have dinner before the show—most of them last around an hour and a half—or snack on some concessions before grabbing a late-night meal afterward. 4128 South Blvd. Suite A3, Charlotte, NC 28209 If you're not careful, even a casual meal can result in a relatively high bill. Instead of running that risk, invite your friends for a picnic lunch or early dinner in Freedom Park. Either pack your own sandwiches or other delicious bites, or pick up a few pizzas—maybe the margherita and the pistachio—from the Inizio Pizza Dilworth location. Freedom Park: 1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203 No interest in rafting? Don't forgo the Whitewater Center just yet. It has more than 40 miles of trails along the Catawba River and through pine and hardwood forests, and hikers and trail runners don't need a pass to access them. Familiarize yourself with the Trail Map ahead of time, and check the website before you leave your house (just in case weather conditions result in trail closure). 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214 Open mic nights are one of the most affordable ways to spend a fun night out in Charlotte. The Evening Muse hosts one every Monday night, and tickets are just $5 (plus service fees). Or, you can swing by Town Brewing on Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; it's free to attend, but you'll want to bring a few dollars for one of the brewery's signature beers. 3227 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205 800 Grandin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208 Meet new people, get some exercise, and learn a new skill (or brush up on an old one) with the Charlotte Ballet. Sponsored by Culture Blocks, the organization hosts weekly dance classes—like jazz fitness, Afro beats fitness, and senior ballet—for all skill levels and ages. The classes are free to join, and they're hosted at various locations in the Charlotte area. various locations When warm weather arrives in Charlotte, so does the live music. Every Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., local musicians bring their talents to the Metropolitan shopping area. Parking and admission are both free, and the event is dog-friendly. While you're there, enjoy dinner at 3rd & Fernwood or Dressler's, then a sweet treat from the Peach Cobbler Factory. 1111 Metropolitan Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 $5 for a yoga class and a drink is a tough deal to beat, so make your way to Lenny Boy Brewing on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. The 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. beginner-friendly vinyasa flow classes also come with a 6-ounce pour of kombucha, which Lenny Boy brews in-house (along with beer, sours, and wild ales). 3000 S. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217 Keep your mind sharp with a weekly game of chess. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system hosts a handful of chess meetups for all ages. Join the Gaining Freedom Chess Club or Chess Time! to learn the game or start to hone your skills. There's also a community drop-in event called Checkmate'd that's ideal for all skill levels. various locations For a flat, relatively easy, shaded trail, head to the Evergreen Nature Preserve. The kid- and dog-friendly walk is about a 1.7-mile loop that consists of several smaller trails, and the entire route will take around 30-35 minutes to complete. The 77-acre preserve is open year-round, and it's just a few miles from Uptown—so it's great for those days when you want a quick escape into nature. 1336 Norland Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205 Read the original article on Southern Living
Arab News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Global traditions shine at Ithra's Eid festivities
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, attracted more than 50,000 visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, offering a range of activities and programs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. Visitors of all ages enjoyed more than 31 events, including artistic displays, live performances and interactive experiences under the theme 'The Ribbon of Giving.' Highlights included a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, known for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles. The 'A Melody from Every Land' event drew large crowds by showcasing diverse Eid customs and traditions from various cultures. The center was beautifully decorated to reflect the spirit of giving. The Ithra Library shared Eid stories exploring different aspects of generosity. The Energy Exhibit featured interactive displays such as 'Nature's Bounty,' 'Treasures from the Desert,' 'Wings of Giving' and 'Wealth of Nature.' In Ithra Gardens, visitors engaged with experiences such as 'The Gift of Storytelling' and 'Pathways of Earth and Palm.' The Children's Museum offered a range of activities, including 'The Kindness Keeper,' 'The Giving Reflection,' 'The Art of Giving,' 'The Eid Journey,' and 'The Gift of Us.' Ithra Cinema screened content featuring the Japanese manga character Chibi Maruko-chan, along with the animated fantasy film 'Kiki's Delivery Service,' subtitled in Arabic. Other festive highlights included a 96 km trek along the historic Hajj trail, reviving stories of persistence and generosity passed down through generations.
CBC
05-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Communities, organizations stepping up to support Sask. wildfire evacuees
For elders who have lived in northern Saskatchewan all their lives, getting displaced to a big city in the south can be disorienting and stressful. That's part of the reason Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has opened the festival grounds at Batoche for families who have needed to evacuate due to wildfires. "I was talking to some of the northern leaders, the chiefs, about how the elders that come from northern Saskatchewan don't like being cooped up in four walls," said MN-S president Glen McCallum. "It's very difficult for the elders." Low on power or data? Use CBC Lite for the latest on wildfires Evacuees with campers or tents can call to register for a site (1-877-Metis-SK), and there is also a limited number of cabins and tents on site. Meals are being provided along with 24-hour security. During Back to Batoche Days last year, 43,000 people were accommodated at the national historic site, McCallum said, so there's plenty of room. It's not just elders who will benefit from the cultural activities there, he said — young people will too. Many First Nations in the province have also been offering supports to those displaced from the north. They include James Smith Cree Nation and Muskoday First Nation, which are close to the routes that evacuees are travelling on their way south. James Smith said two busloads of evacuees are in their community, and Muskoday has closed its school so it can be used as an emergency shelter. They've put calls out for donations of everything from socks and underwear to diapers to toiletries. Between 35 and 40 evacuees are staying in the gymnasium in Beauval, while others have come through the community on their way south. Natanis Roy, an education student in La Ronge, had to evacuate due to the wildfire there, but has family in Beauval and has been helping other evacuees. "At first, it was very hard for me, because the first few days, I was so worried about my home being burned down," Roy said. "So the first few days, I was making myself stressed out and sick.… And then, I said, you know what, I have to support these people. I'm not the only one going through this struggle right now." Roy is working the night shift helping evacuees, many of whom are from Hall Lake and have lost their homes. People from communities throughout northwest Saskatchewan have been making donations, Roy said. Towns and cities are organizing supports, too. The City of Prince Albert is offering evacuees free RV and trailer campsites at its campground, while the City of North Battleford has partnered with local agencies to support the 200 wildfire evacuees who have arrived so far. WATCH | People had to leave their pets behind to escape the wildfires. Here's who's helping: People had to leave their pets behind to escape the wildfires. Here's who's helping 5 hours ago Duration 2:12 Volunteers are trying to help those animals left behind when people evacuated La Ronge, Sask., and the surrounding area. But the hodgepodge of supports has been a source of frustration for many evacuees. Some say they have had trouble getting through to the Red Cross or the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to register. Viviana Ruiz Arcand is in Saskatoon after evacuating from La Ronge. She said there's big holes in the available supports and people are struggling. "I want to see access to transportation, so that if they are at a hotel and need to go to the evacuation centre to eat, they can get there," she told Saskatoon Morning host Stephanie Massicotte on Thursday. Money for gas and vouchers for food and groceries are sorely needed, Ruis Arcand said. In his daily briefing to media Wednesday, SPSA vice-president of operations Steve Roberts acknowledged the multiple evacuations have been complicated and confusing. "There's a dynamic going on and we have to be honest, as much as we and other agencies are trying to find places, people are independently doing stuff as well," he said. More than 30 communities in the province were under evacuation orders as of Thursday, affecting between 10,000 and 15,000 people. Those needing support can contact the SPSA at 1-855-559-5502. Saskatchewan evacuees can also call the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582.
Arab News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Ithra serves up 3 days of festive fun for Eid Al-Adha
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is celebrating Eid Al-Adha with three days of activities. From June 7-9, visitors of all ages can enjoy more than 31 events, including music, storytelling, games and workshops, under the theme 'ribbons of giving.' Many of the activities will be in Arabic but are open to all. Among the highlights will be a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, who is renowned for blending classical Arabic music with modern styles. Ithra Cinema, meanwhile, will showcase the Japanese manga character Chibi Maruko-chan and also screen the Japanese animated fantasy movie 'Kiki's Delivery Service' with Arabic subtitles. Another screening will be 'Saleeq,' a short animated film about a lonely grandmother who faces a flood after a pot of rice boils over. Among the other festive offerings are a 96 km trek along the historic Hajj trail that revives stories of persistence and generosity echoing across generations. Entry to the center is free but some events are ticketed. The center will be open from 4-11 p.m. during the Eid celebrations.
