A few weeks ago I had a lovely Jazz gig for Cartier, as the official sponsor of Art Dubai they hosted an intimate dinner. It was a beautiful event. Here are a few pictures from the performance, featuring Stoyan Stoyanov on piano and accordion.
Special thanks to The Fridge and Cartier 
Here are a few pictures from a recent performance for Banana Republic with Stoyan Stoyanov.
Thank-you to The Fridge & Al Tayer for this one.
A great event, showcasing some fab pieces from the label’s new collection!
Featuring another cute dress by the lovely Daze Aliman!
A few months ago The Fridge Dubai & The First Group Theatre gave me the opportunity to feature in a stage performance called ‘KALUBELA”, at the beautiful Madinat Theatre.
It’s been years since I did a play or a musical, but as a child and as a teen, that’s really how I started performing. In fact a funny trivia fact for you –> my first live singing performance was in Mary Poppins at school when I was 7 years old, and I was given the role of ‘Michael’! Yes- a boy! I was certain it was because the teacher choosing the parts hated me! (And I in turn hated her for giving me a boys role (!) haha!)
Anyway, things have moved upwards and onwards since then, and I haven’t been a boy since 
‘Kalubela’ is a word used commonly in Turkish poetry and alludes to the very beginning of first love. In Arabic it refers to a moment before the beginning of time. A meeting of souls.
The show ran on a burlesque theme, with strong- Diva- tongue in cheek performances.
We had a full big band, incredible dancers with choreography, aerial performers, 8 vocalists and spoken word poets. Aside from one surprise International guest, all the cast and crew were locally based. This was the first time ever such a big group of locally based artists had pulled together to put on a musical performance, so it was wonderful to be making history and hopefully opening up the doors to more shows like it in the future.
We were kindly lent costumes from my fellow pinoy, outrageously talented Fashion Designers ‘Michael Cinco’ and ‘Ezra Santos’. It was a dream to wear their stunning dresses!
Without further ado, here are the photos which speak for themselves, hopefully I can post some video clips soon too!
…My biggest Diva moment yet
Photography by Pia Torelli
Dress by Ezra Santos
Candyman
Photography by Xavier Ansart
A beautiful moment
Photography by Pia Torelli
Diva-licious! Or “Pushing the boundaries”
Photography by Pia Torelli
‘I want to be evil’- Fabulous performance by Esmeralda!
Photography by Pia Torelli
‘Bathboy’ our International feature
Photography by Xavier Ansart
http://www.david-omer.com
‘Apres Moi’
Photography by Pia Torelli
Dress by Michael Cinco
The hoop!
Photography by Xavier Ansart
A fun recent shoot at The Fridge for my Jazz duo with Stoyan Stoyanov!
Photography by the incredibly talented Tiffany Schultz…
Special thanks to The Fridge!
Had the pleasure to perform for the launch of the new Alfie’s restaurant and store earlier this week!
Alfie’s is the brainchild of Alfred Dunhill, and is the 3rd of its kind in the world after branches in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Here are some shots taken from the night—>
BIG thanks to The Fridge, Brian Haw Cocoato for the fab photography, and Daze Tan for the gorgeous dress!
Take a few minutes to watch musician Jason Carter’s short documentary on his time in North Korea, where he performed for the North Korean people. Gives some insight into the country, and displays the power and strength of music…
“Despite the fact that verbal dialogue was not possible, music thankfully enabled me to communicate and share a sense of humanity”
For those of you in the UAE-Jason Carter performs TONIGHT at The Fridge in Al Quoz, Dubai
This promises to be a very special musical experience!
For more details visit http://www.thefridgedubai.com or visit the facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/326964360680031/
Last night I had the honour to perform at the ‘Sheikha Manal Young artist awards’ Gala dinner.
I performed a 1 hour set of Jazz with pianist Stoyan Stoyanov, with our own little twist on some classic standards.
.. and I was very lucky to borrow a boutique dress from a fab Dubai based Filipino designer (represent!) called DAZE TAN:
Check her out on facebook, her dresses are super cute!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DAZE-TAN/237303409625678?ref=ts
She was recommended by another Mestiza singer and friend here in Dubai, the lovely Clarita De Quiroz (high fives!)
An enjoyable performance.. lovely audience, great event, fab dress, smiles all around
Special thanks to Sarah Ayoub Agha & The Fridge for the booking!
Had the honour last week to perform a lively Jazz set for Alex Brackens new bar and restaurant ‘The Stables’.
It’s a beautiful homely ‘Stables’ inspired venue .. looking forward to having a pub lunch there very soon!
Reminds me a little bit of my childhood in the ‘Shire’
Had a fab gig performing to a packed out crowd with pianist Stoyan Stoyanov & saxophonist Lucio Caro,
Here are a few shots from the night
(via Ahlan magazine & Nightpaper Dubai )
If you want some Jazz for your next event… consider us!
Contact: bookings@thefridgedubai.com
When I arrived in Dubai 3 years ago, I only planned to be here for a few months or so to escape the miserable Winter, and start earning some cash to pay off my student debt!
But, when I discovered there was a music scene in its growth and development, I got drawn in to being a part of its creation. The sunshine helped too.
Along side performing and writing, for the last 3 years I’ve been working as artist booking manager, booking Jazz bands, silk acts, statues and electric harpists for all kinds of events from local arabic wedding to film festivals, fashion shows, yacht parties to bar residencies.
Founded and directed by the fantastic acclaimed harpist Shelley Frost- ‘The Fridge’ is a alot of things to do with music- booking agency, artist management, venue, rehearsal space- but generally a music hub, that feeds (literally) a heap of talented musicians based in Dubai, but from all across the world. The vision is to build the local music scene from the roots up, to push artistic boundaries, and to help support locally based musicians and performers.
So, finally, after 4 and half years the website is finally ready! (its been a long time coming!)
Check it out on: www.thefridgedubai.com
For more on The Fridge events and what we’ve been up to- advise you to check out the blog + artist section.
The local music scene has officially arrived
The Fridge artists!
The Fridge team!
Had long planned to organise a night of female talent to help other females to help themselves.. and thought and ambition became actuality last Tuesday 22nd February.
Held on a Tuesday, Dubai’s traditional ladies night at The FRIDGE in Al Quoz.. we thought to twist the concept of Ladies night.. not the usual cheap drinks and sleazy guy style party..but a showcase of some of Dubai’s finest talent. Artists Flordeliza & Stephanie Neville, Tahnee, Noush likes sploosh, DJ Zahra Hala Ali, Hind Shoufani and yours truly gracing us with art, music & spoken word poetry.
My favourite comment on the night I quote from Zahid Howladar,
“What can I say? It was Ladies Night, and the ladies owned it. The guy-bashing was easy to tolerate (!) when Hind was nothing short of entertaining as host & performer; Tahnee opened with delightfully unique vocals in an acoustic set; Mestiza ‘smashed it’ with a cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” that had a lil’ Mestiza flava injection; Hala delivered poetic lyricism to win gold at any Linguistic Entertainment Olympics; and Noush wrapped up with a set blessed by her honey coated tonsils. That the ladies looked great, and there were snacks available too was obviously good for the guys…! Congratulations to the organisers/ performers for a great night! 
)”
“….When I wrote this original post… I think it’s clear I was bewitched by the sight of fine women, the voices of sirens, and the availability of cheesy puffs.”
JOB DONE!
Art by Flordeliza
DJ Zahra
Tahnee McKay
Hind Shoufani
Mestiza!
Hala Ali
Noush Likes sploosh
Me with ladies either side of me from the womens project we’re supporting, Simon (left) a kind giver and humanitarian, and his mother (far right).
Beautiful art by Flordeliza! (this one was bought by Simon and 35% went towards the cause )
My rendition of Bob Marley’s classic “No Woman no cry”
