GET STARTED ON THAT NOVEL
COURSE: WAYS INTO CREATIVE WRITING
Want to see your name in print? Over the course of eight weeks, this course will teach you how to develop a skeleton framework for writing short stories and a novel. There will be class and home exercises set each week, with the opportunity to share your work in a friendly and interactive environment. The course is taught by respected British arts journalist Charlotte Smith. She says, “You don’t need to have had anything published to join the class. Some people come with half-finished novels, some are writers who have developed a block, or people who write journals or blogs. The level varies, but generally an interest in writing is enough. Not everyone is destined to be a novelist, but I can teach people how to go about it and they can enjoy the process.”
DO IT Dh1,350, two hours per week for eight weeks (Monday, Wednesday or Saturday) from mid-January, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, call 04-3414777
or email charly2uk@yahoo.co.uk.
QUALIFY IN THAI MASSAGE
COURSE: THAI YOGA MASSAGE
Held over seven days, this training course teaches the art of traditional Thai massage to a professional standard, focusing on massage techniques, the principles of energy lines and anatomy of the human body. “Learning the beautiful art of traditional Thai massage is not just about memorising a series of exercises, it is about learning to give from the heart with compassion and having a deep understanding of the other person’s suffering,” explains course leader Julia Müller, Phoenix-Rising.
DO IT Dh3,200, plus Dh150 for the manual, January 24-30, 8am-5pm, Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, call 050-7359683 or email sandy@phoenix-rising.me.
TAKE UP THE WHEEL
COURSE: POTTERY FOR ADULTS
Learn the art of pottery with this weekly class for adults in Abu Dhabi, which is taught by prize-winning potter Homa Vafaie-Farley. The course will teach you how to prepare the clay and work the potter’s wheel, whilst covering techniques for hand building, throwing, firing, painting and glazing. “You can work at your own pace and choose the techniques that you prefer to concentrate on,” says Homa. “All levels are welcome, as the course can be adapted to suit beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Everyone will learn how to make a pot from start to finish.”
DO IT Dh1,800, plus Dh60 registration and Dh100 refundable deposit for clay, January 6 to March 28, classes on Sunday/Monday am/pm, Abu Dhabi Pottery, opposite Khalediya Park, Abu Dhabi. Call 02-6667079.
REALISE YOUR BUSINESS DREAMS
COURSE: STARTING YOUR OWN FASHION LABEL
The London College of Fashion is returning to Dubai to run a series of short courses this January. These dynamic four-day courses will teach you every aspect of how to prepare, plan and make your fashion business successful. Aimed at beginners with a business idea, the course is led by Toby Meadows. He says, “I love working in the Middle East because it’s an emerging market for creative talent. We already know there’s a real interest in fashion – and now we’re seeing a movement of great new designers. It’s fantastic to be able to support that talent.”
DO IT £950 (Dh3,800), January 28-31, 9.30am-4pm, Jumeirah Emirates Tower, Dubai, www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/short-courses/middle-east.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOCAL CULTURE
COURSE: SPOKEN GULF ARABIC
Have you lived in the UAE for years but still can’t mutter more than a few words of Arabic? Change that by signing up to a Spoken Gulf Arabic course at The Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding, based in a traditional wind tower house in Bastakiya. “We concentrate on the Gulf dialect,” explains tutor Jenan Al Shimmery. “Pupils leave the class happy that they can communicate with local people and other Arabic nationalities. They also enjoy the atmosphere of being in one of the historical houses while they learn.”
DO IT Dh1,250, 12 weeks starting February 5, 9.30am-11.30am, Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Bastakiya, Bur Dubai. Call 04-3536666 or visit www.cultures.ae.
MAKE DO AND MEND
COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO MACHINE SEWING
Whether it’s a desire to create clothes or home furnishings from scratch, or simply a few skills needed to mend or alter, this three-part course will teach you how to get to grips with a sewing machine. Bring your own machine or ask about rental rates. “This is the perfect class for when you’ve just purchased or acquired your machine. Learn how to change the settings, what the different stitches are used for and basic troubleshooting for more relaxed sewing at home,” says course leader Oxana Rausch. Once you have completed the course, you can progress to more advanced classes.
DO IT Dh270, starting January 9, 21 27, or February 11, 7-9.30pm.
My Craftland, Town Centre, call 04-43422237 or visit www.mycraftland.com.
