Search: “ace”

Soundstorm, MDLBEAST’s flagship festival, is the largest electronic music event in the region and has been held annually in Riyadh since 2019. I remember the first time I heard about it back then, I couldn’t believe it was happening in Saudi since they were just starting to open up and the event was bigger than anything I had seen in the region at the time. Since then Soundstorm has kept growing, with last year attracting over 450,000 visitors, and this year they’re going even bigger.

Soundstorm 2025 will have a lineup of over 200 artists with some huge names including Post Malone, Benson Boone, Cardi B, Metro Boomin, DJ Snake, Halsey, Major Lazer, Pitbull, Calvin Harris, and many more.

This year they’re also unveiling a totally new experience with a revamped festival site and brand new stage designs. Riyadh’s downtown area will be completely redesigned and the site will be divided into 4 districts with a total of 14 stages.

Soundstorm 2025 is taking place in Riyadh over three days from December 11th to 13th. Tickets are on sale now at mdlbeast.com. For more info along with the full lineup, head over to the website or their Instagram @mdlbeast.

I was working on another post when I came across these photos I had gotten from my visit to the KOC Archives years ago. They were interesting pictures of a school, and a quick image reverse search took me to an old Tumblr post that had a similar photo and mentioned the school was Al Shamiya School for Boys. I kept digging to find out who designed it and when it was built, and I ended up finding some information in an essay by Roberto Fabbri titled “Prototyping Spaces for Education”. The essay is in the book Essays, Arguments and Interviews on Modern Architecture of Kuwait, a book that is available to purchase from the bookshop at Amricani or the Yarmouk Culture Center or their online shop.

The Al-Shamiya School for Boys, along with two other elementary schools, a technical college and five nurseries were designed by the British architectural firm Tripe & Wakeham in the 1950s. T&W were appointed by the Emir to design and build a series of ‘western standard’ educational facilities based on the requirements drafted by the Council of Education.

Tripe & Wakeham’s approach on design focused on balancing the sun and keeping the buildings naturally cool. Even though their plans differed from one project to another, everything followed the same idea: one-room-thick layouts to improve cross ventilation. The main spaces were oriented northeast, while balconies and overhangs faced southeast and were usually shaded with shutters or screens.

If you feel like reading some more, the Arabian Gulf Digital Archives have scans of the original notes by the architect Aitken of Tripe & Wakeham on the schools they designed. The scans expand on the above in a lot more detail and it really interesting to read the thinking process behind the designs and you can check those out here.

So if you ever wondered why old schools looked the way they do, now you know.

I got back from my 2-week trip to Japan a few days ago and I had such a great experience. The last time I was there was 13 years ago and I’ve been meaning to go back ever since. Due to the character count limitation on Instagram, I had to change the format for my guide there since Tokyo is such a big and spread-out city that a list by itself wouldn’t be very useful. So instead, I shared some tips on how to make the most of your visit if you’re thinking of going there. Since I’ve got more room here on the blog, I’m also expanding on that guide by listing a few places I liked as well.

I flew Japan Airlines through Qatar Airways. The business class ticket was nearly half the price of Qatar’s, and even if it isn’t as sleek as the Q Suites, it’s really not a big deal. Before flying, head to the Visit Japan website and fill out your landing details. You’ll get a QR code you can use on arrival to enter the fast lane at passport control.

Eat
For meals, I used Google Maps to find spots wherever I happened to be and avoided places with too many reviews to stay away from touristy spots. Three days in, I canceled a Michelin dinner I had booked because I realized I didn’t need it, the food was great everywhere I went. Out of 30+ meals, only one was disappointing. Also, the 7-Eleven egg sando lives up to the hype.

I had great Ramen at Ramen Kamo and Nara Seimen. good eggs and Japanese pancakes at Iriya Plus Café. I had sushi nearly every day but the spots that stood out the most were Magurobito, Tsukiji Sushiko, and Sushi Take. I had a really good okonomiyaki experience at Tamatoya, the best unagi at Yatsumeya and yakiniku at Sankouen and Yamashofu.

Drink
Depending on where you’re staying, you might find plenty of good coffee spots nearby, or in my case, just one. There are lots of great coffee places in Tokyo, but they’re spread out all over the city. My biggest issue with them is that they tend to open late, around 10 or 11AM.

My faovorite coffee spots were Up to you coffee, Dotcom Coffee and Teron Coffee & Bar. When I was in Kyoto I also visited the original % Arabica store there that basically started it all. It’s a small store but the first Kuwait branch was inspired visually by it including the fact they used same materials (the floor for example) which were all imported from Japan. So the Kyoto store reminded me a lot of the now demolished first branch here in Kuwait.

See
I was worried everywhere would be packed with tourists and that I wouldn’t enjoy the trip, but that turned out not to be the case. Most people tend to stick to the main areas and don’t really explore the rest of the city, so as long as you wander around a bit, you’ll avoid most of the tourists and crowds. Even in busy temples, step off the main pathway and you’re alone.

Sleep
Since I was staying for 16 days, I wanted a large room, which isn’t easy to find in Tokyo at a reasonable price. So I ended up booking an apartment hotel in a non-touristy area, which worked out great. In Kyoto, rooms are generally bigger, so that wasn’t an issue.

In Tokyo I stayed at Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Inaricho. It was a very comfortable stay since the room was pretty big for Tokyo and at that price point. It was also in a very quiet neighborhood but 5 minutes from 7eleven and Family Mart. Also a 5 minute walk to the Ginza underground line or a 10 minute walk to Ueno Station which has a number of lines. The Ueno area behind the station is also super busy and packed with restaurants and a Uniqlo. So I really liked the hotel location.

In Kyoto I stayed at Dusit Thani. I didn’t want the ryokan experience, just a comfortable stay so picked Dusit because it had a bit of a traditional Japanese feel, was outside the busy areas and looked really good. The stay there was really great and very comfortable.

Finally, if you like photography then definitely bring a camera with you. Japan is very photogenic and there are a lot of cool experiences you probably want to capture with more than just your phone camera.

If you’re thinking of going to Japan and curious about anything specific, let me know in the comments below.

This past weekend Al Andalus revealed The Petal Pavilion, their new pop-up kiosk located at the center of their plaza. I’m currently halfway across the world on vacation, but they sent over photos of the project for me to share.

The Petal Pavilion was originally designed as a functional oyster bar by the Copenhagen-based studio @lasovskyjohansson for an art fair in Denmark a few years ago. The design won many awards and a version of that pavilion stands at the Design Museum Denmark, serving as a permanent café installation.

What’s cool is that this isn’t a copy of that design, Al Andalus actually worked with the original architects to reinterpret their award-winning concept to meet their specific requirements and adapt it to our unique weather. The result is this new 6.5-meter-tall kiosk where the petal folds open and blooms during the day, casting shadows below, but as daylight fades, the pavilion’s surfaces come alive with colored linear lighting.

The Petal will be hosting different pop-ups throughout the year with the first being @boostcafe from November 6 to December 31 followed by @kello.kw in January.

This tiny spot is a new Japanese concept opening in Jabriya next week. It’s an omakase conveyor belt experience with a French influence and a design that looks way too nice for what’s essentially a hole in the wall.

I found out about Bar Frés and its chef through a friend of mine. When she sent me the chef’s Instagram account, I thought she’d sent me the wrong one because he looked like he’d just graduated high school. I wasn’t far off, Fahad Al-Zaid is only 22 and moved back to Kuwait just six months ago after finishing university in the US. His Instagram is @fahadthefoodie_, which makes sense since that’s how he describes himself. He’s always loved food and cooking, so when the opportunity came along to run his own concept, he took it.

The first thing that caught my attention when I got there was how the place didn’t fit the environment at all. Bar Frés looked way too fancy for the neighborhood, and it was right next door to a baqala. The contrast between the two is actually pretty amazing, and I think it adds to the experience, which itself isn’t typical. Bar Frés won’t have a traditional menu. Instead, the chef will decide what goes out on the conveyor belt depending on various factors like who the guests are, what produce was available that day, or even just the chef’s mood. Fahad meets the guests when they arrive and asks a few questions. If, for example, the guests are into raw dishes, then he’ll serve more raw items than usual. That’s why he calls it an omakase conveyor belt because he wants to decide what to serve.

The interior looks amazing. The small kitchen filled with chefs is located in the back, while the main dining area is just one long bar with 14 chairs. It all looks very upscale, but Fahad assured me the prices will be very reasonable. While I was taking photos, Fahad started sending out dishes for me to try on the conveyor belt, mostly raw items since that’s what I like, but also a few others he thought I’d enjoy, and he was right.

Bar Frés is set to open this coming Sunday and will only be open in the evenings. To stay posted on the opening and bookings, follow @bardefres

Last year I got a tour of Messilah Beach and shared photos of the space, and since then quite a bit has changed. Messilah Beach is now set to open this coming weekend, and the biggest update since my last visit is that there will no longer be a ticketing system to enter. It’s now open entry for everyone.

The Messilah Beach project includes various water play zones, kids play areas, tennis, football and basketball courts, plenty of restaurants, and a large beach area. Visitors will be able to explore the different facilities and only pay for the activities they take part in.

Not everything is open yet. Right now, Fun Quest, Trampo at The Beach (which looks incredible), Oliver restaurant, 1% Coffee, Trolley, and the sports courts are open. Over the next few weeks more concepts will be opening including Chocomelt, Ananas, Zooba, Frost Gelato, Good Stuff, Mr. Holmes, Soul Juice, Potato & Sweet, Thai Wok, &Cookies, and Just Juice. A fun entertainment park will also be popping up on the beach this winter.

The soft opening is this weekend and there will be various activities taking place from sunset to 10PM, including DJ performances, sea-themed parades, and food trucks right by the shore. So if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you can pass by and check the place out. @messilahbeach

For more photos, click here.

Earlier today I got confirmation that it’s Bella Hadid coming to Kuwait and not Paris Hilton. Bella is the founder of the fragrance brand Ôrəbella, which she launched in partnership with Ulta Beauty. With over 60 million followers on Instagram, I think she’s the highest-profile celebrity to visit Kuwait since Kim Kardashian back in 2012.

Bella will be in Kuwait on November 7 to launch Ulta Beauty at The Avenues. The timing hasn’t been finalized yet, but it’s expected to take place in the afternoon.

Follow @ultabeautymiddleeast for the official announcement.

These are my favorite events taking place this weekend.

Thursday, October 23
A5 Mall Kashta Expo
FULLOUT HipHop Dance Workshop
Sonatas for Violin & Piano
RoadRush Festival
The Flag-wavers of Gubbio

Friday, October 24
A5 Mall Kashta Expo
The Elite Comedy Show
Let’s Go Hiking!
RoadRush Festival

Saturday, October 25
A5 Mall Kashta Expo
Self-care Day: Violence Awareness & Empowerment Event
Botanical Gelli Printing Workshop
Sip & Flow
Farmers Market
Trash Hero Beach Cleanup
DAI StoryTime at Amricani
Sama & Cacao Ceremony

According to Arab Times, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) announced that it will enforce strict measures against stand-up comedy shows that violate licensing regulations and public morals.

I’m guessing this is related to one of (or some of) the recent standup shows that took place. Did anything happen that I’m not aware of?

Primark is opening their first location in Kuwait this Thursday, and yesterday I was given access to the store to check out the space. If you’ve ever been to Debenhams in that location, you’ll be familiar with it. The biggest change is that the basement is now closed off, and the back entrance that opened to the Electra district of Avenues is also closed.

The one thing everyone’s curious about is the prices. Primark is known for its trendy styles at very low prices, so how do Kuwait’s prices compare with the UK?

I walked around the store randomly taking photos of price tags so I could compare them with the UK website. I searched for each item using its code, converted the UK prices to Kuwaiti Dinars, and rounded up. I then plugged all the data into ChatGPT to calculate the difference. Here’s the result:

Men
Average difference: +0.460 fils
Average % higher: 8.4%

Women
Average difference: +390 fils
Average % higher: 5.8%

Kids
Average difference: +510 fils
Average % higher: 15.8%

Other
Average difference: +120 fils
Average % higher: 7.8%

Overall average difference:
+0.410 fils, which is roughly 8.7% higher in Kuwait compared to the UK.

So basically the prices are pretty close!

Primark is opening in Phase 4 of The Avenues this coming Thursday, October 23 at 2PM. If you want to check out the prices of different items as well as more photos of the interior, check my instagram post.

The Kuwait Motor Town racetrack is now open again to cyclists every Monday and Tuesday starting tomorrow, and it’s free.

The track is 5.6KM long but has three different configurations, each with a different length, so you can pick and choose which section you want to ride on. The track isn’t flat either with a lot of elevations which makes it more fun and dynamic.

Cycling on the racetrack is a really relaxed experience because it’s empty and quiet. There usually aren’t many riders, and even when there are, there’s plenty of space for everyone since the track is huge. Unlike riding on the Gulf Road cycling path, you don’t have to worry about running over cats or crashing into kids.

The track is beautiful at sunset, and even after the sun goes down, you can keep riding under the bright track lights.

If you want to go cycling at the track, it’s open to the public from 4PM to 8PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s free and doesn’t require registration. Just park your car and ride into the racetrack. There’s a security guard with a sign-in sheet just write your name and number and continue onto the track. The only requirement is a helmet.

Rollerblades, scooters, and skateboards aren’t allowed, but you can walk, jog, or run. They also don’t rent bikes, so it’s BYOB.

To stay updated on other KMT activities and events, head over to their Instagram account @kmtkw

There are some interesting activities this weekend from book launches to stargazing trips. Check out all the events I could find taking place this weekend below:

Thursday, October 16
An Archive of Love Volume II

Friday, October 17
Cars & Coffee
Emperor of the Mats
Perform Series Showdown
Beach Sunrise Yoga & Sound Healing
Stargazing Trip
Morning Milers Pink Campaign Run

Saturday, October 18
Emperor of the Mats
Perform Series Showdown
Da Gusto x HYbrid
Morning Walk with the 5AM Club
studio in-between pop-up cafe
Blueprints of Memories
Visual Journaling & Coffee Painting
Turn Your Story into a Book
Nomads Discussion Night
Story Time: A Squash and a Squeeze
Soof Wool Mill Tours
Paws in the City Collage Workshop

A couple of days ago, Boulevard World in Riyadh opened to the public as part of Riyadh Season. Boulevard World (or BLVD World) is located right next to BLVD City, another large entertainment zone. The venue features replicas of iconic landmarks from several countries, and this year they’ve added three new zones: Indonesia, Korea, and Kuwait.

The Kuwait zone features replicas of the Kuwait Towers, Seef Palace with its clock tower, and a large dhow. It also includes restaurants serving authentic Kuwaiti food, along with traditional arts and live performances.

If you’ve never been to BLVD World or City, you really should. I’ve been three times, and each time it was bigger than the year before. It’s a gigantic world that feels a bit like Universal Studios or Disneyland. Riyadh is also always a fun road trip if you want to drive down.

From Kuwait to Riyadh 🇰🇼❤️
Authentic Kuwaiti food, traditional arts,
and live performances are waiting for you at the Kuwait Zone inside Blvd World 🌏

Book your tickets nowhttps://t.co/zvz6LyRkSL#BigTime#RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/kMANvQx4vy

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) October 11, 2025

Photos are from @addadruh.

Barari is a local landscaping company I’ve been following for a couple of years. I’m a fan of their work, and they’ve done some really interesting projects. One that stood out to me is called Tree Den.

For the Tree Den project, they took a tiled-up garden with artificial turf and turned it into a vibrant desert sanctuary. Looking at the before and after photos, it’s hard to believe they’re of the same place.

Instead of covering the ground with artificial or real grass, they decided to embrace the sand as a natural, breathable surface. According to Barari, they wanted to celebrate the desert rather than fight it. They planted dense greenery along with mature trees to create a cozy and immersive space. Even the kids play area encourages hands-on exploration and digging. It’s a simple idea that I think is executed beautifully, and they managed to convince me that sand doesn’t need to be covered but can actually be a beautiful part of the landscape.

If you want to check out all the before and after photos of the transformation, head over to their website here.

I don’t have a dirt bike but I found out about this place in Kuwait that does decals and sells plastic body panels for dirt bikes. It’s very niche which is why I figured I’d post about it in case someone ever tries using google to find a place that does this.

The place is called MOTORRAD and their instagram account is @motorradkw