Who said that nothing happens during the summer in Bahrain? Since it started on July 20, the new Bahrain Summer ’09 event has given us Egyptian diva Amal Maher, a Cuban/Spanish salsa with Juan-Carlos Benitez, Son Cubano and Jose Galvez. And the good news is there’s more to come. Highlights in August include jazz legend James Moody and Iranian singer Sami Yusuf – and most of it is free. Here’s what to expect:

Until August 20

Nakhool tent
An easy solution for bored kids and frustrated families, this venue features fun and games with the Sa’adon Children Music Band, a family cinema with daily screenings and a live puppet show. For entertainment with an educational slant there is a long list of workshops covering drawing and pottery painting, and for older kids (10-18) there are classes on how to make scrapbooks, greetings cards, book marks and photo frames. All will be useful training for the ‘Draw Nakhool’ daily drawing competition.
Hillat Abd Al Saleh Village, 5pm-8pm daily, free

Until August 20

The Pearling Songs Cruise Trip
The beach club has borrowed several boats from a company in Dubai to give Bahrain residents a very special tour of the island. Anyone wishing to embark is advised to be at the club by 4.30pm, and there is a limit of 120 people per boat. The tour takes in several sights, such as the new bridge and Mina Salam, all the way up to Mina Khalifa. Look out for refreshments served on board.
Coral Beach Club, Thu-Sat 5pm-7pm; Sun-Wed no show, 500 fils

Monday, August 3

Kasai Masai
Kasai Masai is a five-piece band that captures the tribal rhythms of remote equatorial African villages, but with a contemporary twist. The musicians are based in the UK, but trained in Africa, and the band actually takes its name from a region in Congo surrounded by rainforest (Kasai) and one of its many nomadic tribes (Masai). Formed in 2003, Kasai Masai have played at Womad festivals and many others around the world.
Cultural Hall, 8.30pm, free

Thursday, August 6

Karima Skalli
Karima hails from Morocco, and is another artist who has played in festivals around the world. Here she will be accompanied by the Arab Music Ensemble, as her smooth, delicate voice bears its own powerful influence on a range of classical songs from the region. She demonstrates an incredible range, meaning that her choice of material is vast, and her concerts not easily forgotten. A singer to some, a diva to others, Karima is nonetheless a powerful performer.
Cultural Hall, 8.30pm, free

Monday, August 10

James Moody
Born in 1925, James Moody is an accomplished jazz saxophone and flute player who has recorded albums since the late 1940s. Those familiar with his work know him best for ‘Moody’s Mood For Love’, which is based on ‘I’m In The Mood For Love’, in which Moody improvises vocals. In the ’70s, Moody worked in Las Vegas alongside Elvis, Bill Cosby, Liberace and The Osmonds, while 1985 and 1990 saw him receive Grammy Award nominations. Now he arrives in Bahrain with his ensemble.
Cultural Hall, 8.30pm, free

Thursday, August 13

Antonio Najarro Dance Company
Spanish dancer-choreographer Antonio Najarro has toured around the world with his 18-member company, reinterpreting flamenco with oriental and Latin American twists. Hence the reasoning behind this aptly named Flamenco Orientale show. Expect graceful movements and some toe-tapping music as the skilled dancers command the stage.
Cultural Hall, 8.30pm, free

Monday, August 17

Sami Yusuf
Arguably the biggest name of the entire festival, Sami Yusuf has been called by Time magazine ‘Islam’s biggest rock star.’ Born in Iran in 1980, Yusuf’s songs tend to deal with the subjects of Islam and living as a Muslim in today’s world. His work combines eastern and western music traditions (Yusuf has lived in London most of his life), and as a result he sings in both English and Arabic. Writing, composing and arranging as well as performing vocals, Yusuf has three albums to his name.
Cultural Hall, 8.30pm, free

Thursday, August 20

Sheikh Habboush & The Al Kindi Ensemble
Head to the Cultural Hall for an evening of Aleppian Sufi trance. In the ancient tradition of Sufism, trance music was often used for meditation purposes, accompanying dance, and used to achieve a height of ecstasy. Involving subtle rhythms and flute melodies, the spiritually charged music builds to a fantastic crescendo.
Cultural Hall, 8.30pm, free
For more information, see the website at www.bahrainsummer.bh, or call 800 080 89