Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre
2022
|
Entertainment
|
Sheikh-Jaber-Al-Ahmad-Cultural-Centre
OVERVIEW
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre and Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre
This project involved the full management and operation of all events at two of Kuwait’s most prestigious cultural landmarks Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre and Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre.
We proudly handled every aspect from A to Z, ensuring each event is executed to the highest standard.
As the creative team, we took charge of everything from concept development, planning, and programming to technical execution, including lighting, sound, stage design, and on-site production. Every event was crafted with creativity, precision, and innovation.
In collaboration with our partners, Group Seven for General Trading and Contracting, we delivered a seamless and immersive experience that positioned these cultural centres as regional icons of excellence and creativity.
Dar Al-Jamail" Celebration
In the presence of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture Dr. Hamad Rouh Al-Din, along with a number of sheikhs and senior state officials, the inaugural event of the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Cultural Centre’s new season was launched under the title "Dar Al-Jamail", in celebration of the national holidays.
February Concerts – A Gathering of Arab Superstars
As part of the National Day festivities, February Concerts brought together leading stars of the Arab world, delivering an unforgettable musical celebration that united voices and hearts from across the region.
"Shareet" – A Tribute to Kuwaiti Musical Heritage
The JACC Orchestra returned to the stage in full brilliance with "Sharit", a musical medley celebrating classic and contemporary Kuwaiti songs. Held during the Kuwait Spring Season 2022, the concert was conducted by Maestro Ahmad Al-Oud and featured a lineup of distinguished Kuwaiti vocalists, paying homage to the nation’s rich musical history.
Eid Rehearsal
The Kuwait Summer season—the second cultural season of 2022 at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre—was launched with a musical concert by the JACC Musical Ensemble, titled The Eid Rehearsal, conducted by Maestro Ahmad Al-Oud. The event featured popular Kuwaiti singers Abdulqader Al-Hadhoud and Hamad Al-Qattan, along with rising talents Abdulaziz Al-Musbah and Shoug.
The Eid Rehearsal included a mix of songs performed by the four vocalists, interwoven with a series of dramatic scenes presented between the musical segments. These scenes, featuring actor Ali Mohsen alongside a group of young talents, centred around the concept of a rehearsal—the final preparations the ensemble undergoes before the Eid concert—offering the audience a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a typical JACC Musical Ensemble rehearsal. The dramatic scenes and the overall concert were directed by Dr. Ali Hassan.
Beethoven 5th Synmphony
With an orchestra of 45 top-tier musicians from Kuwait, joined by a number of high-level international performers, the Ahmadi Music Group presented a remarkable concert that combined live classical performance with an educational lecture about one of the most renowned composers in Western classical music history—Ludwig van Beethoven.
The ensemble performed two of Beethoven's works: the Egmont Overture and the iconic Fifth Symphony, known for its famous opening ten seconds, arguably the most recognizable passage in classical music. Between the two pieces, orchestra director and conductor Richard Bushman delivered an engaging lecture on Beethoven’s life, the unique characteristics of his compositions, and a musical analysis of the Fifth Symphony.
Dear Zoo
As part of its 2022 cultural season, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre hosted a series of international children’s performances during the summer, beginning with the global stage adaptation of the beloved children’s book Dear Zoo by British author Rod Campbell.
The play ran from 18 to 21 May at the Drama Theatre. Tickets for the first five shows sold out within days of the announcement, prompting the Centre to add two additional performances, which also quickly sold out.
The production brought the delightful story of Dear Zoo to life on stage, featuring puppets, songs, and joyful moments that captured the imagination of children and adults alike.
Aden Nights
The summer cultural season included a very special concert series titled Aden Nights, aimed at reviving the traditional Adeni Samrat (musical gatherings) and celebrating Yemeni musical heritage—considered one of the richest in the region.
Set in an intimate atmosphere, the series captured the spirit of classic Adeni gatherings, evoking a time when the city of Aden was a vibrant cultural hub for the arts.
• On Thursday, 26 May, the first night featured Fawaz Al-Marzouq, Talal Al-Saidalani, and Sultan Al-Meftah.
Gipsy Kings
The National Theatre hosted one of the biggest concerts of the Kuwait Summer season, featuring the world-famous Gipsy Kings and their founder Tonino Baliardo, over two nights—June 16 and 17, 2022.
Audiences were thrilled by the band’s greatest flamenco hits, sung in Andalusian Spanish. Known for their international fame in the late 1980s, the Gipsy Kings have sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
During the concert, they also debuted their newest single “Chica del Sol”, performing it live for the first time on stage
Turkish Melodies
In an extraordinary musical evening held in the Round Hall on Monday, June 20, audiences enjoyed “Turkish Melodies,” a musical journey through the most iconic Turkish compositions in history. The performance was led by qanun virtuoso Dr. Bassam Al-Balushi, accompanied by a talented ensemble.
The program featured works by legendary Turkish composers from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as original pieces by Dr. Al-Balushi inspired by Turkish maqams and rhythms infused with Arab soul. The highlight of the evening was the surprise performance by Turkish singer Tugce Najjar, who delighted the crowd with her singing and instrumental contributions.
Takht Sharqi Evening – A Journey Through Kuwaiti Melodies
The Modernized Takht Sharqi Ensemble at the Centre presented a special musical evening in summer 2022, celebrating some of Kuwait’s most beloved traditional tunes.
Following the overwhelming success of their debut concert in June of the same year—welcomed by an enthusiastic audience of authentic melody lovers—the ensemble returned with Kuwaiti Melodies, held at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall.
The concert featured a selection of popular tunes by Kuwait’s great composers who shaped the musical scene, such as Ahmed Baqer, Awad Dokhi, Sulayman Al-Mulla, Youssef Al-Muhanna, Saud Al-Rashed, Anwar Abdullah, and Rashed Al-Khudr.
Kulthumiyat with Rehab Matawea
The Kuwait Summer season concluded with a spectacular tribute concert titled Kulthumiat, honouring the timeless legacy of Umm Kulthum. The concert was performed by acclaimed Egyptian singer Rehab Matawea, accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Maestro Ahmed Atef.
Held on Thursday and Friday, 21 and 22 July, the evening featured four of Umm Kulthum’s most iconic songs: Amal Hayati, Ya Msahharni, Enta Omri, and Alf Leila wa Leila. It was a nostalgic return to the golden age of Arabic music, showcasing masterful orchestration and Rehab Matawea’s powerful voice.
Baligh Hamdi – The King of Melodies
The debut concert of the 2022/23 cultural season was dedicated to the iconic late composer Baligh Hamdi—widely known as “The King of Music”—in recognition of his timeless compositions. The event coincided with the anniversary of his passing in September 1993.
Titled “Baligh Hamdi: King of Melodies”, the concert was held on 1 and 2 September and celebrated one of the Arab world’s most prolific composers. It featured a selection of Hamdi’s most memorable works, originally performed by leading artists from the 1950s through the 1990s.
Egyptian singer Rehab Matawea headlined the evening, alongside emerging Kuwaiti talents Mashaal and Khalaf Al-Mashouf, reviving the musical genius of Baligh Hamdi in a vibrant celebration of Arabic music heritage.
Guy Manoukian – The International Lebanese famed composer and pianist,
In August 2022, as part of the exceptional summer cultural season at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, world-renowned Lebanese musician Guy Manoukian gave his debut performance at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall.
Celebrated for his masterful fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions, Manoukian has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the legendary Olympia Hall in Paris and the Sydney Opera House. He has also collaborated with major international artists such as Wyclef Jean, 50 Cent, and the Gipsy Kings.
Boyce Avenue – The American Vocal Sensation
The American band Boyce Avenue, known for their viral acoustic covers and millions of online views, performed their greatest hits in September 2022 as part of the 2022/2023 cultural season.
Formed by brothers Alejandro, Daniel, and Fabian, the band rose to fame through their acoustic renditions of popular songs—many of which garnered more attention than the original versions on YouTube.
Face to Face – The Virtuoso Accordion Duo
An extraordinary musical duo delivers powerful performances of iconic classical pieces and global hits. Thanks to their unmatched talent and exceptional stage presence, the audience experiences the sensation of a full orchestra.
Face to Face features two outstanding accordionists from Poland, Pawel Janas and Bartosz Kołsut. Their captivating performances blend classical masterpieces with modern melodies, creating an unforgettable experience for every listener.
A Tribute to Suleiman Al-Mulla – A Night of Timeless Music
The center celebrates the legacy of Suleiman Al-Mulla with a special concert led by singer Fawaz Al-Rujaib and the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ahmad Al-Oud.
Since beginning his musical journey in the 1970s, Suleiman Al-Mulla carved a prominent place in the Kuwaiti music scene as a composer, performer, and singer. His passing on July 21 marked the loss of a pioneer who shaped Kuwait’s musical identity. This tribute evening honored his remarkable legacy, revisiting some of his most memorable compositions that remain etched in our hearts and memories.
Sinbad Night – A Celebration of Rashed Al-Majed’s Greatest Hits
As a gift to its audience at the launch of the 2022/23 cultural season, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre presented a special evening featuring the timeless songs of Rashed Al-Majed, affectionately dubbed the Gulf’s Sinbad. This musical tribute, titled “Sinbad Night”, featured performances by singers Fahad Al-Salem and Jassem Mohammed, accompanied by the orchestra under the direction of Maestro Ahmad Al-Oud. Held on Friday, 9 September, at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall, the evening was filled with nostalgia and golden melodies that defined a generation.
The Ayoub Sisters – A Fusion of East and West
Sarah and Laura Ayoub, the renowned musical duo, perform their signature interpretations of iconic classical works and authentic oriental compositions, accompanied by the Ahmadi Musical Ensemble.
The Ayoub Sisters gained international recognition with their distinctive performances on piano, violin, and cello, reinterpreting classical, Egyptian, and global music. Launching their career as a multi-instrumental duo, they brought classical music closer to mainstream audiences, especially the youth. Their performances include appearances at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall and major international venues, and their music has been recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.