You are currently browsing the Expat Echo Dubai blog archives for October, 2013.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Google Plus









Archive for October, 2013

music-note-150x150Dubai City Sound is a non-profit, all-female chorus, whose members represent a broad cross-section of the many nationalities living in Dubai.

As a chorus, Dubai City Sound specializes in four-part barbershop singing. This involves four unaccompanied voice parts which blend and harmonize to replace the musical accompaniment in a song.

Joining members have a varying degree of vocal skill and experience but the main criteria is a love of singing and performing – and being able to hold a note whilst those around you sing something else! Barbershop singing is a continual journey of learning for all involved so we do try and organize occasional educational workshops plus members who have been singing for a longer period are always there to share their knowledge and skill at the weekly rehearsals.

We are extremely proud that Dubai City Sound is like a multi-cultural family, there to offer Read more

uae-residence-visa-cancelledOfficial says no visa cancellation without payment of all traffic fines

Expatriates who have committed road offences will not be allowed to leave the UAE unless they pay all their traffic fines in line with new Interior Ministry measures.

The ministry said the new rules would be later expanded to cover all other financial obligations by expatriates seeking to cancel their visa and leave the country.

“We have linked procedures to cancel visas for expatriates with the payment of all their traffic fines. Read more

Aspergers1-638x358As an author of six books on Asperger Syndrome, it is natural that I am asked by friends and acquaintances, and complete strangers who found my name on the web, how well Dubai caters for those on the autistic spectrum and for special needs generally. Unfortunately, in the past, I was unable to give an informed answer. My children left Dubai schooling years ago, and I had not set foot in a special needs centre in Dubai in a very long time. However, I do know that when I last looked, about six years ago, there were a few very dedicated overworked people, struggling on limited resources, who tried their best to cope with the ever increasing number of autistic and special needs children and adults living in, and coming to, Dubai. Many families were forced to leave Dubai to get expert help. I would have said, back then, that Dubai as a whole did not cater all that well for special needs.

This all changed when the staff of Kinokuniya, that huge bookstore in the Dubai Mall, approached my UK publisher, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, at the London Book Fair. Kinokuniya wanted to give back to the Dubai community by helping to highlight Autism Read more

Meet the team

Move One in the community

More Video Guides

Restaurants