One of the most popular areas is a stunning display of flamingos gracefully wading in their refreshing pool Visitors can interact with playful raccoons and explore the Giant Rabbit Garden JEDDAH: The Jeddah Indoor Zoo, which has a diverse collection of wild animals including domestic breeds and rare species, has opened its doors again to much acclaim. Open until Nov.16, the zoo has 10 main areas offering what officials said is a unique and captivating experience. They said one of the most popular areas is a stunning display of flamingos gracefully wading in their refreshing pool. This gives visitors a chance to observe the birds up close. Ahmed Babecker, who visited the zoo with his family, said: “The Jeddah Indoor Zoo exceeded my expectations. The variety of animals and the interactive experiences made it a truly unforgettable day for my family.” Manal, another visitor, added: “The Jeddah Indoor Zoo offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment. My kids had a blast feeding the turtles and exploring the giant rabbits’ habitat. “It is fantastic to have such an entertaining place in Jeddah and we can’t wait to come back.” For reptile enthusiasts, officials said the zoo had an impressive collection of exotic creatures, from albino snakes and green lizards to crocodiles, among others. The animals are safely enclosed in glass cages, allowing visitors to observe them in their natural habitats. Staff said there is also a vibrant bird cage, which offers a symphony of melodies and colors. They added that various species, including lovebirds and exotic birds from the Amazon, created a mesmerizing spectacle. Visitors can also interact with playful raccoons and explore the giant rabbit garden. Numerous rabbits roam freely here, offering an opportunity for children to engage with them. This area also features a maze-like structure, providing a space for children to play and take photos. Elsewhere, the lemur house showcases the primates swinging from the trees; the meerkat area shows the curious creatures displaying their social behavior; and the porcupines’ area offers a glimpse into the world of the prickly yet intriguing animals. Luca Land is a special area designed for kids to play and interact with more than 20 well-trained and friendly dogs of different ages and breeds. The zoo also offers cafes and restaurants, providing visitors with a variety of refreshments and dining options. Staff said these are the perfect places to relax and refuel amid the excitement of exploring the zoo. Tickets can be purchased through the Saudi Events app. Follow Topics: JEDDAH INDOOR ZOO LUCA LAND GIANT RABBIT GARDEN RELATED 5288New indoor zoo set to open in Jeddah New indoor zoo set to open in Jeddah 2557Saudi fans of the Marvel superheroes will soon be able to see some of their favorite characters up close in Jeddah. (Supplied) ‘Marvel Universe Live!’ brings ‘mind-blowing’ superhero show to Jeddah Adele glitters in Georges Hobeika gown in Las Vegas Adele glitters in Georges Hobeika gown in Las Vegas Updated 10 October 2023 ARAB NEWS October 10, 2023 09:36 501 Follow DUBAI: English singer-songwriter Adele – who is currently in the midst of her “Weekends with Adele” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas – wowed audiences at her latest performance in a custom black gown from Lebanese couturier Georges Hobeika. Hobeika took to Instagram to share snapshots of the pop diva in the glittering gown, writing, “@adele exudes effortless elegance in a custom #GeorgesHobeika during her show in Las Vegas.” While Adele’s first run of performances at the Las Vegas residency wrapped up in March this year, the singer surprised fans by announcing 34 more dates for the second half of 2023. “Playing to 4,000 people for 34 nights is not enough. I know that, so I am coming back,” Adele told the Caesars Palace audience in March.Her final performance in Las Vegas is now set for Nov. 4. Follow Topics: ADELE LAS VEGAS GEORGES HOBEIKA Jessica Chastain to lead jury at Marrakech Film Festival Jessica Chastain to lead jury at Marrakech Film Festival Updated 09 October 2023 ARAB NEWS October 09, 2023 14:58 2793 Follow DUBAI: Oscar-winning US actress Jessica Chastain has been announced as jury president for the upcoming 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, set to take place from Nov. 24-Dec. 2. Succeeding Paolo Sorrentino, Chastain will lead the jury of the competition, which comprises fourteen films by first or second-time directors. “I am honored to serve as the jury president for the esteemed Marrakech International Film Festival, marking its 20th edition this year,” said Chastain in a statement. “I am excited to return to the festival, having last attended in 2011. Being entrusted with this role is a privilege and I look forward to celebrating incredible global talent within the world of cinema.” Chastain, who won the best actress Oscar for her performance in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” is also an activist and a producer. Her New York City-based company, Freckle Films, produced “Memory,” as well as a “The 355” and “George & Tammy.” She is developing a series adaptation of two novels, “His and Hers” by Alice Feeney, and “The School for Good Mothers” by Jessamine Chan. Veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese is also attending the festival and will pass on his tips and knowledge to emerging directors in the MENA region. The Oscar-winning director will not only return to this year’s Marrakech International Film Festival, but will also be the official patron for the event’s Atlas Workshops. “I am always happy to be returning to my beloved Marrakech Film Festival. When I haven’t been able to attend in person, I’ve always been there in spirit,” said Scorsese in a statement. “For this very special anniversary edition of the festival, I have been entrusted with a precious task: To interact with young filmmakers and help to guide them on their way. I look forward to seeing old friends, and to making new ones.” This year’s Atlas Workshop participants will be known as the Class of Martin Scorsese. Follow Topics: JESSICA CHASTAIN MARRAKECH FILM FESTIVAL Review: ‘Flora and Son’ is a sweet but safe musical rom-com Review: ‘Flora and Son’ is a sweet but safe musical rom-com Updated 09 October 2023 MATT ROSS October 09, 2023 12:40 1322 Follow LONDON: If there is one thing John Carney loves, it’s a movie about the positive power of music. After all, the Irish director’s previous credits include “Once,” “Begin Again” and “Sing Street,” all of which focus on ways in which music can help broken people start to heal. So it’s no great surprise that “Flora and Son” — which won rave reviews at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and is subsequently finding itself a wider audience — sees Carney and his engaging cast staying true to what the director knows. Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in ‘Flora and Son.’ (Apple TV+) Desperate to connect with her troublesome son Max (Oren Kinlan), single mother Flora (Eve Hewson) finds and rescues a discarded guitar and encourages him to learn. When Max turns his nose up, Eve decides to take it up and signs up for online guitar lessons from LA teacher Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). As Max’s behavior deteriorates, Eve shares more of her life with Jeff, and the two grow closer during their sessions. If that all sounds a bit schmaltzy, it’s because it is. “Flora and Son” is not a film that needs a lot of deciphering, and Carney’s firm belief that baring your emotional soul brings healing is a far from subtle approach. There’s a slightly heavy-handed insistence that Flora, Max and Jeff are unquestionably willing to take risks, put themselves out there and trust that everything will be alright in the end — and it jars a little with the harsh reality with which Carney details Flora and Max’s life in Dublin. The heartbeat of “Flora and Son” is in its songs – though the movie makes the odd decision to use its best track halfway through and use a decidedly average one for the big, heartwarming finale. Hewson and Gordon-Levitt are scintillating, however, and Carney makes the wise artistic decision to shoot them together, depicting their growing relationship in metaphorical real life rather than limiting their screen time to zoom calls. It makes “Flora and Son” feel warm, cozy and aspirational, just like the best films — and songs — should be. Follow Topics: FLORA AND SON Bruno Mars cancels Qatar F1 after-race concert Bruno Mars cancels Qatar F1 after-race concert Updated 08 October 2023 ARAB NEWS October 08, 2023 16:43 8766 Follow DUBAI: US singer Bruno Mars will no longer be performing at Qatar’s Formula One after-race concert tonight, it was revealed earlier today. The singer-songwriter was scheduled to take to the stage on Sunday and will now be replaced by DJ Snake. "We are sorry to let you know that due to circumstances outside of our control, Bruno Mars will not be performing at Lusail International Circuit tonight," the venue posted on X, formerly Twitter. The news comes on the heels of his second show in Tel Aviv on Saturday also being cancelled. Last month, Mars performed in Saudi Arabia, and was joined on stage at the Azimuth Canyon in AlUla by Saudi DJ Shaolin and DJ Loush on Sep. 29. The US singer-songwriter hit the stage with some of his greatest hits, including “Just The Way You Are” and “Uptown Funk” as the crowd sang along. Follow Topics: BRUNO MARS ‘Loki’ season 2 brings more multiverse shenanigans ‘Loki’ season 2 brings more multiverse shenanigans Updated 07 October 2023 SHYAMA KRISHNA KUMAR October 06, 2023 13:43 1817 Follow DUBAI: It has taken two years and almost 20 other Marvel shows and movies in that time, but Tom Hiddleston is finally returning in his fan-favorite role as Loki as he turns to more multiverse shenanigans in the second season of his eponymous Disney+ series, arriving at the streaming service on Oct. 6. And just in time, too. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe currently experiencing loss of tempo with multiple flops in the last two years, including the most recent series “Secret Invasion,” “Loki” brings a fresh breath of originality, injecting the MCU with its much-needed whimsy once again. Picking up where it left off, season two finds Hiddleston’s Loki being pushed out from the End of Time by his variant Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) back into the Time Variant Authority office, but his old friends such as Mobius (Owen Wilson) and Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku) do not seem to remember his existence. This event also was most recently preceded by the fact that Sylvie had just murdered He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors), the Kang variant who apparently created the TVA. His death now opens the Pandora’s Box to more Kang variants threatening the very existence of all life. While the superhero stakes may seem very familiar, the new season ups the ante on its time-jumping plot by giving more screen time to its expanding cast, with its most significant addition being Ke Huy Quan, who plays Ouroboros, or OB for short, the TVA’s friendly engineer, who brings giddy, childlike enthusiasm to the role. Mosaku’s B-15 also turns in an attention-grabbing performance, standing in as the voice of Variants who were pruned from the sacred timeline, stolen to work at the TVA. But the selling point of the show remains the good cop-bad cop dynamic between Hiddleston and Wilson, the chemistry from season one effortlessly transferring over to its new episodes. And when the two are on screen, it is hard to focus on anything else. The show’s visual language remains strong with its grainy, film-like texture and retro-futuristic vibe; and while other MCU films and series have begun to feel samey, “Loki” continues to forge its own identity. Follow Topics: LOKI