Latest news with #FestivalPlaza
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport music festival returns with rapper Too Short and soul singer Leela James
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — One of Shreveport's music festivals is returning with several notable performers. The 38th Annual Let The Good Times Roll Festival will kick off in Shreveport with performances by rapper Too Short and R&B singer Leela James. Other performers will include Keith Frank, Jeter Jones, and Big Pokey Bear. Additionally, there will be a gospel celebration on the third day of the festival. 90's R&B fest in Louisiana to feature Adina Howard, Michel'le, and Dru Hill The festival will also include a mental wellness awareness seminar featuring local therapists, wellness coaches, peer advocates, and guest speakers. This seminar will educate attendees on how to access culturally competent care and address the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community. The festival will be held from June 20 to 23 at the Festival Plaza. For information on the festival or to become a vendor or sponsor, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Trade Arabia
29-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Dubai South's Festival Plaza earns LEED Gold certification
Festival Plaza, the urban lifestyle mall in Dubai South, has obtained the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4.1 Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Gold certification. The achievement strengthens the mall's reputation as an eco-friendly shopping destination and positions it as a sustainability leader within the retail sector. Since it first opened its doors in 2019, Festival Plaza has been dedicated to supporting national sustainability goals. The certification highlights the mall's commitment to maximising energy efficiency, improving air quality, conserving resources, boosting resilience, safeguarding the health of its visitors and tenants, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, and advancing positive impact on the community. During the LEED evaluation process, Festival Plaza earned 65 points, positioning it among the top-performing sustainable retail destinations in the region. By adopting green building practices, the mall has achieved a 17.9% reduction in energy intensity, 14.6% savings in water usage, and an 85% waste diversion rate. Additionally, its carbon footprint has been reduced by 1,250 metric tons CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per year, contributing to significant environmental benefits. In addition, Festival Plaza has one of the healthiest and most accessible shopping environments in the UAE. The mall boasts high indoor air quality with CO₂ levels at 600 parts per million (ppm) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) at 110 micrograms per square metre. Meanwhile, easy access by public transport, with a Transportation Score of 92/100, significantly reduces emissions from commuting. Occupants were generally 'Very Satisfied' with the destination, while shoppers' appreciation of its steadfast focus on elevating the visitor experience, comfort, and well-being was reflected in the Human Experience Score of 85/100. 'At Festival Plaza, we firmly believe that green initiatives drive both profitability and planet-friendly results. We are immensely proud of the LEED Gold certification that strengthens the mall's brand image by officially testifying to its alignment with global sustainability standards. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our teams that have been instrumental in earning this accolade, which will go a long way in attracting eco-conscious consumers, tenants, and investors while driving long-term loyalty. This success motivates us to pursue a journey of continuous improvement and leverage the latest innovations to minimise our environmental impact,' said Felizardo Orticio, Senior Operations Manager at Al-Futtaim Real Estate. LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world, provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED-certified buildings are critical to addressing climate change, meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. – TradeArabia News Service
Mid East Info
22-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Festival Plaza earns LEED Gold certification for outstanding commitment to sustainable operations
The landmark achievement places the mall among the top-performing eco-friendly retail destinations in the region Festival Plaza is dedicated to maximizing energy efficiency, improving air quality, conserving resources, boosting resilience, safeguarding the health of its visitors and tenants, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, and advancing positive impact on the community Dubai, UAE: Festival Plaza, the urban lifestyle mall in Dubai South, has obtained the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4.1 Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Gold certification. The landmark achievement strengthens the mall's reputation as an eco-friendly shopping destination and positions it as a sustainability leader within the retail sector. Since it first opened its doors in 2019, Festival Plaza has been dedicated to supporting national sustainability goals. The certification highlights the mall's commitment to maximizing energy efficiency, improving air quality, conserving resources, boosting resilience, safeguarding the health of its visitors and tenants, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, and advancing positive impact on the community. During the LEED evaluation process, Festival Plaza earned 65 points, positioning it among the top-performing sustainable retail destinations in the region. By adopting green building practices, the mall has achieved a 17.9% reduction in energy intensity, 14.6% savings in water usage, and an 85% waste diversion rate. Additionally, its carbon footprint has been reduced by 1,250 metric tons CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per year, contributing to significant environmental benefits. In addition, Festival Plaza has one of the healthiest and most accessible shopping environments in the UAE. The mall boasts high indoor air quality with CO₂ levels at 600 parts per million (ppm) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) at 110 micrograms per square metre. Meanwhile, easy access by public transport, with a Transportation Score of 92/100, significantly reduces emissions from commuting. Occupants were generally 'Very Satisfied' with the destination, while shoppers' appreciation of its steadfast focus on elevating the visitor experience, comfort, and well-being was reflected in the Human Experience Score of 85/100. 'At Festival Plaza, we firmly believe that green initiatives drive both profitability and planet-friendly results. We are immensely proud of the LEED Gold certification that strengthens the mall's brand image by officially testifying to its alignment with global sustainability standards. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our teams that have been instrumental in earning this accolade, which will go a long way in attracting eco-conscious consumers, tenants, and investors while driving long-term loyalty. This success motivates us to pursue a journey of continuous improvement and leverage the latest innovations to minimize our environmental impact,' said Felizardo Orticio, Sr. Operations Manager at Al-Futtaim Real Estate. LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world, provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED-certified buildings are critical to addressing climate change, meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities.
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Festival Plaza earns LEED Gold certification for outstanding commitment to sustainable operations
Festival Plaza is dedicated to maximizing energy efficiency, improving air quality, conserving resources, boosting resilience, safeguarding the health of its visitors and tenants, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, and advancing positive impact on the community Dubai, UAE: Festival Plaza, the urban lifestyle mall in Dubai South, has obtained the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4.1 Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Gold certification. The landmark achievement strengthens the mall's reputation as an eco-friendly shopping destination and positions it as a sustainability leader within the retail sector. Since it first opened its doors in 2019, Festival Plaza has been dedicated to supporting national sustainability goals. The certification highlights the mall's commitment to maximizing energy efficiency, improving air quality, conserving resources, boosting resilience, safeguarding the health of its visitors and tenants, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, and advancing positive impact on the community. During the LEED evaluation process, Festival Plaza earned 65 points, positioning it among the top-performing sustainable retail destinations in the region. By adopting green building practices, the mall has achieved a 17.9% reduction in energy intensity, 14.6% savings in water usage, and an 85% waste diversion rate. Additionally, its carbon footprint has been reduced by 1,250 metric tons CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per year, contributing to significant environmental benefits. In addition, Festival Plaza has one of the healthiest and most accessible shopping environments in the UAE. The mall boasts high indoor air quality with CO₂ levels at 600 parts per million (ppm) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) at 110 micrograms per square metre. Meanwhile, easy access by public transport, with a Transportation Score of 92/100, significantly reduces emissions from commuting. Occupants were generally 'Very Satisfied' with the destination, while shoppers' appreciation of its steadfast focus on elevating the visitor experience, comfort, and well-being was reflected in the Human Experience Score of 85/100. 'At Festival Plaza, we firmly believe that green initiatives drive both profitability and planet-friendly results. We are immensely proud of the LEED Gold certification that strengthens the mall's brand image by officially testifying to its alignment with global sustainability standards. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our teams that have been instrumental in earning this accolade, which will go a long way in attracting eco-conscious consumers, tenants, and investors while driving long-term loyalty. This success motivates us to pursue a journey of continuous improvement and leverage the latest innovations to minimize our environmental impact,' said Felizardo Orticio, Sr. Operations Manager at Al-Futtaim Real Estate. LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world, provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED-certified buildings are critical to addressing climate change, meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate Al-Futtaim Real Estate is the region's only private master developer with over six decades of real estate and management experiences, with a diversified portfolio across the real estate value chain. Al-Futtaim Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio comprising of individual, corporate real estate and investment assets and master-planned destinations across the Middle East and North Africa region. With capabilities across the value chain and entire real estate cycle from location conceptualization, development, design and fit-out, asset management, contracting and operation, Al-Futtaim Real Estate covers a diverse range of industries and asset type including residential, commercial, malls, hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure, and education. The current flagship mixed-use urban communities under Al-Futtaim Real Estate's Festival City brand are Dubai Festival City, Cairo Festival City and Doha Festival City. Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City are fully integrated communities which have been carefully master planned to offer a superior lifestyle destination with outstanding facilities, comprising residential and commercial accommodation, educational institutions and five-star hotels to fully complement the signature retail, leisure, and entertainment proposition. The Real Estate portfolio covers over 1 million sqm GLA across retail and commercial assets and over 80 million in annual footfall across five malls in the MENA region: Dubai Festival City Mall and Festival Plaza in the UAE, Cairo Festival City Mall in Egypt, Doha Festival City in Qatar and Zenata Mall in Casablanca, Morocco. Testament to its expertise in the retail space, Al-Futtaim Real Estate also provides third party management services in asset management, leasing, marketing and operations for shopping centers in the region, including Arabian Center, part of the Al Naboodah Group. The Al-Futtaim Real Estate division also manages Al Futtaim's contracting business, a fully integrated, end-to-end engineering, technologies and construction specialist with a solid delivery track record of mega projects in major Middle East markets over the past 50 years. Al-Futtaim Engineering & Technologies offers customers complete engineering and systems integration solutions. Visit our website here About Al-Futtaim Group Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health; employing more than 33,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organisation to continue to grow and expand, responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers every day. For more information, visit:
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
MEFCC 2025: A supercharged weekend of pop culture, cosplay, and star power in Abu Dhabi
It's that time of year again—when superheroes, stormtroopers, anime icons, and passionate fans descend on the UAE capital in full force. The Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) is back for its 13th edition, and it's bigger, bolder, and more star-studded than ever. Taking place from April 18–20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this annual celebration of all things pop culture is ready to thrill families, friends, and fandoms alike with three days of nonstop excitement. "After welcoming our biggest turnout ever in 2024, we are excited to raise the bar for the thirteenth edition of MEFCC," said Loy Pinheiro, Show Director at MEFCC. "With great power comes great planning – and the process of selecting the right talent, curating content and launching unique activations begins months beforehand. You don't have to know every superhero's origin story, or enjoy translating Japanese manga, to love Comic Con. The very best of MEFCC lies in its diversity, in celebrating the complexity of the human existence. We want everyone to feel right at home, and free to be their authentic selves, over one epic weekend." From Hollywood legends to gaming gauntlets, cosplay competitions to authentic anime experiences, MEFCC 2025 is set to be an unmissable experience for every type of geek, gamer, and pop culture enthusiast. Leading this year's charge is none other than Andrew Garfield—your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man himself. The Oscar-nominated actor headlines MEFCC's most impressive celebrity lineup yet, joined by fellow stars Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio from Daredevil, Grant Gustin (The Flash), Ian McDiarmid (a.k.a. Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars), Natalia Dyer from Stranger Things, Emily Rudd (One Piece), and Colleen O'Shaughnessy, the beloved voice of Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog. Fans can catch their idols in live panels at the Main Stage, or opt for once-in-a-lifetime autograph and photo ops for unforgettable keepsakes. Suit Up: Cosplay showdown returns What's Comic Con without cosplay? MEFCC 2025 invites fans to step into the shoes of their favourite characters, whether it's Deadpool, Sailor Moon, or an original creation. This year, the Cosplay Showdown gets an upgrade with professional cosplayer meet-and-greets, a dedicated cosplay community hub, an on-site costume shop, and the ever-popular Cosplay Competition at Festival Plaza. Expect jaw-dropping craftsmanship, infectious energy, and a whole lot of spandex. Art, artists, and alley adventures Take a stroll through Artist Alley, where local and regional artists showcase their handmade goods—from custom illustrations and quirky stickers to collectibles you won't find anywhere else. It's not just a market; it's a vibrant celebration of creativity that captures the spirit of MEFCC. Festival Plaza Frenzy: A pop culture playground The Festival Plaza is the social heart of MEFCC—bursting with life, music, and dance. Families can kick back with food truck delights while enjoying live shows, dance battles, and interactive games. Musical acts like ASH DA HERO, Celinedee Matahari, and Reem AlTinai will bring the house down, while Tidal and Lunar Idols take center stage with high-energy performances. Don't miss the Just Dance 2025 showdown, where a Nintendo Switch is up for grabs! Anime Extravaganza: A taste of Japan in the UAE For the first time ever, five legendary Japanese voice actors (seiyuu) will grace MEFCC, including: Daiki Yamashita (My Hero Academia) Hideo Ishikawa (Naruto) Kotono Mitsuishi (Sailor Moon, Evangelion) Kentaro Ito (Bleach) Tetsuya Kakihara (Fairy Tail) Fans can meet their anime idols, snap photos, and dive into an authentic Japanese cultural zone with kimono try-ons, shogi, calligraphy, origami, and a serene Japanese Tea Ceremony. Gaming gauntlet, family zone, and more! Gamers, rejoice! The Gaming Arena is a paradise of indie releases, tournaments, tech showcases, and cash-prize challenges. Whether you're a casual controller warrior or a competitive legend, there's something for every playstyle. MEFCC is a family affair, and the Kids Zone is packed with entertainment—from inflatable rides and face painting to canvas art and board games. Head over to the Tabletop Zone where Back to Games and Superheated Neurons invite you to a free-for-all of strategy, laughter, and bonding over card games. The Bookworm Lounge is where readers, writers, and creators gather. Swap books, discover indie gems, or attend community panels about storytelling in all forms. On Day One, eight short films from up-and-coming Middle Eastern filmmakers will be screened on the Main Stage, with winners taking home prizes and bragging rights. For serious collectors, this is the spot. MEFCC's exhibitor space is bursting with exclusive merch, rare finds, and autograph-worthy memorabilia. For serious collectors, CGC x JSA will be onsite to authenticate signed items, so you can certify your collection's value on the spot. Whether you're going for the celebrities, the cosplay, the gaming, or just to soak in the creative chaos, MEFCC 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest pop culture bash the region has ever seen.
