Vanilla Ice did not start a revolution, as some have predicted (see crazy comments) that canceling the show would rouse the people of Dubai into ideological action. But our Internet was suspiciously down for ages (sorry for not posting) and we saw this this new Internet cop with a bomb when we foolishly tried to use Flickr:

We’re not sure if Vanilla Ice’s show was related to the Internet issues, but in Get Loose he raps “I raid the track like a terrorist / And with my napalm bomb lyrics,” so we really appreciate the safety precautions taken by the U.A.E. But the show did go on a few days later. And Vanilla Ice gave the audience everything they wanted: old skool. He even threw in the Ninja Rap from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2…and everyone sang along.

And of course the crowd drunk rapping of Ice Ice Baby:

Rob Van Winkle, you are a professional, and at least you’re marketing yourself. Thank you for coming to Dubai! And stay forever cool as ice.

We were all set for a 90’s extravaganza of Vanilla Ice and SNAP! playing here in Dubai. But a controversial sms shut down the show. Abu Dhabi’s sheikh sadly passed away, and the country is in mourning. But Barasti, the venue, told everyone: “STOP! COLLABORATE & LISTEN! VANILLA ICE AT BARASTI IS GOING AHEAD TONIGHT AS PLANNED. NORMAL OPERATION. (Contd) WE ARE NOT DRY! NICE, NICE BABY! 5PM-3AM C U ON THE SAND” This was taken as an insult, especially since it was written in all caps. Read all about the controversy in the UAE community blog. End result: police on the scene know what I mean?

As I lament the lack of public art in Dubai, sometimes the city surprises me and I stumble upon something even better — public performance art! While shooting Cultural Capital I caught some rather fantastic dancing, which I’ll share with you in the next few posts. For some reason, I often hear from people how joyless the region can be, and music and dancing is haram (not allowed). This video shows that public music and dancing is alive and kicking in Dubai. Near the gold souk, Chinese line dancers sashay in the shadow of the Twin Towers…only in Dubai.

Check out McG’s video of Kirsten Dunst in full on sailor moon cosplay, produced by Takashi Murakami, the Superflat artist and Vuitton visionaire. I most enjoyed the wtf faces of the tokyo street kids. Takashi Murakami did great with product placement; I see his blossom flowers everywhere. But poor Kiki looked much better dancing in Bring It On.

Sorry for cross posting this tweet, but we had to say more than 140 words about Dziga Vertov’s brill experimental film Man with a Movie Camera. Playing with the idea of hidden cameras way before (1929) Candid Camera, the camera finds itself at a birth and death, and even ends up in a beer glass. We’ve often had nights of filming end up that way with our documentary — let’s say it’s very inspiring. And, if you happen to be in Dubailand, check out the film accompanied by soundtrack music at Mahmovie at the Jam Jar tonight at 7:30PM (Music for the Eyes series).

Original movie poster by Vladimir and Georgy Stenberg in the Russian Constructavision style