Guest Navigator: Hamdan al-Abri Presents Miami and Dubai

By R Life, posted Dec 5th 2011 at 9:00AM

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It makes sense that soulful R&B rebel Hamdan al-Abri couldn’t choose just one city for our Guest Navigator project. A multinational man with an international sound, Al-Abri calls Dubai home, but Miami is where he went to art school. This eclectic artist, whose debut self-titled EP has earned him buzz in Rolling Stone, is a tastemaker who has pioneered soul music in the Middle East. But he still goes to Miami to see old friends and dig for fashion gems in his favorite thrift store. Here he takes us on a tour of his preferred haunts in his two favorite cities.

MIAMI

Favorite place to eat?

News Cafe on Ocean Drive.

Favorite place for dancing?

Club Space in Downtown Miami. I was living a couple of blocks away from the club and it would be open [from late in the evening] until noon the next day!

Favorite venue to play?

I joined a rock band called Plex with a bunch of my friends from college when I was in Miami, and one of the places we played was Churchill’s Pub. I have pretty fond memories of playing there.

Favorite record shop?

Uncle Sam’s Music on South Beach. I would spend hours in there just checking out new music. The store had music from all genres.

Favorite boutique?

Don’t know about boutiques, but I love thrift stores, and there are a few thrift stores in South Beach, like Sobe Thrifty, that I used to frequent when I was in Miami.

Favorite food truck?

The Fish Box. I love seafood!

Favorite outdoor spot?

Coconut Grove.

Favorite place to unwind?

South Beach.

Favorite sweets spot?

Ben & Jerry’s.

Favorite festival or annual event?

I took visual arts as a major when I was in Miami, so Miami Art Basel was a big thing for me.

Favorite place to meet up with friends when in town?

Lincoln Road in South Beach.

Favorite spot in the city that no one knows about?

There was a spot near the Miami Seaquarium where I would go with my friends and just chill right before sunset. Great view of the sunset, and it had such a nice vibe to it. Good memories.

DUBAI

Favorite place to eat?

Maria Bonita’s Taco Shop & Grill.

Favorite place for dancing?

I love Deep Crate nights at Casa Latina on Thursdays.

Favorite venue to play?

The Music Room

Favorite record shop?

Virgin Megastore and OHM Records.

Favorite outdoor spot?

Jumeirah Beach Walk and Hatta, which is en route between Oman and Dubai.

Favorite sweets spot?

Hey Sugar.