The Sandy Times

Music

Being Sensitive To the Crowd. Interview With Mitch Oliver

A guy from Montreal who was all about skiing — until one day, he suddenly pivoted and dedicated his life to music

by Alexandra Mansilla

1 Aug 2025

Dubai

A First Look At Dubai Design Week 2025: What We Know So Far

What is the theme this year, and what can we actually expect from the Middle East’s biggest design festival?

by Alexandra Mansilla

29 Jul 2025

People

Esraa Ehab: ‘The Egypt I See Is More Felt Than Seen’

Read about those unique places in Cairo where you can truly feel the soul of the city

by Alexandra Mansilla

28 Jul 2025

Technologies

Digital Art Galleries In UAE: The Future Of Visual Culture

Places where, sometimes, it feels like you have stepped straight into a fantasy world

by Alexandra Mansilla

28 Jul 2025

Shopping

Okay, Maybe Using an Umbrella For the Sun Isn’t Such a Bad Idea

No, sun umbrellas aren’t just for sweet old ladies anymore

by Alexandra Mansilla

27 Jul 2025

Memory, Language, And a Bit Of Quiet Magic. Interview With Nasir Nasrallah

See how the artist, through each artwork, explores themes of memory, language, and... writes paper letters

by Alexandra Mansilla

25 Jul 2025

Dubai

Events

Your Week In Dubai: What To Do, July 22–28

Pottery for your mental health, a new Secta party, music at Honeycomb Hifi, and more

by Alexandra Mansilla

22 Jul 2025

Loud, Bold, And Full Of Volume. Calligraphy With Ibrahim Zaki

Read the story of a calligrapher who created one of the top 100 posters in the Arab region

by Alexandra Mansilla

22 Jul 2025

Events

Fashion Events To Watch In the MENA Region (2025 Calendar)

If all the upcoming events feel like a total blur, save this calendar

by Alexandra Mansilla

22 Jul 2025

Riyadh

Restaurants

Not Just a Bite: Riyadh Places Where Design And Interior Take the Spotlight

Yes, these are (we don’t love the word) the Instagrammable ones. But it is impossible not to take a photo here

by Alexandra Mansilla

20 Jul 2025

Hands To Hands: Saudi Women’s Stories In the Project 'Lingering In the Light'

Two artists travelled across Saudi, collecting women’s stories and weaving them into textiles and photography

by Alexandra Mansilla

18 Jul 2025

Photography

Building a Massive Portrait Archive Of Arab Icons. Meet Abdullah Alshehri

He started shooting portraits when Saudi photography was just taking off — and he has snapped thousands since

by Alexandra Mansilla

16 Jul 2025

Museums

Inside Doha’s Top Art Galleries: A Visual Guide

What to visit to really get a feel for Doha’s art scene

by Alexandra Mansilla

14 Jul 2025

Saudi Arabia

Attractions

Jeddah Only Locals Know: From Unique Thrift Shop To Sunset Under the Dome

Jeddah’s hidden spots and stories — straight from someone who calls it home

by Alexandra Mansilla

13 Jul 2025

What Do Skaters Choose To Wear?

Tees, hoodies, pants — what brands are worth chasing?

by Alexandra Mansilla

11 Jul 2025

Tapestry Of Reflections And Vulnerabilities. Interview With Zainab Alsabba

Installations made from hangers, letters that seem to fall apart — see what stories Zainab tells through her art

by Alexandra Mansilla

11 Jul 2025

Shopping

The Plastic Comeback: How Jelly Shoes Went Viral — Again

Is it just about nostalgia, or is there something more to it?

by Alexandra Mansilla

10 Jul 2025

Mental Health

Reprogramming the Mind. Hypnotherapy Through The Eyes Of Client And Therapist

Our attempts to understand what hypnotherapy is and how it actually works

by Alexandra Mansilla

10 Jul 2025