Yemeni Youth Get Down

“Shake it,” advised the gaudy posters plastered all over the courtyard of the French Cultural Centre, and the Sanaani shabbab duly obeyed.

Speakers shuddered as amps were cranked up for rock bands, the stage creaked as breakdancers spun on their heads and applause rippled through a crowd of hundreds before they got up and danced themselves.

The audience voted for their favourite group drawn from the talent of young Yemen, and the winners performed in a gala concert the next day; shaking up the afternoon, bands and fans lingering into the warm Sanaa evening.