All star line-up sets stage for Eid

Ramadan is nearly over, and while you may have spent loads of money on the hospitality tents this year, we're sorry to say, there's even more spending to come.

Eid Al Fitr, which literally translates into "the festival of breaking fast", is the official three-day celebration following the Islamic holy month. This Eid, which is scheduled to begin either on September 30 or October 1 (depending on the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia), is expected to be bigger than ever, thanks to an initiative introduced by the Dubai Shopping Festival Office (DSFO).

Entitled 'Eid in Dubai', the event is expected to attract visitors to the emirate to enjoy the many promotional offers in shopping malls, as well as various entertainment events for children and adults.

Unsurprisingly, mall officials have praised the initiative, anticipating an increase in trade. "The latter half of Ramadan is a high season during which retailers and store owners offer huge discounts and promotion campaigns," says Eisa Adam, Head of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group. "Eid in Dubai is likely to add more glamour and attract more visitors to the region's main tourist hub."

Meanwhile, Fouad Sharaf, Vice President of Mall of the Emirates, added that footfall at the mall has increased in the latter half of Ramadan to 100,000 visitors a day, and he expects this number to reach 120,000 during Eid.

But shopping centres aside, plenty of other companies will be making money this Eid, especially musicians and the event organisers bringing them over. Emirates Business brings you a guide to the special events to watch out for:


EID DAY ONE

THE RETURN OF THE PHOENIX
East Hall, Airport Expo Dubai

Presented by the renowned Lebanese Rahbani family, The Return of the Phoenix is written by iconic writer and composer Mansour Rahbani, produced by Osama Rahabni and directed by Marwan Rahbani. The cultural performance will be staged for the first time outside Lebanon between October 1 and October 3. The story, according to the brothers is about "professing faith and hope in the human race, as well as the undying nature of love that, like the phoenix, rises and endures no matter what."

Recommended if: You enjoyed last year's Zenobia, which was also produced and directed by the Rahbani brothers.

Don't go if: You don't understand Arabic. It is yet to be revealed if the show will be subtitled in English.

Time: 6pm
Tickets: Dh125, Dh250 and Dh1,000
Call: 04 344 6971

BARNEY
Airport Expo Dubai

Love him or hate him, there's simply no ignoring every child's best friend, Barney. The fun-loving purple dinosaur and his Backyard Gang will perform with their Musical Castle in this live-action stage adventure on all four days of Eid.

There will be two daily shows, giving you plenty of time to grab the kids and make your way to this magical ride.

Recommended if: You're babysitting all the neighbourhood children.

Don't go if: You secretly jump with glee that dinosaurs are extinct. Now, if only we could get rid of one more…

Time: 4pm and 6pm
Tickets: Dh25, Dh50 and Dh100
Call: 600 545 555

ASSI HELANI, NAWAL AL ZOUGHBI AND ADEL MAHMOUD
Airport Expo Dubai

The first in a four-part series of Arabic concerts, organised by MBC and Pearl Properties, features Lebanese superstars Assi Helani and Nawal Al Zoughbi.

No strangers to the UAE, their concerts always sell out in the region, especially when they perform during Eid. Adel Mahmoud completes the line-up.

Recommended if: You're a big fan of a variety of Arabic music genres.

Don't go if: You prefer Arab bubblegum pop.
Time: 7pm
Tickets: Dh300, Dh700, Dh1,300 or Dh1,800
Call: 050 918 0666

D12 PLATINUM LEGENDS
Chi @ The Lodge

Eminem's crew (you know, the ones that feature in his videos My Band and Purple Hills) make their way to the UAE. What's particularly exciting is Chi's garden will be opening its doors to guests for the very first time following three months of scorching weather.

Recommended if: You want to see Bizarre, Kon Artis, Kuniva and Swift perform.
Don't go if: You're a hardcore fan of Ja Rule – apparently they don't like each other.
Time: 9pm
Tickets: Dh175 (regular) or Dh300 (VIP)
Call: 04 337 9470


EID DAY TWO

DJ COWBOY LIVE AT PLASTIK BEACH CLUB
Al Jazira Hotel Resort

For the ultimate Arabic beach event, head to the resort where Dubai-based DJ Cowboy will be playing his signature mix of house, R&B and Arabic music. Lunch will be served, along with shisha. Plus, plenty of other entertainment will be on offer.

Recommended if: You're stuck in Dubai because you couldn't travel to Lebanon for Eid.
Don't go if: You can't stand Arabic music.
Time: 1pm
Tickets: No tickets, but table reservations are a must. Expect to pay a minimum of Dh5,000
Call: 050 344 2880

ABDULLAH ROUWASHID, NAJWA KARAM AND MOHAMMED ZAYLAII
Airport Expo Dubai

The Kuwaiti superstar makes a long-awaited appearance in Dubai, joined by Lebanese singer Najwa Karam, as well as rising star Mohammed Zaylaii.

Recommended if: You want to experience a Gulf music celebration – Rouwashid is a legend.
Don't go if: You strictly like Egyptian and Lebanese music.
Time: 7pm
Tickets: Dh300, Dh700, Dh1,300 or Dh1,800
Call: 050 918 0666

AFSHIN, MANSOUR AND MR EBI
The Aviation Club, Tennis Stadium

There's no Arash this Eid, but Mansour is one of the most famous contemporary Persian music artists of our time.

From a new generation of rising singers of the exiled Iranian community in Southern California, he is now ranked as one of the top male artists of the country's music scene. He is joined by Afshin and Mr Ebi.

Recommended if: You only want to go to one Iranian event this Eid.
Don't go if: You'll miss Arash too much.
Time: 10pm
Tickets: Dh300
Call: 04 367 6699


EID DAY THREE

THE SECRET
Secret location, Abu Dhabi

Possibly one of the worst-kept secrets in the UAE's entertainment guides, this is the third beach gig to be held at an exclusive location on an Abu Dhabi island. Music, food and fun are what The Secret is all about. Ticket prices include all beverages, food and speedboat transfers. Venue information is sent by email to those purchasing tickets.

Recommended if: You like Hed Kandi beach gigs.
Don't go if: You need to work the next day.
Time: 12pm
Tickets: Dh400 or Dh470
Call: 04 210 8567

SABER REBAI, RABEH SAQER, YARA AND MONA AMARSHA
Airport Expo Dubai

The third day of MBC's concerts features Tunisian singer Saber Rebai, whose hits include Barsha and Ya Baba. Yara, Rabeh Saqer, and Mona Amarsha also feature.

Recommended if: You haven't seen Rebai perform live before. He is excellent on stage.
Don't go if: You're annoyed at the prospect that Carole Samaha – who was in the original line-up – has been replaced by her Lebanese counterpart, Yara.
Time: 7pm
Tickets: Dh300, Dh700, Dh1,300 or Dh1,800
Call: 050 918 0666

THE STRANGLERS
The Irish Village

JJ, Baz, Jet and Dave make their way to Dubai for a night of rock and roll tunes. The band will be performing tunes from their various releases – spanning four decades – including 2006's critically acclaimed Suite XVI.

Recommended if: Most of your friends are Western expats.
Don't go if: You'd rather watch the football.
Time: 9pm
Tickets: Dh175
Call: 04 367 6699

SHAAN, STRINGS AND OVERLOAD
Tennis Stadium, Aviation Club

While the Stranglers belt out the classics next-door, Asia's best fine-tune their vocal chords to the beats of Bollywood and Pakistani pop in Sangam. Shaan tells Emirates Business: "Strings and I haven't planned the track listings, but we'll move away from performing only mundane film and album songs and give our fans something to remember." What's more, as part of promoters ARY Exclusive's Eidiyah celebrations, all who buy tickets can redeem the face value when shopping at their stores or brand partner outlets.

Recommended if: You enjoy listening to local band 2live that's opening for the artists.
Don't go if: You prefer not to go home with a diamond necklace in an attempt to redeem your Dh500 at the jewellery store.
Time: 9pm
Tickets: Dh150, Dh250 and Dh500
Call: 050 550 2019

PAUL VAN DYK
Madinat Arena

One of the word's leading electronic dance music DJs and producers returns to the emirate for Eid. Expect to hear plenty of material from his latest album In Between.

Recommended if: You think he should always be the world's number one DJ.
Don't go if: You're expecting to hear Yves La Rock's Rise Up.
Time: 10pm
Tickets: Dh200
Call: 04 367 6699

CHRIS WILLIS LIVE
The 400

The vocalist behind David Guetta's massive hits Love is Gone and Love Don't Let Me Go performs at The Fairmont Dubai from 11pm. Considering the club's size, this event will sell out very quickly, so get booking.

Recommended if: You like your commercial dance tunes.
Don't go if: You don't fancy feeling like a sardine in a can.
Time: 11pm
Tickets: Entry free, but reservations a must
Call: 050 995 5400

EID DAY FOUR

GEORGE WASSOUF, NANCY AJRAM AND ABDEL FATTAH JRINI
Airport Expo Dubai

They've saved the best of the Arabic concerts for last. Legendary Syrian singer George Wassouf performs for the first time in Dubai, and Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram will also take to the stage.

Considering Ajram once reportedly offended Wassouf on a Lebanese TV programme, prompting Wassouf to call in to the show and have a go at her live on air, this one will be very interesting.

Moroccan singer Abdel Fattah Jrini – MBC's Platinum Records' latest signing will also perform.

Recommended if: You're Syrian. When Wassouf appeared in a rare interview on MBC 1 a few months ago, Dubai's Syrian community got together in cafes to watch the singer – so multiply that atmosphere by 10.
Don't go if: You don't get the hype.
Time: 7pm
Tickets: Dh300, Dh700, Dh1,300 or Dh1,800
Call: 050 918 0666

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