Dubai Diary: Get your jazz on this weekend...
Celebrating a decade of musical celebrations, the nine-day Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival returns with a bang this year, commencing Thursday, with all roads leading towards a spanking new venue at Festival City.
James Blunt, James Morrison, Sandi Thorn, Jason Mraz are just some of the names to watch out for.
But if jazz isn’t your thing, then some stupendous stage performances, include an Indian ghazal night by local group Malhaar Choir, along with a romcom staged by Dubai Drama Group, beckons.
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival
It’s time to settle back and just enjoy the show as the 10th edition of Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival kicks off today at its new home at Dubai Festival City.
With an awesome line-up this year, the boys and girls at Chillout Productions have outdone themselves with at this nine-day celebration of music with a top list of celebs performing to some of the finest music across genres.
The event starts Thursday with the sensational Michael Roach at 7pm, who has promoted African-American culture through the use of blues music.
Following his hour-long performance is Britain’s Acoustic Alchemy that takes to the stage at 8.30pm, promising jazz to folk to rock to world music and beyond.
Finally fans will be psyched as James Blunt takes to the stage at 10.30pm, who is surely expected to belt out a few tunes from his debut album, “Back to Bedlam,” catapulted him into worldwide superstardom with tracks such as “You’re Beautiful,” “High” and “Goodbye My Lover.”
Other headliners at this nine-day music fest includes James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Sandi Thorn and many more.
Tickets start at Dh295 and go up to Dh995. For full schedule, call: 04 3911196
The Laughter Factory
Factory Productions returns with a bang this month of romance with a fabulous, rib-tickling line-up that that will keep you entertained in your seats.
Heading up Thursday’s top trio will be that boy from Louth, John Lynn. Performing several stunts on the telly, Lynn can be an absolute riot on stage with a laidback delivery that is a direct contrast to his outrageous one-liners.
Next up, is Tom Stade, a Canadian trapped in the British Midlands, facing an identity crisis as he moonlights being a spy in Argos.
If you are as confused as he is, then let’s clear up the mist just enough to say, he is one performer that you do not want to miss on stage.
Rounding up the trio is the man who is a veteran in the Middle East comedy circuit, with Pierre Hollins an ace at singing the blues and other such song parodies that will see you in splits.
To catch them all live, head to the Grand Millennium, Dubai on Thursday, with tickets priced at Dh130. Doors open at 8.30pm. Call: 04 355 1862
Friday, February 17
Aadab Arz Hai
For those of you who love Indian classical music simply should not miss out on this ghazal evening with live performance by the supertalent Jogiraj, Jay Prasad and Somdatta.
Being held at Emirates Auditorium, Emirates International School, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai from 6.30pm onwards, tickets are priced at Dh50, Dh75, Dh100 and Dh125. Call: 04 357 0155
Saturday, February 18
If your Valentine celebrations are continuing, then do not miss out on Drama Dubai’s Desert Players presentation, “Almost, Maine”.
Being staged at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, the play takes place on one cold winter’s night where eight couples fall under the spell of that funny unpredictable thing called love.
The organisers say that “Almost, Maine” is ‘the perfect date show for young and old alike’ that will have you roaring with laughter.
Performances at 5pm and 7.30pm, with tickets priced at Dh100 and Dh310, with the latter including a seafood BBQ buffet at K-Grill, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. Call: 050 986 1761