Dubai Diary: What you can do this weekend

Now that the “Ra.One” world premiere madness is finally behind us, there are several more concerts and worthy causes to make time for this festive season.

This weekend we have what promises to be packed performances by Indian bhangra king, Mika, along with a taste of refined culture with Yanni live at Burj Khalifa.
 
If neither is what gets your goat, then sign up for the Pink Walkathon on Friday and support a worthy cause like breast cancer.

Thursday, October 27
 
Diwali Dhamaka with Mika Singh – October 27

If it’s Diwali time, then a little bit of bonding and whole lot of bhangra is the order of the hour.
 
And to make this possible, Diwali Dhamaka at Wonderland Theme Park is bringing down all the top talent from India, including headliner Mika Singh, along with the “Munni Badnam” girl, Mamta Sharma.

Adding a zing to the rest of the evening will be comedian Shakeel Siddiqui and Pakistan’s Faiza Mujahid, best known for her track “Bandiya” from “Khuda Ke Liye”.

We are certainly expecting controversial king Mika’s performance to be a showstopper, with the singer churning out all his big hits, including “Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag”, “We Are The Bhais”, “Jugni”, “Singh Is King” and many more.

The show kicks off on October 27 at 9pm, with tickets costing Dh100, Dh200 and Dh300. Call: 04 298 1262

Friday, October 28

The Pink Walkathon – October 28

Perhaps the biggest event of the Breast Cancer awareness month, join the community as your every step will be matched by thousands of others who will come together to show support for the disease and raise funds for the cause.

And the draw is not the walk itself, but also the community carnival that features a live jazz band, food stalls, free drumming by Dubai Drums, a Pink bazaar for some killer bargains, a kids corner and much more.

The 3.6km walk starts and finishes at BurJuman, with registration fees costing Dh50 for adults and Dh30 for children between the ages eight and 12 years. Children below eight years walk for free and do not require registration.
 
For corporate or group registrations of 10 people and above, the Pink Team will come to your premises to collect the completed registration forms, the money and provide you with the walk T-shirts as per the sizes requested.

All fund usage is monitored by The Red Crescent and go towards providing free mammograms, patient care and spreading breast cancer awareness.

Yanni Live at Burj Khalifa

After performing live at the Acropolis, Taj Mahal and the Forbidden City in China, it is now time for the talented Yanni to choose Dubai’s Burj Khalifa as his latest landmark concert venue.

The award-winning Greek musician will perform at Burj Park, Downtown on Friday, October 28, with the event organised by M4 Events.

Born Yiannis Hrysomallis, the self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer never received any formal training in music, but rather explored his potential while conducting impromptu concerts for his family and friends since childhood.

It was much later in life that music became his calling, when in 1992, his album “Dare to Dream” saw Yanni receive his first ever Grammy nomination.

The success was followed up by yet another Grammy-nominated album the following year, with “In My Time” being picked up by all the major sporting events that year.

But it was really his live performance, later that year, which made Yanni a household name, when his concert at the Acropolis had viewers around the world mesmerised with the intensity in his music and the passion.

Following up the success of his “Live at the Acropolis” series, in 1997 Yanni went on to find historical landmarks around the globe as a perfect backdrop for his musical performances.

In 1997, he became one of the first few Western artists to be given permission to perform at Agra’s famed Taj Mahal, which he then followed up with another live act at China’s Forbidden City.

In the corresponding years, while more albums made it to the stores – with the latest being 2011’s “Truth of Touch” – Yanni has yet to taste the success the “Live at the Acropolis” had brought him.

To catch this talented man live, all roads lead to Burj Khalifa park next month, with tickets starting at Dh350 and going up to Dh1,500. Doors open at 8pm, with the show starting at 10pm. Call: 800 4669

Saturday, October 29

Oliver, The Musical by Lionel Bart

Everyone’s favourite tale by Charles Dickens comes to a stage near you this festive season, and we can certainly vouch and say, this is one performance that promises fun and entertainment for the whole family.

Starring Victoria Borasio and Laura Qu. The title role of Oliver is played by Callum Bell, and the Artful Dodger has been essayed by the impish Joel Gray; the show is directed by Naim Zaboura.

Catch the performances all weekend until 29 at the Centrepoint Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, with a special matinee show at 2.30pm and evening performances at 7pm.

Tickets cost Dh120. Call: 050 854 9782

K-Lynn Pledge – month long

Lingerie brand, K-Lynn, is all geared up to get you to take the “K-Lynn Pledge”.

What it is, you ask? Think a community initiative that raises awareness of breast cancer care throughout this month.

Every woman who takes the pledge will receive a voucher for a breast care consultation at Dubai London Specialty Hospital, along with free mammograms and sonograms where required.

The pledge will be photos and signatures that will find its way into the window display of K-Lynn’s store at Mall of the Emirates.

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