Eid concerts and world records keep residents busy

The excitement is palpable with UAE residents shifting into top gear, as the four-day Eid-Al-Adha holidays commence with a bang and a building crescendo, promising concerts, a Latino heartthrob and world records in its wake.

The ‘Eid in Dubai’ celebrations build momentum this weekend, while the capital takes the festive period to shift into its Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix celebrations with the beginning of Yasalam Festival.

If you are stay-cationing this break, then read on as Emirates 24|7 brings the buzz from around the UAE this Eid.

Enrique Iglesias

October 26

Dubai World Trade Centre

Latino heartthrob Enrique Iglesias has already stepped up the tempo for his upcoming concert in Dubai by promising to wow his fans with his repertoire of hits.

Returning to Dubai, Iglesias’ concert is already being billed as the biggest indoor concert ever staged in the Middle East.

Being staged at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday, October 26, the Spanish crooner, who shot to global fame with his hit “Bailamos”, is no stranger to Dubai.

He has been to Dubai twice before already, having performed in 2004 at the Dubai Media City and at a private party in 2008.

“Memories of my last visit to the wonderful city of Dubai are still vivid, and I can’t wait to come back and perform in front of my fans, especially during the festive celebrations in Dubai,” Iglesias said.

“Music transcends many boundaries and cuts across cultures, so performing in Dubai is special to me because of its strong multi-cultural, cosmopolitan character. I can promise my fans that it will be a night to remember”.

Organised by M4 Events, tickets are selling out fast.

Shreya Ghoshal

October 26

Madinat Arena

Bollywood’s award winning playback singer Shreya Ghoshal will perform on Friday October 26th at the Madinat Arena Dubai, Jumeirah.

Organised by Oberoi Middle East Events, expect her to sing all her top film tracks, including “Saibo”, “Chikni Chamel”, “Bairi Piya” and others.

Rotana Concerts

October 26-28

As customary every year in Eid, Rotana provides top class entertainment by hosting a special programme featuring some of the best Arabic singers.

This year, Rabih Saqer will perform at the Grand Habtoor Hotel on the second day of Eid followed by a performance from Majed Al Mohandas at the same venue on the third day of Eid.

Rotana will also host Molhem Zain, Fares Karam and Nahwa on the second day of Eid at the Intercontinental Festival City Hotel.

Abu Dhabi

Yasalam Festival – Live on the Corniche

October 25, 2012

Abu Dhabi Corniche

Bringing the heart of the UAE alive with music, workshops, events and film screenings until 4 November, the Yasalam Festival officially opens with an exciting extended Eid weekend of activity in store, including Screen by the Sea Weekend, Tropfest Arabia and the live design battle Cut&Paste.

For the first time ever, this year’s Live on the Corniche begins with an attempt to break a Guinness World Record – by building 684 sandcastles in under an hour.

Equipped with buckets and spades, the attempt will bring hundreds of members of the UAE community together at a family friendly event that embodies the spirit of the Yasalam Festival; unity, creativity and fun for all.

The record-breaking attempt will be a definite challenge however, with strict criteria that each sandcastle must meet – at least two feet high and two feet wide at the base, with four visible castle ‘towers’.

Everyone is invited to check-in with Foursquare at the Guinness World Record attempt for sandcastle building on Al Sahil Beach and in return they can win a pair of Two Friends Friday invitations to see Kylie Minogue perform live at the Yasalam After-Race Concerts, Friday November 2 at the du Arena.

Thursday will also mark the opening of the F1 FanZone returning for the fourth year to the beach with exciting motorsport-themed activities for young and old to enjoy.

Screen by the Sea Weekend

October 26-28

Abu Dhabi Corniche

The Screen by the Sea Weekend takes over the Corniche from Friday until Sunday with music pumping every evening from the F1 FanZone stage.

Throughout the weekend, Al Sahil Beach will be host to a number of different workshops at the Gaming Pavilion and the Creative Pavilion, from life drawing and graphic design to smart phone movie production.

From 4pm-10pm each day the workshops will create a chance for community members to hone their natural talent.

On Friday, the first day of Screen by the Sea Weekend will feature live music from Rouba, while Tropfest Arabia, the Middle East’s only short film festival, will take place from 9pm onwards.

Saturday evening will be host to the Cut&Paste finalists at the F1 FanZone stage, when UAE graphic design talent will go head-to-head in a live design battle from 7.30pm onwards.

Following the battle, DJ Shero will be manning the decks and entertaining the crowds.

Meanwhile, the main stage at Al Sahil Beach will be screening family favourite films in Arabic, Lion King (7pm) and Toy Story 3 (9pm).

On Sunday, DJ Taz will be on the decks from 7.30pm onwards with local talent Clarita de Quiroz serenading the audience with two live sets at the F1 FanZone stage.

The main stage at Al Sahil Beach will be screening Cars 2 (7pm) and Race to Witch Mountain (9pm) in English.

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