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29 March 2024

UAE Diary: What to do this weekend?

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

Let’s be honest here. Now that the Eid buzz has died down, it’s all about the Abu Dhabi Formula One F1 Grand Prix this weekend; the Flash Entertainment concerts and the hot racers burning rubber on the Yas Marina Circuit from November 11.
 
But while all roads are leading to the capital, there are those who don’t understand what the fuss is all about. And just for you, Emirates 24|7 has brought you gripping action and cultural delights in your own backyard.
 
Read on to know more…
 
Thursday, November 10
 
Dubai International Motor Show 2011 
 
Start those engines and burn rubber as this year’s Dubai International Motor Show goes full throttle as the region’s largest and most influential automotive event.
 
The five day exhibition, running from 10–14 November at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, promises the largest show this year in the history of the event with over 60,000 metres square of exhibition space and more than 150 exhibitors from around the world revving up to capitalise on the region’s potential.
 
This year sees worldwide debuts from high profile exhibitors including Brabus, Chevrolet, De Macross, Jaguar, Land Rover and first-time exhibitor Lifan, who join a number of new exhibitors to this year’s motor show, including debut appearances from Dallara, McLaren, Shelby, PininFarina Hyperion, De Macross, Asma, Switzer, MV-1, and DEPP-AT. Phew.
 
And that’s not all. Adding fantastical flair to the show floor are a number of concept cars, including models from Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, GMC, Maserati, MINI and Toyota, while some of the pulse-racing models due to make an appearance at this year's show include the new Bugatti Grand Veyron Sport – the fastest convertible in the world, the new Porsche 911 Carrera, the Maybach 62 and the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.
 
The show is open from 6pm–10pm on 10 November, 3pm–10pm on 11 November and 11am–10pm on 12, 13, 14 November. Ticket prices are Dh50. 
 
The Laughter Factory
 
Ladies and Gentlemen: its time that humour returns to our stressful lives and what better way to let down your hair than by signing up to catch three of the top names in stand-up comedy, who are en route to Dubai.
 
Say hello to Britain’s magician with a sense of humour, Paul Zenon, who will appear on stage with the super-talented Canadian comic, Mark Walker, and UK funnyman, Christian Reilly.
 
Playing in Thursday at the Melrose Ballroom, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, from 9pm; also at The Majlis, The Irish Village, on Friday at the same time.
 
Organised by Factory Productions, tickets cost Dh130. Call: 04 355 1862
 
Friday, November 11
 
Abu Dhabi Formula F1 Grand Prix

It’s the Grand Prix weekend and all roads are leading to the capital’s Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, where racing world’s greatest players will battle it out for the coveted pole position.
 
But the action is not limited to the circuit. Yasalam, the citywide entertainment programme returns with new surprises and breathtaking events for the entire community, including concerts by music icons Britney Spears on November 11, The Cult and Incubus on November 12 and Sir Paul McCartney the following day as the grand finale.
 
Off the island, the Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach concerts will feature superstar performances from Lebanese icon Najwa Karam, Saber Al Robai, British R’n’B sensation Jay Sean, Wyclef Jean, K-Pop artists Seo in Young, Nine Muses, and many others lined up to rock the bustling beach party during Yasalam.
 
Here’s one party not to be missed.
 
Dinner with Friends
 
Back by popular demand, here is yet another outstanding play by Feroz Khan, who is best known as the director of “Tumhari Amrita”, “Mahatma vs Gandhi” and “Saalgirah.”
 
“Dinner with Friends” is a touching drama based on the Pulitzer Award winning play of the same name, chronicling the story about four friends, two marriages and one divorce.
 
Acting are well known film and TV celebrities, Tisca Chopra, Perizaad Zorabian, Joy Sengupta and Vinay Jain.
 
Catch it this Friday or Saturday at the Centrepoint Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, from 8pm.
 
Organised by Exquity Events JLT, tickets cost Dh100, Dh150 and Dh300. Call: 04 390 2500
 
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Cricket Match ODI
 
Catch the Asian cricketing giants, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as they come head to head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City this Friday.
 
We expect packed houses here considering how serious fans take their cricket.
 
Gates open 12pm, while match starts 3pm. Tickets are priced at Dh50, Dh60, Dh100, Dh150, Dh250 and Dh1,550. Call: 04 425 1111
 
Saturday, November 12
 
The Sound of Music
 
From the producers behind the shows “Blood Brothers”, “Annie”, “High School Musical”, and “Fame”, comes the world’s most-loved musical, back by popular demand.
 
Yes indeed, it’s the famous Von Trapp family and Sister Maria from “The Sound of Music”, which will be staged in Dubai from November 12 until 18.
 
Featuring a cast from London’s West End, Broadway and the UAE, this is the perfect feel-good family musical.
 
Considered by many to be the best-loved and most successful movie musical in history, “The Sound of Music” took home five Oscars, including Best Picture.
 
It’s soundtrack stands in history as the best selling musical of all time going Platinum more than 12 times, with songs including “My Favourite Things,” “Edelweiss,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and more.
 
A true and moving story, “The Sound Of Music” narrates the romance and the struggles of Maria and the Von Trapp family, when their freedom as their homeland of Austria faces up to Nazi invasion, just prior to the Second World War.
 
Shows are at 7:30pm, with additional matinee performances at 3pm on Wednesday and 2:30pm on Friday.
 
Tickets are priced at Dh175. Seats are allocated at the time of ticketing, so the earlier you buy your tickets the better you seats are likely to be. Call: 04 444 3459