UAE Diary: What to do this Eid weekend?

Five days of a blissful break is just what the doctor has ordered after a stressful year. So if you are stuck in Dubai, like some us during the Eid Al Adha holidays, don’t fret.

The Eid celebrations are aplenty, plus some added delights that make for a perfect dessert, are beckoning all those who are indulging in that staycation in our neck of the woods.

We are personally rooting for the dinner theatre evenings that bring the beloved British sitcom, Fawlty Towers, back into the fore with a live performance that will most certainly have you rolling in the aisles.

Grab those diaries and allow Emirates 24|7 to show you how to celebrate Eid Al Adha in style.

Thursday, November 3

Shreya Ghoshal - Sangeeth Ki Barsaat

Revel in the first of many concerts this Eid Al Adha long weekend, starting with a live performance by the popular Bollywood playback singer, Shreya Ghoshal.

The recipient of many awards for Best Female Singer, along with bagging the coveted Indian National Film Award for the song “Bairi Piya” from “Devdas”, the now 27-year-old Ghoshal first burst on to the scene as a child when she won the best singer award on the Zee TV reality show, “Sa Re Ga Ma.”

But it was years later, when she reappeared on the show in 2000 as an adult that she caught the eye of “Devdas”director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and there has been no looking back since.

Since, Ghoshal has moved from strength to strength and bagged awards for her melodious voice, and has also performed in other Indian languages including Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.

Till date, she has worked in more than 180 films and received four National Film Awards, five Filmfare Awards and four Filmfare Awards, South. Not bad for a day’s work for the young talent.

To catch Ghoshal live, head to Dubai Festival City Concert Arena on Thursday, with doors at the event opening at 6.30pm, and show starting post 9pm.

Tickets range from Dh40 to Dh500. Organised by VG Middle East, call: 06 530 3828.

Ek Shaam Rahat Ke Naam

An evening of rhythm and soulful music is what is on offer this Eid Al Adha, as the legendary Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan takes to the stage at the Abu Dhabi Hall, Adnec to mesmerise audiences in the capital.

Nephew of one of Pakistan’s greatest Sufi singer, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the younger Khan comes from a 200-year-old lineage of qawwali singers, starting his music training at the age of seven.

In an interview with SAWF.com, Khan has talked about the early days with his uncle, saying: “Mr Khan initiated me into it when I was seven years old. On that day, I remember Mr Khan was rehearsing; I listened to him with a child’s curiosity and wondered what was happening.

“I went inside the music room and sat next to him and he told me to start singing so I started singing.”

Soon after he was performing on stage with his country’s most leading qawwali singers.

But the artist would only come into his own after the demise of his uncle.

While the death of Ustad Nusrat shook up the music industry, Khan immediately picked up the gauntlet and proved that he was not one of those new-age musicians who would shun traditional qawwali and go the popular music route.

Today, his Sufi voice has gone mainstream though, with the singer providing vocals to a number of Indian films, including ‘Bhol Na Halke Halke’, ‘Jiya Dhadak Dhadak’, ‘Mein Jahaan Rahoon’ and many more.

Organised by Cyclops Communications, doors for the concert open 8pm, while the show starts 9.30pm. Tickets cost Dh140, Dh400, Dh640 and Dh1,000. Call: 04 446 4801

Friday, November 4

Fawlty Towers dinner experience

Grab those forks, bring that appetite and hunker down for two hours of fun as you are joined by the snobbish, manic Basil Fawlty, who, along with his bossy wife Sybil and their hopeless language-challenged waiter Manuel, bring forth “fat-wobbling, gut-busting, face-aching laughter” during a three-course meal that serves up a gastronomic delight.

The acclaimed both interactive comedy dining experience is a must-see for fans of all ages, and pays an apt tribute to the British sitcom that ruled the BBC airways in the mid ’70s and was also voted as the most memorable comedy series of all time.

The dinner theatre experience runs until Sunday, November 6 from 7pm, with special lunch performances at 1pm on Friday and Saturday. The dinner is aptly held at the Torquay Suit, Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa, Dubai.

The 1pm luncheon affair costs Dh295, while dinner costs Dh395, also including a welcome beverage.

Organised by Dolphin Creative, for bookings, call: 04 311 6536.

Sunday, November 6

Well-known Iranian musicians, Dariush and Faramarz Aslani, will perform at the Dubai World Trade Centre on the second day of Eid Al Adha in a concert that will keep the UAE’s Persian population clapping in the aisles.

While we love Aslani, it is Dariush who we are rooting for. With 27 albums and over 200 songs to his credit, Dariush is a well known figure in the Iranian pop music world, not forgetting his stint in films too.

Songs to brush up on include “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, “Dobareh Missazamat Vatan”, “Shatranj”, “Zendooni”, and his latest “Divar”, which released on August 9, 2011.

Organised by M4 Events, the show runs from 10pm onwards, with tickets priced at Dh365 for regular, free seating and Dh600 for VIP, free seating.

Monday, November 7

Shukran Dubai: Sonu Niigaam Live

The super-talented Sonu Niigaam returns to Dubai for a four-hour non-stop musical, along with his 30-member troupe, specially choreographed with Bollywood dancers and top musicians.

What promises to be an unforgettable Eid Al Adha special performance, organisers Oberoi Middle East are expecting a full house at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeriah on November 7.

Expect all of Niigaam’s top hits, including ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, ‘Sandese Aate Hain’, ‘Saathiya’, ‘Shukran Allah’ and of course, ‘Mubarak Eid Mubarak’ from Salman Khan’s ‘Tum Ka Na Bhool Payenge’.

Of course, knowing Niigam’s live performances, expect a lot of impromptu jugalbandi or mixing on stage and a host of surprises.

Naresh Oberoi, Managing Director, OME-Oberoi Middle East Events, who has spearheaded Niigam’s concerts over the last 10 years in the UAE, said in a statement: “This concert, is very special both to Sonu and me; we are developing a unique format of songs, specially designed for this event, as never seen before.”

Doors open 8.30pm, with concert starting at 9.30pm. Tickets cost Dh200, Dh250, Dh500, Dh1,000 and Dh2,000. Children below five years are free, with no seat. Call: 050 626 0593.

Elissa and Wael Kfoury Live

It is the third day of Eid Al Adha and the Lebanese legends are making their way to Dubai for a foot thumping concert that fans are unlikely to forget.

The goregous Elissa and heartthrob Wael Kfoury will take to the stage on November 7 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, DIFC, in what promises to be scintillating performances. Here’s hoping a duet is in order.

Tickets are priced at Dh1,000, Dh1,500, Dh2,000.

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