Mohamed Ramadan will headline the All Africa Festival again.
After wowing more than 10,000 fans at last year’s inaugural event at Dubai’s Burj Park, the Egyptian actor and rapper will return for another high-energy set in October.
He will be joined by South African rapper Focalistic and Nigerian singer Dave — not to be confused with the UK grime artist of the same moniker — in what is the first batch of musicians exclusively revealed to The National.
Festival co-founder Nina Olatoke says the event will run from October 28 to 30, with the outdoor venue to be revealed soon.
Scroll through the gallery above for more pictures from last year's event
The event will also be alcohol-free.
“That was an intentional decision because we saw how that allowed many people to come and enjoy the evening with their families,” Olatoke says.
"We want to welcome people from different backgrounds to come together to not only celebrate African culture, but to appreciate its influence around the world.
“We also want to create a safe space where people can come, eat, laugh and just enjoy themselves as well."
Appreciating that atmosphere was Ramadan, who immediately jumped at the opportunity to return to the festival.
"The thing with Ramadan is that he is so big that he can do whatever he likes. The fact that he wants to come back to perform at this independent festival just shows you how supportive he is of what we are trying to do," Olatoke says.
"He is from Egypt and because of his phenomenal success he has now become a cultural ambassador for the African continent.
“From last year onwards, he came on board and supported us throughout and it just shows that when you open the scope to what it is to be truly African you see more people wanting to be involved and that is a great thing."
A vibrant cultural programme
Cultural discussions will also take place as part of the festival.
Running before the evening performances, movie screenings and panel sessions with filmmakers will take place at the Film Tent, located within the festival grounds.
Art exhibitions by regional and international African artists will also be on display in partnership with the Efie Gallery in Al Quoz.
One of the artists to make an appearance in Dubai is Boubou Niang.
The Senegalese visual artist has become an internet sensation and garnered celebrity fans, including Beyonce and The Rock, through powerful portraits of late celebrities Kobe Bryant and Chadwick Boseman.
Olatoke also confirms a bevy of African restaurants will make pop-up appearances at the festival.
"People really enjoyed the food options and we will also step it up further," she says.
"So this year we are going to have African UAE businesses on site bringing Afro-Caribbean cuisine with food from Nigeria and South Africa to Ethiopia and Egypt."
Visitors can also expect Cuban cultural representation, as part of the festival's newly launched Africa Sister Mission initiative.
Olatoke adds: "It's about inviting countries with strong African heritage, like Cuba, to showcase that in various ways, including performances and being on the ground and engaging with people.”
The return of the All Africa Festival is not only owing to the success of its debut last year, but it also is part of a larger five-year strategy that will see the event get bigger and better.
"The end goal is to have a month where African culture is celebrated in the UAE with different events happening around Dubai," Olatoke says.
"We want to make sure that the culture is celebrated in all of its entirety and that includes the important role the diaspora plays in the UAE and beyond.
Doors will open from 2pm and tickets begin from Dh99 for a single day pass. They are available from Platinumlist next month. More information can be found at allafricafestival.com
30 concerts and events coming to Dubai, from The Script to Hardwell
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The trio Hooverphonic, led by singer Geike Arnaert, will perform in Dubai in December. Getty Images -
Egyptian actress Yousra will appear in the stage production 'King Farouk' at Dubai Opera. AFP -
Le Trio Joubran, from left, Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran. Courtesy: Youness Hamiddine -
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical 'West Side Story'. The stage show will be performed in Dubai Opera in April. AP -
The Gipsy Kings shot to fame back in the 1980s with their eponymous album. Courtesy Dubai Opera -
Martin Garrix has been named 2022'S world's number one DJ by industry publication 'DJ Mag'. AFP -
Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform his hits at the Coca-Cola Arena. Courtesy Coca-Cola Arena -
Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir will perform an intimate show at Dubai Opera. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Canadian DJ deadmau5 will play at the Coca-Cola Arena in December. Getty Images -
Singer Ne-Yo returns to Dubai in December. AFP -
Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren is one EDM's most celebrated artists. AFP -
Nigerian singer Wizkid is one of a new generation of African artists making inroads into the western charts. Getty Images -
Mohamed Ramadan will perform post-match concerts as part of the inaugural World Tennis League tournament. AFP -
Tiesto will bring his hits to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. AFP -
Jackson Wang will perform on February 4 in Dubai as part of his Magic Man world tour. AP -
Irish comedienne Joanne McNally performs on April 29 at The Agenda. Photo: GME Events -
The Nutcracker ballet is an annual Christmas favourite. Photo: Andy Ross -
Hungarian pianist and composer Balazs Havasi will play at Dubai Opera in 2023. EPA -
The Australian singer Kylie Minogue will ring in the new year in Dubai. Reuters -
Tomorrowland's Terra Sollis features VIP rooms with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool. Photo: Terra Solis -
Peter Bence, the former Guinness World Record holder for fastest piano player, performs at Dubai Opera on November 11. Getty Images -
See French crooner Enrico Macias on November 12 at Coca-Cola Arena. Photo: Wikicommons -
Spanish opera star Placido Domingo will headline the lavish Dresden Opera Ball gala evening at Dubai Opera. Getty Images -
Croation classic group 2Cellos are coming to Dubai in November. Courtesy: MBC -
Watch British singer-songwriter Calum Scott live at Hard Rock Cafe in November. Getty Images -
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is returning to the UAE for a concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on November 24. EPA -
Illusionist Rob Lake is performing 'The Magic of Rob Lake' at Dubai Opera from November 25 to 27. Photo: FilmMagic -
Music and street culture festival Sole DXB is back for 2022 in December. Photo: Sole DXB -
The Dubai Shopping Festival, starting in December, features concerts, family activities and plenty of shopping deals. Photo: Dubai Shopping Festival -
Pakistani singer Abida Parveen returns to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 9. Photo: Catherine de Clippel
