Hussain Al Jassmi and Kadim Al Sahir lead a star-studded series of online concerts organised by Abu Dhabi cultural bodies.
The Emirati star and Iraqi crooner will join three other artists in performing concerts hosted by Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.
This comes as part of the Abu Dhabi government's initiative #StayCurious, which aims to provide education, entertainment and cultural programming for audiences in the UAE and beyond.
The shows are also a chance to spread some much-welcomed cheer in what has already been an exceptionally difficult year.
“DCT Abu Dhabi felt the importance of creating a series of events that spreads the joy of Eid and helps generate excitement and happiness amongst worldwide audiences,” said DCT Abu Dhabi acting undersecretary Saood Al Hosani.
“We thank all the artists and speakers who have joined our brilliant roster of stars for this series, and we hope that everyone will tune in and enjoy the shows we have prepared for them.”
How to watch the concert
Both Al Jassmi and Al Sahir will perform separate live concerts at undisclosed locations, which will be streamed on the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation’s YouTube channel.
First up will be Al Sahir on Sunday, May 24 at 8pm. Dubbed "Caesar of Arabic Music", the singer and former mentor on the Arabic version of The Voice (Ahla Sawt), will perform a selection of hits, including Ana Wa Laila and Habibati, chosen from his nearly four-decade career.
The following night will see Al Jassmi taking to the virtual stage. Unlike many of his peers, the Emirati star has been particularly active during the pandemic. Earlier this month he was the only Arab artist to perform as part of the global One World Together concert. He also released the song Benaady, an ode to resilience in the face of adversity.
Live with Fayez concert series
Emirati singer and composer Fayez Al Saeed will also host a trio of online concerts, organised by DCT Abu Dhabi and streamed on its YouTube channel and Facebook page from Saturday to Monday, May 23 to 25.
On Saturday, May 23, at 9.30pm, Yara will perform. The Lebanese singer is renowned for her technical prowess and a dynamic voice that's easily at home on ballads (Hob Kabeer) and traditional folk tunes, such as Shefto min biid.
On Sunday, May 24, at 9.30pm, Iraqi singer Waleed Al Shami will bring his thumping brand of Levantine pop tunes and smooth balladry to the mix. The concert will also be his chance to perform a bunch of new songs that have been released this year, including Baadeen way Jamalk and Zujaj.
Closing off the series on Monday, May 25 at 9pm will be Bader Al Shuaibi. After winning fans with appearances on the Kuwaiti series Thamen Omri, the Saudi artist launched his music career last year with debut album Shay Mokhtelif and hits such as Malt Alek and Fina.
Local sounds with Kris Fade
If you are looking for tunes from the next generation of UAE artists, then check out the Flash Live Eid Celebrations online concert on Monday, May 25.
The event – organised by Flash Entertainment and Abu Dhabi media and entertainment hub twofour54 – will be streamed on Flash's online platforms from 8pm.
Hosted by Virgin Radio’s Kris Fade, the event features home sets from RnB singers Layla Kardan and Fafa, rappers Freek and Moh Flow, Emirati soul singer Abri and singer-songwriter Danny Aridi.
The concert aims to support essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic by allowing viewers to donate to the Together We Are Good website, organised by Ma'an, the Authority of Social Contribution.
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Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
