ABU DHABI // Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan will perform at this year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Ball, the night before the capital's second Formula One race.
The ball is the social highlight of the Grand Prix, with some of the proceeds going to the Naked Heart Foundation, a charity that builds playgrounds in Russia for disadvantaged young people.
The charity's founder and president, Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova, will be at the event.
Ballgoers will enjoy a four-course dinner, the red carpet and live music performances. Among them will be McLachlan, who found fame in the 1990s with songs including the 1995 hit I Will Remember You, which peaked at No 4 in the Canadian singles chart.
No details were available about other guests or performers, although the organiser Global Event Management promised "more stars and glamour than ever before".
A charity auction with lots donated by "very influential and generous people" will raise money for the foundation.
No details were available about the likely items or donors, but Shadi Moazami, one of the event's publicists, said there would be "a variety of big 'money-can't-buy' items being auctioned".
One thing is certain, however: the cost of attending the ball is substantially more than last year. A table for 10 will cost Dh35,000 - a 40 per cent rise on last year's Dh25,000. A VIP table will be Dh45,000. About 1,200 tickets will be available.
The event last year was attended by Janet Jackson, Neve Campbell, Marisa Tomei, Dame Shirley Bassey, Alicia Keys, Sir David Frost and Leona Lewis.
Tickets are available through the organiser's website: www.geventm.com
