It's been a muted year, globally, in terms of live entertainment.
However, the curtains will soon rise on a number of shows at Dubai Opera, with a new schedule of music, dance and comedy announced for the coming months.
The Downtown Dubai venue will welcome a number of stars to the stage in a series of just-revealed performances, with Lebanese-Armenian musician Guy Manoukian and Palestinian singer Omar Kamal among the line-up.
The shows, which will take place between October and December, have been announced to mark Dubai Opera's fourth anniversary, which fell on August 31.
Tickets will be subject to an early-bird offer until Monday, September 21, with a 20 per cent discount available on VIP and Platinum seats.
Since opening its doors in 2016, the theatre has hosted more than 1,000 performances, including productions of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, as well as shows by the likes of Lea Salonga, Hussain Al Jassmi and Placido Domingo.
Safety measures have been introduced at the venue amid the coronavirus pandemic, with guests required to wear face masks, undergo temperature checks, ensure social distancing and use contactless payment.
Here's a closer look at who is coming to Dubai Opera, and when, as part of the venue's new season.
Nemr: Thursday, October 22
Lebanese-American stand-up comedian Nemr Abou Nassar will make his Dubai Opera debut with brand-new material. The Lebanon-born funnyman, who regularly performs in the US, Europe and Middle East, is known for his 2017 comedy special, No Bombing in Beirut, which was filmed in Lebanon and the US.
Nemr is known to touch on politics, social issues and his experiences in the Middle East and the US in his material, marrying humour with biting observations.
Ronnie Scott's 'Giants of Jazz': Friday, November 6
This tribute to the pioneers of the genre will be filled with music, film and images, taking guests through an entire century of jazz. Put together by London's famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, the show will feature renditions of tracks by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker.
Flamenco Passion: Wednesday, November 11
This evocative ensemble are masters of the fiery dance style, born in southern Spain. Putting a modern twist on flamenco, their show – De Lucia a Camaron – will pay tribute to guitarist Paco de Lucia and vocalist Camaron de la Isla, whose partnership gave rise to the Nuevo Flamenco wave. Expect passionate performances and contemporary takes on the genre's soundtracks.
Guy Manoukian: Thursday, November 12
The Lebanese-Armenian pianist and composer sold out the venue in 2018, and will return to the Dubai Opera stage this autumn. Manoukian, who also helped judge Dubai Opera’s talent quest From Home to Stage earlier this year, is known for fusing eastern and western styles, and for his modern takes on Arabic orchestral classics. This time, he will be joined on stage by award-winning Lebanese violinist Ara Malikian, with the two touted to pay homage to their shared Armenian heritage in the first performance of its kind.
Omar Kamal: Saturday, December 12
The Palestinian singer will also mark his return to the venue, following his sold-out show last year. He may be regarded as the the region's answer to Frank Sinatra, but Kamal also has his own brand of balladry, inspired by classical Arabic music. Expect a dynamic set full of songs by legendary crooners, as well as his own originals.
Tickets for the shows can be booked at dubaiopera.com
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Saturday
Crystal Palace 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
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Huddersfield Town 0 Bournemouth 2
Leicester City 3 Fulham 1
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Manchester City 3 Watford 1
Sunday
Liverpool 4 Burnley 2
Chelsea 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0
THREE
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- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
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A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank
Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night
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A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
RESULT
West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' )
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72')
Zayed Sustainability Prize
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score):
Manchester City (0) v Tottenham Hotspur (1), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5