Abu Dhabi's inaugural Eid festival brings all kinds of fun events and entertainment. Saeed Saeed lists what's happening in the capital and beyond.
The festival
Created by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the capital's Eidfest debuts this year with a mix of concerts, children's performances and cultural presentations across various venues, including the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), the Abu Dhabi National Theatre, several malls and Yas Island's Ferrari World.
Dinner and a show
The festival's main draws are two Adnec concerts today and tomorrow, featuring some of the biggest stars of the Arabic music world. Tonight's double bill showcases two artists who rode to fame on the back of appearances on popular talent shows.
Morocco's Mona Amarsha, winner of the fifth series of Arab Stars, performed sell-out shows across the Arabian Gulf, with fans lapping up her recent foray into Khaleeji music. Also to perform is Melhem Zain, who needs no introduction to Arab-pop lovers (his fans call him "the Boss"). With four albums under his belt, the Lebanese singer first drew attention when he came third in the debut season of Arab Stars, a programme that was the precursor to the now widely popular Arab Idol on MBC.
Tomorrow, the Lebanese songbird and the Arab Idol judge Najwa Karam will headline alongside the young Emirati singer Mansour Zayed, who is one of the UAE's rising stars. With more than 50 million records sold, Karam has played a major role in bringing Arabic music to the rest of the world.
Adnec concert tickets cost from Dh450 and are available at Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall and Adnec's Al Fanouse Ramadan tent.
For the kids
The cast of the Jordanian kids television show Karameesh will perform at the Abu Dhabi National Theatre tomorrow. Tickets cost from Dh75 and are available at Marina Mall and at the theatre on the day of the show. Ferrari World, home to the world's fastest roller coaster, will host children's "Fast Lane" quiz nights with plenty of prizes. Or take the kids to a zoo: Emirates Park Zoo in Al Bahia has introduced a new reptile and amphibian corner, while Al Ain Zoo has a brand new hippo exhibit.
The malls
As well as being shopping destinations for Eid gifts and sweets, Abu Dhabi's malls have turned on the culture, too. Abu Dhabi Mall's Arabian Souq has, among other things, a henna booth plus food stalls piled high with local delicacies. Elsewhere in the mall, a team of Ukrainian acrobats will bring to life the adventures of the fictional boy sailor Sinbad. At Khalidiya Mall, visitors can get their photographs taken with live falcons, have their name written in Arabic calligraphy or engraved on a grain of rice, or try the complimentary coffee and dates on offer.
Getting out
If you're thinking of venturing farther, check out Al Ain's Bawadi Mall, where the Moroccan band Ittihad Tanger Andalus, who formerly starred in Arabs Got Talent, are playing during a month-long residency. For smoother sounds, head to Al Ain Mall, where instrumental qanoon and oud concerts are being held.
Visit www.eidfestabudhabi.ae or call 800 555 (toll-free) for more information.
Dubai organises Eid extravaganza
On Tuesday night, the local pop princess Ahlam will perform in front of her own crowd, accompanied by Lebanon's Ragheb Alama and the Egyptian crooner Hassan El Shafei. Also appearing that night is Khaled Abdul Rahman, the Saudi singer who has clocked up many hits – including Sarihini and Ahat – in his three-decade career.
Concert tickets begin from Dh150 and are available from www.ticketingco.com.
