After rocking the beach in Dubai at Sandance this month, Rudimental are set to making the journey to Abu Dhabi to headline the a weekend of Formula 1 after-parties at the Yas Viceroy.
There will be events at the Podium Lounge on the Marina Wing rooftop each night from Thursday, November 20, until Sunday, November 23, with the Brit Award winners headlining on Sunday.
Smokingroove and DJ Patrick Oliver will headlining on Thursday, electronica outfit Sister Bliss on Friday, and Grammy award winning dance-music duo Dirty Vegas on Saturday.
Freddie Hunt will be guest host of The Podium Lounge and will pay tribute to his father, the legendary British racing driver James Hunt. He will be joined by former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve who won motorsports’ biggest prize in 1997.
Ticket prices start at DH 350, available at www.podiumlounge.com/ae/tickets, by e-mailing vip@podiumlounge.com or calling: +971 (0)55 309 5495. - The National staff
Jersey Boys fly in for a Taste of Abu Dhabi
The inaugural Taste of Abu Dhabi, the capital's new food, drink and music festival, will rock to the sounds of the Four Seasons, as a leading tribute band featuring members of the cast of Broadway smash hit Jersey Boys play a one-off concert as the centrepiece event of the festival's opening night on Thursday, November 6 at the du Arena on Yas Island. The Four Seasons, the American rock and pop band who stormed the charts in the '60s with a string of hits, inspired the musical, which has become a success on both sides of the Atlantic. Cast members from the show will perform from a range of songs from the show, including Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, Candy Girl and Ain't That a Shame. Tickets cost Dh65, from www.ticketmaster.ae. The price also includes entry to Taste of Abu Dhabi. - The National staff
Image Nation documentary to premiere in New York
A UAE-produced documentary, that sheds light on the Polio epidemic in Pakistan will have its world premiere at the DOC NYC film festival in November.
Produced by Image Nation – a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, which is the publisher and owner of The National – Every Last Child is the dramatic story of five people caught up in the polio crisis in Pakistan. At one time nearly eradicated, Polio is on the rise and just this year was declared a global health crisis by the World Health Organization.
While the virus is endemic in three countries, Pakistan is the key to eradication – 80 per cent of all cases stem from the country and more than 200 cases were diagnosed this year.
This year, the UAE launched the Pakistan Assistance Program, which aims to vaccinate 3.65million children in three months, targeting remote areas of the country.
Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation said: “We are thrilled that Every Last Child has been accepted into the fifth annual DOC NYC festival. As the world witnesses the dramatic events of the current Ebola outbreak, Every Last Child brings home the fact that we are all citizens of one global community.”
Award-winning filmmaker Tom Roberts will be at the festival to discuss his work.
He said: “The film was a rewarding but often tragic adventure – meeting children crippled by Polio was heart wrenching. It was an honour to record the work of many brave men and women – virtually all of them Pakistani – risking their lives to ensure the future of their country.”
Every Last Child will premiere on November 14. The trailer for the film will be showcased at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival on World Polio Day, October 24. - The National staff
Smash-hot musical stage show Mamma Mia! coming to Dubai
The award-winning stage-musical smash Mamma Mia! is coming to Dubai. The touring show will start the new year with 14 performances at Dubai World Trade Centre between January 2 and 10. Based on the classic hits from Swedish pop band ABBA, Mamma Mia! combines the storytelling magic of the timeless songs with an enchanting tale of love, family and friendship on a Greek island paradise. The awe stage show has been seen by more than 54 million people in 14 languages. It is celebrating an incredible 15 years in London's West End and is the ninth-longest-running musical on Broadway. In 2008, it was adapted for the big screen in a movie starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan that is the highest-grossing live action musical film of all time. Tickets cost from Dh195 are on sale now at www.platinumlist.ae. For more information, visit www.yakevents.com - The National staff
Pitbull to host American Music Awards
Pitbull will host the 2014 American Music Awards. The platinum-selling rapper will also perform at the event on November 23 at Nokia Theatre in LA, which will be broadcast live on US TV.
Later that week, Pitbull will perform during the halftime show on Thanksgiving Day when the Dallas Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL on November 27 game at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Iggy Azalea leads the nominations at the AMAs with six. John Legend, Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams have five each, and Lorde is up for four. Those acts are all nominated for artist of the year, competing with Beyoncé, Luke Bryan, Eminem, Imagine Dragons and One Direction. - AP
British Royal baby due in April
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed that their second baby is due in April – the first time they’ve given the expected month of the royal birth.
Kensington Palace also said that the duchess, who has been affected by a prolonged bout of severe morning sickness, continues to improve.
Kate Middleton and Prince William are scheduled to welcome Singapore’s president, Tony Tan, when he arrives for a four-day state visit to the UK this week.
The duchess cancelled several engagements after her second pregnancy was announced in early September. She had acute morning sickness during the first trimester of her pregnancy with Prince George, who was born on July 22, 2013 . - AP
Buffy The Vampire Slayer star apologises after arrest
Former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon has apologised for the behaviour that led to his arrest in a hotel lobby in Idaho.
The actor, who played Buffy’s pal Xander Harris on the show from 1997 until 2003, said on Facebook that he made a mistake by mixing prescribed pain medication and alcohol.
“The result was embarrassing and unacceptable,” he wrote. “I intend to seek appropriate treatment and therapy for my medical ailments as well as my emotional demons.”
He said the physical pain was caused by a cyst behind his kneecap, but he didn’t elaborate on his emotional demons.
Brendon had been participating in the Tree City Comic Con at a Boise expo centre where fans could have a photo taken with him for $40 and get his autograph for $30. Officers took the 43-year-old actor into custody after responding to a disturbance at 9.30pm on Friday. He faces misdemeanour charges of resisting officers and malicious injury to property.
Police said he showed signs of being intoxicated and refused to remain seated while officers spoke to witnesses. Hotel officials said Brendon broke a decorative dish and they want to press charges. Brendon was booked in the Ada County Jail and released after posting a bond.
“During this difficult time, I appreciate understanding as I pursue rehabilitation – and I value support as I earn redemption with my family, friends and fans,” Brendon said. - AP
