ABU DHABI // Bollywood spectaculars, stage shows featuring popular children’s cartoon characters and stand-up comedians are all in the line-up for Abu Dhabi Summer Season.
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority has teamed up with UAE event organisers to bring ticketed and free international events and activities to several venues in the emirate from July 20 to August 20, said Mubarak Al Shamsi, director of the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.
“Summer season is the vacation season, so we make sure that during that month we will fill that gap with as many quality and unique events as possible to deliver to the different audiences in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
The capital has already enjoyed an increase in visitors this year as the number of hotel guests rose 4 per cent in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year, according to TCA. Summer Fest 2017 is intended to keep the momentum going as the emirate hopes to attract 4.9 million hotel guests by the end of the year, said Mr Al Shamsi.
“Events are crucial and an essential element of the tourism sector today, and Abu Dhabi is a great platform for it,” he said. “We make sure that we do it right and make Abu Dhabi the new frontier for events.”
Cat-and-mouse team Tom and Jerry will be joined by 16 more characters for The Crystal Quest, a 75-minute stage show that will be performed in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Ticketed shows will be held over two weekends in the cities. The characters will also visit a mall in the capital to interact with visitors in August.
Iftah Ya Simsim cartoon characters will also visit local malls for a special performance written for Abu Dhabi filled with song-and-dance routines.
A Broadway-style Bollywood show called Balle Balle: The Great Indian Wedding Musical will appeal to visitors of all ages in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra.
“It has a great mix of Bollywood music, high-energy songs, amazing choreography, beautiful costumes – all the elements to make a great two-hour spectacle,” said Allister Mascarenhas, of Wizcraft International Entertainment. “We’d like to invite all of you to witness the biggest and craziest Indian wedding.”
On August 18, another ticketed Bollywood-style performance will take place in the capital in celebration of India’s independence day, which is commemorated three days earlier.
The Comedy Superstars returns this year after selling out the past two years. In the past comedians included Eddie Griffin, Charlie Murphy and Marlon Wayans. Headliners for the show have yet to be announced.
rpennington@thenational.ae