ABU DHABI // Tickets for the George Michael and Alicia Keys concert next month look likely to sell out within 10 days, organisers said.
The event, at Zayed Sports City, will be the biggest concert ever staged in the UAE, with an audience of 30,000.
Flash, the concert presenters, have been pleased with sales, which range in price from Dh195 to Dh995.
"The tickets all the way through the price ranges have been selling really well," said John Lickrish, the managing director of Flash.
Keys, a Grammy award winner, will open for the British star on the eve of UAE National Day, with Michael expected on stage at 11pm.
It is the first time Keys, who has recorded the theme for Quantum of Solace, the latest Bond film, will perform on the same stage as Michael. The UAE event is said to be his last performance after 25 years in music.
The show will feature fireworks to mark the national holiday as Michael sings across midnight to see in the day marking 37 years of UAE independence. The concert is Michael's first performance in the Middle East.
Tickets can be bought on www.boxofficeme.com and in person from Virgin Megastores, Hallmark, Spinneys and Cellucom.
* The National
Company profile
Name: Yabi by Souqalmal
Started: May 2022, launched June 2023
Founder: Ambareen Musa
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: undisclosed but soon to be announced
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Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Company Profile
Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
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The five pillars of Islam
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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.