Fresh from her mammoth performance as part of the Special Olympics opening ceremony at Zayed Sports Stadium on March 14, Avril Lavigne's second Abu Dhabi gig was a stripped back affair.
The Canadian singer delivered a stirring two song set as part of the Special Olympics Health Athletes reception, held at Abu Dhabi’s Aloft Hotel two days later.
Lavigne, 34, took the make-shift outdoor stage early in the evening ceremony and sat on a stool, flanked by a pianist and guitarist.
With such a minimal musical backdrop, the performer was in 'ballad mode', as opposed to her fizzy pop stylings that produced the hits Sk8er Boi and Complicated.
But you know what? It may have been short but it was definitely sweet.
Lavigne started with Head Above Water, the lead single and title of her latest album. Rarely a subtle instrument, Lavigne's voice was powerful as it quavered within the song's dual emotions of hope and despair. The gentle piano and guitar were a welcome counterpoint to Lavigne's vocal fireworks.
For her closer, Lavigne said 'I will play something a little bit older now." The guitars strummed gently and Lavigne's "Oh, oh, oh" signalled that it was her 2004 hit My Happy Ending.
While the sting of the electric guitars may have been missing here, the acoustic treatment gave the song a more meditative feel. Where in the original she was frantically attempting to salvage a broken relationship, the Abu Dhabi version seemingly had her looking back at the whole affair with some wisdom.
It all goes to confirm that Lavigne’s talent hasn’t dimmed over the years and she remains a live drawcard. Judging by this short performance, let’s hope she considers an acoustic tour in the future.
Earlier in the day, Lavigne was enjoying her lavish surroundings at Emirates Palace. The singer and band posted photos on their social media accounts of riding camels down the private beach of the Abu Dhabi hotel.
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
