Dubai Shines With Stunning Performances, Events & Awards

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO DAZZLES IN SPECTACULAR FIRST PERFORMANCE FOR DUBAI OPERA

The eyes of the world were on Dubai as Dubai Opera held its first performance. Offering a first glimpse at one of the most anticipated venues to open in the UAE’s history, a lucky few were able to witness a breathtaking performance by world-class tenor Plácido Domingo.

With tickets for the first show at Dubai Opera selling out in just three hours when they went on sale in April this year, guests were welcomed from 6pm with canapés and beverages before taking their seats for the performance of a lifetime.

Jasper Hope, Chief Executive of Dubai Opera said: “Tonight was a musical moment in history. Dubai Opera looked stunningly beautiful tonight and those fortunate enough to be inside can confirm it sounded spectacular with a wonderful performance by the legendary Plácido Domingo.  We are very much looking forward to welcoming many more people to the venue over the next few days, weeks and months and firmly intend for Dubai Opera to make a major and lasting contribution for the future.”

Set to host an incredible range of world-class talent already, Dubai Opera can seat up to 2,000 people for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film, sports events and seasonal programmes and is the centrepiece of The Opera District.

The programme of events will allow visitors to experience world class performances in the most spectacular venue in the Middle East. The Dubai Opera programme is available to view online and tickets to The Pearl Fishers, The Barber of Seville, Opera Without Words, Coppélia, Giselle, Postcards from Vienna, Mozart Gala, Impossible, José Carreras, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Sara Baras, Anoushka Shankar, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, The Nutcracker on Ice and Slava’s Snowshow can be purchased online at www.dubaiopera.com.

PETER PAN DELIGHTS AUDIENCES ACROSS UAE

Arriving in Abu Dhabi straight from the enchanted island of Neverland, Peter Pan delighted audiences in an extraordinary theatre production, at Al Raha Beach Theatre from August 31st to September 3rd as part of AbuDhabi Summer Season.

Brought to Abu Dhabi by Alchemy Project in partnership with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority(TCA Abu Dhabi), theatre-goers found themselves enthralled in a mesmerizing experience of stunning visuals and theatrical magic they will not forget.

With more than 30 actors, dancers and acrobats from ten different countries performing on stage, the range of talent on display in this spectacle included everything from incredible somersaults to miraculous feats of illusion. Designed to be an immersive adventure for audiences of all ages, the show featured a number of narrative techniques that transformed the performance into an interactive experience.

While the imaginative sets shifted from a London home and library to vast green forests and lush rivers in an instant, the narrator of the story hovered by magic above the audience, guiding them through a tale of swashbuckling pirates and a whole world of adventure.

The story was told against the engaging backdrop of an original score from musical director Matt Dunkley, containing 16 classic songs from world-famous artists such as Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart and Supertramp.

Abu Dhabi Summer Season 2016 is an exciting programme of world-class international theatre shows, comedy acts, concerts, circus performances, and more that is being held at venues across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. The season, designed to entertain the entire family, spans Eid-al- Fitr, the school holidays and Indian Independence Day from July 7th to September 11th.

Close to 60 exclusive deals and offers across Abu Dhabi emirate are also available for the duration of the season. For more information about timings and tickets, please visit www.abudhabisummerseason.ae or call 800 TCA.

IMG WORLDS OF ADVENTURE OPENS IN DUBAI

IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park, opened on 31 August 2016.

Lennard Otto, Chief Executive Officer of IMG Worlds of Adventure, said: ‘We are excited about launching the world’s largest indoor theme park which will be a major tourism attraction for Dubai, the surrounding regions and the rest of the world. We have partnered with some of the biggest global brands in the industry, including Marvel and Cartoon Network and we have secured exceptional sponsors. We have developed many spectacular one-of-a-kind rides and attractions and we are now completing the final touches.”

Spanning 1.5 million square feet, equivalent to 28 football fields, IMG Worlds of Adventure is the first global theme park to bring international brands Marvel and Cartoon Network together, in addition to two proprietary brands IMG Boulevard and Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure. IMG Worlds of Adventure will also feature a unique array of roller coasters and attractions, complemented by 28 F&B and 25 retail outlets.

Tickets for entry to the park from 31st August onwards can be purchased now at www.IMGworlds.com.

ZERO GRAVITY ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL LINE-UP & NEW SUPERNATURAL SATURDAYS

Zero Gravity revealed its biggest programme of events to date. Now approaching its third iconic autumn/winter season, Dubai’s most-talked-about entertainment venue leads the masses back outside to its incredible poolside setting from September 22, while also taking Saturdays in a unique, new, underground direction – with the launch of SuperNatural.

From Friday September 30, Zero Gravity will reignite The Onshore Social, from 3pm to 6pm. At this later-starting, lively brunch, Zero Gravity showcases its most exciting international dishes, served on sharing-perfect platters and from interactive cooking and cocktail stations, alongside weekend-perfect music and entertainment.

Saturday October 1 marks the start of SuperNatural. Set to stamp Saturdays with a very different Zero Gravity identity, SuperNatural gives a platform to the industry’s underground, emerging, ‘in-the-know’ DJs, with a focus on electronic/tech house music. A day-to-night ‘voyage’ of artistic entertainment, SuperNatural takes inspiration from the world’s most musically-intense, tribal and theatrical festivals.

The concept aims to fuse the edge, passion and education of the Boiler Room revolution, with the idyllic beach-side setting that makes Zero Gravity jump so far off the map. SuperNatural builds from midday, beginning with a meticulously-crafted soundtrack from Zero Gravity’s portfolio of diverse resident DJs, and leading into an unmissable pre-sunset headline set from 5pm. Hypnotic French DJ/producer Sébastien Léger will pioneer the SuperNatural concept on Saturday October 1, before a rotation of stand-out international recruits, including thriving UK female duo Eli & Fur, Technasia from Paris and Spanish stalwart Cristian Varela.

SuperNatural takes place every Saturday at Zero Gravity from October 1. The event is free to enter, all day and night. For more information about Zero Gravity and general enquiries, call +971 4 399 0009 or visit www.0-gravity.ae. For reservations, call +971 55 500 9111.

CAYAN GROUP RECEIVES HIGH HONOUR FROM FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Cayan Group, the leading property developer in the Middle East, was recently honoured by Forbes Middle East as one of the ‘Top Real Estate Companies in The Arab World’ at a gala dinner. Mr. Raja Alameddine, VP- Head of Investments and Commercial, Cayan Group accepted the honour on behalf of the company.

This is the first year that Forbes Middle East offered the ‘Top Real Estate Companies in The Arab World’ category which also felicitated the top developers, agencies and consultants in the real estate sector. The gala dinner was organized to commend the current success of the sector in the Arab world and also to promote the role of the sector in building the future. The dinner reception was held at the Waldorf Astoria, Dubai Palm Jumeirah.

In 2015, Cayan was honoured as one of the ‘Top Companies in the Arab World’ by Forbes MiddleEast.