Being impulsive and going with the flow may sound like novel ideas if you have a long vacation coming up. But if you are looking at a two or three-day break, a little planning may help you milk every second. The Eid break is no different.
The next three days will see Dubai transform into a hotbed of concerts, clubbing events and musicals. So instead of being stricken by information overload, here is a round-up of activities that are worth checking out.
Live acts led by the Arabic and Asian pop brigade and fun activities for children are just the beginning. Eid District, a maiden venture undertaken by the Dubai government to transform Dubai Festival City into a cultural and entertainment hub during the festival, is another highlight. With this guide in hand, there's little standing between you and a rocking Eid.
Barney's magical castle
Make way for the lovable purple dinosaur Barney this Eid and gear up for a medieval themed adventure trip. Kings and knights traipsing around an enchanted forest along with a costume parade and dozens of tunes to entertain children is a part of the Barney Magical Castle show. Two shows will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai at 4pm and 6pm on the first, second, third, and fourth day of Eid.
Date: October 1 to 3
Venue: Airport Expo, East Hall, Dubai
Tickets: Dh25, Dh50 and Dh100
Time: 4pm and 6pm
Contact: 600545555
Rock Nation 2
If your idea of unwinding revolves around a serious head-banging session, join local bands Sandwash and Point Of View as they belt out your favourite rock anthems at the Rock Nation gig.
Date: October 4
Venue: Touch, Four Points Sheraton
Time: 10pm
Tickets: Dh35
Contact: 050-1139873
Return of the Phoenix
A dramatic spectacle that combines drama, history and music, will be staged during the Eid break. From the stables of the Rahbani family from Lebanon, the acclaimed musical Return Of The Phoenix underlines the faith and tenacity of the human race. Written by the iconic writer and composer Mansour Rahbani, produced by Osama Rahbani and directed by Marwan Rahbani, the play will be staged outside Lebanon for the first time.
Date: October 1 to 3
Venue: Airport Expo, East Hall, Dubai
Tickets: Dh125 to Dh1,000 (Available at Virgin Megastores)
For details log on to www.mydsf.ae
Hit the dance floor
German trance-master Paul Van Dyk promises to lure you to the dance floor with his signature mix of electronic music. With no office or early wake-up calls standing in the way of a late night, there's simply no reason to give this one a miss.
Date: October 3
Venue: Madinat Arena, Dubai
Time: 10pm
Tickets: Dh200
Contact: 04-3676699
The Stranglers
If you are in the mood to listen to some dark and chaotic music, head to the Tennis Stadium this Friday. British punk pop stars including JJ, Baz, Jet and Dave promise a night of unadulterated, raucous performance.
Date: October 3
Venue: Dubai Tennis Stadium, Irish Village, Gharoud
Time: Doors open at 9pm
Tickets: Dh175
Contact: 04-2824750
Disco Dandiya 2008
Coinciding with the Eid celebrations is the nine-day Indian dance festival Navratri. Winners of the popular TV talent hunt show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa including Mouli Dave and Aneek Dhar will regale the dancers with a string of dandiya folk tunes. DJs Suketu, NYK and Naved will also mix tracks at the turntables.
Date: October 2 to 4
Venue: Zabeel Park (Gate No 3), Area A
Tickets: Dh50 (per day) and Dh80 (per day, couples)
Contact: 055-6816338
Shaan, Strings and Overload concert
Indian singer Shaan and Pakistani pop band Strings are thrilled to be performing together in Dubai and adding their brand of festive flavour to the Eid proceedings. Three hours of non-stop entertainment without brandishing the patriotic card is what they promise. Singer Shaan says, "I don't take my role as a goodwill ambassador seriously enough nor do I hope to unite two countries at the end of the concert. What we intend to do, is play some great music."
The award-winning Bollywood singer, 35, with a repertoire of hits including Chaand Sifarish (Fanaa) and Jab Se Tere Naine (Saawariya), adds that his priority was to put together a track line-up that was not monotonous.
"With so many concerts lined up, an artist often ends up on an auto-mode, playing the same kind of numbers. But I have been in talks with Strings and we are planning to do something different this year. One thing is definite, we are steering away from the patriotic numbers," says Shaan.
The lead vocalist of Strings, Faisal Kapadia, is quick to second his opinion. In a phone interview, Kapadia said that his band mate Bilal Maqsood and he would be treating fans in Dubai to some new numbers from their latest album Koi Aane Waala Hai.
"Our primary goal is to have fun on stage and give our listeners an experience to cherish. We are trying to mix it up and add some new flavours and sounds to our hit numbers," says Kapadia. One of Pakistan's most popular bands, Strings was formed in 1988 by four college students and later disbanded in 1992. But much to the delight of Pakistani pop fans, the founding members Maqsood and Kapadia chose to make comeback in 2000 and are believed have been instrumental in reviving the sagging pop industry in Pakistan.
"It's not the best time of times to be a musician. But through our love songs, we hope to make a difference in people's lives and bring a cheer to their faces. This is our Eid gift," says Kapadia. Joining them in their quest for an electrifying live act is the relatively new Pakistani band Overload.
Date: October 3
Venue: Tennis Stadium, Dubai Aviation Club
Time: 9pm (Gates open at 8pm)
Ticket price: Dh150, Dh250 and Dh500 (Sind Punjab restaurants, Karachi Darbar, Bombay Chowpaty, Pak Ghazi and ARY Jewellery outlets)
Contact : 050-5502019 or 050-2371645
Eid District
Dubai Festival City is likely to be a multi-tasker's paradise this Eid. The one-stop-shopping destination, also called Eid District, has put together a set of activities that will appeal to both adults and children. From musical shows to a host of family-oriented cultural events and a 25-minute firework display, the attractions are many.
Based on the similar concept of Dubai Summer Surprises, this maiden initiative by the Dubai goverment has converted the expansive DFC area into five entertainment zones such as the Fun Fair (a play area for children) and Heritage Zone (with Arabic exhibits). A host of artists from across the region will play music with distinct regional flavours. The groups will also perform special Eid music for visitors to Dubai Festival City.
Date: October 1 to 3
Venue: Dubai Festival City
Contact: 600545555
Your date with the stars
When it comes to variety, there's no beating this four-day extravaganza. The series of concerts, organised by MBC, will see pop stars from across the Arab region kicking up a festive frenzy. The four-day musical extravaganza will host stars from countries including Lebanon, Kuwait and Tunisia. The first day of Eid will see Lebanese superstars Assi Helani, Nawal Al Zaoughbi and Adel Mahmoud take to the stage. Watch out for Helani's chart-topping hits including Wani Mareq Mareet, Mali Saber, Shoag Al Sahara and Kayed Ozzalak.
The second day marks the appearance of Kuwaiti superstar Abdullah Rouwashi, Lebanese singing sensation Najwa Karam and upcoming star Mohammad Zaylaaii.
Meanwhile, the third day sees the turn of Tunisian singer and composer Saber Rebai belting out his hits including Hayarouni. The last day is the grand finale with legendary Syrian singer George Wassouf taking to the stage. Arabic sensation Nancy Ajram is another star attraction.
Date: First, Second, Third and Fourth day of Eid
Venue: Airport Expo, East Hall, Dubai
Tickets: Dh350 (Regular tickets: Available at Virgin Megastores)
Time: 7pm
Contact: 04-3414353
