If a staycation is on the cards this summer, you’re in luck. Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA), along with Flash Entertainment and Alchemy Projects, are bringing to the capital more than 50 international artists, concerts and stage performances from June 5 until August 31.
Stage debuts
This year, TCA and Alchemy Projects-Entertainment have organised for onstage extravaganzas that have toured the world to make their next stop in the capital. The line-up begins with Cinderella by the Royal Moscow Ballet on Friday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). The classic fairy tale will be recreated by ballet dancers to the music of Sergei Prokofiev.
On Sunday, the internationally acclaimed dance troupe Pilobolus Dance Theatre will bring its new performance Shadowland to the capital. This medley of shadow act, dance, circus and concert incorporates multiple moving screens of different sizes and shapes that bring together projected images and live choreography. The music ranges from ballads to rock numbers and is composed by the American musician and film composer David Poe.
La Verità by the producers of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo will be staged from August 21 to 31 at Adnec. Against the backdrop of an original Salvador Dalí painting, performers will pay homage to the life and work of the 20th-century artist.
The world-renowned illusionist and endurance artist David Blaine will be making his Middle East debut at Emirates Palace this summer. The American magician will be performing his daredevil stunts, which have racked up 38 million views on YouTube. The shows are on August 21, 22 and 23.
The United Nations of Comedy will be back again this year on August 28 and 29. After sold-out shows in the capital last year the troupe, including Nemr Abou Nassar, Aron Kader, Mo Amer, Fahad Albutairi, Khaled Khalafalla, Amir K and Sammy Obeid, will be back on stage for a rib-tickling performance based on observations of the Arab world.
Musical nights
Artists from the Arab world and Bollywood are set to keep audiences swaying all night this summer. On August 14, past winners of Arabs' Got Talent and The Voice Middle East will perform at Emirates Palace.
Mohammed Assaf, known as Asaroukh (The Rocket), will return, joined by Ahmed El Bayed and Mohammed Al Dairi of Arabs' Got Talent fame. That will be followed by the Bollywood playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan's concert of her latest hits, backed by a dance group, on August 15.
The art of the matter
A History of the World in 100 Objects is the third in a series of exhibitions leading up to the launch of the Zayed National Museum in 2016 and will be on until August 1. The show, which is being held in collaboration with the British Museum, is the first such exhibition based on the popular BBC series. Visitors will be able to get in-depth information on historical objects on display and sign up for workshops, tours and seminars at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Winning photographs from the Emirates Photo-graphy Competition are on display at Manarat Al Saadiyat until August 16 as well.
Outdoor fun
The world’s first on-water inflatable park will be open until July 31 to give some respite from the rising temperatures. The play area has the world’s biggest inflatable water slide, which is 70 metres long and 17 metres high. Pick teams and get involved in bossaball, bubble ball football and soap football. Or take up a personal challenge and complete an obstacle course.
The zoo isn’t the best option for a summer outing during the day but Al Ain Zoo has started offering night tours from June 1 – see desert wildlife, attend classes that teach about their habitats and participate in a crocodile-feeding session.
Football fever
Flash Entertainment brings the Fifa World Cup on giant screens from June 12 to July 13 at du Forum, Yas Island. During Ramadan, iftar will be served at the venue, which will be converted into a fair with separate areas for ladies, families and football fans.
Kids corner
July 31 to August 2
Emirates Palace will be hosting a full-length version of Freej Live: Abood's Dream, a locally produced cartoon which focuses on the hilarious life of the main character Abood. Shows between 2pm and 5pm
June 6 -27; August 8-29
Foster a love for cooking by signing the kids up for pizza making and dessert baking classes at the Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort in the capital.
June 15 to August 15
Mafraq Hotel will be organising a camp for children between the ages of five and 12 years. Activities include swimming, tennis, badminton, martial arts, table tennis, cookery and basic housekeeping.
For more information and tickets for events during Abu Dhabi Summer Season, visit abudhabievents.ae. For shows organised by Flash Entertainment, visit www.thinkflash.ae. For Alchemy Project performances, visit alchemy-project.com
[ aahmed@thenational.ae ]
