Mohammed Abdu set to perform at Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation

The Saudi singer is set to headline the foundation’s December performing arts programme

Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu performs during a concert in Jeddah on January 30, 2017. - Saudi Arabia's "Paul McCartney" took to the stage as the kingdom seeks to boost entertainment despite religious warnings of "depravity." The performance was the first major concert in seven years in the kingdom's second city, according to Arab News. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AMER HILABI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [AMER HILABI] instead of [AMEER ALHALBI]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.”
Powered by automated translation

In what is certain to be a sold-out event, Saudi sensation Mohammed Abdu is set to perform at the Cultural Foundation Theatre in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, December 7. Though Abdu is no stranger to the local music scene, this would mark his first performance in the UAE this year.

The Artist of the Arabs - an epithet given to Abdu by the late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba - has had a music career spanning four decades. He grew up in an orphanage and was initially set to study shipbuilding, planning on becoming a sailor like his father. However, after he was discovered on the Baba Abbas radio show in 1960, Abdu's career path changed. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since then, Abdu has released thousands of songs and more than thirty albums. He is most celebrated for his preservation of mawrouth (heritage songs), doing so without changing much of their musical arrangements and build ups. Abdu took an eight-year long break from singing after the death of his mother in 1989. His comeback came during the Saudi National Day celebrations of 1977 with an orchestra of more than 80 musicians. That same year, Abdu released five albums.

The upcoming concert is the headlining event of the Cultural Foundation’s December performing arts programme. Events include dance, theatre and musical performances taking place alongside art exhibitions and workshops catered to both children and adults. The performances at the Cultural Foundation will run from Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, December 15. Some of the events will take place as part of the Al Hosn Festival—a new addition to Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar—running from Thursday, December 12 to Thursday, December 19.

The Cultural Foundation also inaugurated several new spaces last September, including a 900-seat theatre, the Abu Dhabi Children's Library, as well as artist studios and workshop spaces, including Bait Al Khatt (House of Calligraphy).

This December at the Cultural Foundation 

Mohammed Abdu

Saturday, December 7; 8pm – 10pm

Cultural Foundation Theatre

Tickets: Dh250 - Dh1000

VIP Box (4 seats): Dh5,000

London Vegetable Orchestra - Arab World Premiere

Sunday, December 8;, various times

Monday, December 9; various times

Cultural Foundation, various locations

Entry: Free

Majareeh (The Wounded), presented by Sharjah National Theatre

Tuesday, December 10; 8pm – 10pm

Cultural Foundation Theatre

Tickets: Dh30

Freek + Khawater Al Dhalam

Wednesday, December 11; 8pm – 10pm

Cultural Foundation Theatre

Tickets: Dh75 - Dh150

Jadal

Thursday, December 12; 8pm – 10pm

Cultural Foundation Theatre

Tickets: Dh75 - Dh150

Che Malambo - Arab World Premiere

Friday, December 13; 8pm – 10pm

Saturday, December 14, 8pm – 10pm

Cultural Foundation Theatre

Tickets: Dh75 - Dh150

Iftah Ya Simsim

Friday 13 December; 5pm ; 6pm; 7pm

Saturday 14 December; 5pm ; 6pm; 7pm

Abu Dhabi Children’s Library

Entry: Free – registration required

Maywa Denki

Sunday 15 December; 8pm – 10pm

Cultural Foundation Theatre

Cultural Foundation Theatre Tickets: Dh75 - Dh150

Najat Makki: Luminescence

Daily until Sunday, December 20

Cultural Foundation, Ground Floor, Exhibition Hall

Tribute: A Dedication to Najat Makki

Daily until Sunday, December 20

Cultural Foundation, First Floor, Community Exhibition Hall