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