For the fifth year running, F1 is returning to Abu Dhabi. As well as the thrilling race action from Yas Marina Circuit, the event is accompanied by a host of musical shows and activities across the city.
THE MUSIC
While the F1 goers will be enjoying the likes of Jay Z, Muse, Depeche Mode and Amr Diab at the post-race concerts, those without tickets will still get their share of entertainment. At a media briefing at the Yas Hotel, Mike Fairburn, the vice president of marketing and communications for the event organiser Flash, revealed some of the names of those performing at the Beats on the Beach concerts.
These take place from Thursday, October 31 to Saturday, November 2, on the Abu Dhabi Corniche beach area and are free of charge. One of the major draws will undoubtedly be the Lebanese superstar singer Assi El Helani. Expect masses of his fans to turn up to see him perform some of his biggest hits, such as the timeless Wani Marek Mareit.
Another must watch show will be that of Mohamed Assaf, the hugely-talented Palestinian who enraptured millions of TV viewers when he won Arab Idol earlier this year. Joining them will be UAE singer Shamma Hamdan, who was catapulted to fame after coming third on the TV show Arabs Got Talent. She’s known for combining Khaleeji-style vocals with the acoustic guitar.
Meanwhile, Lebanese rocker Jay Wud, who has supported the likes of Guns ‘n’ Roses and Robert Plant, will also be on the bill.
The UAE’s Filipino community will be thrilled to hear that the veteran crooner Gary Valenciano will be playing on the Thursday night. The megastar, also known as Gary V, has released 28 albums over the years.Also hailing from the Philippines is Vina Morales, the hugely popular singer and actor. As well as having 16 albums under her belt, she holds the acclaim of being the first ever Filipino to sing at the New York International Music Festival.
Fans of RnB should make sure they watch Ciara, the US songstress who has collaborated with the likes of Chris Brown, Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake.
The local music scene will also be represented at Beats on the Beach, with the likes of indie rockers Chronicles of Khan and Beat Antenna and funksters Bull Funk Zoo.Meanwhile, Fairburn says that another big-name Western musical act will be performing on Saturday night. “This will be announced very shortly,” he says. Fairburn said when choosing acts, appealing to Abu Dhabi’s multinational populace was a prime concern.“
We looked at the population of Abu Dhabi, which is very multicultural. So Beats and the Beach has to be about artists that appeal to all these different groups. I hope we have achieved this,” he says.
THE ACTIVITIES
Apart from the music, there will also be a series of other events and activities to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the inaugural F1 in Abu Dhabi.For a start, the F1 Fanzone will return to the Corniche for an 11-day programme from Thursday, October 24 to Sunday, November 4.
As well as autograph signings, merchandise shops and race simulators, all race action from Yas Marina Circuit will be shown on giant screens. There will also be an emphasis on Emirati heritage with some cultural exhibitions on show.On October 24 of the F1, Fanzone organisers will be attempting to bag Abu Dhabi a Guinness World Record.
They are inviting people to the Corniche beach where they will attempt to set the record for the most people twirling chequered flags ever, with more than 250 flags expected to be unfurled.
The following day, a mass car parade is planned on Yas Island, where motor-heads will get the chance to decorate their cars then show off their prized vehicles.On top of this, a new Yas Marina Village on Yas Island will be unveiled to the public on Thursday, October 24 - a locale where visitors can enjoy performers, musicians and arts and crafts activities.
FITNESS DRIVE
For the first time in its history, the Yasalam programme will incorporate an attempt to improve the health of Abu Dhabi’s residents. The Get Driver Fit scheme is a tie-up with health insurance company Daman that will offer numerous free fitness and sports classes to people across the city. They attempt to showcase the optimal fitness levels that F1 drivers require to compete, and use this to inspire others to a healthier lifestyle. These start on September 15 and run right up to the November 2, the day before the F1 Grand Prix final race. The programme includes exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates and Zumba and sporting activities such as archery, kayaking, running, cycling and tennis.
* For more information about any of the events visit www.yasalam.ae
For performance times and tickets, visit www.thinkflash.ae and www.yasalam.ae
Follow us
[ @LifeNationalUAE ]
Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.
