A new music event is coming to the UAE next week.
The inaugural Sharjah World Music Festival runs from January 15 to 18 with several international artists.
Opening the event next Wednesday at the emirate’s picturesque Al Qasba on the Corniche is the Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma who will team up with up Pakistan’s sitar maestro, Sharif Khan.
The following night will find the Lebanese singer and poet Jahida Wehbe supported by the European Fusion Band.
January 17 will see the Chilean flamenco guitarist Vicente Allende take the stage before the Jordanian crooner Macadi Nahhas closes the event the following night.
Al Qasba will host free concerts on two outdoor stages, while the main headliners will perform at ticketed events at Masrah Al Qasba, an indoor venue.
The venue manager Sultan Shattaf said the event holds promise for international music lovers.
“The Sharjah World Music Festival will be a cultural celebration of the best music from the international stage, with music from as far afield as Colombia and Japan, France and Syria,” he said. “From soothing oud and qanun to flamenco and jazz – there will be something for everyone.”
Tickets start at Dh125 and are available at www.alqasba.ae
[ sasaeed@thenational.ae ]
