Music stars, the need for speed and William Shatner.
One Direction
April 4
The Sevens Stadium, Al Ain Road, UAE
The biggest boyband on the planet comes to Dubai to give eager teenage girls and women old enough to know better a heart-throbbing and pulse racing musical performance. Starting out as X-Factor hopefuls, the band has grown into a worldwide phenomenon with its pop tunes and the band’s boyish good looks. Hits such as What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We’re Young and Best Song Ever are bound to get the crowd bopping with the beats dropping as the group continues on its world tour.
Tickets are sold out for this event, but to follow any developments, visit Time Out Tickets at www.itp.net/tickets.
Middle East Film & Comic Con
9-11 April
Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, UAE
Go to this event and you may see William Shatner, or, to use his real name, Captain Kirk, from Star Trek. Really, there’s a chance! He’s one of the celebs at the exhibition where you can celebrate all things comics, sci-fi, anime, and film in general, as well as buy memorabilia and learn about local content such as Freej. Stalls from exhibitors such as Marvel are sure to bring out the kid in you, no matter what age, and informative classes and seminars can help you become a comic book genius.
From AED130. Children under five free. Tickets at www.mefcc.com/tickets.
Paolo Nutini
April 10
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, UAE
Paolo Giovanni Nutini, Scotland’s and Italy’s shared success story (though he is actually as Scottish as they come), is performing for one night only and will be singing hits from his latest album, Caustic Love, as well as tunes from his other two studio albums – These Streets and Sunny Side Up. The Brit Awards nominated artist is best known for hits such as Pencil Full of Lead and Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, as well as Scream (Funk My Life Up) from Caustic Love. Nutini aficionados will be well aware of his distinctive, blue-eyed soul/rock type genre, making this gig something special for those that like his husky tones.
Tickets range from AED250-900 from Time Out Tickets at www.itp.net/tickets.
30 Seconds to Mars
April 10
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Oscar-winning actor and musician Jared Leto is in the region with his band 30 Seconds to Mars for its first ever concert in Dubai. The American rock band, from Los Angeles, which is currently on its Love Lust Faith + Dreams tour, is performing alongside Middle East Film and Comic Con 2015, which runs from April 9-11.
Tickets are priced afrom AED295 for general admission with fan pit and VIP access also available. Limited edition meet-and-greet tickets are also available from www.adventuresinwonderland.com.
2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
April 17-19
Bahrain International Circuit, Zallaq, Bahrain
Bahrain’s biggest event of the year is back with plenty of adrenaline-fuelled entertainment for all the family. For the second year in a row, the island is hosting the main race at night and throughout the weekend motor sports fans can also catch the GP2 series and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. Alongside all the racing action, taking place are performances by American rapper Pitbull, British pop group The Vamps and Swedish DJ Otto Knows. Weekend passes start from BD30 for children and BD60 for adults.
The country comes alive during this weekend, as plenty of exciting after-parties take place in various venues as well, and other performances in the pipeline include Jamaican dancehall rapper Sean Paul, French house music DJ Bob Sinclar, German electronic dance music by DJ Paul Van Dyk and British rapper Jay Sean.
Visit www.bahraingp.com for information on Formula One and www.timeoutbahrain.com for information on the after parties.
Cinderella (La Ceneretola) – Opera by Gioacchino Rossini
April 24 & 26
Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman
First performed in Rome in 1817, Cinderella, or Le Ceneretola by Gioacchino Rossini, is an operatic ‘dramma giocoso’ (genre of opera popular in the mid-18th century) in two acts. This variation of the traditional story of Cinderella, based on the fairy tale Cendrillon by Charles Perrault, uses a wicked stepfather, Don Magnifico, and a bracelet as opposed to a glass slipper. Rossini composed the opera when he was 25 years old, after his success with The Barber of Seville, and completed it all in just three weeks. It’s considered to encompass some of his finest writing for solo voice and ensembles.
Visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.
Blended 2015
April 30-May 1
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, UAE
For a second year in a row, Blended music festival returns with a brand new line-up of smooth and funky artists including, on the first night, British indie rock outfit Kasabian, singer Jessie Ware and R&B legend Craig David. The second night features classic group Kool and the Gang, smoothie Robin Thicke, and new artists Nico and Vinz.
Tickets are available from Virgin Megastore from AED390 (picnic style) or AED695 (Blended Lounge). Visit www.blended.ae.
