Local acts set to shine at Dubomedy

Expect jokes about driving styles from around the world and Tom Cruise defying death in Dubai at a four-day festival of performing arts that promises to celebrate local talent.

Dubomedy, which organisers say is the first-ever festival of its kind in the GCC, will feature a range of homegrown musical, comedy, theatre and spoken word acts.

Dubomedy Arts runs classes in various disciplines for children and adults alike in the emirate and the festival will serve to give its students the chance to hone their craft through workshops and panels, while entertaining local audiences.

The school, which has been in operation since 2007, hopes the initiative will help it find a larger audience.

Ali Al Sayed, co-founder of Dubomedy and CEO of entertainment firm Viva Arts calls the festival the first step to recognising and celebrating local artists and productions. “We have been importing entertainment for as long as I can remember, with this festival and initiative, our vision is to export entertainment to the world and show what the UAE has to offer” he said. “There is a lot of talent here.”

Mina Liccione, head teacher at Dubomedy Arts School and artistic director of Viva Arts says she’s hoping the event will serve to nurture the arts community in Dubai, while bringing the city together.

The event kicks off on November 10 with a night of comedy and dance, with students of the school variously performing monologues, improvisation games and intricate salsa routines.

Day two showcases the works of Dubomedy’s first performance and writing class, ending with an inter-media spoken word performance by the American poet and guest teacher Nicholas Karavatos, followed by two theatre productions, “Musecal Chairs”, an ensemble piece, and “My Little Bit Life,” a one-act play about migrant workers.

Local model and actor Nitin Mirani will be part of a panel examining comedy in Arabia and Pakistani stand up comic Saad Haroon will share his expertise in a free workshop, while a medley of professional stand-up comics will perform in The Big Comedy Show at Dubai Mall’s Reel Cinemas on the following day.

A panel on hip-hop in Arabia on November 13 will feature Kuwaiti rapper Ya’koob Al Refaie, while local super-heroes Abri discuss the state of the music industry in the region with manager Rebecca Brianceau.

The festival closes with an original music concert at the floating stage in Dubai Festival City, as a motley crew of hip hop artists, rock bands, and beatboxers take the stage for three hours of their best songs, with the bill topped by local act Behold The Locus.

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