UAE Diary: What to do this weekend?

Do you know what’s best about the lead up to the festivities? The pantomimes and the stage performances that promise fun-filled days for the whole family.
 
This year, Dubai has outdone itself with “The Nutcracker” and “The Wind in the Willows” delighting us this weekend.
 
Meanwhile, those who want to do their bit for charity need not look further than the Children of Palestine Gala Dinner in the capital that helps these young ones have a brighter tomorrow and a smile on their faces during Christmas.
 
If you are headed to Abu Dhabi, then why not make a weekend out of it and catch Bollywood’s music maestros Shankar Ehsaan and Loy as they sizzle on stage.
 
Emirates 24|7 brings you all the details and more.
 
Thursday, December 15
 
The Children of Palestine Gala Dinner, Abu Dhabi
 
Get giving during this festive season as MAP announces its first gala fundraising dinner in the UAE to raise money to help the children of Palestine.
 
This event will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research on December15 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
 
The children of Palestine have been suffering for years, as each generation has been forced to live through conflict, occupation and displacement.
 
At this event, MAP will shine a spotlight on these children whose daily lives are compromised by fear and deprivation as a result of the longest military occupation in the world.
 
In attendance at the dinner, which commences at 7.30pm, will be Marwan Tabari, the President of Palestinian Business Council, Dominic Jeremy, British Ambassador to the UAE, Robin Kealy, Chairman of MAP and ex British Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Ambassador to the UAE and many more dignitaries.
 
Tickets for this can be obtained for a donation of Dh500 each. For more information about this event or to purchase a ticket please contact: 050 446 4193
 
The Nutcracker
 
Christmas season would be incomplete without a stage performance of Tchaikovsky’s world famous classical ballets, “The Nutcracker”, when the highly acclaimed Vienna Festival Ballet Company returns to town.
 
The enchanting tale of “The Nutcracker” centres around Clara and her nutcracker doll, which magically transforms into a princely soldier. Their adventures see the Prince and Clara combat the Mouse King and join the Sugar Plum Fairy for a wonderful trip to a Kingdom made entirely of sweets.
 
The company’s founder, the hugely experienced Austrian dancer and artistic director, Peter Mallek, has handpicked a group of young, international talented dancers for this production, giving each performance vivacity, energy and freshness.
 
Vienna Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker promises to be a delightful treat for ballet fans and interested observers alike.
 
Oragnised by Art For All, tickets are priced at Dh165 and Dh185. Being staged at the Centrepoint Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, the weekend performances are as follows: Thursday 4.30pm and 8pm; Friday 11am, 4pm, 9pm; Saturday 11am, 2pm, 7pm. Call: 050 624 7392
 
Friday, December 16
 
Shankar Ehsaan Loy – The Kings of Bollywood Concert
 
It’s raining Bollywood celebs in the UAE these days.
 
After music maestro AR Rahman’s Dubai stopover on December 9, next in line to take to the stage, albeit in Abu Dhabi, are the talented trio, Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, and Loy Mendonsa (or SEL as many know them as).
 
The award winners will perform at ADNEC’s Abu Dhabi Hall for a one-off performance on Friday, December 16.
 
 “Shankar Ehsaan Loy are at the peak of their popularity and undoubtedly, three of the biggest names in Indian music today,” said Christina Anthony, Sales and Marketing Director, ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company), which is presenting the show, in a statement.
 
The trio is expected to deliver their trademark fusion of classical Hindustani and Carnatic music blended with western rock. But don’t forget to brush up on your Bollywood as we are quite sure SEL will include their chart-topping hits that could very well leave the audience dancing in the aisles.
 
For those not in the know, the talented musical trio have composed music for more than 50 films in four languages, including the hit film “My name is Khan,” which had its world premiere in Abu Dhabi last year and for which they received the Best Background Score at the International Indian Film Awards.
 
The award-winning trio of burst on to the Indian music scene in 1997, after making a name for themselves in the corporate world by composing ad jingles.
 
Late film director, Mukul Anand, recognised their immense potential and signed them on for his magnum opus, “Dus”.
 
Although the film never saw light of day, the SEL tag team’s music became a cult phenomenon as popularity for Anand’s last unfinished project grew.
 
The trio finally tasted their first commercial success with 2001’s “Dil Chahta Hai”, and there has been no looking back since. 
 
Over the last decade, SEL have composed reaped in awards for film soundtracks such as “Kal Ho Na Ho” (2003), “Kyon…! Ho Gaya Na” (2004), “Rock On!!” (2008) and “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” (2011).
 
Their success has been largely attributed to their sound that was previously unheard in Bollywood - hip, refreshing compositions that appealed to a younger audience.
 
To catch the trio in action, head to ADNEC before 7.30pm for what promises to be a scintillating performance.
 
Ticket prices start from Dh95 for standard seating and go up to Dh1,000 for the diamond package with front-row seats. Call: 02 406 3537
 
Saturday, December 17
 
The Wind in the Willows
           
Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates

Yet another Christmas favourite returns to the stage with the Dubai Drama Group presenting the classic tale of “The Wind in the Willows” this weekend.
 
Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad, the River Bankers and the Wild Wooders on their adventures in Alan Bennett’s stage version of Kenneth Grahame’s classic.
 
Watch as extravagant Toad ditches his newly acquired caravan, along with his trusty horse Albert, to pursue his sudden passion for motor cars, and driving them dangerously fast  that puts Toad away in prison.
 
What happens next? Who are the Wild Wooders and what do they do to Toad Hall while Toad is in prison? Well, you’ll just have to come along to find out.
 
The performance run all weekend at the Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates and Saturday is your last chance to catch the shows at 1pm and 7pm. Tickets are priced at Dh50.
 
Black

A never before seen stage performance, catch your breath as a musical orchestra and singers will put on a scintillating performance despite the fact that they are all visually challenged.
 
Head down to the Crowne Plaza Dubai and encourage these artists who are making a name for themselves in this world without allowing their physical challenges to pull them down.
 
Organised by Signature Events, tickets are priced at Dh75, Dh125, Dh250 and Dh350. Call: 04 337 3724

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