Dubai Events

Meydan today announced that international artistes Elton John and Santana will be performing ‘live’ at the 2010 Dubai World Cup on March 27. The 15th running of the Dubai World Cup also marks the official launch of the world’s largest integrated racing facility, the Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse.

Mohammad A Nasser Al Khayat, Commercial Director of Meydan speaks of the worldwide significance that March 27 will represent: “It is fitting that we have 2 legendary performers, Elton John and Santana, closing the 15th Dubai World Cup here at Meydan. They are iconic, inimitable and extremely dynamic entertainers. Not only will we see, what I am sure will be amazing world-class horseracing action throughout the evening, but we will also showcase an opening ceremony which will not only astound and touch the hearts of the people who will be there to witness a historical moment as we officially launch Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse. The concert will serve as a wonderful way to cap off an unforgettable night for all our guests, partners and the people around the world.”

Frank Gabriel Jr, CEO of the Dubai Racing Club added: “We have world-class horses, jockeys and trainers on one of the world’s most anticipated race days with US$26m in prize money at stake over 8 races. Add to that an amazing facility like Meydan, and with both Elton John and Santana to close the 15th Dubai World Cup and Meydan’s official launch – this will be the event of the year. I think our horsemen, guests and partners will be in for a spectacular treat and this will undoubtedly be a night to remember for a long time to come.”

The dual headliner concert is expected to commence after the last race at approximately 10.45 pm. Gates at Meydan Racecourse will open from 2pm for the races. Dubai World Cup Apron Views tickets start from AED 350, and exclusive Dubai World Cup Golden Circle tickets for up close access to the concert arena start at AED 600.

Tickets are available from 8 March, Monday, from Virgin Megastore, Box Office and Time Out.

For Virgin, please visit www.ticketingboxoffice.com.
For Box Office, please visit www.boxofficeme.com, or call +971 4 367 6699.
For Time Out, please visit www.timeouttickets.com, or call 800 4669.

For more information, please visit the Dubai Racing Club website at www.dubairacingclub.com.

The Meydan Hotel will also cater for guests, private functions and advance bookings may be made at www.themeydan.com . Hospitality and room reservations for the 2010 Dubai World Cup are expected to sell out quickly, therefore patrons are encouraged to confirm their reservations promptly to avoid disappointment.

For more information on Elton John, please visit his official website at www.eltonjohn.com
For more information on Carlos Santana, please visit his official website at www.santana.com

Tired of paying astronomical prices for last minute gifts on Valentine’s Day? This year, Dubai’s first singing telegram service offers a new and fun way to show your love.

The singing telegrams are the brainchild of Lorate Hamzeh, Managing Director of the new Dubai-based company The Big Moo. Canadian-born Lorate gave up a high-powered HR job to pursue her dream of starting a singing telegram service. “While singing telegrams are well-known in countries such as the U.S. and Canada, it’s something very new to Dubai,” said Lorate Hamzeh.

“We have seen tremendous interest in our singing telegrams since we launched The Big Moo in November. Our performers have been putting smiles on the faces of people all over Dubai and it’s a perfect idea for Valentine’s Day.”

The Big Moo utilizes a team of professional entertainers to deliver the singing telegrams to the homes or offices of the sender’s friends, relatives or loved ones. No two singing telegrams are the same: there are special characters to choose from and senders can even deliver themselves in an oversized gift box to propose to their Valentine. Prices begin at AED 297, making it an affordable gift alternative.

This Valentine’s Day, senders can choose from a variety of packages which can include a dozen long-stemmed red roses, a dozen sweet-heart cupcakes or other quality gifts together with their singing telegram message.

For children’s parties, The Big Moo offers performers who walk around the party in character. The birthday boy or girl also receives a balloon bouquet, party favours or even a piñata, a papier-mâché hanging character filled with sweets.

And what’s Dubai’s favourite singing telegram character? As it happens, a singing cow is the Big Moo’s best seller.

Anyone interested in making a Valentine’s Day booking or learning more about The Big Moo can visit their website: www.thebigmoouae.com

Chapal Sports and Dubai Sports City (DSC) have signed an exclusive agreement for all on-ground and sponsorship rights of the forthcoming Pakistan-England Twenty20 series to be played at the Dubai Sports City in February. As per the terms of this multi-million dirham deal, Chapal Sports has now acquired all marketing rights of the event including title sponsorship, presenting sponsorship, co-sponsorship, associate sponsorship, ground logos and boards, entertainment branding or any other advertising opportunity on the venue. England will be arriving in Dubai on February 14 and play the Twenty20 world champions before flying to Bangladesh on February 21. The matches will be held on February 19 and 20.

Chapal Sports is a UAE based full-spectrum sports management company, owned by the renowned real estate developers and master planners, the Chapal Group. Their scope of business includes sports events management, sports rights acquisition and re-selling, sports personalities’ management, developing and executing sports related mega events and projects. Having its head office in Dubai and branch offices in Karachi and London, the company primarily focuses on cricket besides other interests in hockey, soccer, golf and polo. Dr Ahsan Malik, the former marketing and commercial director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is the founding chief operating officer of Chapal Sports while Khurram Ijaz, former PCB general marketing, heads the business operations of the company.

Ahmed Chapal, the chief executive officer of Chapal Sports, said Tuesday that they were delighted to enter into this agreement with the DSC. “Considering that the world’s number one T20 team is up against a very competitive England side just before the T20 World Cup, the level of interest from cricket fans and hence the potential sponsors is enormous. We are confident to put up a wonderful show in collaboration with the DSC management and at the same time generate a good commercial value out of the event. Chapal Sports will always have the cricket passion on top of everything and especially when it comes to supporting Pakistan cricket,” he added.

This video shows the new Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium.

The impressive stadium opened on April 22 2009 with a one day international game between Australia and Pakistan.

The purpose-built cricket stadium has a capacity of 25,000 and is circular, ensuring that every seat has an equally excellent view of the action. Also note the floodlights are positioned on the edge of the roof (built more for shade than protection from rain).

The stadium was designed by German architects Gerkan, Marg and Partner.

Other stadia at Dubai Sports City are currently under construction:

• 60,000 seat multi-purpose outdoor stadium
• 10,000 seat multi-purpose indoor stadium
• 5,000 seat field hockey stadium

Video of Marwan & The Mojos performing at the Dubai International Jazz Festival 2009 at Dubai Media City.

This video is of American soul singer and songwriter John Legend performing at the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2009.

The Dubai International Jazz Festival is an annual event at Dubai Media City organised by Chill Out Productions.

The 2009 event ran from February 18 to 27. Other performers included Peter Cincotti, Spyro Gyra, James Blunt, Jonathan Butler, Dave Koz, and Incognito.

This time lapse video was taken at the Dubai International Boat Show in March 2009.

The Dubai International Boat Show is held annually at the Dubai International Marine Club at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort in Al Sufouh.

It is the largest boat show in the Middle East and in 2009 attracted around 26,000 buyers.

Exhibitors included Abeking & Rasmussen, AMELS, Feadship, Lurssen, Heesen Yachts, Burger Boats and Trinity Yachts.

The event was organised by Dubai World Trade Centre.

This video shows the fireworks display at the official opening of the Atlantis resort on the Palm Jumeirah in November 2008.

The display took place across the whole of the Palm Jumeirah and could apparently be seen from space.

Kylie Monogue performed at the opening ceremony, a lavish event that was attended by stars such as Robert DeNiro, Boris Becker, and Michael Jordan.

This video shows some of the entertainment taking place on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.

The dancers and acrobats are from Jumana Secret of the Desert, an open-air theatrical show now in its 3rd season at the Al Sahra Desert Resort in Dubailand.

This video shows Maske at the Dubai Summer Surprises festival in 2008.

Maske are a trio of female musicians from Australia, performing classical music on electric instruments.

They appeared at the Ibn Battuta Mall, Festival Centre at Dubai Festival City, the Reef Mall in Deira, and the Times Square Center.