An eclectic line-up of music events is set to take place across the UAE in the week following Eid Al Fitr, featuring everything from pop concerts and high-profile club performances to children's musicals.
While no official date has been confirmed yet, the Emirates Astronomical Society previously stated that Eid Al Fitr is likely to begin on March 31. The official date will be determined by the UAE's moon-sighting committee in the final days of Ramadan.
Here are some of the key gigs announced so far for the season.
1. Ebi: March 31 at Dubai Opera
After his sold-out concert at Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Nights in January, Iranian pop star Ebi returns to the stage to perform some of the greatest hits from his illustrious 50-year career.
Doors open at 7.30pm; tickets start at Dh595
2. Frozen Love: April 1 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The ice show features a cast of international competitive skaters as they bring to life the story of newlyweds caught in the grip of a ruthless empress. With a stirring score, the production will transform the arena into a spectacular ice rink.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets start at Dh125
3. Snow Queen: April 2 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Based on the classic fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, this ice show follows a young girl’s journey to rescue her friend from the clutches of an evil queen. Choreographed by 2022 Olympic silver medallist Ilia Averbukh, the production features a grand set design and costumes that evoke a fantastical, wintry world.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets start at Dh125
4. Black Coffee: April 3 at Pacha Icons, Dubai
The South African producer's work, which has him mixing progressive house with African styles and rhythms, transitioned from an underground sensation to an EDM star. His growing list of collaborations includes Beyonce, Drake and Alicia Keys and his latest Dubai set finds him playing at the ritzy club in the Five Luxe JBR resort.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets start at Dh450
5. Sting: April 3 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
The Grammy Award winner is bringing his Sting 3.0 world tour to the UAE capital. He'll be joined by virtuoso guitarist and long-time collaborator Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas (Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rogers) to perform some of the biggest hits from his discography.
Doors open 7pm; sold out
6. Jalsat Moments featuring Balqees and Abadi Al Johar: April 4 at Ain Dubai Plaza
Leading musicians from the Gulf unite for separate sets showcasing some of the finest modern Khaleeji music. The latest instalment of the concert series features Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees, Saudi crooner Abadi Al Johar, and Yemeni singer Fouad Abdul Wahed.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets start at Dh195
7. A Thousand Tales Ballet: April 4 and 5 at Dubai Opera
This ballet performance celebrates beloved fairy tale heroes, from Sleeping Beauty to Aladdin, drawing inspiration from American composer Alexey Shor’s piano concert series From My Bookshelf, Childhood Memories and Travel Notebook.
Under the direction of choreographer Francesco Ventriglia, principal dancers from European dance theatres will perform on a stage adorned with costumes and set designs by Roberta Guidi di Bagno.
Doors open at 7.30pm; tickets start at Dh450
8. Amr Diab: April 5 at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
The chart-topping singer has arguably been the reigning pop king in the region since his 1983 debut album Ya Tareea. He also made a mark beyond the Arabic-speaking world, with his 1996 hit Nour El Ain becoming one of the most popular pop songs to come out of the Middle East.
Doors open at 6pm; tickets start at Dh326
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
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