The main acts
From left: Pitbull aka Mr Worldwide, Lionel Richie, Rihanna and The Chemical Brothers.
Who better than Mr Worldwide, aka Pitbull, himself to kick off the party? The master of hits will perform at du Arena, Abu Dhabi, on November 24. He will be followed UK dance music masters the Chemical Brothers on November 25 and legendary singer Lionel Richie, with a celebrated career of more than 100 million albums worldwide and countless awards, on November 26. Rihanna will close out the F1 party on November 27 as she brings her Anti world tour to the UAE capital, making it her third performance at the du Arena on Yas Island.
The official after-race concerts are for F1 race ticket holders only.
Beats on the Beach
From left: Yeng Constantino, Krept & Konan, Adham Nabulsi and Esther Eden.
The free concert series at the Abu Dhabi corniche will kick off on November 24 with performances by Dubai hip-hop collective S. O. S, Emirati singer Shamma Hamdan, Filipino pop/rock singer Yeng Constantino and UK rap duo Krept & Konan. The evening will also see performances by the Top 3 finalists of the annual Emerging Talent Competition.
On the second night, November 25, it’s the turn of young Dubai singer Esther Eden who’s just released her debut album, Solitaire, with Universal Music. She will be joined by Middle East boy band sensation The5 and rising Arab singer Adham Nabulsi. Sean Paul will cap off the evening with, in his own words, “lots of energy!”
Day 3 on November 26 will feature the winner of the Emerging Talent Competition as well as UAE rock ‘n’ roll and blues sensation Bull Funk Zoo. Yasalam regular Nancy Ajram will perform the same evening along with US rapper and singer-songwriter-producer Travis Scott.
Other activities
The official F1 FanZone is back at the West Plaza at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Open until November 27, this is for motorsport enthusiasts of all ages to get the chance to feel the rush of the race via giant screens, which will broadcast the races live, real-life simulators to play with and even a pit-crew challenge that lets fans race the against the clock as they change the tyres of an F1 car.
There’s also Urban Art Zone, a family zone that’s open to everyone and will feature some of the top artists and designers in the UAE create their works live and hold workshops.
Catch the Red Arrows in action on Thursday.
The UK’s Royal Air Force aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, one of the world’s top aerobatic display teams, will do a show on November 24 at 4pm. The best place to catch it is from the Corniche.
From left: Chappie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1, Mis Peregrine and Skiptrace.
You can also watch free movies until November 23 on the Corniche. Screenings start daily at 8pm. Movies scheduled are Hugh Jackman film Chappie (November 20), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (November 21), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (November 22) and Jackie Chan film Skiptrace (November 23).
If you are an F1 race ticket holder, head to The Village at du Arena from November 24 to 27, where local and regional artists will perform live on stage. The winner of this year’s Emerging Talent Competition will also perform on the evening of November 27. There will also be lots of food trucks.
For those looking for a bit of culture, there’s Heritage Plaza at Yas Plaza on Yas Island. Experience Emirati culture in an open-air space where families can relax, play games or experience interactive activities. Heritage Plaza is open from November 24 to 27, from 4 to 10pm.
In the mall
Fans of the The5, this is your chance to get up close to the boy band. Ahead of their performance at Beats on Beach, the boys are making an appearance at Virgin Megastore at Yas Mall on November 24 from 6pm to 8pm.
At the clubs
One of the biggest names during the weekend, perhaps because girlfriend Riri is on at du Arena, is Drake. The Canadian rapper will host the VIP Room Dubai pop-up club at Yas Marina Building 1 on November 26. He will be joined by MC Rorrey Fenty, who just so happens to be Rihanna’s brother.
Drake will again return the next evening for an after-party “with a surprise guest”. That evening, November 27, is the night Rihanna headlines du Arena. Are you keeping up?
Paris Hilton will also return to DJ, along with DJ Luciano, at the VIP Room Dubai pop-up. For reservations, call 052-8818888.
Amber Lounge, the travelling F1 after-party, will host singer Jay Sean as its headline act. Sean, best known for his singles Down and Do You Remember, will perform on two nights on November 26 and 27 at Yas Links Golf Club.
The Amber Lounge Experience includes watching the race trackside from the Amber Lounge Celebrity Yacht, a meet-and-greet with F1 drivers, live DJ sets, gourmet buffets and unlimited drinks. Packages are available on amber-lounge.com or email abudhabi@amber-lounge.com.
To catch some of the action off the tracks, Cipriani Yas Island is hosting Ibiza DJ Franco Moiraghi over the weekend. This is where you’re bound to bump into the F1 fraternity as they come to chill. For reservations, call 02-6575400 or email yasisland@cipriani.com.
Did we say Ibiza? Blue Marlin Ibiza at Ghantoot Al Jazira Hotel is hosting its own F1 Weekend party on November 25 with a Circo Loco party, an Ibiza-style party complete with clown faces with music by Jamie Jones, Kerri Chandler and Art Department. For reservations, call 056-1133400 or email reservation@bluemarlinibiza-uae.com.
MAD on Yas Island will have T-Pain as headliner on November 24, Sean Paul and Rita Ora on November 25, Travis Scott on November 26 and rapper Future on November 27. Tickets are Dh300 at the door for men, including two beverages. Entry is free for women. Tables can be reserved by calling 055-8346262 or emailing reservations@madonyasisland.com.
British house music producer and DJ Steve Lawler will be in charge of keeping the party going at Iris Yas Island on November 24. Electronic music duo, HVOB, will perform on November 25 after a session by Turkish DJ and producer, Mahmut Orhan, while Nic Fanciulli will close the weekend’s events on November 27. For reservations, call 055-1605636 or email reservations@irisabudhabi.com
The ‘pit stops’
Yas Island will be the hot spot for celeb-spotting all of theis week. Keep your eyes on Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first-ever Ferrari-branded theme park in the world, which has been known to attract F1 drivers in the past. This year, all ticket holders for the racing event will have complementary access to Ferrari World, valid for the same day as their race ticket. For more go to ferrariworldabudhabi.com.
At Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, the Emirati-themed waterpark, celebs who’ve visited include Rihanna, David Hasselhoff and Mohammad Assaf. Race ticket holders get free access to Yas Waterworld, valid for the same day as their ticket. Go to yaswaterworld.com.
Go online
For more activities over the F1 Weekend, go to yasalam.ae.
