It's the 10th anniversary of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, and as such, it's something worth celebrating with a brand new venue. Moving from its nine-year residence in Media City, the annual festival is settling down at a purpose-built venue near Dubai Festival City's Al Badia Golf Club.
It's got everything, say the organisers: great acoustics, soaring views of the Dubai skyline, a chilled-out atmosphere, parking for 12,000 cars and a huge array of food catered by the InterContinental Hotel-Dubai Festival City — making each of the nine nights of music ones to remember.
"We are very excited to have Dubai Festival City as the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival's new home. The move was necessary in order to accommodate what we believe will be a record attendance for the 10th edition," said Anthony Younes, managing director of Chillout Productions, founders and organisers of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival. "The new venue is a celebratory statement for the 2012 edition which is going to be one of the finest in the event's 10-year history."
One of the unique aspects of this year's festival is the food, with the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza's outlets taking their dishes to the great outdoors, ensuring jazz fans can enjoy a good meal seasoned with some great music. The food options include everything from steak sandwiches and picnic baskets to shawarma and Belgian fries.
Here's a guide to the stations, which are open 6pm - midnight on weekdays and 6pm-2am on weekends.
Terra Firma Steakhouse station: gourmet burgers, steak baguettes, Cajun fried onion rings and marinated beef brochette with corn on the cob.
Bistro Madeleine station: Picnic baskets (filled with cold cuts, cheese, pretzels, madeleines, salad, olives, pickles, baguettes, butter), breaded goujonettes with tartar sauce, brie de meux and cranberry in rustic French baguette and confit tuna nicoise.
Belgian Beer Café station: Mini Belgian cheese balls, French fries with mayonnaise, a Bierplankje platter of cold cuts and pickles and the cheesy croque waffle.
Al Soufra station: Chicken shawarma with mixed pickles and garlic yoghurt, cheese and zatar manakesh, hummus bil lahem and crispy fried Arabic hot mezzeh with tahina sauce.
Plus! Dine at the InterContinental or Crowne Plaza Festival city until today and get Jazz Garden tickets for the midweek performances.
