UAEssentials | Events Calendar
Party in the fast lane: Your guide to action in Abu Dhabi
tabloid! has tailored an F1 guide to help you navigate through the thrilling action in the capital
- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 November 9, 2011
- Image Credit: Supplied/EPA
- Clockwise from left: Seo in Young, Lebanese singer Najwa Karam and Wyclef Jean.
Who said all the thrilling action at the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix is limited to the Yas Marina circuit?
This weekend, some of the biggest names in the music and sporting industry will be at the capital and tabloid! has tailored an F1 guide to help you navigate it easily.
For more details, log on to yasisland.ae or yasalam.ae.
Wednesday, November 9
- What: Beats on the Beach
- Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
- MC: Emirati 20 Something TV star DJ Bliss
- Free!
The Flaming Trees (7.25-7.55pm)
Check out this local band who played the same stage as 30 Seconds To Mars last year. The Dubai-based guitar-slingers blend classic rock sounds with more modern alternative sounds.
Danny Band (8.15-8.55pm)
Related Links
Dubai-based Canadian singer-songwriter Danny Shirran, who has opened for artists including Sir Bob Geldof and The Proclaimers, will promote his first studio album, Long Time Comin'.
Seo in Young (pictured, 9.20-9.50pm)
Korean pop sensation Seo in Young is known for her provocative dance moves, topped off with several hit singles including Goodbye Romance, Cinderella and Into the Rhythm.
Hesham Al Hajj (10.35-11.20pm)
The popular Lebanese singer will get the crowd going with his chart-toppers.
Wyclef Jean (pictured, 11.50pm-12.45am)
The former Fugees star will add a reggae twist. The Haitian-American superstar will regale the crowd with hits including Killing Me Softly and Sweetest Girl.
- What: Allure by Cipriani
- Where: Yas Island, near the Yacht Club
DJs N.I.K.O.L.A. and DJ Trix
Get up close to the glittering Yas Island landscape gratis with the first of five big music nights at this penthouse club.
Thursday November, 10
- What: Beats on the Beach
- Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
- MC: Radio 1's breakfast presenter, Danny Cee
- Free!
Dahab (7.25-8.10pm)
The Dubai acoustic trio blend Arabic, rock, jazz, blues and folk music.
Ayman Zbib (9.50-10.30pm)
One of Lebanon's most successful singers, Zbib will belt out his hits including Ana Lea, Nbaa Sawa, Azez Alea, Krmalek ya Habibi and Oyoun Al Amar.
Nine Muses (10.05-11.35pm)
K-pop enthusiasts rejoice: the seven-member band is headed to the capital for their first appearance in the UAE. Watch out for their hits including No Playboy and Let's Have a Party.
Najwa Karam (pictured, 11.50-12.45am)
The Lebanese pop queen is all about contemporary Arab music and a leader in her field. Here's your chance to watch the Ouyoun Qalbi hitmaker, who has sold over 50 million albums, prove her credentials.
- What: Allure by Cipriani
- Where: Yas Island, near the Yacht Club
DJ Line-up: DJ Bliss, Greg Stainer, Shef Codes, Dark De Jan, Patrik Carrera, Nikola, DJ Trix, Dany Neville, Charl Chaka, Smoking Groove, Rone Jaxx and Schooly.
Dh100 on the door. Call 02-6575400.
- What: Skybar
- Where: Flash Forum, Yas Island
Wyclef Jean, Example and J. Cole (11pm-4am)
Fresh off his free Corniche gig, this is your chance to see the former Haitian presidential candidate in much more intimate surroundings. UK musician Elliot Gleave, who goes by the stage Example, is all about dance-oriented music. His hit singles Stay Awake and Changed the Way You Kiss Me will prove he is fast becoming a cult music figure.
Don't miss hip-hop up-and-comer Cole, who's just finished support gigs with Tinie Tempah and Rihanna.
Dh600 for general admission; Dh8,000, Silver table up to 10 guests, on level 4; Dh13,500, Gold table, up to 15 guests, on level 3; Dh18,000, Platinum table, up to 15 guests, on level 2; and Dh35,000, Black table, up to 20 guests on level 1, closest to the stage.
Call 800-FLASH (35274).
Friday, November 11
- What: Beats on the Beach
- Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
- MC: Radio 1's DJ Neville
- Free!
The Recipe (7.25-7.55pm)
This home-grown band, comprising three MCs, one DJ, a beatboxer and a producer, have been dishing out some good hip-hop.
Aryam (8.15-9pm)
Emirati singer Aryam was the youngest participant in talent hunt show Ya Hala Beldaif in 1995 and has gone on to collaborate with many regional poets and composers.
Jay Sean (pictured, 9.20-10.05pm)
With hits like Down and Do You Remember?, Brit-Asian R&B star Jay Sean will prove his credentials as one of the highest selling UK artists.
Example (10.35-11.20pm)
A free chance to enjoy Changed The Way You Kiss Me, live.
Fatboy Slim (11.50pm-1.20am)
Norman Cook, who goes by the Fat Boy Slim moniker, will roll out a full 90-minute set on the beach. Dubbed the king of big beat, he'll play stupendous hits including The Rockafeller Skank and Praise You.
- What: Allure by Cipriani
- Where: Yas Island, near the Yacht Club
A night of women DJs with Marien Baker, Snezana Durich, Avera, Natalie Brogan and Vika Starsky.
Dh200 on the door. Call 02-6575400
- What: Skybar
- Where: Flash Forum, Yas Island
Jay Sean, Shaggy and Skylar Gray (11pm-4am)
The hot British R&B star Sean will join reggae star Shaggy — a UAE gig favourite. Wrapping up the night is the voice of Diddy-Dirty Money's Coming Home and Dr Dre's I Need a Doctor — and the writer of Rihanna's Love The Way You Lie, Skylar Grey.
From Dh600.
- What: Chequered Flag Ball
- Where: St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
The annual celebrity-studded ball — previous years have seen Beverly Knight and Hugh Grant put in appearances. This year's host is British sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, while British soul singer Mica Paris and former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan will headline.
VIP table, Dh25,000 (10 people); Classic table, Dh20,000 (10 people); Classic individual Dh2,000. Tickets at chequeredflagball.com. Call 04-4456842.
- What: Amber Lounge
- Where: Yas Links Golf Club on Yas Island
Ahead of her December 1 Burj Park performance, catch British singing star Sophie Ellis Bextor at the VIP Amber Lounge on the sidelines of the Formula One. The chart-topper is best known for her collaboration If This Ain't Love with Grooverider. Expect to spot the drivers and their other halves.
She's also there Saturday night.
Tickets from around Dh3,200. Call 055-2914013.
- What: Britney Spears (pictured)
- Where: Yas Arena, Yas Island
Only Grand Prix ticket holders (those tickets are already sold out) and winners of the 10,000 extra tickets made available will see America's controversial pop princess hit the UAE shores with her Femme Fatale world tour.
- What: Beats on the Beach
- Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
- MC: Dave Crane
- Free!
Saturday, November 12
Desert Heat (pictured, 7.25-7.55pm)
Emirati brothers Illmiya and Arableak will speak about the reality of life in the Middle East in the language they know best — hip-hop.
Hasnaa Zalagh (8.15-9pm)
The Moroccan vocalist rejected accounting at university to become a songstress. Her first album, Waffar Kalamak, had enough stuff for music buffs to sit up and take notice.
Juliana Down (9.20-10.05pm)
The Dubai-based rockers who have previously supported Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5 are all set to rock the capital.
Saber Al Robai (11.50-12.45am)
The award-winning Tunisian singer will regale you with hits including Miziana, Barchan and Khallas Tarak.
- What: Allure by Cipriani
- Where: Yas Island, near the Yacht Club
- DJ Rony Seikaly
Check out the former NBA star warm up the DJ decks. He will be accompanied by Greek DJ sensation Vassili Tsilichristos. Dh350. Call 050-5969543 or 02-6575400
- What: Skybar
- Where: Flash Forum, Yas Island
Catch Fatboy Slim up close and personal, followed by Iranian-British DJ/singer Yasmin, who after spinning for N.E.R.D. is now a singer in her own right (11pm-4am). From Dh600
- What: Incubus and The Cult
- Where: Yas Arena, Yas Island
After a four-year hiatus, the American band Incubus are back to promote their latest album, If Not Now, When?. The night will also feature British rock band The Cult. Watch then belt out their smash hit She Sells Sanctuary.
F1 ticket-holders and competition winners only.
Getting there
There will be parking and baby strollers available at the Abu Dhabi Corniche throughout the Yasalam programme. Buses link the lagoon parking near Spinneys to Al Sahil Beach on the Corniche 10am to midnight daily.
Sunday, November 13 — Race day
- Free!
- What: F1 Fanzone
- Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
The big race will screen here live from 5pm, in addition to racing radio-controlled cars around customised race-tracks, and the Community Abu Dhabi Galleria, an outdoor promenade featuring 90 images from Yasalam 2010.
- What: Skybar
- Where: Flash Forum, Yas Island
Alexandra Stan (11pm-4am): Catch the Romanian singer behind the hit Mr Saxobeat (she's also written tracks for One Direction).
From Dh600.
- What: Allure by Cipriani
- Where: Yas Island, near the Yacht Club
Mark Ronson: What hasn't he done? In the grand finale of Allure By Cipriani's five-night F1 music special, the Grammy-award winning music honcho will whip up a legendary A-list party to wrap things up in style. He's the man behind Amy Winehouse's upcoming posthumous album.
Dh350 on the door. Call 050-5969543 or 02-6575400
- What: Paul McCartney
- Where: Yas Arena, Yas Island
Who better than legendary music icon Paul McCartney to wrap up the Yasalam 2011 action? The former Beatle will bring his On The Run tour to the capital. F1 ticket-holders and competition winners only.
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
