American superstar Prince to headline Formula 1 concerts

Abu Dhabi: It’s called YASALAM and it looks like it’s going to live up to its name.

Meaning ‘Wow’ in Arabic, it’s the only word that accurately describes the most ambitious entertainment programme the UAE has ever seen. Flash Entertainment on Monday  launched a city-wide extravaganza which runs for more than a month, in the run up to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2010.

International artists include Prince, Linkin Park, Kanye West, Kelis, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Sean Paul, Chipmunk, The Cuban Brothers and rapper Fabulos. Add the list of Arab and local acts including Nancy Ajram, Fares Karam, Kamal Mussalam, Rola Saad, Cerine Abdel Noor, Beat Anntenna, Melissa, Sho and Absolace and you begin to get an idea of just how big the programme is going to be.

Yasalam's dynamic line-up of entertainment and events will take place at a variety of locations spreading from the Corniche and the beach, right across the city, taking in schools, universities, shopping malls, hotels, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Yas Island itself.

The programme is based on three elements - Yasalam Live on the Corniche, Yasalam Live across the City and Yasalam Live on Yas Island, which will see Abu Dhabi come alive.

Following the same ticket restrictions as last year, the inaugural F1 event in the capital, Kanye West on November 12, Linkin Park on November 13 and the Purple Rain-star Prince on November 14 will only be watched by those who are privileged enough to have a race ticket.

A three-day ticket will set you back around $500 (Dh1, 836.45). For those who don’t have tickets, the Beats on the Beach series of concerts also brings big names to the Abu Dhabi corniche. Sean Paul, The Beat, Sophie Ellis Bexter and Kelis will headline from November 10-13 respectively.

Last year, almost half a million people enjoyed the Yasalam celebrations and this year is expected to be even bigger.