What draws kids to Dubai Garden Glow?

Fourteen-year-old Ramiz Kamel is calm while his younger brother, Rafael is a bit jumpy. Understandably so – it is Rafael’s first-ever performance in front of an audience. With glimmering lights as the backdrop, the newly trained pianist delivers a noteworthy recital and is rewarded with applause.

The brothers are part of a group from Sing and Swing Training Centre, putting on a show at Dubai Garden Glow’s open-air stage.

The family entertainment destination regularly invites institutes teaching performing arts to stage shows, providing a platform for children to showcase their talents.

“The audience and the scenery bring me back here again and again,” says Ramiz as he gets ready to play drums at the park for the third time. “After my first performance here, I grew more confident and comfortable about performing in front of an audience. This place helped me play better at school and with my band.”

Dance and musical performances don’t just liven up the park, they also help create a vibrant environment for visitors.

“Training young musicians is one thing, but showcasing their talent in front of an audience and creating a musical environment for families is what makes Dubai Garden Glow so special,” says Sam Koshy, Manager at Sing and Swing Training Centre, which has been associated with the park for three years. “This venue is free for children and the performances entertain visitors to the garden, making it a win-win for all.”

Something for everyone

As part of its CSR activities, Dubai Garden Glow also hosts children with special needs. Recently students from Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities performed at the park. Officials from Dubai Municipality were at hand to provide support and encouragement.

“Students from Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities performed very well,” says Juma Khalifa Al Fuqaei, Director of Assets Management Department at Dubai Municipality. “We really appreciate Dubai Garden Glow’s efforts to host the children here.”

Al Noor Training Centre is one of the many organisations Dubai Garden Glow is associated with for its CSR activities.

“We want to convey a strong message to the next generation and wish to serve as a socially sensible institution,” says a representative from Dubai Garden Glow.

“We encourage institutes to contact us if they wish to organise such events at Dubai Garden Glow. We would love to showcase talent as much as we can.”

Children’s paradise

Musical concerts and dance performances are just a small part of the appeal that Dubai Garden Glow holds for children. They gaze at the prehistoric creatures at the Dinosaur Park, soak in the bright and beautiful worlds of the glow garden, and revel in the sculptures set in the cold environs of the Ice Park.

Twins Lara and Yara Ahmad with their two sisters, 10-year-old Sara and 3-years-old Tamara, are in a rush to make the most of the park, running ahead of their parents, who are trying their best to catch up with them.

“I really liked the Dinosaur Park,” says 14-year-old Lara. “I loved the sound effects, the detailing and the facts they put in the corner about various dinosaurs.”

Her sister, Sara adds, “I want to grow up to be a scientist and there is so much information here. I would love to learn more about dinosaurs.”

It’s no surprise that the park with more than 100 dinosaurs is a big draw for children. All sorts, huge and small, herbivores and carnivores, from across three eras are represented in the park. With installations depicting the end of the largest reptiles that walked the earth, the interactive park makes the world of dinosaurs real for children.

Delhi resident Nishant Sharma who is in Dubai to celebrate his wife, Aishwarya’s birthday with their ten-year-old son, Nishmaanya Sharma and 3-year-old daughter, Anushka, is impressed with the Ice Park and the beautiful sculptures. “The Ice Park is a very good concept,” he says. “I haven’t seen it anywhere else.”

But Nishmaanya doesn’t want to pick and choose. “I visited a lot of places in Dubai in the past few days, but Dubai Garden Glow is my favourite,” he says. “I cannot choose any one thing; I loved everything.”

Tickets to Dubai Garden Glow cost Dh60 per head. Children under three go free. Entry fee to the Ice Park is Dh40. For more details, visit http://www.dubaigardenglow.com/