Hip hangouts: Avenged Sevenfold and more

Avenged Sevenfold Live in Dubai
This band is one of the biggest heavy metal/hard rock groups in the world right now. With five studio albums under their studded belts, they’ve toured with Metallica and were named as one of Ultimate Guitar’s Top 10 bands of the decade.

The lads – M Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates and Johnny Christ – have toured so much in the past two years, they’ve performed in front of an estimated two million fans.

After the tragic death of their drummer, The Rev, in 2009 by accidental overdose the boys released a tribute album, 2010’s Nightmare, which was hailed by critics as the “ultimate tribute” and their most moving album yet; it went gold in
the States.
Flash Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | From 9pm, Friday May 4 | 800 Flash, www.thinkflash.ae
Cost Dh315

The Official South African Freedom Day Bash Featuring Goldfish
Head down to Nasimi beach for a traditional braai (that’s a BBQ to non-SA-ers), South African grape, boerewors rolls, Castle brew and South African tunes. It’s all to celebrate South African Freedom Day, as April 27th, 1994 was the day Nelson Mandela became the country’s president. The day will have that typical SA laid-back feel, and the piece de resistance will be when jazzy DJ duo, Goldfish, take to the stage – their tunes will have you on the dance floor.
Cost Dh100 on the door
Nasimi Beach, The Palm Jumeirah | 3pm-2am, Friday April 27 | www.infusion.ae

Johny Lever and Shakil Siddiqui
This Friday, Indian funnyman, Johny Lever, who’s starred in over 300 Bollywood films, and Pakistani stand-up comic, Shakil Siddiqui, are going out of their way to make you laugh. Held in the Indian High School’s football ground, the show will touch on politics and film, and we really, really hope Lever does his Michael Jackson impersonation.
Cost Dh75-Dh500
Indian High School, Oud Metha | 9pm, Friday April 27 | 04 337 3724

Abu Dhabi Salsa Festival
Back for its fourth outing, this festival brings the world’s best salsa dancers to the capital and boasts 30 dance workshops, three party nights and three nights of salsa, lambada, samba and cha-cha-cha shows. We’re definitely going to be checking out the shows at Yas Island’s Rotana hotel, which run from 8.30pm on Thursday and Friday, while real aficionados will want to try the workshops with international salsa dancers on the Saturday in the luxurious Emirates Palace from 6pm-10pm.
Cost From Dh175 to Dh450
Abu Dhabi | All day, Thursday April 26-Saturday April 28 | 02 656 4000, abudhabi-salsafestival.com

A Tribute To Glee
Gleeks listen up, this weekend only you can catch UK West End stars – and Dubai’s very own Glee choir – performing a tribute to the show that captures the infectious energy of everyone’s fave high school. There’s a five-piece band who’ll be playing songs such as Don’t Stop Believing, Living On A Prayer, Gold Digger (we’ll be up front getting our swag on to that), and many more surprises.
Cost Dh195 per person
The First Group Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah | 4pm and 7.30pm, Thursday 26-Saturday 28 | madinattheatre.com

Feria De Abril
While there’s salsa in the capital, this weekend, in Dubai it’s all about the flamenco. Spanish restaurant Seville’s is holding a Flamenco Family Fun Day on Friday, where you can enjoy paella and sangria, and on Saturday they’re hosting ‘Tapas And Torres’, where you’ll get an unlimited selection of tapas with free-flowing house beverages from Dh125 per person. Plus, there’s a Spanish market every night from 7pm-midnight, and on Saturday if you turn up at 5.30pm you can try
a free paella cookery class.
Seville’s, Wafi, Oud Metha | Until Saturday April 28 | 04 324 4100