Own a piece of Madonna's material world at Dubai exhibit

It's a material world, she's a material girl, and here's your chance to get your hands on some of it: all the Madonna memorabilia at BurJuman's upcoming display of Madonna lore, Simply Madonna, including items such as her cut-up American Express card, the pink Material Girl gown, and her jewellery will be for sale.

On display from Thursday until June 6, the collection of items spans 25 years of Madonna's career, and has been collected over the past six years by Marquee Capital, a memoribilia investment firm.

Now they are selling off the pieces at the exhibit, which coincides with Madonna's debut perfomance in the UAE at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi on June 3 and 4.

The 60 pieces are valued collectively at over Dh9 million, says BurJuman, and include the Marilyn Monroe-inspired pink Material Girl gown, the Open Your Heart black satin bustier, costumes from her film Evita, and Who's That Girl tour gloves.

Other items are more personal -- her signed AmEx card, a hand-written Valentine's Day letter, school yearbook, film contracts and a daily planner.

Purchases can be made from 9am to 4pm daily, May 27 to 31 at Infocounter 3 close to the exhibition venue.

Madonna after-parties lined up

The queen of pop is promising a thumping show, but it's that's not enough partying for you, Flash Entertainment has organised five days of music over the Madonna show weekend at Allure by Cipriani. Three DJs from Lebanese clubbing legend Skybar Beirut, DJ JOJO, DJ CJ and DJ Jad Jazzy Jay, will fly in for afterparties of June 3 and 4 at Allure, a marina-side club. Tickets for the afterparties go on sale on Thursday at thinkflash.ae priced Dh300; for tables on the terrace and main room differ, priced Dh2,500-15,000, call through 800 FLASH (35274).

On June 1-2, as Cipriani will host the Entertainment Box, a show that features live performances alongside food. Acts include Loud Arabia, whose instruments are reused and recycled materials, and Labex, Dia Quintet, Kris B, O Alan, 8 Rox, Redz, Elias El Rahbany, Beuchet and Lounge Hank.

If you're arriving by boat, Yas Marina is offering free visitor berthing from June 1-4.

Don't forget, tickets to see Madonna are still available from Dh495 at thinkflash.ae or at Virgin Megastore outlets in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall.

ENDS