Award-winning singer Celine Dion cannot wait to play Dubai

Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning singer Celine Dion says she cannot wait to take to the stage ahead of her debut performance in Dubai.

All set to perform on Wednesday (March 5), in front of more than 12,000 fans, Dion said she holds the Middle East close in her heart as her beloved husband is from the region.

"It really is quite extraordinary to be here. After five years in Vegas I am enjoying being on tour again - it feels fresh and exciting which is wonderful," she said.

"Vegas was great and it came at a perfect time because it gave me and family stability. It was a wonderful opportunity both as an artist and mother. I performed every night with an amazing cast of dancers and the show was very theatrical which was a particular challenge.

"But after five years of my fans coming to me I am so pleased to be back, making the effort to repay the favour and come to them."

A chartered flight carrying the music prodigy's international entourage of 150 people arrived in Dubai on Sunday including 21 professional stage performers. Her amazing show has been choreographed and directed by the hottest director and choreographer in the world of pop music- Jamie King.

Speaking about being on the road again she said: "The new album has been a real eye-opener for many reasons. Firstly, because it is quite a different sound for me as it's much more edgy. It has an almost rock feel to some of the songs but of course the ballads are still there - I couldn't survive without the ballads!

"But secondly and maybe more importantly because it has put me back in touch with showbiz. I think my time in Vegas allowed me to become detached from the industry which was great for many reasons including the fact I could bring up my son and spend time with my family. But at the same time I have to find myself within the show biz once again.

"I am still trying to find my rhythm after coming back but feel I have learnt some lessons. I am taking my first experience of touring and mixing it perfectly with the way I lived in Vegas by travelling with my mother, who is 80, my wonderful husband, son, and two of my sisters. "My plan now is to see the world with the people I love and enjoy my music."

Dressed in an elegant, beige-coloured dress, Celine looked like she could talk for hours about the immense love and respect she has for her family and what she does with all her amazingly beautiful on and off-stage outfits.

"The easy answer is I have eight sisters! They love me!" she said. "The Middle East is a very special place for me and Rene as his roots are in Lebanon. His parents were born in the Middle East and to share a part of him and his background is an honour for me. When you marry someone you share their dreams as well as their past and present so Lebanon is certainly somewhere I would love to play a concert - for me and my husband."

And clearly happy to be in the UAE, she added: "We are ready to see Dubai. All of us have heard such wonderful things about the city and when we landed it was dark and quite foggy. My son tried desperately to search for the hotel in the middle of the ocean and I told him that mother nature had asked us to wait until tomorrow! We do plan to see the sights during our three-day stay and wish we could stay longer."

So what can concert-goers expect from the diva in Dubai?

She said: "Just expect a great deal of fun. The new tour show is very modern and has some great dancers. I will sing songs from the new album, Taking Chances, and of course the ones which made me who I am today.

"I am enjoying my music more than ever before at the moment. I think in the early years I had something to prove and that brought a lot of pressure but now I feel much more grounded and confident in myself and am just enjoying the music."

Finally, Dion spoke about her ability to stay grounded all these years. When asked about the likes of Amy Winehouse and Britney she said: "I don't really feel I can comment on their lives but I can say that these artists make me realise how fortunate I am. I have the essentials - the family, the grounding, the right support network and an attitude which allows me to take criticism. In this industry it's too easy to believe talent is enough - because it's not. My family is my true inspiration because they are the only people who matter."

The concert

Venue: Four Seasons Golf Club, Dubai Festival City.

Gates open at 4.30pm and people are being urged to arrive as early as possible to ensure the traffic is staggered as much as possible.

Dion is expected to perform at around 9.30pm.

Tickets, priced Dhs660 for gold access, are still available online at www.showbizme.com or by calling 04 366 2277.