Sports enthusiasts and music lovers will be united once again when Wakestock Abu Dhabi hits the Corniche from Thursday.
During the day, visitors can witness skilled wakeboarders perform breathtaking stunts, and at night they can enjoy an amazing line-up of regional and international artists take the stage for a series of free concerts until Saturday.
Headlining the first concert of the event will be none other than Carole Samaha, the acclaimed Lebanese artist who has a string of successful albums.
tabloid! caught up with her for a quick chat ahead of her performance.
"I'm so happy that I'm coming to Abu Dhabi to perform again... there are always a lot of sporting events and concerts; and I love sports and performing, so Wakestock is perfect for me," Samaha said over the telephone from Lebanon.
Fond memories
While this is not the first time Samaha has performed in the UAE, the artist has also visited and performed in many countries around the world, including the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago and the Windsor Caesars Palace in Canada, which hold some fond memories for her.
"Whenever I performed in the US and Canada, it was usually for the Arab communities, but when I performed at the Windsor Caesars Palace the audience was multicultural and I was touched by everyone's support.
"I was the first Arab to perform there and it was an overwhelming experience," she said.
So strong is Samaha's passion for performing that even as a pupil she would write scripts that her friends would act out under her watchful eye. That enthusiasm would eventually lead to Saint Joseph University (IESAV) where she earned her Masters Degree in Acting and Directing in 2009.
Passion
"Theatre is my passion, along with singing and dancing. My goal is to combine everything — singing, dancing and acting — into one performance one day. Even if I'm singing in a concert, I still try to put some element of the theatre in my performance but unfortunately, for Abu Dhabi there was no time to rehearse those extra parts so it will only be me singing this time," Samaha said.
But fans need not worry, as Samaha is sure to perform not only hits from her previous albums but also songs from her latest album, Hodoudi Sama, released last December.
"My fans are the greatest because not only do they support me but are also not afraid to tell me if I have done something that they didn't like. I love them because they are so sincere and they always look after me," Samaha said.
"After Abu Dhabi, I'm going on a long tour in the Arab world, with seven concerts in March... in one of my stops, Casablanca, I will be performing with Shaggy!"
Don't miss it
When: Thursday
Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
Tickets: Free entry
