Abu Dhabi: Music and racing fans gathered on the Corniche on Wednesday evening to kick off the Formula 1 weekend with the return of the highly successful Yasalam Live on the Corniche’s Beats on the Beach concerts, which include performances by local, regional and international artists.
The first night saw performances by UAE-based artist Clarita de Quiroz, Lebanese artist Melissa and the highly popular Kelly Rowland, who was performing for the first time in the capital.
“I didn’t really know that there were other activities at Yasalam…I came to watch Melissa with my friends…she was great and it was fun to see her dance with the Lebanese guy [a member of the public who was invited onstage to perform with Melissa]. We also enjoyed watching the four breakdancers [Mighty 4]…their moves were amazing!” Fatima Husseini, a Jordanian expatriate, said, laughing.
“I’m definitely coming back to see the other concerts, such as Melhem Zein and Cyrine Abdel Nour,” she added, smiling.
In addition to the concerts, members of the public, including families, can also enjoy a wide variety of activities, including the popular F1 FanZone, organized by Mubadala, which includes a children’s driving school, giant F1 helmet painting, simulators and much more.
“This is my first time at Yasalam but I had seen the advertisements for it and the concerts on Yas Island…I’m a huge fan of Kelly Rowland and was very excited when I found out she was going to perform on the Corniche…I decided to come a bit early and see what else was happening…I was really impressed by the Mubadala Experience [tent] and even got to see the F1 drivers [Scuderia Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso] when they came for a public interaction,” Fernando Gomez, a Mexican expatriate who is a restaurant manager, said, smiling.
What: Yasalam Live on the Corniche
When: The event runs until Sunday, November 14. Beats on the Beach will run until Saturday, November 13
Where: Al Sahil Beach, Abu Dhabi Corniche
Website: www.yasalam.ae
