People regularly refer to Dubai as the Hong Kong of the Gulf; nevertheless, it’s really more like Vegas. From the tallest buildings in the world to malls that could only be matched by París – Dubai is quickly rising to become a phenomenal giant globally. She already is, as a matter of fact. Her welcoming people are sure to host you and accommodate you, and oh, the magnificence in the hotels! Did you know Dubai is the first city to host a 7-star hotel! How best to add to this experience than with some rhythm and music from the very best? Just like adding ecstasy to a titbit of paradise!

What to Remember When Visiting Top Places for Concerts and Other Sites

Dubai presents to you variety – from the malls to the restaurants and even the foods on display. This also happens to be the same case with music – whatever’s in your ‘to-do list’ you will find here. What’s more, the venues that offer such hype are uncountable. Prior preparations will come in handy if you’re to really savor the experience. Even with all its glamour and glitz, remember the country rises in the heart of the desert.

So, what exactly can you do in the name of preliminary preparations? Kick it off by keeping cool at all times. If possible, have your bottle of water to quench you up if attending some daytime concert. The nightlife is also pretty warm as the grounds get filled with people – I mean, who goes to the club with a jacket and a sweater inside? Be lose and have fun – it’s Dubai for crying out loud.

You also really need work on getting earlier tickets for your dream concerts. Last minute rash and purchases can be more costly for you and probably end up stressing you more than it should have. Remember that age-old adage about that early bird that grabs the fattest worm?

Top Places for Concerts in Dubai

If you want to party, Dubai sure knows how to. The concert venues for music lovers are exhilarating, to say the least. The biggest events, when the year comes to an end and another begins, are explosive – for lack of a stronger word. You can always feel the Islam love as you party with these guys; it’s as if the oil they produce is used to grease their hearts.

Dubai has thus emerged as one of the brightest cities in the Arab world. It has shown the positive side of the Muslim community – how they can come together to make it all happen and possible for you. From the sleekest cars to the fanciest jewelry, you’ll surely love your stay in Dubai.

Music Concerts in Dubai

With the upcoming Soundstorm event in Abu Dhabi, the city is soon to have its fill of tourists. The December festivities are also around the coming. Dubai is known to be the 4th in the world in hosting tourists annually. The coming season will require you know the ideal places to go to when in Dubai. Especially if you are a music lover, you need to know where to find your jazz.

The Music Hall

Every music lover should visit this spot if in Dubai. This goes first on our list due to the wide selection of artists who come to this place on a weekly basis. I mean, if you ever want some good time dancing to the tunes of your best rhythms, just locate Palm Jumeirah (West) Dubai.

Sensation

The euphoria in music is in listening to it among your own clique – people who understand the experience and can relate to it. Crowne Plaza promises to deliver that sensational feel in their spacious grounds. Meet your crowds and the DJs you always dreamed of listening to – even the international big-pins.

Burj Khalifa

You can’t talk about Dubai and fail to mention Burj Khalifa. Same way you cannot speak of the African jungles and fail to mention the Big 5, the lion in particular. Get to feel the high from the altitude as you get quality music experience from this amazing spot.

Burj Park

Nightlife is best when enjoyed outside; if you’ve ever partied while getting the night cold, you know what I mean. Downtown Dubai provides you with a park like no other. The terrains and the green are enough to have it termed as a tourist spot. And it’s true; visitors do love this downtown venue.

Dubai Media City Amphitheater

From the very lowly upstarts to the expert spinners and talented voices, this location will give you just about everything. It even gets better when it rains – it becomes an angelic fortitude and one hell of an experience.

DUCTAC

Mall of the Emirates at Al Barsha brings you Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre. This is where all the action goes down – the realest stuff. The kind of talent that goes on here is rarely is the kind of talent that can be equaled to several pieces of gem. Moreover, this is the one location that will assure you ample parking space on the ground and the roof if you want to spend the night. Check out Friday nights for this spot – it’s lit!

Dubai Opera

If you thought Dubai had enough to offer, you’re in for plenty of surprises. The Dubai Opera is the one location that’s seen millions envious of Dubai. With such building designs, you’re sure what you’ll find inside will match up to the outside view. The spot has been lucky enough to host several New Year events.

Top Places for Concerts in Dubai – Conclusion

Concert places in Dubai are as many as there are malls. You also don’t need to spend so much to visit the top places for concerts in Dubai. The ground rules remain the same for foreigners and locals – be decent and respect the law of the land. Preserve the sacredness of music and let others do the same too. And in case you don’t relish all the moments…! What am I even saying! It is next to impossible not to have the time of your life in Dubai exclusive hot spots. All you need to do is checkup the upcoming big thing, stay trendy and live largely.

The rise of the internet has meant that there are so many resources online for dancers and other professionals in the dance community. Online magazines and blogs are one of the best places for dancers to get information, as they tend to be run by passionate individuals. So, here are the top 10 blogs to follow for a dancer.

1. A Ballet Education

Dedicated to educating people about the wonderful art form that is ballet, A Ballet Education offers everything anyone would want to know about the beautiful dance. Founded in 2014, their mission is to provide information to those who want to learn more about ballet, and to show that it is so much more than ‘just tutus and tiaras’. The brainchild of David King – a former professional dancer and ballet teacher – he dedicates his dance blog to educating his readers about the stuff that really matters in the ‘ballet world’.

Be it what to expect when going to see ballet for the first time, to getting a child started in the dance, or some of the histories of its beginnings, this is the blog to visit. New posts weekly from a host of ballet professional contributors, A Ballet Education is definitely a useful information source for aspiring dancers or ballet fans.

2. Steezy

Founded in 2014 by Connor Lim and his dance squad, Steezy was founded with the aim of making dance accessible to anyone and everyone. With their regular posts, they provide articles full of useful information for dancers such as dance tips and workouts. Through the blog, dancers from around the world can connect with each other to inspire and advise. Additionally, using top instructors they provide online dance classes, so anyone anywhere in the world can dance, whenever and wherever they want. The contributors to Steezy love dance and this is apparent in their content.

3. Ballet News

UK-based Ballet News is one of the greatest online resources for ballet dancers, and fans of the craft. Founded in 2008 by Cheryl Angear, an accredited journalist with specialist expertise in classical ballet. The website is updated almost daily with the latest in ballet news, reviews, interviews, backstage exclusives, and plenty of performance, rehearsal photographs and videos. With comprehensive information on ballet schools and professional companies around the news, this blog is extremely useful for emerging ballet dancers.

4. The Dancing Grapevine

Founder of The Dancing Grapevine, Laura Riva has long been a passionate lover of all forms of dance. She launched her dance blog in 2013 initially, as a space for Laura to chronicle her thoughts on dance. But, since grown to become an in-depth exploration of all things dance, being a must-visit resource for the social dance community. Readers flock in for over 50 countries to discuss many topics and any problems that dancer may face.

5. 4Dancers

Started in 2009, 4Dancers has the primary aim of providing a wide range of useful and interesting information for the entire dance community. Whether an aspiring dancer, a novice dancer or even a full-time professional this dance blog will have something of interest. They update several times a week with posts featuring interviews, profiles, teaching, dance tips, reviews, and even social media advice.

6. Bodies Never Lie

With Bodies Never Lie, founder Jess Rhulin aims to educate, inspire, and entertain. What started as a passion for writing about dance history and education, has grown into a fully informative blog on all things dance. Bodies Never Lie features reviews and previews, information on teaching and performing for dance professionals, tips for well-being for dancers, interviews with artists, and anything else to do with the world of dance. With her blog, Jess hopes to inspire a love of dance, and the joy she found when she started ballet at a young age.

7. The Ballet Bag

The Ballet Bag was founded in 2009 by friends and baller aficionados, Emilia and Linda. With the aim to battle the misconception that ballet is old-fashioned and stuffy, with their weekly posts, they show that the dance can be topical and fresh. The Ballet bag girls want to show ballet in a new light, and bring a whole new audience and potentially dancers to the craft. The blog features reviews, biographies, plenty of ballet facts, and plenty of relating cultural references. They love to connect with fellow fans, professionals, and dancers in the ‘ballet sphere’, so feel free to get in touch.

8. The Wonderful World of Dance

Having been described by BBC Radio as the “Vogue of dance and ballet”, The Wonderful World of Dance has attracted over 150,000 followers from all over the world. Since its inception in 2012 by Savannah Saunders, the dance and ballet blog has amassed a talented team of contributors from the UK, Europe, and the USA. The aim is to produce a modern online dance magazine that goes beyond the surface, discovering who performers and choreographers are as people. Featuring interviews and profiles of the top dancers, choreographers, ballet and dance companies from around the world, the blog also has the no. 1 ballet and dance podcast on iTunes.

9. Setting the Barre

For those looking for information on the personal experiences of a dancer, should check out Setting the Barre. The personal blog of professional ballet dancer Kirsten Evans is a diary of her experience in the dance world. She writes about her adventures both off an on the stage, from tiara and tutus to blisters to bunions. It is a really wonderful and truthful insight into the ups and downs of life as a full-time ballet dancer.

10. B-Boy and B-Girl Dojo

The Finland-based hip-hop dance blog was founded in 2017 to provide an interactive way to learn how to become a B-Boy of B-Girl. Updated regularly, the dance blog features all the facts that any aspiring breakdancer wants to know, such as how to boost recovery, dance tips, terminology, and even information on the history of Hip-hop.

Someone once described the ballet as the only dance executed by the human soul. It is of great importance and significance – but above all, it’s pleasurable. In fact, it’s the one dance that you don’t have to know anything about to enjoy. All you’ve got to do is open your eyes and absorb the elegance. The mistake most people make is in assuming that ballet is all about little children in tutus. What they fail to comprehend is the blood, sweat and tears that go behind it. If it was easy, all and sundry would be out and about moving like angels. It’s clear that the ballerina dancers’ domain is the very air we breathe, not earth.

The Most Famous Ballets in the World – A Short History

The Italian Renaissance courts dating back to the 15th and 16th Century developed the great dance as a royals’ part-timer. Catherine de’ Medici, the Italian noblewoman later to become queen of France helped bring this dance to the City of Love – Paris. Soon, the dance would come to be adopted by top leading concerts influencing all manner of performers.
Classical ballets soon spread to the Russian world and later on to the rest of Europe. In no time, the dance reached the furthest corners of the world, with many considering it as still a noble dance. A fine picture is but an image of nature; a finished ballet dance, however, is nature herself.
The famous ballets have ever since attracted the largest audiences of the most classical individuals the planet holds. It’s just a beautiful art – one with its own language that requires no translation. This is why the dance is practiced in Europe and Africa alike, there being no much differences. The language is still the same – the ballet language. Ballet will always speak for itself – about itself.

A Look At The Most Famous Ballets in the World

Even though we are saying the language is the same, just like with any other art, there are phases of evolution. Ballet has continually developed through the years from the simplest of moves to complicated dynamics sometimes even influenced by technology. Different certified choreographers also come up with their own different styles. George Balanchine of the United States, for instance, is known to have primarily influenced the neoclassical ballet – the ballet of the 20th Century. Subsequent developments since then would include the contemporary ballet and post-structural ballet.

The complexity of a ballet dance is in synchronizing the moves to every bit and coming up with the actual story intended. This is where most dancers fail to deliver. Through hard work and real hassle, however, one might achieve the impossible. Oops, I just forgot, ‘nothing’s impossible.’
We’ve seen less and lesser people visiting theatres for movies and other performances. Nevertheless, the grand that is in ballet has still held still as more and more fans get to associate with this soul dance. The best ballet dances invented have a way of retaining the original spice; thus, ballet has never lost its taste.

Best Ranked Ballet Dances

Classical ballets have a way of being named in relation to other classical plays and movies.

Swan Lake

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky went to a whole new level while coming up with this dance in the 1870s. It had initial failures and disappointments but has gained global recognition as of now with several adaptations like Barbie of Swan Lake of 2003. This is one play you want to watch over and over again.

The Sleeping Beauty

His second play became an even bigger sensation than the first one. This 1890 was based on Charles Perrault’s La Belle au bois dormant which is the French version of the play The Sleeping Beauty originally by Charles Perrault. As compared to Swan Lake, this play amassed way better accolades; it just keeps getting better.

Romeo & Juliet

Sergei Prokofiev brings Shakespeare back to life in this powerful romantic play. From the beginning to the end, you will experience the tension as you sit on the edge. The emotional play behind this classical ballet is what has primarily worked to develop and promote this particular dance.

Cinderella

Another one from Sergei Prokofiev – a romantic illustration of the poor girl who magically ended up being the queen of the land. The melodious composition brought about by the jubilant music will right away set you in the mood. Surely, 1948 concert lovers had the time of their lives as they got to witness the original play.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonder Land

This play by Christopher Wheeldon involves 3 different acts with a scene by Nicholas Wright. The play has a classic combination of contemporary soundworlds with sweeping melodies and behind that, a classical sophistication in choreography used. From the moment Alice observes her friend’s parents transform into a white rabbit to the very moment she comes from Wonderland; you are sure to grab on tight to your seats as the tension progresses.

Spartacus

The Third Servile War – the war of the slaves against the overbearing Roman masters – inspired this particular play. 1956 found Aram Khachaturian reconstructing the details of the war on to the stage with such perfect similarities. You don’t need to have existed during this hard Roman time to understand what the slaves were going through. You don’t need to have existed then to understand the relevance of Spartacus himself. All you need to do is dedicate time to watch the play and get to relive history.

Classical Ballets in the World – A Conclusive Summary

Year in year out, you will find classical events popping up all around the globe. The 6 mentioned above are just a slight representation of the magnificence in a ballerina. They have received the top ratings and have inspired more than just people; they have inspired lives. You can check up the plays on YouTube to understand the kind of soul love I’m talking about. That notwithstanding, the beauty in ballerina is in witnessing it first hand – nothing can ever outdo live play. Check up the upcoming events and grab your tickets ASAP!

Music is a great way for a child to express themselves in a creative way. It can open up a whole new world for your child, teaching them an appreciation for music, as well as discipline and dedication. Furthermore, learning an instrument can boost self-esteem by giving children a sense of achievement, each time they learn a new note or tune. Additionally, studies have shown that playing a musical instrument can improve academic, physical, and social skills in children.

Choosing A Musical Instrument for a Child

To make sure your child gets the most out of their learning experience, you need to make sure that you choose the right musical instrument. This is not something that you can do alone. It is important that the child has an input in the choice of instrument they want to play, otherwise, you may see their interest waning rather quickly.

There are some factors that will come into play when choosing a musical instrument for a child, such as their age and size. Children who are small in stature may not be able to play full-size instruments, but often there are child versions or smaller compatible instruments that they can get a good learning foundation with. When choosing a child’s first instrument, the most important thing to consider is what instrument your child has expressed the most interest in.

If Your Child is Undecided

If your child has expressed an interest in playing a musical instrument but is unsure of what to play. the piano or keyboard is a great place to start. As one of the most versatile musical instruments is is perfect for children of around age 7 and above to start learning music. It will give them a good understanding of scales, notes, and harmonies. However, the piano is not the only option – there are many choices for a first musical instrument for a child that will help them express their love of music. These include:

• The Guitar – With electric, bass, blues, and acoustic, there are many types of guitar that may be of interest to your child. Once a child reaches between 8-10 years old should be able to handle a guitar, but any younger they may be a little small. A good alternative would be the banjo or ukulele to start their musical journey.
• The Clarinet – If your child has expressed an interest in woodwind instruments, the clarinet is the easiest one to learn and handle. The saxophone would also be a good choice for beginners, as it can be accommodated by small hands.
• The Drums – A full-size drum kit is probably only suitable to children over the age of 10, as the hands and the feet need to be involved, which could be a stretch for smaller children. If your child does want to get involved with drums at an early age, consider a set of electric drums. They are smaller than a full-size kit, and headphones can be plugged in to prevent any excess noise.
• The Trumpet – The easiest brass instruments to learn are the cornet and the trumpet. They will give a great foundation if they choose to move on to other brass instruments in the future.
• The Violin – As one of the smallest of the string instruments, the violin is perfect for young music learners. The larger string instruments, such as the cello and the double bass, could be taken up in the future, but they tend to be too big for shorter arms and smaller hands.

Perhaps your child has expressed a certain interest in a particular style of music, such as funk, jazz, classical or rock. For each of these styles of music, there are musical instruments that are best suited. For example, the electric guitar is mostly associated with rock and blues music, whilst string instruments like the violin are more commonly associated with classical and jazz music. A professional at a music store will be able to take you through all the instruments that are most associated with each style. Furthermore, your child will be able to try out a few different instruments to see which one they take a shine too.

The Benefits of Learning Music as a Child

Since children are curious by their nature, they will take to an instrument quickly and really thrive when they have a love for it. A child will learn so much more than notes and tempos. They will learn how to communicate and express themselves whilst having fun. Playing music is a deeply rewarding experience for a child, which will also improve their focus, listening and problem-solving skills, and boost self-esteem and self-expression. Most importantly, playing a musical instrument will help your child to discover their own identity and grow as a person.

If your child has shown an interest in music, it is important to get them enrolled in some music classes as soon as possible. Having a creative outlet is extremely important for a child, and channeling this creativity into music can be rewarding in so many ways. The right instruction, like that, provided at Brooklyn Melodies, will help your child to nurture their love of music. They provide music classes catering to the very young, right up to adulthood, with a number of musical instruments available.

Get in touch with Brooklyn Melodies today and discuss options with one of their qualified music teachers to see which class will be best to enroll your child in. As the founder of Brooklyn Melodies, Laith Michael states: “The best everlasting gift for your child is music!”

The UAE has such an interesting and rich cultural history, which can seem very far away following the modern renaissance of cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Thankfully there are individuals and groups in Dubai that are keeping the cultural heritage alive in one of the most meaningful ways…through dance.

Participating in traditional dancing is of great importance to the people of the United Arab Emirates. Dance has always been the most popular form of cultural expression, with the traditional dances featuring prominently on national holidays, and in weddings, festivals, and even parties amongst friends. People from the UAE have a real passion for keeping the traditions of the past alive in the present day, and for future generations. Their traditional dances date back to when the people of the UAE lived their lives in the desert, and times were hard. Participating in music and dance played an important part in helping the people of the desert to come together and overcome the challenges they faced.

Traditional Dances of the UAE

The traditional dances of the people of the UAE are a unique art form that celebrates the national spirit by blending together music, poetry, and dance. The dances preserve stories from the history of the UAE, keeping the ties to their ancestors tribal identity. Popular traditional dances of the UAE include:

Al Ayyalah

NB: Sometimes called Ayyala, Ayala, and Iyala

Accompanied by a large drum known as an Al Ras, the Al Ayyalah is one of the most famous traditional dances of the UAE. It is only performed by men and 25 participants are the minimum number of required dancers, but up to 200 performers can come together to make the Al Ayyalah a real spectacle. This dance is regularly performed at national ceremonies and other top occasions, as well as weddings and other festive events. The dance is an inclusive one being open to all, with dancers from all backgrounds and social classes taking part. The role of lead dancers is usually an inherited one, and it is their responsibility to train others in the dance.

Also known as the stick dance, the Al Ayyalah is a dance that simulates a war, with the deep beat of the Al Ras, setting the tempo for three smaller Takhamir drums. Two rows of men stand opposite one another, with the men in each row standing close together to signify their unity and cooperation. The men, hold sticks or spears that represent swords, which they sway along with their heads to the beat of the drums. Additional dancers move around and between the rows holding swords or guns, which are sometimes thrown up into the air.

The rows take turns to chant poetry and lyrics at one another, which can vary depending on the event or occasion. The Al Ayyalah dance can also feature a separate section of women in vibrant traditional dress, who sway their hair to the drum rhythm and recite their own poetry and lyrics to praise the victory.

Yollah

NB Sometimes called Al Yolah or Al Yolla

Another of the most popular battle scene traditional dances, the Yollah is much like the Al Ayyalah, with men forming two or 4 rows of dancers facing one another. The male performers carry, sticks, swords, or rifles and rhythmically step in time to traditional instruments. The Doumbek – made of goatskin stretched over a ceramic base – forms the percussion element of the music, whilst the Oud provides melody as a string instrument. The backward and forward steps of the rows of dancers symbolise their victory and defeat.

Harbiyah

The Harbiyah is a traditional dance that symbolises pride, victory, and courage. Like the Al Ayyalah, it is performed by two lines of men facing one another in a staged confrontation. In the lines, there will be alternate approaches towards the opposite line in unison, with the repetition of unmelodic phrases setting the rhythm. The enthusiastic dance features rifles, to up the performance and the air of confrontation and war. The Harbiyah is most often performed at weddings, as the warlike traditions of the dance, form the basic context for many beautiful love poems.

Haban

NB Sometimes called Khamiri or Khayali

The name of this traditional dance is derived from the stringed musical instrument which provides the tempo and melody. The performance of the intricate dance is organised into 3 sections:

• Section 1 – Six to eight men.
• Section 2 – Six to eight women.
• Section 3 –  Nine or ten musicians.

The player of the Haban instrument is the conductor of the whole performance, with a variety of percussion instruments complementing the melody. The male and female groups of dancers move in a steady two-step rhythm, backward and forwards, with the musicians playing between the rows. This traditional dance is extremely popular at weddings in Dubai and across the UAE.

Preserving the Dance History of the UAE

A lot is being done to preserve the rich dance history of the UAE, with the national government working to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy and participate in the traditional dances. The UAE Ministry of National Heritage provides sponsorship to the Nation Folk Arts Group, which performs all over the Emirate and internationally, sharing the traditional dances.

Additionally, the Al Ayyalah plays such a significant part of the history of the UAE that in 2014 it was added on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Items of Humanity. This recognises that the traditional dance forms part of the nation’s identity and heritage. This recognition will help in the transfer of knowledge of the dance from one generation to the next, preserving the values of the dance amongst the people of the UAE.

To find out more about the dance history of the UAE or to attend some traditional dance events in Dubai, get in touch with Brooklyn Melodies. The dance and music school will have the class for you or will be able to point you in the right direction.

There’s rarely more fun to be had than at a music or dance festival. Music uplifts the spirit and when shared with thousands of people, the atmosphere is truly amazing. All over the world, there are music and dance festivals that are worth traveling thousands of miles for, as they offer an experience like no other. Dubai is a great destination for any event- thanks to the beautiful surroundings, glorious weather, and top class tourist attractions.

Top 10 Music and Dance Events in Dubai

Dubai is host to a number of great entertainment events, including some top quality music and dance events. Whether a one-off event, or an annual affair, the music and dance events in Dubai are varied, exciting, and well worth a visit. Here is our pick of the top 10 music and dance events Dubai has to offer.

Red Fest DXB

The biggest festival in the United Arab Emirates, Red Fest DXB has been an annual event since 2014 held in the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre every February. The two-day event has previously showcased the talent of Demi Lovato, The Script, Sean Paul, Bastille, and Tinie Tempah, as well as closing sets from DJs like Zane Lowe and Steve Aoki. Music is not the only thing on offer at Red Fest, there is also a wide range of street food vendors, interactive installations, and activities.

Groove on the Grass

Dubai’s largest EDM festival Groove on the Grass is held 5 times a year, with the next event taking place on the 23rd September 2018 at the Emirates Golf Club. Acts at the upcoming dance event include- Avatism, Ellen Allien, Droog, The Element, Josh Wink, and Radio Slave, amongst others. Groove on the Grass has two stages of electronic dance music, as well as an activities area featuring a boutique fashion and accessories marketplace.

Bongo’s Bingo Dubai

Dubai residents and holidaymakers will be pleased to know that the world-famous Bongo’s Bingo has arrived in Dubai. The next event will be held on the 26th of July at the Media One Hotel and will feature plenty of cheesy music, crazy prize giveaways, and even a few dance-offs. Bongo’s Bingo is a must-attend Dubai music event for those who just love to have fun.

Dubai Jazz Festival

The annual jazz festival has been going since 2003, growing from just a 1,000 visitors to an event attracting ten thousands of jazz fans from around the world. Previous performers have received the likes of John Legend, Sting, Duran Duran, and James Blunt. The next Dubai Jazz Festival will be held between the 13th and 22nd of February at the DMC Amphitheatre, with the line-up yet to be announced.

Carmen at Dubai Opera

Fans of the classical music are in for a real treat to see one of the world’s most popular opera productions, Carmen from the 6th to 8th of September. 2018. In the opulent surrounding of the Dubai, Opera patrons can get lost in the dramatic tale of the doomed love story between the fiery Carmen and her soldier lover, Don Jose.

Blended Music Festival

The pop music festival, Blended ran for two years before taking a break after the 2015 edition. It made a triumphant return in 2018 with a show in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, with headliners The Backstreet Boys performing, alongside Melanie C, Danny Aridi, Lemar, and Omar Afuni. Blended organisers have confirmed that they will return once again in 2019, so pop music fans should look out for updates on the lineup and location.

Dubai Marina Music Festival

Bringing music to life, the Dubai Marina Music Festival will be held between the 14th – 23rd of December 2018. Held at the beautiful Dubai Marina Mall, this unique music event encourages attendees to be more involved in music, with interactive shows and displays, and intimate live performances from musicians. The Dubai Marina Music Festival is a great event for those already living in Dubai, or for those who are visiting the amazing city as a tourist. Experience music in a different way at this wonderfully immersive festival.

Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theater

For those who love both music and Dance, Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theater will be performing a breathtaking show at Dubai Opera on the 4, 5, and 6th of October 2018. It is the world-famous dance company’s first time in the Middle East, where they will perform eight beautiful works that will celebrate the range and diversity of their dancers. As, the American Dance Company is in such high demand, having previously performed in 71 countries, this may be their only visit to Dubai for some time. So catch the show whilst you can.

Ghost the Musical

The smash hit, Ghost the Musical is coming to Dubai Opera from the 9th to 13th of October. The Hollywood film starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore has had great success as a stage musical with lyrics and music from Dave Steward and Glen Ballad. Following the story of lost love, when Molly loses her boyfriend Sam to a brutal murder, the show features beautiful performances and unforgettable songs, including ‘With You’ and The Righteous Brothers’ ‘Unchained Melody’. A good event for the whole family, Ghost is a must-see for the fans of musicals.

Wasla Music Festival

February 2018 saw the first Wasla Music Festival, which was Dubai’s First Arab Alternative Music Festival. The founders of Wasla aim to spread a positive message of inclusion and to showcase the talent of Arab artists through various art forms. The festival featured talks, art, and music to show the world, the Arab cultural alternative. Performers at this ground-breaking event included Cairokee, Aurostrad, Lekhfa, and Gnawa Diffusion. Hopefully, the Wasla music festival will return once again in 2019 and for many years to come.

The Diversity of Dubai Music Events

There is a huge diversity of music and dance events happening in Dubai in 2018 and beyond. From opera to electronic dance music, musicals to jazz, dance performance to contemporary pop music, there is something for everyone. Tourists can plan their trip around a particular event, and residents will have something to look forward to all year round.