Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 25 December, 2017 4:04 pm |

The iconic Al Majaz Amphitheatre, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), will host renowned Kuwait singer Abdallah Al Rowaished and Emirati star Balqees as the opening night headliners of the fifth Sharjah World Music Festival (SWMF 2018), on January 12.

 

The open-air semi-circular Al Majaz Amphitheatre is the first of its kind in the Middle East, which has emerged as a leading destination for cultural and artistic performances in the UAE and beyond. Boasting world-class infrastructure and sound technology, the venue has drawn keen attention from cultural figures and international artists, due to its role in communicating Sharjah’s cultural message.

 

Best known as the ‘Ambassador of Gulf Song’, Abdallah Al Rowaished is a popular singer in the Arab world. He won the ‘Best Arab Singer’ award in 1999 for his song ‘The Last Beloved’, and the ‘Outstanding Artistic Creativity’ award in 2010 at the ART Festival.

 

The Emirati award-winning singer and soprano, Balqees, made a debut in the music industry in 2013 with the record-breaking album Majnoun Balqees, and has since  earned herself millions of fans and many prestigious awards including iTunes’ ‘Best Singer in the Middle East’ in 2015, and the Murex d'Or’s ‘Best Arab Khaliji Singer’ in 2017.

 

HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of SGMB, said: “Organising this concert is part of Al Majaz Amphitheatre’s cultural initiatives, which aim to enrich the cultural landscape of the Gulf, and add to its role in furthering the global artistic movement by bringing spectacular performances to audiences from different nationalities and backgrounds.

 

“We are pleased to host the accomplished Kuwaiti artist Abdallah Al Rowaished this year, who is one of the greatest Arab music contemporaries. We are also delighted to have Balqees, a superstar in the Khaliji music arena, whose immense popularity comes from her formidable talent and grand presence on stage.”

 

 

Abdallah Al Rowaished said: “Sharjah is revered worldwide as a region hub for cultural and artistic enterprises. The concept of bringing the best international musicians and local audiences together in one venue broadens people’s horizons and enables intercultural understanding and appreciation. For me, my presence at Sharjah World Music Festival is a great opportunity to experience the emirate’s wonderful diversity and connect with enthusiasts of authentic Gulf songs.”

 

For her part, accomplished soprano Balqees expressed excitement about meeting her fans at SWMF 2018. “The festival’s growing popularity and reputation was one of the major motivations for my appearance at Al Majaz Amphitheatre. I look forward to bringing something completely new and exciting to the SWMF audiences – something none of my past concerts have seen.”

 

Tickets for Sharjah World Music Festival’s concerts are available online at www.ticketmaster.ae, and can be purchased at customer service counters of Al Qasba Theatre, The Flag Island Theatre, Al Majaz Amphitheatre and Al Majaz Waterfront.

 

 

The fifth edition of SWMF, presented by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in a strategic partnership with Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Al Majaz Amphitheatre, will feature 14 concerts spanning Arabic and Andalusian music, Jazz, and more will have something in the offering for music lovers of different tastes and preferences. Five concerts are ticketed are distributed between two stunning venues, Al Majaz Amphitheatre and Flag Island Theatre. The remaining nine performances will be free for public viewing and will be held outdoors at Al Qasba and Al Majaz Waterfront.

 

Since it was inaugurated in 2014, Al Majaz Amphitheatre hosted spectacular eastern and western shows and musicals featuring internationally recognised artists.  Some of the top Arabic names who have performed at the iconic outdoor venue include Saudi legend Mohammed Abdu, Majida El Roumi, Kazem Al Saher, Marcel Khalife and Hussein Al Jassmi. Greek musical legend Yanni, and Latin music maestro Jolio Iglesias, are among other renowned western musicians who have performed at the theatre.