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Forget walks – it’s time to dance in the park. Wafi Mall’s In the Park returns on February 9 and 10 with live performances by Abba Revival, recreating the hits of Seventies’ pop sensations Abba at the Rooftop Gardens. Dh225 per person gets you a picnic basket; call 04 324 4100.
Something’s Coming to Dubai – and not just the popular song from Broadway musical West
Side Story. All the Grammyaward winning songs and original choreography by Jerome Robbins will be on stage when the show opens at the Dubai Opera on February 14. The starcrossed lovers of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are updated in the forbidden romance of Maria and Tony in Fifties’ workingclass Manhattan (because what’s in a place, either?) Tickets from Dh250 make for a great Valentine’s Day present at dubaiopera.com. There are 3pm matinee shows and evening performances at 8pm. Until February 18.
The RedFest DXB music festival is back this year with a line of international stars in tow – Heart Attack hitmaker Demi Lovato, Mike Posner (Cooler Than Me), Alessia Cara of Here fame, Aussie band The Veronicas and others will perform at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on February 2 and 3. Single-day tickets from Dh395; book at ticketmaster.ae.
An uphill battle takes on a whole new meaning on January 27 at the first Climb to Abu Dhabi – a vertical marathon at Etihad Towers. Both professional and amateur marathoners will have to step up their game to be able to climb the 82 floors (that’s 1,617 steps) in the elite time trial format to win $25,000 (about Dh91,825). Registrations for the elite category have closed, but the community category of 32 floors (720 steps) aimed at families, individuals and corporate and school teams is open until January 24 at climbtoabudhabi.sport360. com. Entry from Dh275 per person including race T-shirt, refreshments and goodie bag.
Book ahead for Ballet Under The Stars, a dinner and a show at Desert Palm Per Aquum. The outdoor performance on the resort’s lawns on January 26 and 27 will feature the classical dance form’s stars such as Spanish ballerina Lucia Lacarra. The show will also feature principals and soloists from other ballet companies such as the Royal Danish Ballet, English National Ballet, Strasbourg Ballet and Ballet Béjart. Tickets from Dh750, and include a beverage and a three-course dinner at platinumlist.net.