Exclusive parties and award winning acts including Yo Yo Honey Singh and Punjabi MC
Celebrations have begun across the UAE as Indians indulge in a splash of colourful hues for the festival of Holi.
Three major gigs are planned across Dubai for March 29, with top-notch artistes including Yo Yo Honey Singh and Punjabi MC holding exclusive concerts this Friday.
For those fans that missed out on the former’s 7,000 plus mega event with Mika Singh earlier this month at Atlantis The Palm will certainly have reason to make a beeline for Wonderland Theme and Water Park, with Singh especially performing at an all-aged event this time around.
Rang De Holi’, which is organised by The Country Club Dubai and Gulf Technical and Commercial Printing Press, will also feature Singh’s sidekick Mafia Mundeer, along with DJs Shadow, Kamya, Angel and Buddha.
Commenting on ‘Rang De’, Rajeev Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Country Club said: “The fact that ‘Rang De’ attracts well over 15,000 people just goes to show how much Indians in the UAE love to celebrate their festivals.
“…For this year, we are expecting a lot of young crowd as Honey Singh is very popular amongst youth.”
Commenting on his performance, Singh said: “I am looking forward to performing in Dubai. Holi is a very vibrant festival and many Bollywood hits like Rang Barse dedicated to the festival are highly popular with the audience. I will also sing some of my latest numbers and other Bollywood hits.”
They will be joined by the RJs from City 101.6 FM.
Arguably one of the most popular annual Holi party, the event will kick off at 10am until 6pm, with tickets priced at Dh75 to Dh200.
For those looking for a change of scene can hit the highway for the second Holi Beach Party, which will be held on March 29 also at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort’s Club Joumana.
Last year, the Holi Beach Party drew in a crowd of 9,000 plus enthusiasts; this year will easily cross that number, especially considering we have already sold 60 per cent of our tickets.”
Kumar, who is also one of the DJs performing at the beach party, said the major draw, of course, was the inclusion of 10 artistes at a single venue, with headliners Punjabi MC taking the spotlight.
“The British bhangra band has a huge following here, followed by another UK band, Offlicence,” he revealed.
Beside the main performances, local DJs, Hani, Tushar, Sukhi, Vimal, Nodd’e and Kumar himself will spin at the turntables.
“As a festival, Holi has a huge fan following with this year, our even attracting people from Saudi Arabia, Oman and even Kuwait,” he revealed, adding: “Plus, our venue is central for people in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain too.”
However, Kumar said that the party wasn’t limited to Asians alone.
“We’ve had several Russians and Filipinos that have also snapped up tickets; it’s a festival for all really,” he said.
The event will kick off at 11am until 6pm, with tickets priced rom Dh75 to Dh150.
Meanwhile, the latest player is the ‘Emax – Festival of colours’, marking itself as a couples only party at the Domeland arena, Chi @The Lodge on Friday also.
Organised by Event Brokers, the gig, which kicks off from 2pm until 11pm, will feature DJs Sonee, Varsha, Carlos, G2 and Scorpio.
The highlight of the event is special dhol performances that will take place every hour.
Tickets are priced at Dh75 per couple.
Sona Kashyap, a Dubai-based mother of two, said: “I go with my family every year to Wonderland for Holi. I think it’s simply a great way for expat children growing up outside India to connect with the festivals their parents have grown up celebrating. Plus, it’s more calm and collecting than the chaos that occurs back home.”
Irfaan Sheikh, who plans to travel up from Abu Dhabi with his friends to celebrate Holi at the beach party in Jebel Ali, said: “It is my favourite Indian festival; no pretentions or dressing up, but just plain and simple fun.”
Source: E 24/7
