Abu Dhabi, UAE – October 28^th, 2012: The opening weekend of Yasalam 2012 attracted over 50,000 visitors, delighting people of all ages and backgrounds with a roster of activities including the F1 FanZone™, a Guinness World Record breaking attempt, TROPFEST Arabia, family films at Screen by the Sea and the digital design battle, Cut&Paste. By Saturday afternoon over 50,000 people had already visited the activities, with many more expected throughout Sunday.

Kicking off this year’s festivities on Thursday, 25 October was Abu Dhabi’s latest world record breaking attempt. In perfect conditions, more than 1000 people gathered at Al Sahil beach in an attempt to build the largest number of sandcastles in an hour. With a target of 684 sandcastles, groups of friends and families armed with buckets and spades set to work building over 700 sandcastles. With strict guidelines in place however, the official Guinness World Record adjudicator ruled that only 537 sandcastles met the criteria. Nevertheless, the event was a testament to the determination of the community, embodying the spirit of Yasalam with many volunteers leaving smiling and happy.

The F1 FanZone™ at the heart of the Corniche also opened its doors on Thursday.  Scores of visitors enjoyed a range of motorsport themed activity, including race driving simulators, sand sculptures and the Yasalam Responsibly ‘infotainment’ centre raising awareness on safe driving.

TROPFEST Arabia provided the second night’s entertainment, showcasing the very best short films from across the region to crowds on Al Sahil beach under a starry night’s sky.  An evening of film followed on Saturday as part of the Screen by the Sea weekend, with free family films showing on giant plasma screens.

Saturday’s interactive sessions in gaming, digital and design provided the perfect opportunity for the UAE’s budding design talent to hone their skills before the night’s main event, Cut&Paste. Returning to Al Sahil beach for the second time as part of Yasalam, teams of two were vigorously put through their paces clicking, dragging and dropping their way through a series of design briefs against the clock.

This year’s winning team was Brandon Fernandes and Ishfaq Zaman who walked away with two Wacom Cintiq 12WX Pen-Based Displays as prizes.

Visiting the Yasalam opening weekend and taking part in the Guinness World Record attempt was Paul from Abu Dhabi: “We came to the Corniche today for a fun, family day out. My little ones really enjoyed building their sandcastles and there was a fantastic atmosphere on the beach. We might not have broken the record but it was great fun regardless!”

Ahmed Abdulfattah from Egypt took part in the interactive sessions at the Creative Pavilion, “I really enjoyed the smart phone movie production workshop. It was really informative and I feel really inspired now to go out and film. I want to become a filmmaker after college so this event has really motivated me to get out there and pursue my dreams.”

Yasalam 2012 Live on the Corniche will culminate with the popular Beats on the Beach free concert series. Storming the stage on Thursday, 1 November are headliners Melanie C, Missy Elliott and Tamer Hosny. Friday, 2 November will see Hani El Omary and Maya Diab wow the crowd before R’n’B sensation CeeLo Green wraps up the weekend. A number of music and dance workshops will take place through the weekend of 1-3 November. Visit www.yasalam.ae for full programme details.

This year a number of Emirati up-and-coming musical talents have been confirmed as part of the exciting line-up on the Corniche. Catering to a wide variety of musical tastes, Mansour Zayed, Murex Role’s ‘Best Promising Singer in the Gulf’ winner and R&B brothers ‘Desert Heat’ will be performing on Thursday 1 November. Hip hop artist Hussain Hashim aka “Sain” will be opening the Corniche stage with a special R&B song recorded exclusively for Yasalam.

The F1 FanZone™ is open daily with a range of motorsport flavoured activities.  Open Thursday and Friday from 4pm till midnight, and Saturday – Wednesday 5pm – 11pm.

The Yasalam festival runs from 25 October to 4 November with music concerts, film events, creative workshops and the F1 FanZone™ at the Corniche, across the city, and on Yas Island. Live performances take place at du Arena on race weekend, exclusively for F1™ race ticket holders only.  This year’s performers are Kylie Minogue, Nickelback and Eminem. The full Yasalam programme is available to view at www.yasalam.ae

The 2012 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be held at Yas Marina Circuit on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Tickets can be purchased from www.yasmarinacircuit.com

12:00 NOON MONDAY 28^TH NOVEMBER

Standing, Seating and VIP Tables on sale 12:00 noon Monday 28^th November at www.thinkflash.ae

Prices start at only 325 AED with unique limited Fan Pit Early Access tickets placing fans at the very heart of the Coldplay live concert experience.

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 27 November 2011: Tickets for Coldplay’s New Year’s Eve concert in the UAE capital presented by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), and brought to the capital by FLASH Entertainment – go on sale from midday on Monday 28^th November at www.thinkflash.ae.

Coldplay will perform live on December 31^st at a unique venue adjacent to the purpose-built ‘Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village’ on the Corniche Breakwater – which from New Year’s Eve until 14^th January 2012 will host the six-strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet, its sea-hardened sailors and the more than 100,000 expected fans.

Having last played to 20,000 fans in Abu Dhabi in 2009, the British band is relishing a return to the UAE capital to play for their tens of thousands of fans from across the region and beyond.

Tickets start at 325 AED for General Admission, 495 AED for Grandstand Seating and 695 AED for Fan Pit tickets. The New Year’s Eve show will also offer fans a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to see Coldplay up close, with a handful of 995 AED tickets granting Early Access to the Fan Pit 45 minutes before doors open.

Tickets for Coldplay’s New Year’s Eve concert are on sale tomorrow Monday November 28^th 12:00 PM UAE time, at www.thinkflash.ae. For table bookings and information call 800 FLASH (35274) or +971 4 366 2288 from outside the UAE

Travel packages will be available at www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com

Ticket Categories information:

Fan Pit Early Access (Standing) @ 995 AED

• Standing section at the front of the stage
• Limited availability

Fan Pit (Standing) @ 695 AED

• Standing section
• Limited availability

General Admission (Standing) @ 325 AED

• Standing section behind the Fan Pit area

Grandstand (Reserved Seating) @ 495 AED

• Reserved seating on a raised platform behind all standing areas
• Limited availability

VIP table information:

VIP Silver Tables of 15 @ 15,000 AED

• Includes: 2 VIP parking pass
• Table service
• A selection of beverages

VIP Gold Tables of 15 @ 20,000 AED

• Includes: 3 VIP parking passes
• Table service
• A selection of beverages

VIP Platinum Tables of 15 @ 25,000 AED

• Includes: 4 VIP parking passes
• Premium table location
• Table service
• A selection of beverages

All tables located to the side of the Fan Pit section on raised platforms.  Prices set to reflect closeness to the stage as well as the beverage package included with the table.

COLDPLAY TO KICK OFF VOLVO OCEAN RACE & NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN ABU DHABI

Events Photography

Coldplay

 

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 20^th November 2011: Seven-time Grammy award-winning rock band Coldplay will usher the New Year into Abu Dhabi, kick-starting the emirate’s historic hosting of the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race – the gruelling round-the-world yacht race, widely regarded as the ‘Everest of Sailing’.

Presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), and brought to the capital by FLASH Entertainment, Coldplay will perform live on December 31^st at a unique venue adjacent to the purpose-built ‘Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village’ on the Corniche Breakwater – which from 31st December 2011 till 14^th January 2012 will host the six-strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet, its sea-hardened sailors and the more than 100,000 expected fans.

Having last played to 20,000 fans in Abu Dhabi in 2009, the British band is relishing a return to the UAE capital to play for their tens of thousands of fans from across the region and beyond.

On the back of the band’s latest album ‘Mylo Xyloto’, which debuted at number one in 30 countries worldwide and smashed the record for the highest number of download sales in one week, ADTA is optimistic that Coldplay’s iconic status as arguably one of the biggest bands on the planet will significantly boost visitor numbers to the ‘Destination Village’.

And the Coldplay announcement is proof that ADTA – which is lead-managing the emirate’s Volvo Ocean Race campaign – is delivering on its pledge to make its stopover an ‘unparalleled highlight’ in the 38 year-old history of the race.

“We promised a destination hosting like no other when we began our Volvo Ocean Race campaign and the confirmation of Coldplay’s New Year’s Eve concert signals our intention to live up to that commitment. With customised travel packages for both the concert and race, we are confident that Abu Dhabi will again raise the bar as a destination of distinction for international sporting events,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA.

John Lickrish, Managing Director of FLASH Entertainment, spoke of the excitement at securing the band: “In 2009, Coldplay stunned Abu Dhabi with a phenomenal performance that left us in awe. They are a simply stunning live act with a global fan base of millions, rightfully hailed as one of the biggest bands on the planet. We all know and love their catalogue of hits, but with a hot new album to perform this year, Coldplay live in Abu Dhabi is going to be one of the most memorable New Year’s Eve you’ve ever seen….anywhere! We can’t wait.”

Full details on the show will be announced shortly, including ticket prices, times, and race arena details. Tickets will be available soon at www.thinkflash.ae (make sure you’re the first to know when tickets go on sale; ‘like’ http://www.facebook.com/ThinkFlashAbuDhabi and www.facebook.com/abudhabioceanracing)

Travel packages will be available at www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com

 

COLDPLAY TO KICK OFF VOLVO OCEAN RACE & NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN ABU DHABI

Events

Coldplay

 

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 20^th November 2011: Seven-time Grammy award-winning rock band Coldplay will usher the New Year into Abu Dhabi, kick-starting the emirate’s historic hosting of the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race – the gruelling round-the-world yacht race, widely regarded as the ‘Everest of Sailing’.

Presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), and brought to the capital by FLASH Entertainment, Coldplay will perform live on December 31^st at a unique venue adjacent to the purpose-built ‘Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village’ on the Corniche Breakwater – which from 31st December 2011 till 14^th January 2012 will host the six-strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet, its sea-hardened sailors and the more than 100,000 expected fans.

Having last played to 20,000 fans in Abu Dhabi in 2009, the British band is relishing a return to the UAE capital to play for their tens of thousands of fans from across the region and beyond.

On the back of the band’s latest album ‘Mylo Xyloto’, which debuted at number one in 30 countries worldwide and smashed the record for the highest number of download sales in one week, ADTA is optimistic that Coldplay’s iconic status as arguably one of the biggest bands on the planet will significantly boost visitor numbers to the ‘Destination Village’.

And the Coldplay announcement is proof that ADTA – which is lead-managing the emirate’s Volvo Ocean Race campaign – is delivering on its pledge to make its stopover an ‘unparalleled highlight’ in the 38 year-old history of the race.

“We promised a destination hosting like no other when we began our Volvo Ocean Race campaign and the confirmation of Coldplay’s New Year’s Eve concert signals our intention to live up to that commitment. With customised travel packages for both the concert and race, we are confident that Abu Dhabi will again raise the bar as a destination of distinction for international sporting events,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA.

John Lickrish, Managing Director of FLASH Entertainment, spoke of the excitement at securing the band: “In 2009, Coldplay stunned Abu Dhabi with a phenomenal performance that left us in awe. They are a simply stunning live act with a global fan base of millions, rightfully hailed as one of the biggest bands on the planet. We all know and love their catalogue of hits, but with a hot new album to perform this year, Coldplay live in Abu Dhabi is going to be one of the most memorable New Year’s Eve you’ve ever seen….anywhere! We can’t wait.”

Full details on the show will be announced shortly, including ticket prices, times, and race arena details. Tickets will be available soon at www.thinkflash.ae (make sure you’re the first to know when tickets go on sale; ‘like’ http://www.facebook.com/ThinkFlashAbuDhabi and www.facebook.com/abudhabioceanracing)

Travel packages will be available at www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com

 

Britney Spears opens F1 yas island concerts in spectacular fashion | Abu Dhabi Concert Photographer

Press Release

 

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: 12^th November, 2011: American pop princess Britney Spears treated her Middle Eastern fans to an unforgettable show in Abu Dhabi on 11.11.11 at the Yas Arena, Yas Island, to open up the F1 concerts in spectacular fashion.

 

The Femme Fatal recording artist put on one of the most visually creative shows since Beyonce’s appearance on Yas Island two years ago. Not only dazzling the crowd with her high-octane choreographed 90-minute show, she also allowed some fans to share the stage experience after inviting some lucky ones up to perform with her in front of a packed arena.

Hits such as Big Fat Bass, How I Roll and Gimme More kept the crowd swinging under the cool breeze during a night that brought plenty of surprises for her fans that had travelled from across the globe to see her. Spears appeared on stage at 9pm, putting on a memorable show that opened up with Hold it Against Me before she rolled out other favourites such as Lace and Leather and If U Seek Amy. 

 

Fans, many who had arrived early to form a line that snaked its way around Yas Arena, were warmed up by Australian duo NERVO who entertained the 30,000 of music lovers, who waited patiently to get a glimpse of the ‘Till the World Ends’ performer.

 

Sharjah resident Mohammed Qassim, who comes from Iraq, said: “I drove all the way from Sharjah to attend Britney’s concert. We grew up listening to Britney’s music and I never imagined that I would see her live on stage. The evening was really amazing… it like was a dream coming true.”

The concert series continues tonight (Saturday) with British rock band The Cult and American rockers Incubus. The Yasalam after-race concerts are exclusively for 2011 F1™ Etihad Airways Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders.