Hot hot beat
James Fryer gets ready to throw some shapes as world ranking DJ Eddie Halliwell drops a needle in the groove.
Eddie Halliwell will be all hands on deck this month in a bid to follow last month’s epic Judge Jules gig. The passionate DJ – ranked 17th in the world – is capable of infecting the crowd with his energy, captivating them with his highly visual performances and making jaws drop with his turntable trickery. Halliwell burst onto the world stage a few years ago as the highest new entry in the UK DJ Magazine’s top 100 poll. Since then his rise to fame has been like a deep bass crescendo – winning Mixmag DJ Of The Year in 2003, performing at world-class clubs including Creamfields and Godskitchen and spinning a third UK Radio 1 Essential Mix CD. He’s already made two tours of East Asia, a tour of Australia with Godskitchen and made numerous visits to the USA, Canada, Russia, Egypt and Dubai.
Eddie Halliwell, January 12, The Apartment, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai. 10pm to 3am, entrance is Dhs50. Tel: (04) 4068000.
Sail away
The Gulf’s top young sailing talent will be taking to the world stage this month as they set sail on the Arabian Gulf to compete in the Dubai Match sailing race, launched this month as part of the Junior Regatta. An impressive 130 top young competitors from 18 nations including the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar will be taking part.
Dubai Junior Regatta, January 22 to 29, Dubai International Marine Club. www.dimc-uae.com.
Guess list
Red carpet rumour mill
99% Bryan Adams
Dubai regular Adams is set to return in the New Year with a view to hammer out his own brand of Canadian rock. And when he’s not doing that he’s taking photographic portraits of Queen Elizabeth – now that’s rock ‘n’ roll.
99% Robbie Williams
Is he? Isn’t he? Well, with a whopping 99 per cent it’s now a big YES. Robbie is set to play Dubai in April. Watch this space.
99% Kool and the Gang
Outrageous funk genius ’70s legends will be playing Dubai Jazz Festival 2006. Join the Gang in February.
80% George Michael
Everybody loves George, so it’s a bit of a surprise he’s not been before. Well, he’s coming now – you just gotta have Faith.
60% James Blunt
The ex-soldier is heading to Dubai to fire off a few rounds from his latest album, Back to Bedlam. We salute you, James.
25% Janet Jackson
Get your hits out for the lads – this rumour is still in the embryonic stage but we believe Michael has sold her on the idea.
10% Mark Thatcher
Oh, dear. The disgraced son of a former UK premiere recently had his Monaco visa revoked. We’re predicting he’s heading this way. However, he has a history of getting lost in the desert so don’t expect him anytime soon.