Top tabla
Zakir Hussain is heading our way. James Fryer bangs the drum.
India’s tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain will lead a plethora of percussionists in a live performance at the Madinat Jumeirah this month. The event, titled ResonanZ – The Drums for Peace also includes drummer extraordinaire Terry Bozzio, India’s celebrated sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan, Puerto Rico’s Congo drummer Giovanni Hidalgo, accomplished violinist Kala Rammath and Bollywood music director and keyboard wizard Salim Merchant. A group of Uzbeki drummers will complete the international mix of artists.
ResonanZ, February 18, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3666546.
Laugh a minute
The UAE’s star line-up of comedy continues with a repertoire of side-splitting performances from acclaimed entertainers Andy Parsons and Ciamh McDonnell. The award-winning Parsons is a subversive genius, whose barbed opinions take common sense to the frontline of the battleground of modern life. McDonnell’s gentle Irish lilt is at once alluring and disarming, paving the way for the comic’s momentous punchlines to knock audiences sideways. A third act to be added to the bill was yet to be confirmed at the time of going to press.
Laughter Factory, February 21, Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi; February 22, Zinc, Crowne Plaza Dubai, February 23, Jimmy Dix, Movenpick Bur Dubai. Tickets Dhs85/95. Tel: (04) 3551862.
Guess list
Red carpet rumour mill
95% Paris Hilton
Whoa, hold your horses there, fellas. The TV celeb, party girl, aspiring actress and hotel heiress is supposed to be in town this month. Our sources are not saying why. We reckon it’s for the Tom O’Connor show at Crowne Plaza Dubai.
90% Audi S8
This is the car Sheikh Zayed Road has been waiting for. According to our resident stunt driver, the V10 Lamborghini-inspired S8 handles high-speed corners like a Japanese bullet train and is twice as fast.
25% George Galloway MP
The fiery parliamentarian was recently voted out of the Celebrity Big Brother house only to be greeted by the news that he’d narrowly avoided bankruptcy in a newspaper libel trial. Gorgeous George has a fondness for the Middle East and we see him pitching up soon. Respect.
15% Ricky Martin
The Latino charmer has been in the news recently for all manner of issues – personal hygiene being one of them. We see him here soon availing himself of the city’s excellent spas and watersports facilities.
10% Sienna Miller
... and lots of ‘celebrity’ friends, apparently. Jude Law’s former squeeze and Layer Cake star is pencilled in for this month’s much anticipated Harvey Nichols launch at Mall of the Emirates, so say our reliable retail gossips.