Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Address Residence Fountain Views' launch by Emaar records sell-out response on first day of public launch

 Emaar Properties PJSC, the developer of iconic real estate assets, record sell-out investor response to The Address Residence Fountain Views, the first exclusive serviced residences in Downtown Dubai, on the very first day of its public launch. Potential customers had the option to register their interest online and were offered the opportunity to purchase the homes on a first registered, first served basis. The Address Residence Fountain Views received strong customer registrations and all units released were sold out on the very first day of sale.

 
 
Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: "The overwhelming investor response to The Address Residence Fountain Views is another strong testament to the robust property demand in Dubai, led by its economic growth and the city's global recognition as a thriving business and tourism hub. As the first of its kind exclusive serviced residences, The Address Residence Fountain Views not only appealed to residents in the city but also to investors from around the world. Its central location in Downtown Dubai, the most visited lifestyle and tourism destination in the world, makes the residences a first choice for property investment."
He added: "Over the past months, Emaar's new project launches have recorded overwhelming investor response. This underlines the investor confidence in our commitment to creating world-class developments and our focus on timely delivery. We will continue to explore potential development opportunities in line with the growing demand for homes in the city, especially in premier communities such as Downtown Dubai."
An integral part of the expansion of The Dubai Mall, The Address Residence Fountain Views is directly linked to the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, with all residences opening to spectacular views of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain. A 55-level dedicated serviced residences development with only 280 residences, all to be serviced by the professional team of The Address Hotels + Resorts, The Address Residence Fountain Views offers investors the choice of spacious 1, 2, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom apartments.
Downtown Dubai, one of the most sought-after communities for residential sales as well as leasing, is a must-visit tourist attraction, having welcomed more than 60 million visitors. The attractions in Downtown Dubai, described as 'The Centre of Now' and most prestigious square kilometre on earth, include At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace; At.mosphere, the world's highest restaurant; and a total of six world-class hotels including the Armani Hotel Dubai.

Emaar.com

Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Address Residence Fountain Views Floor Plans


1 Bed Room



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2 Bed Rooms


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3 Bed Rooms
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Biggest Dubai Marathon

Elite runners arrive with an eye to shatter course records set last year

Dubai: The stage is set for the biggest ever Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. Tomorrow, over 20,000 runners will hit the streets of Dubai to shatter the record for the highest number of participants in the 15-year-old history of the event. 



For Ahmad Al Kamali, the General Co-ordinator of the Dubai Marathon, President of the UAE Athletic Federation and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council member, it will be a special moment.
Kamali, who visualised this event and transformed it into one of the finest marathons in the world told Gulf News: “I am so happy to be linked with such an event. Fifteen years ago when this marathon began, only around 100 runners took part and to see this event grow to such proportions with the best runners taking part makes me very happy.”
Twelve months ago the Marathon scaled greater heights with men and women shattering the course record. Former world junior cross country champion Ayele Abshero from Ethiopia won the men’s event with a time of 2:04.23 followed by two Ethiopians and a Kenyan running under the 2:05 mark.
In the women’s race new bests were also recorded with Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia winning with a timing of 2:19.31 with three women running under the 2:20 mark.
With excellent weather conditions expected, Dubai Marathon organisers are hoping for another string of new records. Peter Connerton, the event director said: “We only hope the weather does not get too hot on Friday. We had fantastic conditions last year. We had 14 degrees at start and 15 degrees at finish last year. I was out there today at the course and it was 14 degrees at 7am and 16 at the finish time so I don’t think that weather will change dramatically. We will once again deliver a good show.”
Vibrant
The best runners from around the world have once again arrived to take part except for the two winners in the men’s and women’s categories who could not recover from their injuries in time to retain their titles. Ethiopian and Kenyan runners who have dominated in this event are once again here in large numbers.
J.W. Marriott Marquis Dubai, which is the official hotel for the event was filled with runners around the world, collecting their run numbers and race packs.
Rupprecht Queitsch, General Manager of J.W. Marriott told Gulf News: “It is very vibrant and motivating to see so many people being here wanting to run. It has even livened up our hotel. We are proud to have all the best runners in our hotel.”
Jonathan Morris, the Chief Executive Officer of the title sponsors Standard Chartered, said: “We are delighted to be associated with this event for the last nine years. It is very pleasing to see the event grow in stature and significance over the years.
Adidas, the official outfitter of the event is giving ClimaCool running shirt to every participant in the Dubai Marathon with. The shirt is designed to help runners to stay cool and ventilated throughout their race. With leading body temperature control technology, adidas claim the shirt provides outstanding breathability and moisture management to keep runners at their best throughout the marathon.
Ethiopian women runners Tirfi Tsegaye and Koren Jelela, coached by Gemedu Dedefo, are here as strong contenders while in the men’s section their countrymen Yemane Tsegay and Dadi Yami are the favourites.

gulfnews.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Emaar launches The Address Residence Fountain Views, the first fully dedicated serviced residences' property in Downtown Dubai

 Emaar Properties PJSC, the developer of iconic real estate assets, has unveiled The Address Residence Fountain Views, the first exclusive serviced residences in Downtown Dubai, the most prestigious square kilometre on earth. 



Emaar Online Registration

With Downtown Dubai hosting over 60 million visitors to become the world's most visited
destination, the new dedicated serviced residences are a distinctive investment opportunity, billed to be a home for the city's residents and a second home for tourists from around the world, who wish for short or long stays in Dubai. Residents become part of one of the most vibrant lifestyle communities, described as 'The Centre of Now,' with an array of choices spanning retail, leisure and hospitality in close proximity.
An integral part of the expansion of The Dubai Mall, The Address Residence Fountain Views is directly linked to the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, with all residences also opening to spectacular views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain.
Offering an unparalleled lifestyle choice, The Address Residence Fountain Views is a 55-level dedicated serviced residences development. With only 280 residences, all to be serviced by the professional team of The Address Hotels + Resorts, the newest lifestyle development in Downtown Dubai offers investors the choice of spacious 1, 2, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom apartments.
Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: "As the world's most visited tourism, shopping and lifestyle destination, Downtown Dubai is today the connoisseur's choice for premium homes in Dubai. Today, the city has established its clear lead as a business and tourism hub recording significant growth in passenger arrivals, tourist numbers and the duration of stay of guests. With the launch of The Address Residence Fountain Views, Emaar's first exclusive serviced residences’ development in Downtown Dubai, we are offering the city’s residents and visitors the choice of being part of one of the the world’s most dynamic communities."
He added: "In addition to the significant location advantage of being in the heart of the city, residents will have the advantage of enjoying the world-class service offered by The Address Hotels + Resorts, Emaar’s own hotel brand, and the convenience of directly accessing The Dubai Mall. The lifestyle buzz of Downtown Dubai, highlighted by the year-round calendar of cultural and entertainment events, will further add to their quality of life. The opening of the metro link connecting the Downtown Dubai to the Dubai Metro station, further enhances connectivity."
Elegantly designed by an international team of architects, in line with the world-class standards set by Emaar, The Address Residence Fountain Views marks the first launch of residential property by the global property developer in 2013. This follows the overwhelming response to the launch of serviced residences in The Address The BLVD, also in Downtown Dubai, and premium villas in Arabian Ranches, highlighting the robust performance of the city's property sector led by all-round economic growth.
Downtown Dubai was one of the most sought-after communities for residential sales as well as leasing in 2012, as cited by several property sector reports. The 500-acre community, a must-visit tourist attraction, was also in the global spotlight by welcoming more than 1.7 million visitors – one of the highest number of people at a single event globally – for the Downtown Dubai New Year’s Eve Gala.
The attractions in Downtown Dubai include At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace; At.mosphere, the world’s highest restaurant; and a total of six world-class hotels including the Armani Hotel Dubai.
Inside The Dubai Mall, visitors can take their pick from over 1,200 retail outlets or numerous leisure attractions including the 22-screen Reel Cinemas; KidZania®, a role-play destination for youngsters billed as a 'children's city’; SEGA Republic, the largest of its kind indoor theme park; and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
Another spectacular attraction in Downtown Dubai is the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, which is envisaged as one of the world’s most prestigious, offering a rich array of retail and F&B choices. Downtown Dubai hosts a spectacular array of events all through the year including live concerts, art exhibitions and signature events such as the Emirates Classic Car Festival and Downtown Dubai Parade, National Day. Downtown Dubai will also feature the Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District, featuring the city’s first opera house and several design galleries.
Potential customers can register interest for serviced residences in The Address Residence Fountain Views from January 22, 2013, at www.emaar.com. The sale will be on a first come first serve basis on January 26, at 9am. They can also toll-free 800 EMAAR (36227) for more details.

Emaar.Com

Friday, January 18, 2013

Emaar to launch new luxury tower in Downtown Dubai

The Address Residence Fountain Views will be launched on January 26

Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest developer, will be launching The Address Residence Fountain Views, a luxury tower, in the Downtown Dubai distrcit later this month.

The public launch of new tower is scheduled for January 26, according to an invite sent by the developer to its registered real estate agents.

The Address Residence Fountain Views will be the first project to be launched by Emaar this year.

In November, the developer had announced it will be launching new luxury homes and serviced residences in Downtown Dubai and commence expansion of the Dubai Mall by building a new high-street boulevard style retail destination.

Emaar has launched the “Sky Collection“, a range of three-, four- and five-bedroom serviced residences, penthouses, and duplexes set on the uppermost levels of the 72-storey The Address The BVLD hotel and serviced apartment tower.

The tower, which includes 200 hotel rooms and 523 serviced residences, was launched in September 2012 and had recorded a sell-out response from investors.

Brookfield Multiplex Construction has commenced on the tower, which is located close to Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.

Market sources told this website earlier that Emaar had sold units in The Address The BVLD as high as Dh29,000 per square metre (Dh2,650 per square feet), which were more than double the average sale price in the area.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Eat Out: Cafes galore on MBR Boulevard

Even if you are an avid follower of restaurant news, you may be hard pushed to keep up with the openings along Emaar Boulevard these days. In the space of a few weeks, dozens of outlets have emerged from behind hoardings to sell everything from traditional Lebanese (Leila) to Irish (Bennigans) and American (Hollywood Burger). But let’s focus on this week’s simultaneous openings at the far end of the road that encircles Downtown, just opposite the Fashion Avenue entrance of the mall, and at the foot of Burj Khalifa. Two cafes, two very different ends of the coffee spectrum.
 
 Laila Restaurant At Claren Towers
 
Firstly, there’s the first UAE outlet of Maison Du Cafe, the restaurant brand created by Lebanese coffee lords Cafe Najjar. This is THE place to come if you want to try what’s generally known as Turkish coffee -- the small cups of thick coffee made by boiling the grounds and water together in a small pan. Cafe Najjar is a sought-after roastery, which created the Maison Du Cafe chain in order to serve its coffee in-house. There are 12 varieties available, and the helpful menu explains the characteristics and how it should be served, such as whether it benefits from more or less sugar (sugar is added during the coffee-making process) or a few drops of orange blossom water.
Freshness is key, says Louay Moursel, operation manager at the cafe. “The beans are roasted in Lebanon, and ground here when the customer orders it. We do not grind in large quantities, and it’s never kept for the next day.”
The small cups are a great way to try out the blends, which include the famously expensive Jamaican Blue Mountain -- here, a cup is just Dh35 (although once you’re hooked, you’ll pay plenty to take home a few hundred grams -- the cafe also sells all beans to take home). Most popular are the Dubai and Beirut blends. “When we decided to open in Dubai, we asked Mr Najjar for something special. He gave us the Dubai blend, which is a secret blend,” says Moursel.
Suitably buzzed? Take yourself over to Giolittli, an Italian import just a few doors down. Here, they also serve coffee, but you’re really here for two things: gelato and fettuccini. I love places, like these two, that focus on one or two things, and make sure they do them right. The gelato at Giolitti, a Roman parlour founded in 1900, is sensational. And it’s only 7-8 per cent fat, according to the owner, Antonio Borraccino. The gelato -- a super-creamy Italian version of ice cream, Dh15-25 depending on portion size -- is a closely-guarded, unchanged recipe, and all staff at the restaurant are Italians who are resident in the UAE. “One hundred years ago, it was impossible to make gelato with chemicals,” says Borraccino. “It’s Italian without compromise.” But before you get started on the gelato, save space for fettucini Alfredo. This, apparently, is the “real” alfredo (no chicken, the Italians are at pains to mention). Behind a glass window, chefs make fresh egg pasta by hand, cutting it into thick ribbons. At your tableside, another presents a bowlful topped with butter (churned in-house) and fistfuls of 16-month old Parmesan cheese (that’s quite young, and it’s slightly creamier). That’s all. Then, by simply mixing the three ingredients carefully, over and over, a thick, creamy sauce is made. It’s incredible. It’s cheesy, tangy, salty, creamy and the pasta is just slightly firm. It’s Dh70 per person.

Gulfnews.Com

Dubai's Emaar awards contract to build 72-storey hotel near Burj Khalifa

Emaar Properties has awarded the contract to build a 72-storey hotel in Dubai, in what is set to be the sixth property to launch under its Address brand.
Emaar said today The Address The BLVD project will be built by Brookfield Multiplex Construction, according to a statement to the stock exchange.
No value for the contract was given in a statement issued by the emirate's largest listed property developer.
The building will include 200 hotel rooms and 523 serviced residences and will be located close to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa
Hundreds Of People queued in line at the development's off-plan sales launch in September, including many labourers paid by property agents and brokerages to stand in the heat on behalf of buyers.
"Emaar has awarded [the] construction contract for The Address The BLVD in Downtown Dubai to Brookfield Multiplex Construction," the developer said.
"The 72-storey hotel is 370 metres high, and will be one of the tallest buildings in Downtown Dubai, next to Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building."
The building is scheduled for handover in 2015, Emaar said.

TheNational.ae 

Friday, January 4, 2013

DSF 2013 takes off in style

DUBAI: The Dubai Shopping Festival 2013 started with a spectacular show at the Creek Park, Dubai, on Thursday with the aim to showcase Dubai at its Best. The inaugural ceremony was marked by an exquisite celebration of fireworks, combined with enchanting performances by extremely talented international artistes.

The grand opening ceremony featured a hi-tech sound and light show performed on the waters of the Creek with a moving water wall created out of a fine jet spray of the creek waters, and showcasing still and moving images depicting the history of Dubai. The inaugural ceremony received a fitting finale with spectacular fireworks shows at Al Seef Street and the Festival Promenade at Dubai Festival City.

The opening ceremony also set off a chain of activities to celebrate the opening of DSF 2013 at the districts and sites located alongside Dubai Creek, which will be the focal point of events throughout the festival. The key venues that will come alive in unison on the first day are the Creek Park, the Heritage and Diving Village, Al Seef Street and the Festival Promenade at Dubai Festival City.

The 32-day festival will feature hundreds of colourful and exciting events besides the innumerable shopping opportunities, entertainment events, and prizes for shoppers.

Although the festival will play a significant role in promoting new entertainment projects and establishing a vibrant entertainment industry in Dubai, the main highlights of the DSF 2013 calendar remain the shopping promotions, mega draws and DSF signature events.

The DSF Mega Raffles are back in a bigger, mind-boggling prize format. Everyday, the Infiniti Mega Raffle gives DSF shoppers the chance to drive away with a fresh start to the future. Every day, one lucky winner will drive away with a luxurious Infiniti JX 35 and a luxurious Infiniti G25 plus Dhs100,000 in cash. While the Nissan Grand Raffle will give away shoppers this DSF the chance to drive home one of 12 different Nissan models daily, starting from Friday.

The Gold Mega Raffle is back this DSF with a gold promotion that is offering prizes worth millions across the 32 days of the festival.  Shoppers will receive coupons to enter the raffle draw on spending Dhs1,500 or more on gold purchases at any of the participating outlets across the city.  Every day, a quarter kilo of gold is being given away to one winner, while a kilo of gold awaits one shopper every week.

Despite the fact that the new DSF strategy emphasises shopping as a core focus in the festival, musical concerts will once again hog the limelight during this annual festival which will include a feast of musical events and concerts that will make all music lovers ecstatic.

On Friday, the Sheikh Rashid Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre will play host to one of the well known musicians in the Arab World. Omar Khairat’s concert is expected to be among the most touching and elegant concerts of the season as he performs classics from his fascinating repertoire and presents a special surprise to his Dubai audience.

From Jan.10-12, the doyens of Arabic musical theatre, the Rahbani family of Lebanon, will present A Ard El Ghajar (On the Land of the Gypsies), a musical play starring luminaries of the Arabic stage. Written, composed and produced by Ghadi Rahbani and directed by Marwan Rahbani, the play deals with themes of homecoming, land, identity, corruption and human dignity depicted through the life of an Arab emigrant to Brazil who returns to claim his ancestral property.

Slash, the legendary lead guitarist of former rock heavyweights Guns N’ Roses, will perform on Jan.31, with lead singer Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators at the Dubai Tennis Stadium as part of the closing weekend of Dubai Shopping Festival 2013.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2013: Calendar of Events

January 3 – February 3, 2013
 
January 3, Dubai Creek: DSF 2013 Opening Ceremony

The 18th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival has been launched on January 3, at a grand opening ceremony in the evening that brought DSF 2013 to life through the lifeline of Dubai – the Dubai Creek – where the city’s history began.
The opening ceremony featured a hi-tech sound and light show that was performed on the waters of the Creek with a moving water wall created out of a fine jet spray of the creek waters, and showcasing still and moving images depicting the history of Dubai.
The inaugural ceremony received a fitting finale with spectacular fireworks shows at Al Seef Street and the Festival Promenade at Dubai Festival City. The opening ceremony also set off a chain of activities to celebrate the opening of DSF 2013 at the districts and sites located alongside Dubai Creek, that will be the focal point of events throughout the festival.
The key venues that came alive in unison on the first day were the Creek Park, the Heritage and Diving Village, Al Seef Street and the Festival Promenade at Dubai Festival City.

Infiniti Mega Raffle (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

Since its inception in 1996, the DSF has created unforgettable memories and life-changing opportunities for tens of thousands of visitors. 2013 will be no different, as the Dubai Shopping Festival Mega Raffles are back in a bigger, mind-boggling prize format. Every day, the Infiniti Mega Raffle gives DSF shoppers the chance to drive away with a fresh start to your future.
Every day, one lucky winner will drive away with a luxurious Infiniti JX 35 and a luxurious Infiniti G25 plus AED 100,000 in cash! To be eligible for the daily draws, one has to purchase a raffle ticket for just AED200 at selected EPPCO and ENOC petrol stations, kiosks at main streets, shopping malls and the Global Village. The more tickets you purchase, the more chances you have of winning. That’s winning at its best.

Nissan Grand Raffle

The Nissan Grand Raffle is giving away shoppers this DSF the chance to drive home one of 12 different Nissan models daily, starting from January 4. Up for grabs are Micra Hatchback, Sunny Sedan, Maxima, Qashqai, Murano, Patrol, Juke, Altima, 370Z, Xterra, Pathfinder, and Armada. Customers are entitled to a raffle coupon for every AED20 spent on non-fuel purchases at ENOC and EPPCO petrol stations or for every AED200 spent at participating retail outlets.

Gold Mega Raffle

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group is back this DSF with a gold promotion that is offering prizes worth millions across the 32 days of the festival. Shoppers will receive coupons to enter the raffle draw on spending AED1,500 or more on gold purchases at any of the participating outlets across the city.
Every day, a quarter kilo of gold is being given away to one winner, while a kilo of gold awaits one shopper every week. Further, customers who are entitled to a raffle coupon can also participate in a unique SMS promotion to win specially minted “EXPO 2020 Dubai Candidate City” gold coins every hour between 10am – 11pm every day, totaling 2kg of gold during DSF 2013.
Alongside the gold promotion, a scratch-and-win campaign is being launched offering shoppers purchasing AED 1,000 worth of diamond jewellery the chance to win fabulous prizes worth up to AED 2 million.
Al Riqqa Street  (Jan 3 – Feb 3, 5pm-10pm)
Al Riqqa Street has always been prominent among the DSF’s destinations. It has consistently reflected the full measure of the mood of festivity and celebrations that Dubai goes into every year during the time when it stages the DSF.
This year the street will be decorated with lights and packed with entertainment including roaming performers that will keep visitors of all age groups enthralled in the evening on every day of DSF 2013.
Some of the highlights in the area are a Sport Zone and a Skill Games area for the sporty types, a concentration of fancy lighting fixtures and other kinds of decorations, as well as kiosks offering a variety of merchandise and a broad choice of food and beverages to appeal to every palate.

Al Seef Street; Tea Oasis (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

Aficionados of the brew that refreshes will get a chance to tickle their taste buds with the best teas from the world over and enrich their knowledge about their favorite beverage at the Tea Oasis on Al Seef Road all through DSF 2013.
The event will feature a tea market where visitors can buy the best from an eclectic collection of teas from all the major tea growing and consuming countries of the world – Morocco, Egypt, United Kingdom, Japan, India and Sri Lanka.
Expert tea tasters will be on hand to show people how to brew the best tea and educate them about its varieties and finer points, as well as its history.

Al Seef Street; World of Souvenirs (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

In order for visitors to take back a little something to commemorate their visit to the cultural potpourri that is Dubai, a corner of Al Seef Road will host the World of Souvenirs with several stalls and kiosks, each representing a particular country.
There will be kiosks dedicated to the US, the UK, Brazil, France, China, India, Turkey and Africa in general, apart of course from the host country, the UAE.
Each kiosk will have products related to the particular country that the kiosk represents. They will offer a range of knick-knacks that best represents each country, providing the best possible way to buy something to remember the trip to DSF and to take back a surprise gift for their near and dear ones.

Al Seef Street; DSF Carnival (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

As the vibrant and colourful face of the festival, DSF Carnivals at Al Seef Street is a fascinating display by hundreds of performers including jugglers, stilt walkers, unicyclists, and musicians that will showcase the festive feeling of DSF and reflect the DSF theme of ‘One World – One Family – One Festival’.
The DSF Carnivals will transform the entire Al Seef Street into a place of fun and great merry-making generated by performers from different nationalities during the weekends.

Fireworks (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

Colour and light is what festivals are all about and DSF 2013 will have plenty of both, as the Dubai night sky comes alive with some of the best pyrotechnics from world-renowned experts.
The city’s unparalleled skyline will be lit up by sparks and showers from fireworks shows every evening during the festival at the Al Seef Street area and also at the Festival Promenade during the weekends, celebrating Dubai’s vibrancy and spirit with a rain of multi-coloured sparkles.

DSF Fun Fair: Festival Promenade (Jan 3 – Feb 3, 10am-10pm)

Taking place on all 32 days of DSF 2013 at Festival Promenade, the DSF Fun Fair will lend the ultimate carnival atmosphere to the celebration of ‘Dubai at Its Best’.  With merry-go-rounds, bucking horses, Ferris wheels, Dodgem cars and other such rides and activities, accompanied by kiosks of mouthwatering snacks and enticing souvenirs, the Festival Promenade, will come alive every evening with the laughter of thrilled visitors. Also enlivening proceedings will be roaming street performers and games and contest with prizes.

Carpet and Art Oasis (Dec 27, 2012 – Jan 14, 2013), Dubai World Trade Centre, Zabeel Hall  No. 3

An exhibition and sale of some of the rarest, largest, and most unique carpets and rugs from around the world, Carpet and Art Oasis is an attraction for those who have a penchant for not only carpets but the arts, culture and history. Spread across thousands of square metres, the exhibition features products from areas renowned for carpet-making such as Iran, Turkey, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan with new additions being Kazakhastan and Azerbaijan.  Apart from carpets and rugs, works of art and handicrafts are also on display. With an emphasis on artistic carpet creation, the exhibition will showcase the history of carpet making, the use of both Arabic and English in the weaving patterns, as well as new elements such as paintings rendered through the carpets’ fine threads. The Carpet and Art  Oasis will promote the Arabic tome Naseej Al Wala’s on the art of the carpet, and will also showcase Emirati talent and local works of arts alongside the works of artists from around the world.

A Ard El Ghajar” (On the Land of the Gypsies) Jan 10-12, Burj Park, Downtown Dubai - 8:30pm

The doyens of Arabic musical theatre, the Rahbani family of Lebanon, presents “A Ard El Ghajar” (On the Land of the Gypsies), a musical play starring such luminaries of the Arabic stage as Ghassan Saliba, Pierre Chamoun, Aline Lahoud and Paul Sleiman. Written, composed and produced by Ghadi Rahbani and directed by Marwan Rahbani, the play deals with themes of homecoming, land, identity, corruption  and human dignity depicted through the life of an Arab emigrant to Brazil who returns to claim his ancestral property.

Bedouin Lifestyle Camp, Festival Promenade, Dubai Festival City (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

A part of the Festival Promenade at Dubai Festival City will be transformed into a colourful Bedouin encampment for a month starting January 3rd, as the Dubai Shopping Festival 2013 brings the traditional life of the desert nomadic groups alive for city folks with the Bedouin Lifestyle Camp.
To be held until February 3rd as part of the cultural events lined up for DSF 2013, the Bedouin Lifestyle Camp seeks to bring to modern Dubai a bit of the hoary past of the region’s hardy and ingenious desert dwellers through their food, costumes, music, dances, handicrafts, folklore and heritage.
The countries of the Arab world that have a shared desert nomadic heritage will be represented at this event with their respective sections. There will be a section each for Yemen, Jordan, Mauritania, Egypt and Morocco, as well as the hosts UAE.
Also represented will be Kenya and India – countries surrounding the Arab region that also have desert nomadic groups. The Camp will be open from 4pm-10pm on week days and from 4pm till midnight on weekends
.
Biggest Breakfast Creek Park - 8am to 1pm (Feb 2)

The event is designed to raise awareness among UAE residents about incorporating healthy eating into their lifestyles to boost health, longevity and productivity. The Biggest Breakfast, to be held at the Creek Park on February 2, will serve nutritional breakfast to more than 5,000 people.
There will also be edutainment, fun, games, competitions and group fitness sessions – enough to involve entire families in a morning packed with the message of healthy eating and fitness. The event will feature cookery sessions in English and Arabic conducted by the best chefs in Dubai
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Black Light Show, Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates - 6:30 and 8:30 (January 3-6)

Billed as a magical and thrilling theatrical performance, where the rules of gravity and physics as we know them do not apply, the hour-long Black Light Show, which will take place at the Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, is expected to wow its audience with its mix of choreography, motion, dance, music, light and shadow, apart from its sincere and thought provoking themes.
There will be two performances daily from January 3 to January 6, which will bring in the best of experimental theatre under the slogan 'See the music… listen to the light'.

Dubai International Comedy Carnival, Dubai Festival City (January 22-26)

Laughter is the spice of life and the spirit of every festival, and at DSF 2013, the best comedy talents from the UAE, the region and beyond will congregate at Dubai Festival City to present stand-up shows and even workshops, along with dancing and singing competitions at the first ever Dubai International Comedy Carnival.
With two types of shows, one ticketed from Dh175 to Dh250 and the other for free, and a star cast of comedians that will include Maz Jobrani, Badr Saleh, Michael Winslow (from the famous show, Police Academy), Amr Katamish (from Arabs Got Talet Show), Lebanese comedian, Omid Djalili and many more, the English and Arabic sessions are sure to enliven DSF and put a lingering smile on the faces of the audience.

Biggest Makeover, The Dubai Mall (January 11)

Biggest Makeover is a fashion spectacle of DSF 2013 that challenges stylists and make-up artists to do a make-over for the largest number of women in the shortest possible time. Featuring make-up and all major cosmetics brands, the event at the Dubai Mall will continue its tradition of delighting fashionistas, style divas and connoisseurs of style and beauty at DSF 2013.

Street Fashion Show, The Dubai Mall Promenade (January 26)

The Promenade at The Dubai Mall will come alive with sartorial elegance this DSF as more than 100 models strut down its sidewalks in the beautiful and exciting creations of local and international designers at the Street Fashion event. Billed as the pinnacle of interactive fashion events, Street Fashion is the podium for fresh and aspiring models, many of whom will be drawn from among Dubai’s residents and visitors from a multitude of nationalities.

Midnight Fashion Show, The Dubai Mall (February 1)

As the name suggest, the Midnight Fashion show at The Dubai Mall will take place when the clock strikes the bewitching hour on February 1.
And to bewitch DSF visitors, who assemble at the mall to view this fashion spectacle, the Midnight Fashion Show will present some of the ultimate designer collections. Aiming to highlight the extended trading hours of the malls, the show will provide the incentive to keep shoppers in the mall for longer as the activities associated with it will carry on until the wee hours.

Global Village (October 21, 2012 – March 30, 2013)

There can be no better setting to experience the world’s premier shopping festival than at the Global Village, where the world comes together in Dubai. This unique venue is a melting pot of cultures from across the world, and has been delighting visitors at every DSF.
With handicrafts, artifacts and curios from every continent, as well as food  that reflect the amazing diversity of our planet, Global Village will live up to its name of building bridges between nations and cultures, proving that all the world is truly one family and one big village. DSF information kiosks will be set up at Global Village along with a stage to hold the daily DSF Mega Raffle draws.

Heritage and Diving Village (Jan 3 – Feb 3)

The Heritage and Diving Village is a little piece of Dubai frozen in time that depicts the way life functioned in the emirate in the hoary past. During DSF this living museum of traditional life will be a beehive of activity with stalls of Emirati food and artifacts, as well as presentations and exhibits about the pearling and seafaring traditions of the UAE’s forefathers.

Big Boys Toys, Atlantis The Palm (January 31 - February 2)

The Big Boys Toys show delivers what its name promises. The Middle East’s most anticipated premier luxury lifestyle show has been wowing gadget-mad Dubai and its visitors for a few years now. To be held at Atlantis the Palm, the DSF 2013 Big Boys Toys show is a perennial favourite that is returning to Dubai during DSF 2013. Big Boys Toys will provide visitors with the best of products from a wide spectrum of adventure, aviation, digital, drive, fashion, lifestyle, marine, Off Road, sports cars, bikes and wellness sectors.

Shakespeare’s Richard II in Arabic, Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah (January 17-18, 8pm)

The Bard of Avon’s epic tale of the lionhearted king of England will be staged in Arabic by Ramallah, Palestine-based theatre group “Ashtar” at the Madinat Theatre in Souk Madinat Jumeirah on Thursday, January 17 and Friday, January 18 starting at 8pm.
Ashtar’s Arabic production of the play was part of the Globe to Globe festival at The Shakespeare Globe, which brought together many of the world’s great theatre companies to present all of Shakespeare’s plays in 37 different languages.
Ashtar bring their direct storytelling style to Shakespeare’s classic play of politics, dislocation and insurrection. Performed in Arabic and infused with the tumultuous energy of the Arab Spring, Ashtar’s production of this powerful history play is a re-telling and re-contextualizing for today’s global audience.

UAE International Fire Fighter Championships, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (January 15-17)

The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the UAE International Fire Fighter Championships from January 15 to 17 where professional firefighters will display their skills in sessions that seek to develop the motivation and stimulate team spirit in this most vital of civic functions which involves the saving of lives and property. The show aims to achieve the UAE’s vision of developing its infrastructure and human resources dedicated to fire safety, highlight fire hazards and safety procedures for members of the public and also enable viewers to enjoy the display of skills by trained professionals from all over the world.

Omar Khairat Concert, Dubai World Trade Centre (Jan 4, 9pm)

The Sheikh Rashid Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre will play host on Friday, January 4, to one of the well-known musicians in the Arab World. Omar Khairat’s concert is expected to be among the most touching and elegant concerts of the season as he performs classics from his fascinating repertoire and presents a special surprise to his Dubai audience. Khairat is one of the most applauded and influential composers and pianists in the Middle East, and his music bridges eastern and western approaches to music, bringing a western harmonic flair to classical Arabic music.

Slash in Concert, Dubai Tennis Stadium (Jan 31, 10pm)

The legendary lead guitarist of former rock heavyweights Guns N’ Roses, will perform on Thursday, January 31,2013, with lead singer Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators at the Dubai Tennis Stadium as part of the closing weekend of Dubai Shopping Festival 2013.
Since coming into prominence as the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, Slash has also become inseparable from his iconic top hat and as the character of the Guitar Hero music video game. London-born and American-educated, Slash has delighted old and new fans alike the world over.
Since making history and amassing sales in excess of 100 million units with Guns N’ Roses, he continued with Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet revolver with whom he won a Grammy for the Best Hard Rock performance.
Named as Time Magazine’s runner-up on their list of “The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players” and placed at No.1 by Total Guitar for his riff in “Sweet Child o’ Mine”, Slash will be out to give all rock fans a memorable and mesmerising performance in Dubai.

Emirates 24|7