International music festival Fête de la Musique is coming to Dubai Opera on Friday June 21 to celebrate some of the top local acts in Dubai.
Also known as World Music Day, the festival was first launched in Paris in 1982 and is now celebrated in 120 countries worldwide. Organised by Alliance Française Dubai, the free-for-all event aims to provide a platform for some of the city’s most talented musicians and more importantly make music accessible for all.
It kicks off at 6pm and is being hosted by composer, guitarist, oud player and one of the region’s leading fusion artists, Kamal Musallam. First up in the stellar line-up is Syrian singer, Lama Samlaji, who’s already performed at top events around Dubai including the Dubai International Film Festival and Sikka Art Fair. You’ll be able to catch her at 7pm.
Next up, at 8pm is Waheed Mamdouh and the Dubai String Quartet who’ll be playing Latin and Arabic tunes. Mamdouh is well-known in the industry having performed with some of most popular pop stars of the Arab world.
The show doesn’t end there. Kamal Musallam hits the stage at 9pm along with several other artists. Expect jazz fusion and French songs – and it’s also worth noting that Kamal Musallam has shared the stage with icons like Sting, George Benson and Yo-yo Ma. And last, but definitely not least, closing the show at 10pm is Abri & Funk Radius.
Singer and songwriter Hamdan Abri is the founder and main man behind Dubai-based soul band ABRI and has already released two widely acclaimed albums, toured around the world – and performed alongside superstars such as Erykah Badu, Ziggy Marley, Kanye West and Joss Stone. Funk Radius features the Afif Brothers on drum and bass, among other artists.
Free. Fri Jun 21, 6pm. Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai
