Dubai-based promoter Done Events is hosting the UAE’s first major post-Covid shows next month, as part of the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) event series.

Done Events, part of Arab Media Group (AMG) and owner of Dubai Jazz Festival, is promoting two shows by Jimmy Carr – the comedian’s first in the UAE – on 13 and 14 August at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The show will form part of the DSS Festival, a seven-week long series of live entertainment, family-friendly experiences and shopping deals, as well as Done Events’ DXBLaughs comedy series, the largest in the region.

Both shows will follow the UAE government’s latest Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, with full information available when tickets go on sale next week.

“Our vision is to respond genuinely to the customers’ needs and make an impact during these difficult times”

“Challenging moments in history have always driven ingenuity and innovation” says Done Events MD, Girish Bhat. “Our vision is to respond genuinely to the customers’ needs and make an impact during these difficult times. Done Events promises to deliver a safe experience following all the necessary health and safety protocols as well as social distancing arrangements.”

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), ads that he is “delighted” to have Jimmy Carr perform as part of DSS.

“DSS is as much about entertainment as it is about shopping, and it is the combination of world-class leisure events, retail experiences and citywide attractions at incredible prices that sets DSS apart as one of the great summer shopping festivals in the world.”

A recent YouGov survey of UAE residents indicated a wariness around returning to live events in the wake of Covid-19, with 56% of respondents saying they were “somewhat likely or not at all likely” to attend shows.

Respondents said the mandatory use of face masks and gloves, increased cleaning and disinfecting of venues and increased social distancing were the measures most likely to encourage them to visit entertainment venues.

Photo: Creativesaravana/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (cropped)

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Alicia Keys has been announced as the third and final headliner for Dubai Jazz Festival 2019, the first edition of the long-running event under new owner Done Events.

Joining the previously announced Snow Patrol, who will headline on Wednesday 20 February, are Jamiroquai, who will top the bill on Thursday 21 February, and Alicia Keys, who takes headliner duties on Friday 22 February, the final day of the festival.

Both acts last played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2013.

Three-day festival tickets for Dubai Jazz 2019 went on sale today via www.dubaijazzfest.com and Virgin Megastores across the UAE.

Dubai Jazz Festival, which celebrates its 17th edition in 2019, was acquired by Done Events, the promoter of RedFestDXB and largest events firm in the region, earlier this month.

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UAE promoter Done Events has acquired Dubai Jazz Festival, cementing its status as the largest organiser of live events in the region.

As of 2019, Dubai-based Done – part of Arab Media Group (AMG) – will organise, manage and operate the popular festival, which returns for its 17th edition on 20–22 February 2019. The event, which takes place at the 15,000-capacity Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, was formerly owned by Chillout Productions.

Done Events also promotes popular rock/pop events RedFestDXB and Blended, the Filipino-focused TagFest and comedy festival DXBLaughs.

“The Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival further enhances Done Events’ presence as the region’s largest event organiser,” says AMG CEO Mohammed Sharaf.

Artists who have performed at past Dubai Jazz Festivals include Sting, Jamie Cullum, OneRepublic, Carlos Santana, David Gray and John Legend. More than 500,000 tickets have been sold for the festival since 2003.

“We are confident that under Done Events’ stewardship, the festival will continue to grow”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are extremely excited for the next edition of the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, and we will be announcing the artists that will perform there within the next few days,” comments Girish Bhat, managing director of Done Events.

Antony Younes, CEO of Chillout Productions, adds: “The collaboration between Done Events and Chillout Productions commenced a few years ago as both our events, RedFestDXB, organised by Done Events, and the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, organised by Chillout Productions, ran back to back. Done Events have a track record of delivering on major shows such as the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, and we strongly believe they will maintain the high standards that our loyal audience and sponsors are accustomed to.

“We are confident that under Done Events’ stewardship, the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival will continue to grow and flourish.

Snow Patrol have been announced as the first headliner for 20 February. “We can’t wait to welcome the guys back to Dubai for their huge following, not just in the UAE but also the wider GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council],” says Bhat.

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