(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A unique 400sqm 'Skyline Stage' has been built off Abu Dhabi's Corniche Breakwater in preparation of the concerts of the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) Stopover. It is the first time a stage of this specification has been constructed in the emirate.
"The Skyline Stage will be an incredible venue for our live concerts happening throughout the three-week stopover," said Mohammed Al Zaabi from Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which is behind the emirate's VOR campaign. "We have hundreds of people working on building the Destination Village which will be the perfect destination for residents and visitors throughout the festive period."
Weighing at over a tonne, the 20m x 20m stage, complete with 12m x 6m video screen, has five metres of underwater construction. A team of 11 commercial divers are hard at work on the project with two rescue divers and a commercial rescue team on hand.
The VOR Stopover begins on December 12 with the opening of the purpose-built Destination Village on Abu Dhabi's Corniche Breakwater. The event's curtain raiser will be the Arabian debut of BBC Worldwide's highly acclaimed 'Blue Planet in Concert Live', which will be performed on the Skyline Stage accompanied by the 75-piece National Symphony Orchestra, Abu Dhabi, led by celebrity guest conductor, George Fenton.
The on-water action will begin with the arrival the hardy VOR fleet of 65ft racing yachts in Abu Dhabi on December 14,15 and 16, following a gruelling 6,000-nautical mile journey from Cape Town.
Public viewing platforms in the Destination Village will enable visitors to welcome the boats and meet the crews, including the emirate's own VOR contender Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Once the racing yachts are docked, the sailing action will continue with regional regattas, junior sailing contests, races by traditional Arabian sailing dhows, dragonboat and stand-up paddling festivals. These will be followed by the Volvo yachts in-port race on January 2. The Volvo Ocean Race will restart on January 3 when the yachts leave for China.
On land there will be plenty to do for the entire family. With Blue Planet, the entertainment will continue with Sting's guitarist, Dominic Miller performing a free guitar, harp guitar and oud concert with award-winning British musician, Jason Carter, and Jordanian composer and fusion artist, Kamal Musallam, on December 16. Music lovers will be in for a rare treat on December 27 with a live performance of the Grammy-nominated 'Lulu Project', a collaboration between Kamal Musallam and Emirati folkloric group 'Sokoor Al Magabeel'.
The Village will also come alive with the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of some of the other countries whose teams will visit Abu Dhabi during the race.
This cross-cultural adventure will begin with a dedicated French day on December 17, followed by Spain (December 18), South Africa (December 20), and culminating with Sweden on December 28.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.