du unveils entertainment platform du Live!

Special performances brought to life by du include Africa’s ‘Artist of the Year’ Tamer Hosny, guitar legend Eric Clapton, Tiesto, Atif Aslam, the epically talented Stevie Wonder and popular DJ Tiesto among others, as part of its sponsorship with Flash Events and Chill Out Productions

Whatever your choice in music, now you have a reason to celebrate. With ‘du Live!’ (http://www.du.ae/en/about/events/du-live), du’s new entertainment platform, the best music events and concerts will now be presented in a ‘live’ format throughout the year, including the first-ever World Music Festival, in association with Nokia.

du is also supporting a series of hotly awaited music events and concerts taking place over the next few weeks, which started with legendary guitarist Eric Clapton on February 11, followed by the popular DJ Tiesto on 17 February, and will be followed by 30 Seconds to Mars on 11 March, the epic Stevie Wonder on 18 March, as part of du’s sponsorship with Flash Events and Chill Out Productions.

Amit

du World Music Festival will take place at the Burj Khalifa steps in Downtown Dubai and The Walk in JBR from upto March 25, with performances by top-class artists from around the world such as Tamer Hosny, Mona Amarcha,  Janet Kapuya, Mashrou’ Leila, Amit Chatterjee Alliance, Spongecola, Wust el Balad and many more!

“Music is an important aspect of every culture, and is the common language across all regions and nationalities. It brings a great deal of pleasure and comfort to those that listen to it. For this reason – true to our  philosophy of adding life to life — we are introducing  the theme ‘du Live!’ that will keep music lovers engaged and entertained through our numerous events  — such as our World Music Festival,” commented Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

Mashrou’ Leila

As part of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2011, du was also the Official Sponsor for this year’s much-loved du Jazz Garden – which took place from Feb 8 to 15 — featuring British and International bands, in addition to supporting the exciting main Jazz Festival from Feb 16 to 18. The unique venue for these events, located in Dubai Media City, featured two stages, an arts and crafts bazaar, an exclusive VIP area and many other activities.

Rabbi

About the artists performing at the du World Music Festival

Among the talented international music bands coming to perform during du World Music Festival are Mashrou’ Leila, the new sensation from Lebanon attracting audience from all walks of life around the region, Wust El Balad — arguably the best fusion band in Egypt, celebrated Kuwaiti Arabic fusion guitarist  — Kamal Musallam; Pakistani artist Sanam Marvi, Amit Chatterjee Alliance — a well-established US fusion band with strong Indian influence, Black Ghandis, Barcelona based Reggae superstars, Spongecola — the Filipino rock uber-band, Tunisian fusion legend Mounir Troudi accompanied by the highly appraised Lebanese Jazz/Fusion masters the Afif Brothers, India's most commended Blues and Rock ‘n Roll band Soulmate, Mona Amarcha, HFT, Rabbi Shergill, Miyah (Desert Heat), and the Uruguayan Tango diva, Janet Kapuya.

Also performing will be the sensational Tamer Hosny – live in concert, offering fans the chance to enjoy an exciting special performance by the talented star, voted artist of the year at the African Music Awards 2010. Hosny will be performing on March 25 at Burj Park, downtown Burj Khalifa.

Sponge Cola

Proving its commitment to providing the people with the very best in world-class entertainment, du has also supported a number of music events across the UAE. The company was the official telecom partner for Flash Entertainment’s Yasalam After-Race Concerts during the Formula One in Abu Dhabi, which saw performances by some of the biggest international stars, including Linkin Park, Kanye West, Prince, Sean Paul, Kelly Rowland, and Ahmed Al Sherif. du was also the official sponsor for Welsh singing sensation Tom Jones’ first-ever concert in the UAE.

Yogathon spreads awareness about Adopting Healthy Lifestyle

Over 200 Participants Perform 108 Synchronised Rounds of Sun Salutations to Raise Funds for Dubai Autism Center

Fitness First, announced more than 200 enthusiasts participated in the ‘Fitness First Wellness Festival – Yogathon’.

Organised to spread awareness about adopting a healthy lifestyle, the event saw people from all walks of life enthusiastically joining the 108 rounds of sun salutation at the Safa Park.

Participants were also offered free blood glucose level screening under the ‘Beat Diabetes’ programme, a Landmark Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, along with the campaign’s medical partner Zulekha Hospital. The event was also used as a platform to raise funds for Dubai Autism Centre.

Gary Knill, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Fitness First, MENA, said: “At Fitness First, our continuous endeavour is to reach out to more people and educate them about the significance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. The overwhelming response to this event has encouraged us to offer many more similar platforms in the future and reach out to even more in the community. Fitness First is also privileged to donate the event’s proceeds to the Dubai Autism Centre.”

Type-2 diabetes, which is largely prevalent in the UAE, affects almost 20 per cent of the local population. Through its message ‘Beat Diabetes. Get Active’ Landmark Group seeks to support events that help spread awareness about leading an active, healthy lifestyle.

Bhuvana Acharya, Head of Corporate Communications and CSR, Landmark Group, said: “As a responsible corporate citizen in the region, Landmark Group believes it is imperative to spread awareness on diabetes and lead a healthy lifestyle. ‘Fitness First Wellness Festival - Yogathon’ is yet another step in the direction of persuading more people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and combat medical conditions including diabetes.”

Sun salutations are usually done early in the morning facing the sun as sunlight is a major source of vitamin D-producing ultraviolet B radiation that has a wide range of positive health effects. A 10-minute exercise provides a complete workout for mind and body. It also stimulates and conditions virtually every muscle in the body and helps eliminate toxins.

Fitness First conducts a variety of yoga classes such as Hatha Yoga, Dynamic Flow Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Power Yoga and Gentle Flow Yoga to actively raise awareness on healthy living and as part of Fitness First initiatives.

Fitness First Wellness Festival - Yogathon

On Friday, 25 February, wake up early and participate in the Fitness First Wellness Festival – Yogathon, organised in association with Landmark Group’s CSR initiative Beat Diabetes. Get Active.

Regional yoga trainer Peewee Sanchez
to head the Sun Salutation demonstration

Register at Gate No.2 - Safa Park at 7am to absorb the benefits of yoga from regional yoga trainer Peewee Sanchez and 15 other yoga instructors from Fitness First.

In addition to performing 108 continuous routines of the Sun Salutation exercise, participants can avail of the free blood glucose testing conducted by Zulekha Hospitals.

Fitness First and Beat Diabetes get active to host Yogathon

Registrations are open at all Fitness First outlets at a fee of Dhs45 for members and Dhs55 for non-members. Yoga enthusiasts can also register at the venue on Feb 25, prior to the event. Proceeds collected from the registration fees will be donated to the Dubai Autism Centre.

Yogathon Details:

·     Registration at venue: 6.30am – 7.30am

·     GX Demo: 7.30am – 8am

·     Yogathon: 8am - 10am

·     Kids yoga in conjunction with Dubai Autism Centre: 10.30am – 11.15am