david@khaleejtimes.com Filed on May 16, 2021
As Christian Talbot once stated: “Words can’t express how much I hate World Emoji Day,” and this week I am equally tongue-tied at the extent I’ve missed live comics telling jokes on stage. For longer than I’d care to remember, the smell of the crowd and the roar of the greasepaint has eluded many, either through choice or reduced capacity resulting in tickets being sold out. However, as the Dubai Comedy Festival gathers pace this week, with a host of diverse shows being put on an almost every day until May 22, there’s no excuse not to get up for stand-up. Over the weekend we saw the return of the Laughter Factory at the Movenpick JBR to light the fuse on the wave of witticisms. Three comedians, one microphone and a socially-distanced room full of people; the recipe sounds so simple, though the effect was mesmeric. Perhaps down to the Agostino Zoida, George Zach and Ari Matti trio, or maybe the combination of solid
Comic and It s Always Sunny writer Agostino Zoida debuting at Dubai Laughter Factory
LA stand-up tells us how he made the most of a year away from the stage
BEING PART OF the now revered Dubai Comedy Festival is no mean feat. The continuously raising standard of shows, the amount of interest from punters and the increased attention a shining beacon of live entertainment now garners dictates acts simply have to be hilarious. There’s no wriggle-room for ‘also-rans’. With 25 years in the business of sourcing some of the world’s best stand-ups and bringing them to the UAE, The Laughter Factory has therefore gone all out to make an impact. Flying in from his native LA to headline their Downright Nasty! tour is Italian-American Agostino Zoida, a contributor to shows such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and American Horror Story, and a regular at The Comedy Store. We thought we’d have a chat before he debuted on March 13.
From hologram concerts to comedy events and a Salman Khan blockbuster, Eid gets festive
1 of 11 Abdel Halim Hafez hologram concert: If you missed the hologram concert featuring Umm Kulthum, then here’s your chance to make things right. Dubai Opera will be hosting the first hologram event of the late celebrated Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez. The event, which will be staged on May 13 and 14 in time for Eid, promises to be a speculator 90-minute show that will feature some of the singer’s most popular songs. Hailed as one of the greatest Egyptian musicians, along with Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Mohamed Fawzi and Shadia, Hafez was a prolific singer and actor whose music and films were adored by fans across the region and beyond. Audiences at the hologram event will be able to watch Hafez on stage, 43 years after his passing, thanks to the use of hologram technology and artificial intelligence to create a high-resolution 3D model that matches the artist�
Laugh out loud with Laughter Factory in your own home this March
Expect over an hour of non-stop laughs…
Your monthly visit to the Laughter Factory for your belly laughs may have been cancelled in February, but it will be double the fun and laughter this month as the comedy club will be invading your home with the very best in zoom comedy.
And they are bringing you not three, but four world-class comedians for you to laugh out loud to in the comfort of your own pad, with the people closest to you.
The date to note is Thursday, March 11 at 9pm – perfect as it will put you in a super jolly mood heading into the weekend.
9 things to look forward to in Dubai this February
February is just around the corner…
You’ve already made it through the first month of 2021 – congratulations! There’s plenty happening in the month ahead, from foodie events, to concerts, comedy and more. Get your diaries out and get planning as there’s plenty to see, eat and do in Dubai this February.
February 2: Folly and Ruya chefs team up for special British dinner
Colin Clague, Nick Alvis and Scott Price will join forces for an exclusive six-course dinner, inspired by their time in Dubai. Now, you can take a culinary trip down memory lane with this cheffing trio, as they create a spectacular menu that showcases the dishes, ingredients and flavour combinations that have defined their time in Dubai.