Sharjah World Music Festival prepares to open

The 2nd Sharjah World Music Festival will start this Friday evening with participation of international singers, artists and ensembles from 12 countries. The festival is presented by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and organized by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre.
Celebrated Iraqi singer Kadim Al Saher will perform live at Al Majaz Amphitheatre at the inaugural concert of the 2nd Sharjah World Music Festival which will start at 10:00 pm on Friday, January 16. He will be performing a range of his songs, which mix pop with Arab classical music. The audience will also enjoy a high-level musical concert at Al Majaz Waterfront, featuring a performance by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre’s choir ensemble on Saturday, January 17 (9:00 pm). The same venue will host Moldovan violin master Pasha Cazan on Sunday, January 18 (9:00 pm).
At the Heart of Sharjah, the Canella Trio, composed of Bulgarian harpist Lidia Stankulova, Cuban flutist Malena Avila, and Argentinean cellist Clara Asuaje, will present a blend of Western and Latin music on Monday, January 19 (8:00 pm). Two hours later, visitors to Heart of Sharjah will be treated to an emotional and moving concert by celebrated oud player Sadiq Jaafar.
The festival’s concerts will continue at the Heart of Sharjah on Tuesday, January 20 (8:00 pm), with a performance by renowned Jordanian musician Kamal Mussalam, who will play the Multi-Oud accompanied by Italian Francesca Palamidessi. Later on the same night at 9:30 pm, British guitarist Jason Carter will present a number of well known pieces, mixed with his own compositions. He will be accompanied by renowned French vocalist Pepe Martinez.  
Ines Abdel Dayem, flute soloist and Chairman of the Board of the National Cultural Centre at the Cairo Opera House, will perform at Masrah Al Qasba - Theatre on Wednesday, 21st of January (8:30 pm), together with Nesma Abdelaziz, the Egyptian solo percussionist.  
Syrian Female Oriental Band, a group of academic musicians who are female graduates and students of the Higher Institute of Music, will perform at Masrah Al Qasba - Theatre on Thursday, January 22nd (8:30 pm), presenting a combination of Syrian and Arabic musical heritage in all its types and forms.
Syrian Armenian singer Lena Chamamyan will perform a collection of her songs in which she merges traditional styles of eastern music with western classics, at The Flag Island on Saturday, January 24, at 9:00 pm. The same venue will host Lebanese celebrated singer Oumeima El Khalil on Sunday, January 25, at 9:00 who will be performing and inspiring her fans at the closing concert of the Sharjah World Music Festival.
Worth mentioning that the Sharjah World Music Festival 2015 is sponsored by Air Arabia and Gargash Motors and tickets for the concerts are available at the five venues and online at www.ticketmaster.ae
Presented by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and organised by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre, the first edition of the Sharjah World Music Festival took place at Al Qasba in Sharjah in the beginning of 2014. As a result of the resounding success and increasing public attention, it was decided to expand the festival to include various venues in the emirate of Sharjah.
By organising the festival, Shurooq seeks to boost the cultural and art presence of Sharjah and the UAE, introduce various musical cultures around the world to the UAE community, and add a new product to the Emirate’s repertoire of tourist, art, and cultural attractions.