Free music festival at Dubai Metro stations from March 17

Shows will be rotated throughout the week to cover five Metro stations.- Alamy Image

Don't be surprised if you find a mini musical concert at Dubai Metro stations during your commute next week. A week-long musical festival is coming up and it is free for all, the creative arm of the Dubai Media Office (DMO), Brand Dubai, announced on Monday (March 11).
To be held in cooperation with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Metro Music Festival will run from March 17 to 23 and will feature international performers specialising in a wide range of music genres, including traditional and non-traditional genres.
The first event of its kind to be held in the Arab world, the festival will take place at five Dubai Metro stations - Burjuman, Union, DMCC, Al Rigga and Burj Khalifa.
Performances from 25 musicians from across the world are all lined up, promising to enthrall and entertain the emirate's residents for seven days. Shows will be rotated throughout the week to cover the five Metro stations.
"The Metro Music Festival is a wonderful celebration of Dubai's spirit of cultural diversity and inclusiveness. It was put together in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create an environment for art, music and culture to flourish in Dubai.
"The event will convey Dubai's messages of harmony and tolerance in the universal language of music. This initiative is part of Brand Dubai's efforts to develop initiatives that highlight Dubai's unique character as one of the world's most culturally diverse and inclusive cities," said Mona Al Marri, director-general of the DMO.
Innovative instruments and offbeat musical styles featured in the event are expected to be a big draw among the public. The public will be able to enjoy performances from a host of sought-after traditional musicians, street performers, classical instrumentalists and fusion musicians, among others.
The Metro Music Festival is a rich addition to Dubai's busiest cultural season, which also features the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Art Dubai, and World Art Dubai.
>WHEN: March 17 - 23
>WHERE: Burjuman, Union, DMCC, Al Rigga and Burj Khalifa Metro stations
>WHAT TO EXPECT: Performances from traditional musicians, street performers, classical instrumentalists and fusion musicians
reporters@khaleejtimes.com