Coronavirus: Live events are back in Dubai with sold-out socially distanced shows

UAE - All the sold-out shows and concerts in Dubai in recent months prove one thing: The beat is back in the emirate's events sector.

The live performances of an array of regional and international artists heralded the restart of an industry that is a key pillar of the city's tourism destination proposition and a growing contributor to its economy.

Reopening the events sector in Dubai has been made possible by the citywide management of the global pandemic.

Shows and entertainment activities resumed in phases. Event organisers also received a boost from the Dubai Tourism, which gave the green light for hosting live events, indoor and outdoor concerts.

Among the most notable shows recently was the UAE debut of world-renowned comedian Jimmy Carr, who helped put the smile back on audiences' faces in Dubai by performing in three successive sold-out dates.

Carr, who was originally scheduled to perform only two shows at Dubai World Trade Centre in August, accommodated a third one because of popular demand.

International stand-up comedians are regularly flown in to perform at The Laughter Factory shows every month, with July bringing out the best of Dublin's funniest comedian Danny O'Brien, storytelling comic Nick Page and Irish Times columnist comedian Peter Flanagan.

Their five performances for August were all sold out.

Emirati comedian Ali Al Sayed and Mina Liccione had the audience in stitches during their live show at Dubai Opera.

August also saw Arab singing sensations Saif Nabeel and Mohammed Assaf perform live at the same venue.

Ahmed Al Khaja, chief executive officer of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: "The successful management of the pandemic has allowed us to come out of this unprecedented situation to once again leverage the events and entertainment sectors."