Dubai Comedy Festival is upping the ante by showcasing the Arab world’s finest comedic talent in ‘Dubai 3al wagef’ on the opening night of the festival. 

 

The two-hour stand-up comedy show will feature the very best comedians the Arab world has to offer and will infuse Arab flavour into the 10-day festival, said a statement.

 

Headlined by Saudi Youtube sensation Bader Saleh and hosted by Dubai’s own funny man Ali Al Sayed, the opening night of Arabic comedy will also showcase Arab’s Got Talent finalist Ibrahim Al Khairallah, Saudi Arabian stand-up Fahad Al Butairi, KitKat Comedy Breaks ‘Funniest Arab’ Waddah Swar, Egyptian comedy pioneer Mohammed Salem and Palestinian comedian Adi Khalefa, it said.

 

Featuring a strong multicultural line-up of comedy, Dubai Comedy Festival will take place from October 15 to 24. 

 

The tickets are now on sale for performances at the Main Stage, a purpose-built 4,500-seat venue at SkyDive Dubai, as well as the Comedy Strip @ JBR Walk and other select venues around Dubai.

 

Chock-a-block with an exciting array of comedic talent from around the globe, the inaugural festival is set to seriously tickle Dubai’s funny bone with performances from international funnyman Dave Chappelle, the new host of ‘The Daily Show’ Trevor Noah, Comedy Central favourite Hannibal Buress and one of Variety magazine’s Top Ten Comics to Watch, Jerrod Carmichael, said the statement.

 

Other Main Stage highlights include Las Vegas comedy magician Mac King who will perform on the ‘Etisalat Family Day’, and ‘Desi Invasion’ featuring Nitin Mirani, it said.

 

In addition to the Main Stage at Skydive Dubai, the festival will include performances across other locations in Dubai, including the Comedy Strip @ JBR Walk where a daily programme of street performers will delight young and old alike. 

 

The Comedy Strip will also play host to an array of performances including ‘Funny Girls’, an exclusive show by Dubai’s comediennes on October 17 at Tribeca, JA Ocean View Hotel, ‘Dubomedy Comedy Jam’ (October 18 at Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton), Dubai Laughing’s ‘Gong Shows’ (October 19 and 20 at Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton), Dubai Laughing Comedy Club (October 21, Intercontinental Marina), The Laughter Factory (October 22 and 23 at Moevenpick Hotel) and Frankie’s Comedy Cellar (October 24 at Frankie’s Italian Bar and Grill, Oasis Beach Tower).

 

The always popular ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’ troupe will be performing on October 19 at Habtoor Grand and Ali Al Sayed will present his one man stand-up comedy special ‘Onestly Sbeaking’ on October 19 at the Madinat Theatre. 

 

The Siddhus of Upper Juhu, a success in India’s theatre circuit, will make its way to DUCTAC at the Mall of the Emirates for performances on October 15 and 16.

 

Hamad bin Mejren, senior vice president, Dubai Tourism, said: “From street performances to stage performances, the Dubai Comedy Festival runs the gamut of comedic acts and offers shows at every price point, including many free performances. 

 

"By providing a platform for talents from diverse cultures to come together and celebrate laughter and humor in the city our ambitions for the inaugural event are not just to position Dubai as a comedic hub but also to reinforce the UAE as a global events and entertainment destination.” - TradeArabia News Service