Getting there
Getting to and fro in Abu Dhabi is always something of an issue. Add a big open-air festival into the equation and we may have a congestion problem not seen since last National Day. To cut down on jams caused by the mass influx of visitors coming into the city, festival organisers are providing three free parking areas, located at Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Marina and InterContinental Abu Dhabi.
Free shuttle buses will run a park-and-ride scheme running to and from these areas, with one lane reserved along the Corniche for buses alone, allowing passengers to safely disembark. Needless to say, the reduced lanes will make travelling more difficult, so if you can leave your car at home, do so. Transport for those travelling from Dubai is also being considered – visit www.womadabudhabi.ae for more details.
Fun and games
As well as a children’s workshop tent encouraging kids to make flags, masks and mischief, organised workshops will make sure that everyone gets in the world-music spirit. Get up close with the biggest world music stars and learn all about Womad.
Food for thought
Imagine if Mick Jagger stopped midway through ‘Satisfaction’ to fry up some jellied eels, and then explain their history. Well, that’s the kind of service you get at Womad – well, almost (no jellied eels, thankfully). As well as singing for their supper, a number of the artists will be performing cookery demonstrations. ‘Taste the World’ offers a chance to not only meet the artists, but have them talk you through the ingredients and traditions of their local cuisine, not to mention taste it.
A chance to sample the desert cooking of Etran (Fri 24, 7pm) and the Eastern European flavours of Paprika Balkanicus (Sat 25, 7pm) are just some of the incentives, and don’t be surprised if the odd impromptu performance breaks out either.
Womad – Don’ts
1 Don’t drink alcohol in public. Yes, this is a music festival, but remember you are in the UAE and public drinking is illegal.
2 Don’t attempt to camp on the Corniche. It isn’t that kind of festival and you will be quickly moved on.
3 If possible, leave your car behind and walk, or travel on the specially provided buses from the selected park and ride areas (see Getting There).
The kids are alright
As part of Womad Beyond, many of the artists will be working with local children across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from April 13-23. Percussion, dance and art and crafts are all on the menu as artists descend upon the Cultural Foundation and British School Al-Khubairat in Abu Dhabi (April 13-14), and later in Abu Dhabi’s malls and Al Ain’s Al Jahili Fort (April 15-16).
Sessions will include body percussion with Hamid Baroudi, traditional Indian crafts with artists Ranbir Kaur and her daughter Kieran, and Zimbabwean dance-vocalists Siyaya, who will be working with local students to create a choir that will perform at the opening ceremony.
UK-based art collective Malarky will also be helping kids transform mundane materials into fabulous costumes, creatures and props. They will also get the chance to create a large-scale artwork which will be carried in a procession on the final day of Womad, when everyone is invited to join in the parade.
Located in the Tri-span structure, visit www.womadabudhabi.ae for the full schedule
