Ferrari World is gearing up for Eid with Light Racers, a series of live performances with stunning illuminations. TOAD finds out why they will have you glowing.
Ferrari World knows a thing or two about the spectacular, but it’s looking to light up the stage with added oomph during the Eid celebrations this year, with a new series called Light Racers running from August 9 until August 18.
The idea behind the series of live acts is to celebrate light, and an impressive grid of performers has been drafted in to help.
‘We were looking to add something to brighten up the experience for our visitors this summer and Light Racers, with a line-up of winning performers, seemed like a great way to do that, quite literally!’ says Andy Keeling, park manager at Ferrari World. ‘All the acts play on visual tricks, light and movement to create a phenomenal show, and we are sure our visitors will be truly dazzled.’
Headlining is an act from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, called Khawater Al Dalam, meaning, ‘thoughts of darkness’; an eight-piece dance combo that rose to prominence by winning last year’s Arabs’ Got Talent.
Before you go thinking there’s not much you haven’t already seen on TV talent shows when it comes to dancing, imagine this; the all-male dancers perform in the dark with only the lit outlines of their specially-developed outfits on show. Not massively impressive on its own perhaps, but consider what happens when those outfits get repeatedly switched on and off during the show.
The illusions they create are incredible, an almost surreal feast for the eyes as the same dancer may appear to flit across stage in a near superhero way or be joined by an increasing number of re-lit doppelgangers to give an insane slow motion effect.
The USA is also on hand to help, with America’s Got Talent finalists, Lightwire Theater also performing. Created by husband and wife team Ian and Eleanor Carney from Lousiana, they will be bringing their own unique twist to performing with light.
Dinosaurs with lightsabers, giant birds and a host of other illuminated creations take audiences through a fantastic story on stage. Lightwire Theater develops its own LED creatures and choreographs performances that will have young and old alike mesmerized. If you fancy a sneak peek at what to expect (and why wouldn’t you?), then have a search on YouTube for both Lightwire Theater and Khawater Al Dalam. If seeing them perform doesn’t convince you to head along to Light Racers then nothing else will.
Urban Grunge, a local group of hip hop dancers and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s very own Red – A Theatrical Spectacular of Speed and Passion will complete the line-up of high-energy light celebration that is Light Racers. So if you’re after seeing something different and fancy having your eyeballs popped by incredible ingenuity and creativity then just follow the light.
Light Racers will take place in Ferrari World Abu Dhabi every day from August 9-18, from 11am-8pm. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 469 8000).
Up-and-coming artist
TOAD grabs a moment with Ian Carney, co-founder of US act Lightwire Theater who will be performing at Light Racers
What was the response like to your act on America’s Got Talent?
The response was overwhelming. You take a risk when you put your art up for the possibility of criticism and we were a little nervous at that time. But the saying, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ is very true and the entire experience was amazing, especially because we were able to share what we love with the world.
How would you explain your act to someone who hasn’t seen it?
It’s a combination of dance, puppetry and technology mixed with the magic of LED lights.
Who designs all of the light displays in your show?
All design and technological aspects of our show are completely created and executed by us. We had to re-invent ourselves and learnt to become engineers, electricians, sculptors and much more. We are constantly upgrading our own technology – what we would like to see invented though is a high quality of El Wire (electroluminescent wire) which is what we use to light up our creatures.
Have you performed in the UAE before?
We have been lucky to perform in Europe, Asia and South America. This is our very first time in the UAE and we are extremely excited.
Will you be pulling out anything new for Abu Dhabi?
Of course! We don’t like to reveal much of what our show will look like, but for sure we are bringing along all our best creatures and doing a combination of brand new acts with some of the material our fans have enjoyed in America’s Got Talent… let us surprise you all with the rest!
