|
|
|
| |
| A comprehensive guide
to current and future events and exhibitions in the UAE |
|
Valuable concise reference source on the UAE,
covering political system, economy, business, history and heritage,
education, women, healthcare, tourism and environment. |
|
|
Natural history of the UAE,
covering all animals and plants recorded in the Emirates. |
|
|
Atlantis adds sheen to Dubai
posted on 22/11/2008
 If Dubai is synonymous with superlatives — be it the tallest building or the biggest mall, the emirate outdid itself for sure this time when it illuminated its skies with fireworks, seven times larger than what was seen at the Olympics.
Planned to perfection, the demonstration was a definite show-stealer, that ‘shocked and awed' the 2,000-odd guests at one of the world's biggest bashes on Thursday night.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrived at the launch party, just a few minutes before the fireworks began.
Pyrotechnics expert, Grucci, marked the launch of the man-made island and its flagship resort, Atlantis-The Palm, in style a little after midnight, when a myriad of colours and shapes lit the entire stretch of Palm Jumeirah and the iconic resort.
Bollywood queen, Priyanka Chopra's act as The Goddess of Atlantis, was overshadowed by the sounds and lights of Grucci's 20-minute display, captivating guests and staff at the monstrous, arching resort.
The spectacle had been set off from over 716 firing locations around the island including 400 balconies at the resort, using custom-made shells that had been shipped in from across the globe.
The light and sound display had been superbly coordinated, emanating from different corners of the resort in varied colours.
"Sol Kerzner has been incredibly brave especially since Atlantis opened against all odds. This is not the best party of the decade. This is the best party of the last two decades,” said billionaire and owner of Virgin Atlantic, Richard Branson after arriving at the party.
Billionaire Kerzner from South Africa was in town for the gala grand opening of the second Atlantis resort in his stable. The project is a partnership with Dubai-based developer Nakheel, the state-owned creator of the palm-shaped island atop which the hotel sits.
"Atlantis is huge as I have never seen anything like this. It is good to get a three-day break from work,” British singer and song writer Lily Allen, told reporters.
Mesmerised guests, including top notch celebrities, watched in admiration and wonder as one of the largest display in the world unfolded in front of their eyes.
Many stood on chairs to watch and took photos of the aesthetic show that was both fascinating but rather extravagant.
Bollywood actress, Mallika Sherawat, said she was incredibly excited to be in Dubai again and for the launch of the luxury hotel.
Quincy Jones, American impresario and conductor, said he was extremely proud to be part of the launch and urged people to party and have fun.
Kylie Minogue's spirited, lively concert, had guests swaying and singing to her songs, when she performed facing the sea, in the backdrop of the hotel.
"The show looks spectacular this way, though it is supposed to look spectacular that way,” she told guests, implying that the view of the open sea from the stage was stunning.
They Came, They Saw, They Partied
Through the Night
The palm-shaped luxury island had been cordoned off with only one lane permitting guests, important officials and the Palm residents, whose security passes were thoroughly inspected before being allowed entry.
The carefully planned launch of the island and the flagship resort had ensured that inquisitive onlookers were kept at bay, making it an exclusive event, to be witnessed only by the lucky few, who possessed invites.
Journalists were few of the first guests to be ushered into the hotel, albeit amid tight security.
Even as the hand-picked guests, whetted personally by hotel top officials, streamed in, several eyes scanned visitors curiously, hoping to catch a glimpse of celebrities or popular faces, taking a casual stroll in the Atlantis lobby.
The radiant 1,600-room hotel's exterior and interior set the tone for the evening, as hotel staff bustled about to give final touches to make a picture perfect party, which had caught the world's fancy.
Before the celebrities set foot at the pool side, where all the action was about to unfold, an enormous ‘sea dragon' snaked its way through the crowd doubling up in to a living buffet that is over 21 metre long.
Made of 3,000 hand-cut scales, it slithered gracefully through the crowd.
Three live buffets, served by men and women in costumes, moved through the crowd serving various delicacies.
Half of the over 200 dinner tables were glowing with light from a lantern, powered by over 2,000 batteries used for the evening's event
From actors, singers, music icons to sporting legends, Atlantis' prestigious Red Carpet was not without its impressive list of celebrities.
Kylie Minogue, Lily Allen,Mary Kate Olsen, Quincy Jones, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jordon, Richard Branson, Charlize Theron, Robert DeNiro, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Hrithik Roshan, Mallika Sherawat were just some of the popular tinsel town people on view.
Sol Kerzner, the co-owner of the Atlantis-The Palm, welcomed the crowd promising a fantastic evening, not that guests expected anything less.
The dinner comprised of traditional Arabic Mezzeh, lobster salad with avocado and mango salsa, Australian lamb chicken, saffron marinated chicken and lamb kofta, besides other delicacies.
Guests feasted on signature dishes prepared by celebrity chefs, Santi Santamaria, Michel Rostang, Giorgio Locatelli and Nobu Matsuhisa.
Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoghby appeared, amidst loud cheering from the audience, especially Arab guests, who grooved to her fast numbers.
Kylie Minogue drove the crowd wild when she made her entry in a black and gold suit with a maestro jacket designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, for the event.
Her songs, On a night like this, Your disco needs you, Wow, In my arms and Can't get you out of my head had people dancing at their seats.
A total of 113 performers were part of the entire show, accompanying Nawal, Kylie and of course Priyanka Chopra, who played the role of the goddess of Atlantis. Her performance was accompanied by a high definition video illumination sequence, beamed on the daunting, arch-shape façade of the Atlantis.
The sounds and lights, though arresting, failed to impress. Grucci's fireworks were the real stars that stole the show as they encompassed the resort, the Palm and the skies above with their brilliant, synchronised display.
The celebrity guests slowly made their way to the other side of the hotel to the exclusive Royal Afterglow party with top US DJ Samantha Ronson, to let their hair down and shake a leg, while exhausted journalists made their way back home not sure if they should term it as ‘opulence' or simply concede it had indeed been an ‘evening to remember'. – Khaleej Times
RELATED ARTICLES
UAE has 52,566 hotel rooms in active pipeline - 18 March 2010
Catering business lifts ADNH to profit - 17 March 2010
Dubai hotels attractively priced: study - 07 March 2010
Occupancy levels up during DSF, say Dubai's leading hotels - 27 February 2010
Dubai hotel rates to pick up by end-2011 - 22 February 2010
RETURN TO MAIN NEWS PAGE | WAM
UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
| |
Home
