Back for its third year running, Summer in Abu Dhabi 2010 will have all the family excited with a bigger, wider and even more exciting reach

Since debuting in 2008 the six week festival has grown to be one of the most exciting events of the summer.

This year Summer in Abu Dhabi is back – and most definitely bigger than ever with an all-singing, all-dancing line up with education and fun rolled into one.

Building on the tremendous success of the first two editions, Summer in Abu Dhabi 2010 – organised by ADTA – will encompass a spectacular entertainment line-up taking in eight venues across the capital and Al Ain – the first time the festival will reach out to the Emirate’s eastern region.

And that’s not the only first for the family festival. Perhaps the most exciting headline act to make a debut will be an international premiere for Fantasy on Ice. The event, specially tailored for Gulf audiences by the USA’s award-winning Steve Wheeler Productions, will sweep into the capital for a breathtaking performance on ice.

The original production combines the mystifying world of magic illusion and the unique artistry of ice skating in a one-hour show that will run from 4th-15th July at Abu Dhabi Hall. Taking to a specially constructed Abu Dhabi Hall ice floor (measuring almost half the size of a football pitch) will be the show’s international cast featuring ice-skating stars from the USA, Austria, France, Ukraine, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Italy and the UK.

“The hosting of this world premiere takes the Summer in Abu Dhabi headline entertainment to a whole new level,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.

And Fantasy on Ice isn’t the only big headline act to make a debut at Summer in Abu Dhabi. New York’s award-winning ‘Big Apple Circus’, one of the world’s largest, will make its Middle East debut at Abu Dhabi Hall from 23rd July to 3rd August. Coming direct from the USA, the circus will feature a stellar cast of international stars from Europe and Russia.

“With all that is going on, visitors are certainly not going to be short of something to do this summer,” added Al Sheikh.

And if that’s not enough of a spectacular start for the annual summer show, Summer in Abu Dhabi will be stretching out beyond its traditional ADNEC home to six shopping centres; Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, as well as Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain Mall and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain, where exciting entertainment programmes are to be staged.

Back at ADNEC, there’ll be six fun and exciting ‘edutainment’ zones with activities for every age group to see summer through from 24th June until 4th August. Don’t miss out on an action- packed Summer in Abu Dhabi.

At ADNEC

• Fantasy on Ice (Abu Dhabi Hall) 4th until 15th July
• Big Apple Circus (Abu Dhabi Hall) 23rd July until 3rd August
• Hello Music Land – 5D Cinema (Hall 11) A multi-dimensional edutainment experience where characters travel between the animated screen and live stage performances in a presentation of comedy, magic, music and mayhem
• Bee Amazed (Hall 11) Inspired by the popular Japanese Game Show ‘Takeshi’s Castle’, would-be explorers can put their strategic thinking to the test as they try to navigate their way out of a challenging maze
• Dance-Tricity (Hall 11) Strike a pose on a huge floor and watch your dance energy convert to impressive electricity
• Playmotion (Hall 11) Step into a world transformed into a magical playground of games and art using the latest entertainment technology
• Laser Strike (Hall 11) The adventurous can head to the laser zone where players will line up against each other in a game of frantic cat-and-mouse style tag in a safe, yet challenging specially-designed arena
• Marvel Heroes – Operation Green (Hall 11) Spiderman, Incredible Hulk, Ironman and even the Green Goblin will come together to teach audiences ways to conserve energy, recycle and live a green lifestyle
• Circus School (Hall 11) Aspiring ring bearer or clown? The circus school will help budding young tight-tope artists and trapeze try-outs learn the skills of the circus
• Junior Driving School (Hall 11) Learn the skills and safety requirements of being behind the wheel at the Junior Driving School
• Building Block of Learning (Hall 11) Enjoy creative and fun learning as you build and learn with a little help from Summer in Abu Dhabi
• Sumo Wrestling (Hall 11) Challenge siblings and friends and battle it out with inflatable costumes and batons and see who the best sumo wrestler is

Around Abu Dhabi

• Culture World 24th June until 14th July: Marina Mall and Al Ain Mall 15th July until 4th August: Abu Dhabi Hall
• Play World 24th June until 14th July: Abu Dhabi Mall 15th July until 4th August: Al Jimi Mall
• Tasty World 24th June until 14th July: Al Jimi Mall 15th July until 4th August: Marina Mall
• Showbot and the Droidz 24th June until 14th July: Al Wahda Mall
• Mad Scientist Laboratory 24th June until 14th July: Al Bawadi Mall 15th July-4th August: Al Wahda Mall

* Summer in Abu Dhabi 2010 will run from 24th June until 4th August, from 4-10pm on Saturday-Wednesday and from 4pm-midnight on Thursdays and Fridays

* Big Apple Circus and Fantasy on Ice tickets cost AED 200 for adults and AED 75 for children under 12-years old and can be bought at ADNEC or via www.boxofficeme.com. For every Fantasy on Ice adult ticket bought, another adult or child’s ticket will be given free

* ADNEC Hall 11 entry tickets are priced at AED 15 and can be bought on-site. All mall activities are free to enter

For more information, visit www.summerinabudhabi.com