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Marvel's Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, Ironman and The Green Goblin opened 'Summer in Abu Dhabi 2010' in heroic fashion as the six-week family festival began welcoming visitors from across the region.
The event, which for the first time boasts attractions in the emirate's 'oasis city' of Al Ain, includes family activities, award-winning international acts and ticket, hotel and attraction deals.
It runs from 4pm to 10pm Saturdays through Wednesdays and from 4pm to midnight on Thursdays and Fridays.
Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the festival takes in eight venues including the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre's (ADNEC) Hall 11 and its recently-launched Abu Dhabi Hall - the region's largest indoor entertainment venue.
A wealth of free activities are also running across the emirate's major 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.
"We want everyone to come out into the great indoors this 'Summer in Abu Dhabi'. This is our biggest entertainment and edutainment offering ever and we have fantastic international performances, fun learning activities, state-of-the-art shows and artists from across the globe to satisfy local, regional and international visitors," said Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager, ADTA.
"Every day during 'Summer in Abu Dhabi' will be action-packed so families will never be stuck for something to do. And, with our expansive one-for-one deals at hotels, restaurants and attractions, it is a highly cost-effective way to spend the holidays."
Throughout 'Summer in Abu Dhabi', ADTA and its stakeholders are offering an expansive 'one-for-one' campaign which gets Gulf travellers free air seats, complimentary room nights, meal deals, discounted attractions and free tours. More than 30 four and five star hotels in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are taking part in the promotion.
Cultural performers are taking centre stage in the participating shopping malls with international troupes such as the Mexican Aztecs, Mongolian Khalkhas, Papua New Guinea Hulis, Kenyan Maasais, New Zealand Maoris and Botswanian Khoisans entertaining with their unique ritual dances.
One mall has already hosted the Aztecs doing the White Eagle dance also known as the 'Ixtac Cuauhtli' and the Mother Earth dance known as the 'Tonantzin'. They were joined by the Hulis, with their colourful faces and wigs, and the Khalkhas, who play unique horse head fiddles and regale audiences with tribal songs.
This week, Al Ain Mall, for the first time, will stage traditional Indian, Chinese and Malay performances. Drawing on centuries of history and culture, the troupes will bring to life, through dance, stories of their ancestors.
"This is not just only an opportunity to be entertained; it is also a chance to learn about the cultures of others in a fun yet informative way. Abu Dhabi embraces its multi-cultural diversity, and that is reflected in many of the activities taking place throughout the festival," added Mr Al Sheikh.
A host of activities are also running throughout malls including the Mad Scientist Laboratory, where professors will conduct real-life experiments with fun and unpredictable results; Junior Cooking Schools, where budding chefs will design their own cupcakes under the careful supervision of top chefs; and Showbot & The Droidz, where kids can make friends with talking, walking robots. Shops are backing up the festival with a range of deals.
ADNEC is playing host to three major international acts, Lord of the Dance - also booked for the summer festival in Bahrain - Fantasy on Ice and New York's Big Apple Circus throughout 'Summer in Abu Dhabi'.
Fantasy on Ice - an original production that combines the mystifying world of magic illusion and the unique artistry of ice skating - makes its international premiere on July 4 and will run for 12 days.
New York's award-winning 'Big Apple Circus', one of the world's largest, makes its Middle East debut at Abu Dhabi Hall from July 23 to August 3 and is expected to be a major highlight of the festival with its gravity-defying trapeze artists, hysterical clowns and awe-inspiring acrobats.
Big Apple Circus and Fantasy on Ice tickets are AED200 for adults and AED75 for children under 12-years and can be bought at ADNEC or via www.boxofficeme.com. For every adult ticket bought, an additional adult or child's ticket will be given free. All ticket holders are also automatically entered in a draw to win one of two Chevrolet cars.
In addition to the headline shows, ADNEC will also host a wealth of edutainment zones with activities for every age group in its Hall 11, which include laser games, a revolutionary 5D cinema show, clown and driving schools, fun mazes, dance zones and many more family fun attractions.
Entry to ADNEC Hall 11 is AED15 and tickets can be bought on-site with all visitors qualifying for the free luxury Chevrolet car draw. For information and details on all the one-for-one 'Summer in Abu Dhabi' offers, visit summerinabudhabi.com
