When she was just a girl she expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
So she ran away in her sleep
Dreamed of para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise, para-para-paradise
Every time she closed her eyes
— Paradise by Coldplay
At more than one point, I closed my eyes and just sat there — breathing gently, as the extremely skilled, talented pianist Aldo Dotto played yet another Coldplay number. If attending a candlelight concert (lit by countless LED candles) on a weekend evening is not what meditation can look like, I don't know what can or comes closer. I squinted and opened my eyes slowly only to be sure that the scene in front of me — a space so serene lit up with a gentle hue — was actually for real. Of course, I did rub my eyes in disbelief the moment I walked in the The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates — the pathway to the space, lined up with candles, reminding me of the night tour, Petra by Night, Jordan. So, yes, the eyes, closed-rubbed-squinted, were in for a treat, alongside the soul and ears, which were in a happy space.
The programme (April 2023) was a tribute to Coldplay (Clocks, Don’t Panic, Speed of Sound, Trouble, Fix You, Paradise, In My Place…); all under the gentle glow of candlelight. And the pianist, other than his skill on the keys, was wonderful at making little conversation (witty too) throughout the 65-minute duration of the concert.
As I left the space, I kept thinking to myself, why did it take someone so long to present arts in the candlelit ambience?
Disclaimer: This is a place where we applaud artists and arts. We serve as a platform, motivator and a pat on the back for anyone, who believes in the simple fact that we need arts more than anything else in the world; something many of us realised especially during the pandemic when we looked up to books, movies, arts of all forms as a means to find peace and reconnect with ourselves. But mostly, we acknowledge that being an artist/artiste/creator is a lonely, tough job. Whilst the world assumes it is a fancy job, it mostly revolves around lack of support, anxiety, an unbelievable amount of hard work, and a constant struggle to fight the 'create for exposure' element of modern society. Yet, somehow, it's the only thing that helps you make sense of the world. This is our tiny attempt to support the creative souls.
Move over candlelight dinners, candle concerts are here to stay
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations never before used for this purpose in Dubai. In celebration of Warner Bros. Studios’ 100th anniversary, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and Fever, is launching in Dubai “Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.,” a commemorative international concert series coming to 100 cities worldwide.
The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai will host this exclusive celebration that takes place throughout the year to commemorate Warner Bros.’ 100th anniversary. From The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca to FRIENDS, Batman, Harry Potter and many more, “Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.” will take fans on a musical journey to relive their favourite soundtracks while celebrating a century of captivating stories.
The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai will host this exclusive celebration that takes place throughout the year to commemorate Warner Bros.’ 100th anniversary. From The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca to FRIENDS, Batman, Harry Potter and many more, “Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.” will take fans on a musical journey to relive their favourite soundtracks while celebrating a century of captivating stories in a whole new light.