Latest news with #AbuDhabiComedyWeek
Time Out Abu Dhabi
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Dave Chappelle is coming back to Abu Dhabi for another comedy gig
If you thought last year's set from Dave Chappelle was something special, buckle up. The comedy kingpin is coming back to Etihad Arena on Thursday June 27, for a show that's about to go down in Abu Dhabi's stand-up history books. Last year, Chappelle kicked off the first-ever Abu Dhabi Comedy Week with a sold-out performance that drew over 14,000 fans – the largest comedy show the region's ever seen. Now, he's set to top it. The legendary stand-up returns for a one-night-only gig as part of the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season, and it's going to be huge. Think biting wit, fearless satire and stories that only Chappelle could tell. Whether you're a die-hard fan who's watched every Netflix special (shout-out to The Dreamer) or someone who's never seen him live, this is an epic chance to get those much-needed belly laughs in (ab workout anyone?). And with presale tickets going live on April 15 and general sale opening April 16, you'll need to move faster than one of his punchlines to snag a seat. This year's Abu Dhabi Comedy Season – running from April to July – is rolling out a heavyweight lineup of hilarity. We're talking Trevor Noah, Kevin Hart, Gad Elmaleh, Michael McIntyre, Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr and loads more still to be announced. If ever there was a time to embrace your inner comedy nerd, this is it. But don't sleep on it – this show will sell out. You've been warned. Price TBC. Thu Jun 27. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. You might also like… The best places to eat on Yas Island Going to Etihad Arena? Here's where you should grab a bite before (or after) your gig or event All the concerts happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025 Get ready for a lot of huge names Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted
The National
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Review: Trevor Noah shows why he's the king of third-culture comedians
Why does the UAE love Trevor Noah? If anyone has the answer, it's not Noah himself. 'Long before I was doing things in America, like hosting The Daily Show and the Grammys, people were coming to my shows in the UAE. I don't know why they supported me, but they did. It started with 200-seat shows, and it grew and grew, and look at us now,' Noah said in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The South African comedian, 41, is right to marvel at his drawing power. As he spoke, he was looking out at a near-capacity crowd of more than 10,000 people at Etihad Arena to kick off Abu Dhabi Comedy Season – nearly identical to the numbers he drew last year during Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Listen to the man speak, of course, and it's clear why his fandom has remained both loyal and ever-growing. After all, even the best stand-up comedians tend to be quite provincial. Go to a UAE set of many tenured touring comics, and you'll get jokes about life in New York, London or Lagos – perhaps with a few added local observations they've amassed in their drive from the Abu Dhabi airport. While the best ones can pull that off well, few arrive with a truly global mindset. Noah is different, and always has been. He was, as he puts it himself, "born a crime" – the child of a then-illegal mixed marriage in apartheid-era South Africa. And since then, he's become perhaps the pre-eminent third culture kid, living across the world and embracing a mixed identity that has made him a perennial outsider. As a result, Noah has spent his life trying to explain why the world is the way it is – a pursuit that has made him a student of history and a keen observer of current events. That remains his greatest asset, along with his deeply moral perspective, keen eye for observation and sharp wit that allows him to riff on whatever his audience may throw at him. He's at his best when all these skills are clicking at once. About an hour into his latest set in Abu Dhabi, he launched into a bit that was among his top material to date – pointing out that the bloody colonial history of some countries is more easily forgotten than others. 'The French were nearly as bad as the English. They went around colonising – maiming, torturing, destroying. The Portuguese basically invented the slave trade. The Spanish demolished entire civilisations for gold, which was worthless at the time,' Noah observed. 'What makes them different? I noticed one thing – these places had really focused on their food. Like my grandmother told me as a child, if you know how to cook, you can make people forget anything. 'Belgium is responsible for one of the worst massacres in African history. Now all we think of is waffles,' he continued. This is exactly the kind of comedy that his educated audience desires from him, and what sets him so far apart from his peers. But there is another side to Noah. When he's not political, his clean, observational comedy – which made up the first hour of his latest set of all-new material – resembles Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, albeit less sardonic. For the first half an hour, he spoke entirely about airports, telling an extended story about the inconsistent rules placed on passengers with many twists and turns. Then, he spoke about babies. The material was fine, but it's not what makes Noah stand out. But Noah is seemingly tired of having to be political all the time. That's likely part of why he left The Daily Show in 2022, and why his pursuits since leaving have been so varied, from launching his own podcast to writing a children's book. Yes, politics will always be a part of his being, but he's also Jay Leno, and he's happiest when he can be both. 'It's the strangest thing. I'll be out somewhere, living my life, and people will come up to me and say, 'Trevor, I was wondering why you didn't say anything about the economy in your last set,' Noah said. 'So while I'm still here, is there anything you would like me to talk about?' Screams from across the audience echoed in near-unison: 'Donald Trump!' 'I was hoping we wouldn't talk about him,' Noah sighed, before launching into 12 minutes of improvised material about the US President. While there were several hilarious observations throughout, Noah does fall back on some of the rhetorical trappings that are common in liberal-minded communities. He focuses a lot on hypocrisy and masked intentions, for example – bothered more by the fact that people don't say what they really mean, even if they mean something malicious. He mused that none of what's happening now should be surprising if you were paying attention earlier. And those are easy observations to make, as they let you off the hook from taking a real stance on the subjects at hand. Those are the limits of observational humour. It relegates the conversation to reaction rather than prescription. They're comments from the peanut gallery. Noah would be powerful as a philosophical activist comedian if he so chose, but that's simply not what interests him. Perhaps as he continues to hone his powers, he will evolve into one. But even if he doesn't, his audience will remain loyal to him either way.
Gulf News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Experience the Filipino-American comedy icon Jo Koy's signature energy, family stories, and nonstop laughs at Abu Dhabi Comedy Week 2025
Dubai. Get ready, Abu Dhabi! A night of pure comedy gold is coming your way! Filipino-American comedy sensation Jo Koy is bringing his 'Just Being Koy Tour' to Etihad Arena, Yas Island on Thursday, May 29, 2025, and it's going to be a night of unforgettable laughter and wild fun! As part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, Jo Koy is bringing his signature energy, hilarious stories, and next-level comedy to the UAE capital! And guess what? This could also be his early birthday celebration (his birthday's June 2, so we're in for an extra-special, all-out comedy fiesta)! From viral Netflix specials to sold-out shows across the globe, Jo Koy has become a household name with his gut-busting stories drawn straight from his Filipino-American upbringing and everyday family life. Whether he's talking about his mom's wild advice or the universal chaos of parenting, he brings the laughs in a way that's deeply personal, wildly relatable, and irresistibly funny. From humble beginnings in a Las Vegas coffee house to performing in world-class arenas, Jo Koy's comedic journey is the stuff of legend. Now, he returns to the region with a brand-new set of stories, infectious energy, and his signature storytelling magic that leaves audiences rolling in the aisles. This is not just a show – it's a full-blown comedy experience, and one of the major highlights of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week 2025. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to Jo Koy's world, this is your chance to catch one of the funniest voices of a generation live on stage. Tickets on sale now at Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 8:00 PM sharp Guests aged 12+ welcome (under 21 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over) Ticket pricing:
What's On
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Dave Chappelle is returning to Abu Dhabi
The laugh track shall play on repeat… If there's one show that immediately comes to mind when we mention last year's Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, it has to be the Dave Chappelle performance. And whether that means you can't wait to laugh out loud to his humour again, or that you wish you'd attended, there's good news for you either way, because the comedy legend is heading back to the UAE capital's Etihad Arena for another side-splitting performance on June 27. Images: supplied, What's On archive Dave's successes include the groundbreaking 'Chappelle's Show' that ran from 2003 to 2006, with his unique take on global and societal issues appealing to hordes of fans around the world. His leading accolades include 5 Emmy Awards and 6 Grammys. He will be returning to town as part of this summer's Abu Dhabi Comedy Season which will also include performances by other massive brands in the comedy game, including Trevor Noah (April 26), Kevin Hart (May 2), Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias (May 3), Michael McIntyre (May 10), May 29 (Jo Koy), May 30 (Gad Elmaleh), July 12 (Bill Burr) and possibly more names that are yet to be announced. While last year's show drew 14,000 fans of rib-tickling comedy, this summer's season of laughmakers is expected to to pull far bigger numbers. Admit one, admit all… Tickets to Dave Chappelle's show will be available in a matter of days, with pre-sales kicking off on April 14 and 15, before general sales begin on April 16. See you there… Dave Chappelle Live, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, June 27, April 15, 8am Live Nation and ticketmaster presale, April 16 8am, general sales. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
The National
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Dave Chappelle set for Abu Dhabi Comedy Season in June
American comedian Dave Chappelle will return to the UAE capital for Abu Dhabi Comedy Season in June. The show, set for June 27 at Etihad Arena, will be Chappelle's fourth in the UAE. His 2024 event, part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, welcomed a record-breaking 14,000 guests, the largest attendance for a comedy event in the region's history. Organised by Live National Middle East and GME Events in association with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and Miral, Abu Dhabi Comedy Season will also feature comedians including Trevor Noah, Kevin Hart, Gad Elmaleh, Michael McIntyre, Fluffy, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr and more. Chappelle promised he would return to the UAE at the end of his 2024 Abu Dhabi show, saying: 'The fact that you guys are doing this festival here is one of the most powerful things that is happening in the world. I was told before stepping on stage that this is the biggest comedy show the Middle East has ever seen. Mark my words, I will be back.' The comedian, both widely beloved and consistently controversial, is known for his razor-sharp wit and fearless approach to comedy. His last set included pointed observations about the Israel-Gaza War, which he referred to as a 'genocide', as well as comments on US political figures and the African-American civil rights movement. The National's Saeed Saeed wrote in his review: "His latest show is primarily a celebration of telling jokes, no matter how big or small. At times it can be dazzling, with Chappelle's ability to twist and turn a particular premise when recalling his experience travelling in a time machine, while at other times it as direct as the toilet humour unheard of since high school days." Famed for his sketch comedy series Chappelle's Show (2003 – 2006), Saturday Night Live hosting appearances and his six acclaimed Netflix specials, the comedian has won five Emmy Awards in his career. Tickets, which require registration, go on sale at 8am on April 14 through Live Nation's website and April 15 on Ticketmaster's website, before a general sale on April 16.
