
A captivating performance by Florence Pops Orchestra at SAC
The packed hall that had music connoisseurs from baby boomers to Gen-Alpha were transported to the realm of nostalgia as its singers and musicians recreated the Disney movie magic through its evergreen numbers.
Directed by composer Carlo Chiarotti, the orchestra regaled the crowd with music from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Pocahontas, Anastasia, Aladdin and The Jungle Book. With no Disney cast being complete without the 1994 hit The Lion King, the troupe rounded off the melodious renditions with 'Can you Feel the Love Tonight' and 'Circle of Life'.
The huge semicircular screen behind displayed a scene from the animated movie providing an immersive movie experience for the audience. They clapped and cheered at the end of each musical rendition in complete awe of the artistes' skill and passion.
The specialised Italian ensemble, started in 2014, has 52 instrumentalists including on the violin, contrabass, clarinet, accordion, harp, piano, cello and the trumpet. Florence Pops has been playing at SAC since 2023.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


What's On
a day ago
- What's On
Inside CHAR x Around The Block, Nad Al Sheba's newest grill bar concept
Roll out the red carpet for we have a new chip on the block. CHAR is the latest venture by homegrown, Emirati-owned concept Around The Block, known and loved for its high-quality, handcrafted specialty coffee and a new avatar with every opening. The latest transformation is all about flames and fire-fuelled flavours, drawing inspiration from global classics and pairing it with a Dubai story. Located in the brand new Nad Al Sheba Mall, the space offers, a sleek, minimal experience, stripped down to bare brown tiles, smooth wooden furniture, low yellow lighting and the centre of all the action – the exposed grill, firing up your dishes for you. The grilled varieties come from all parts of the world, incorporating Asian and Middle Eastern influences – perhaps the hotbeds of open-flame cooking. Think chicken shawarma, chicken tikka, tenderloin, sea bass and more, all flame-kissed and served with a variety of cold plates and sides designed to complement the depth of smoke and char with bright, light flavours. Everything is bold, refreshing, rich and packs an indulgent punch. What's new? The space functions in a unique way – by day it is the Around The Block we all know and love, serving specialty coffees, comfort dining and that light, daytime atmosphere. After 2pm is when the heat and speed picks up, and CHAR is brought to life. You start with freshly-baked bread, finish with smoky, specialty non-alcoholic drinks, savoury tender meats and a fitting end – something sweet. It's the perfect day-to-night transformation, much like ATB's other concepts – The Kitchen by Around The Block in Wasl 51, and TŌRI at Al Khawaneej Walk, turning into a modern Japanese eatery in a Cinderella-esque fashion. CHAR x Around The Block, Nad Al Sheba Mall, now open, daily, 7am to 2pm, 2pm till late, @charconcept, @aroundtheblock Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in


Broadcast Pro
3 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Disney's live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch' tops MENA box office in 2025
It also became the highest grossing dubbed title to release in MENA cinemas, following strong performance of its Arabic version in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq. Audiences across the Middle East and North Africa have flocked to cinemas to catch Disney's live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch, which has quickly become the region's biggest box office success of 2025. Since its release in May, the beloved blue alien Stitch has captured hearts once again, propelling the film to record-breaking heights. It is now the highest-grossing film of the year across the region, the third highest-grossing Disney live-action title of all time in MENA, and the seventh highest-grossing Disney release ever in the territory. The film has also made history as the most successful Arabic-dubbed title to hit MENA cinemas, with its theatrical release in both Arabic and English in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq. The decision to offer a localised version alongside the original has resonated strongly with audiences, particularly families, who have embraced the movie's humor, emotion, and nostalgia. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the new Lilo & Stitch stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance and Zach Galifianakis. Producers Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin helm the project, with Tom Peitzman and Ryan Halprin serving as executive producers. A touching and wildly entertaining retelling of the 2002 animated classic, the film follows the unlikely bond between a lonely Hawaiian girl and a mischievous alien fugitive who ultimately helps her heal her broken family. Its blend of heart and hilarity has drawn both longtime fans and new audiences into cinemas across the region. Since his debut over two decades ago, the character has gained an enormous fan following, and this latest success underscores his enduring appeal. Stitch-branded merchandise—from fashion and toys to homeware—is flying off the shelves at retailers throughout the region, with Disney Stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait City and Doha reporting especially high demand for Stitch-themed products. In celebration of the film's release, the iconic character has even been making special appearances in malls across MENA. The studio is set to release a wave of major films in the coming months, including Elio (with an Egyptian Arabic dub in select markets), The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Freakier Friday, TRON: Ares, Zootropolis 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash.


What's On
5 days ago
- What's On
A magical Harry Potter exhibition is coming to Abu Dhabi
Harry Potter fans, a magical exhibition is landing in Abu Dhabi at Manarat Al Saadiyat this July. Harry Potter: The Exhibition will bring together a cool collection of authentic movie props and costumes worn by the actors, all for your viewing pleasure. You will also be able to see and explore recreations of iconic scenes and settings. This includes locations such as Great Hall gallery, Hagrid's cosy hut, the lush Herbology greenhouse, Hogwarts classrooms, and more. Want to learn how to pot a Mandrake? Or maybe just practice your spells or up your Quidditch skills? You can do it all here in the capital when the exhibition opens. And speaking of Quidditch, as you wander around the exhibition, seek out the golden snitch medallions that will customise your experience based on your wizarding profile. You will have a wristband that will collect points for your Hogswarts house as you complete tasks. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for nesting dragons, fantastic beasts, and hidden Boggarts. At the moment, tickets are not on sale, but you can sign up for the waitlist here. If you miss the sign-up date, the tickets go on sale to the public on June 24, 2025 at 12pm. The exhibition begins July 25. Find out more information here. Want more Harry Potter? If you're a Harry Potter fan in the UAE, you would have most likely heard the news of a Harry Potter theme park coming to Abu Dhabi back in 2022. It will be located in one of the world's largest indoor theme parks – Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and will be the first Harry Potter theme park to ever open in the Middle East. No news on the magical destination has been announced since, but we are keeping our Harry Potter glasses on for any updates. However, if news from an owl is correct, it could be opening up sometime in 2026. We will just have to wait for the owl delivery to know for sure. You can read about what we know here. If you want more of the magical world, there's a Harry Potter Film Concert Series concert taking place on September 6 and 7, 2025, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. As the show suggests, the audience will be able to watch Harry Potter on the big screen, and it will be accompanied by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra performing live with the film being showcased on a 40-foot screen. All the different elements coming together means you will experience the magical world of Harry Potter all over again, but in a different light. Tickets are available on And speaking of magical openings Disney fans in the UAE have plenty to be excited about, as we are finally getting a Disneyland right here in the UAE. It will be located on the Yas Island waterfront, with the project being Disney's seventh entertainment destination in the world. Miral will be responsible for the development and construction of the project, while Disney will oversee the creative aspects and provide operational support. This will include design elements of the attraction to ensure it is in line with all things magical. You can read more about this upcoming attraction here. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in