Cirque du Soleil back in UAE in September

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The theatrical entertainment troop Cirque du Soleil will return to Dubai from September 16 to 24 with a production called Varekai. The spectacular will feature an international cast of 50 performers and musicians from 19 different countries. Varekai, written and directed by Dominic Champagne, has so far played to more than 8 million people worldwide since it debuted in Montreal in 2002. The venue for September's shows has yet to be announced. Tickets will be available at www.TixBox.com. – The National staff

Rock band Boyce Avenue to perform in Dubai

American rock band Boyce Avenue will perform in Dubai on March 24. As part of their Be Somebody Tour they will play at the Emirates Golf Club. The brothers Alejandro, Daniel and Fabian Manzano will perform hits including We Can't Stop, Mirrors, A Thousand Years and Just the Way you Are. Doors open at 5pm with the concert set to start at 8.30pm. Tickets start at Dh200 from www.virginmegastore.me. – The National staff

Abrams says don’t watch star wars on mobile phones

With Star Wars Eisode VII: The Force Awakens coming to iTunes on April 1, the director of the box-­office hit has said it was a "nightmare" to think of people watching the big-screen sci-fi adventure on a mobile phone. "Anyone who makes movies will say: 'Please don't watch my movies on that,'" J J Abrams said. "It is the nightmare of every storyteller that people are going to watch something you made on something so small." – Reuters

Singer Sam Smith splashes out on Egypt antiquities

British Oscar-winning ­singer-songwriter Sam Smith felt inspired to buy a collection of Egyptian artefacts after spending time with American performing artist Adam Lambert last week. "Adam's passion has rubbed off on Sam. His first tattoo was the Egyptian Eye of Horus, which he got right before American Idol to protect him on the show," a source told The Sun newspaper. "The first thing Sam did when he got back to the UK was check out the pieces in the gallery." – IANS

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Priyanka Chopra uploads special video for fans

Priyanka Chopra, star of the hit American TV drama Quantico, took to social media this week to answer questions from fans via a video posted on her Facebook page. "Indian movies have a very global demographic. So I've got used to a lot of people knowing me outside of India as well," she said. "But with Quantico going to almost 120 territories – yes, wherever I go people know me from the show. I'm really happy, they enjoy the show. Eventually an artist just wants applause and I'm really happy to be able to be getting that." – IANS