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In celebration of the spookiest night of the year, It’s a Musical Halloween brought famous fright-night soundtracks to life at Expo 2020 Dubai through a spectacular rock opera on 31 October. The 60-minute musical and dance performances took you back to some of stage and screen’s most terrifying soundtracks, paying tribute to music from Phantom of the Opera, Little Shop of Horrors, Thriller, Beetlejuice and more. Visitors saw musicians and dancers in full costume, inspired by the horror films and shows, when It’s a Musical Halloween made its premiere at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. The creative mind behind the show, Mitch Sebastian, has more than 30 years of global experience in the industry as a performer, director and producer, having worked with Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Dame Gillian Lynne, Peter Hall Theatre Company, Sir Matthew Bourne and the maestro Kurt Masur at the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Mitch Sebastian was joined by renowned arranger and composer Steve Sidwell, Musical Director of It’s a Musical Halloween.

On Sunday 17 October from Alexandra Palace, Dermot O’Leary and Clara Amfo hosted a star-studded event at which HRH Prince William handed out the first Earthshot Prize awards. Five inspiring projects that are tackling urgent environmental challenges each received £1 million each. Performing guests included Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Yemi Alade, KSI and Shawn Mendes. Taking inspiration from President John F Kennedy’s 'moonshot' project in the 1960s, the Earthshot Prize is centred around five ‘Earthshots’ – simple but ambitious goals for our planet which, if achieved by 2030, will improve life for generations to come. Five £1 million prizes will be awarded each year for the next ten years, funding at least 50 solutions to the world’s greatest environmental problems. Musical Director - Steve Sidwell.

Exclusively for Expo 2020 Dubai, in collaboration with Grammy-Award-winning composer Steve Sidwell, ‘The Sounds of Nature’ dazzled spectators at the Jubilee Stage on Monday 4 October as part of the Climate and Biodiversity Theme Week. The 60-minute show uses the power of the human voice to create a stunning soundtrack to a visual journey of discovery, reminding us how beautiful our world is. The dramatic show features powerful performances from a chorus of 40 voices, embedded with SFX Choir (Human Orchestra) and audioscapes, including birdsong, rain, wind, waves, mountain springs and erupting volcanoes. The multi-layered soundtrack is generated and delivered entirely through the human voice and body movement. ‘The Sounds of Nature’ tells its evocative story in five segments, starting with beauty, and flora and fauna, then moving onto the fury and power of nature, before arriving at its oneness with mankind. The show also depicts how man became the destroyer, but ends on an optimistic note by celebrating the efforts to undo the damage.

In August 2021, Steve travelled over to Dubai to present three of his exceptional shows at one of the newest arena venues in Dubai, the Coca-Cola Arena. With incredible vocal performances, epic band and the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia; these were three show simply not to be missed! The Music of ABBA – Thursday 12 August 2021 ABBA are one of the most influential pop super-groups of all time and the popularity of the songs has continued through the decades and through the smash hit musical Mamma Mia! a phenomenon of both stage and film. Now, for the first time in the UAE we present a concert production of these legendary songs on a grand scale as you’ve never heard them before. West End Extravaganza – Friday 13 August 2021 An unforgettable evening celebrating the magical world of musicals from London’s West End, New York’s Broadway and beyond! Featuring some incredible performers direct from the stages of some of the West End’s most beloved musical theatre shows. Disco Symphonic – Saturday 14 August 2021 Join us on the dance-floor for the greatest disco party! Dig out those flares, pop on your shades and get ready to party like it’s 1979! A rousing feel good concert of disco classics on an epic scale in a show that will have you on your feet dancing the night away! Featuring classic 70’s hits from Kool & The Gang to the Bee Gees, Donna Summer to Earth, Wind & Fire and many many more.

Dame Shirley Bassey's new album is released today! Her first album in over five years is released in celebration of her 70 year music career. 'I Owe It All To You' is out today! Steve Sidwell: Brass arranger for Look Don't Touch Have a listen HERE

Today marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. VJ Day 75: The Nation’s Tribute will be broadcast on BBC One this evening at 8.30pm. Joanna Lumley is joined by a host of stars to celebrate and commemorate the conclusion of the Second World War. Hugh Bonneville, Sheridan Smith, Paterson Joseph, Sir Bryn Terfel, Sir Willard White and Nicola Roberts pay tribute to those who served in the campaigns in the Far East. A choir and military orchestras from across the armed forces will support these amazing performances. There will also be a special tribute to Dame Vera Lynn, featuring songs from her 1944 tour of Burma. Descendants and members of the military will give thanks to the veterans of the Second World War in a spectacular event filmed on Horse Guards Parade, London. Steve Sidwell: music producer and arranger.