February inspiration to get you out this month

January may have been a quiet one, especially if the festive season was particularly busy.

But February brings new enthusiasm and with it, plenty of things to do across the Emirates.

Laugh out loud

Buckle up and strap in because the Selfdrive Laughter Factory has a new location at Media Rotana, Barsha Heights.

Comedy fans are invited to jump on board the happy train and enjoy the very best in live stand up comedy.

Touted as an evening of chaos, decadence and mischief, the February edition introduces one of the most celebrated rising stars in UK television, Paul McCaffery.

A regular face on UK television, the hilarious comic is a regular on ‘Live at the Apollo’ and Russell Howard's ‘Good News’.

Fresh off the back of her feature in Forbes Magazine, Meghan Hanley is a Brooklyn based, nationally touring stand-up comedian, who will join McCaffrey, along with Joe Larson, a man who loves to have a prod at taboo topics.

You're in for a wickedly funny night of comedy, featuring some of the best live stand-up that is currently touring the globe.

When and where?

The Selfdrive Laughter Factory takes place at the following locations:

Movenpick JBR Dubai: Friday, February 3; Saturday, February 4

The Club, Abu Dhabi: Thursday, February 9

Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi: Friday, February 10

Dukes The Palm, Dubai: Saturday, February 11

The show starts at 8.30pm, except the Abu Dhabi gig, which kicks off from 8pm, and tickets, priced Dhs 160, must be purchased at www.thelaughterfactory.com

Music meets art

Join The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi for the seventh edition of the Barzakh Festival, with two wonderful nights of music and art.

The annual Barzakh Festival was created as a meeting place of musical streams, ideas and interpretations across diverse cultures, and this year takes place on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4.

The seventh edition features four bands performing over two nights, blending cultures, styles, and genres, amid food trucks, a night souk and family activities stations.

The first night will include performances from CGS – Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino — from Italy, followed by Lemma from Algeria.

ADG7 – Ak Dan Gwang Chil from Korea, and Sahra Halgan from Somaliland, take to the stage for night number two.

The event takes place at East Plaza at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi and more information check out theBarzakh Festival online.

Music at Versace

American musician Zaxai begins a two-month residency at Q’s Bar & Lounge starting this weekend (Friday, February 3).

The newest face to hit the stage at Q’s Bar & Lounge, Zaxai is set to bring a spark to the award-winning live music venue located at Palazzo Versace Dubai, with a series of captivating and raw performances throughout February and March.

He rose to fame during the blind audition round of NBC’s “The Voice,” where his emotional and engaging performance had Jennifer Hudson turn around in the first eight seconds to watch him captivate the live audience. Described by Jennifer Hudson as “a natural performer,” Zaxai went on to be amongst the show’s Top 24 finalists, grabbing the attention of millions of viewers across the world.

Born of Haitian descent, Zaxai was born and raised in New York but considers himself a “son of many nations,” with his music blending several cultures to create his signature eclectic sound.

A versatile artist, Zaxai performs in an impressive six languages, including English, French, Creole, Spanish, Italian and Russian.

Since his exit from “The Voice”, Zaxai has taken the music industry by storm and released two projects which have been positively received, and he is preparing to release his third album, Son of the Xrown: Champion, along with single “I Won’t Let You Go”.

Shows take place at Q’s Bar & Lounge, Palazzo Versace Dubai, Wednesday to Sunday, from 7pm-1am.

Entrance is free with a minimum spend of Dhs250 per person Wednesday and Thursday, and Dhs350 per person on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.