Maestros at work for the show's music

A live orchestra is recording the music for the show. ُEmirati composer Ibrahim Juma worked with Mohammed and the team at JBM to create this fusion of traditional eastern rhythm and western beats. Getting the 'soundtrack' right for the show - creating the illusions of fantasy, mixed with reality, 3D animation - it all comes together. Listen to the sample in the background of the video - we sneaked it in there after filming Mohammed :)

Al Yolla - UAE traditional dance

"Al Yolla"is the most popular battle scene dance in UAE culture. It's performed by a group of men using their sticks, swords or sometimes rifles. With rhythmic stepping to the beats of traditional musical instruments like the doumbek - which is made of ceramic and goatskin. It's used as a percussion instrument. Also the oud - a string instrument.

The Yolla dance gets performed at weddings and special occasions. The men form 2 or 4 rows, alternating their forward & backward steps to symbolize victory and defeat.

This is a rehearsal scene from the Yolla dance that's part of the FREEJ FOLKLORE show.

FREEJ Creator Debuts on blog : bil 3arabi

The creator of FREEJ, Dubai's own Mohammed Saeed Harib, welcomes you to the journey of discovery that is FREEJ FOLKLORE. Three years of scripting, animation, design, and more culminate in this 90-minute piece of incredible Arab theatre, to be staged in January 2009 at the Madinat Arena in Dubai.

FREEJ takes on Bollywood :)

Dubai's most popular grandmothers go Bollywood style for FREEJ FOLKLORE! Watch this or check it out on YouTube.com here.

Folklore in Style

FREEJ FOLKLORE costumes are ready! The designs are inspired by the legendary characters they are made for. Check out the Um Al Duwais dress -- all decked out in Swarovski crystals. Styled in the shape of a dagger around the waist, it's shaped like a 1950's princess ball gown, covered in crystals to create the illusion of blood drops trickling down the dress.

Um Al Duwais comes from UAE folk tales - she's the ultimate temptress, extremely attractive and graceful. But she's a demon that lures men to their peril. Even today, the name Um Al Duwais is used to refer to women who wear intense make-up to seduce men.

Where you can find us

Here's my welcome video message and news on where you can find us and get special ticket discounts. Hope you like it!

Welcome to the FREEJ FOLKLORE Blog!

Production of FREEJ FOLKLORE is well under way - the largest Arab theatrical production in the Middle East. A team of 350 people is putting the show together, and you can follow all the action right here. The show's creators, producers, marketers, will share what they're up to leading up to opening night: Thursday, January 8th. Running till January 17th, there will be 19 shows: 11 in Arabic and 8 in English, at the Madinat Arena in Souk Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

This phenomenal theatrical production celebrates Arab traditions, culture and heritage. It's got an amazing mix of live, virtual, animation, film, acrobatic performances, music, dance - and theatrical technology never used before to this scale.

Watch the trailer here.