THE MAESTRO: Andrea Boccelli at Billlionare Mansion
Dubai, UAE – January 7
It’s only January but it’s safe to say this is the gala dinner of the year, with Maestro Andrea Bocelli, the legendary Italian classical tenor, is set to perform in an exclusive evening at Billionaire Mansion in Dubai. The one-off live performance came about from Bocelli’s friendship with “dear friend” Flavio Briatore, owner of Billionaire. The AED 8,000 Royal Package (US$ 2,178) is the crème de la crème experience at this black tie event, which includes a seated dinner (in front of Boccelli) of exquisite Italian cuisine, premium wine and a bottle of Crystal to round things off.
HAUTE HOROLOGY: Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie
Geneva, Switzerland – January 16-19
Immerse yourself in watchmaking heritage in its heartland of Geneva, where the 27th edition of the world’s most prestigious watch show will draw 15,000 visitors eager to see the latest masterful creations and trends. For the first time, SIHH will be open to public on Friday 20th January, and there’s plenty to do on either side of the event, from shopping at some 100 watch boutiques in the city or exploring the Patek Philippe Museum.
TOPICAL PREMIERES: Sundance Film Festival
Utah, USA – January 19-29
With exciting world premieres and documentaries aplenty, there’s always a thrilling line-up at Sundance but one of the most hotly anticipated is An Inconvenient Sequel, the follow up to the decade-apart environmental documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Followed by a panel discussion (live streamed around the world) on climate change with The Honorable Al Gore, environmentalist David Suzuki and former president of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, it’s one of 14 films, documentaries and experiences part of The New Climate, a programme dedicated to environmental change and conservation.
THE LOVE OF SPEED: Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique
Monte-Carlo – January 25-February 1
Organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco, the 20th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique pays tribute to the participation in the 1967 Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo of French rock icon Johnny Hallyday and Henri Chemin in a Ford Mustang. Open to cars that took part from 1955 until 1980, the rally takes in some truly spectacular landscapes from Saint André les Alpes near Verdon Lake and Gorges to the high mountain pass of Col de Turini, and culminating in a glamorous prize-giving gala evening on February 1 at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club’s Salle des Etoiles.