Chris Tucker tops bill of international stars at inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival

People walk next to a water fountain at Boulevard entertainment city in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (File/AFP)
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Updated 29 July 2025
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Chris Tucker tops bill of international stars at inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival

  • Pete Davidson, Aziz Ansari, Louis C.K. and Omid Djalili also among more than 50 comics who will perform during the 2-week event beginning Sept. 26
  • Others announced on Monday include Tom Segura, Nimesh Patel, Sam Morril, Chris Distefano, Mark Normand, Hannibal Buress and Jimeoin

LONDON: Award-winning Hollywood actor Chris Tucker, critically acclaimed performer Pete Davidson, and Emmy award-winner Aziz Ansari are among more than 50 top comedians from around the world who will perform at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival.

The lineup for the event, at Boulevard City from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9, also includes: Tom Segura, known for his Netflix specials, including “Ball Hog” and “Sledgehammer,” and the series “Bad Thoughts;” podcast hosts Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee; Emmy-nominated writer and performer Nimesh Patel; late-night favorite Sam Morril; and UK actor and comedian Omid Djalili.

Also on the bill are Chris Distefano, who in February released his latest stand-up special, “It’s Just Unfortunate,” on streaming service Hulu; Mark Normand, whose special “Soup To Nuts” is on Netflix; veteran writer and comedian Hannibal Buress; six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner Louis C.K.; and Jimeoin, known for his observational comedy.

They are among the first 26 performers confirmed by Turki Alalshikh, chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Other comics confirmed to be taking part include Andrew Schulz, Bill Burr, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Jessica Kirson, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Maz Jobrani, Russell Peters, Sebastian Maniscalco, Whitney Cummings and Zarna Garg.


Jessica Kahawaty to narrate London concert paying tribute to Arab music icons

Updated 24 February 2026
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Jessica Kahawaty to narrate London concert paying tribute to Arab music icons

DUBAI: Australian Lebanese model and entrepreneur Jessica Kahawaty this week announced that she will serve as the storyteller for “A Night With The Legends,” a one-night musical tribute celebrating iconic women of Arabic music, taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 5.

Kahawaty will portray Scheherazade and deliver spoken narration during the program.

The evening will pay tribute to the legacies of Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Warda, Sabah, Asmahan and Layla Mourad.

Vocals will be performed by Lebanese vocalist Abeer Nehme, accompanied by the UK-based London Arab Orchestra under the direction of conductor Basel Saleh, alongside the London-based Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The program will also feature a 70-member all-female choir.

“I’m incredibly humbled,” Kahawaty wrote to her 1.8 million followers on Instagram. “As storyteller, I’ll be weaving history, memory and meaning into the musical experience in a one-night tribute celebrating the iconic women of the golden era of Arabic music.”

“I cannot wait to see you all there,” she added.

Kahawaty is also an entrepreneur. She co-founded fine jewelry label Kahawaty Jewels with her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty, launching the Dubai-based brand last year as a continuation of the family’s longstanding craftsmanship tradition.

“I grew up watching my father in his jewelry trade. I saw how happy he made people when he created these beautiful pieces,” Kahawaty previously told Arab News. “I’ve always wanted to continue my father’s legacy and my grandfather’s trade. I felt like this is the perfect time to launch Kahawaty Jewels in Dubai, which is a city I’ve been in for over 13 years.”

Kahawaty and her mother are also behind UAE-based food delivery business Mama Rita. In July last year, the pair expanded the venture with the launch of a cookbook, which featured a cover endorsement from Hollywood actress and producer Courteney Cox.

Writing on Instagram at the time, Kahawaty said: “The moment we held the Mama Rita cookbook in our hands for the very first time … after two years of pouring our hearts into it. And we’re beyond thrilled to share a special surprise on the cover — a quote from the one and only (Courteney Cox). Her iconic role as Monica in ‘Friends’ — the talented chef, perfectionist and loving control freak — mirrors so much of the dynamic between mum and me. And her true persona is even more beautiful, warm and generous.”