Next year’s jazz fest is shaping up to be a heavier affair than many will be used to, with US pop-rockers One Republic the latest addition to a guitar-centric bill. The band will open the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival on Valentine’s Day, joining fellow headliners 3 Doors Down, who play a day later, and Deep Purple, who play the penultimate night on Thursday February 21. Early-bird tickets for all these gigs are currently on sale. And while there’s really no way you could call the headliners ‘jazz’, we’re pleased to announce the return of the jazz garden – which hosts smaller jazz and blues acts every week night between the headliner weekenders.

Music people might remember that Kardinal Offishall stopped by at People for a late-night set last month. The truly eagle-eyed (and trained Twitter-combers) may have heard that the Canadian rapper was spotted tootling around town with Dubai’s very own DJ Bliss with a film crew in tow (see a reader’s pics, below). And those with trained powers of deduction may have concluded that a video was being shot. Now that video – reported to be the first on-screen musical collaboration between an Emirati and a visiting international – is set to hit airwaves soon. Keep your ears (and eyes) peeled.

We’re pleased to hear arty venue The Fridge is preparing its next concert series. The 12th edition of the series will kick off on Monday January 21 and is likely to host a series of six-weekly gigs showcasing a diverse range of local artists, from rock to world and jazz to dance. Check future issues for more news.

That’s all for now, party people – it’s time to get out and play.