Now here's a #CANADIAN in the UAE: Flash Entertainment's John Lickrish

John Lickrish, ceo and founder of Flash Entertainment.

It's been pretty cool watching the evolution of the entertainment scene here in the UAE since 2008, which is the year that the Abu Dhabi government-owned Flash Entertainment was founded by John Lickrish. The-now 47-year-old has brought everyone from Madonna to the Rolling Stones to Dave Matthews Band to Coldplay - in a magical, rain-drenched show at Emirates Palace - to a capital once starved for live gigs.

Snap caption: Well hello there Bon Jovi in Abu Dhabi

David Ryan, Jon Bon Jovi and Tico Torres (check out his interview with The National) just arrived in Abu Dhabi for their show at Du Arena Thursday October 1. I'm still trying to decide whether to brave the crowds, post-concert Yas Island, for this one.