JEDDAH, 9 July 2003 — Families have been flocking to the Corniche here for the “Allo, Baba Fein?” show by the Spice Babes, a children’s pop outfit from Egypt whose “Baba Fein” and “Wah Wah” singles have topped the charts throughout the Middle East.
Fans say they found the little pop stars’ smash hits impossible to get out of their heads, and residents and expatriates alike were heard humming the tunes in the Kingdom.
Crowds of local children have jostled with one another to be photographed with their idols, a seven-strong group, whose members are Husam, Noorhan, Nooran, Mirna, Shadi, Hadil and Ziad – led by music director Hamada Albiali.
The group is playing two shows daily as part of the ongoing Jeddah Summer Festival. They have proved a treat for families, especially children, who have mobbed Green Island on the Corniche for the “Baba Fein” shows.
The diminutive stars began giving two shows a day last Wednesday (7.30 p.m. 9.30 p.m.) and are set to perform 60 shows in all.
Green Island has set up an air-conditioned tent to accommodate the crowds of fans, its General Manager Yasser Sharaf told Arab News.
The group is taking part in the annual Jeddah Festival for the first time.
In a bid to facilitate the purchase of tickets, they are now available at the Green Island, Ice Land, Heraa International Market, Sawari Supermarket and Rotana Stores.
As the curtain rose yesterday, children burst into song: “Baba Fein? Baba Fein?”
Fathi Sharief, a Saudi father, told Arab News: “This is what my children have been waiting so long for. I came to get tickets days in advance.”
“I want to see the show again,” said Ibrahim Fathyerj, a Jeddah school student who won a gold medal as a prize in the draw held at the end of the show.
