Working endlessly marks the fundamental beginning of 2011. This gives us a valid opportunity to call it a timeout, especially when the destination is as empowering as Yas Island.

The 2011 Yas Island Show Weekends are the highlight of the UAE and is their domain of entertainment — the program kicked off in style last Friday as legendary UK Guitarist and Blues artist, Eric Clapton, delighted fans at the Yas Arena. Also, with the Abu Dhabi festival coming up, they have set up the stage to woo you too. With many events taking place, we’ve narrowed it down to the main attractions you don’t want to miss this February and March.

DJ superstar Tiesto will spin to a packed house at the FLASH Forum on Yas Island. Also on the same day, Akram Khan will perform his “Vertical Road Performance” together with an after show talk at the Abu Dhabi Theatre.

Heritage Film Festival featuring Emirati, German and Swiss films in the first open-air film festival, at the Heritage Village, in Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island Show Weekends will launch the Yas Rock Factory 2011, a talent search in the UAE, giving local bands the opportunity to be selected for the chance to win prizes for the best performance.

American rock band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, will perform at the FLASH Forum on Yas Island.

“The Magic of Motown,” a free Motown-themed event, will take place at the Yas Marina and Yacht Club. It will incorporate live performances and activities centered on the musical and cultural phenomenon known as Motown.

The legendary Stevie Wonder will round off the Yas Island Show Weekends at the Yas Arena.

Abu Dhabi Festival 2011 will witness “Mozart Masterpieces” in a specially commissioned concert featuring Belgium’s finest musical talents spanning two generations at the Emirates Palace Auditorium. Conducted by violinist, Augustin Dumay and pianist, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie will also feature leading soloists from the Queen Elizabeth College of Music.

Globe Education at Shakespeare’s Globe will present “Macbeth,” in a specially-commissioned production of the renowned Scottish tragedy at the Abu Dhabi Theatre.

Who’s coming to Dubai? Here’s a glimpse: Jay Sean, Edward Maya, Usher, Beiber (the kids cannot resist), and another Dubai favorite, Atif Aslam. To know it all, watch out for this space, next week.