Things to do in Dubai this weekend
What’s On has a list of things to do in Dubai this weekend, including brunch, drinks deals, festive events, live entertainment and new openings.
You know that moment on a Thursday afternoon when your work buddy asks what you’re doing this weekend and your mind goes blank? Well worry no more, friends, because What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.
THURSDAY
Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival
The 16-time Grammy award-winner and former frontman of The Police, Sting, will bring his unmistakeable sound to the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on February 26. The British-born superstar will be supported by 28-year-old American violinist Lindsey Stirling – formerly of America’s Got Talent – a stunning stage performer renowned for her energetic shows the combining her own classical compositions with with pop, hip-hop to electronic dance music.
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 3911196. Metro: Nakheel. dubaijazzfest.com
Paul van Dyk
One of the original superstars of trance, PVD has had party island Ibiza on lockdown since his ‘For An Angel’ was caned in every club in the mid ’90s. The German was the first artist to receive a Grammy nomination in the newly added category of Best Dance/Electronic album for his 2003 release Reflections. He holds the record for the longest unbroken run inside the ranks of the DJ Mag Top 100, having twice been crowned.
Pacha Ibiza Dubai, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 11pm to 3am, Dhs250. Tel:(050) 8861129. Taxi: Souk Madinat Jumeirah. pacha.ae
1D pop up store
Good news for the UAE’s Directioners: A 1D “pop-up shop” has just opened in the city. The temporary store – dedicated to the boys Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson – will be located at The Dubai Mall near the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo for nine days from Friday February 20 to 29, giving fans a limited time to own exclusive products that organisers say will be unavailable anywhere else.
Hakkasan Chinese New Year menu
Hakkasan is serving a whopping nine-course set menu to celebrate Chinese New Year. Tuck into golden fried soft shell crab, hang your wishes on the Wishing Tree, and, on February 19, watch lion troupes perform a customary dance. For more Chinese New Year ideas turn to p28.
Until March 1
Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai, 7pm to 1am, Dhs450. Tel: (04) 3848484. Metro: Jumeirah Emirates Towers. jumeirah.com
Fun Lovin’ Criminals – DJ Fast
TR!BECA’s first international artist performance will feature DJ FAST. One of the founders of the New York based band Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Leiser – stage name DJ Fast – has composed music for a number of films and TV shows in addition to appearances at Cannes Film Festival.
Ocean View Hotel, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, Thur 7pm, free. Tel: (050) 3456067. Metro: Dubai Marina. tribeca.ae
New sundowners at Rib Room
Already a hugely popular spot in Emirates Towers, now the Rib Room has opened at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, and comes complete with a beautiful terrace gazing out over the Gulf. There can be fewer better places to enjoy sundowners on The Palm. To celebrate its opening, the restaurant offers discounted beverages and light bights daily from 4pm to 6pm.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm, Dubai, 4pm to 6pm. Tel: (04) 4530444. Taxi: Zabeel Saray. jumeirah.com/jzstheribroom
Seafood night
There’s a new Seafood Extravaganza buffet every Thursday night from 6.30pm at Arboretum restaurant, Al Qasr. Tuck into delicious crabs, squids, king prawns, mouthwatering fish barbeque, smoked and cured salmon and various salads and snacks.
Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Thu 6.30pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 3666730. jumeirah.com
FRIDAY
Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival
R&B icon John Legend headlines Friday’s Jazzfest. Legend’s appearance in the region is part of his All Of Me Tour, which has so far taken in almost 50 shows in the USA, and every major European city. Esperanza Spalding, the acclaimed American jazz bassist, cellist and singer, will also be joining Legend on Friday February 27.
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 3911196. Metro: Nakheel. dubaijazzfest.com
German Party
Big Helga’s German brunch has landed at the Crowne Plaza. The Bavarian bash on Friday evening offers unlimited food and drink and a gladiator ring, and fancy dress is encouraged. Entrance for men is Dhs300, and Dhs150 for women.
Crowne Plaza, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Fri 4pm to 8pm. Tel: (800) 276963. Metro: Emirates Towers. facebook.com/BigHelgasGermanFest
Made In Dubai
Championing Dubai’s home grown chefs and Emirati cuisine is the aim of Made In Dubai which takes place in Zabeel Park. And all you need to pay is the Dhs5 on the door.
Zabeel Park, Dubai, 10am to 9pm. dubaifoodfestival.com
Mr Scruff
He’s a perfectionist with a penchant for tea, but Andrew Carthy as the UK tax man knows him, is also a celebrated DJ who can play for hours and keep dancefloors locked. Fusing disco, funk, jazz, soul and a plethora of other sounds, Mr Scuff’s music is the epitome of unique. Get down to Zero Gravity to see for yourself.
Zero Gravity, Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, Al Seyahi Street, Dubai, 10pm to 3am, Dhs100. 0-gravity.com
Theatre Festival
The Short+Sweet Dubai Theatre Festival reaches its climax. Dubai’s best locally-based writers, directors and actors take to the stage to bring to life ten-minute theatrical gems. Tonight and Saturday the players battle it out for awards including Best Actor, Best Overall Production and Best Independent Theatre Company.
Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha, Fri and Sat 7.30pm, Dhs100 (Fri) and Dhs150 (Sat). Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org
Skint Fridays
Could this be the new post-brunch hangout? Story Rooftop Lounge in Dubai Media City has recently launched Skint Fridays every Friday between 4pm and 9pm where it’s unlimited drinks for 5 hours, for only Dhs199 per person.
Behind Zayed University, Knowledge Village, Dubai. Fri 4pm to 9pm. Metro: Internet City. Tel: (055) 773 0010. facebook.com/StoryDubai
Masquerade Party
Escape into a Venetian fantasy at the stunning Mercury Lounge at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai. There are live acts performing and live DJ with a best dressed competition. The winner will receive complimentary night at the hotel.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Jumeirah, Dubai, Fri 8pm, free. Tel: (04) 2707804. fourseasons.com
SATURDAY
Piknic Electonik Dubai
Canadian daytime music festival Piknic Electronik comes to Dubai in March. You can rave all day in front of the DJ stage, hula hoop with the hippy contigent or get your chakras aligned at a yoga class.
Dubai Sports City, Saturday, 1pm to 10pm, Dhs130 in advance, Dhs150 on the door, under-12s free. Taxi: Dubai Sports City. piknicelectronik.com
Yuan
Plucked from Hakkasan Mayfair in London, executive chef Jeff Tan has crafted Cantonese and Szechuan dishes for a special menu for dinner and Friday Yum Cha throughout the ten-day festivities. Look out for the Atlantis fireworks display on the first night of the Spring Festival and the traditional lion dance taking place every day in the resort.
February 18 to 28
Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, Sat to Wed 7pm to 11.30pm, Thur and Fri 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 4260000. Taxi: Atlantis The Palm. atlantisthepalm.com
Aquaventure Birthday Fun
Aquaventure Waterpark has introduced a new promotion that offers guests free entry to the waterpark for on their birthday. The promotion runs all year long and guests just need to sign up via aquaventurebirthday.com to receive their free ticket during their birthday week.
Beach Canteen
A hit at last year’s festival, Beach Canteen is back for 2015, this time taking up residence at Jumeirah’s Kite Beach for the duration of the festival. Nine home-grown restaurant concepts will be setting up on the sand, and there’ll be local bands, DJs, children’s activities and sports to keep visitors entertained as they eat. Beach Canteen will also feature celebrity chef pop-ups, so if you’re lucky, you could find your seaside snack being cooked by a Michelin-starred genius.
Who will be there: Chez Sushi, ClawBBQ, Provedore, Spill The Bean, Moti Roti, JJ Chicken, Rice Creamery, Moylo’s, Pantry Cafe, Kris Kros, Shawerme.
February 6 to 28
Kite Beach, Jumeirah, Dubai
