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.

ENTERTAINMENT

Check out the latest movie trailers and cinema listings of films being release in Dubai this weekend. Click here.

HANG OUT WITH AWARD WINNERS
Check out one of our award-winning bars, clubs, DJs or special nights and help celebrate the brilliant success of the inaugural Hype Music and Nightlife Awards which took place at White Dubai on Wednesday night, hailing the region’s after-dark heroes, the real movers and shakers: the risk-takers; the believers; the people and places that make our weekends.

For your full list of winners, click here.

MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS
Hip-hops hottest duo are in the UAE this weekend. Macklemore and Lewis may sound like a firm of solicitors but these two hip hop stars are as far removed from an office full of pinstripe suits as it’s possible to be. The pair have won four Grammy Awards since bursting onto the scene last year with their number one hit Thrift Shop, in which they rapped about leopard mink and flannel zebra ‘jammies’.

To find out more about the double act, and their support stars Wiley and Rick Ross, click here.

GRAFFITI EXHIBITION
Pose was 12-years-old when he started sneaking out to put his stamp on street art in his home-town of Evanston, Illinois. Over on the west coast, California-born Revok was doing the same thing. Today Pose and Revok have made the leap from urban graffiti to the modern contemporary art world, via sold out shows in New York, Miami and Detroit. Now the pair, who previously collaborated on a huge mural for Manhattan’s famous Houston Bowery Wall, have teamed up again to bring a joint show to The Mine in Al Quoz, all weekend.

What’s On caught up with Pose and Revok ahead of their Dubai debut. Read the interview here.

The Mine, Al Quoz, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3791704. Taxi: The Mine. themine.squarespace.com

ONE-MAN MUSICAL
Uk actor James Gaddas, star of TV’s Coronation Street and Bad Girls, stars in the one-man musical Billy BishopGoes To War. A veteran of hit musicals Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia in London, Gaddas now turns his talents to one of Canada’s most popular musicals. Billy Bishop Goes To War sees Gaddas play 18 roles in a portrait of Canada’s most celebrated World War One fighter pilot, Billy Bishop. The play is being staged to mark the conflict’s centenary. Having first played the role as a young actor with The Royal Shakespeare Company, Gaddas now performs a revised version, from the perspective of an older Billy Bishop.

The Fridge, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz, Dubai. 7.30pm, Friday and Saturday 3pm. Dhs100. Taxi: Al Serkal Avenue. thefridgedubai.com

CHILLI CRAB FESTIVAL
The brilliant Far Eastern food festival returns to Souk Madinat with plenty of exciting things to get up to do as well as food to eat. Away from the catch of the day, kids will also be entertained by face painting and chances to build your own burgers. Dim sum, wok-fried blue swimmer crab and tempura crispy crab are all on the al fresco menu.

Chilli Crab Festival, Madinat Amphitheatre, Dubai. Tel: (04) 366 6730. Taxi: Madinat. April 24 to 25, 1pm to midnight. 

NEW TRENDY RESTAURANT/BAR
Sass Cafe, the world-renowned Monte Carlo establishment, opened its doors in Dubai officially on Tuesday night with a glamorous event complete with stunning dancers and stunts. Situated at Al Fattan Currency House in DIFC, this is the first overseas expansion of Sass Cafe, and the grand opening this week was attended by famed restauranteur and creator of the brand, Salvador ‘Sassa’ Treves and son Samy Sass.

Our cameras were there as the two floors – a restaurant, piano bar, lounge, DJ area and terrace – were awash with some of Dubai’s biggest and best VIPs, including former world champion boxer David Haye. Check out the gallery right here.

Al Fattan Currency House, Tower 2, Podium Level, DIFC, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3527 722. Taxi: DIFC. Metro: Emirates Towers. sasscafe-dubai.ae

DUB PISTOLS
Barry Ashworth has been there and done that. Importantly though, he’s still here and is still doing it 25 years after first getting involved in making, playing and releasing music. In 2014 he is the front man and lynchpin of a dub-funk fusion band that manages to do something many others before them tried but failed, namely putting a live face on the often studio or club confined sounds of electronic music. They are at Barasti on Friday.

To hear from Barry, check out our interview here.

The Dub Pistols live at Barasti’s Sugar Beach festival, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai. Friday April 25, 11am to 3am, free. Taxi: Barasti. Tel: (04) 3181313

IMPROV COMEDY
Making stuff up on the spot is something most of us only do to compliment a friend’s haircut, or to get a job. For the comedians on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, improvising made them stars. This month the live show comes to the UAE, with some of the biggest names from the hit TV show: Stephen Frost, Steve Steen, Ian Coppinger, Andy Smart and Phill Jupitus, who talked us through the art of improvisational comedy.

April 24 to 26
Madinat Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Thurs and Fri 8pm, Saturday 7pm. Dhs170. Tel: (04) 3666546. Taxi: Madinat. madinattheatre.com

BUY YOUR SANDANCE TICKETS
Sandance will feature Arrested Development,  Fatboy Slim, Pet Shop Boys and Goldfish when it returns to Atlantis on May 9. UK indie band Scouting for Girls, South African duo Goldfish, and UAE-based Hollophonic will also appear. It is a statement of intent from the people behind the festival, more than four months after traffic chaos on The Palm threatened the reputation of one of Dubai’s most popular events.

Tickets are on sale now. Check out the link for more information.

LUCIANO
All roads lead to Blue Marlin on Friday when underground kingpin and techno A-lister Luciano takes charge. Speaking to our friends at Hype this weekd, the Cadenza Records boss said: “I’m a very musical person. I like music in every form, every way, and that has helped me create my own musical identity. Electronic music is made to dance to. It’s made to make people move their body and follow the beats. Electronic dance music isn’t made with deep lyrics or meaningful words – there’s nothing to understand, yet there’s a lot to dance on.”

Blue Marlin, Ghantoot Al Jazira Island Hotel. Friday, 1pm to 11pm. Free for guestlist. Tel: (056) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Al Jazira Island Hotel. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com 

CHILDREN’S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Dubai’s love affair with movies continues with the launch of a week-long festival dedicated to children. CIFF 2014 will show a collection of award-winning international films and locally produced student shorts that have not previously been shown in cinemas. More than 300 films were submittedd, with those cherry-picked coming high in entertainment and education value

For more information on film times at Mall of the Emirates, visit ciff.ae or call (04) 434 5895.

PARTY WITH DORA THE EXPLORER
Magic Planet at Mirdif City Centre with play host to a special dance school with Dora The Explorer and her best friend Boots in an all-new live show, ‘Dora’s Dancing Adventures’. The show will take the audience on an interactive journey as they learn to investigate their surroundings, problem solve and learn a second language –  Spanish. Four shows daily (3.45pm, 5.15pm, 6.45pm, 8.15pm) across three days from April 24 to April 26 are sure to entertain the whole family.

Magic Planet, Mirdif City Centre, Mirdif, Dubai. Tel: (04) 341 444. Taxi: Mirdif City Centre. theplaymania.com/magicplanet

SPEND SPEND SPEND AT GITEX SHOPPER
The second edition of this spring bonanza is the largest event of its kind in the reason. Spread across 20,000 square metres, it will see the regional launch of Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC M8, as well as a showcase of the latest and greatest gadgets, most at knockdown prices. Expect plenty of competitions (including chances to win cars) and try-before-you-buy opportunities up until Saturday April 26.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai. Dhs15, free to children under five. 11am to 11pm. gitexshopperdubai.com

BIKE RACE
This month marks the last chance for speedy cyclists to push themselves to the limit as part of the GO Sports Criterium Series. The last of three short-course timed races at Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park takes place on April 26. Competitors complete several laps of the course, with prizes for the fastest lap overall, and the most laps completed in the fastest time. Cyclists must be at least 16 to take part.

Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, 6.30am for experienced riders, 7.45am for intermediate and young riders, Dhs150. Tel: (052) 865 1126. Taxi: Gems Modern Academy. premieronline.com

DUBAI DESERT ROAD RUN
Runners amateurs and serious are preparing for the fifth Dubai Desert Road Run of the season, on April 26. Incorporating a 10k road race, a 3k junior race and a 3k open fun run, the popular event at The Sevens Stadium has something for everyone. All runners competing in the 10k and 3k road races will be timed, and there will be medals for all finishers. If you don’t feel ready to take on the 10k, you’ve still got time to train for the last run of the season, the Summer Scorchers on June 13.

The Sevens Stadium, Al Ain Road, Dubai, 7am, Dhs85 for 10k, Dhs50 for fun run. Tel: (04) 8096605. Taxi: The Sevens Stadium.

INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING COMPETITION
Our pools will be busier than normal this weekend as the fourth international swimming championships takes place at Hamdan Sports Complex. It is open to public and free to attend.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex, Dubai. Tel: (055) 6458478. Taxi: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex. dudive.com

CELEBRATE SOUTH AFRICA FREEDOM DAY
Emirates Golf Club will host an all-day event to mark 20 years since the post-apartheid elections in South Africa, with traditional tunes from a selection of DJS, as well all the foods associated with the country.

Emirates Golf Club, Dubai. Tel: (04) 380 1234. Friday April 25, Dhs150. 1pm to 11pm.

VISIT A POP-UP MUSEUM
The temporary National Football Museum exhibition at Harvey Nichols in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates welcomes former England and Liverpool star John Barnes for a meet-and-greet this week as part of the two-month long campaign that showcases British football and fashion to the UAE public, titled ‘Sport is Great’. Currently on display at the pop-up exhibition are priceless relics including a shirt worn by World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, a life-sized mannequin of Pele and the FA Cup trophy, all on show until May 20.

IPL
Dubai is hosting IPL cricket matches on Friday April 25 as Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Delhi Daredevils AND Chennai Super Kings play host to Mumbai Indians. The Indian Premier League, which is regarded as the most exciting form of cricket and regularly features the best players in the world, will take place across the UAE – including Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – between April 16 and 30. Players like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne have all played in previous tournaments. The concept sees teams bid for leading names from around the world to play in a special 20-over form of the game.

Check out ticket information and the full fixture list right here.

ANDRE BUTZER – last chance 
German artist Andre Butzer presents his second solo UAE show with a series of largely abstract, monochrome paintings – at first glance at least. As ever with Butzer, things are not that straightforward. What this apparent simplicity displays is in fact an abundance of colour and form so dense that this – flat surfaces of black and white – is all that’s left. To use a metaphor that alludes to the show’s outer-space theme: think ‘tiny’ black holes and the whole universes they contain. Fascinating.

Carbon 12, Unit D37, Street 8, Al Serkel Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3406016. Taxi: Al Serkal Avenue. carbon12dubai.com

ACTIVITY

LEARN TO DIVE
At What’s On, we are always keen to get wet, throw ourselves from heights and try something new, all in the name of sharing it with you. Springboard and platform diving ticked all of those boxes, so we were quick to pull on our swim shorts and take the plunge. The venue is Hamdan Sports Complex, a vast space-age edifice that shimmers blue and silver in the desert near Arabian Ranches.

Check out our man in action right here.

DuDive, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex, Dubai, Sat 11am to 7pm, plus Sun, Tue, Wed and Thur evening, Dhs65 per hour, 12-week term Dhs780. Tel: (055) 6458478. Taxi: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex. dudive.com

GET POLEFIT
What gym class tones every muscle in your body while teaching a mixture of acrobatics, gymnastics and dance? Zumba? Boxfit, perhaps? No, it’s pole dancing. Or, to give it its proper name: pole fitness. Our instructor at Pole Fit Dubai, at the Capella Club in Dubai Marina, is Vlada, who bounds across the room to greet us. If pole dancing makes us look half as good as her, we’re willing to give it a go. Check out how our intrepid reporter got on right here.

Capella Club, Silverene Tower, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Sat to Thur 9.30am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 4526000. Metro: Jumeirah Lake Towers. capella-club.com

EAT
CAFE BELGE
Did we just travel back in time to the 1920s? It’s white, bright and airy with beautiful period décor, with an elegant and sophisticated vibe. Cafe Belge also maintains a relaxed and laidback atmosphere in which to enjoy your traditional dishes, such as pots of mussels in a variety of sauces.

The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, daily 12pm to 2.30pm, 6.30pm-11pm (bar 6pm to 2am). Tel: (04) 372 2323. Metro: Financial Centre.

NAWWARA
The Arabic restaurant in JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, which is the world’s tallest hotel. Nawwara means ‘light’ in Arabic, and light is what you get – swathes of white curtain, cream canvas banquettes and Arabesque golden globes casting mottled light from above. A long, blue-tiled water feature splits the dining room in two, the sound of trickling water competing with dated pop music. Shisha pipes bubble on the outdoor terrace.

JW Marriot Marquis, Business Bay, daily 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 4143000. Taxi: JW Marriot Marquis.

UMAI
A stripped back, sleek restaurant with handsome wooden design from top to bottom. It’s cool, calm and serene, but the friendly service adds great warmth. But what to eat? Look no further than the metre of sushi – a wow dish for sure – with the shrimp dumpling with squid ink also excellent.

The Oberoi Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, daily 6.30pm to 11.30pm, Fri 12.30pm to 3pm. Tel: (04) 4441444. Metro: Business Bay. oberoihotels.com