Things to do in Dubai this weekend

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. 

THURSDAY

SEE DAVID BLAINE
David Blaine famously encased himself in a block of ice for 63 hours, and lived in a Plexiglas box suspended above London for 44 days – and now he’s performing in Abu Dhabi for the first time. The New Yorker comes with a reputation for being a little bit, shall we say, bonkers, but very few performers have amazed audiences quite like Blaine. Now it’s time to try and work out if your eyes are playing tricks on you when he appears in the nation’s capital. 

David Blaine: Real Or Illusion. Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Aug 21 to 23, 7.30pm, Dhs295 to 495. Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com, thinkflash.ae

SUSHI DEAL
The excellent Blue Jade has launched a summer sushi deal, running every day until September 30. Get unlimited sushi rolls for Dhs100 or stump up Dhs180 and get handmade infused sake on the side. We reckon the crispy eel and salmon is one of the best rolls in town.

 The Ritz-Carlton, JBR, Dubai, daily 5pm to 7pm. Tel: (04) 3186150. Taxi: Ritz JBR. ritz-carlton.com

CLUB CLASSICS
The Summer Series at Level 41 continues with a night of club classics from DJs Mark Pickup and Tim Chedder. Expect plenty of ‘hands in the air’ tunes with each and every person turning to their friend throughout with a smile, and shouting ‘I love this one. Haven’t heard it in ages!’

Level 41, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Dubai. facebook.com/ThinkUAE 

JEBEL ALI SHOOTING CLUB
Floodlit clay shooting, pistol shooting, archery – this state-of-the-art gun club caters for all your ballistic needs. Choose from 12 and 20 gauge Beretta shot guns for the clays, and move indoors for the pistol range, complete with Smith & Wesson M&P22s and 9mm Czech CZ 75s. Once you’re done shooting stuff, tuck into a steak at Shooters onsite restaurant.

Off D53 between SZR and Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai, Wed to Mon 4pm to 10.45pm, Dhs220. Tel: (04) 8836555. Taxi: Jebel Ali Shooting Club. jaresortshotels.com

LA VERITA
Surrealism, Salvador Dali and acrobats will bring Abu Dhabi’s Summer Season to a close. Creator Daniele Finzi Pasca explains why the Spanish painter’s life is worthy of its own show. It’s safe to say Abu Dhabi hasn’t seen a performance quite like La Verita. The show is made by the producers of Cirque du Soleil Corteo and is a theatrical tribute to the life and works of the famous Catalan surrealist and artist Salvador Dali. In keeping with Salvador’s unusual life, it features acrobats, singers, jugglers, clowns and even the can-can. Expect plenty of colour, feathers, rhinos, deep-sea diving suits, sequins, macabre corpses and giant horses’ heads. But most importantly, the performance is set against the backdrop of an original Dali painting.

Adnec, Abu Dhabi, Dhs200. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Adnec. tixbox.com

FRIDAY

SURF’S UP
Dubai’s surfing community has a brand new base in Umm Suqeim. At the Surf House, run by Surf Dubai, you can book lessons, hire or buy a board and kit, and members can store their equipment to save carrying it back and forth to Sunset Beach. Novices are welcome, and if riding the waves seems a little ambitious, you could try stand-up paddle boarding, or pay a visit to the yoga studio on the top floor. The Surf House also serves coffee.

Villa 12a, Street 3a, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, daily 7am to 6.30pm. Tel: (04) 3809713. Taxi: Umm Suqeim 3. surfingdubai.com

VISIT JUMPBOXX
While most of us are still trying to get our breaths back from the opening of the first trampoline park, yet another one has opened in Dubai. Covering 22,000 square feet, Jump Boxx is made up of over 100 interconnecting trampolines and visitors can play dodgeball and basketball or simply throw themselves into Dubai’s first soft-foam pit. They also offer fitness classes, kids classes and birthday parties and plan to set up a weekly club night called Jump Boxx Beats to cash in on the Dubai Thursday night party scene.

Jump Boxx, Uptown Mirdiff, Dubai, Dhs69 entrance fee, Dhs59 entrance for kids aged 3-5 years old, Dhs1 locker fee, Dhs9 jumping socks, Sun to Thur 12pm to 10pm, Fri 10am to 11pm, Sat 10am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 288 5744. Taxi: Uptown Mirdiff. jump-boxx.com

BREAKFAST AT THE IVY
Dinner at The Ivy is lovely. Lunch is pretty great too. But the breakfast? It’s off the charts. A decadent treat, yes, but the Full English for Dhs90 is a great deal. And the duck hash? Drool. Impeccable service, a beautiful setting and the best hash browns in the business – this is the ideal way to make your weekend feel special.

The Boulevard, Emirates Towers, Dubai, daily 7.30am to 11am. Tel: (04) 3198767. Metro: Emirates Towers. theivy.ae

FONDUE FRIDAY
Indulge in a range of fondues – Fondue Savoyard, Fondue Borgignone and Chocolate Fondue – that are paired with regional wines at the beautiful Cave, Conrad Dubai. This gorgeous Parisian-themed bistro and wine bar is hidden away on the mezzanine of the hotel, and is packed with private booths, social tables and cheeses by the hundreds. Prices for Fondue Friday range from Dhs210 to Dhs285.

Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Sat to Tue noon to 1am, Wed to Fri noon to 2am. Tel: (04) 4447444. Metro: World Trade Centre. conraddubai.com 

SIGN UP FOR NETBALL
Dust off those trainers, pull out your old pleated PE skirt and pivot right back onto court with Top Sports Coaching’s drop-in netball sessions ever Monday from August 18. Whether you’re an experienced player keen to get match fit for the next season or you haven’t played since high school and are a bit nervous, everyone’s welcome at Sports City. Even absolute beginners are invited to learn the basics. Umpires and equipment are provided. Just turn up, pay and play.

Dubai Sports City, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, Mon 7.30pm to 9pm, until September 15. Dhs30. Tel: (050) 5517400. Taxi: Dubai Sports City. topsportscoaching.com

SEE VANESA KLEIN
Having worked with Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, Vanesa Klein has gone on to become one of the most sought after voices in the EDM world, and brings her powerful tones to Cavalli Club on August 22. The star will be performing her popular remixes of ‘Brothers and Sisters’, ‘Pray’ and ‘I Drove All Night’.

Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: 8002282554. Metro: World Trade Centre. cavalliclubdubai.com

SEE AVIAL
Hailing from India, Avial take listeners on a musical journey unlike many others, fusing poetry with contemporary alternative rock. It’s as curious as it sounds, and certainly something worth tuning for. The band stay true to their roots, make no mistake, but the Indian-led performances break down language barriers with ease.

The Music Room, Majestic Hotel, Al Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai. 8pm, Dhs80. Taxi: Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai

MONTE-CARLO BEACH CLUB
It might still be roasting outside, but it means there are bargains to be had, including at The Monte-Carlo Beach Club in Abu Dhabi. This Saadiyat hideaway has dropped its day rates and weekend prices, and children can visit free of charge as well. MCBC’s restaurant Le Deck will be open through the summer too.

The Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm, Dhs315 to Dhs525 (weekend). Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat Island. montecarlobeachclub.ae

SATURDAY