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

GAMES 14
Video game previews, new consoles and gadgets fresh from the factory will be drooled over at Games 14. We hear Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will be unveiled – lock and load.

Dubai World Trade Centre, 11am to 10pm, Dhs50. Metro: World Trade Centre. gamesme.org

Games 14

FREE DANCE WEEK
It’s your last chance to try out a selection of classes from ballet to hip-hop at no cost.

James & Alex Dance Studios, Concord Tower, Dubai Media City, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4470773. Metro: Nakheel. jamesandalex.com

AQUAFUN
The latest building in Dubai to win a world record was made using absolutely no concrete. The inflatable waterslide at JLT’s new outdoor AquaFun park is the highest in the world. First of all you need to reach the top by using a rope to pull yourself up a giant slippery slope. Once you make it to the top, catch your breath, admire the view, and prepare for an epic slide down. How you do this is completely up to you – head first, sideways, spinning in a circle, whatever you like. Aided by jets of soapy water, one thing’s for certain, you’ll be soaking wet by the time you reach the bottom.

Lake C, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, daily 4pm to 10pm. Tel: (04) 4329322. Metro: JLT. facebook.com/aquafunme

ROCK REPUBLIC
While the UAE’s rugged terrain might lend itself to outdoorsy pursuits like climbing, there aren’t too many indoor venues where you can hone your skills. Fortunately, the folks behind Global Climbing have opened the climbing wall Rock Republic to public membership – join up and you can use the top-notch facilities (located at Dubai Investment Park) in the evenings and on weekends. You can do both climbing and bouldering, rent climbing shoes and socialise with like-minded enthusiasts.

facebook.com/rock.republic.dubai

Rock Republic

FISH BAZAAR
Diners at one of Dubai Marina’s hidden gems will receive 20 per cent discount as Fish Bazaar reopens for the new season. Having undergone renovations over the summer, the beach-facing restaurant, which specialises in Thai and Japanese cuisine, is the perfect spot to enjoy fish delicacies and Thai specialities such as Tom Yum and Pad Thai. The restaurant also has its own fish market, enabling diners to choose from the freshest ocean catches, as well as a live cooking station which ensures dishes are cooked according to their preferences.

Habtoor Grand, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 12.30pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 408 4257. Metro: Dubai Marina. Taxi: Habtoor Grand. facebook.com/habtoorgrandresortandspa

CAPSULE ARTS LAUNCH EXHIBITION
Capsule Arts is having a special one-night exhibition to launch their new collection of limited edition art prints, in the presence of the artists. The exhibition will also feature furniture by The Urban Yogi and and live music will be provided by Freshly Ground Sounds.

Warehouse A-2, Street 4, Al Quoz 3, Dubai, 7pm to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3881799. capsulearts.com

THE LAUGHTER FACTORY
Three great comedians for the London comedy store make their way to the Dubai stage. This month’s line up is Carey Marx, Steve Shanyaski and Nick Dixon.

Al Thuraya Ballroom, Grand Millennium, TECOM, 9pm, Dhs140. thelaughterfactory.com

FRIDAY

ALICE SARA OTT LIVE
German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott plays a solo recital of Bach, Beethoven and Lizst.

DUCTAC, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org

AMY WINEHOUSE TRIBUTE BAND
Gyp Kenton, the UK’s most authentic tribute to Amy Winehouse comes to Dubai. Back to Black is the band behind Gyp – they premiered in 2008 at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre and were immediately booked to headline the Basildon Festival, playing to 25,000 fans.

The Music Room, Majestic Hotel, Al Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai, 9pm, Dhs100. Taxi: Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai. themusicroom-dubai.com

DUBAI NETBALL LEAGUE’S SUMMER TOURNAMENT
Fun and versatility is the name of the game at the annual netball summer tournament. It’s a great place for newbies to Dubai to get back into netball, and for seasoned netballers to dust off their trainers after the summer. Names and positions are drawn at random. This year, the event welcomes families and friends to visit the stalls and enjoy the family-fun entertainment.

Dubai Sports City, Dubai, 2pm, Dhs100. dubainetballleague.com

DISNEY ON ICE
Four classic Disney movies plus 39 skaters from six countries add up to a cool show. This fantastic production is coming to Dubai with a version, never before seen outside of the Unites States of America, Rockin’ Ever After. Having been witnessed by over 30 million people over 75 countries, it is an inimitable and unforgettable musical and dance extravaganza on ice as the name says it all, it is Disney On Ice.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, 11am, 3pm and 7pm. Tel: (04) 3321000. Metro: Dubai World Trade Centre. disneyonice.ae

Disney

XTREME WAKEBOARD CAMP
If you want to try wakeboarding, a watersports centre in a hotel will do the job. But if you want to go a step further, go to the new Xtreme wakeboard camp in Ghantoot Marina and you’ll find passionate instructors ready to teach newbies and experienced riders over a few days. The camp is the first of its kind in the region with green lawns, views across the glassy waters, barbecue areas and accommodation.

Ghantoot Marina. Tel: (056) 3423012. extremewakeuae.com

URBAN BISTRO BRUNCH
This new brunch is brunch in the traditional sense, so you’ll get free-flowing coffee, rather than bubbly. If you’re in the mood for breakfast, there’s granola, bagels, DIY toast and hot dishes at the buffet, plus eggs cooked to your liking. If it’s lunch you’re after, help yourself to soup, roast lamb and an array of Urban Bistro’s popular salads – the beetroot and feta is a winner.

CNN Building, Dubai Media City, Dubai, Fri 11.30am to 3.30pm, Dhs94. Tel: (04) 3624330. Metro: Nakheel. urbanbistro.ae

FORK AND CORK
With unique themed areas, novel drink stations and designated kids’ sections, there’s a lot to love about Fort & Cork. Highlights include the oriental section, transformed to resemble Hong-Kong hawker stalls, offering authentic noodle soup and crispy duck, the sombrero stand complete with chilli, nachos and guacamole, and the carvery, with its deliciously crispy Yorkshire puddings that practically ooze buttery goodness. Don’t eat too much though because the enormous dessert section is filled with some of the prettiest and tastiest sweets you’re likely to find in Dubai.

Crescendo, Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs300 (with soft drinks), Dhs420 (with house drinks), Dhs530 (with bubbly). Tel: (04) 5678304. Taxi: Anantara Dubai, East Crescent. dubai-palm.anantara.com

Fork and Cork

CAFE BELGE
Café Belge has moved its popular brunch from Saturday to Friday and will restart September 12. They’ve added new dishes too, including homemade duck pate with mustard.

Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai, Fri 12.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs295 with soft beverages, Dhs395 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 3722323. Metro: Financial Centre. ritzcarlton.com

THE ONSHORE SOCIAL
Beachfront bar and Miami-style villa Zero Gravity is launching a brunch this month. Begin with sharing platters of salads, and Asian nibbles, followed by hearty main courses of roasts, seafood and steaks.

Zero Gravity, Al Sufouh, Dubai, Fri 3pm to 6pm, Dhs444 with house beverages, Dhs666 with premium beverages. Tel: (04) 3990009. Taxi: Next to Skydive Dubai. 0-gravity.ae 

SEAL LION POINT – RESIDENT RATES
Dolphin Bay & Sea Lion Point have introduced special UAE resident rates which offer spectacular value on selected programs and free same day admission to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium for use between September 1-30. Guests may choose from a range of fun interactions to get up close to South African Fur Seals at Sea Lion Point. Sea Lion Discovery allows guests to wade into waist deep water with these unique marine mammals.

Sea Lion Point, Atlantis, The Palm, Dhs495. Tel: (04) 4261030. atlantisthepalm.com

BUBBLORANGE
The food at the new BubblOrange brunch at c.taste restaurant has been given the orange treatment. Not from a dodgy spray tan, but because the chefs like it that way. They even wear orange chef hats. Expect duck a l’orange, lamb with orange wedges and zesty crème brûlée on the menu.

Centro Barsha Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, Fri 12.30 to 4pm, Dhs115 with soft drinks, Dhs185 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 7040000. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. rotana.com

HINT HUNT
Hint Hunt recently set up home in Dubai’s Times Square Centre. Last month, we checked out a similar escape game in Sunset Mall named Challenge Chambers, and Hint Hunt – albeit with a slicker set-up – follows suit. Without giving too much away, it’s an escape game. Teams of three to five people are locked inside a room while puzzle masters watch your quest via video cameras. Clues to puzzles open up secret drawers and doors, as you try to break free before the time runs out. Should you seem in need of a hint, the puzzle masters will communicate with you from a plasma screen on the wall.

Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily 10am to 9pm, Dhs105. Tel: (04) 3212242. Taxi: Times Square Centre. hinthunt.ae

hint hunt

THE IVY NEW MENU
Rejuvenating its menu twice every year in order to incorporate the freshest seasonal produce, the iconic brasserie has incorporated all of the flavours of a traditional European autumn for September onwards. New additions include the baked Dorset crab with grilled sour dough and lobster macaroni cheese with wilted spinach and crispy pancetta. How on-trend is that?

The Boulevard, Ground Level, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Tel: (04) 3198767. theivy.ae

SATURDAY

YOGA ON THE BEACH
Cooler weather it on its way at last, and we’re ready to emerge from our air-conditioned cocoons. Corefit is holding yoga sessions on the beach outside Club Mina every Saturday morning at 9am. And breathe.

Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai, Dhs75. Tel: (04) 4225338. Metro: Nakheel. corefit.me

RESTAURANT WEEK AT THE OBEROI
Restaurant Weeks are one of the great gifts of the food industry, offering selected dishes from luxury destinations at heavily discounted prices. And The Oberoi in Business Bay is no different. Running until September 13, you can feast from special set menus at Umai (modern Pan-Asian), Nine7One (international) and Ananta (Indian) – all without breaking the bank.

The Oberoi, Business Bay, Dubai. Restaurant Week available until September 13, 7pm to 11.30pm. Set menu includes choice of starter, main, dessert, coffee and tea. Dhs160 in Nine7One. Dhs180 in Umai and Ananta.

The Oberoi

PARK YOGA
If you’re interested in yoga but are put off by pricey studios, head to Safa Park on Saturday evenings, where Dubai yogi Lakshya teaches free community classes. It’s open to all levels.

Gate 5, Safa Park, Dubai, Sat 6.30pm. facebook.com/LakshyaYoga

SELL YOUR STUFF
After condensing your life into a few suitcases to move to the UAE, it’s amazing how quickly expats accumulate clutter. If you’re running out of space, The Auction House can help. The new service auctions pre-owned household items every weekend at its Al Quoz HQ. On Fridays there’s a sale at 10am for goods under Dhs1,000, and a second at 3pm for goods over Dhs1,000. On Saturdays the 10am sale is for items over Dhs1,000 and vice versa. When What’s On went, the star lot was a king-size bed, mattress, two side tables and mirror for just Dhs700. Contact them for a free appraisal and they will collect your stuff and put it up for bidding.

4th Street, Al Quoz 4, Dubai, Fri and Sat 10am and 3pm. Tel: (800) 8243. Taxi: RnK Interiors. theauctionhousedubai.com

IMPROV COMEDY WORKSHOP
You remember watching shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and thinking the actors were comedy geniuses? Channel your inner Tina Fey or Will Ferrell and give these fun improv classes a go where you’ll learn the art and skills needed to produce thigh-slapping comedy.

The Courtyard Playhouse, The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, Sat 3pm to 5pm from October 11 or Sun 7.30pm to 9.30pm from October 12, Dhs1,800. Tel: (050) 9861761. Taxi: The Courtyard, Al Quoz. dramaworkshopsdubai.com

comedy