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.

Heading to the capital this weekend? Then check out our list of goings on in ABU DHABI there, too. Click here.

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

THURSDAY

POTTED POTTER
Whereas the Harry Potter movies starred hundreds of actors, a theatre show based on the hit books uses just two to tell the whole story. The tiny cast of Potted Potter isn’t due to budget restrictions (although the accountants must be happy at such a small wage bill) – it’s where the comedy comes from. The hit play that’s delighted audiences in New York and London tells JK Rowling’s wizard saga at lightning fast speed, with a dizzying number of costume changes and numerous character switches. The two actors trying to keep the action under control are James Percy and Benjamin Stratton.

Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, Wed to Sun 7pm, Fri and Sat 3pm and 7pm, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org

Harry Potter retold in 70 minutes - Potted Potter

TARA MCDONALD
Internationally renowned UK singer Tara McDonald is heading to Chinawhite Dubai. Tara achieved success whilst working with Armand Van Helden on the song ‘My My My ‘and co-writing with Axwell on the chart hit ‘Feel the Vibe’ which both debuted at No 1 in the UK.

Chinawhite Dubai, Grand Hyatt, nr Wafi, Dubai. Tel: (056) 175 1010. Taxi: Grand Hyatt. info@chinawhitedubai.com

Tara McDonald at Chinawhite Dubai

NEW EATS
There’s a glamorous new French bistro at Souk Madinat with a fabulously French name: [clears throat] Frioul Bistro de Luxe.

Souk Madinat, Dubai, Sat to Wed noon to 1am, Thur and Fri noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 5670011.  Taxi: Souk Madinat. frioulbistrodeluxe.com

NEW ART EXHIBITION
Syrian artist Manal Jarmoukly presents her show, Shades Of A Woman.

Centro Barsha Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 7040000. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. rotana.com

PIZZA ACROBAT
Chef Pasqualino Barbasso is a world champion pizza acrobat at will be showcasing his skills at Prego’s, Media Rotana. Guests will get to experience the authenticity of homemade pizzas, prepared in only an authentic Sicilian tradition. Not forgetting his skilful show, of course, which will run until Saturday.

Prego’s, Media Rotana, TECOM, Dubai. Tel: (04) 435 0000. rotana.com

CHEF’S MENU
Master Chef South Africa star, Coco Fathi Reinarhz, showcases a five-course Pan African menu at K-Grill.

Kempinski Hotel, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, 7.30pm, Dhs295.  Tel: (04) 3410000. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. kempinski.com

GO GOLD
Film fans can now be food fans after Vox Gold launched a new gourmet menu with the help of highly-trained food and beverage experts. Sliders and sarnies of course have a place on the new menu, available at all gold screens, and so too is the likes of goat’s cheese bruschetta, ‘Louisiana’ buffalo chicken bites and kamikaze shrimp for starters.

FRIDAY

AUDIO TONIC SUNSET SESSIONS
The rooftop deck at 360º, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is open again. Remind yourself of the great local DJ talent – including Mr Mr, Rod Lee Winters and Russ Cooper, and special guest Matthew Charles – for the rest of this month, with a load of international stars heading there from October. Best of all, entry is free before 8pm. 

360º, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, Friday 4pm to 3am, free before 8pm. Taxi: Jumeirah Beach Hotel. audiotonicevents.net

360 Audio Tonic

AHOY SHIPMATES PART ONE
Jack Woodcock’s Sunstroke party leaves from Dubai Marina Yacht Club and promises to be a cosy affair with only 80 spaces on board. International guest DJ CN Williams is in charge of the tuneage along with local pirates Da Sendri, John Spoor and Captain Jack.

Sunstroke: Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Friday, September 19, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs375. Metro: Jumeirah Lake Towers. Tel: (050) 6009928. platinumlist.net

AHOY SHIPMATES PART TWO
Setting sail from Jebel Ali Golf Resort, meanwhile, is the Never Get Out The Boat party. It’s all hands on deck with Audio Tonic’s Mr Mr, Rod Lee Winters and residents Matthew Charles and Sammi Adami. You can only get on this boat if you’re on the guestlist so make sure you sign up for some nautical adventures.

Never Get Out The Boat: Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Jebel Ali, Friday, September 19, 1pm to 6pm, guestlist only by e-mailing info@wearedumm.com. Taxi: Jebel Ali Golf Resort. platinumlist.net

I’SCREAM
Due to their individual heavy diary schedules, it’s not often that you see both Marko and Safe actually spinning together. But this week they’re going to take over the decks at new party I’Scream at Story for a proper Smokingroove set, where they’ll throw in everything they’re digging and then some more. Be there.

Story Rooftop Lounge, behind Zayed University, Dubai Knowledge Village, Friday, September 19, 9pm to 3am, free entry. Tel: (056) 1145553. Metro: Dubai Internet City. facebook.com/No.1EVENTS

THE BOXTONES
Five become three weekly at The Stables but that doesn’t mean it’s any less rowdy. Catch The Boxtones trio, if you can make your way through the crowds of after-brunchers.

The Stables Bar & Restaurant, near Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, every Friday from 7.30pm, free entry. Metro: Dubai World Trade Centre. Tel: (04) 3425571

The Boxtones

PLUS MINUS SESSIONS
Karmon and &Me hit up Level 41 at Media One Hotel. Dutch DJ and producer Karmon is one of the rising stars on Solomun’s Diynamic label and last month hosted Diynamic radio show on Soundcloud.

Level 41, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Friday 9pm to 3am, Dhs120. Metro: Nakheel. facebook.com/blitzproductionsuae

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB OPEN DAY
Get in the swing of things with an open day at Emirates Golf Club. It’s a free day of golfing and recreational activities designed for the whole family to enjoy, regardless of your level of experience or fitness. The day includes complimentary lessons from The Academy, pitching, chipping, putting and short game clinics, closest to the pin and putting challenges and adult and child Par 3 tournaments. Also on offer will be fitness sessions and demonstrations from the Fit Lab team including TRX, Kettlebell, Bootcamp and NYLA Method, as well as children’s games and activities, food and beverages and the PING and Titleist Try and Buy event.

Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road, nr Dubai Marina, Dubai, free 10am to 4pm. dubaigolf.com

Emirates Golf Club open day

SATURDAY

GIBSON GUITARS
Gibson Guitars present Xander and the Peace Pirates, a soulful blues based rock band from Liverpool, at Dubai’s Hard Rock Café later this month. Visitors can also feast their peepers on the rock photography exhibition Gibson: Through the Lens Tour.

Hard Rock Café, Zone 8a, Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City, Saturday, September 20, 12pm to 2am, free entry. Taxi: Dubai Festival City. Tel: (04) 232 8900. xanderandthepeacepirates.com

STAIRWAY TO HELL
Step up to the challenge of tackling 730 stairs – that’s 36 floors – in the Hilton Dubai Tower Race. If the thought alone is enough to make your knees ache, keep in mind that you’ll be breaking a sweat for a good cause, with proceeds going to the Dubai Autism Center. Held at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, registration costs Dhs150 and finishers get a medal and goody bag. The course is steep but the view from the top will be worth it.

Hilton Dubai, The Walk, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3182207. Metro: Dubai Marina. premieronline.com 

Hilton Tower Race, JBR

POP-UP PARTY
You are invited to a fun fashion day out at the A4 Community space on Alserkal Avenue from 11am to 7pm. The space is hosting 13 passionate, talented and hip designers to showcase their products at this event. Specially curated by local tastemakers, we want to help you fashionistas discover new sources of design and style without the high price tags. The aim is to also give aspiring designers and fashion start-ups a platform within the Industrial Art District to showcase their talent while creating an inspirational environment for collaboration, growth and future opportunities alike.

Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 11am to 7pm. Taxi: Alserkal Avenue. alserkalavenue.ae/whoishere

A4 Space, Al Quoz, best coffee in Dubai

FREE THEATRE CLASSES
Theatre Works is offering free drama, acting and musical theatre classes this Saturday at DUCTAC or GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis. There is no pressure to sign up for these taster sessions, so if you’ve wanted to try out musical theatre, acting or dramatics classes but never really been sure of which one is the one for you, now’s the time to try. Classes run from 9am at Silicon Oasis and 10.30am at DUCTAC. For more information and to book, call 050 1 585 653 or email hello@kidstheatreworks.com.

GET PAIN-FREE WAXING
Waxing is not near the top of anyone’s list of favourite things to do, so there’s good news in the arrival of Mancine, a wax that promises to take the pain out of hair removal. While not entirely pain free, it’s a vast improvement on its predecessors and comes in a variety of scents such as Brazilian Strawberry, Honey Comb and Brazilian Rose. Getting beach ready just got a whole lot easier.

Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali, Dubai, daily 9am to 10pm, Dhs20. Tel: (04) 3669828. Metro: Ibn Battuta. 

ACT AND APPLICATIONS
With the increasing sophistication of camera phones, photography must surely be the most accessible of art mediums. It begs the question: when does a photo become art? This show of six international photographers and photographic artists, if not quite answering that question, asks you to consider it. From the documentary of Italian Ra di Martino’s series depicting ruins of abandoned desert film sets to the scanning of UK-based Arthur Prior, it’s a provocative take on the multidimensional world of photography that is both fun and compelling.

Lawrie Shabibi, Unit 21, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3469906. Taxi: Alserkal Avenue. lawrishabibi.com

Act and Applications

WATCH FOOTBALL
Frevo, the Brazilian Churrascaria at Fairmont The Palm is screening Premier League football matches live on large LED TV screens by the bar area. Guests can enjoy Brazilian inspired snacks such as bite size Picanha, fried calamari with Caipirinha jelly and Caipirinha cocktail. Matches start from 3.45pm (local time) on Saturday.

Fairmont The Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4573457. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. fairmont.com