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
RedFestDXB
RedFest DXB returns to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on Valentine’s weekend, running across two days from February 12. We’ve profiled all the artists at RedFestDXB.
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Dubai, Dhs350 per day, Dhs550 weekend pass. Tel: (04) 4390900. Metro: Nakheel. redfestdxb.com
My Funny Valentine
Lovesick for laughs? Just in time for the most romantic day of the year, the Courtyard Playhouse presents a comedy improv show sweeter than a box of chocolates. The nine-strong Courtyard Players troupe takes centre stage for a totally improvised show filled with scenes and songs made up on the spot based on audience suggestions. Who knows, you might see first dates, anniversaries, lost loves reunited and marriage proposals. And that’s just in the audience.
All weekend
The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz, Street 4b, Dubai, Thur and Fri 8pm, Sat 7pm and 9pm, Dhs100. Tel: (055) 9673927. Taxi: Next to Lime Tree Café. courtyardplayhouse.com
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
Host your own pool party
If lounging by the pool while being served canapés and chilled swills sounds enticing, then the Centro Barsha could be your next retreat. You can hire their rooftop pool for a private bash of up to 100 people with prices starting at Dhs90 per person for canapés and soft drinks.
Centro Barsha Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai. Tel: (04) 7040016. Metro: Sharaf DG. rotana.com
FRIDAY
Garage Nation
If you were at Warehouse Dubai back in August you’ll know that Artful Dodger had the place bouncing. And if you were at Skank in November you’ll know it was rammed for DJ Luck and MC Neat. Pop them together on the same bill, add a live performance from Kele Le Roc, and you have a line-up worthy of UK garage party purveyors Garage Nation. Oh, wait. It is a Garage Nation event! What’s more, the Valentine’s Special on Friday marks the start of a new Garage Nation bi-monthly residency here in Dubai.
Level 41, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Friday, 9pm to 3am, standard tickets Dhs120. Metro: Nakheel. Tel: (055) 924 6496. platinumlist.net
Disco Sushi at Okku
Award-winning Japanese food, ’80s and ’90s music, and a Miami Vice dress code isn’t a combination you come across every day. Nonetheless we love the sound of it. The party brunch at Okku kicks off with a cocktail reception before diners sit down to a 12-course feast of signature dishes like wasabi rock shrimp and yuzu-saikyo miso black cod, plus bubbles, spirits, and premium French grape. This week throws the ‘Traffic Light’ concept – wearing red, yellow or greeen, depending on your availability – into the mix.
The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 12.30pm to 5pm, Dhs399 with soft drinks, Dhs599 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 5018777. Metro: World Trade Centre. okku.com
Taste of Peru
Peruvian cuisine is officially having a moment. Taste everything that the melting pot of Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese influences has to offer at this three-day celebration at the Souk Amphitheatre. You might not know your ceviche from your tiradito now, but you will by the time you leave.
Souk Amphitheatre, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
ARTE Market
The bi-monthly local arts and crafts market is back at Times Square from noon until 7pm.
Time Square, Sheikh Zayed Road. arte.ae
Theatre Festival
The Short+Sweet Dubai Theatre Festival is back. Over four weekends – the first of which is February 6 and 7, 250 of Dubai’s best locally-based writers, directors and actors take to the stage to bring to life 70 ten-minute theatrical gems. The Short+Sweet Dubai Theatre Festival is part of a global initative, Short+Sweet, the largest ten-minute play festival in the world, that now runs in twenty-one cities in six countries.
ductac.org
Dubai Food Carnival
More than 20,000 people from all over the world are expected to visit this family-friendly affair at Dubai International Marine Club. The event will feature more than 80 exhibitors, along with live music and entertainment, cooking competitions, the Dubai Food Festival Food Academy, a fully-licensed bubble lounge and the Chef Dome, which will play host to the likes of Jason Atherton and Sanjeev Kapoor as they show off their culinary skills for the crowds.
Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3086430. Metro: Dubai Marina. dubaifoodcarnival.com
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’sPantry Cafe, Kris Kros, Shawerme.
February 6 to 28
Kite Beach, Jumeirah, Dubai
SATURDAY
Ameriie live
American star Ameriie will take to the stage at Armani Prive for a special Valentine’s show where fans can expect to hear hits like ‘1 Thing’, ‘Why Don’t We Fall In Love’, and ‘Paradise’. She will also officially be launching her new single ‘What I Want’
Armani/Prive, Burj Khalifa, Downtown, Dubai; 10pm to 3am; Dhs100, ladies free. Tel: 052 777 6953. dubai.armanihotels.com/club-en.html
Ripe Night Market
The Ripe Night Market is the newest offering from Ripe, taking the city’s love of food past sunset and bringing the community together to taste some of the region’s best local food businesses, with a beautiful soundtrack by local artists, all under the stars. As the sun sets on Saturday, Ripe will transform Al Barsha Pond Park in Dubai into a magical world; a sea of small lights and colourful lanterns will fill the sky creating a beautiful atmosphere for alfresco eating and live music. Running from 4pm to 9pm.
Al Barsha Pond Park, Dubai. facebook.com/ripeuae
Pancake Day
The Clinton St Baking Company are flipping organic pancakes.
Burj Views, Downtown Dubai Dubai, 8am to 4pm, 6pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 4281331. Taxi: Burj Views. clintonstreet-baking.ae
Abba hits
The tribute act Abba-Revival performs on the rooftop gardens.
Pyramids At Wafi, Oud Metha, Dubai, 7pm, Dhs225. Tel: (04) 3244100. Taxi: Wafi Mall. pyramids restaurantatwafi.com
Damian Lazarus
Provocateur, the new club at the Four Seasons Resort, welcomes Damian Lazarus this month. One of EDM’s most forward-thinking artists, the Crosstown Rebels label boss has been making music from the more outré side of house for more than a decade. Known for his 24-hour parties, his set at Provocateur – dubbed Dubai’s ‘first luxury electronic music venue’ – promises to be a more civilised affair.
Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Road, Dubai, 10pm to 3am, free. Tel: (055) 2118222. Taxi: Four Seasons Resort. provocateurdubai.com
Stacey Pullen
The Detroit master Stacey Pullen is leaving the confines of his city to come and play in Dubai. The DJ, producer and label boss has had a resurgence in recent years, especially in Europe, where rarely a weekend goes by without him headlining the latest hot club.
Blue Marlin, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort, Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 11pm, free. Tel: (056) 0561133400. Taxi: Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com
Moonlit picnic
Relax with someone special in a romantic setting under the stars and enjoy the spectacular Dubai city skyline views whilst listening to live acoustic music and tucking into a pinic at Al Badia Golf Club. Running from 7pm to 11pm.
Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, Dhs580 including bubbles. Tel: (04) 7011127 Taxi: Al Badia Golf Club. albadiagolfclub.ae
Become a legend
Do something different this year, and swap a hot date for a rockin’ Valentine’s night with some of the UAE’s hottest new bands at Legends Sports Bar. The line-up includes two of the best bands we’ve performed with recently in Dubai – Riff Raff and Up The Ante.
Chelsea Plaza Hotel, Satwa, Saturday, February 14, 8pm to 3am, free entry. Taxi: Chelsea Plaza Hotel. Tel: (055) 7388527. reverbnation.com
LAST CHANCE
Systems For A Score
Fari Bradley and Chris Weaver present the first fruits of their labours as Tashkeel gallery’s inaugural recipients of its New Media Artist residency programme. Their exhibition explores visual language and sound art. Not half as impenetrable as it sounds, the pair play with their chosen mediums with aplomb, incorporating sculpture, visuals and sound into their work in a way that is still rarely seen in the UAE art scene.
Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba Road, Dubai free. Tel: (04) 3363313. Taxi: Near Nad Al Sheba racetrack. tashkeel.org
Danat 2015
Drawing inspiration from the UAE’s ancient tradition of pearl diving is a canny match for an exhibition that sets out to showcase the fruits of the region’s up-and-coming art and design talent. Danat 2015 does just that with an exhibition of more than 50 works – drawings, photography, fashion design and graphic design – by the Applied Media students of Sharjah Women’s College. With most of the work available for sale, it’s an opportunity for visitors to do a little ‘pearl diving’ of their own. You might just discover a future star of the UAE creative scene.
Al Badia Golf Club, InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, free. Tel: (050) 5988406. Taxi: Festival City. artcoutureuae.com
