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
Tuck into chili crabs
‘Tis the season for crustaceans. The popular Chili Crab Festival is back at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The four-day culinary event celebrates delicacies from the Far East including the famous Singaporean chili crab which is covered in a stir-fried, tomato and chili sauce. Visitors can also tuck into dim sum, wok-fried blue swimmer crab and tempura crispy crab.
April 23 to 25
Souk Madinak, Dubai, Wed and Thur 4pm to midnight, Fri 1pm to midnight, Sat 1pm to 1am. Tel: (04) 3666730. jumeirah.com/mjchillicrab
Giggle with Jason Byrne
Gags galore from the Irish comedian and radio host.
Bonnington Hotel, Cluster J, JLT, Dubai, 9pm. Tel: (04) 8006247. Metro: JLT. mcgettigansdubai.com
Rub shoulders with English heroes
Dinner on St George’s Day with Martin Johnson and Geoff Hurst is about as English as it gets. Johnson captained England to victory in the 2003 rugby World Cup, and Hurst won the 1966 football World Cup. Both will speak at the Long Lunch on April 23.
The Westin, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, noon to 5pm, table of ten Dhs10,000. Tel: (04) 4478129. Taxi: The Westin. westinminaseyahi.com
Visit STREETCON
Both local and international artists will descend on Al Ghurair Centre this weekend to showcase their talent, delivering live performances of all creative disciplines. Ahead of the launch on April 23, our pals at Hype spoke with curator Rollan Rodriguez. Get a preview of STREETCON here.
April 23 to May 2
Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, Dubai, 1pm to 10pm, free. Metro: Union Square. alghuraircentre.com/streetcon
FRIDAY
Party at DXBeach festival
A new music festival on the beach headlined by Mark Ronson launches today. The day-to-night DXBeach will be held at Zero Gravity. The in-demand Ronson, whose Uptown Funk has become the anthem of 2015 so far, leads the way, while Jess Glynne, Danny Howard and John Dahlback provide more than adequate support. Check out the complete DXBeach line up.
Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina, noon to 3am, Dhs250. Tel: (04) 3689977. Taxi: Skydive Dubai dropzone. dxbeach.ae
Visit the Dubai Nursery Show
Get info from more than 30 Dubai nurseries.
Dubai International Marine Club, Al Sufouh, Dubai, 9am to 5pm. Tel: (050) 5532048. Taxi: Dubai International Marine Club. dubainurseryshow.com
Practice yoga for free
To celebrate its opening in Motor City, the new Naya Yoga and Pilates Studio is offering free classes all day.
Motor City, Dubai, 9.30am to 4pm. Tel: (04) 5516262. naya.ae
Be moved at a dance festival
See a smörgåsbord of movement at the Sharmila Dance Extravaganza this weekend. Performers will put on a show of hip hop, street, Bollywood among others for the 15th instalment of this popular show.
April 24 and 25
Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Dhs155. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org
Sizzle at a Spring Fair
UBK isn’t planning on succumbing to the Summer just yet. Dig your heels in too and tuck into a sizzling outdoor barbecue, listen to live music, compete in hot dog challenge or ride the rodeo bull. There will also be popcorn, roasted marshmallows and graham crackers for smores.
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs225 or 12.30pm to 6.30pm, Dhs325. Tel: (04) 4380000. facebook.com/ubkdubai
Rave with Tube & Berger
Tube & Berger are deep house and electronica producers Arndt Rrig and Marco Vidovic. Current projects include a remix for Booka Shade and the Knife’s Karin Dreijer Andersson, with an album due out next year. But they’re perhaps best known for their 2004 collaboration with Chrissie Hynde, Straight Ahead.
Barasti, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai, 8pm to 3am, free. Tel: (04) 3993333. Taxi: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi. barastibeach.com
Channel your inner warrior
When running in circles is getting old and circuits just aren’t cutting it, you can always turn to the Desert Warrior Challenge to leave you trembling in your trainers. Moving away from Dubai and towards the capital, the extreme military-style endurance obstacle course is pitching up on Yas Island for an unforgiving 10km course packed with over 20 military-style obstacles to test your strength, stamina, and mental grit. The kicker: these calf-cramping obstacles can’t be conquered solo — competitors must rely on their fellow warriors to give them a boost. You can bet there’ll also be a few water-based obstacles thrown in too.
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 7am, Dhs530. Tel: (052) 6543617. Desertwarriorchallenge.com
Watch an important movie
To coincide with World Immunization Week (April 24 to 30), Image Nation have released the powerful documentary ‘Every Last Child’, directed by award-winning filmmaker Tom Roberts, in theatres in the UAE. The film, which premiered at the acclaimed DOC NYC festival last November, was created to support the UAE’s commitment to Polio eradication, including the Pakistan Assistance Program’s efforts to vaccinate millions of vulnerable children in hard-to-reach areas of Pakistan.
Dress up for Moulin Rouge
Mercury Lounge at Four Seasons Dubai hosts its first Moulin Rouge-themed party. Expect a cabaret of courtesans while you can-can the night away with live-acts and music by resident Swedish DJ, OPOLOPO.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Jumeirah, 7pm. Tel: (04) 2707777. Taxi: Four Seasons. mercurydubai.com
SATURDAY
Watch Robbie Williams live
He may be almost twice the age of the lads in One Direction (who played the UAE just a few weeks before him), but Robbie Williams could teach them a thing or two. He knows how to write a hit (Let Me Entertain You, Angels, Millennium, Rock DJ). He can dance. He can sing. And, boy, does he know his way around a soundbite. Embrace the wit and wisdom of Robbie tonight.
Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 6pm, Dhs295. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: Du Arena, Yas Island. ticketmaster.ae
Race to the finish
Held at the foot of the formidable Jebel Hafeet mountain, the Wadi Adventure Race is as unyielding as its surroundings. Now in its fourth year, this beast is recognised as the toughest, yet (strangely) one of the most enjoyable races in the country. You’ll be crawling through tunnels, leaping off wobbly inflatables and swimming against the rapids, before dragging heavy-duty sandbags across the desert. It’s not easy, but the camaraderie will see you through.
Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, Dhs225, 9am. Tel: (03) 7818422. wadiadventure.ae
Run through the desert
The popular desert road run is hosting its mid annual run.
The Sevens Stadium, Dubai-Al Ain Road, 7am, Dhs85 (10k), Dhs50 (3k). premieronline.com
Watch netball live
Move over football fans as the Irish village is taken over with netball fever this evening. The Super league grand final will be live screened as the Herts Mavericks take on Surrey Storm.
The Irish Village Dubai, Garhoud, 9pm. Tel: (04) 2395000. facebook.com/TheIrishVillageDubai
Dine at The Bong Brunch
The new, limited-time-only brunch at Frioul is an ode to Bong Guerrero, the CEO of Fashion Forward and famous face of the Dubai nightlife and entertainment scene. Expect to feast on French-Mediterranean fare accompanied by live music.
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sat noon to 4pm, Dhs345 incl soft drinks, Dhs500 incl half a bottle of Taittinger. Tel: (04) 5670011. frioulbistroluxe.com
