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 May 7
Watch a West End play
Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan feature in the highly anticipated production of David Hare’s Skylight, broadcast live form the West End by National Theatre Live. On a bitterly cold London evening, schoolteacher Kyra Hollis (Mulligan) receives an unexpected visit from her former lover, Tom Sergeant, a successful and charismatic restaurateur whose wife has recently died. As the evening progresses, the two attempt to rekindle their once passionate relationship.
May 7 & 8
The Courtyard Playhouse Dubai. Al Quoz, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs100. Tel: (055) 967927. courtyardplayhouse.com
See Shorter + Sweeter – The best of Short + Sweet
Shorter+Sweeter: The Best of Short+Sweet will feature seven of the world’s most popular 10-minute plays, performed by an ensemble of Dubai’s best actors. Featuring the very best Short+Sweet scripts from all over the world, some written right here in Dubai, and staged by award-winning directors.
May 7 & 8
madinatjumeirah.etixdubai.com
Gawk at Miss Behave
Talk about an act that’s tough to chew: The weird and wonderful Cirque le Soir features Miss Behave tonight impressing crowds with her sword swallowing skills.
Cirque Le Soir, Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road. Metro: World Trade Centre. cirquelesoir.com/dubai
Hear O.T Genasis live
OT Genasis first came to the music industry’s attention through his affiliation with Busta Rhymes and collaborations with Juicy J. Now, Genasis is out to prove himself as a solo act. Check him out this evening at VIP Room.
viproom-dubai.com
Build an art collection
Would-be art collectors pay attention. Thanks to pioneering art gallery Lumas in DIFC, art is no longer confined to the homes of the rich and famous. With studios open in Berlin, London, Paris and New York, Lumas galleries have paved the way for art lovers to own exceptional art photography for a reasonable price. This month’s Young Collector exhibition shines a light on more than 160 emerging artists from across the globe with hand-signed, limited edition pieces starting at Dhs2,500.
Building 10, DIFC, Gate Village, Dubai, Sun to Thur 10am to 10pm, Sat 10am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 4250400. Metro: Financial Centre. lumas.com
Chuckle Club
If variety is the spice of life, The Chuckle Club is one spicy comedy gig. Featuring a fierce comedienne with a London twang, an instrumentalist with a curious omicord device, and a smooth yank from the Deep South, Tiff Stevenson (left), Gareth Richard and Billy Wayne Davis provide more than just a few laughs on stage this month. You can catch them on their two-day tour of Dubai at Emirates Golf Club and the Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate.
May 7 and 8
Emirates Golf Club, Thur 8.30pm, Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate, Fri 8.30pm, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 4573212. facebook.com/TheChuckleClub
FRIDAY May 8
François Kevorkian
The Analog Room crew is bringing the revered veteran to town to headline at their Finest Friday event, switching to Level 41 for the night. The DJ set from Kevorkian is sure to be one of the region’s finest of the year so far. For proof of his skills, you only need to check enduring mix compilation classics such as 2013’sRenaissance: The Masters’ Series, or 2008’s Masterpiece: Created By François K. Both stand as testament to his ability to blend the old with the new, and range from subtle minimal to massive main room house, but never lose focus of the underlying groove that has characterised everything François has done in his untouchable career.
Analog Room’s Finest Friday, Level 41, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Dubai; 6pm to 2am, Dhs120. Metro: Nakheel. facebook.com/analogroomdxb
Yoga at the Cove
Looking to get fit and healthy this summer? Well, this is definitely a step in the right direction. Vita Coco Coconut Water has organised public yoga session at Cove Beach. The beach yoga session takes place on at 7.15am and you’ll even be treated to a healthy breakfast by Cove Beach’s talented team of chefs. For further information follow Vita Coco Coconut Water @vitacocoae
Hear Nicole Moudaber
Nigerian-born Nicole grew up between London, Lebanon and New York and was first turned on to dance music after hearing Danny Tenaglia and Junior Vasquez. In 1996 she launched Trashy Renaissance in war-scarred Beirut but the authorities soon put an end to it. Returning to London, Nicole began promoting her own nights at the capital’s famed Turnmills club “never once thinking I should put myself on the decks”. After a break from music, Nicole decided she couldn’t live without it and locked herself in the studio for a couple of years to learn the trade properly. Hear her stuff tonight.
Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, Friday, May 8, 10pm to 3am, free. Taxi: Four Seasons Resort. Tel: (055) 2118222. provocateurdubai.com
Party for 12-hours
The concept behind the Zero Gravity club night Journey Though House is simple: big-name veteran DJs play nothing but classics for 12 hours. Alongside Fantazia’s Jeremy Healy, Cream resident John Kelly and Finally vocalist Julie McKnight, Allister Whitehead brings his sizeable bag of tricks to Dubai.
Zero Gravity, Skydive Dubai, Al Sufouh, Dubai, 6pm to 3am, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 3990009. Taxi: Skydive Dubai. 0-gravity.ae
Groove with this Bob Marley Tribute Act
Bob Marley’s band The Wailers are playing May 21 in Dubai but if you can’t get a ticket, try this tribute act instead. DJ Moh ‘The Ruffest ‘n’ The Tuffest’, and DJ Daddi Ramosh will pay tribute to the music and lyrics of Mr Marley.
The Music Room, Majestic Hotel, Mankhool Road, Dubai, 9pm, Dhs75. Tel: (056) 7996355. Metro: Al Fahidi. themusicroomdubai.com
Tuck into ‘Surf & Turf’ Samba at The Gate
Spanish flavours and a relaxed vibe make up new ‘Surf & Turf’ night at Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate. With a focus on all things Latino, you can enjoy mounds of fresh guacamole with mixed salsas, made-to-order fish and meats, and tacos alongside your sushi. A live band keeps the chilled party going.
‘Surf and Turf’ night at Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate, every Friday until 12th June, 6:30 to 11pm. Dhs199 soft drinks, Dhs299 house beverages. Tel: (04) 444 5613
Party at Pacha Rouge
Inspired by Moulin Rouge, Pacha Ibiza Dubai transforms in a fully themed Pacha Rouge evening with Parisian playboy and musical maestro Dimitri From Paris.
Pacha Dubai, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 11pm to 3am. Taxi: Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Tel: (050) 8861129.
Experience Supersonic at Blue Marin
Be the first to feel this supersonic dance movement as Hector & DJ Wild combine their set with transducers emitting bass frequencies shooting right onto the dancefloor.
Golden Tulip Ghantoot Al Jazira Hotels and Resort, Dubai, Friday. Tel: (056) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Al Jazira. facebook.com/BMIUAE
SATURDAY MAY 9
Rave at this Electro Festival’s closing party
Canadian daytime music festival Piknic Electronik closes out its season this weekend. You can rave all day in font of the DJ stage, hula hoop with the hippy contingent, get your chakras aligned at a yoga class or get wet and wild in a waterfight.
Dubai Sports City, Saturday, 3pm to 11pm, Dhs150, under-12s free. Taxi: Dubai Sports City. piknicelectronik.com
Have a laugh with Omid Djalili
Despite a list of film credits that runs the gamut from the Oscar-winning Gladiator with Russell Crowe to the less critically acclaimed Sex And The City 2, the stage remains Djalili’s natural habitat. Check him out at Music Hall tonight.
Music Hall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm, Dubai, 7pm, Dhs195. Tel: (056) 2708670. Taxi: The Palm, west crescent. themusichall.com
Wander through Ripe Market – (indoor edition)
The alfresco market experience is coming inside for summer. Shop for arts and crafts, fashion, jewellery, kids items, gifts and homeware. There’s also the usual array organic groceries from Ripe, including fresh organic fruits and veggies, eggs, local honey, superfoods, tea, gluten free items and more.
Times Square Centre, Dubai, Sat 9am to 2pm. Tel: (04) 3790441. ripeme.com
Check out Street Nights DXB
It’s your last chance to catch Street Nights at The Walk. Showcasing 20 local and regional aerosol writers and street artists, this popular urban cultural event also features a night bazaar market, a b-boy battle and food trucks. And with James, aka Break DJ Lobito, curating the soundtrack and his Deep Crates Cartel massive showcasing some of their favourite local acts and DJs, the music will be none too shabby either.
The Walk, JBR, Dubai, Thursday, 5pm to 10pm, free. Metro: Jumeirah Lakes Towers. facebook.com/streetnightsdxb
