Things to do in Dubai this weekend
What’s On has a list of things to do in Dubai this weekend, including markets, art, 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
Bounce After Dark
Trampoline emporium transforms into a nightclub to celebrate its first birthday.
Bounce, 32, 4B Street Al Quoz, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs80. Tel: (04) 3211400. Taxi: Next to Lime Tree Café. bounce.ae
Chocolate Festival
Italian restaurant Eataly hosts a festival of chocolate this month, with Venchi, chocolatiers since 1878, helping out. The menu has chocolate spaghetti, chocolate pizza and cannoli filled with smoked salmon and drizzled with white and dark chocolate.
Until June 17
The Dubai Mall, lower ground floor, Dubai, daily 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 3308899. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. eataly.com
Barasti tent
Today, the giant middle deck of this popular bar with one hat in The Black Hat Guide gets covered for summer.
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Sat to Wed 11am to 1.30am, Thur and Fri 11am to 3am. Tel: (04) 3993333. Taxi: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi. barastibeach.com
Damascenes
Don’t let the cutesy play on words put you off. This solo show by Syrian artist Khaldoun Chicakli may be a visual homage to a side of the Syrian capital that, as its terrible war continues, feels as if it has been lost forever, but while there is a palpable thread of bittersweet nostalgia running through Chicakli’s detailed drawings and woodcuts, it is anything but twee. The result is a beautifully rendered and poignant reminder of all that once was that is just as powerful in its way as any bombastic approach would be. Incredibly touching.
Until June 27
Green Art Gallery, Unit 28, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3469395. Taxi: Al Quoz. gagallery.com
Try a new puzzle game
Real life escape games have proved puzzlingly popular in the city, so much so that once you’ve cracked one game you’re hungry to tackle the next. Escape Quest puzzle house in Dubai has launched a new game for the summer and What’s On went to investigate. Our team of five headed into the secret hideout of the mysterious Romanian geneticist Dr Zol Pasted whose body had vanished without a trace. Our job? Find out what happened, and get out within the hour. Tricks, clever gadgets and brilliant gimmicks will leave even a veteran detective totally engrossed. This is a definite contender for the best puzzle game in the city.
HDS Business Centre, Cluster M, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, daily 10am to 11pm, Dhs100. Tel: (055) 2845382. Metro: JLT. escapequest.ae
DJ Nick Warren
Warren earned his stripes DJing in Bristol in the late 1980s and early 1990s – he was the tour DJ for fellow Bristolians Massive Attack – and it was here that he met Jody Wisternoff. Together they make music as Way Out West and are currently putting the finishing touches on their first record in more than five years. He was a stalwart of the must-have mix compilation of its time, Global Underground’s City series, which showcased club culture from around the world, and he’s played virtually every great club going. His favourites are Pacha Buenos Aires, Manchester’s iconic The Hacienda and, as resident, Cream in Liverpool. But he remembers fondly his early visits to Dubai, and always looks forward to returning. “Yes, there have been so many great clubs and nights. I played at KYO in Singapore recently – and it was really good. But those early Peppermint parties in Dubai were sensational. And these days, the new clubs are great, too.”
O2 Nightclub, Sofitel The Palm, The Palm, Dubai, 5pm to 3am, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 04262626. Taxi: The Palm. atlantisthepalm.com
FRIDAY
Sip on the sand
Track down this new airstream trailer on The Beach that is home to Soda Font. They make iced tea, coffee, organic juices, Coke floats, and a cucumber and mint drink served in a plastic bag. Look out for it near Laduree Patisserie in JBR.
The Beach, JBR, Dubai, daily 10am to midnight. Metro: JLT. facebook.com/sodafont
Matthias Tanzmann
A big month at Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE begins with the return of Matthias Tanzmann. The German deep and techno house maestro will be in town, fresh from opening Ibiza’s most infamous day-night party, Circoloco at DC10. Joining Tanzmann is American DJ-producer Lee Foss. Co-founder of one of underground electronic music’s most esteemed labels, Hot Creations, Foss also has ties with DC10. He and his labelmates return for another season in Ibiza, throwing their weekly Paradise parties at the celebrated club.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Jazira Resort, Ghantoot, 1pm to 11pm. Tel: (056) 1133400 Taxi: Golden Tulip Hotel. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com
Brunch time
Head to Media Rotana for a hearty Italian brunch at Prego’s. Tuck into pastas, pizzas and risotto but be sure to save space for dessert.
Media Rotana, Tecom, Dubai, Fri noon to 3.30pm, Dhs199. Tel: (04) 4350201
Mathew Jonson
A German piano-playing house and techno producer who bounds around the DJ booth fiddling with gadgets. “If I’m up on an elevated stage,” he says, “sometimes it can be difficult to relate to what is happening on the dance floor. I prefer to be close to the people when I play so that we can all dance together and enjoy the party.” This month Johnson plays Plus Minus in Dubai Media City. Expect a show. He has so much equipment with him onstage during his live sets that he’s more engineer than DJ. No bad thing for a techno producer.
Level 41, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 9pm to 3am, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 4271000. Metro: Nakheel. mediaonehotel.com
SATURDAY
Dubai desert road run
The popular desert run returns in the summer for a heated race. This time around, there will be a 10k race and a 3k fun run with medals given to all who finish the races.
The Sevens Stadium, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Sat 6am, Dhs85. Taxi: Sevens Stadium. premieronline.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
Handmade Festival
Running on Saturday June 6 from 1pm to 6pm at Deus Arabia HQ, the cool bike specialists are hosting Dubai’s first Handmade Festival, presenting the best of Dubai’s alternative artisan producers of all things bespoke, creative and customised. From guitar building, personalising screen printing, hand-crafted leather goods, beach bags, bike building and beard cutting, every vendor promises to have something cool to offer shoppers on the day. Read about the vendors here.
Capital D Studio, 45 6b street, Dubai, Sat 1pm to 6pm. facebook.com/deusarabia
