A new restaurant in the Burj Al Arab, a circus, a free flick, a dance festival and more.

There’s plenty to do in Dubai this weekend….

Thursday 22

1. Nip into a pop-up

Online store dulaab sells a bunch of super slick fashion brands – the clothes have a definite Scandi’ bent – and this weekend you’ll find a pop-up store featuring their brands’ AW 16 collections (and yes, there’s a sale section).

A4, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, 10am to 7pm, Saturday to Thursday. More info on website.

2. Watch a YouTube sensation’s one-man show

Adam Saleh is a YouTube star, a prankster, a part-time rapper and an actor. He has a one-night-only stage show in Dubai tonight. “There’ll be lots of comedy skits. It’s like doing a live YouTube video,” he says. “I tell untold stories about my life and do some fun Q&As and challenges with the audience. I also perform my songs, so there’s a lot going on.” Read more about him here.

Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, 6.30pm, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 314 4777. More info and tickets here.

3. Watch an art film

Fancy something a bit different tonight? Then check out this free screening of Art:Interrupted, an uplifting story about two artists who decided to set up India’s first contemporary art biennale in Kerala.

A4 Space, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai, 7pm, free entry. Tel: (050) 556 9797. More info on website.

4. Just dance

The Dubai International Dance Festival is back in town this weekend. The annual event features dance parties, shows and workshops, and there’s also a dance village where you’ll be able to pick up all the shoes and accessories you’ll need to truly tear up the d-floor. You can pay Dhs455 for all four days, but if it’s a fiesta your after, you can pay Dhs185 to go to the dance party tonight. This evening’s festivities will be all about Salsa, Kizomba, Bachata and Afro.

Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa, Jumeirah Beach Road, September 21 to 24, 8.30pm. Dhs455 for all four days. Buy tickets here. More info on website. 

Friday 23

5. Learn the art of balance

Want to be able to do this? Well excellent yoga teacher Dina Ghandour is teaching a special arm-balancing workshop today that will help you on your way. “Arm balances are much more about letting go of fear, technique and weight distribution than we think,” she explains. Who knows, by the end of the two hours you might just be able to pump out the perfect flying crow.

136.1 Yoga Studio, Trident Bayside, Dubai Marina (parking available underground). 10am to 12pm, Dhs150 for the two hours. Phone to book your spot as spaces are limited. Tel: (04) 441 6287. More info on Facebook. 

6. Spend the day at the pool for free

Remember how we told you pool access at Nasimi Beach was free for ladies? Well the deal expires on September 29 so you’ve only got this weekend left to get amongst it. Lads, you’ll have to pay Dhs150 for access but it’s redeemable on food and drink. Just make sure to book ahead.

The Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. 9am to 1am. Tel: (04) 426 2626. More info on Facebook. 

7. Check out a new chocolate boutique

Love all things cocoa? You’re only human. A new luxury chocolate shop has just opened at City Walk. Boutique Le Chocolat isn’t just a mono-brand shop, oh no, it features the wares of 28 luxury chocolatiers and a total of around 700 flavours. Brands on offer include TA Milano, Amedei, Choc d H, Jean Charles Rochoux, Maison Chaudun, Arnaud Lahrer, Marie Belle, John Kelly and Du Rhone. See you there.

City Walk Phase Two, Jumeirah Two, off Safa Street, 10am to 10pm, daily. Tel: (04) 590 5070. More info on website. 

8. Learn makeup basics at Bloomies

From September 22 to October 5 the Bloomingdale’s Dubai Mall beauty department is hosting a week of events, deals and gifts. All weekend there are ‘brow architects’ in store to help you frame your face, and this Friday from 4pm to 6pm and 7pm to 9pm Estee Lauder’s Regional Makeup Artist Wissam Alyounis will be hosting a workshop on techniques that will help you nail your beauty basics.

The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 10am to 10pm, until October 5. Tel: 04 350 5333. More info on Facebook.

9. Go to a Mozart Gala

The majestic Dubai Opera is hosting an evening of Mozart’s most famous operas and orchestral favourites. You’ll hear arias, overtures and duets – we’re looking forward to The Magic Flute. 

Dubai Opera, The Opera District, Downtown Dubai, 8pm, from Dhs700 to Dhs5,000. Tel: (800) 36227. More info on Facebook.

10. Head to the Groove on the Grass season opening

Emirates Golf Club’s always solid Groove on the Grass is back, with the season five opening party tonight. Feel the grass between your toes while being serenaded by Max Cooper, Josh Wink, Radio Slave, CW/A, The Element and a Simian Mobile Disco DJ set. Cooper “is not your average dance musician” according to our sister mag Hype. “He has a PhD in computational biology and an interest in psychoacoustics, 3D sound design, filed recording, proper melody, ten-dimension shapes, virtual reality, data representation and much more”.

Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road, 5pm to 3am, from Dhs180. Buy tickets here. More info on Facebook. 

11. See ladies ruling the club

Blue Marlin UAE has three sisters doing it for themselves this weekend – Anja Schneider, Nicole Moudaber and Francesca Lombardo are all on deck duty. These ladies are fun, funky and fierce: we’re expecting some dancefloor law to be laid down.

Golden Tulip, Al Jazira Hotel & Resort, Ghantoot, Dubai, 1pm to 11pm, free guestlist. Tel: (056) 113 3400. More info on website. 

Saturday 24

12. Go to a brand new restaurant in the Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab just keeps updating (and we’re glad, we think it’s time). Tonight Nathan Outlaw’s refurb’ of Al Mahara opens. You might struggle to get a table tonight, but why not call and try? The set menu is a reasonable (for the Burj) Dhs450 for a three-course lunch and Dhs650 for a four-course dinner. You can expect the food to be tops, considering seafood specialist Outlaw has a two-star Michelin restaurant in Cornwall called Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, as well as a Michelin star restaurant in Knightsbridge, London called Outlaws. You can read more about him here.

Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Al Sufouh Road, 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11.30pm, daily. Tel: (04) 301 7400. More info on website.

13. Go to the circus

After a three-year absence, Cirque Du Soleil has returned to Dubai with Varekai. Expect gravity-defying acrobatics, stunning sets and some jaw-dropping stunts.

Dubai World Trade Centre, daily until September 26, today there are shows at 4.30pm and 8.30pm. Tickets from Dhs245. More info on website.

14. Chuckle to improv

The Improvisers, aka Abish Mathew, Kanan Gill, Kenny Sebastian (in the video above) and Kaneez Surya, are performing at Ductac tonight. You may know Kenny and Kanan for their YouTube success, and you can expect interactive games, music, sketches and a good dose of laughter.

Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, doors open 7.30pm, show at 8pm. Tickets from Dhs250. Buy tickets here, here or at UAE Exchange branches. 

15. Hear Eva Simmons’ huge voice in the flesh

Dutch singer/songwriter Eva Simons has more than a touch of Rihanna, a huge voice and many EDM and dancehall hits under her belt. The good news if you like to round out your weekend with a late night is that she’s playing at White Dubai tonight. Oh, and there’s a complimentary bar for ladies. Rather see Eva on a Thursday? She’ll be at Toy Room Dubai on Thursday. PS: Nelly is playing at White on October 1 and DMX on October 8 (Ruff Ryders!).

White Dubai, Meydan Racecourse Grandstand Rooftop. 11pm to 3am (Eva will come on stage after 1am), entry free. More info on Facebook.

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Images: Supplied.