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.

ENTERTAINMENT

Check out the latest movie trailers and cinema listings of films being release in Dubai this weekend. Click here.

BLENDED
Put blues, jazz, soul and folk into a food processor, flick the switch and you get Blended, a new music festival coming to the UAE in May. The two-day event opens on May 1 with Xavier Rudd, Aloe Blacc and Joss Stone, followed on May 2 by solo stars – and husband and wife – Elvis Costello and Diana Krall. You can read an interview with star turn Aloe Blacc right here.

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, Thur 6pm, Fri 4pm, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 4390900. Metro: Nakheel. blended.ae

ARDAL O’HANLON
He is best known for his role in Father Ted, and now Ardal O’Hanlon is bringing his stand-up comedy show to Dubai this weekend. We caught up with the Irish funny man ahead of the show, and you can read the interview right here.

Almas Tower, opposite McGettigan’s, JLT, Dubai, May 2, 8pm, Dhs125. Tel: (04) 3560560. Metro: JLT. mcgettigansdubai.com

PARTY BRUNCH
Following the rip-roaring success in April, the Love Brunch returns on Friday May 2 to Story Rooftop, Knowledge Village. Presented by Eats Retro, ‘Love Brunch’ runs from 6pm to 9pm and is priced at just Dhs700 for two people, which includes a table, bottle, mixers and unlimited food. DJs Mark Pickup and Benni T  will keep your toe tapping with their brilliant Deep House & Garage. Once the food is finished it becomes a party, no need to move on anywhere else. Don’t ruin that lie in on a Friday morning to get up for brunch, take your time, relax, go the pool and then go party at 6pm.

Story Rooftop Lounge, behind Zayed University, Knowledge Village, Friday May 2. Metro: Dubai Internet City. Tel: (04) 4573121.

JEFF DUNHAM
If you thought the glory days of ventriloquism ended when Keith Harris and Orville the Duck left our television screens back in 1990, you clearly haven’t been introduced to Jeff Dunham. The U.S. comedy star has taken audiences by storm with his army of puppets – from grumpy old man Walter, to Jose the talking jalapeno pepper, to his most controversial sidekick, Achmed the Dead Terrorist. Achmed is the puppet behind the catchphrase that spawned a million mobile phone ringtones: “Silence! I Kill you!” Dunham – who is said to be the top-grossing stand-up act in North America – is bringing his motley crew of characters to Abu Dhabi’s du Forum on May 1 and 2. We profiled the puppets here.

du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, May 1 and 2, 7.30pm, from Dhs295. Tel: (02) 5098143. Taxi: du Forum. ticketmaster.ae

BLUE MARLIN BIRTHDAY BASH
If anyone knows how to do a beach bar it’s Ibiza, so no wonder this Spanish glam magnet made a happy transition to the UAE. A 25-minute drive south of Dubai, this is somewhere to make a day of it with drinks and tunes from Ibiza pedigree DJs. And this weekend it celebrates its second birthday with what promises to be the biggest and best party yet, featuring Richy Ahmed and the Martinez Brothers. We spoke to Richy Ahmed this week ahead of his show. You can read the interview here.

Off Sheikh Zayed Rd, Ghantoot Exit 399, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotels and Resort. Tel: (05) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Exit 399. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com

CELEBRATE MAIFEST
German concept bar Hofbrauhaus at JW Marriott Hotel Dubai will celebrate the arrival of spring throughout the month May, offering traditional food and brews daily with live entertainment from Monday to Saturday, by German band ‘Duo Emotion’, 9pm onwards. Savour a variety of authentic food prepared by our Bavarian chefs, including minced beef and cabbage roulade with tomato sauce, braised lamb shank with rosemary glaze and Rindergoulash with mushrooms, while the brews flow. The freshly baked breads and famous homemade pretzels will complement the gourmet feast.

A traditional Bavarian buffet will be served every Thursday and Friday from 7pm to 11.30pm, priced at Dhs250 for soft beverages package and Dhs350 for house beverages package.

JW Marriott Hotel, Al Siddique Road. Tel: (04) 607 7977. Metro: Al Siddique. marriottdiningatjw.ae

HARRY POTTER THEATRESPORTS

The Courtyard Playhouse will be transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this weekend, and invites the whole family to enjoy Harry Potter Theatresports. UAE-based actors will be selected for their house teams by magical sorting hat; Patronus charms will be cast, Quiddich will be played and Ron and Hermione will improvise a love duet right in front of your eyes. Entrance fee is Dhs 90 AED for Muggles (non magical people) and Dhs 45 for wizards and witches! To be collected at the door.

The Courtyard Playhouse, The Courtyard, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. Tel: (05) 09861761. Taxi: The Courtyard. courtyardplayhouse.com

RIPE MARKET
With the weather cranking up a notch, Ripe Market has moved inside to the Courtyard, round the back of Time Square Mall, Al Quoz. Running every Friday 9am to 2pm, this booming weekly market has quickly devleoped a loyal following. Cooking demos, live music and kids’ entertainment in addition to fresh produce, so make a day of it. Ripe has plenty of food stalls where you can grab a snack or a coffee as you browse the fresh produce and arts and crafts.

AUDIOTONIC BIRTHDAY BASH
Despite the odd grey hair, promoter, DJ and label boss Mike Bufton is feeling great after eight years at the helm of his Audio Tonic club nights. As Mike and his crew prepare to welcome Visionquest’s Lee Curtiss to the club’s eighth birthday celebrations, on Friday May 2, he admits that he’s never faced such aggressive competition as over the past six months. Catch the whole interview here, as well as details about the big party.

360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, Friday May 2, 4pm to 3am, free guestlist entry before 8pm. Taxi: Jumeriah Beach Hotel. audiotonic.net

STOMP
Dustbins, broomsticks and oil drums sounds like the contents of the stock room at Ace Hardware. But put them in the hands of a cast of dancers and drummers and you get Stomp, the international theatre hit. One of the cast, Michael R Landis, explained why it’s not a good show to be in if you’ve got a headache. You can read the interview and find out more about show right here.

World Trade Centre, Dubai. 3pm, 4.30pm, 7pm and 8pm, Dhs195. Tel: (050) 9652424. Metro: World Trade Centre. m4events.com

GO HAWAIIAN
I – Chill Beach Lounge, the newly introduced and renovated beach lounge at Rixos The Palm will host an Hawaiian themed BBQ on Saturday with live entertainment of three Hawaiian dancers and a Columbian band, between 1pm to 4pm. Prices start at Dhs160 and comes with a mojito pitcher.

Rixos The Palm, Dubai. Tel: 04 457 5555. Taxi: Rixos, The Palm. rixos.com/en/rixos-the-palm-dubai-hotel

FINATHON
Divers Down Dubai, based at RIVA Beach Club, have arranged swimming challenges, activities, raffles and shark conservation information stands for both kids and athletes, as part of a Project AWARE’s Finathon. First launched in 2013, it is a global initiative to raise awareness about the vital role sharks play in the ocean’s eco-system.

“Here at Divers Down we place great emphasis on protecting the aquatic world in which we are lucky enough to dive in,” said Stuart Martin, General Manager of Divers Down Dubai. “Sharks are just one of the many species that need our help to secure their protection for future generations.”

Ania Budziak, Project AWARE’s, Associate Director of Science and Policy added: “Project AWARE has recently helped close loopholes in the EU finning ban and secure international trade protections for eight of the world’s most vulnerable sharks and rays, but to ensure the survival of sharks, stricter, enforceable controls are needed for more species at national, regional and global levels. It’s the healthy shark and ray populations that support tourism, which in some coastal communities, territories and states around the world, underpins entire economies.  Action is key, not only to keeping shark populations healthy, but also to long-term economic benefits that are not yet fully realized.”

RIVA Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Saturday May 3, from 7am to 2pm. Tel: 04 422 8346 projectaware.org

ENJOY ATLANTIS
Starting from Thursday May 1 and running throughout summer, Atlantis are offering guests to the Aquaventure Waterpark a free lunch (combo meal deal (drink and meal) redeemable at any of the four restaurants in park) and free admission to beautiful underwater exhibits in The Lost Chambers Aquarium. The package costs Dhs250 for adults and Dhs205 for children.

Aquaventure Waterpark, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. Tel: (04) 426 0000. atlantisthepalm.com

BOAT PARTY
UK club promoters Posh Funk are coming to Dubai, returning for the first time since 2012. An event planned for March this year had to be postponed, but on Friday clubbers will have the chance to take to the high seas and party onboard the Monalisa Super Yacht. There’ll be four hours of house, garage and R&B, courtesy of Masterstepz, Benni T, James O’Hara and Nappa. Ticket price includes food and beverages.

Monalisa Super Yacht, Dock D13, Behind Lotus Apartments, Dubai Marina West Bay, Friday, 12.30pm to 5pm, Dhs395, Dhs295 for ladies, Dhs235 for cabin crew. Taxi: Dubai Marina West Bay. Tel: (056) 6944538.

PEOPLE POWER
Since opening in Dubai in 2010, People By Crystal has won lots of awards. Now the club is branching out with another luxurious venue on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. People Abu Dhabi can hold 600 clubbers and the walls and ceiling are covered with high-tech LED screens, which the club boasts will make the place completely interactive. DJ Joey, People’s resident DJ, will be behind the decks on opening night, playing house and R&B tunes.

St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, Friday, 10pm to 3am, free entry. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Tel: (050) 6109209. facebook.com/PeoplebyCrystalAbuDhabi

BUBBLES LOUNGE BAR
Novotel in Barsha invites the ladies to Bubbles Lounge Bar for a new Thursday night party aimed at the fairer sex. The chic lounge bar serving French bistro-style delicacies, signature cocktails and mocktails are giving away selected free drinks between 9pm t0 11pm, with live music and DJ performances.

Novotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, Mon to Sat 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 3049000. Metro: Sharaf DG.

PLUS MINUS SESSIONS WITH AME
Deep house is nothing new, but it sure is the genre everyone wants to be a part of in 2014. Whilst much of the stuff being called deep – from Duke Dumont’s chart toppers to Bondax’s bulbous beats – isn’t at all, one duo that’s had a career-long affinity with warm, human house sounds are Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann. Though the pair themselves won’t be drawn on specifics – “I just tend to say I play house music,” offers Kristian. “No comments on stupid phrases like ‘deep’ or whatever” – it’s fair to say that while the German duo has been recording as Âme (French for ‘soul’, it’s pronounced Arm, not Armay, despite what people say) both as a live act and studio duo for over a decade now, never have they served up anything less than sumptuously soulful and pleasingly grown up music that makes you feel as much as dance. This weekend they play at Nasimi Beach, on Friday for the latest Plus Minus Sessions.

Plus Minus Sessions, Nasimi Beach, Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah. Friday, 2pm to 3am, Ladies free and gents Dhs100 before 7pm. Dhs150 after 7pm. Taxi: Atlantis. platinumlist.net

JAZZ@PIZZAEXPRESS
One of Dubai’s big success stories of the past year has launched their Friday brunch in JLT, Cluster A. A jam-packed afternoon of delicious Italian food, beverages and live music, the brunch is being hailed as one of the best value afternoons in town. Guest can choose from three packages for the 12pm to 4pm session, starting at Dhs99 for unlimited food and soft drinks up to Dhs159 including house beverages.

Cluster A, JLT, Dubai. Tel: (04) 441 6342. Metro: JLT. Taxi: Cluster A. pizzaexpressuae.com

GARY RHODES
Award-winning chef Gary Rhodes has launches his light summer menu, starting in May, at Rhodes Twenty10, which includes Heirloom Tomato Salad, Warm Smoked Salmon and Green Pea Gazpacho Cream, Potted Chicken Liver Parfait with grape chutney, toasted brioche, raison and fig breads, and Grilled Mushroom Sticks on garlic crushed tomato and parsley toasts. Sticky Lavender Honey Roast Chicken Breast, as well as the Pan-Fried Cod with carrots, fennel, tomatoes, orange and gremolata butter sauce are both brand new to the restaurant. The Raspberry Cream Tartlet and new Rhubarb And Custard Cheesecake round things off nicely.

Rhodes Twenty10 is open from 7pm until midnight, 7 days a week. For restaurant reservations please call: 04 316 5550. For further information please visit: http://www.rhodestwenty10.com

ARCADIA CHEESE AND WINE
Welcome in the weekend at the Arcadia Cheese and Wine night, by indulging in a large selection of cheese from around the world, including a sumptuous cheese fondue, freshly baked breads and a rich selection of chutneys, fruit and tapenades. To compliment the flavours, indulge in the wide variety of wine choices from around the world. Priced at just Dhs149 and running from 7pm to 10pm, it’s the perfect end to the working week.

The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 5018270. Metro: World Trade Centre.

BE HEALTHY
These days it’s almost impossible to pop out for dinner without hearing the word ‘intolerance’ uttered at the table. We’re here to help with a guide to gut-friendly eating. See the full list of restaurants right here, or have sneak peek at some of the places that will help kickstart that healthy summer.

Daintree
This meal plan delivery service offer six-day meal plans dropped off at your home or office. They’re gluten-, dairy- and egg-free – and they taste great. Highlights include portobello mushroom burgers and cauliflower crust pizzas. A one week introductory trial costs Dhs1,400 for three meals a day (plus snacks) for six days. A monthly plan is available for Dhs5,500.

Tel: (050) 5387133. facebook.com/daintreefood

Sweet Connection
A bakery that creates goodies not only for those who are gluten intolerant but tailor-made treats for those with allergies to specific ingredients. We can’t get enough of the Double Chocolate Biscotti.

 Mercato Mall, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, daily 10am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 8800656. Taxi: Mercato Mall. sweetconnectiondubai.com

Comptoir 102
This trendy café specialises in raw, vegan, gluten- and sugar-free options, using food that’s been prepped and cooked specifically for easier digestion.

102 Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, daily 8.30am to 6.30pm. Tel: (04) 3854555. Taxi: Near Beach Centre. comptoir102.com

LADIES BOXING CLASS
Remember Hilary Swank in the film Million Dollar Baby? That could be you (minus the tragic ending) with a little help from new ladies’ boxing classes in Media City. Pure Fitness has launched weekly, hour-long boxing sessions at James & Alex Dance Studios for Dhs50 a pop that are open to women of all fitness levels.

James & Alex Dance Studio, Media City, Dubai, Sun 8.30am, Dhs50. Tel: (050) 6594376. Metro: Nakheel. purefitnessuae.com

FREEBIES AT TIPS AND TOES
During May the good folk at Tips And Toes are giving away a free spa treatment, including a Moroccan bath, scrub or body wrap, when you purchase any two treatments. The offer is available at all of the 17 branches across the UAE.

Amwaj 4, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, daily 9am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 4293477. Taxi: Amwaj. tipsandtoes.com

COMPLIMENTARY TREATMENTS
Don’t miss an opportunity to hit the sand because of a less-than-perfect pedi. Perfectly polished nails are essential and there’s a good deal at N.Bar this month. The Ibn Battuta branch is offering a complimentary Baby Soft treatment with every Shellac or Gelish mani/pedi throughout May. The cream contains cucumber extract and avocado oil for a moisturising boost to tackle dry,  cracked skin.

N.Bar, Ibn Battuta Mall, Ibn Battuta, Dubai, daily 9am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3669828. Metro: Ibn Battuta.  facebook.com/NBarDubai