Things to do in Dubai this weekend

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.

IS THIS THE BEST VIEW IN DUBAI?
This stunning scene is what awaits you at Mosaic pool bar at the newly opened Sofitel Downtown, so head down this weekend and judge for yourself. A smarter cocktail bar, Above, opens right next to it in the same hotel in late June.

Mosaic Pool Bar, Sofitel Downtown, Downtown Dubai, daily 8am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 5036666. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. sofitel.com

HEAD TO YAS… FOR FREE
Listen up waterpark fans – here’s a great deal. If you take a taxi to Yas Waterworld in a group of four, present yor cab receipt and they’ll pick up the fare (up to the value of Dhs250). Pay for park entry and go nuts on 45 rides and slides.

 Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 7pm, Dhs240. Tel: (02) 4142000. Taxi: Yas Island. yaswaterworld.com

BOUNCE!
The best thing about Bounce, is it makes even the wimpy kids seems totally cool. It wasn’t even a case of taking it slow at first. From the minute we stood at the door to the giant free-jumping space, the shackles off, our heart-rate was up and the big kid in us was bursting to get out. Yours will be too. Located opposite Lime Tree Café in the heart of Al Quoz, Bounce is a 25,000 square feet fun factory housing more than 80 trampolines, a performance area, running walls, basketball hoops, a dodgeball court and a giant airbag for the adventurous among you to practice an ever-expanding repertoire of tricks. It will have you bouncing off the walls. Literally. Find out more here.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
Anyone who has watched or – heaven forbid – performed in student drama will know things can go brilliantly wrong. One member of What’s On once had to leave the stage in fits of giggles during an open-air production of Troilus And Cressida, when rain prevented the cast using weapons and the sack of Troy was reduced to a grappling match. The Play That Goes Wrong makes a virtue of such mishaps, and sees the fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society staging a 1920s whodunit, to calamitous effect. Doors won’t open, props vanish, sets collapse and dead bodies refuse to die. Performed here by London-based Mischief Theatre Company, the play-within-a-play has echoes of Michael Frayn’s classic Noises Off, and was a hit last year in the West End and Edinburgh Festival. Getting it wrong is not as easy as it looks.

June 5 to 7
Madinat Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Thur 9am and 8pm, Fri 4pm and 8pm, Sat 3.30pm and 7.30pm, Dhs160. Tel: (050) 8805074. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. madinattheatre.com

BIG MAGGIE
When John B Keane wrote Big Maggie in 1969, he created one of the most powerful female characters in Irish drama. Upsetting romantic notions of the loving Irish mother, recently widowed Maggie is hell bent on grabbing every scrap of inheritance and leaving her children out to dry. Described as Ireland’s answer to Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, Maggie is manipulative and cruel, using her husband’s death to her own advantage. Seizing control of the family farm, she seems to take pleasure in tyrannising her family, and dispatching suitors and rivals alike. “A dab hand at breaking spirits”, Maggie tries to dull her children to life’s miseries, blaming “pride, ignorance and religion” on her own cynicism. You’ll never moan at your own mother again. Local theatre group Danú stage the play following their stunning production of Dancing Of Lughnasa in January.

June 4 to 7
Kilachand Theatre, Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates, daily 7.30pm, Tue and Wed matinée 2.30pm, Dhs80. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org

DECKED OUT
Sea-faring clubbers ahoy! The Never Get Out The Boat Season 6 Closing Party is held this Friday, pushed back a week from the end of May. So if you hadn’t sorted free guestlist for yourself there’s still time. But best be quick as each party this season has been rammed. At the helm is party captain Matthew Charles, who is joined behind the decks by Jixo & Danz and Sam Farsio. To bag your spot on deck just email your name, email address and mobile number to info@wearedumm.com. Lucky shipmates will receive confirmation.

Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Jebel Ali, Dubai, Friday, 1pm to 6pm, guestlist only. Taxi to Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa. facebook.com/wearedumm

MINISTRY OF SOUND SESSIONS WITH DRINKY
A regular at Bliss, Cassland and Playboy Energy Drink parties, Drinky comes to Boutiq Ultra Lounge on Thursday night from 10pm. Danny Howard will also be playing and all the ladies think he’s ‘fit’, apparently. It’s free but you need to be on the guestlist, so call (052) 6801855 for the all-important list action. So if you’d like to see more MOS Club Sessions in the region, then do the right thing and show support.

Boutiq Ultra Lounge, The Address Downtown, Dubai Mall, Dubai. Thursday. Free (guestlist). Metro: Dubai Mall. boutiq.ae

DJ CLAUDE CHALLE
Buddha-Bar will host legendary French celebrity DJ Claude Challe on Friday night from 8pm. He is the creator of the renowned Buddha-Bar music compilations and will be joining resident DJ Dimi.el on the decks for one night only.

Buddha Bar, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Tel: (o4) 399 8888. Taxi: Grosvenor House. Metro: Dubai Marina buddhabar.com

JAMIE JONES AT BLUE MARLIN
Jamie Jones is more than just another DJ and producer. Rather he is the king of his own empire, has legions of adoring fans all over the world, and can truly claim to have dictated the direction of house music over the last few years. You can read a full interview with him here.

Blue Marlin, Ghantoot Al Jazira Island Hotel, Dubai. Friday, 1pm to 11pm. Get on the free guestlist by calling (056) 1133400 quick smart. Taxi: Ghantoot Al Jazira. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com

ULTRA EUROPE PRE PARTY
Dutch brothers Sjoerd and Wouter Jansenn are better known amongst the EDM community as Showtek. Their hard style tunes are not for the faint-hearted. You have been warned. Speaking to our friends at Hype this week, they said: “A big crowd is often hard to read, but once you can, they all go crazy. Smaller venues are a bit cooler though because you can jump into the crowd, clap their hands, make it really crazy. We understand everyone wants to play the biggest tracks, but there are so many talented producers, and people don’t want to hear hits all the time. We really don’t play mainstream tracks.”

Ultra Europe Pre Party with Showtek Live, Zero Gravity, Skydive Dubai. Friday, 2pm to 3am, Dhs150. Taxi: Skydive Dubai. Metro: Dubai Marina. 

WEIGH TO GO
Something Big ends its Dubai season with a weighty guest in dubstep driving force Tunnidge. Speaking to our friends at Hype this week, he said: “Music production is something that’s very instinctive for me. I always listened to dance music, so found the process of production and structuring very intuitive. I suppose years of going to raves helped me gain a sense of what works on a dancefloor. I think dubstep as a genre still has so much to offer. The media attention and money have kind of stifled the creativity that was about a few years ago, but like all art forms the pendulum will swing back. I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

Something Big Dubai Presents Tunnidge, Catwalk Club, Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai. Thursday, 10pm to 3am. Dhs50 before 11pm. Metro: Sharaf DG

LIVE BAND AT SPIN DUBAI
Hear live funk, reggae, top 40 hits and classics from new resident band AudioVent at Spin Dubai, the posh ping pong lounge slash nightclub. Grab a bat, bash a ping pong ball and shake your tail feather.

SPiN Dubai, First Floor, Wafi Pyramids, Dubai, Sat to Wed 9pm to 1am. Tel: (04) 3707707. Taxi: Wafi Pyramids. spindubai.com

INTERNATIONAL STAR AT HOUSE OF AFRIKA
Osunlade will be in charge of the tunes at House Of Afrika on June 6. Back in the late ‘80s, Osunlade was composing music for Sesame Street. These days the St Louis-born producer concentrates on edgier stuff. He has worked with the likes of jazz-funk icon Roy Ayers, while his own material is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Yoruba people of West Africa. Big Bird’s loss is Dubai’s gain.

June 6
Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai, 4pm to 3am, free. Tel: (04) 4271000. Metro: Nakheel. mediaonehotel.com

ADVENTURE HQ
When the thermometer starts heading towards 50°C this summer, only the really brave (and stupid) will exercise outdoors. If you’re looking for some variety to spice up your indoor gym fitness regime, head to Dalma Mall where outdoor specialists Adventure HQ have opened a new store. Adventure Zone is a 20,000sqft indoor park and is the largest in the UAE. Inside you’ll find the largest skate park in the region, am 88m long pump track for BMX, scooter and skateboard fans, the UAE’s first trampoline park, plus a 3.5m high climbing wall.

Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur and Fri 10am to midnight, Dhs50 for 30 minutes. Tel: (02) 4458903. Taxi: Dalma Mall. adventurehq.ae

ART: SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH
With a name like that it won’t come as a surprise to learn that this show is served up with a large dollop of the surreal. Showcasing the work of four artists – Adam Dix, Taus Makhacheva, Tala Madari and Basim Magdy – it’s a multimedia affair, combining animation, painting, photography and video. The title? It’s the message left by the dolphins before they left Earth in the fourth instalment of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. Like we said: surreal.

Lawrie Shabibi Gallery, Unit 21 Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, free. June 2 to July 17. Tel: (04) 3469906. Taxi: 17th Street and 8th Street. lawrieshabibi.com

DUBAI FLEA MARKET
Witgh the temperature now cranked up, the chaotic Dubai Flea Market is moving away from its usual morning slot to an evening one, though still at Safa Park. Situated between Gate 4 and 5, it will run from 7pm to 11pm selling all sorts of trinkets, second0-hand goodies and crafts.

WATCH XMEN IN 4DX
Picture this: on screen, an aerial shot of a half-razed New York City is enhanced in the auditorium by the feeling of floating, wind whipping against the audience face. Then rain. Spritz of water put viewers in the heart of the fog and damp cloud before Storm, Professor X and Co whizz into view. Battle is about to commence, the chair rocks, the gust of wind gets harsher, and our first casualty, Wolverine, falls to the ground with a thump felt by a slight tug on the back of the chair. Senses are heightened and tested; pain is felt, the hardship, the frustration of the fight. But victory is at hand, not just for the stars of the screen, but for the audience throughout. Here it goes, here it goes…. some could even be heard exhaling in relief. The audience have lived every bit of the battle with Magneto. READ THE REST OF OUR REVIEW OF THE 4DX EXPERIENCE HERE.

A standard ticket in 2D costs Dhs35, standard seat in 3D costs Dhs47, 4DX costs Dhs125. 4DX is available at Mirdif City Centre and Deira City Centre. To book your tickets and for more information visit voxcinemas.com

MEET DUBAIDINO
The 155 million year-old dinosaur fossil standing proud in Dubai Mall has been named. After a three month social media campaign received more than 8,000 entries, officials have decided the Diplodocus longus fossil will now be known as ‘DubaiDino’. Coming in at a whopping 24.4 meters in length, and 7.6 meters in height, the sauropod fossil is the first upright-standing skeleton to comprise of actual bone, with 90 per cent of its original bone intact. The free-to-enter naming competition was won by self-proclaimed dinosaur enthusiast Johara Al Bayedh, an Emirates NBD bank manager and Saudi national.

WATCH A TRIATHLON
Kite Beach will host the Junior Tri from 7am on June 7, featuring swimming, running, biking and lots more fun for the whole family. There are trophies to be won and goody bags for all participants. For more information, call 055 5278931. Check out the video from last week’s Paddle For The Planet event at the same spot.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE
United Arabian Ultimate, the UAE’s Ultimate Frisbee association, are hosting the UAE’s first youth tournament on Friday June 6. Four teams of students will compete in the country’s first Ultimate Frisbee tournament especially for youth, run by former World Bronze Medallist Amie Channon. This is the first of what will become a regular series of tournaments in UAE schools and is part of the United Arabian Ultimate’s community outreach campaign. The move comes ahead of Dubai hosting the World Championship BEach Ultimate in March next year.

Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, Jumeirah English Speaking School in Arabian Ranches, Friday June 6 9am to 3pm.  facebook.com/UnitedArabianUltimate

EATS

SPICE FESTIVAL
During the first week of June, Junsui restaurant at the Burj Al Arab will host the flavourful Korean Spice Festival at breakfast (Dhs325), lunch (Dhs460) and dinner (Dhs530). After a Korean welcome drink, wander 12 cooking stations operated by 45 chefs, and dive into authentic dishes.

Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 7am to 11.30am, 12.30 to 3.30pm, 6pm to 11.30am. Tel: (04) 3017600. Taxi: Burj Al Arab. jumeirah.com

POP-UP BAR AT RUTH’S CHRIS
To celebrate the final weeks of outdoor living, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is hosting a pop-up bar that’s running until Ramadan. Pay Dhs200 per person and get unlimited wine, sparkly and a selection of meats and cheeses. The backdrop of Dubai Marina is free.

The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, Sat, Sun and Mon 6pm to 10pm. Tel: (04) 4549538. Metro: Dubai Marina. ruthschris.ae

CARGO TAPAS OFFER
A new night at the cool Dubai Marina bar, Cargo, has launched. Every Saturday you can create your own platter of four appetisers for Dhs99 and get drink deals alongside such as buckets of five beers for Dhs140 or a Bloody Mary for Dhs35. The resident DJ plays easygoing jazz and soul as the sun goes down.

Pier 7, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 4pm to 8pm. Tel: (04) 3618129. Metro: Dubai Marina. cargo-dubai.com

A SEAFOOD STORY
Executive Chef Mark Molnar for the award-winning Karma Kafe takes us back to his time in Tokyo, at the world famous ‘Tskuji’ seafood market, with this five-course seafood tasting menu, which includes delicacies such as seafood platter, Robata grilled ‘toro’ Bluefin tuna belly and roasted lobster with chilli ponzu butter. This delightful dinner is priced at Dhs495 per person (minimum 2 persons), providing you arrive 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Karma Kafe, Souk al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, Dubai. Tel: 04 423 0909. karma-kafe.com 

LAO
Dim sum are so small – and so quick to vanish from the plate – that it’s easy to assume they’re a doddle to prepare. Not so at new restaurant Lao, where each dainty, hand-made lobster rice roll contains a remarkable 16 ingredients. The flavour-packed rolls are the highlight of the dim sum menu at the attractive venue, closely followed by the baked Shanghainese pastries. Slivers of foie gras hidden inside buttery pastry, these morsels are like grown-up versions of the mini sausage rolls you couldn’t get enough of at childhood parties.

Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 7pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (04) 8182222. Taxi: Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah. waldorfastoria.com/dubai

WEST 14 BRUNCH
The Butcher’s Brunch at the popular steakhouse is all about having a long, laidback lunch with fab views of the city across the infinity pool. Tuck into the surf and turf. Expect an array of individual and sharing starters, followed by your choice of one main course and one dessert. The wagyu beef tartare and a pot of melting oxtail with toast soldiers for dipping were delicious. The New York-style baked cheesecake is a hit.

Oceana Beach Club, the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Fri and Sat, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with wine and spirits. Tel: (04) 4477601. Taxi: Oceana Beach Club. west14th.ae

EAT GREEK
With its faded blues and beiges, artfully distressed shutters and miniature olive trees, the décor of this casual Greek restaurant on The Beach in JBR has taken a stab at recreating those sleepy tavernas you find on little islands in Greece. There’s an air of a relaxed beach shack, especially in the outdoor decking area that was packed out with groups, families and couples tucking into food; several people were turned away because there were no free tables.

The Beach, JBR, Dubai, daily noon until midnight. Tel: (04) 4305249. Metro: Jumeirah Lake Towers. eatgreekkouzina.com

S’WICH
When a chef is asked what they like to eat at home, their answer is usually something simple: a bowl of cereal or a cheese sandwich. It seems Izu Ani, one of the foremost in his field in this region, is no different. He likes shawarmas so much he’s chosen to be the consultant behind S’wich, a shop in the Marina serving posh versions of the popular street food. The cute packaging says they’re bringing shawarmas into the 21st century. Ingredients come from local and organic suppliers; the bread is freshly baked; the meat is hormone free and there’s a strong emphasis on health – the beef is grass-fed and roasted, for example. There are 18 toppings and 20 sauces, meaning the combinations are almost endless.

Marina View Towers, Dubai Marina, daily 11am to 11pm. Tel: (800) 79424. Taxi: Behind Radisson Blu. myswich.com

LOOK AFTER YOU

BE POSITIVE
This sparkling two-storey, The Change Initiative, emporium is devoted to everything that’s eco-friendly. There are shelves of food, from pasta sauces to fresh bread to baby food. An ice cream parlour is attached to the chilled out café, which is a good spot to tap out some work on your laptop or meet with friends. There’s furniture, clothing for adults and children, toys. We liked the luggage made from recycled plastic bottles and the drinking glasses created from old bottles are fantastic. Don’t miss the collapsible sofa made from paper, the clocks on the wall going up the staircase, or the giant art piece of Gandhi that has a lovely anecdote alongside it.

 Al Barsha, Dubai, Sun to Thur 8am to 9pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 10pm. Tel: (800) 824. Taxi: Next to Al Zahra Hospital

SIGN UP FOR REEBOK RUNNING CLUB DISCOUNT
Sign up for the Reebok Run Club’s 2014/15 season now and you’ll get ten per cent off your training programme.  The group aims to help people of all ages and abilities accomplish their fitness goals, whether it’s completing a 5k for the first time, or running a full marathon. The Reebok Run Club has meeting points in Al Barsha, Arabian Ranches, Safa Park, Marina Mall, and The Palm. You can take part on a pay-as-you-go basis or opt for a three, five, or eight-month package, which includes strength training classes, monthly breakfast meetings, a pasta night prior to each race and a Reebok goodie bag worth Dhs500. Packages start at Dhs1,400 for a three-month 5k or 10k running programme. To get your ten per cent discount, book before June 15.

urbanenergyfitness.com

ADOPT A CAT
Do you need a furry friend in your life? You have not one, but two chances to adopt a fluffy companion this weekend courtesy of Rosso Carota Rescues Cats on Friday and Feline Friends on Saturday. Pop along and give a cat or kitten their forever home.

Zabeel Veterinary Hospital, Zabeel 2, Dubai, Fri 6th June 3pm to 6pm. facebook.com/rossocaritarescuescats
The Veterinary Hospital, Street eight, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, Sat 7th June. facebook.com/felinefriendsdxb

NEW SPA
One of many happy side effects of the string of new hotels opening their doors in Dubai are the shiny new spas cropping up right alongside. The latest pampering palace to arrive in the city is the Anantara Spa on the Palm Jumeirah – an Asian-inspired oasis at the new hotel on the East Crescent. Among the intriguing-sounding features on offer are a liquid sound pool, a salt inhalation room, and a crystal and gemstone steam room. Anantara also has a dedicated hair salon and nail bar, gym and yoga studio.

Anantara Hotel, East Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 10am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 5678140. Taxi: Anantara. anantara.com

GET LUSCIOUS LASHES
Ladies with brows in need of some TLC can now head to the new branch of Sisters Beauty Lounge, which opened recently at the St Regis Abu Dhabi. The lounge has launched a new product, called Russian Feathering, which is a multi-lash technique that boosts eyebrow volume without making your peepers feel like they’ve got dead weights attached to them. Sisters is the first lounge to bring the treatment to the UAE.

Sisters Lounge, St Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 10pm, Dhs750. Tel: (02) 6210044. Taxi: St Regis Nation Towers. sistersbeautylounge.com