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.

NEW – Shadowlands
The Summer Season kicks off with an award-winning show demonstrating the power and artistry of one of the oldest art forms known to man. There are no special effects or CGI in Shadowland. There’s no post-production. One of the first shapes we made was a dog. When you see a human being turned into a dog in front of your very eyes, you are witnessing the magic of transformation. It’s my favourite shadow and is the most magical moment in the whole show.

Shadowland By Pilobolus, Adnec, Abu Dhabi, Dhs150. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Adnec. tixbox.com

NEW – Real life Angry Birds
If you’ve spent hours (or, more likely, weeks) of your life playing Angry Birds you’ll know how addictive it is. But have you ever wanted to be the bird? Well, now you can at a new attraction in Dubai. Kids and adults can strap themselves into a sling, soar through the air on a zip wire and smash into a foam structure at the world’s first Angry Birds Universe exhibition at Modhesh World.

Part of the Summer Surprises festival, you can delve into the art behind the world’s most downloaded app. There’s an educational element to the exhibition with games encouraging learning in science, art, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You can even find out about real life angry birds including cardinals and penguins.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Sat to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur 10am to midnight, Fri 3pm to midnight, Dhs50. Tel: (600) 555559. Metro: World Trade Centre. modheshworld.com

Go Bowling
On the edge of Al Quoz, you’ll recognise the Dubai Bowling Centre by the giant blue orbs. There’s no other way to describe it. It’s one of the biggest in the land, with 16 lanes and plenty of serious strike-seekers, with tournaments, leagues and competitions running regularly. Rates vary from Dhs17 per game per person (Sun to Wed 10am to 6pm) to Dhs30 on weekend evenings, with lane hire costing between Dhs90 and Dhs135 per hour.

Al Quoz 1 (other side of SZR to Safa Park), Dubai. Tel: (04) 3991010. bowlingdubai.com

TO FIND OUT ABOUT MORE BOWLING ALLEYS IN DUBAI AND THE UAE, CLICK HERE

NEW – Auction House Dubai
If you’re rapidly running out of storage space, brand new service The Auction House Dubai could come in handy. It auctions off pre-owned household items every Friday and Saturday at Al Quoz HQ, holding one sale at 9am for goods valued under Dhs1,000 – anything from kitchen appliances to second-hand bookshelves – and a second at 2.30pm for goods over Dhs1,000 – think sofas and widescreen TVs. If you have something to sell, you can contact the Auction House for a free appraisal, and subject to agreement the team will collect your lots to bring to Al Quoz to go under the hammer – ideal for any non-drivers out there.

4th Street, Industrial Area 4, Al Quoz, Dubai, Fri and Sat from 8am. Tel: (800) 8243. Taxi: RnK Interiors, Al Quoz. theauctionhousedubai.com

ART – Close Encounters (last chance)
Rather like the director’s cut of a Hollywood film, Carbon 12 is using the long, hot summer to present a new ‘edit’ of its recent programme. This show of photography, sculpture, painting and video art includes previously unseen works and little-exhibited pieces from the gallery’s recent shows and regular roster of artists. Gil Heitor Cortesao will be alongside the likes of Katherine Bernhardt and Philip Mueller.

Until August 8
Carbon 12 Gallery, Warehouse D37, Street 8, Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3406016. carbon12dubai.com

NEW – Lulu Guinness
Iconic British designer Lulu Guinness has opened her first first in the Middle East, at Souk Madinat. The boutique outlet is spread over 280 square feet and will house the AW14 collection which has been launched as part of the brand’s 25th anniversary in October. Described as a ‘distinctively British style’, the shop will stock the signature lip-shaped handbags, as well as other accessories and renowned Doll Face range.

LOOK AFTER YOU

BMX Lessons (last chance)
Beginners and intermediates can pick up new skateboard and BMX tricks or fine-tune old ones at Camp Rage, at Dubai Sports World. Daily lessons are held at the park throughout the week and weekend, taught by professionals from the UK and Germany.

Dubai Sports World, World Trade Centre, Dubai. Tel: (052) 9965527. Metro: World Trade Centre. rage-shop.com

NEW – Swimtime
We’re well into swimwear season, but if you find yourself left on dry land while your friends and family frolic in the water, there might be hope for you yet. Swimtime is a new indoor swimming centre dedicated to helping those who want to learn how to swim regardless of age or ability. Aside from lessons, parent and baby classes and water aerobics programmes, Swimtime also has full access for people with disabilities.

Swimtime Centre, Al Quoz, Dubai, daily 8am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 3211848. Taxi: Near Lime Tree Café. aiss.ae

NEW – 4D Pro ReAction Training
4D PRO ReAction Training is a strength workout that straps you into harnesses and bungee cords suspended from the ceiling. It was designed by a German scientist and has arrived in the Middle East at the GFX exercise studio. At several points in the 30-minute class, which burns 300 calories and costs Dhs65, we had to unclick buckles and adjust straps to do the next exercise, which slowed down the pace a little and made us feel like we were mountaineering. But afterwards our core and arms felt tight as a drum and the giggles coming from class-goers should tell you this class is elastic fantastic. To find out more, click here.

Bay Avenue, Executive Towers, Business Bay, Dubai, Sun and Wed 10.30am to 11am, 11am to 11.30am, Dhs65. Tel: (04) 4255940. gfx.ae

OFFER – De La Mar day spa
Regular visitors to De la Mer Day Spa will be familiar with the plush 14,000 square feet garden, and now this hit spa is inviting you to make yourself at home and enjoy the facilities, including the gym and swimming pool, for just Dhs80 a day. Grab the girls, switch off your phone and relax.

Villa 783, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, Sat to Thur 9am to 9pm, Fri noon to 9pm, Dhs80. Tel: (04) 3282775. Taxi: Opposite Jumeirah Beach Hotel. delamerspa.com

OFFER – Retreat Spa
Take advantage of an indulgent self-pampering session with 40 per cent off. Retreat Spa are offering this generous discount on any 60-minute treatments taken this summer. The only condition is that your spa slot must be before 2pm.

Grosvenor House Hotel, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 9am to 2pm. Tel: (04) 3998888. Metro: Dubai Marina. grosvenorhouse-dubai.com

OFFER – Saray Spa
Saray Spa is offering half price 90-minute treatments in August.

JW Marriott Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Road

EATS

OFFER – Blue Jade Sushi
The excellent Blue Jade has launched a summer sushi deal, running every day until September 30. Get unlimited sushi rolls for Dhs100 or stump up Dhs180 and get handmade infused sake on the side. We reckon the crispy eel and salmon is one of the best rolls in town.

The Ritz-Carlton, JBR, Dubai, daily 5pm to 7pm. Tel: (04) 3186150. Taxi: Ritz JBR. ritz-carlton.com

NEW – SoHo Grill
The popular New York concept SoHo Grill launches its new flagship branch – set to become Dubai’s biggest smokehouse – on Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC. Meat, secret sauce and all the carbs you could eat. What’s not to love?

Al Kawakeb Buildings, Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC, 7am to 1am daily. Metro: DIFC. sohogrill.ae

NEW – The Pavilion
You can while away four hours at the new Bench Breakfast at The Pavilion. Every Saturday the café and terrace will be taken over by picnic tables loaded with cereals, yoghurt, cheese and pastries, plus hot dishes – it’s just Dhs99 per person.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Saturdays 10.30am to 2.30pm. Tel: (04) 4477025. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. pavilion.ae

NEW – Story Rooftop Lounge
Arty, urban hangout Story Rooftop Lounge has launched an eclectic variety of Peruvian street food dishes with an emphasis on passed-down recipes and age-long traditions. Think lightly marinated ceviche and spicy picante dishes where the focus is simple yet flavourful food.

Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, daily 5pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3659911. Taxi: Behind Zayed University. facebook.com/StoryDubai

OFFER – Spikes
Golf lovers can snap up a good deal at the InterContinental in Festival City this summer. Enjoy a two-course meal at the popuar Spikes bar and restaurant and get two house beverages after shaving off a few calories during a round on the golf course. The offer runs until September 30.

InterContinental, Dubai Festival City, Sun to Thur, Dhs299, Fri and Sat Dhs399. Tel: (04) 6010101. albadiagolfclub.ae

NEW – Masala Library
A mere mention of the word ‘curry’ is usually sufficient to capture the attention of team What’s On, but Dubai’s newest Indian restaurant is teasing us with all sorts of tasty-sounding concepts and molecular cooking. Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra opens this month at the Radisson Royal Hotel. An offshoot of the original, acclaimed Masala Library in Mumbai, the restaurant is also launching a tasting menu.

Radisson Royal, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3080000. Metro: World Trade Centre. facebook.com/masalalibrarybyjiggskalradubai

OFFER – Toko
Tuesday nights at Toko in the chic boutique Vida Downtown Hotel are now sushi and sake nights. Between 7pm and 9pm Dhs225 will get you an 18-piece sushi platter, hot and cold sake, and a selection of Japanese beer, whist and ale.

Vida Hotel, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Tue 7pm to 9pm, Dhs225. Tel: (04) 4428383. Taxi: Vida Downtown. toko-dubai.com 

NEW – Mint Leaf of London
If there was a prize for most stylish dining room in DIFC, Mint Leaf Of London would win. The bar area is a labyrinth of dimly lit nooks, while huge windows offer a Downtown backdrop. The food is lavish in the traditional Indian sense with status dishes such as the elegantly presented kadai spiced crispy soft shell crab or the tender methi malai – chicken thigh and fenugreek leaves cooked in fresh cream. Some may carp that the flavours are too mild, but head chef Vivek Kashiwale skews more towards the subtle end of the spectrum.

Emirates Financial Towers, South Tower, DIFC, daily noon to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 7060900. Metro: Financial Centre. mintleafgroup.com