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. Here’s our things to do in Dubai this weekend…
THURSDAY
BUDDHIST SOUND MEDITATION WITH WINNIE RODE
This new holistic treatment offers a unique form of healing with Buddhist yogi and philosopher Winnie Rode who embraces Tibetan singing bowls, brainwave-entrainment and meditation and is only available at Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah for a limited time.
Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3666818. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com
EXTREME SPORTS EXPO
An exhibition introducing local adrenaline junkies to the latest in adventure and extreme sporting activities and equipment arrives in Dubai, fittingly, at Skydive Dubai. It runs from Thursday to Saturday. Read more about the Expo right here.
Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 8.30am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 4549789. Taxi: Skydive Dubai. thespearoexpo.com
EAT ITALIAN NIBBLES
We call it a pre-dinner drink and nibbles. Italians, stylish folk that they are, call it aperitivo. You can experience this classic European ritual at Roberto’s. For every cocktail you order, you’ll get a small plate of Italian food such as bruschetta, mozzarella, or mini pizzas.
Gate Village 1, DIFC, Dubai, Sun to Thur 5pm to 8pm. Tel: (04) 3860066. Metro: Financial Centre. robertos.ae
CIELO SKYLOUNGE REOPENS
Osnabrück-born underground DJ Robin Schulz went overground in a big way with his 2013 remix of Waves by Dutch hip-hop artist Mr Probz. Establishing himself as the go-to man to give pop songs a house kick, Schulz’s recent reworking ofPrayer In C by Lilly Wood & the Prick also topped charts around the world. On Thursday, he headlines the opening party at outdoor venue Cielo Sky Lounge – his first set in the UAE, and one not to be missed.
Cielo Sky Lounge, The Dubai Creek Yacht Club, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4161800. Taxi: The Dubai Creek Yacht Club. cielodubai.com
SHOP TILL YOU BAG DROP
Australian handbag and accessories brand Colette By Colette Hayman has opened its first store in Dubai at City Centre Deira. It’s kicking off with its Autumn/Winter 14 collection featuring kitsch prints and statement accessories, which will inject some much-needed colour into your wardrobe.
City Centre Deira, Deira, Dubai, Sun to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur to Sat 10am to midnight. Tel: (04) 2384653. Metro: Deira City Centre. colettehayman.com
FRIDAY
SANDANCE RETURNS
We’ll be partying on the sand throughout Friday, and to whet your appetite, here are interviews with the stars of the show.
– Rudimental: We’re inspired by James Brown on stage
– Empire of the Sun: Our show is a feast for minds, ears and hearts
– Clean Bandit: Get ready for ‘Electronic Chamber Music’
KENNY GLASGOW AT BLUE MARLIN
Expect hordes of beautiful people and music connoisseurs at Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE when Art Department’s Kenny Glasgow takes the controls. Still not convinced? Here’s ten good reasons from our pals at Hype why you should check him out…
Art Department’s Kenny Glasgow at Blue Marlin, Ghantoot Al Jazira Island Hotel, Dubai; 1pm to 11pm. Tel: (056) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Al Jazira. Free guestlist (bluemarlinibiza-uae.com)
RIPE MARKET RETURNS
Ripe Food & Craft Market Market returns for the autumn on Friday. But don’t turn up with your reusable shopping bags at Safa Park – Ripe has moved to Zabeel Park. As well as organic fruit and veg, there’s a petting zoo, handmade art, live music, yoga, and stuff for kids to do.
Zabeel Park, Gate 1, Dubai, Fri 9am to 2pm. Tel: (04) 3807602. Metro: Al Jafiliya. ripeme.com
CROC ON THE MENU
They already serve emu and kangaroo, and now Bushman’s has added to its Australian repertoire by putting crocodile on the menu. It’ll be served in an Indonesian style, on a lemon grass skewer, flavoured by the Aussie plant lemon myrtle for a citrus kick and served with a chilli dipping sauce.
Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, The Palm Jumeirah, daily 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 5678304. Taxi: Eastern crescent. dubai-palm.anantara.com
BRUNCH CHANGE
Cravin’ Cajun has moved its brunch from Saturday to Friday. Look forward to Creole cuisine, great gumbo live jazz and killer cocktails.
Novotel Al Barsha, Dubai, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 3049000.
Metro: Sharaf DG. novotel.com
SoH, ART & BEAUTY SALON
A stunning concept salon combining beauty, art and fashion, has opened its doors in The Galleria Mall, Dubai. From manicures, trendy nail art and progressive hair treatments, to pop art displays and eclectic events – SoH welcomes fashionistas, beauty aficionados and the arty, creative crowd to try it this weekend.
The Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 344 4147. Taxi: Emirates NBD, Al Wasl Road. facebook.com/SoHDubai
NEW BRUNCH
The new Friday brunch at Casa de Tapas is a suitably Spanish affair, with cheese, pinxos (snacks) and paella all up for grabs, plus live flamenco music.
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Deira, Dubai, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs149 with soft drinks, Dhs199 with house beverages, Dhs249 with bubbly. Tel: (04) 2956000. Taxi: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. dubaigolf.com
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BRUNCH
Bystro’s new brunch is an alcohol-free family-friendly option. The café in Al Manara offers up its popular dishes – including beetroot hummus, burrata with gremolata and piri piri chicken – alongside classic desserts and mocktails.
Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, Fri 11am, Dhs125. Tel: (04) 3368056. Taxi: Opposite Times Square Centre. facebook.com/bystrodubai
VISIT COMICAVE
When What’s On visited Comicave, we took selfies with a life-sized Hulk, had a lightsaber fight (with sound effects) and bought some comic books. If all that sounds a little childish, well, that’s because walking into Comicave makes you feel like a big kid. Covering 15,000 square feet in Dubai Outlet Mall, it’s the largest shop of its kind in the Middle East. While there are a few toys for youngsters, this is a destination for teens and adults. After all, only grown-ups will be able to afford the Dhs900 lightsabers or the Dhs21,999 Iron Man suit. Comicave is divided into sections including sci-fi, collectibles, and comics. With plans to build a café, a gaming room, a film screening room and a costume shop in future, the force is strong here.
Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Ain Road, Dubai, Sat to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur and Fri 10am to midnight. Tel: (04) 4237979. Taxi: Dubai Outlet Mall. comicave.com
SWIM AND RUN
The Ignite Fitness And Wellness’ Pink Is Punk campaign is back and planning to raise even more funds for the Safe & Sound Breast Cancer awareness campaign. With a variety of swims and runs available to take part in depending on age and level, this is a great day out for the family.
Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort And Spa, The Palm, Dubai, 7.15am. Taxi: The Palm. premieronline.com
SATURDAY
FRESHLY GROUND SOUNDS
The first gig of Freshly’s first season in November 2013 had two amps, six musicians, one mic and about 40 attendees. Almost one year on, Freshly Ground Sounds has a regular full set-up on stage and a strong fan base who arrive in their hundreds. And now, after a series of pop-up gigs – or ‘pre-season warm-up’, the crew are back with a Saturday afternoon of live local music. The launch of the new season takes place in an open-air urban garden with a BBQ, a grand stage, new acts, old favourites, pop-up stalls from independent lifestyle brands and fun freebies for Freshly fans. Other venues likely to be transformed this season include The Magazine Shop, The Archive and The Roseleaf Café. Every Freshly Ground Sounds event has a roster of six to ten singers or bands that each perform a handful of songs.
Dubai Garden Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz, Saturday, October 11, from 4pm to 7pm. Metro: First Gulf Bank
WITNESS A RED CARPET
Reality TV figure Khloe Kardashian will walk the red carpet at the opening of Clé Dubai, the new restaurant from Michelin-starred chef and author Greg Malouf in Al Fattan Currency House on Saturday night. She joins Paris Hilton and two supermodels, Irina Shayk and Victoria Secret’s Alessandra Ambrosio, in Dubai for what is being billed as “possibly to be glitziest opening that Dubai has ever had”. Read our exclusive interview with award-winning chef Greg Malouf
Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, from 7pm.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTY AT LE TERRAZZA
An Italian restaurant in the heart of Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers area hosts a free neighbourhood party to celebrate the end of summer. La Terrazza promises to come alive with the sound of live music and a magician also entertaining the crowd. Entry is free from 8pm on Saturday, October 11, with La Terrazza also showcasing the new menu and selection of shisha.
Al Mas Tower, JLT, Dubai, 8pm. Tel: (04) 457 7033. Metro: Jumeirah Lakes Towers. laterrazzadubai.com
ROAST DINNER
Poached king prawn, roast chicken, fish pie, sticky toffee pudding, pear and Stilton tartlet… is your mouth watering yet? This is what you can expect at the new Great British roast dinner served at Wheeler’s.
Gate Village 2, DIFC, Dubai, Fri and Sat noon to 5pm, Dhs225 with soft drinks, Dhs375 with beverage pairing. Tel: (04) 3860899. Metro: Emirates Towers. wheelersdubai.com
ART FOR CHILDREN
Dubai Dolphinarium is running art lessons for children aged one to four, starting from Saturday October 11 and running for a fortnight.
Creek Park, Dubai, 9.30am to 11am, Dhs50. Tel: (04) 3369773. Taxi: Creek Park. facebook.com/ourlittleartisans
ACTING FOR ADULTS
Think you have what it takes to become an amateur actor? The Desert Monologues Acting Workshop for Adults is a six-week drama workshop run by Kemsley Dickinson, founder of Drama Workshops Dubai. The course (choose from either the Saturday or Sunday sessions) introduces students to a range of theatrical skills including stage craft, script work and improvisation techniques, culminating with a performance in front of an audience.
The Courtyard Playhouse, The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, Sat 3pm to 5pm from October 11 or Sun 7.30pm to 9.30pm from October 12, Dhs1,800. Tel: (050) 9861761. Taxi: The Courtyard, Al Quoz. dramaworkshopsdubai.com
PRENATAL YOGA
Pregnancy comes with its challenges. Your body changes, your sleep routine shifts, your diet is all over the place. Let’s Go Yoga, working with BrightPoint Women’s Hospital, aims to change that with its new pre-natal yoga class. The free sessions will improve strength and flexibility while calming your mind.
BrightPoint Women’s Hospital, Abu Dhabi, 10am. Tel: (02) 5082000. brightpoint.ae
POOL BBQ
The H Dubai relaunch their vibrant Saturday Poolside brunch (midday to 4pm),‘BBQ by Quantum’. With an extensive selection of salad bowls, grilled meats and fresh seafood, this family-friendly afternoon is a terrific way to start enjoying the great outdoors once more. Diners get full pool and Jacuzzi access, as well as a dedicated play area and entertainment for the children including face painting, inflatable toys and special kids buffet – so the children can play while you unwind and catch up with friends.
Quantum Pool Lounge, The H Dubai, Dubai. Saturday midday to 4pm. Dhs300 with selected house beverages (children under 12years free). Tel: (04) 501 8233.
THE OTHER HUNDRED
We’re all familiar with the annual rich lists compiled to give a pat on the back to the 100 most wealthy people on the planet. A new photography exhibition applauds a very different list of people, none of whom have been selected because of their bank balance.
East Wing Gallery, Limestone House Building, DIFC, Dubai, Sat to Thur 10am to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm. Tel: (050) 5533879. Metro: Financial Centre. east-wing.org
