Things to do in Dubai this weekend
Here’s our 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.
THURSDAY
BUBBLE SOCCER
For those of you intimidated by a football pitch full of over-enthusiastic, over-zealous, competitive sportsmen, worry not, there’s a whole new aspect of the sport that makes easy, and fun, for all. Launched this month in the UAE, Bubble Soccer is taking The Beautiful Game to the masses. Already a hugely successful take on the world’s most popular sport in Europe and America, this new concept wraps players in a giant bubble, blows the whistle and lets the carnage begin. Located in Al Quoz, bookings last for one hour (Dhs120 per person), and can be played on FIFA approved indoor and outdoor pitches. A referee is provided by the centre.
Bubble Soccer UAE, Cover Drive Sports Academy, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. Tel: (052) 2882018. bubblesoccer.ae
HORRIBLE HISTORIES
Based on the hit books by Terry Deary, Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Part Two tells the story of 2,000 years of British history. Neal Foster (above) co-writes the show, and plays Dick Turpin. It comes to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in November. November 18 to 24
Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat, Dubai, Tue and Wed schools only, Thur 4pm, Fri 11am and 4pm, Sat 2pm and 4pm, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 3666546. Taxi: Souk Madinat. madinattheatre.com
ITALIAN LUXURY INTERIORS EXHIBITION
The Italian Luxury Interiors Exhibition returns to Dubai for its fourth year this month. The show, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in DIFC, is not just for people who have an unfurnished house they want to fill with fancy European pieces. If you have an eye for style and enjoy looking at beautiful things from Italy such as textiles and lighting in a variety of materials, then this exhibition, which showcases more than 20 globally-recognised brands will be right up your street.
November 18 to 21
Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Dubai, Tue 3pm to 7.30pm, Wed, Thur and Fri 3pm to 9.30pm, free. Metro: Financial Centre. italianluxuryinteriors.com
CAVIAR MENU
A five-course set menu featuring caviar from around the world is available during November at Stay by Yannick Alléno. The signature restaurant at One&Only The Palm is serving dishes such as marinated hamachi with caviar, Black Angus beef tartar with caviar, and green apple cannelloni with – you guessed it – caviar.
One&Only The Palm, Dubai, daily 7pm to 11pm, Dhs850. Tel: (04) 4401030. Taxi: West crescent The Palm. thepalm.oneandonlyresorts.com
DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The DP World Tour Championship is a world-class sporting and social event held annually at Jumeirah Golf Estates. As the final tournament of the European Tour’s International Schedule it features The Race to Dubai where the season leader takes home a bonus pool of $US5m. Now in it’s sixth year, the championship hosts the European Tour’s top 60 golfers.
November 20 to 23
europeantour.com
FRIDAY
IGN CONVENTION
Arcade games, tabletop games, art, a children’s zone and a look at the music of video games will also feature. Guests include Troy Baker whose voice has featured on hit video games such as BioShock Infinite, The Last Of Us, Final Fantasy XIII, Batman: Arkham City and Resident Evil Six. World famous Cosplayer Riddle (far right) will also greet her fans.
November 21 and 22
Mina Seyahi Hall, Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai, noon to 10pm, Dhs50. Tel: (055) 3506006. Taxi: Dubai International Marine Club. ignconvention.com
MIXTAPE REWIND
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the decade that gave us flannel shirts, dungarees and vast quantities of hair gel, then the lineup for MiXTAPE Rewind will have you shining up your Doc Martens. Nineties popstars 5ive, B*witched and Peter Andre are all set to take to the stage at Emirates Golf Club on November 21, along with DJ Tim Cheddar, for a setlist worthy of a school disco.
November 21
Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs275. Tel: (04) 4570336. Metro: Nakheel. facebook.com/SundanceLIVE
PLAY MINI GOLF
Squeeze in 18 holes after work at JLT’s mini golf course, which is floodlit so you can practise your putting after dark. The cute course has water features, picket fencing and a coffee shop.
Next to HDS Business Centre Tower, Cluster M, JLT, Dubai, daily 10am to 10pm, Dhs35. Tel: (050) 9243456. Metro: JLT. facebook.com/hds.mini.golf.dubai
TUCK IN TO POP UP FOOD
Dubai’s indie food scene continues to grow with the opening of Deus Café Pop Up by Ghaf Kitchen. Its weekly-changing menu includes delicious all-day breakfasts, salads and roast beef sandwiches.
Capital D Studio, Street 6, Al Quoz 3, Dubai, Sun to Thur 8.30am to 3.30pm. Tel: (04) 3415339. Metro: First Gulf Bank. ghafkitchen.com
SHARMILA DANCE GALA
See some of the best dancers in the business perform at the fourth festival of jazz, hip hop, salsa, ballet and more. The line up at the Sharmila Dance Gala includes dancers from the Stuttgart Ballet, world champion Latin dance troupe BNF, and Yanis Marshall, a finalist on the hit UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent.
November 21
Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates, 2.30pm and 8pm, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org
DUBAI YOGA AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
The third annual Yoga and music festival offers visitors a number of workshops and networking opportunities to meet with other like-minded individuals. Speakers from around the world will be at the event to educate the public on the art of yoga. To top it off, there will be a screening of the Dalai Lama’s latest documentary Compassion In Action.
dubaiyogafest.com
ELECTRIC DAYS
This weekly electro night – which just won BEST CLUB NIGHT at the What’s On Awards – on the rooftop of the Radisson Blu, Dubai Media City continues to play to a packed hipster crowd thanks to a stellar roster that includes exciting homegrown DJs and spontaneous international DJ appearances. Tonight, cool duo Tone Of Arc perform.
Tamanya Terrace, Radisson Blu, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 6pm to 2am. Dhs100. Tel: (055) 4774466. Metro: Nakheel. facebook.com/electricdays
RIPE MARKET
After a triumphant return – or rebirth – Ripe Food & Craft Market Market is now bedded in at Zabeel Park. Don’t turn up with your reusable shopping bags at Safa Park – Ripe has moved. 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
SATURDAY
POP UP BOUTIQUE
Following their previous collaborations with Dubai based curator Anthropology of Design at Galeries Lafayette, Harvey Nichols and a number of luxury fashion boutiques, Amira Haroon and Mariam Bengali will partner with an exciting pop-up boutique, this time in the Mussawir Art Gallery, located in the creative hub of Al Quoz. The pop-up boutique will present Amira and Mariam’s A/W 2014 collections, showcasing their unique, but complimenting visions in a creative setting and allowing customers to interact directly with the designers themselves.
November 22 to 23
The Amira Haroon & Mariyam Bengali Pop-Up Boutique, Mussawir Art Gallery, Al Quoz, Dubai, 10am to 7pm, amiraharoon.com
PARTY AT THE PODIUM
Four music heavyweights play the Podium Lounge on F1 weekend. DJs Smokingroove and Patrick Oliver get the party started on November 20, former Faithless star Sister Bliss plays on November 21, while another British dance music act, Dirty Vegas, perform on the Saturday. It ends with Brit band Rudimental on the Sunday night.
November 20 to 23
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs350 to 850. Tel: (055) 3095495. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. podiumlounge.com.ae
PHOTO WORKSHOP
See Dubai and its people through a lens, with photographers Mimo Khair and Michael Kistler. The workshop includes two days of tuition and lunch.
Creekside, Souk Al Kaber, Bur Dubai, Dhs2,200. Tel: (04) 3599220. Metro: Al Fahidi. findingyourselfinthestreets.com
KIDS EAT FREE
Try an Italian feast at restaurant Positano, where kids eat for free.
JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, Dubai, Sat 1pm to 6pm. Tel: (04) 4140000. Metro: Business Bay. marriott.com
