Things to do in Dubai this weekend
What’s On has a list of things to do in Dubai this weekend, including brunch, drinks deals, festive events, live entertainment and new openings.
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
Afternoon tea
Pick at deliciously dainty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and – perhaps best of all – hot tasted crumpets at the new quintessentially British afternoon tea from Rhodes W1.
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Dubai Wed to Sat 2.30pm to 5pm, Dhs190 to Dhs340. Tel: (04) 3176000. Taxi: Grosvenor House. Rw1-dubai.com
New Peruvian menu
The Act has just launched a new gourmet Peruvian tasting menu this month showcaseing a selection of signature Peruvian dishes to complement The Act Dubai’s infamous dinner show performances. Dishes include sea bass ceviche, wagyu chifado with a truffled mango chimichurri and zucca ravioli with butternut squash.
Shanghri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Thur to Sun 8.30pm to 3am, Dhs395. Tel: (04) 3551116. Taxi: Shangri-La. theactdubai.com
Tea time
Get ready for a tea party with a twist; Royal China in the DIFC has introduced a selection of cleansing, tea-based beverages for Spring that promise to be full to the cup with health-giving benefits. Each tea infusion is made with homemade Jasmine flower tea and then infused with a different flavours. We like the sound of the Blooming Lotus with fresh ginger, honey, lemon, and Jasmine green tea.
Precinct Building 4, DIFC, Dubai, dailynoon to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 3545543. Metro: Finanical Centre. royalchinadubai.com
7 Princesses by Steve McCurry
World renowned photographer Steve McCurry is most famous for his iconic image ‘Afghan girl’ which he took in a Pakistan refugee camp in 1984. This month he’s exhibiting his series of photos of UAE women in Dubai, entitled 7 Princesses.
The Empty Quarter, Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, Sun to Thur, 10am to 7pm, free. Tel: (04) 3231210. Taxi: Gate Village, DIFC. theemptyquarter.com
Tommy Tiernan live
Comedian Tommy Tiernan is returning to Dubai for a special stand-up show. Tiernan, a former Guinness World Record holder for the longest standup comedy show (36 hours and 15 minutes), has been on the circuit for almost two decades, scooping numerous awards and appearing regularly on television.
Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, Dubai, 9pm, Dhs199. Taxi: Irish Village. theirishvillage.com
Ferry Corsten live
Get ready for the second installment of Eden Black tonight with Dutch DJ, mixer and EDM producer Ferry Corsten at the reigns.
Eden Beach Club, Rixos The Palm, Dubai, 9pm to 3am, free for ladies, Dhs200 for gents. Tel: (055) 2771477. Taxi: Rixos The Palm. facebook.com/edendubai
FRIDAY
BOUNCE after dark
Take everything that’s super cool about Bounce – from Bouncing off the walls, flying through the air and shooting some hoops, and then add in an earth-shaking sound system, LED lights, lasers and some of the coolest DJs the UAE and you have yourself BOUNCE After Dark. From 8pm DJ Music by Abs will be playing feel good vibes, up-tempo beats and pumping tunes. Then from 10pm to midnight, SmokinGroove will be hitting the decks with a whole host of tracks and remixes to inflame the trampolining dancefloor. facebook.com/bouncemideast
DJ Sven Väth
When in 1999 Sven Väth started throwing techno parties in Ibiza on a Monday night, few expected him to succeed. It’s a mark of the German DJ’s vision that Mondays are now arguably the island’s best day for partying, and techno has trumped house. It’s impossible to imagine electronic music without Väth. He’s had hit singles, signed recording contracts with major labels and been a lynchpin of trance and techno for some 30 years. His Cocoon brand has included not just a touring club night, but a record label, booking agency and even its own luxury Frankfurt nightclub, complete with Michelin-star chef. But it’s as DJ Papa Sven – at the stately age of 50 – that he reigns supreme. His sets have been known to last 30 hours. DJing to the German is a simple craft: two turntables, mixer and lots of vinyl. Few have honed their craft to perfection quite like him.
Blue Marlin, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort, Ghantoot, 1pm to 11pm, free. Tel: (056) 1133400. Taxi: Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com
JLT Outdoor cinema
The upcoming programme in the laid-back surrounds of JLT park – located between clusters O and P – is packed with independent movie screenings and cool kids’ animations. There are plenty of food options too courtesy of Wokyo, the Panifico food truck and Maria Bonita. All screenings begin at 7.30pm; just bring cushions and blankets and settle in for the night under the stars. Tonight’s movie: Gnomes & Trolles.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, free Fri and Sat 7.30pm. greateventsdubai.com
Spring Fest
Gastropub Reform Social & Grill is launching the inaugural two-day food, cider and craft beer festival, introducing over 40 exclusive hops to those that like all things British.
The Lakes, Dubai, noon to 7pm, Dhs300 (10 tokens), Dhs180 (5 tokens). Tel: (04) 4542638. reformsocialgrill.ae
El Sur tapas brunch
The lovely terrace overlooking the water is a great spot to order some tapas and now you can feast on fresh and tasty Spanish treats from a selection of 14 dishes every Friday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, including two dessert options. Wash it all down with unlimited hops and free-flowing fruity white and full-bodied red sangria.
Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, Fri 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs175 (soft drinks), Dhs245 (house drinks). Tel: (04) 3997700. Taxi: The Westin. elsurdubai.com
Dub Fest
Dub Fest takes over the Al Ghurair Centre for ten days, welcoming more than 30 international performers. On the bill for 2015 is Doctor Bucketman, a drummer whose drum kit is made of pots, pans, and buckets. Victor Rubilar shows off his football freestyle tricks; there’s madcap dancing from Spandy Andy; while Checkerboard Guy juggles with axes and machetes. Check out the video:
Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, Dubai, Sun to Thur 3pm to 11pm, Fri and Sat 2 pm to 11 pm, free. Tel: (800) 24227. Metro: Union Square. dubfest.net
Farmer’s market experience at Na3Na3
Calling all Farmer’s Market enthusiasts! Organic farmer suppliers are invited to setup a booth at Na3Na3 showcasing their fresh organic produce to the public. Visitors will be able to meet those that created the organic food as well as sample it for themselves! Na3Na3’s chefs will even cook it for you after you have chosen your favourite ingredients
The Address Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs295 (soft drinks), Dhs380 (house drinks). Tel: (04) 8883444. theaddress.com
Moet Madness
Societe Jumeirah is celebrating the Dubai World Cup by collaborating with Moet et Chandon for a kick-off party that promises to get race-goers in the perfect mood for a weekends entertainment at Meydan. Expect a giant Moet et Chandon ball pit, with a number of prizes to be won throughout the night. Dress code is strictly World Cup attire with hats for the ladies.
Capitol Hotel, Al Mina Road, Jumeirah, Dubai, Tel: (052) 728 5126. Taxi: Capitol Hotel, facebook.com/societejumeirah
Dubai Art Season – ‘Pipe Guy’ at BOXPARK
It would probably be a plumbers worst nightmare but for Jake Clark aka Pipe Guy, it’s a form of artistic expression. Watch him perform at BOXPARK.
Box Park, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah, Dubai, daily, 10am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3440524. Taxi: Next to Galleria Mall.
Salam Aleikum music festival
A new music festival devoted to promoting peace, harmony and tolerance in the region is coming to Dubai. Organised by the Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding, the special one-day festival of peace called Salam Aleikum is inviting musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds to create meaningful musical dialogue by sharing a purpose built stage at Zabeel Park and performing at the free event on March 27. Musicians include Egyptian hip hop trio from Cairo, Arabian Knightz, Badiaa Bouhrizim an underground Tunisian composer and singer, and Jordanian rock band El Morabba3 as well as artists from Algeria, South Africa, Yemen and India.
guruprod.com
SATURDAY
Electro Festival
Canadian daytime music festival Piknic Electronik returns to Dubai this weekend. You can rave all day in font of the DJ stage, hula hoop with the hippy contingent or get your chakras aligned at a yoga class.
Dubai Sports City, Saturday, 1pm to 10pm, Dhs150, under-12s free. Taxi: Dubai Sports City. piknicelectronik.com
Dubai World Cup
It’s the biggest, richest race on earth in the bieggest grandstand ever built, but we simply know it as one of Dubai’s best days out. Here’s the lowdown on lasting the distance on World Cup day.
Market of Everything
Bringing together makers, designers, artists, vintage and second-hand sellers, this market is a treasure trove of unique finds you don’t see everyday in Dubai.
The Archive, Safa Park, Dubai, 11am to 5pm. Taxi: Safa Park. facebook.com/TheArchiveDubai
Stories by Candlelight
Saturday marks Earth Hour across the globe and the Ritz Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre is hosting a unique stories by candlelight session for little ones to demonstrate the importance of the initiative. The session is free to attend for in-house guests of the hotel and its Executive Residences, and external guests can attend for a Dhs60, which will be donated to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai, 8.30pm, Dhs60. ritzcarlton.com
Breakdancing on ice
It’s your last chance to witness impressive jumps and impossible figures on ice from international pros but the highlight will be a 20-minute breakdance on ice show followed by a unique on-ice workshop to learn the moves directly from the stars.
Dubai Ice Rink, The Dubai Mall, 8 to 10pm, Dhs80 (workshop). Tel: (04) 4485111. Metro: Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall. dubaiicerink.com
Culinary showcase at At.mosphere
Two of France’s finest chefs join hands in the At.mosphere kitchen: award-winning gastronomic celebrity Eric Briffard will bring his two Michelin-star reputation to the table as he joins forces with resident executive chef and global food adventurer, Jerome Lagarde, to create an exceptional menu showcase at a special four-hand lunch or dinner experience.
Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, 6.30pm, Dhs650/800 (lunch), Dhs1,200 (dinner). Tel: (04) 8883828. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. atmosphereburjkhalifa.com
