15 things to do in Dubai this weekend
From gaming to meal deals, ballet and gigs – here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3
Eat and win
Eat three times at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai this month – you can choose between spots such as Prime 68, Positano or Tong Thai – and you’ll get a stamp in your dining passport that puts you into the draw for holidays to Bangkok, New York, Tokyo or Paris. The deal ends September 26 and the draw is October 15.
JW Marriott Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4140000. Taxi: JW Marriott Marquis.
Play games at an art exhibition
Board games, card games, video games and games played outdoors have provided artists with the ammunition to create the works featured in The Games Art Show (GAS), the debut exhibition at Citizen E gallery in Dubai’s new design district d3.
GAS will feature work from local and international artists in a variety of forms, be they traditional, digital, sculpture, or video. The part of the exhibition we’re most excited about is the gaming corner, Fahad’s Couch, where you can play retro video games such as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Super Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda.
September 2 to 30, D3 District, Ras Al Khor, Dubai, daily 10am-8pm, free. Tel: (04) 2942022. Taxi: Ras Al Khor.
Watch the ballet
Whether you’ve actually seen a performance or not, everyone knows Swan Lake – the dramatic music, the beautiful feathery costumes, the iconic scene of four ‘swans’ dancing effortlessly. It’s a classic.
But The Swan Lake Acrobatic Ballet by the Great Chinese State Circus, brings a whole new spin (or pirouette) to Tchaikovsky’s nineteenth-century Russian ballet and comes to Dubai this month. Having performed around Asia and Europe for close to ten years, this show draws together a western style ballet with Chinese acrobatics and the traditional Chinese theatre Peking Opera.
The touring troupe have performed for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II in the UK and Prince Albert of Monaco (tough crowd?).
September 3 to 5, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, 7pm, Dhs300. Tel: (04) 3383911. Metro: World Trade Centre. platinumlist.net
Party with DJULCO
Renowned DJ DJULCO is set to hit the decks tonight at one of the most unique and eccentric clubs in Dubai – his set will come complete with all the clowns, contortionists, fire eaters and other circus characters we’ve come to expect from the great Cirque le Soir.
Here’s a look at one of his past gigs:
Cirque le Soir, Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 10.30pm-3am. Tel: (04) 3324900.
Dance around in gold dust
World-renowned DJ Rovat will take to the decks to play his unique music, spinning everything from smart and elegant house to powerful electro at Siddharta’s special Gold Dust Party. Having performed all around the world, Rovat has collaborated with international DJs including Brother’s Vibe, Glass Coffee and Leeroy Tornhill from The Prodigy.
Siddharta Lounge, Tower 2, Al Sufouh Road, 8pm-1am. Tel: (04) 3176000.
Party with Mel DeBarge at VIP Room Dubai
Native New Yorker DJ Mel DeBarge is set to play an exclusive set down at the VIP Room tonight. Having established himself as a household name on the international party scene, Mel has won critical acclaim for his technical skills, and he recently played at J-Lo’s 46th Birthday party.
VIP Room Dubai, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Business Bay, Sheikh Zayed Road, 11pm-3am.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4
Celebrate Tokyo Week
Latitude restaurant is hosting Tokyo Week. Live cooking stations will serve sashimi skewers and okonomiyaki, a type of Japanese omelette. Dhs240 gets you unlimited food.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, daily 6.30pm-11pm, Dhs240. Tel: (04) 3480000. Taxi: Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Get brekkie at Butcha
This JBR steakhouse has now started serving breakfast at weekends. There’ll be plenty of meaty favourites, but also some light Turkish dishes.
Butcha, The Beach, JBR, Dubai, Fri and Sat. Tel: (04) 553 0684.
Party with the South House Brothers
Cavalli club is set to play host to Manuel Moore and Paul Kopanos, bringing their unique mix of dance and house music fused with electric guitar. Having worked with the likes of Deadmau5, Steve Aoki and Roger Sanchez, this duo is sure to put on a great night.
Cavalli Club, Fairmont Hotel, Shekh Zayed Road, Dubai, 10pm. Tel: (04) 3329260.
Stuff your face for Brazilian Week
To celebrate Brazil’s national day, Chamas Churrascaria is hosting a week of fun, packed full of food and plenty of samba to boot. With a buffet, free flow of Caipirinha, a Latin band and samba dancers, you’ll find it hard to stay in your seat for long.
Chamas Churrascaria and Bar, Crowne Plaza Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, noon-1am. Dhs295. Tel: (04) 3311111.
Start cycling for the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
The UAE’s biggest community cycling event of the year is soon to commence, attracting cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. Registrations for this Friday’s 35km ride have already begun (it’s the first practice session), leading up to the full 92km race on December 11.
Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park, 6am-9am, Dhs50. Tel: (04) 3210008.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5
Dine, dream and win
Foodies, get ready to dine at some of Dubai’s best restaurants this summer for a fraction of the price. Until September 30, 2015 Emaar Hospitality Group’s Dine and Dream 2015 offer is pretty dreamy indeed. Get 20 per cent off your entire food and beverage bill at 37 outlets across Dubai. Diners will also be in the running to win Business Class return air tickets to New York, London or Singapore. Whether you’re relaxing by the 18th hole at Monty’s, the Address Montgomerie Dubai, savouring succulent steaks at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, or enjoying the views with a tasty cocktail at Fai this offer is anything but a dream. Register online at dineanddream.com.
Get your mustache ready for Freddie Mercury
To mark the birthday of the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury, Hard Rock Café will play classic Queen videos and hand out stick-on mustaches. A Queen tribute band plays at 8.30pm.
Hard Rock Café, Dubai Festival Mall, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, noon-2am, free. Tel: (04) 2328900. Taxi: Dubai Festival City. hardrock.com/cafes/dubai
Giggle at the Chuckle Club
Launching into their second season of laughs, The Chuckle Club are set to import a pool of talented international comics including the likes of Bruce Devlin, Kyle Grooms and Tom Toal.
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Garhoud, Dubai, 8pm. Dhs120. Tel: (04) 2308555.
