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.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
2-4-1 Massage
It is so important to relax and take care of your own wellbeing, and just taking a little time out for a massage can ease even the most difficult of stresses. So to give you the perfect start to 2014, the Cure Wellness & Beauty Lounge are offering two-for-one on ALL massages at both their Media City and Green Community branches. You can bring a friend or bank the free one of another time. Massages come in all varieties to suit all individual needs, including back massage, swedish massage, sports massage, hot stone and pre-natal.
For further information, call The Cure Media City (04) 391 6485 or The Cure Green Community (050) 882 46 00. thecure.ae.
Sign up at 25 per cent off
Like us, ‘get fit’ was pretty high up on the New Year Resolutions list. And like us, have you done precisely nothing about it? Well, Elixir Spa & Health Club in Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa is offering a discounted annual membership of over 25 per cent off for single, couple and family packages. Members will have access to a comprehensive range of health, beauty and recreational services, from therapeutic spa massages and world-class tennis courts to water sports and the largest gym on Jumeirah Beach.
Habtoor Grand, Al Sufouh Road, near JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 408 4260. Metro: Dubai Marina. habtoorhotels.com
Box clever
When you have Amir Khan and Chris Eubank at your grand opening, then we know you mean business. And EMD Fitness, a brand new state-of-the-art boxing and MMA centre in Dubai means exactly that. Situated at Sunset Mall, the 15,000 square foot space on Jumeirah Road is the brainchild of the UAE’s leading professional, and good friend of Khan, Eisa Al Dah.
For more information on EMD visit facebook.com/EMDFitness
TRY A NEW BRUNCH
Soho Bar & Grill, Century Village
The UAE’s finest bar-led American concept serves high quality steaks, signature ribs, handmade burgers and bar bites coupled with a huge range of drinks, with the edgy, stripped-back design with industrial accents of the interior and beautiful outdoor terrace providing just the atmosphere. The BBQ Brunches take place every Saturday from 12-4pm and are priced at Dhs350.
Century Village, Al Garhoud, next to Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai. Tel: (04) 286 852. facebook.com/sohogrilldubai
Maya
Signing up for the Friday brunch at Maya not only gets you a delicious Mexican feast, chilled Mexican beer and margaritas in a sleepy hacienda-style setting, but also all day beach and pool access at Le Royal Meridien hotel and a chillout soundtrack from a string of DJs. The brunch is available from 1pm-4pm every Friday at Dhs450 inclusive of selected beverages and Dhs350 inclusive of soft beverages.
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, Al Sufouh Rd. Tel: (04) 3165550. Metro: Dubai Marina royaldiningcollection.com
LUNCH SOMEWHERE NEW
Sapori di BiCE at the brilliant new City Walk is a causal concept that delivers a real sense of Italian family dining with its warm setting and cozy homely feeling. It offers an all day menu with a farm to table theme as evident both in the interior and emphasis on fresh ingredients. Kids can even make their own heart or character shaped pizza.
City Walk, Jumeiah 1, Dubai. Tel: (04) 344 2550. Taxi: City Walk. facebook.com/Saporidibice
Reform Social & Grill
The classic Sunday roast is as English as St George himself. And now Reform in The Lakes is serving it every Saturday and Sunday. Choose from either slow-roasted beef or pork with all the trimmings for just Dhs110. In addition, Reform is also showing the biggest Premier League and UEFA Champions League matches every weekend on a giant outdoor screen in their garden.
Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Dubai. Saturdays and Sundays, from 12pm. Tel: (04) 4543 638. reformsocialgrill.ae
Comptoir 102
Health-conscious types who would rather eat their own arm than a greasy fry-up should head for the café at Comptoir 102 – it specialises in nutritious morning fare like buckwheat pancakes topped with salmon and avocado, or super-food salads packed with papaya, pomegranate and Goji berries. Wash down all that goodness with a fresh fruit or vegetable juice.
No 102 Café, Comptoir 102, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, breakfast served daily from 8.30am. Tel: (04) 3854555. comptoir102.com
SHOP SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT
Flea Market
Head to the covered flea market at Tunisia car park rooftop at Ibn Battuta Mall on Saturday January 11, and you’ll find a wealth of second-hand things for the home, plus clothes, books, toys and knick knacks.
P3 car park next to food court, Ibn Battat Mall, Dubai, 1pm-5pm. Metro: Ibn Battuta. dubai-fleamarket.com
Farmers’ Market
You can buy fresh produce from local farmers on the shady terrace on Friday January 10 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Quaint café Baker & Spice provide the breakfast (hello sausage sandwich) and Coffee Planet dish out the drinks.
Emirates Towers, Godolphin Ballroom, Dubai, 9am to 1pm. Tel: (04) 4279856. Metro: Emirates Towers. facebook.com/TheFarmersMarketOnTheTerrace
DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
SkyDive
They say it took an optimist to invent the aeroplane, and a pessimist to invent the parachute. But the person who invented skydiving was just nuts. Fortunately after years of scientific advance, skydiving is now a perfectly safe pursuit and can be enjoyed in Dubai by anyone with a loose screw. Skydiving while harnessed to an instructor sees you freefall at 210kmh. You can admire The Palm splayed out beneath you and chortle at the tiny traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road. The tandem jump package includes photos and a video of your ordeal, to delight, impress and terrify your loved ones.
Skydive Dubai, Palm Drop Zone, Mon to Sat, 10am to 5pm, Dhs1,999. Tel: (04) 3778888. Taxi: Skydive Dubai. skydivedubai.ae
Volunteer in UAE
Set up to act as a bridge between charities and initiatives in need of support and people willing to help, Volunteer In UAE aims to make it easier for would-be volunteers to donate their time, energy and skills to great causes. If you want to give back but don’t know where to start, getting in touch with Volunteer In UAE is a great first step. Registering with the initiative puts you in touch with a whole host of opportunities – recent projects include helping to load up a container bound for the Philippines with clothes, blankets and canned goods to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
volunteerinuae.com
Adopt a pet
The Senior Dog Project, which aims to rehome older dogs for transient expats, have teamed up with kitty charity, 38smiles, this weekend to host a joint adoption day. Pop down to Petzone Vet on Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday from 12-4pm to pick up your new best mate.
Al Thuraya building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Friday January 10 from noon until 4pm. Tel: (04) 3467870. Taxi: Near Mazaya Centre.
There is a further opportunity to help our feline friends with the Cat And Kitten Adoption Day at The Pet Shop/Creatures Oasis behind Jumeira Plaza. The afternoon runs from 3-6pm on Friday January 10 at Street 31A. For more information call 055 256 1964
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Disappear down the rabbit hole
The ‘Alice in Wonderland Tea Party’ experience is coming to Dubai for the very first time, inviting children on a whimsical journey down the rabbit hole, and into the fantasy world of Alice, The Hatter, Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit and Queen of Hearts. The interactive musical shows and various interactive activities will be staged at Mirdif City Centre from January 9-18 at 4:30pm, 6:30pm and 9:30pm.
Mirdif City Centre, Emirates Road, Dubai. Taxi: Mirdif City Centre mirdifcitycentre.com
Ballet’s greatest hits
Dancers from the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet are in Dubai to perform a grand gala event for three nights only, from January 9. The group, which comes from what is to be considered one of the world’s finest ballet companies, has an extensive repertoire ranging from major classical ballets to modern creations by award-winning contemporary choreographers. The mixed programme in Dubai will feature classical variations and pas de deux, as well as neo-classical and modern choreography. This will be the dancers’ first visit to the Madinat Theatre and a rare chance to see some of ballet’s ‘greatest hits’.
Madinat Theatre, Dubai, Jan 9 8pm (black tie gala); Jan 10, 8pm; Jan 11, 2pm and 7pm, Dhs250-450. Tel: (04) 3666546. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. madinattheatre.com
Go wacko with Jacko
Devout Michael Jackson fans will lap up Cirque du Soleil’s latest show, Immortal. The world-renowned circus company pays tribute to the King of Pop with a typically high-octane, high-camp performance, complete with white gloves, fedora hats and the world’s most famous chimp. A whistle-stop tour through Jackson’s career, the performance revives all the hits we know and love, adding a little Cirque magic. A live band thrashes out the songs from upstage while the sound system screams into the World Trade Centre.
World Trade Centre, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs295. Tel: (800) 86823. Metro: World Trade Centre. ticketmaster.ae
The best medicine
With the dust settled on the festive season and the work routine back in full swing, you need some laughter in your life to keep your spirits up. Punchline Comedy Club is just the tonic, returning this month with comedians Jonny Awsum, Alex Boardman and Phil Butler. Guitar-wielding Awsum is a regular at British haunts Jongleurs, The Glee Club and the Comedy Store, and also tours internationally with his loveable, feel-good persona. Boardman’s mix of wit and charm lets him spin a yarn that takes us wherever his fancy decides. The Mancunian hit the comedy scene in 1998 and he’s since performed extensively with UK comic John Bishop. Butler takes a more physical approach to comedy and his CV includes performing for troops in war zones – he even has a medal to prove it.
January 9, Emirates Golf Club, 9pm. Metro: Nakheel. facebook.com/punchlinemiddleeast
Be the one per cent
The makers of the viral marketing campaign Occupy Sundays have just announced its first destination as Cavalli Club. The opening night will see American singing sensation Jeremih perform live, showcasing to patrons what this luxury is all about – first class entertainment, great music and most importantly, a night tailored exclusively for the ‘one percent.’ The campaign urges people to log onto their website occupysundays.com and take the test to find out if they qualify. If successful, selected individuals will receive an email confirmation inviting them to the exclusive launch of Occupy Sundays, which is scheduled to take place on January 11 at Cavalli Club Dubai.
Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3329260. Metro: World Trade Centre. cavalliclubdubai.com
We jammin
No, this isn’t an opportunity to make your own fruit spreads and preserves. This is jam in the musical sense of the word. See a string of singers and musicians do their stuff at a new series of jam nights on Friday January 10.
Maxx Music Bar and Grill, Citymax Hotel, Barsha, Dubai. 10pm-3am, free. Tel: (050) 100 7046. Metro: Mall of the Emirates. Facebook.com/maxxmbg
Warp your mind
Dubbed as Dubai’s answer to Europe’s underground electronic music scene, Warped, the city’s longest-running techno, tech house club night returns. It was created to push underground electronic music in the region, focus on domestic talent and on the odd occasion bring in a quality international act to spice things up and bring in a fresh perspective to the scene. They are back on Friday with Madhu and Adam playing their techno records from 97-2007 so expect a lot of classics. There are bar deals to boot.
Hot Wheels
The ninth edition of the Dunlop 24-hour Race takes place on January 9, 10 and 11 at Dubai Autodrome, and sees a total of 80 cars and 300 drivers taking part. The UAE flag waves to signal the start of the race at 2pm on Friday, and with rain expected over the weekend it promises to be one of the most exciting to date. Dr Mohammed bin Sulayem, the FIA Vice President, said this week: “We have top teams and top drivers competing for what is one of the most prestigious endurance race trophies on the international motor racing calendar. We must congratulate all concerned for the efforts and hard work that goes into making the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai happen.”
Dubai Autodrome. From Dhs600. 24hdubai.com
Wiff-waff
The International Table Tennis Federation and the UAE Table Tennis Association bring the top 16 men and women in the game to Dubai, all of whom are competing for a chunk of the $1,000,000 prize.
Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai. Free. Tel: (04) 2547111.
Art attack
XVA Gallery launches its revamped space in the winding lanes of historic Bur Dubai with an exhibition by English artist Jonathan Gent. As XVA’s artist-in-residence in 2008, Gent’s explorations of the simultaneous isolation and stimulation of the city had a profound effect on his work. This show of new work – reflections of a summer spent on the Med and his memories of Dubai – captures that in his characteristic faux-simple technique.
XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3535383. Metro: Al Fahidi. xvagallery.com
Cry me a Rivera
Filipino pop princess Jamie Rivera performs at Al Nasr Leisureland, supported y special guest Jeffery Hidalgo. The singer, who played the role of Kim in the award-winning musical Miss Saigon, was initially trained at the Metropolitan Theatre chorus in 1985, before she went on to release a series of albums in the mid-1990s.
Al Nasr Leisureland, Oud Metha, Dubai. 7pm, Dhs50. Tel: (056) 6966979. Metro: Oud Metha. strikereventsdubai.com
