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.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Chicago
Smash hit Chicago comes to Dubai for a two-week run over the festive period. With its story of revenge, murder and greed, it’s sure to stir plenty of emotions at World Trade Centre from Thursday December 19. Ahead of opening night, we sat down with the stars of the longest-running American musical on Broadway, which has won six Tony Awards and a Grammy. You can read all the interviews right HERE.
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, Dhs245. Tel: (04) 4573212. Metro: World Trade Centre. yakevents.com 

Musical masterclass
International vocal ensemble, the Voca People, are bringing their innovative and unique sound to the Al Ghurair Centre, from December 19. The critically-acclaimed eight-piece combine oral sounds with acappella singing and beat boxing, imitating whole orchestras, making the sounds of drums, trumpets, guitars and musical effects using nothing but their voices. With over 50 million hits on YouTube, their humorous yet mesmerising renditions, which include audience participation and interaction, will entertain crowds from December 17 for a week.  Shows will be at 6.45pm, 8.15pm & 9.20pm every day until December 23.
Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, Dubai. Tel: (04) 80024227 Taxi: Al Ghurair Centre. alghuraircentre.com.

Christmas movie
Christmas movies, don’t you just love them? And what better way than under the stars. To celebrate the festive period, Movies Under The Stars will be showing the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation, which follows the Griswold family’s plans for a big Christmas predictably turning into a big disaster. On Sunday December 22 at Wafi, enjoy giant beanbags whilst munching on fantastic popcorn and hotdogs with the coolest beverages in Dubai’s most popular venue to really ‘chill out’ – the Rooftop Gardens. From 8.30pm, the movie will be screened free of charge in association with Coast Radio.
Wafi City, Garhoud Road, Dubai. Daily 10am–10pm. Tel: (04) 324 4555. facebook.com/WafiRestaurants

Winter Wonderland
Walk in a winter wonderland at Madinat Jumeirah’s Souk Festive Market is on right now. Eat roast chestnuts, gingerbread and check out the eight metre tall Christmas tree. There’s a giant snow globe, an ice rink, a surfing Santa, a reindeer rodeo, and the North Pole Train.
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sun to Thur 3pm to midnight, Fri and Sat 1pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 366 8888. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com

Make and bake
Let your children run riot with bags of icing sugar at a festive gingerbread house decorating class on Saturday December 21. Kids roll their sleeves up and work alongside the expert pastry chefs at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai on JBR to create beautiful gingerbread houses. Take them home and display their creation proudly on the mantelpiece and let that delicious aroma of gingerbread waft around your home. As part of the package, there’s also an afternoon tea. The class runs from 2pm to 4pm and costs Dhs225 per child.
Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR, Dubai, 2pm to 4pm, Dhs225. Tel: (04) 3994000. ritz-carlton.com

Animal Magic
To celebrate their 45th anniversary, Al Ain Zoo are offering each and every guest complimentary entry to the zoo on both Thursday December 19 and Friday 20. Guests who take advantage of the complimentary access can also take in the various activities of Arabian Month, which will explore the region’s rich history through traditional performances, culinary treats, and art work, all alongside the zoo’s celebrated Arabian species. The zoo is open from
Daily 9am-8pm. Tel: (03) 799 2000. facebook.com/AlAinZooUae

It’s a knockout
The Golden Child of hip hop, A$AP Rocky comes to town to celebrate VIP Room’s first birthday on Friday December 20. It’s been quite a year for the New York rapper with his first album debuting at No.1 on Billboard’s 200 chart, a smash collaboration with Skrillex and a support slot on Rihanna’s Diamonds tour.
VIP Room Dubai, JW Marriott Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay. Friday, 11pm to 3am. viproom-dubai.com/

 

Force of Nature
UK dub-fusion band The Dub Pistols have been going strong for nearly two decades, fusing elements of house, big beat and dub reggae (among others) into an anthemic festival rocking sound that’s captured the hearts of music fans worldwide. Paving the way for the likes of current reggae hybrid artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop and Prince Fatty, the Pistols’ larging-it-up reputation is only eclipsed by that of their irreplaceable frontman, Barry Ashworth. He stops off in Dubai on Thursday December 19 at Zinc, Crowne Plaza, Deira.
Zinc, Crowne Plaza Dubai, Deira. Thursday, 9pm to 3am, free. Metro: Emirates Towers Station. Tel: (05) 01515609. facebook.com/zincnightclub

FOOD AND DRINK
Eat Clean
Lifestyle concept store and restaurant, Comptoir 102, have teamed up with Macrobiotic consultant chef Eva Barril Roig. Almost all dishes are gluten, sugar and dairy-free, and the launch of this new limited edition menu will include ingredients that aid digestion, strengthen the blood, and provide a nutritious balance of complex carbohydrates, essential oils, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The menu is priced from Dhs85, and changes everyday depending on produce available.
102 Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. Daily 10am-7pm. Tel: (04) 385 4555. comptoir102.com/

New Brunch
Hyatt Regency Dubai have introduced a Champagne Brunch at Al Dawaar, Dubai’s only revolving restaurant. With stunning 360 degree view of the sea and the city skyline, the elaborate buffet includes a sushi station, prime rib and whole baked fish carving stations, a selection of fresh seafood, and a variety of delicious desserts to choose from. Prices start from Dhs225 up to Dhs450 per person, including free-flowing Moet&Chandon champagne, every Friday from 12.30pm-4pm.
Deira, Dubai. Tel: (04) 317 2222. Taxi: D85 Corinche Road. facebook.com/HyattRegencyDubai

Join the Q
When not looking outside at the stunning vistas of The Palm, Dubai Marina, Media City, Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa, guests at Q43 in Media One Hotel, which opens on Thursday December 19, will be wowed by the New York-style loft décor inside. A restaurant for around 90 diners will serve food from steak to sushi, tapas to tagine, while the bar will do cocktails and your usual favourites. Music will fit the mood and time of day, with everyone from post-work relaxers to late-night party folk catered for.
Office Tower, 43rd floor, Media One Hotel, Media City. Facebook.

Truffle shuffle
Zuma, the multi-award winning restaurant in DIFC, has what is believed to be the first certified example of white truffle to be offered to diners in Dubai. Of the mere 16 species of truffles – there are about 1,000 in total – which are actually edible, the white from Alba, in the Piedmont area of northern Italy, is the most prized, sourced as they are by trained dogs in a very small window of the year. Weighing 50 grams and with a certificate of authenticity from Italy, the truffle will be shaved onto a selection of a la carte dishes at the request of diners throughout December. Executive Head Chef Reif recommends pairing it with wagyu beef tataki, yuzu seabass, onion salad, kamameshi (Japanese hot pot) and all wagyu beef and t-bone cuts.
Zuma, Podium 6 at The Gate Village. DIFC, Dubai. Taxi: Gate Village. Metro: Financial Centre. zumarstaurant.com

Easy cheesy
Appreciate the excellent selection of fine cheeses at Media One’s Cafe M with quality whites and reds and the extra touches chef sends you from the kitchen; cheese fondue, hot fried cheese and individual creamy cheese soufflés. caféM is a highly accessible venue in Dubai Media City and the regular cheese and wine nights are about getting together with good friends or work colleagues to enjoy a convivial drink in a relaxing environment.
Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai. Tel: (04) 271000. Metro: Nakheel. Taxi: Media One. mediaonehotel.com

Down on the farm
You can buy fresh produce from local farmers on the shady terrace on Friday December 20 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 

Dough!
With a menu inspired by classically delicious food from the heart of Europe, made with the freshest ingredients available and served with a contemporary sensibility, Maison Mathis has opened its first location in the Middle East. The light-filled space in Arabian Ranches accommodates early-morning guests seeking perfectly served coffee, delicious pastries and daily breads home baked on the premises, before serving lunch and dinner of fresh salads, soups and sandwiches and traditionally prepared classics such as quiche Lorraine, gently sautéed lamb or a beef burger on fresh brioche.
Maison Mathis, Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Tel: (04) 450 1313. mm-argc.com