10 reasons to go to Party in the Park next weekend

The three major indie rock bands are obviously a huge drawcard, but there’s so much more to this full-day festival in the park…

Guess what folks? It’s only a few more sleeps until Party in the Park on Friday November 11, an all-day music festival on the grass in Dubai Media City.

While the main stage music (hello Travis, The Kaiser Chiefs and The Charlatans) is a huge part of the day – you can read all about that here – there’s so much more to the festival, which seamlessly flows from day to night.

Here are 10 other reasons to head down there not this weekend but next…

1. Kids under five come in for free

With frozen yoghurt stands, live performers, lots of green grass and a relaxed vibe, Party In The Park is very much a family affair (especially in the afternoon). Children are totally welcome (and those under five come in for free).

2. There’s live art happening all day

If you think watching paint dry is boring, you haven’t seen these amazing artist chicks in action with their spraycans… there will be three artists creating live works of art throughout the day. Steffi Bow (pictured) will be spray painting stuff, Maddy Butcher will be producing her music-focussed art and Fats will be bringing her black-line works to the festival. It’ll be fun to watch these pieces blossom throughout the day.

3. There’s not one, but two pop-up markets

Who doesn’t love an artisanal market? Well, at Party In the Park there are two – one in the Hype Village and one in the Good Garden.

At the Hype Village you’ll find…

– Handmade wooden sunglasses and watches as well as eco-friendly yoga gear at Wild Wood

– Jewellery made by artisans in Laos from re-appropriated unexploded ordinance bombs and war scrap at ByeByeRascal

– Kimonos, boho jewels and sunnies from Melbourne at Lady Mauve

– Edgy (yet comfortable) fashion at Blessed (with all profits going to help cancer patients get the treatment they need)

Blessed

– Beanbags, ottomans, men’s Ts and more things manufactured in the UAE at Rebel Living DXB

– 39 designs of UAE vintage-inspired posters at Highlife Dubai

– A pop-up men’s barber by Julian Hairdressing

Julian Hairdressing

– Bamboo t-shirts at Teesing

– Handcrafted purses, embroidered art and boho-tastic jackets at Ragmatazz

Ragmatazz

– Clothes that can be worn straight from beach to party at Dancing Leopard

Meanwhile at the Good Garden you’ll find Pretty Little Things, Kiddies & Colours, Royal Henna, Nil Ahasse Jeweller, JEDD, Fold Lab, Nomads Dubai, Koala, Lights & Letters, Boutique Nomads, Sea Horse Nautica, Sand & Soul and Sassak MEA.

4. There are 15 different food stalls to choose from

From gourmet and delicious burgers at Shake Shack and Burger Fuel to froghurt at Pink Berry and gourmet hot dogs at The Hot Dog Stand, there are 15 food stalls and trucks to choose from. You could slowly eat your way around the fest and eat somewhere every half an hour if your stomach is extra intrepid. Some of the other food spots you’ll find include: Mia Strada, Copper Wood, Doner Deli, The Shebi, Holland House and Shmokins.

5. You’ll see poi, hula hoopers and illusionists in action

Flowground is the first and only flow arts centre to bring the magic of hoop and poi flow to the UAE by providing classes, workshops and communal jams. What started with the magic of one colourful hoop, has now transformed into a growing social circle of over 200 flow seekers, and many of them will be at Party in the Park’s Hype Village all day to show off their art.

The Hype village will also be home to illusionists. Prepare to be impressed – and baffled – by the lads from 7^th Delusion, a band of young illusionists who’ll leave you scratching your head in wonder. They’ll be wandering around playing tricks on festivalgoers throughout the day. Even with your wits on high alert you’ll be left asking, “How did they do that?”

6. The b-boy battle is unmissable

Last year this was one of our favourite moments of the whole fest, and we imagine the sunset b-boy battle hosted by the inimitable MC Goofy will be the place to find an infectious good vibe this year too. You’ll find it (be ready to clap the breakers along) from 5pm to 7pm.

7. It’s a chance to see hip hop legend DJ Shortkut

Watching folk artfully spin atop their craniums isn’t the only reason to hit up the Hype Village from 5pm to 7pm either, oh no… it’ll also be the time to find the Deep Crates Cartel turntablist showcase. And while we always love the show put on by local legend Lobito Brigante, the showcase will also feature international hip hop star DJ Shortkut.

San Fran native Shortkut is a founding member of three of the most iconic and influential DJ crews in history: Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Beat Junkie Sound and Triple Threat DJs. He has brought new techniques to the genre, is a numerous USA DMC title holder and knows how to rock a party with his scratches alone. We love his work: this one’s unmissable.

8. And we brunch… (we are in Dubai after all)

While there will be plenty of food trucks and drink stalls on offer, you might want to splash out on the brunch package (Dhs650), which lets you tuck into an all-inclusive barbecue brunch from 2pm to 5pm. Get your tickets now though as they sold out quick sticks last year. Alternatively, bag yourself some VIP tickets (Dhs1,200) and enjoy free-flowing food and drink until 11.30pm, along with awesome, unobstructed views of the main stage from the elevated, crowd-free deck.

9. There’s an acoustic stage

This year you can also expect the return of the Good Garden, which will have a more laidback vibe. If you like the sound of a British summer day out with deckchairs, picnic tables and food trucks, you’ll want to position yourself right here. Powered by the lovely folk at Good magazine, it’s a place to chill and enjoy live acts featuring local musicians on Good’s own separate acoustic stage. 

10. There’s a whole other party in the Hype Clubhouse

Apart from DJ Shortkut and battling b-boys, Hype magazine’s clubhouse also features some of our favourite local DJs, including Plus Minus’ Todd (pictured). They will be providing tunes over ten hours, kicking off with shimmering disco and sunshine house and weaving through the genres into the raucous drum & bass.

Our pals at Hype magazine are the UAE’s authority on club culture, and if there’s one thing those crazy cats love, it’s a shindig (we’ll definitely see you there at the very end of the night for the drum and bass sesh’. This is the place for the people who want to keep the party going).

Here are the set times…

CUTS ABOVE SUNSHINE SOCIAL                          2pm – 5pm
DEEP CRATES CARTEL                                       5pm – 7pm
THE SHADY SHADOW SHOW EXPERIENCE             7pm – 8pm
AUDIO TONIC                                                     8pm – 9pm
PLUS MINUS                                                               9pm – 10pm
BLUE MARLIN IBIZA UAE                                     10pm – 11pm
BASSWORX vs GLOBALFUNK                              11pm – midnight

Buy tickets from Platinumlist here. And from Virgin Tickets here. 

November 11. Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Fri 2pm to midnight, Dhs350, Dhs650 brunch, Dhs1,200 VIP. Tel: (04) 4273097. Metro: Nakheel. More info on website. 

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