A fresh new bistro, a fun family-focused brunch, lots of local theatre, and both Tagalog and South African days out.

There’s heaps happening in the city this weekend, here are 15 options of things to do…

Thursday 11

1. Finish your week with drums

Gursha, the licensed Ethiopian restaurant at beachside Palm dining spot Club Vista Mare, has just launched a new Afro Thursday night. This means a live session drummer, a DJ playing Afro-funk, reggaeton and dance hall, and of course lots of traditional Ethiopian food (which is particularly accommodating towards vegans).

Club Vista Mare, The Palm Jumeirah, 6pm to 1am. Tel: (04) 554 2665. More info on Facebook.

2. Try Dubai’s newest bistro

You may have heard people talking about Molecule, a new bistro in Dubai Design District that serves mostly French food with a bit of Middle Eastern flair. The restaurant is beautiful (the ceiling is an undulating wooden sculpture) and it’s refreshing in that it’s a small space that only seats about 60 people. The food? Very, very good – and it’s priced well for the quality – for Dhs97 you’ll get a lamb rack with four pieces that’s plenty to share and for Dhs69 you’ll get a bowl of moreish, authentic carbonara (while desserts are about Dhs30 a pop).

Building 6, Dubai Design District, 12pm to 2am, daily. Tel: (04) 245 4700. More info on Facebook.

3. Go see some local theatre

Every night this weekend Neil Simon’s comedy The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue will be storming the stage of The Junction at Alserkal Avenue – the story tells the tale of Mel and Edna Edison, a long-married New York couple who go stir crazy due to the stresses of big city life. It’s set in the 1970s but the themes are definitely universal (rat race and all). The show’s being put on by H72 productions, and this is their final play of the season.

The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, 2.30pm and 7.30pm from Thursday to Saturday, tickets Dhs100 (buy them here). Tel: (04) 338 8525. More info on Facebook. 

Friday 12

4. Start the morning with a free meditation

You’ll find a free meditation for women only at local yoga apparel store YApparel this morning. Led by Brittany Paige Small, the practice has been specifically designed to empower, detoxify and energise the female mind and body. You’ll feel great afterwards, for sure. Oh, and it’s free yes, but email info@yapparel.com to book in as space is limited.

YApparel, Jumeirah Centre, Beach Road, 9.30am to 10.30am, free. More info on Facebook.

5. Do your supermarket shopping somewhere different

Ok, ok, we know supermarket shopping is hardly the most exciting of things to do, but we are genuinely excited when we hear about a new, quality, supermarket opening near us (same with petrol stations), so people of DIFC, here’s one for you: there is now a Spinneys in Central Park towers in DIFC. It’s the first Spinneys in DIFC and it only opened this Thursday.

Central Park Towers, Happiness Street, DIFC. Open 8am to 11pm daily. More info on Facebook.

6. Go to one giant ‘braai’

South Africans take barbecuing seriously, which is why the expat community from SA are holding a braai day today – all welcome. The theme this year is ‘bring and braai’, so you can pack your own meat, or buy some there, and work on your grill and sizzle. South African band Francois Van Coke (pictured) will be on stage, along with others, and there will be a picnic area, sports competitions and a SA community market.

Emirates Golf Club, 3pm to late, Dhs60 for under 21s, Dhs120 for those over 21. Tel: (050) 871 7493. Buy tickets here. More info on Facebook.

7. Celebrate Tagalog music

Tag Fest 2017 is bringing some big names in Filipino music to the World Trade Centre this weekend – you’ll get to see Filipino Rock band Parokya Ni Edgar, award-winning Filipino rapper Gloc 9, pop star Marion Aunor, singer songwriter Ebe Dancel and alternative rockers <S>andwich.

Dubai World Trade Centre, 3pm to midnight, Dhs149 to Dhs499 for tickets. Tel: (04) 439 0900. More info on website.

8. Party on the beach in RAK

You’ll find Destination Dawn, a 12-hour music festival, on the pristine beaches of Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah today. Now in its second year, the fest will bring hip-hop star Taboo (of Black Eyed Peas fame) and electro and progressive house DJ Juicy.M to RAK. Support will be provided by local electro-dance heroes Hollaphonic, with a lineup of UAE artists scheduled to help keep the party going all night long. Read more about it here.

Destination Dawn, Al Murjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, 5.00pm Friday 12 May to 5.00am Saturday 13 May. Tickets Dhs100 (includes shuttle bus). Tel: (07) 348 960, destinationdawn.com

9. Watch some improv

The original British cast of Whose Line Is It Anyway? will take over the Madinat Theatre this weekend to create scenes, characters and songs all on the spot. If you’re into theatre sports, this is a must this weekend.

Madinat Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm and event ends 10pm, from Dhs175. Tel: (04) 366 6546. Buy tickets here.

10. See a popular play reworked for Dubai

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a play about the challenges of a middle class marriage that’s been staged by countless theatre groups around the world, but theatre group Danú have adapted the story so that it’s set in the Middle East and performed by Arab actors (but it’s still performed in English).

Kilachand Theatre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, 7.30pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 341 4777. More info on website.

Saturday 13

11. A workshop for budding filmmakers

The Jean Paul Najar Foundation is a non-profit contemporary art museum, and this Saturday they’re hosting a short film making workshop for kids – children are encouraged to bring along their cameras and smartphones, and by the end of the day they’ll have made a short film (and learnt a lot about teamwork). The workshop costs Dhs150, and parents should book a slot for their kids at programs@jpnajarfoundation.com

45 Alserkal Ave, Al Quoz, Dubai, 11am to 12.30pm, Dhs150.Tel: (04) 258 7078. More info on Facebook. 

12. Go on a family picnic (indoors)

Great DIFC restaurant Bazxar has just launched a new family-style picnic brunch that means you can have a picnic experience throughout summer, without the brunch. Held every Saturday afternoon, there’s lots for kids – including a cupcake station, a make-your-own milkshake station with Koita organic milk and even a children’s cinema (complete with face painting). Oh, and to top things all off, there’s a lemonade stand. Food-wise, you can expect everything from Asian street-style-food and Italian classics.

Bazxar, DIFC Gate Village, 12pm to 4pm every Saturday. Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs250 with house beverages, Dhs95 for children aged five-12 (those under five dine for free). Tel: (04) 355 1111. More info on website.

13. Challenge your feet

There’s an unusual event happening in the Lahab desert today – a challenge to traverse sand dunes barefoot (to test your feet). Sponsored by the Emirates Travelers Festival, the event aims to get locals and expats together to spend an afternoon immersed in Emirati culture and heritage (which is, after all, deeply connected to heat).

Lahbab desert (phone or email for exact directions), from 1.30pm, free. Tel: (050) 840 8888. Email: hasan@dubaitravelersfestival.com. More info on website.

14. Shop Indian and Pakistani fashion

At the Godolphin Ballroom at Emirates Towers this weekend you’ll find a market with 50 of Pakistan and India’s best designers – a great chance to get your Ramadan wardrobe in order. The designers there include Jewels by Queenie, Rimple & Harpreet Narula, Deepak Perwani, Nomi Ansari and Pallavi Puri (pictured).

Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers, 10am to 9pm, free entry. Tel: (055) 676 7629. More info on Facebook.

15. Full moon yoga on the beach

Salute the moon with yoga poses led by Melanie Swan, as well as a meditation at Fairmont The Palm’s monthly beach yoga session. The beach here is lovely (it’s pictured here by daylight), and so it’ll be one of the nicest ‘yoga studios’ you’ve ever practiced in. How much does it cost? Dhs75 – and that includes towels and water. Definitely book if you want to head down.

Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 8pm to 9.30pm, Dhs75. Tel: (04) 457 3388. More info on Facebook.

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Photos: Supplied