What’s good? A three day weekend that’s what. Here’s how to spend the next four days in style…

Thursday 29

1. Listen to a sprightly young classical quartet

Tonight at the One & Only Royal Mirage you’ll be able to listen to Quatuor Hermes, the Parisian-based foursome have only been out of university for eight years but are already renowned for their musical maturity and execution.

One & Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs250. Tel: (04) 399 9999. More info at website. Buy tickets here. 

2. Check out a new seafood spot

If you’re on the airport end of town then you’ll be glad to hear that a new relaxed Mediterranean seafood spot has just opened at Century Village in Garhoud.So if you’re after some platters of seafood in a chilled-out environment, this could be just the ticket.

Century Village, Garhoud (free valet parking for customers), daily 12pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 273 7707. More info on website. 

3. Finish the week on a beautiful terrace

Iris Dubai’s gorgeous open-air rooftop terrace has just reopened. It might still be a bit sticky, sure, but the skyline views are worth it, and the food and cocktail menus have both been updated. See you there at sunset.

The Oberoi, Business Bay, Dubai, 6pm to 3am daily. Tel: (056) 951 1442. More info on website.   

4. Have your after-works at Tribeca

JBR spot Tribeca (which is always lively) has a new concept that means Dhs29 drinks and Dhs29 tapas all Thursday night. No puny one-hour-long happy hour here. We can’t help but love a bargain.

Tribeca, JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR, Dubai, 5pm to 3am, daily. Tel: (055) 617 0175. More info on Facebook. 

5. Head to the desert

Remember how we told you about a Burning-Man-esque festival out in the Ras Al Khaimah desert? Well it’s happening this weekend – running from 6pm tonight to 6pm tomorrow, SoundOpia’s Full Moon Desert Festival will have a hippie vibe and plenty of tunes, in fact, a monster 25k sound system has been transported to the Relax RV Camping Complex, which is close to Al Hamra. You can set up camp yourself or rent an RV or bungalow from the Relax RV folk.

Relax RV Camp, Ras Al Khaimah, 6pm Thursday September 29 to 6pm Friday September 30, Dhs150 per person, children under 12 free. More info on Facebook page.

Friday 30

6. Stand in the wake of the Middle East’s best ‘boarders

OK, so this one’s in Abu Dhabi, but we think it’s worth the drive – watch the region’s best wakeboarders carve up the wake park in Al Forsan as part of the second stage of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council National Championship For Wakeboarding. There are both male and female divisions. (While you’re in the capital, why not go and see Yanni, who’s playing in AD tonight).

Today only, Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 6pm, Dhs150. Tel: (800) 25367726. Taxi: Al Forsan Sports Resort. More info on website. 

7. Go for brunch at 360°

Fancy an al-fresco brunch now that the humidity is dialing down a touch? Well Dubai institution 360° has just launched their 180° brunch (geddit). What’s the deal? Well for Dhs295 you’ll get unlimited house beverages from 1pm to 4pm, as well as sharing platters of Pan-Asian nibbles, including dim sum and sushi.

360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, every Friday from today, 1pm to 4pm. Dhs295. Tel: (04) 432 3232. More info on Facebook. 

8. Become a yoga masseuse

This weekend (and for a few days during next week) you can take part in Thai yoga massage training at 136.1 Yoga Studio. A bit niche, yes, but by the end of it you’ll be able to perform a 90-minute Thai yoga massage with panache (aka, you’ll be a lot more popular among your mates). Julia Weis is the teacher that has flown in for the course.

September 30 to October 4. 136.1 yoga studio, Trident Bayside, Dubai Marina, 8am to 5pm, Dhs3,100. Tel: (04) 441 6287. More info on website.

9. Dance to decades of deep house

Brooklynite Joe Claussel is playing at Story Rooftop Lounge tonight, and our sister mag Hype picks this as the gig of the day. He’s animated behind the decks, an inspiring DJ to watch and he has more than 890 credits on his Discogs page. Should be massive.

Story Rooftop Lounge, Holiday Inn Express, Knowledge Village, 10pm to 3am, free before midnight, Dhs100 after. Tel: (055) 773 0010. More info on Facebook.

10. Pick up some bargain photog’ treasures

Novice and pro snappers, unite. Sadly GPP is shutting down its store (but don’t worry, they’ll do pop-ups from time to time, and still host activities and workshops), but there is a silver lining. The photography experts are holding a market day where anyone can bring along unused equipment they hope to sell, or budding photographers can grab a bargain. It’s basically a big car boot sale – and it’s also the store’s final day, so it’s your last chance to raid their stock cupboards.

Gulf Photo Plus, Alserkal Avenue, Unit D36, Al Quoz, Dubai, 5pm to 7pm. Tel: (04) 380 8545. More info on Facebook. 

11. See some super-traditional Indian performances

If elaborate costumes, roof-raising dance numbers, and authentic tunes are your thing, then you’ll like Jashn-e-Awadh. It’s a musical based on the music and art of 19th century India, when it flourished under the patronage of Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Awadh. It’ll be a feast for the eyes, that’s for sure. 

Ductuc Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. Show starts at 7pm tickets from Dhs75, buy on Plantium.net. 

Saturday 1

12. Hit the track for a great cause

Hop on your bike and take on Al Qudra, all in the name of Breast Cancer Awareness. And don’t worry if you’re not much of a cyclist – the 60km peddle is billed as a social event, so it doesn’t matter if you’re no Chris Hoy. To take part, wear something pink (or go for a full costume if you want, there’s a Dhs200 prize for best dressed), and be there at 5.55am.

Al Qudra cycling track, Al Qudra, Dubai. More info on Facebook. 

13. Opt in for a full pampering session

Dubai Marina salon We Nails is offering a special package throughout October, which starts today. For Dhs365 you’ll get a manicure/pedicure, a wash and blow dry, a full hour-long massage and eyebrow threading. Job done. PS: How is it already October?

Skyview Tower, Al Sufouh 2, Dubai Marina (opposite Dubai Marina). Tel: (04) 452 8226. More info on Facebook. 

14. Dip your toes in ballet

Have a little family member who is older than three and interested in ballet? Well the Harmony Ballet & Music Centre are holding an open day today so that budding ballerinas can see if it’s the right form of dance for them. The walk-in, anyone-welcome session runs from 2pm to 5pm, and you’ll be able to meet the teachers and try some of the classes.

Unit 515, Ibn Battuta Gate Tower, Ibn Battuta. 2pm to 5pm, free. Tel: (04) 438 5022. More info on Facebook. 

15. Try a brunch that’s not just about the food 

Indie, which arrived in Dubai earlier this year, is now launching its weekly food fest – and let’s say it’s not just about the dishes. Yes, there’s a wide and “experimental” menu, but there’s also stage performers, crime scene-style décor, and a party that gets dialed up post-5pm. The cost? Dhs290 including soft drinks, Dhs390 including house beverages, and Dhs490 including bubbly.

Indie DIFC, DIFC, Gate Village 5, Podium Level, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.  Set menu from 1pm, a la carte after 5pm. Tel: 055 455 6106. indiedifc.com.

16. Sharpen your elbows for Gitex shopper

Gitex Shopper begins today – the eight day shopping festival sees pretty amazing deals on electronics every year, so if you’re after anything from a new laptop to a washing machine, this could be worth the trip. Hate crowds? Well the good news is that during Gitex, major electronics stores around Dubai do Gitex Deals, so go to Plug Ins or Jumbo etc from today and your sure to bag a bargain.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dhs35 tickets (tickets available at Zooms and at Metro stations), 11am to 11pm, from today until Saturday October 8. More info on Facebook.

Sunday 2

17. Head to Jean Georges

Excellent French spot Jean-Georges Dubai have just launched a new Sunday concept that means a set-lunch-menu for Dhs195 and a set-dinner-menu for Dhs295 (and isn’t it grand that Sunday is a weekend day this week). They open at 12pm so you could pop in for lunch there, but are open until 2am so you could go for dinner and stay till late. Ooh, and they’ve also put together a special cocktail menu for the event.

Jean-Georges Dubai, Four Seasons, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, 12pm to 2am every Sunday. Tel: (04) 343 6118 (and for reservations). More info on Facebook. 

18. Check out the latest in Indian and Emirati fashion

On Saturday and Sunday this week there’s a free-to-enter, sure-to-be-swanky event at Jumeirah Emirates Towers that will see the collections of 50 Indian and Emirati designers, including the well-known Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. So if you’ve got cash to splash and fancy shopping the festive collections of the UAE and Subcontinent’s finest, this is for you.

Godolphin Ballroom, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 11am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday, entry is free. More info on Facebook.

19. The ultimate carb-load

Manzoni Italian has just unveiled a menu which includes 23 new dishes, including five new pizzas… need we say more? Well, we shall anyway, because on top of that you can also use a new ‘create your own pasta’ option, which lets you pick a type of pasta (like penne, fusilli, spaghetti and whatnot) and a sauce with up to 21 different combinations. Save room though, because the new lemon crème brûlée sounds pretty unmissable.

Manzoni Italian, Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Jumeirah Lakes Towers Cluster T, Dubai, Open for lunch and dinner every day excluding Saturdays, 12.30pm to 3.30pm and 6pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 567 1159. pullmanhotels.com.

20. Eat lots of cake

Hey, long weekends are made for blow-outs right? (Both the hair kind and the calorie kind). Well The Surf Café are helping with the latter, thanks to their new coffee and sweet treat section. Located on the ground floor, you’ll find a space brimming with cakes, cookies and biscuits (like the red velvet and white chocolate creation above, yum), and proper singer-origin, fair-trade java. This is definitely your new coffee-and-cake pit stop.

Images: Supplied