The weekend is finally here, and we’re going to make the most of it with food festivals, free yoga, sneaker shopping and a real 007 chopper…
Thursday 17
Get a taste of 007’s life
If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a spy, now’s your chance to check out everything that’s gone into creating one of the greatest spy franchises of all time – James Bond. This exhibition at The Annex, Burj Khalifa, will allow you to explore Bond’s style, props and what goes into crafting the sets for the films. Oh, and his trademark Aston Martin will be there, along with a Q boat and helicopter.
The Annex, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai. November 14 to February 13, 2017, 10am to 10pm. Tickets from Dhs125. Tel: (800) 28843867. burjkhalifa.ae.
Check out a cool new bar
You’re more than likely familiar with super-producer Quincy Jones (you know, the one who’s worked with Sinatra, Whitney and Michael Jacskon, to name a few) – but did you know he’s just launched his first-ever bar? And he’s chosen Dubai for the location. Q’s, which you’ll find at the Palazzo Versace, is an intimate space that offers American comfort food and world-class live music – plus award-winning drummer Ollie Howell will be the venue’s artist in residence until February.
Q’s, Palazzo Versace, Al Jaddaf, Dubai, Mon to Fri 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 556 8851. 21 and over only. More information on website.
Eat ALL the pasta and pizza
To mark the end of the 2016 Italian Summit, the Westin Mina Seyahi is hosting a huge street-food festival in its lush amphitheatre (pictured). Expect food stations packed with everything from cold cuts to cheeses, risotto, pizzas, pastas and gelato – plus there’s live music, and five Michelin-starred chefs will face off in a cut-throat cooking contest.
Westin Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh Road, Jumeira Beach, Dubai, 4pm to 11pm. Free entry. facebook.com/westindubai.
Friday 18
See a real Miss Universe
If you need fashion and beauty tips, then you’ll be hard pressed to find a better expert than Pia Wurtzbach, the winner of 2015’s Miss Universe competiton. The beauty queen, who’s originally from the Philippines, will be in Dubai to give a free-to-attend talk at Dragon Mart 2. If you enter the store’s competition on Facebook and Instagram, you might win a meet-and-greet with her on the day too.
Dragonmart 2, Al Awir Road, Dubai, 6pm. Free. Tel: (04) 390 9999. More info on Facebook.
Find your inner Zen
The two-day wellness event YogaFest Middle East is back for a sixth year, and with it comes a host of new activities (as well as 5,000 novice and pro yogis). This year there’ll be mum and kiddy classes, as well as live cooking demos, classes in Arabic, a body art section, meditiation, over 150 lessons and workshops, and more.
Dubai Internet City Amphitheatre, behind Internet City Building 1 and 2, Dubai, 7am to 7pm on Friday 18 and Saturday 19. Free. Register for tickets here. yogafest.me.
Saturday 19
Get ahead on your wedding planning
Tying the knot in the near future? Then you’ll probably want to drop in at this luxury international wedding fayre, which is making its debut in Dubai this year. You’ll get to mingle with a mix of global and local designers, as well as suppliers for the big day – think of it like a living bridal Pinterest board.
St Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 2pm to 9pm (or 6pm to 9pm on Friday 18). Tickets are free, register here. quintessentiallyatelier.com.
Shoe shopping at its finest
At the heart of Dubai’s urban culture scene lies Sole DXB, a street-culture special which serves up sneakers, progressive fashion, art and music. Oh, and if you get tired of shopping, there are plenty of Dubai’s best-loved food trucks on site to tuck into.
Sole DXB, D3, Dubai Design District, Dubai. November 18 and 19, 12pm to 10pm. Dhs100. facebook.com/soledxb.
Have a clear out for a good cause
Got any old shoes just kicking around the house? Well gather them up and take them into a Shoe Mart store this weekend. As part of the brand’s Happy Feet’ initiative, they’ve teamed yp with the Red Crescent society to provide footwear for those in need. You even get rewarded for your good act – the first 1,000 donors will receive a free pair of shoes worth Dhs200, and every other customer will get Dhs25 off their next purchase.
Shoe Mart, stores across Dubai. Happy Feet is running from November 19 to 26. facebook.com/ShoeMartGulf.
Images: Supplied
