This Dubai (and Abu Dhabi) weekend we’re dancing to the tunes of chart-topping DJs, getting the best beach summer wardrobes and brunching happily ever after at a magical Saturday brunch.
THURSDAY
Rock the all natural look this weekend
Sephora are on tour! Yes, that’s right, make-up brands can tour as well. The MakeUp Action Tour will be at the Mall of the Emirates Sephora branch on Thursday from 7pm – 9pm to help you master this season’s ‘barely there’ nude look. Their experts will be in-store to demonstrate three key natural looks: matte, bronze and glowy. Stop by for your chance to get your own makeover, learn insider tips and tricks and win a surprise gift box of Sephora goodies. Sephora, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.
Start the weekend with DJ Snake
It’s officially heating up in Dubai and we’re not just talking about the weather. The legendary French DJ Snake is in the UAE for one night only, playing all of his smash hits like Lean On and Turn Down For What to start your weekend off in a big way. It’s the closing party for this season of Nasimi Beach so make sure you turn up, not down, to Dubai’s favourite laid back beach party where ladies enter for free until 9pm. Dhs150 for early bird ticket or Dhs200 on the door. VIP and table packages available. (055) 2004321, platinumlist.net
Get hipper than hop with New York resident DJ Mel DeBarge
If you’re more of a hip hop fan than top 40 listener, kick off another action-packed weekend in Dubai with native New Yorker DJ Mel DeBarge. DeBarge will be taking to the decks at VIP Room for their weekly Hip Hop On Air night so get ready to dance from 11pm to 3am as he seamlessly spins hip hop, soul and funk rhythms in his signature style. VIP Room, JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, Dubai. (052) 8818888, bookings@viproom-dubai.com
Prescribe yourself a daily dose of laughter
If laughter is the best medicine then The Laughter Factory is the local hospital you want to make an appointment with. Their line-up this month is bringing three international comedians to the emirate – Chris Kent, Marlon Davis and Pete Johansson. All three are here to make our sides split with a show spread across different nights in different locations. Tickets for this 21+ show start at Dhs140. Thursday night: Grand Millennium Hotel, TECOM. (04) 355 1862, thelaughterfactory.com/book-now
FRIDAY
Perfect your summer beach look
Visit the Project Summer pop-up store this weekend, your one-stop-shop (or hut, rather) for all your beachwear, beach accessories and summer beauty needs for the summer. Designed in the quirky style of a beach hut, this pop-up store mini boutique will be selling statement swimwear and kaftans from some of the best brands available including D&G, Zimmerman and Moeva. They’re keeping it local with All Things Mochi turbans, headbands and bags as well as hand-painted panama hats from Goe Hats and you can get your own hand painted straw beach basket monogrammed with your initials from Raefeather. With your beach outfit sorted, make sure you protect your skin and hair from the sun, salt and sweat with their pick of the best skincare and hair brands. Harvey Nichols, Level 2, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. Until May 30.
Feel good at Cocktail Kitchen
Fresh at Cocktail Kitchen, JLT’s chic new cocktail bar, rewind to the 1990s with sounds that defined the culture and generation. If Fresh Prince, Biggie, Mary J Blige and Eryka Badu are what you need to get moving then fish out your Timberlands and get yourself to JLT for the classic 1990s ‘golden era’ hip hop night FEEL GOOD? with DJs David Craig, Megadon Betamax and James Locksmith spinning tunes while expert mixologists work their magic. Cocktail Kitchen, Armada Tower 2, Cluster 9, JLT, Sheikh Zayed Road. (05) 682 80727.
Walk into a winter wonderland
It’s getting hot in here so put on all your clothes for the closing party of Special White Wonderland at Four Seasons Jumeirah. This seasonally confused night is themed around snow, with an illusionist, dancers and even a snow-machine to keep you extra cool. DJ Ilona Maras will be on deck for a chilled out evening where you’ll be dreaming about when the summer really hits. From 9pm onwards. Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Jumeirah Road, (04) 270 7777.
SATURDAY
Brunch happily ever after
If you have a hard time getting up early on weekend mornings (or you don’t think you should have to) the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel has a new brunch that keeps on going. With live music from in-house band N2L and DJ Stutter, fantastic food and an outdoor terrace to play games like monopoly and uno while you relax with a shisha, Brunch Upon A Time is the rowdy Friday brunch’s chilled out little sister. Dhs185 per person, from 12:20pm – 4pm, then 4pm onwards for the DJ and discounted drinks. The Garden, Level 5, JW Marriot Marquis Hotel. (05) 6600 8750, valentine@blissinc.com
Have a Chinese High Tea
Available only on Saturday in Dubai but daily in Abu Dhabi is the Hakkasan Afternoon Tea, inspired by both the art and culinary heritage of tea in China and the British tradition of ‘high tea’. The menu contains a selection of bespoke teas including Silver Needle White Tea and Anxi Tie Guan Yin and small plates of savoury and sweet treats including dim sum, foie gras dumplings, and fruit tarts to be enjoyed. From 3pm – 6pm. Dhs198 per person. Dubai: G Floor, Hakkasan, Emirates Towers Hotel, Trade Center Dubai. (04) 384 8484. Abu Dhabi: Al Ras Al Akhdar. (02) 690 7999
End of your weekend with some zen
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Full Moon Yoga, Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah is throwing an extra special session on Dubai’s longest stretch of private beach. Led by Yoga guru Vijay Sharma, the class itself will start at 7pm under the full moon followed by world renowned manstra and satsang singers Satyaa and Pari performing their signature manstras for complete tranquility. Dhs149 per person. Jumeirah Al Sufouh 1, Madinat Jumeirah 1, (04) 3666818, mjtalise@jumeirah
Dairy Dates
Monday 23 to Thursday 26
Nafsika Skourti’s pop-up for her Spring/Summer 2016 collection is next week and you don’t want to miss the latest from this upcoming designer who describes herself as half Greek, half Jordanian and half Internet. D3 (Dubai Design District), Office 206 in Building 9. rsvp@fauxconsultancy.com
Seven days a week post-work
Not only did La Serre make it on our trendiest restaurants list but its new bar experience is also our new post-work go-to. Take a pew at the La Serre Bistro Bar and enjoy drinks from the premium cocktail menu, which has been created especially for the Bistro Bar – the Oyster Martini and Golden Saffron Royale are must-orders. Order from the light bites menu you pretty much have the makings of a perfect post-work night. Seven days a week, La Serre Bistro Bar, Vida Hotel, (04) 4286969
