What an exciting week it has been weather-wise. There is nothing like a bit of rain to wash away the dust and add a bit of shiny sparkle to an already glittering city. If you missed the Abu Dhabi ‘snow’ or slept through nature’s extravagant sound and light show, not to worry – there is still plenty of excitement to look forward to this weekend…
WATCHING THE DELIGHTFULLY HANDSOME JOHNNY DEPP IN MORTDECAI
It certainly feels like it has been too long since Johnny Depp has graced our silver screens, but alas he is back. He plays a darkly comedic action role as a debonair British art dealer who gets recruited by British secret service MI5 to help recover a stolen Goya painting in the film Mortdecai. The gorgeous Gwyneth Paltrow plays his wife Johanna Mortdecai and the film also stars the fashion-savvy young Hollywood starlet Olivia Munn and much-loved Ewan McGregor. So if you’re looking for a good laugh and a bit of pulse-racing action this weekend, this might just be a winner.
EXPLORING THE ICONS OF ART AT OPERA GALLERY
Just because the Guggenheim or the Louvre Abu Dhabi haven’t opened their doors yet it doesn’t mean that there aren’t some seriously iconic works of art by great masters in the UAE. The Opera Gallery in Gate Village, DIFC is hosting the exhibition Icons of Art in collaboration with the Institut Français until February 4. This is an unmissable opportunity to see the works of some of our (and the world’s) favourite artists including Andy Warhol (above), Renoir, Picasso, Dali, Marc Chagall, Matisse, Miró, Alexander Calder, Botero and Yves Klein. For more information, visit here.
Also on our art radar is Nathaniel Rackowe, who uses light as his artistic palette – using it throughout his practice as both a surface and a point of origin. His debut exhibition at Lawrie Shabibi, Radiant Trajectory, brings together wall-based neon, scaffolding pieces, freestanding sculptures and Bitumen paintings which all share a fascination with the perception of light. “I see the relationship between light and structure to be so important in my work, specifically in relation to urban space,” said Rackowe. “Dubai is the epitome of a frenetic urban environment, constantly in flux.” His exhibition runs until March 7.
HEADING DOWN TO THE LAUNCH OF ORGANIC RESTAURANT TR!BECA
We’re pretty excited to head down to the launch of Tribeca at the JA Ocean View Hotel on The Walk, JBR. A first of it’s kind in Dubai, the restaurant, bar and lounge serves healthy and organic food and drink in a contemporary, slightly industrial New York-style loft space. Named and inspired by the Tribeca neighbourhood (a shortening of Triangle Below Canal) in New York City the venue aims to be a space for creative expression and will showcase local talent in visual and performing arts, exhibitions, cooking demonstrations, pop-up stores and much more. We’ll also be looking forward to live music and DJ sets. For more information visit here.
GETTING A MEAL AND A VIEW AT THE SOFITEL STREET FOOD BRUNCH
With the recent street food craze hitting the UAE, the Sofitel Downtown Dubai has rather cleverly jumped on the ‘foodwagon’. Located on the Mosaic Pool and Lounge rooftop, the Sofitel Street Food Food Festival Brunch may be the one of the best outdoor Friday brunches, with Burj Khalifa views, you can find. With delightful cuisine from around the world served from a caravan of food carts, this is a great way to spend your day with friends and family. From 12:30pm – 4pm on Fridays, Dhs260 for soft beverages, Dhs345 with house beverages and Dhs495 with bubbly. For more information, visit here.
Image: Comma AW14
