Things to do this week in the UAE, from Blackpink to vegan doughnuts


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Whether you want to grab some limited-edition vegan doughnuts or groove along to K-pop hits at the much-awaited Blackpink concert in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of things to enjoy this week in the UAE.

Here, The National rounds up seven things you can do from January 23 to 29.

Monday

If you are participating in Veganuary, or you are actually vegan, perhaps the plant-based doughnuts by Tres Marias and Here-O Donuts are for you.

The limited-edition creation, made with oat milk, is available across several locations in Dubai, including Tres Marias Coffee in Al Quoz, Nakheel Mall and City Centre Mirdif.

They are available until the end of January.

Tuesday

Orfali Bros Bistro is at Wasl 51. Photo: Orfali Bros
Orfali Bros Bistro is at Wasl 51. Photo: Orfali Bros

Renowned regional chefs Mohamad Orfali of Orfali Bros and Maksut Askar of Istanbul’s Neolokal are teaming up for a special 14-course menu, available for one night only.

The chefs are promising a selection of innovative dishes inspired by modern Anatolian cuisine as chef Askar's Neolokal is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul that focuses on using Turkish heritage produce.

The dinner is taking place at the Orfali Bros Bistro in Jumeirah, with two seating options, one at 6.30pm and another at 9pm. Bookings can be made at orfalibros.com.

Wednesday

The newly opened Gamebox by Majid Al Futtaim has seven interactive rooms that have been launched across Magic Planet outlets at City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah.

The game rooms are equipped with touch screens, 3D motion tracking and surround sound and can accommodate groups of two to six players.

Several games are available, including those with Angry Birds and Squid Game themes.

Thursday

A three-course early-bird set menu for Dh150 is on offer from 6pm at 53 Restaurant & Lounge at Sheraton Grand Sheikh Zayed Road, which has also launched a new show called Divine, which starts at 10pm.

The show, which runs daily until March, features choreographed acrobats and live performers, including singers, saxophonists and percussionists.

On the Mediterranean and Asian-inspired menu are dishes such as miso Ceasar salad, chicken tsukune or kisu tempura for starters; corn and truffle risotto, salmon or supreme chicken for main course; and either black sesame flan tart or chocolate truffles for dessert.

Dinner starts at 8pm; from Dh150; Sheraton Grand Sheikh Zayed Road; 056 253 5353

Friday

Catch a dinosaur-themed parade at Dubai Parks and Resorts. The new attraction brings the prehistoric world to life with a series of life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including a T-Rex, triceratops and raptors.

The parade features special sound effects, music and even fog to entertain families.

The parade takes place from Friday to Sunday at 8pm at Riverland Dubai.

Saturday

Global K-pop sensation Blackpink are performing at Etihad Park, as part of their Born Pink world tour. General admission tickets cost Dh350 and are available at ticketmaster.ae.

The girl group peaked globally in 2020, with their hit Ice Cream reaching No 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. They also reached No 2 on the Billboard 200 with the smash-hit debut The Album, which was released in the same year.

In October last year, the group released their second album, Born Pink, which reached No 1 on the UK Albums Chart and Billboard 200. It marked the first time a Korean girl group had ever topped the Billboard 200, with Blackpink becoming the first female group to do so since Danity Kane in 2008.

Some of their top hits include How You Like That, As If It's Your Last and Boombayah.

Sunday

Head to artsy Alserkal for the last day of the Quoz Arts Fest, a cultural event that aims to showcase emerging talent in the UAE and the wider region.

Bu Kolthoum, a soul and funk-influenced music producer from Damascus, is hitting the stage to show his work.

The weekend festival will also feature a market-style pop-up with food trucks, as well as other activities such as exhibitions, talks and workshops.

General admission tickets cost Dh50 on dubai.platinumlist.net.

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MATCH INFO

Mainz 0

RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')

Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

 

  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
  • Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
  • Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
  • Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
  • Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Updated: January 23, 2023, 6:14 AM