A Lego-themed event, a special suhoor and an outdoor family festival — these are just some of the events taking place across the UAE this week.
The first day of Ramadan will also fall this week, most likely on Thursday.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do in the Emirates, from March 20 to 26.
Monday
Catch Califest at Al Saha District, Al Qana waterfront on Monday. The open-air festival will offer entertainment, food and family activities and runs until Saturday.
Dining chairs and tables are scattered across the venue, while several food trucks are lined up on each side. There is also a make-shift stage, which will host musical performances. Some of the food brands participating at the event include burger shack The Meat X and Street 9 Cafe.
Until Saturday; 4pm-11pm on weekdays, 4pm-midnight on Saturday; free entry; Al Qana Walk; alqana.ae
Tuesday
Belcanto at Dubai Opera is hosting a weekly jazz night on Tuesdays, paying tribute to some of the genre's biggest names. This week, performances will honour Nat King Cole, and on March 28, the restaurant will pay homage to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim.
There is no minimum order required, and diners can browse through Belcanto's a la carte menu, which feature classic Italian dishes. Main courses include roasted lamb fillet with chicory heart and bagna cauda sauce, grilled calamari with Mediterranean sauce and bruised veal cheek with potato puree.
Every Tuesday; 7.30pm-11pm; prices vary; Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai; 04 456 0936
Wednesday
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are displaying their products at Hatta Souq in an event organised by Dubai Municipality, running until Friday. Some of the items being sold at the event include traditional clothing, coffee and local products Hatta is known for, such as honey and dates.
Until Friday; 10am-8pm; free entry; Hatta Souq
Thursday
The Ramadan Village at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi is hosting Australian Michelin-lauded chef Greg Malouf for a special suhoor menu.
The four-course sharing-style meal includes poached fried French baby chicken infused with honey, cardamom and saffron with a freekeh stuffing. For dessert, diners can choose between an orange blossom muhalabia with apricot and peanut praline or a kataifi with stewed blood plums and sweet cheese.
Until March 30; 9pm-1am; Dh275 per person; Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri; 02 509 8555
Friday
Former America's Got Talent contestants James Harrington and Marina Liani are bringing their double act Mind2Mind to Dubai on Friday.
The couple, who live in the UAE, are known for their mind-reading and mentalism act, which judge Simon Cowell described as “mind blowing”. The show will last for 75 minutes.
Friday; 8pm; from Dh150; Theatre by QE2; dubai.platinumlist.net
Saturday
South African comic Rob van Vuuren is performing at Movenpick, Jumeirah Beach Residence on Saturday.
He is performing his Still Standing stand-up act, which is a satirical and honest look at the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The comic will also tackle subjects including motivation, separation, dating and his near-death experiences.
Saturday; 8.30pm; from Dh160; Jumeirah Beach Residence; dubai.platinumlist.net
Sunday
Visit Legoland at Dubai Parks and Resorts for the Lego City Heroes Adventure event, which will feature an exciting line-up for little ones.
Activities include a firefighter training academy, aviation adventure and police repair shop. The park will also have a daily character parade, as well as photo opportunities with hero minifigures. Children will also get the chance to take home Legoland merchandise, as well as a discount voucher for a hotel stay.
Until April 23; park tickets from Dh295; Dubai Parks and Resorts; legoland.com
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Zayed Sustainability Prize
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule
Friday
First practice, 1pm
Second practice, 5pm
Saturday
Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm
Sunday
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm
