As another month comes to a close, the events schedule remains jam-packed across the UAE, from an alternative film festival in Abu Dhabi to a balloon and bubble party in Dubai.
The National rounds up seven things you can do in the Emirates from May 29 to June 4.
Monday
Take the little ones to Festival Plaza at Jebel Ali Village for the Bubbles & Balloons festival.
There will be workshops, live shows and roaming entertainment at this family-friendly festival, where there will also be a huge unicorn sculpture made of more than 30,000 balloons.
Elsewhere, a daily demonstration by Pop the Bubbleman will teach children the art of bubble-making.
Until Saturday; 1pm-9pm; free to enter; Jebel Ali Village, Dubai; 800 332
Tuesday
Catch a screening at Cinemas, an alternative film festival at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Now in its fifth year, the festival showcases regional and international indie talent. The current programme features films telling stories of preservation, family, science, spirituality and community.
On Tuesday, Iranian film Without Her by Arian Vazirdaftari and The Dam by Lebanese director Ali Cherri will be screened.
Until Sunday; from 3pm; daily ticket costs Dh30, festival pass costs Dh150; Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi; tickets.virginmegastore.me
Wednesday
A production of Monty Python's Spamalot is taking place at The Red Theatre at NYU Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The musical, which has been scored by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, is based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It features a parody of the Arthurian legend.
It follows King Arthur and his squire on an entertaining adventure, joined by other figures such as Sir Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake.
Until Saturday; 7pm; from Dh65; The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Thursday
Baking enthusiasts and aspiring chefs can sign up for a limited-seat private lesson by H Dubai's pastry chef Heirida Marica on Thursday.
As part of the 90-minute workshop, the chef will share tips and tricks to bake pastry classics including New York cheesecake, apple crumble tart, tiramisu and chocolate fudge cake. A maximum of four people can book the class.
Guests will receive a certification of completion and a copy of the recipes prepped during the session.
Until June 29; from 9.30am; Dh300 per person; Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; dubai.platinumlist.net
Friday
At the Dubai Opera, a classical ballet performance telling the story of Aurora from Disney's Sleeping Beauty will be staged on Friday.
It follows Aurora's life, from her birth and the curse of the evil fairy, up to the moment love saves her from eternal slumber, all told through dance and movement. It features the popular score of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
The Moscow Ballet La Classiquex, known for its extravagant costumes and set designs, is bringing the performance to the opera house.
Friday and Saturday; 7:30pm; from Dh250; Downtown Dubai, Dubai Opera; 04 440 8888
Saturday
Abu Dhabi residents can head to the new Waitrose at Khalifa City for an eventful community day.
Guests can take part in flower-planting, canvas-painting, meditation sessions and food sampling, as well as benefit from giveaways at the single-day event. Cookbook author and chef Dalia Dogmoch of Dalia's Kitchen will host live recipe demonstrations as well.
Children can enjoy face painting and a 30-minute magic show.
Saturday; 10am-5pm; free to enter; Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi; waitrose.ae
Sunday
Take family or friends to the newly opened Prison Island at City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah.
The indoor escape room features several themed cells with different challenges for players to enjoy, from puzzles to obstacles.
The Sharjah venue, a spin-off of Prison Island Abu Dhabi, can accommodate up to 120 people at once, while groups of two to six can play a game that lasts from one to three hours.
Open daily; from 10am; from Dh99 for children and Dh129 for adults per hour; Al Zahia, Sharjah; prisonisland.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections
6.30pm: Final Song
7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo
7.40pm: Dubai Icon
8.15pm: Dubai Legacy
8.50pm: Drafted
9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.