Madama Butterfly is on for two nights at Dubai Opera. Photo: Dubai Opera
Madama Butterfly is on for two nights at Dubai Opera. Photo: Dubai Opera
Madama Butterfly is on for two nights at Dubai Opera. Photo: Dubai Opera
Madama Butterfly is on for two nights at Dubai Opera. Photo: Dubai Opera

Lifestyle

Things to do

Things to do in the UAE this week, from Nickelodeon awards to classic opera

Additionally, a popular New York barre studio is returning to Dubai

One Carlo Diaz

September 11, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

September is shaping up to be a busy month, with plenty on the horizon for art aficionados, fitness buffs and

Here, The National rounds up seven things to do in the Emirates from September 11 to 17.

Monday

One of the artworks in Yana Rusnak's exhibition. Photo: Skaya Art Gallery
One of the artworks in Yana Rusnak's exhibition. Photo: Skaya Art Gallery

ME Dubai in Business Bay is hosting Art in Shades of Gold by Ukrainian artist Yana Rusnak. The exhibition showcases her take on animals and abstract art to symbolise human ambition.

The contemporary artist often utilises bold geometric shapes and vivid colours.

Daily until October 9; free; level three, ME Dubai, Business Bay; skayagallery.com

Tuesday

Those who head to Java, the in-house cafe at Novotel Al Barsha, and say: “Thank you, chef,” to the cooks will receive a Nutella crepe on the house.

The offer runs as the hotel joins in Chef Appreciation Week.

Tuesday, 1pm-3pm; Novotel Al Barsha; 056 999 4822

Wednesday

Fans of stage productions can head to Dubai Opera on Wednesday for Madama Butterfly by the Hungarian State Opera.

Considered one of the most enduring tales on unrequited love in the opera world, it tells the story of Cio Cio San, a young Japanese girl who falls for US Navy officer Pinkerton, and the consequences that follow.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.30pm; from Dh375; Downtown Dubai; dubaiopera.com

Thursday

Mind2Mind on America's Got Talent. Photo: Mind2Mind
Mind2Mind on America's Got Talent. Photo: Mind2Mind

Former America's Got Talent contestants James Harrington and Marina Liani are returning to Dubai with their double act Mind2Mind.

The couple, who live in the UAE, are known for their mind-reading and mentalism act, which judge Simon Cowell described as “mind-blowing”. Thursday's show will last for 75 minutes.

Thursday, from 8pm; from Dh109; Theatre by QE2; dubai.platinumlist.net

Friday

End the working week with a barre class by Physique 57 in Jumeirah on Friday.

The New York-based fitness studio is back after a short hiatus, with Friday's three sessions running at Cultivate Mind and Body studio.

Barre workouts are known for small, pulsing movements that build strength and endurance. It also puts an emphasis on form and core engagement.

Friday, 7am, 9am and 6.30pm; from Dh153 per class; Al Safa, Al Wasl road; cultivate.fit

Saturday

British singer Jessie J is hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Reuters
British singer Jessie J is hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Reuters

Make Saturday family day. In Dubai, take the children to the Coca-Cola Arena for a live production of Peppa Pig's Adventure, which will feature the beloved cartoon character alongside other popular characters, including George and Suzy Sheep.

Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am, 2pm, 4.30pm; from Dh125; Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk; dubai.platinumlist.net

In Abu Dhabi, take the little ones to the annual Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, which is heading to Etihad Arena with performances and a whole lot of slime. British singer Jessie J will host the occasion, with many regional artists also set to attend, including Saudi pop artist Bader AlShuabi, Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna and Jordanian singer-songwriter Issam Alnajjar.

Saturday, from 3pm; from Dh100; Etihad Arena, Yas Island; etihadarena.ae

Sunday

A documentary screening at Dubai's Cinema Akil will take a dive deep into the life and work of Moroccan band Nass El Ghiwane.

Ahmed El Maanouni's Transes depicts the band's career and what they are best known for: rebellious lyrics. The film includes clips of live performances as well as intimate conversations with the band members in Tunisia, Morocco and France.

Sunday, 7pm; Dh56.5; Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz; cinemaakil.com

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Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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A German university was a good fit for the family budget

Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600

Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between  £200-600

The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually

Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated 

As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640

Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month

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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

Updated: September 11, 2023, 4:02 AM`
FitnessArtArt exhibitionsOpera