Following the downpour that kept residents home for the better part of last week, the UAE events calendar is back in full swing. On offer is a mix of indoor events and outdoor fun even as the summer starts to set in.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from Monday, April 29, to Sunday, May 5.
Monday, April 29
Every day can be Ripe Market day this week, as the popular concept collaborates with Dubai Food Festival to further support its home-grown vendors. Not only is the original Academy Park venue open until May 31 (Saturdays only), but visitors to Etisalat Beach Canteen, part of the ongoing DFF, can shop and eat at Ripe Market kiosks each day of the week until next month. The market will also pop up at the Springs Souk every Saturday until the end of September and at Times Square Centre every Sunday until the end of October.
Until May 12; 4pm-midnight; Etisalat Beach Canteen, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai; ripeevents.com
Tuesday, April 30
Treat yourself to a midweek meal by booking a table at Zuma Abu Dhabi. The restaurant on Al Maryah Island is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the capital with a 14-course menu, featuring new and signature dishes. Curated by Polish head chef Jacek Bzdzikot, the meal includes scallops with a herb sauce and truffle; seared tuna with chilli daikon and ponzu sauce; yellowtail with green chilli relish; 250g black Angus rib-eye with Japanese sweetcorn with shiso butter; and Instagrammable sushi and dessert platters.
Read our review here.
Until June 15; noon-3.30pm, 7pm-midnight; Dh595 (a la carte menu also available); Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; 02 401 5900
Wednesday, May 1
Channel some midweek adrenalin by heading to Etihad Arena on Wednesday, where Cirque du Soleil is in town for Crystal, a show that combines circus with skating and acrobatic feats. Performers hang mid-air while skaters swirl below them, including awe-inspiring synchronised movements and freestyle techniques on ice, plus traditional circus elements such as trapeze and aerial traps.
Until May 5; doors open at 6.30pm; from Dh175; Etihad Arena; etihadarena.ae
Thursday, May 2
Whether you are an art collector or a first-time buyer, you can spend the day browsing World Art Dubai at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The retail art fair brings more than 4,000 works from more than 400 international galleries and artists all under one roof. Representing diverse styles from street art to Arabic calligraphy, pieces include evocative photographs and intricate paintings.
The retail aspect aside, visitors can take part in workshops, such as soy candle making and tufting, as well as watch live art performances and listen to panel talks.
May 2 to 5; 1pm-9pm; from Dh25 for a single-day pass; Dubai World Trade Centre; worldartdubai.com
Friday, May 3
Gamers can make a beeline for Game Expo at Dubai World Trade Centre to end the working week on a high note. All ages are welcome to join as well as fans of all genres and formats.
The event features product demonstrations of new gaming products, newly released titles as well as meet-and-greets with regional and global professional gamers and a chance to take part in esports competitions. Various zones are scattered across the site, such as the Retro Zone which promises a nostalgic blast to the past in the world of gaming. There is also a Family Zone, as well as the Electric Avenue that houses several vendors offering gaming gear.
May 3 to 5; 2pm-midnight on Friday, 10am-midnight on Saturday and Sunday; from Dh29; Dubai World Trade Centre; dubai.platinumlist.net
Saturday, May 4
Head to Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday to catch sustainability-themed music event EarthSoul Festival.
Headlining it is Savage Love singer Jason Derulo, who's performing alongside Shae Gill, Bollywood funk artist Benny Dayal, Emirati soul singer Arqam and Celinedee Matahari.
The eco-conscious festival aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution and marine conservation. The entire production, from the art installations to the stage, uses recycled, upcycled and repurposed materials. It's a plastic-free festival too, while green energy is used to light up some areas on site.
May 4; doors open at 6.30pm; from Dh199; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai; coca-cola-arena.com
Sunday, May 5
French-Mediterranean restaurant Alizee, at the recently opened Banyan Tree hotel in Dubai, is hosting a one-time brunch to celebrate Pascha.
On the menu are sharing-style seafood starters, including oysters, Crevette Bouquets prawns, mussels, sea bass crudo and tuna tartare. Mains include roasted lamb with herb crust, grilled sea bass filet with caviar white butter sauce and celeriac risotto. Dessert is equally decadent, with Faberge-style chocolate eggs, velvety curd Paskha among others.
May 5; 1pm-4pm; from Dh355; Bluewaters Island, Dubai; sevenrooms.com
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)
Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)
Playing September 30
Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)
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Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
More from UAE Human Development Report:
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The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Under-21 European Championship Final
Germany 1 Spain 0
Weiser (40')
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fanney Khan
Producer: T-Series, Anil Kapoor Productions, ROMP, Prerna Arora
Director: Atul Manjrekar
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao, Pihu Sand
Rating: 2/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
Australia squads
ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
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SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
