15 great things to do in Dubai this weekend

Amazing Dubai – The Musical
Everything is possible in Dubai. We all know that. From snow in the desert to entirely new industries to personal transformations, if someone has an idea here, someone else has the ingenuity to make it happen. It is, then, a good theme with which to start a musical made in the city’s honour. Amazing Dubai – The Musical is a new production conceived by long-time resident Brian Wilkie, who was frustrated by the misconceptions about the emirate. He teamed up with Aussie playwright Alex Broun and award-winning director Sanjeev Dixit to paint a richer, more layered picture of Dubai – and the journey it’s been on to get here. The musical’s story focuses on a fictional Emirati family and how their lives evolve in tune with the ever-changing landscape. It also features an innovative set that melds lighting, video and scenes that shift in line with the music.
When: 12pm and 2.30pm, Saturday-Thursday, year round
Where: Madinat Theatre
Price: From AED100
Contact: website

Dream Theater
American prog-metal veterans – or perhaps the genre’s inventors – Dream Theater play live in Dubai for the first time. The show forms part of their Images and Words and Beyond 25th Anniversary Tour, a celebration of the 1982 album Images and Words that helped catapult them to success. Warning: they can play for over three hours. platinumlist.net
When: 6.30pm-11.30pm, Friday, October 6
Where: The Dome, Dubai Sports City
Price: From AED295
Contact:

Karaoke at Ten Street
Two words, free karaoke. That’s all you need to know. We’re just kidding, it’s also worth noting that you can sing your heart out for free every weekend from 12pm to 2am. The hot Buffalo wings and smoked ribs are great too (not free, but great none the less).
When: 12pm-2am, Friday and Saturday
Where: JBR The Walk
Contact: +971 4 399 8993, website

Café Artois by Bridgewater Tavern
Opening its doors today, Sunday, October 1, this waterside al fresco dining venue is the perfect for those looking to unwind over some freshly brewed coffee whilst admiring the stunning views of the Dubai Canal. Aside from being family-friendly, the al fresco venue will also serve up a number of barbecue delights – think beef, chicken and or seafood cooked to perfection over the charcoal grill. There’s also burgers, salads and light bites (the slow braised beef brisket nuggets – sound delicious) for those feeling peckish.
When: 4pm-2am, Sunday to Thursday and 12pm-2am, Friday to Saturday
Where: Bridgewater Tavern, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Business Bay
Contact: +971 4 414 0000,

Yalumba’s Brunchology 
Yalumba’s Brunchology is Albert Einstein. This scientific brunch sees skilled chefs perfecting your fare at live cooking stations, piling your plate with hot and cold international dishes and pairing them with the finest drinks in the city.
When: 12.30pm-3.30pm, Friday
Where: Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
Price: AED499
Contact: +971 4 702 2455,

Benjarong
Benjarong, is the place for royal Thai cuisine in Dubai. It’s won several awards for its mouthwatering dishes like classic red curry roasted duck served with pineapple, tomatoes and grapes to stir fired tofu served with chilli and basil leaves. The live entertainment is great too. Thai entertainers serenade guests with the sounds of the khim and a treble while the Thai dancers perform.
Where: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Contact: +971 4 3174515 or email

La Familia Brunch @ El Chiringuito
This quickly established itself on the scene as one of the places to hang out on the weekend, which is no mean achievement considering the competition. Slick Mediterranean vibes, excellent food – try the veal Milanese and the fresh oysters – make this a discerning choice.
When: Saturday, 12pm-4pm
Where: Rixos The Palm
Price: AED395 with soft beverages; AED495 with house beverages; AED595 with premium drinks; AED695 with premium bubbles
Contact: +971 4 277 9180,

Oktoberfest Party Tent
Dust off your dirndl and lather down your lederhosen as QD’s 2.0 party tent puts on a Bavarian bonanza, complete with oompah band, stacks of pretzels and schnitzels and, of course, hoppy stuff in massive glass mugs. It all kicks off on October 4 with the opening barrel ceremony.
When: 5pm-3am, October 4-14
Where: QD’s Party Tent, Emirates Golf Club
Price: Entry from AED50
Contact: +971 4 417 9999,

360° presents Mr V
Head out to the secluded 360° at Jumeirah Beach Hotel this Thursday for a night of house music courtesy of Mr V. The world-renowned DJ, producer and rapper – best known for his work with superstars, Fedde Le Grande and Louis Vega – will headline a high energy evening of eclectic tunes with support from Jack Woodcock, CN Williams and Miss Foster.
When: 5pm-3am, Thursday, October 5
Where: 360˚, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Contact: +9714 432 3232, website

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE
Dubai is getting its fair amount of Grammy-nominated DJs flying in recently, and another one is about to land for a special set at Blue Marlin Ibiza. Martin Buttrich will be putting on an electro-masterclass at the beach resort. The lineup also includes Richy Ahmed, Patrice Baumel and a selection of local artists maintaining the party momentum.
When: 1pm-11pm, Friday, October 6
Where: Golden Tulip Al Jazira
Contact: +971 56 113 3400, website

Groove on the Grass: Season 6 opening
Five years on and Groove on the Grass is rightly becoming a Dubai institution. The Season 6 festival opener comes in strong with a lineup that includes trip-hop legend Nightmares on Wax and electro music manipulator Nicolas Jaar. There’s an exhaustive support to keep you dancing all the way to the 19th hole.
When: 5pm-3am, Friday, October 6
Where: Emirates Golf Club
Contact: +9714 380 1234, 

Ritual Launch Party
A brand-new weekly festival launches at everyone’s favourite poolside venue Zero Gravity this week. Explore the gardens and the curious interactive zones around the venue, before getting your groove on to the house music tracks from special guest, DJ MK. The night is free for ladies and AED100 for guys after 9pm.
When: 8pm-3am, Friday, October 6
Where: Zero Gravity
Contact: +971 4 399 0009,

Blade Runner 2049 (18)
35 years since it was first released, Ridley Scott’s oblique, endlessly re-cut dystopian tale Blade Runner has been given an even more dystopian sequel. The original focused on Deckard, played with lip-curling disdain by a Harrison Ford at the peak of his box-office powers, as an agent charged with tracking down and disposing of replicants, the androids designed to work on Planet Earth’s growing intergalactic colonies. Inherently desensitising – these robots were designed to look and act like humans after all – his job posed the kind of ethical questions that are now resurfacing with the imminent arrival of AI. Blade Runner 2049 forwards the action 30 years and shows Deckard (with Ford back in the role) as a recluse, having been charged with harbouring deadly secrets. He is then tracked down by Officer K, played by Ryan Gosling, as a new threat gathers. Denis Villeneuve directs this long, dense and intense reboot in which the leading pair are ably supported by Jared Leto, Ana De Armas and Dave Bautista. Bring coffee.
In cinemas from October 5