8 things to do in Dubai this week

It’s a week of freebies, with lots of complementary classes to celebrate International Yoga Day, including a morning aqua yoga class in the pool. There’s also free improve comedy over at The Playhouse in Al Quoz, as well as plenty of art exhibitions and films to catch.

Comedy: King Gong
The Playhouse tackles the nail biting world of improve in all of its forms. On Monday you’ll have the chance to see a particularly brutal form of the art, as comedians take to the stage to let the audience decide how funny they are. The local comics will attempt to defy the sound of the gong, and the survivor wins the title of King Gong. Entry is free. Make sure you arrive 15 minutes early as seating is first come, first served.
When: 8pm until 10.30pm, Monday June 20
Where: The Courtyard Playhouse, Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, +971 50 9861 761

International Yoga Day – Free Class
Stretch and breathe your way to relaxation with a celebration of all things yoga. June 21 marks International Yoga Day, so book yourself in to one of Dubai’s many yoga classes across the city. GuavaPass are hosting a free class at The Change Initiative with refreshments and gifts – all they ask is that you bring materials to create a Ramadan shoe box for workers in Muhaisnah. For more information visit .
When: 5.30, Tuesday June 21
Where: The Change Initiative, Al Barsha 1

International Yoga Day – Aqua Yoga
Another one for the yogis – Body Language Health Club are hosting an Aqua Yoga session at the outdoor pool. It’s a similar concept to regular yoga, but with movements adapted for the water. Releasing gravity will allow your body to to get the ultimate stretch, and it’s also a pretty awesome way to start the morning. The class only open to women. It’s free, so make sure you register as places are limited.
When: 7am-8am, Tuesday June 21
Where: Body Language, Al Barari Villas, www.bodylanguage.ae/events/aqua-yoga

Ghaf Kitchen’s Brighton Rock Iftar
Pay homage to the mod in you at this concept iftar where food culture meets Quadrophenia. Expect vintage motorcycles, revving engines and candy floss as Ghaf celebrates the retro petrolheads of the 1960s and 70s and their famous rides to Brighton. In the heart of Al Quoz, Café Rider will be transformed into a classic British seaside. Choose to sit either on the Pier at mezzanine level, great for large groups and corporate bookings, or at the Promenade on ground level and be in the thick of the action.
Where: Café Rider, A4 Space, Alserkal Avenue
Price: AED180 per person
Contact: +971 56 393 3712

Seydou Keïta       
An important solo exhibition by African portraitist Seydou Keïta, showcasing a selection of black and white portrait photographs made in his studio in Bamako, Mali from 1948 to 1962. They are Africans as they wished to be photographed.
When: From Wednesday, June 22
Where: Leila Heller Gallery, Al Quoz,

Watch Euro 2016 – Casa de Tapas
Home to Real Madrid’s Dubai-based fans between September and May, this classy tapas joint overlooking Dubai Creek will be looking to become Spain supporters’ base for the summer – although they’re keen to stress everyone is welcome to their 14 TVs and large projection screen. There are also plenty of promotions to take advantage of throughout the games.
If this bar were a team: Italy. Plenty of passion, lots of noise and probably a late, late finish.
Where: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Contact: +9714 416 1800

One Man Two Guvnors
This is an interesting concept being delivered by The Courtyard Playhouse in Al Quoz. In collaboration with the National Theatre in London, one of the most important theatrical bodies in Europe, they are showing screenings of some of the best productions from the previous season – allowing audiences in Dubai and the UAE to get a glimpse of world-class theatre. The first screening will be of the show One Man, Two Guvnors, featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from host of the The Late Late Show (and regular stage performer) James Corden. The plot centres on Francis Henshall, who becomes a minder (cheap security detail, essentially) to a small-time East End crook, Roscoe Crabbe. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Got that? It doesn’t matter. It’s hilarious. And free.
When: June 24-25, 8pm
Where: The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz,

Cinema – Warcraft
It’s humans battling with orcs on Azeroth as the game gets a big-screen, all-action makeover.