8 things to do in Dubai this week

A new restaurant, a comedy showdown and more ladies nights than you can manage – who said the pace slows down in Dubai during summer?

King Gong Comedy Night
Watch as local comedians compete to defy the sound of the gong. The winner will be crowned King Gong of the evening. The event is free, so make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the comedy starts to make sure that you secure your seat.
When: July 24, 8pm-10pm
Where: Courtyard Playhouse, Street 4B, Al Quoz,

CandleLit Yoga
Summer can still be a stressful time in Dubai – have you been to a mall after 3pm? – so this session at TribeFit in the Marina is the ideal way to rebalance your inner chi.
When: July 25, 6.30pm
Where: TribeFit, Dubai Marina, www.tribefit.com

Sake In The City
Karma Kafé ladies night offers three complementary drinks between 6pm and 1am. Enjoy along with fountain views and an diverse soundtrack.
When: Tuesdays, 6pm-1am
Where: Karma Kafe, +971 4 423 0909

Ramusake
The London izakaya restaurant brand has opened in Dubai, serving up the likes of tuna sashimi pizza, fried truffle and cheese dumplings with truffle ponzu, and fried chicken kara-age sliders with kimchee mayo. Ramusake also has a theatrical robata counter, where the chefs fling around your food as though they were auditioning for Arabs Got Talent.
Where: Hilton DoubleTree in Jumeirah Beach Residence
Contact: +9714 559 5300

Only In The Backroom
This is a very different kind of ladies night. Instead of just free drinks (although there are free drinks!) it’s all about empowering and connecting women. Every first and last Tuesday of the month a guest speaker shares a story to inspire and spark conversation.
When: Every first and last Tuesday of the month, 8pm-11pm
Where: Cocktail Kitchen, JLT, www.cocktail-kitchen.com

Osho Meditation
This type of meditation involves both dancing and resting, allowing you to release stress and emotions. You’ll go through stages of shaking, dancing, sitting silently and relaxing, which will allow blocked energy to flow through your body. It’s best to arrive on an empty stomach and in comfortable clothing.
When: July 27, 7pm-8pm
Where: Yoga studio, Trident Bayside, Dubai Marina, +971 444 162 87

NT LIVE Screening: The Audience
The National Theatre screenings have been some of the highlights of the summer this year. Helen Mirren dons the crown and brooches again to play Queen Elizabeth II in this production of Stephen Daldry’s play, The Audience. The play revolves around the Queen’s role as head of state and her meetings with various prime ministers as they pass through Buckingham Palace, including Winston Churchill, the much-reviled Margaret Thatcher and the now-disgraced Tony Blair. Acutely done.
When: July 28
Where: The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz,

Cinema – Alice Through The Looking Glass (PG)
Johnny Depp is back as the Mad Hatter and doing what he does best – dressing up and hamming it up – in the second reworking of a Lewis Carroll tale, although you might be hard-pressed to recognise much of the original in this gaudy version. Depp is again joined by Mia Wasikowska as Alice, and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, with Helena Bonham Carter and Rhys Ifans offering cartoonish support.
In cinemas from July 21