7 things to do in Dubai this weekend

We hate the phrase “there’s something for everyone”, but when it comes to music, this weekend there kind of is. Chart music lovers have Rita Ora and Steve Aoki at RedFestDXB, the deep house crowd have Blond:ish at Blue Marlin, classical music fanatics can enjoy Il Divo, while those looking for a throwback can head to see Charles Aznavour.

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE
It’s a double act at Blue Marlin this weekend in the form of Montreal duo Blond:ish. Following on from a memorable set at Blue Marlin UAE’s closing party last February, the ladies are ready to spin deep house and techno beats to the crowd again. Santé from Berlin will also bring his quirky set to the beach club this weekend.
When: Friday February 12
Where: Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, +971 56 113 3400, 

RedFest DXB
It’s back for another year, and the line-up is pretty exciting. RedFest DXB 2016 kicks off on Thursday with Steve Aoki, Rita Ora, The Vamps and Dawin. Friday brings MistaJam, Adam Lambert, Eva Simons, Fifth Harmony Trey Songz and RedFoo.
When: February 11 – 12
Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, 

Charles Aznavour
Now well into his 90s, French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour makes his Middle Eastern debut this weekend, where his distinctive voice will purr a huge collection of well-loved songs such as “She” and “Les bateaux sont partis”. Tickets from AED295.
When: Friday, February 12
Where: Dubai World Trade Centre, www.dubai.platinumlist.net

Il Divo
The boyband-meets-opera quartet of Il Divo have now been together for nine albums and a little over a decade, becoming the biggest thing in classical music since Luciano Pavarotti. Which is pretty big. They are, essentially, the pin-up version of The Three Tenors, blending their classically trained voices with a slick stylist, great wardrobe and beautiful marketing machine. They were, of course, put together by Simon Cowell and have enjoyed the level of fame that even he might consider satisfactory, racking up 30 million album sales, 50 number-one records and 160 gold and platinum certifications in 33 countries. This is their fourth world tour, and in addition to their Broadway and opera standards, they’ll also be adding a touch of Latin America to their repertoire this weekend, with covers of Julio Iglesias and Gloria Estefan.
When: Friday, February 12
Where: Meydan Racecourse,

Radhika Vaz: Older, Angrier, Hairier
After the success of her first one-woman comedy show “Unladylike: The pitfalls of propriety”, New York based comedian Radhika Vaz is back with her sophomore effort, “Older. Angrier. Hairier.” Now in her forties, Vaz focuses her wit on the challenges of aging in a culture that worships youth, her decision not to have children – as well as her constant struggle to overcome her obsession with housework. This promises to be a trip through the mind of a woman who refuses to take life too seriously.
When: Friday, February 12
Where: DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates,

UFO: Circus From Another Planet
The world-famous Great Moscow State Circus is bringing a flavour of the future to Dubai with a production from the legendary showmen, the Zapashny Brothers. Very much in the Cirque Du Soleil mould, this will have all the usual displays of acrobatics – and thanks to the Princess Haya Award for Special Education, there will be loads of tickets given to special-needs children.
When: February 10 – 13
Where: Dubai World Trade Centre,

Cinema – Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (tba)
If you, like us here at ShortList, find Jane Austen’s classic a little soporific, you might just welcome the presence of a few members of the undead to shake things up. Set in the aftermath of the Black Death, zombies have risen and humans are fighting for survival. And rather than focusing on the tangled relationships of the upper classes, the ensemble have swapped their garters for garrottes, their afternoon teas for killing sprees. Enjoyable nonsense.
In cinemas February 11