Tuesday, Jan. 1
If you’re feeling up to it today (and still have some cash left over from last night), Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE has a brunch for Dh295. They promise waiters catering to your every need while you lounge on a beach bed and listen to the DJs. Call 056-1133400.
Wednesday, Jan. 2
It’s Quiz Night from 8.30pm at The Underground Pub, Habtoor Grand.Voucher prizes for the winning teams; registration (free) starts at 7pm and a minimum of four players is necessary. Call 04-4084444.
Thursday, Jan. 3
Credit cards at the ready: Dubai Shopping Festival starts its 18th edition at malls all over Dubai. Also catch nightly entertainment at Al Seef Street.
At the movies: Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway get musical in Les Miserables; Billy Crystal and Bette Midler play inept grandparents in Parental Guidance; Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde are a brother-sister duo in crime drama Deadfall.
Friday, Jan. 4
So, sweating it out at indoor cycling isn’t for you? Flywheel Dubai launches its other popular NYC workout, Flybarre with visiting instructor Kara Liotta, in town until January 12. First class free; email burjviews@flywheelsports.com
Omar Khairat in concert at Dubai World Trade Centre, tickets Dh200-500; call 052-8851775.
Metal Asylum Rockreation at Music Room, Majestic Hotel, Dubai, with Wilma, Exit43, Plainwave , Militant Poetry, Echoes With Laughter; Dh60 at the door.
Saturday, Jan. 5
Dubai Flea Market, Al Safa Park gate 5, 8am- 3pm. Entrance Dh3. In Uptown Mirdiff on January 11.
Open Mic night at B-Lounge, Sheraton Abu Dhabi, with bands, unplugged performers and singers. Call 02-6773333 to sign up as a performer.
Sunday, Jan. 6
Last night to see Hungarian black light theatre company Attraction (starts January 3). Shows, which feature performers dressed in black against black backgrounds, at 6.30 and 8.30pm at DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates.
It’s Russian Christmas eve. Celebrate with a four-course Russian seafood dinner (yes, there is caviar) at Emirates Palace’s modern fish brasserie, Sayad, Dh550 per person. Call 02-6907999.
Monday, Jan. 7
Catch the Dubai Festival City Light & Water Show at 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm (shows at 10.30pm and 11.30pm on weekends).
Tuesday, Jan. 8
Homeland addicts, get your second season fix from today as the hit terrorism drama returns for its second season at 9pm UAE on OSN.
Wednesday, Jan. 9
The Laughter Factory starts at Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, with Stephen Grant, Stuart Goldsmith and Steve Shanyaski in the line up. Shows continue at Movenpick Hotel JBR (10 and 11); Zinc, Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai (16)and Grand Millennium (TECOM, 17). Show starts 9pm, tickets Dh140; call 04-3551862.
Thursday, Jan. 10
It’s awards season! The nominations for the Academy Awards are announced from 4pm UAE time.
At the movies: Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann find out what adulthood’s about in This Is 40; Al Pacino and Alan Arkin are ageing con men trying for one last hit in Stand Up Guys; Imran Khan and Anoushka Sharma share a bond in Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola.
Friday, Jan. 11
Open auditions for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for UAE-based singers, actors, dancers and all-round performers aged 7-60 at Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Show runs for twenty performances in March and April 2013.
11th January 2013 - At 9am (boys and girls ages 7-12); 2pm (boys and girls ages 13-15) and 5pm (males and females ages 16-60). Callbacks for all ages on January 12, Star International School, Umm Al Sheif, from 1.30pm. Visit popularproductions.com
Saturday, Jan. 12
Catch a performance of the Arabic-language play “A Ard El Ghajar” (On the land of the Gypsies) by Arabic musical theatre legends the Rahbani family. The two-act play runs at Burj Park, Downtown, Dubai, until January 12.
Sunday, Jan. 13
The second most-important awards (but often the most entertaining), the Golden Globes, take place in Los Angeles tonight. Steven Speilberg’s Lincoln (releasing here January 31, sadly) leads the nominees. Make sure you check out coverage at gulfnews.com/tabloid.
Monday, Jan. 14
Watch some pros shoot hoops at the 24th Dubai International Basketball Tournament at Al Ahli Club (from January 10-19). Tickets from Dh20-70; call 050-7786447.
Tuesday, Jan. 15
The Score concert series continues with Frankfurt’s Rascher Saxophone Quartet, at Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, 7.45pm. Tickets Dh185-250; call 04-3477793.
Wednesday, Jan.16
The Carrie Diaries, the prequel to Sex and the City, brings an ’80s version of Carrie Bradshaw to our screens at 11pm UAE on OSN.
Thursday, Jan. 17
See what that Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj spat was really all about as the new season of American Idol screens in the UAE, hours after it airs live in the USA. Other judges are Keith Urban and Randy Jackson; Ryan Seacrest hosts the show, Thursdays and Fridays at 9pm UAE time on OSN.
MusicHall, a live dinner-and-music show from Lebanon, takes up permanent residence in the UAE at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Metheran Theatre. Expect music from rock, reggae and jazz, to Arabic, gypsy and Latino, either seated in the sofas in the levelled seating areas or with drinks and finger food at the bar. Every Thursday and Friday, 10pm-am; entry subject to a minimum-spend on food and beverage. Visit themusichall.com
At the movies: Tarantino is as divisive as ever with his slave drama Django Unchained; Bill Murray plays a US president in Hyde Park on Hudson.
Friday, Jan. 18
International Kite Festival at Dubai Outlet Mall, with participation from international kite teams and the UAE’s amateur kite lovers and family activities.
XVA co-hosts a night at Movida in conjunction with their collaboration for Art Night.
Saturday, Jan. 19
Emerging Emirati artist Sara Al Haddad is the artist in residency at DUCTAC’s Gallery of Light until January 12; a week-long exhibition of the work created during that period begins January 15. Call 04-3414777.
Wednesday Jan.23
DJ Hardwell live at Nasimi, Atlantis The Palm, Dh180.
Thursday, Jan. 24
It’s a holiday! Milad Al Nabi (Prophet’s birthday).
The UAE’s latest waterpark, Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, opens to the public. There are 43 rides and attractions to choose from in the pearl-themed park; tickets start at Dh225 per person (Dh325 for premuim, avoiding queues).
Dubai Latin Festival, four days of tango and salsa dancing including the Middle East Latin dance championship, at Movenpick Ibn Batutta Gate. Call 04-3644884.
At the movies: Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow returns with her telling of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, Zero Dark Thirty; Ryan Gosling fans can make a date with Gangster Squad.
Friday, Jan. 25
Celebrate tomorrow’s Australia Day with an outdoor party at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi. The includes a barbie (naturally) chook and mushroom cigars, lamingtons and homemade Tim Tams. There’s entertainment for kids and a live band. Dh150 including food and two Aussie beverages (Dh50 for kids). At Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, there’s a bbq for Dh88 net for adults, inclusive of three beverages and live entertainment; call 02-6446666. In Dubai, head to Australian stalwart Yalumba at the Le Meridien for a celebratory bbq brunch and unlimited Aussie drinks, Dh499; call 04-7022445.
It’s also Burns’ Night, that celebration of all things Scottish, especially the “great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!” (er, haggis).
Vote for the face of the future in Dubai Outlet Mall’s Star Hunt 2013, where 20 male and female fashion model hopefuls will appear in a fashion show.
Saturday, Jan. 26
Cultural Night Market with art market, culinary corner and performances, at Safa Park, Dubai, 2-10pm, entry Dh15, from for under 10s.
Sunday, Jan. 27
He was recently at the Dubai International Film Festival, but if you didn’t get a chance to see UK pop legend Bryan Ferry in the flesh, catch Alserkal Avenue’s exhibition of 40 years of his album artwork at Salsali Private Museum. The most recent pieces are from his 2010 album ‘Olympia’, featuring Kate Moss. Until February 28; you can buy limited edition prints of all artworks on display.
Monday, Jan. 28
Al Ain Art Tent at Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, until February 2, helping children learn about wildlife, nature and their local environment through art. Workshops, aimed at children 4-15 years old, are free on admission to the Al Ain Wildlife Park. January opening hours, 9am-1pm and 2.30-6.30pm.
February 1-2: 10am-6pm.
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Catch the action from defending champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, from January 28 until February 3, at Emirates Golf Club. Dh175 for a tournament day ticket, Dh675 for a season pass. Call 04-3802112.
Wednesday, Jan. 30
BRIDE Abu Dhabi, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, showcasing bridal products, jewellers, couture lingerie and sleepwear. Beyond Beauty will run alongside, with live make-up demonstrations, tips on skincare, hair care and nail care, forums and spa treatments.
Thursday, Jan. 31
Kanye West returns to perform in the capital at du Arena, Yas Island (he last performed during the F1 in 2010). Tickets Dh295 (general admission), Dh595 (fan pit) and Dh695 (VIP standing, 21+). Call 800FLASH (35274).
Slash, the legendary Guns’n Roses guitarist, performs with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators at Dubai Tennis Stadium. Tickets Dh300 (Dh500, platinum); call 04-3699386.
Big Boys Toys, an expo of seriously big and fun products, starts at Atlantis. Tickets Dh500, at online outlets, supermarkets and Hallmark and Virgin stores.
At the movies: Oscar bait Lincoln tells the tale of the 16th US president; Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton are grown-up, butt-kicking Hansel and Gretel.
