Fight the Star Battle
Trekkies and Stars Wars fans can unite this Saturday for an epic showdown — the Star Battle. Head to The Social Room (InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Marina) at 2pm dressed as your favourite film character — or come as yourself, if that’s more your thing. The event starts with welcome beverages and snacks, followed by movie impressions, trivia, spot the difference and ‘caption this’ games (2.30-4pm). The event winds down with drinks in The Social Room Bar (4-6pm). Star Battle is organised by Miranda Davidson Studios, who helped cast extras in both Star Trek Beyond and Star Wars: The Force Awakens while they filmed in the UAE. Guests are asked to RSVP at events@mirandadavidsonstudios.com.
Party the weekend away
Look who’s popped up in the UAE! Blurred Lines singer Robin Thicke is in Dubai on Friday to perform at Eden Beach Club at the Rixos hotel on the Palm. The party starts from 7pm and advance bookings are recommended; call 04-2771477. If you’re a fan of the South African DJ duo Goldfish, make your way to Ras Al Khaimah on Friday for the emirates’s new 12-hour beach festival at Al Marjan Beach, opposite Marjan Island Resort and Spa. It runs from 5pm to 5am; the line-up also features DJs Thomas Gold, YVEL K, Scott Forshaw and local hitmakers Hollaphonic. Tickets, Dh250, at destinationdawn.com; call 055-7657057.
Have a laugh
Amazingly, this Friday is the first time Dubai is getting a show by one of Australia’s top comedians: Adam Hills. He’ll bring his The Last Leg show to Dubai World Trade Centre. It’s a stage version of a panel show Hills hosts on British television, and takes its name from the fact that Hills was born without a right food. Tickets are Dh300 and Dh500 at platinumlist.net.
See stars
Nope — as far as we known, the Kardashians are not in town, for once (but hey, you never know!). We mean actual stars. Burj Khalifa has added 12 advanced telescopes to its observation decks on Level 124 and Level 125. They give “giga-panoramic views” during day or night and a touch screen, allowing you to see far across the skyline, spy on your neighbours or perhaps spot Mars, which is very bright in the sky at the moment (hiya, Matt Damon!).
The top level of the tower’s observation reaches 555m — or perhaps you don’t want to think about that. The telescopes are free for visitors with tickets for At the Top and At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY; call 800-28843867.
Celebrate Africa
Events will take place this weekend to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the African Union (AU) at the campus of the Paris University of Sorbonne in Abu Dhabi. For families, the day to visit is Saturday, when from 11am, a fun day will take place. 26 resident African diplomatic representatives will have a football tournament with 16 teams of UAE residents originating from Africa, while there’s also African cuisine, music and fashion and dance shows.
Fireworks and drums
Dubai Festival City Mall’s CityFest has its grand finale weekend starting on Thursday. The event, which celebrated the opening of the waterfront promenade at the mall, began in February. Now they’re wrapping up the season with sessions from Dubai Drums every night this weekend at 6pm. There’s a free outdoor movie experience at 7pm (Toy Story 3, Finding Nemo and A Good Dinosaur) and for the kids, bouncy castles, face painting, balloon bending, dance shows and mini golf. Everyone can enjoy the fireworks shows, nightly at 9pm. Abra rides are also available on the Creek. New outlets launched at the mall, which has had a makeover, include Serendipity 3, Seraphine, Duchess Catherine’s favourite Mint Velvet and royal lingerie specialist Rigby and Peller.
