Life & Style | General

Fourteen essentials: The way to go this DSF

Michael Gomes charts a fun-filled route to guide you to all the happening dos in town. Illustrated by Danesh Mohiuddin

  • By Michael Gomes, Staff Writer
  • Published: 08:40 January 15, 2009
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    dsf_life_02_5.jpg

    1. Walk the walk

    The latest addition to this year's festival is The Walk at JBR. Stretching over 1.7km, the beachfront retail avenue will be the venue for a 3D street painting act, musical performances and open air cinema.

    Jumeirah Beach Residence

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    dsf_life_03_5.jpg

    3. Delectable delights

    Sample cuisines from different parts of the world without making a meal of your savings. Sampling Sundays and Buffet Tuesdays give you the opportunity to take your pick from a vast array of sumptuous delights as part of the Dubai Food Festival.

    Uptown Mirdiff and floating restaurants along Al Seef Street, February 1-14, 5pm-11pm

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    dsf_life_04_5.jpg

    4. Sweet surfeit

    Sweet tooth or not, this is one event, you can’t afford to miss. Coming your way on Valentine’s Day is the world’s largest dessert buffet. The record- breaking spread features 2,009 dessert delicacies. So forget about the calorie count and indulge.

    Uptown Mirdiff, February 14, 6pm

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    dsf_life_05_5.jpg

    5. Bowl over

    It’s hard to imagine a bowl that could hold biryani for over 20,000 people. But that’s exactly what will be attempted when 2.5 tonnes of biryani will be prepared in a record-breaking bowl. If this doesn’t bowl you over, nothing will.

    Global Village, Feb 6

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    dsf_life_06_5.jpg

    6. Music maestros

    Subcontinent supremos, tabla legend Zakir Hussain from India and ghazal king Ghulam Ali from Pakistan, regale listeners with their distinct styles.

    Tennis Stadium, January 30 at 7pm and Hyatt Regency,

    February 6 at 9pm

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    dsf_life_07_5.jpg

    7. Fashion fantastic

    Mark February 9 in your calendar. That’s when the Dubai Fashion event kicks off. The two-day event sees collections by top labels.

    Also check out Creations at BurJuman where leading brands showcase their collections.

    Madinat Jumeirah from February 9-11 and BurJuman from January 23-30

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    dsf_life_08_5.jpg

    8. Carnival camaraderie

    A vibrant parade of 300 performers playing music and dressed in spectacular costumes reflect different cultures and traditions.

    Al Seef Street (January 15-17) Jumeirah Road (January 22-24) JBR (January 19-31) and Global Village (February 5-7)

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    dsf_life_09_5.jpg

    9. Fatboy Slim

    Put on your dancing shoes for one of the world’s most revered DJs. British big beat musician and producer DJ Norman Quentin Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, who has sold over 8 million albums, has a date at the Barasti Bar. This will be his first performance in the Middle East.

    Le Meridien Mina Seyahi’s Barasti Bar, February 11

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    dsf_life_10_5.jpg

    10. Maiden over

    International rockers Iron Maiden are coming to town for the fourth and final leg of their spectacular ‘Somewhere Back in Time’ world tour 08 next month. Prepare for a splendid night of mind-blowing musical creations which this glorious band have been delivering for more than 20 years.

    Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, February 13, 9pm

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    dsf_life_11_5.jpg

    11. Manna from heaven

    A Dh3 million luxury pad in Jumeirah Village, Dh4 million in prize money and high-end cars – 103 to be precise - are waiting to be won in various raffles. It’s been a terrible last year for most of us. But 2009 could well see you laughing and, in some cases, driving to the bank as Lexus Mega raffle winners also get 100,000 in cash in the currency they pick out in another draw.

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    dsf_life_12_5.jpg

    12. Night prowl

    A must-stop destination for a heady mix of entertainment and shopping is the Night Souk. You don’t have to leave in a hurry as the place remains open till the early hours of morning

    Al Seef Street

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    dsf_life_13_5.jpg

    13. It'rsquo;s a jungle out there

    The city’s latest attraction, the Dubai Mall, hosts the famous Themed Forest Circus Show during the festival. Featuring 28 performers, the show is a themed event of Chinese acrobat and circus artists, involving gravity-defying acts and set amidst spectacular settings to reflect a real forest.

    Dubai Mall January 29 to Feb 6. No show on Feb 3

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    dsf_life_14_5.jpg

    14. Faraway pavilions

    Discover global harmony at the Global Village where over 40 countries are displaying their best wares. The place is bristling with a whole lot of goodies, but it’s on handicrafts and textiles where you could strike good bargains. And while you are there, don’t forget to take a ride on the ferris wheel. It’s supposedly the largest in the Middle East.

    Dubailand, Emirates Road

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