If you like... the beach
Sunset Open Girls
What: The Sunset Open Girls was started by a group of female surfers who felt there was a need for activities specifically for beach bum-ettes. They run four-week courses of surfing and Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and mix it up with beach fitness. It's a ‘girls only' club with with female instructors, too.
They also meet on a Wednesday evening at Mahiki, Jumeirha Beach Hotel, for a social get-together with friends and partners.
Motto: "More worried about breaking a fin than breaking a nail."
Who you'll meet: Fun-loving, tanned females
Where: Sunset Beach (Umm Suqeim Open Beach)
When: Friday mornings, 9am
How much: Dh500 for the four-week course - includes lesson, board rental, rashvest rental and a healthy breafast of fresh fruit, muesli and coffee afterwards.
Get in touch: Email (www.surfingdubai.com), facebook (Surf Dubai), twitter (@SunsetOpenGirls), or phone (050-5043020)
If you like... real music
The Fridge
What: Launched in 2007, The Fridge is a music management and live music venue, which promotes local funk, classical, jazz, rock, hiphop and soul talents by organising regular events at its warehouse space in Al Quoz and at other venues around town. In addition to its concerts and gigs, they also hold classes, workshops and rehearsal sessions in music and other performing arts, such as theatre, dance and aerial performers (think Cirque de Soleil).
Motto: "Find music."
Who you'll meet: Music geeks and talented people
Where: The Fridge Concert Series is six weeks of weekly live music gigs on Monday nights, held at its warehouse is in Al Quoz. Additionally, the Acoustic Songwriters Showcase is held once a month at The Fridge and is a good opportunity to meet other musicians and to form collaborations. Check out their website and sign up to their newsletter to be informed of all their events and other cool music gigs happening all over town on a weekly basis.
When: The 10th Fridge Concert Series starts May 7.
How much: Membership is free, although a contribution of Dh50 is accepted.
Get in touch: Website (thefridgedubai.com), email (info@thefridgedubai.com), facebook (The Fridge Dubai), or twitter (@thefridgedubai)
If you like... business
MAKE
What: It's a cafe with workstations and specific areas geared up for people to use their laptops, hold meetings, brainstorm, be creative and learn. The founder Leith Matthews says he saw a gap in the coffee shop market for a sophisticated mobile working environment when he realised that wifi coffee shops weren't satisfying people's needs anymore. He says, "We don't use the word ‘networking' but, because of the place, it happens organically. Also, we hold events on topics related to enterpreneurship, technology and design".
Motto: "MAKE is the home of young business and big ideas."
Who you'll meet: Young, ambitious, creative, entrepreneurial types
Where: Al Fattan House, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai Marina
When: Open daily from 8am to 10pm
How much: The price of your yummy coffee/Coconut Bread with Marmalade/ Wagyu beef pie or anything else off the delectable menu.
Get in touch: Website (makebusinesshub.com), email (info@MAKEbusinesshub.com), Facebook (MAKEbusinesshub), twitter (@MAKEbusinesshub), phone (04-3929216)
If you like... writing
The Dubai Writers' Group
What: A group of aspiring and inspiring writers, with areas of speciality and interest ranging from poetry to comedy scriptwriting, who meet up regularly to share ideas, offer honest opinion, and hear experts and professionals talk on various writing-related topics. They meet at least once a month, sometimes more, in different coffee shops, restaurants and other venues around the city.
Motto: "Write, write and write some more."
Who you'll meet: Will Rankin, head of the group, says, "We encourage people of all creeds, ages, shapes and sizes to join us, but the predominant language is English."
Where: Changes each time but the group regularly congregates at both the BurJuman Centre and the Pavilion on Emaar Boulevard.
When: Changes each time, but mostly weekday evenings with some longer workshops on the weekends.
How much: The sessions are free, but there is a voluntary annual donation of Dh50.
Get in touch: Website (www.meetup.com/dubaiwriters), or Facebook (Dubai Writers' Group)
If you like... crafts
Craftland
What: A specialist crafts store offering workshops, clinics and clubs for multiple craft disciplines, including knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, quilting and more. Their clinics are weekly drop-in sessions, where you can get advice on your current project from an experienced member of staff, or just catch-up with other clinic regulars. Each craft discipline has at least one clinic session per week. The clubs are held monthly and meet on a Wednesday morning from 10am to 12pm, and include demonstrations, guest speakers and more. They also offer classes for beginners. Jennifer Haack, assistant manager at Craftland, also runs a monthly knitting club, called Desert Knitters, in conjunction with Arte Souq. They meet at 2pm every second Friday of the month at Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road.
Motto: "Craft Land - your creative haven."
Who you'll meet: Handcrafters of all ages and backgrounds.
Where: Craftland is based in Town Centre, Jumeirah Beach Road
When: They have multiple events on most days of the week, including Saturdays for those who work. The first sessions start no earlier than 9.30am and the last sessions end no later than 9.30pm.
How much: Clinics cost Dh50 per session. Annual membership to a club costs Dh80 and includes refreshments. Classes and workshops vary in price.
Get in touch: Website (www.mycraftland.com), email (info@mycraftland.com), Facebook (Craft Land), or phone (04-3422237). For details on Desert Knitters, email desertknitters@yahoo.com.
If you like... adventure
Adventure HQ Club
What: Adventure HQ is a store in the Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Rd, which offers free membership to its Adventure HQ club. Once a month, they offer a Weekend Adventure, which may involve kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or trekking somewhere in the UAE totally free of charge, where all the transport and equipment is provided. They also hold in-store events with guest speakers.
Motto: "Inspiring more people to discover the great outdoors."
Who you'll meet: Adrenaline junkies, fitness-types and nature enthusiasts
Where: Weekend Adventures happen all over the UAE.
When: Once a month
Get in touch: Website (www.adventurehq.ae), email (info@adventurehq.ae), Facebook (Adventure HQ), on twitter (@adventure_hq), or by phone (800-ADVENTURE).
