Hip hangouts: Charice and more

Charice 

This 19-year-old Filipina sensation has some pretty serious pipes, and her big voice impressed Oprah so much that when she was on her show the host described the singer as "a force to be reckoned with. That voice comes from something bigger than yourself."

Charice’s star is doing nothing but rising. She found fame when a video of her singing on YouTube went viral; her catchy tune from last spring, Pyramid, went straight to number one on the Billboard Dance Charts and she guest-starred on Glee as an exchange student called Sunshine Corazon. And guess what? We think her voice was stronger than Lea Michele’s.

She’s passing through to promote her second album, Infinity, which has some great singles – songs like Lost The Best Thing are catchy power ballads of the highest order.

Charice impressed fans when she came to Dubai in 2010, and she was due to come back last October, but the concert was cancelled after her estranged father was tragically killed in south Manila.

Cost Dh95 for a regular ticket, Dh195 for a front pit ticket
Where Dubai Festival City
When From 7pm, Friday March 2
Visit www.platinumlist.ae

David Guetta

The French powerhouse was voted DJ Mag’s DJ of the Year in 2011, and in the past few years he’s worked with A-list musicians like Nicki Minaj, Usher, Flo Rida and Kelly Rowland. As such, he is widely credited as the man who made dance music popular in the mainstream.

The Yas Island venue is perfect for those who live in the capital, but if you don’t, fear not, as most hotels on the island offer great deals for a show and stay. Stay at Centro Yas Island, with a free breakfast, and a general admission ticket for just Dh550 per person, or get two tickets for Dh750 and a room for two. Feeling flush? Pay from Dh750-Dh1,050 for VIP entry and a stay. See www.yasisland.ae for more.

While David was first noticed globally with addictive tune Just A Little More in 2001 (which is actually one of our faves, we defy you to listen to it without popping a shoulder), and rose to further prominence with epic anthem, When Love Takes Over feat. Kelly Rowland in 2009, he’s been impressing people with his skills on the decks for over two decades in his hometown of Paris. The man is a master of his trade, there’s no denying it.

Cost Dh195  for a regular  ticket, Dh395  for a VIP ticket
Where Yas Arena
From 9pm, Friday March 2
Visit www.thinkflash.ae

Top Fight: Battle Of The Gyms MMA Tournament

Although MMA – the full contact combat sport that allows both striking techniques and on-the-ground grappling, and is the ‘freestyle’ of the fighting world – only came to prominence in 1995, it dates back to the ancient Olympics. Today, it’s as popular – if not more so – than boxing, and on Friday February 24 and Saturday February 25, the UAE’s top MMA gyms are each putting forward their top fighter to vie for the honour of being voted the ‘Toughest gym in the Emirates’. There’ll be classes throughout the day – we’re going to try jiu-jitsu at 11.45am on the Friday.

Cost Dh100 for grandstand seats, Dh150 for ringside.
Where The Walk at JBR
When Fight from 6.30pm-11pm, Friday February 24 & Saturday February 25
Visit www.isee.ae

Vu’s Connoisseur Evening

We love classy and high-end Vu’s, and actually think it’s one of the best spots for haute cuisine in town. Because of this, we’ll be saving our fils this week for the Laurent Perrier Connoisseur Evening on Sunday February 26. The four-course set menu of food and bubbles, with a side dish of amazing Dubai views, starts with Atlantic lobster carpaccio with Norwegian scallop tartare, which is paired with ultra brut. The second course is Rabbit consommé paired with a 2002 luxury bubble; the main is then Pan-fried pike with dill Parisienne gnocchi and the dessert a refreshing Wild berry compote with light lemon yoghurt cream and iced strawberry crunch paired with a fizzy glass of rosé.

Cost Dh650 per person
Where Vu’s Restaurant, Emirates Towers, Dubai
When 7.30pm-11pm, Sunday February 26
Call 04 319 8088

The Legends: England vs Scotland

Head down for a day of fun in the sun as Jebel Ali Hotel hosts a football tournament that culminates with a game between Scottish and English legends. See English lads like Des Walker, Carlton Palmer (pictured, in his prime), John Beresford and Lee Sharpe take on Scots Derek Whyte, Andy McLaren, John Wark and Brian O’Neil. There will be food, drink and family entertainment all day too.

Cost Dh25 for kids, Dh55  for adults
Where The Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence
When Day starts 9am, main game starts at 6pm 
Call 04 883 0828

Oasis Wellness Festival

This Sheikh Zayed Road mall is holding a Wellness Festival to help stressed-out Dubai residents unwind. With healthy cooking classes, Ayurveda sessions, yoga classes and group exercise challenges, there’s something for everyone. The best bit? Everything’s free! This Friday we’re going to go for the hour of pilates in the morning, and then maybe a back-pain busting yoga session at 5pm; on Saturday we’re going to try the cook-off session with Aquarius mag before our Monday night 7pm session on the power of the subconscious mind. There are loads more classes to try, just call for details.

Where Oasis Centre, Sheikh Zayed  Road, Dubai
When 10am-8pm, until Wednesday February 29 
Call 04 384 7011