Visiting comedians are everywhere in the UAE right now, dominating the country's calendar of events this week.
But there are also activities for the little ones, including a cooking class and a stage production of a famous children's book.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do in the Emirates, from May 15 to 21.
Monday
Head to the Dubai Opera on Monday for a night of comedy with three international female comics.
One of them is Atsuko Okatsuka, from the US, who was born in Taiwan to Japanese and Taiwanese parents, and spent her early childhood in Japan. She rose to mainstream fame when she did the “drop challenge” on TikTok that took the internet by storm. She has since become a social media favourite for her quirky comedy.
Monday; 9pm; from Dh200; Dubai Opera; dubai.platinumlist.net
Tuesday
Take the little ones to The Theatre at Mall of the Emirates for a stage production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved children's picture book, The Snail and the Whale.
The play follows the story of a young girl and her father as they reimagine the story of a tiny snail's adventure around the world. It is recommended for audiences aged four and up.
Tuesday; 4:30pm; from Dh135; Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha 1; dubai.platinumlist.net
Wednesday
Also for children, newly opened twin restaurants Osterio Mario and Shvili at Dubai Hills Mall are hosting cooking classes.
The two-hour cooking sessions will teach the little ones how to make their own pizzas and the famed Georgian dish khachapuri. The classes are free when parents dine and tables must be booked in advance.
Every Sunday and Wednesday; from 1pm; free for dine-in guests; Dubai Hills Mall; 052 929 2088
Thursday
Stand-up fans in Abu Dhabi can also enjoy a comedy night at the Park Rotana on Thursday.
Three American comedians — Mike Marino, Robby Slowik and Laura Hayden — will take the stage, making quips about their jet-setting experiences, love and loss, plus mundane observations about everyday life.
Until Sunday; 8:30pm; Dh160; Al Salam Street, Eastern Road, Abu Dhabi; platinumlist.net
Friday
On Friday and Saturday, Michelin-starred restaurant Hakkasan is hosting a four-hands dinner with its executive chef, Andy Toh, and chef Zor Tan of Born, an acclaimed restaurant in Singapore.
Seven courses will be served at the limited-time culinary collaboration, featuring a combo of Eastern and Western dishes that include a king crab dumpling with truffle, cornfed chicken bao, wild turbot with fermented capsicum and Jasmine-smoked roasted duck.
Friday and Saturday; Dh998 per person; Atlantis, The Palm; 04 426 0752
Saturday
At the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday, Egyptian singer Angham and Yemeni crooner Fouad Abdelwahed willserenade fans with their Khaleeji and Arabic pop hits.
Both artists are widely popular across the Arab world. Fans can expect Angham to perform songs such as Omri Maak, Loha Bahta and her newest single Shebr W Nos. Meanwhile, Abdelwahed's supporters can expect hits such as Ana Sootek, Qalbi Elsahjeer and Ana Asdaq.
Saturday; 9pm; from Dh295; City Walk; dubai.platinumlist.net
Sunday
Visit the Comic Craze exhibition at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The satirical, comic and critical cartoon show features works of 49 Emirati artists. It also includes clips from popular Japanese anime, which were dubbed in Arabic and viewed by many generations in the Arab world.
Until August 31; 10am-6pm; free entry; Al Hosn; culturalfoundation.ae
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
Results
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Company%C2%A0profile
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
THE%20SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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