If you're looking for something to do in the UAE this weekend, there is plenty happening across the Emirates to keep you busy.
While dozens of large-scale events have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak, there are still a number of community events, exhibitions and deals to enjoy.
Here is a round up of the best events happening across the UAE this weekend, although please note, events are subject to change ...
Watch Gipsy Kings at Dubai Opera
Led by Andrew Reyes, the legendary Latin pop music legends Gipsy Kings are coming back to perform for one night only in Dubai. The Bamboleo singers shot to global fame in 1987 after their song became an international hit.
Thursday, March 12, 8pm; tickets from Dh395; Dubai Opera, Dubai; www.dubaiopera.ae
Free food and workout at F45, Dubai
F45 Dubai Motor City has partnered with Wildflower Poke & More to offer a free one-off exercise and healthy bites session on Friday, March 13. F45 is named after the full-body HIIT workout that improves energy levels, metabolic rate, strength and endurance. The hour-long complimentary “Wild Hollywood” session will combine strength and cardio, complete with thumping music by a live DJ, and low-calorie, high-protein treats by Wildflower.
Friday, March 13; multiple sessions at 7am, 8.10am, 9.20am and 10.30am; free; F45 Dubai Motor City; 050 383 9445, dubaimotorcity@f45training.ae
Adopt a cat in Abu Dhabi
Adopt-a-Cat UAE is hosting a cat and kitten adoption day at Fit Life Vet. Head to the clinic to meet kittens and cats of all ages, sizes and breeds. Those who are old enough will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before going to their new home. Adoption fees apply.
Friday, March 13, 3pm-7pm; Fit Life Vet, opposite Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi; 02 585 7633, www.facebook/adopt.a.cat.UAE
Holi Hai at Zabeel Park, Dubai
Head to Holi Hai on Friday, March 13 at Zabeel Park. The family-friendly event will run from 10am until late, with a variety of food stalls, a live band, DJs and a children's play area. Buy your colours on site, and expect to be celebrating into the night.
Friday, March 13, 10am until late; Dh30; Gate 3, Zabeel Park, Dubai; 050 654 9100, dubai.platinumlist.net
Have a karaoke party in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Karaoke Crew are hosting The Wild Karaoke Party at Viewz Bar at Cristal Hotel. Guests can request their song choice at any time during the night and will get called to the stage to perform. The free event is open for those who want to sing their favourite tunes or just get up and dance.
Friday, March 13, 9pm-3am; free; Viewz, Cristal Hotel, Electra Street, Abu Dhabi; www.facebook.com/ADKaraokeCrew
See great musicians live in Sharjah
Lebanese composer Marcel Khalife and Algerian singer Souad Massi will take to the stage at Al Majaz Amphitheatre. Both musicians are known for their live performances and culturally informed music. The tunes of Khalife’s oud and Massi’s acoustic guitar are set to meet in concert as part of a season of events titled #letsmajaz. Dubbed “the Bob Dylan of the Middle East”, Khalife’s music powerfully and poetically encompasses everything from protest songs to political ballads. Massi is known for her emotive mix of Arabic, French and Berber folk songs.
Friday, March 13, 7.30pm; Dh80; Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Sharjah; sharjah.platinumlist.net
Celebrate Holi in the park in Dubai
The Holi Dhamaka event is being held at Zabeel Park with live music, a variety of food stalls, places to buy colour from and a dedicated children’s play area. Bands such as SRS and DJs Nodde, Sunny and Mann will be performing, while Simran Ahuja hosts the event.
Friday, March 13, from 10am; Dh30; Zabeel Park, Dubai; dubai.platinumlist.net
Watch a movie under the stars in Abu Dhabi
Head to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and sit in a buggy while enjoying the 2019 superhero film Shazam!, starring Zachary Levi and Mark Strong, this weekend. The money spent on the ticket can be redeemed at food and beverage stalls, while a private buggy can be booked for Dh200 for up to four people and comes with drinks and a barbecue platter.
Friday, March 13, 6.30pm-10pm; Dh30; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; www.abudhabigolfdining.com
Tuck into a bargain brunch in Dubai
MasterChef, the TV Experience is offering 50 per cent off its popular Showtime! Brunch deal, and introducing a line-up of dishes created specially by participants from the global hit show that inspired the restaurant. The discount also applies for evening service after 7pm, which means half-price on selected dishes across the vast menu. The brunch offer is not applicable to the premium beverage package.
Friday, March 13, 12.30pm- 4pm and from 7pm; from Dh299 (before discount); Millennium Place Marina, Dubai Marina, Dubai; www.masterchefdxb.com
See Wiz Khalifa play in Dubai
Wiz Khalifa is performing at Drai's Dubai. The platinum-selling rapper, known for the hits Black and Yellow and See You Again, will take to the stage at the Meydan Dubai superclub. The event starts at 10pm and ladies get free entry until 1am.
Friday, March 13, 10pm; ladies free, men are Dh200; Drai's Dubai, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, www.draisdxb.com
Warm up your vocal chords at Lucky Voice Dubai
Karaoke hotspot Lucky Voice will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day early with a special edition of its Friday Brunch Out Loud. On Friday, March 13, guests can expect crowd karaoke, lip sync battles and the chance to have their own karaoke party in its private pods. The venue will be encouraging Irish songs, with a cash prize of Dh1,000 for the winning performance, to be judged by the staff.
Friday, March 13, 1pm-4pm; from Dh195; Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights; 800 58259, www.luckyvoice.com/bars/dubai
Discover Mohamed Melehi's photography in Dubai
A highly influential figure in Moroccan art, Mohamed Melehi was part of a radical group of artists that pushed for local artists to look beyond the Western mode of creating and forge their own style. The show New Waves puts a spotlight on that movement and traces Melehi’s career, featuring previously unseen works of his documentary photography.
Saturday, March 14 to Saturday, April 4; Saturday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm; Fridays closed; Concrete, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai; www.alserkalavenue.ae
Superhero Saturday at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
Visit Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi for Super Hero Saturdays. Guests entering the theme park will be greeted with a live performance, as a DJ spins the tunes. Throughout the nine-week series, DC superheroes Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman will be available for photos and to pass along words of wisdom to the heroes-to-be. There will also be a glow-in-the-dark dance party, too.
Saturdays, 11am; until Saturday, April 4; from Dh295 for adults, from Dh230 for children; Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island; www.wbworldabudhabi.com
Browse Abu Dhabi's Ripe Market
Visit the Ripe Market at Umm Emarat Park to stock up on locally grown seasonal organic produce, as well as a variety of superfoods, juices, honey and essential pantry items. There are arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, live music and entertainment, a petting zoo, children's activities, workshops and more. There's also a free yoga session at 4.30pm.
Saturdays, 3pm-9pm; from Dh10 for park entrance; Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi; www.ripeme.com
Festival vibes at Boxpark Dubai
The 18-day Hype DXB festival is coming to a close this weekend, inviting shoppers to discover special, one-off street-style pieces and collections, as well as sample a selection of food. More than 30 designers have revealed new designs of clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories, home decor and jewellery, which are all on sale as Boxpark also hosts talks, styling sessions, activations and more. Live bands provide the entertainment.
Until Saturday, March 14, from noon-11pm; Boxpark, Al Wasl Road, Dubai; www.boxpark.ae
Visit the Etisalat Beach Canteen at Dubai Food Festival
Dubai Food Festival has kicked off with the opening of the Etisalat Beach Canteen. The festival's flagship event takes the form of a massive pop-up with grab-and-go food trucks, and cooking workshops and live cooking sessions hosted by chefs from UAE restaurants. A dedicated family area will include live entertainment, a kids' zone, a beachside theatre and a gaming square and sports court – ideal to shave off a few calories.
Daily, until Saturday, March 14; 1pm-midnight Sunday to Thursday, 10am-midnight Friday, 10am-11pm Saturday; Etisalat Beach Canteen, Jumeirah Beach (behind Sunset Mall), Dubai; www.beachcanteen.ae
Tuck into Dubai Restaurant Week
It's the last weekend for diners to enjoy some of Dubai's best food for bargain prices. Dubai Restaurant Week ropes in 35 high-end restaurants – from Akira Back’s Paru and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen to Latin America eatery Coya – to curate two-course lunch menus (priced from Dh75) and three-course dinner menus (from Dh150). This year, the event will cover 18 cuisines city-wide.
Until Saturday, March 14, various times; from Dh75; various locations across Dubai; www.reserveout.com/dubai-en
Visit Plastic Tashkeel, Dubai
Their latest group show from Tashkeel is titled Plastic and it's dedicated to a man-made material that has transformed our lives in many ways: plastic. Can we consider sustainability in the face of mass production and consumption? What awaits future generations? Featuring more than 30 artists from the UAE, the show explores the social, economic and cultural dimensions of the issue, while proposing alternative solutions. A series of workshops and seminars on the topic will accompany the exhibition.
Until Saturday, April 14; Saturday to Thursday, 10am-10pm, closed on Friday; Tashkeel Studio and Gallery, Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai; www.tashkeel.org
Check out food art at Burjuman, Dubai
Looking to boost your insta-stories? Make for the BurjumanFoodArt Festival, being dubbed the most instagrammable foodie event in town. Running until Saturday, March 14, expect giant food art installations with the likes of spinning doughnuts, colourful sushi rolls, giant ice-cream cones and oversized popcorn buckets. There’s prizes to be won for the best insta-posts and plenty of dining offers too.
Daily, until Saturday March 14, 10am-10pm; free; Burjuman Mall, Dubai, www.burjuman.com
Try some Filipino food in Dubai
Rove Trade Centre now hosts a weekly Filipino feast on Saturdays, marking the tradition of the Boodle Flight. This includes a range of seafood, sweet beef, chicken skewers and plenty of rice, all piled high on a long banana leaf. Enjoy the dining experience with family and friends.
Saturday, March 14, from 5pm-10pm; Rove Trade Centre, 2nd December Street, Dubai; www.rovehotels.com
Bounce at Dubai's new trampoline park
Bounce X has opened at Festival City Mall. The new venue spans 5,000 square metres over two floors and is the world’s biggest Bounce and the world’s first freestyle terrain park. The area features trampolines and parkour elements, as well as giant airbags, ninja obstacle courses and an 8.5-metre drop slide. Unlike other Bounce venues, guests are asked to wear sneakers or rent shoes if their footwear is inappropriate.
Saturday to Wednesday, 10am-10pm; Thursday and Friday, 10am-midnight; Dh90 per hour; Bounce X, Festival City Mall, Festival City, Dubai; www.bounce.ae
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
Started: January 2018
Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech, micro finance
Initial investment: $1 million
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
Sweet%20Tooth
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Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
