This week is made for foodies with several big-ticket events lined up, from the annual Gulfood in Dubai and a barbecue-themed food festival in Abu Dhabi.
Dining aside, there's also a Taylor Swift tribute concert, as well as a cultural event preluding Ramadan.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from February 19 to 25.
Monday
Parents who dine out at Expo City Dubai on Monday will receive complimentary meals for their children.
Diners aged 12 and under eat for free at any of the restaurants across the vicinity until March 8. This includes Alkebulan by renowned chef and author Alexander Smalls. For Middle Eastern cravings, Assembly Mezze & Skewers might do the trick, while health buffs can head to vegan cafe PXB.
Other restaurants include Philly Jawn by Ghostburger, Yamanote Collective, Talhan and Grand Beirut. Eligible diners get one meal on the house for every order of an adult's meal.
Until March 8; Expo City Dubai; expocitydubai.com
Tuesday
It's never too late to grab those training shoes and get a gym membership. Fitness First has introduced Rush, a 45-minute group workout targeting both cardiovascular and muscular endurance.
The programme is available to members of all Fitness First clubs in the UAE. However, on Tuesday, there will be a special ladies-only class at the Abu Dhabi Mall branch.
Rush comprises two rounds of high-intensity interval training, utilising eight working stations to blend cardiovascular, strength, functional, fit bench and core exercises. The workout also comes with a curated pre-choreographed music playlist to set the mood.
Various dates and timings; memberships start at Dh258 per month; uae.fitnessfirstme.com
Wednesday
Attend the annual Gulfood at Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday, for a taste, literally, of all things culinary.
Thousands of brands will gather under one roof showcasing food products, from cooking ingredients to pastries and packed goods. The event blends trade and consumer elements, with the public also invited to sample one-off finds and little-known cuisines, and attend workshops and demonstrations.
Some of the award-winning chefs set to make an appearance this year include Christian Le Squer of Le Cinq in Paris; Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca in Spain; and Mark Donald of The Glenturret in Scotland – all Michelin-starred restaurants.
Until Friday; from Dh595 for a five-day entry pass; Dubai World Trade Centre; gulfood.com
Thursday
On Thursday, catch the return of the critically acclaimed musical Phantom of the Opera in Dubai.
Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, the show is set in 19th-century Paris. It tells the story of the musical prodigy the Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. He falls in love and lures Christine, a young soprano, to be his protege.
The show features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It has won more than 70 major awards since its debut in London's West End in 1986. Some of the hit songs include Think of Me, All I Ask of You and Music of the Night.
Until February 27; 8pm; from Dh275; Dubai Opera; dubaiopera.com
Friday
Unfortunately for Taylor Swift fans, her record-breaking The Eras Tour isn't making a Middle East stop. However, for those in Dubai, a tribute concert at Theatre at QE2 might be enough for now.
The UK tribute act is led by British singer Katy Ellis, who attempts to emulate the American superstar from her voice, look and contagious energy on stage. Fans can expect to sing along to hits such as Love Story, You Belong With Me and Cruel Summer.
Friday and Saturday; 2.30pm and 7.30pm; from Dh99; Port Rashid; dubai.platinumlist.net
Saturday
For a cultural treat, and charming preview of the coming Ramadan, head to Al Shindagha Museum to learn more about Hag Al Laila – an ancient Emirati tradition where children visit homes in their neighbourhood, singing songs in return for sweets.
The Creek-side heritage venue will host authentic experiences that highlight the values of community by way of workshops and demonstrations.
Friday and Saturday; 4pm-8pm; free; Dubai Creek; dubaiculture.gov.ae
Sunday
Foodies can head to Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday to catch the last day of the Open Fire Food Festival, featuring the “smoky flavours of the desert”.
Hosted by Steve Harvey, the event celebrates all things barbecue, with demonstrations from prominent pitmasters such as Moe Cason, Steven Raichlen and Melissa Cookston. Several food stalls will be at the venue, while young Emirati chef Aysha AlObeidli will host workshops for the children. There will be eating competitions, too.
Saturday and Sunday; 10am-midnight; from Dh75; Yas Marina Circuit; openfirefoodfestival.com
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
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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.”
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Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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