Partygoers turn the Emirates' beaches into a dance floor

The approach of summer means waves of 45°C temperatures, plenty of sun and buckets of sunscreen. So what better way to celebrate than a pool party? Organisers are banking on that premise for the inaugural Splash party, to be held on Friday at the newly opened Waves club in Abu Dhabi's Marina al Bateen near the InterContinental hotel. The party starts at noon and keeps going until the sun sets. The organisers, Moe Flava and Joe Hanna of Abu Dhabi Salsa describe the event as a party for those whose musical tastes aren't usually indulged at the city's dance clubs.

"We are mixing it up Abu Dhabi style with house, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, bachata and even Arabic music, all in one place in one day," the event's Facebook page announces. If the first Splash is successful, Mr Flava and Mr Hanna promise to make it a regular event held the first week of every month. The day will feature games, food, competitions and constant music around the pool. Admission is Dh150 (US$40) for the day, including a drink and, of course, use of the swimming pool.

If you happen to be in Dubai on Friday night, there's a different sort of party in the works. Atlantis, The Palm is holding a full moon beach party on Nasimi Beach overlooking the Palm Jumeirah, starting at 7pm and lasting until at least 3am. The full moon concept - a mainstay on party islands such as Thailand's Koh Samui and Koh Panang - arrived in Dubai when the Atlantis hotel launched its inaugural full moon party last month with success. "The few hundred beach revelers who attended kicked up sand and, as one put it, "had a truly amazing night ... it was so nice just to dance on the beach for a change." The full moon parties promise to be a regular event.

The 10-year-old Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, nestled behind the Emirates Palace hotel, is asking to be noticed. Under new management and newly remodelled, the club held a reopening dinner party Wednesday to celebrate its new look. More than 800 women attended, including the wives of the Lebanese, Nigerian and Tunisian ambassadors.

The festive night, held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, included ballet, African dance and salsa performances by the club's youth dance and gymnastic teams, and an abaya fashion show by four Emirati designers. The shows were followed by a buffet and live entertainment around the club's swimming pool. "We have new facilities, a changed interior, upgraded services, plans to hold similar events that centre around fashion, beauty, culture and entertainment, and we want new members to come enjoy our new look," said Natalie al Shami, the club's marketing and communications manager.

New activities have also been added, such as painting classes, activities for children, as well as a swimming pool and restaurants. 
* The National