Wedding sells
James Fryer runs for his life as the ninth annual Bride Show Dubai walks down the aisle.
If there’s one subject likely to strike fear into the heart of your average man, it’s marriage. It’s not that we’re not in love with our partners or that we don’t believe in the whole exchanging of vows, it’s just we’ve been genetically engineered to instantly recoil at even the thought of donning our ceremonial gladrags and walking down the aisle.
But, if you’re fortunate enough not to suffer from this terrible affliction, or you’re a member of the fairer sex, you may be interested to hear about this month’s ninth annual Bride Show Dubai. It’s no small do, and is in fact the largest bridal exhibition the Middle East. Thousands of people come together for a glam four-day event at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, including brides, their mums, their sisters, their aunts, their friends, their wedding planners, and even the occasional groom. It’s the perfect time to bypass painstaking hours of wedding planning as hundreds of organisations will be on hand showcasing wedding gowns, international couture fashions, beauty, hair, venues and honeymoon destinations all under one roof. You may have also heard about the BurJuman Bride and Groom of the Year competition that’s been running in recent months. You’re too late to enter now but you can witness the crowning of the lovedup winners at the event.
Bride Show Dubai, April 4 to 7 (women only on April 5 and 6), Dubai International Exhibition Centre. www.thebrideshow.com.
Minted
The third Beach Polo Cup, the Game of Kings, is to be held at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa this month. The four-day event promises to showcase the sport at its best, and riders from as far afield as Argentina, England, Sweden and the UAE will be fighting it out for a chance of winning the cup. Competition between the Rashid Al Habtoor, Mohammed Al Habtoor, Tariq Albwardi and Kristian Peterson teams is set to be fierce as they showcase the beauty, speed and thrilling nature of the highly competitive and crowd-pleasing sport. Those wishing to follow polo tradition and mingle with some of the cream of society will be pleased to hear that a black-tie gala dinner, giant projection show and BurJuman fashion show will follow the main event. Fabulous, darling.
Beach Polo Cup, April 5 to 8, Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa, Dubai. Entrance to the public area is free. www.beachpolo.net.
Etch-a-sketch
The work of Canadian-born, Dubaidwelling artist Deborah Boussaad will be exhibited at the Basta Art Café at Arabian Ranches this month. Boussaad’s limited edition etchings will be the feature of the exhibition, created through her passion for printmaking and a focus on intaglio and embossed etching, drawing upon the versatility of the Bedouin heritage.
Deborah Boussaad exhibition, April 1 to 30, Basta Art Café, Arabian Ranches, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3626100.
Tee time
April is the perfect time to get in a round of golf or two – temperatures are already on the up and before long you’ll be restricted to playing by floodlight. If you fancy the chance to improve your swing, test out new equipment and get some advice from people in the know, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club run golf academy demonstration evenings, with this month’s evening event followed by a par 3 competition, taking place on April 4. There’s another par 3 tournament on April 20.
Golf Academy demo evening and par 3 tournaments, April 4 and 20, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Tel: (04) 2956000.
Chomp away for charity
The Oilfield Barbecue for Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs is on again.There’s a pirate dress code and door prizes too.
Oilfield Barbecue, April 19, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3556404.