Dubai city watch 1
We bring you the pick of what’s happening in April and May in Dubai, London and New York.
Gown and about
April 4 to 7 sees the giant International Exhibition Centre host the largest wedding extravaganza in the Middle East – the ninth annual Bride Show Dubai. Whether you’re tying the knot or not, the event promises to be a multi-cultural celebration of some of the most extravagant wedding gowns, international couture fashions, beauty products, hairstyles, venues and honeymoons in the world. And it’s all under one roof. In Dubai. Apparently, highlights include the crowning of the BurJuman Bride and Groom, daily fashion shows and young designer awards. According to the organizers more than 25,000 visitors walked down the exhibition’s aisles last year. Sounds busy. Better take your wedding planner to negotiate the crush. Visit www.thebrideshow.com.
The entertainer
Prepare to scream your teenage heart out. Super showman, poptastic superstar and two-legged groove machine, Robbie Williams takes centre stage at Dubai’s Nad Al Sheba Club on April 21. Inevitably it’s going to be a sell-out show following the success of his latest album Intensive Care. But for many enjoying the luxury hospitality of the Millennium Grandstand the recent singles Tripping and Advertising Space are hardly going to compare to the night’s old school highlights of Millennium, Angels, Rock DJ and Let Me Entertain You. The show closes the first leg of Robbie’s 2006 tour that has seen him bounding on stage in Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria. See local press for Dubai details and make all your karaoke dreams come true.
Theatrical thrills and spills
Frederick Knott’s famous play Dial M For Murder will be taking centre stage at the Madinat Jumeirah theatre from May 16 to 19. The gripping action follows an ex-tennis pro as he carries out a plot to kill his wife after discovering she has had an affair. Tony Wendice bides his time and waits for his wife’s lover to return to town, only his seemingly perfect plan goes horribly wrong. Watching as a brilliant plan B is hatched will have audiences perched on the edge of their seats. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 silver-screen adaptation starring Grace Kelly was a huge success, and theatre lovers shouldn’t miss the chance to catch one of the on-stage performances. Tickets are priced at Dhs135 and doors open at 7.30pm. Call the box office on +971 4 366 6546.
Breeze through history
On May 25 the UAE’s famous annual Sir Bu Na’air dhow competition sets sail to recreate racing history once again at Dubai International Marine Club. The competition celebrates the ancient pearl diving tradition of when dhows used to rest over at Sir Bu Na’air Island on the final leg of their journey before racing home with their precious cargo. The vision of these fabulous single-masted 60-foot vessels flying across the Gulf with their sails fattened by Arabian winds is a uniquely UAE experience and light years away from the goods-laden dhow workhorses you’ll see bobbing on Dubai Creek. It’s enough to bring out the salty sea dog in anyone. Visit www.dimc-uae.com for details.