Dubai city watch 2
We bring you the pick of what’s happening in June and July in Dubai, London and New York.
City of fun
The city that continually brings wonders to the world (and new worlds to the world…) is aiming to provide the best the planet has to offer in terms of summer fun. The Dubai Summer Surprises schedule has something for children and big kids alike with 10 fun packed weeks starring the loveable yellow mascot Modesh. The hot weather activities will run from June 21 to September 1 and each week a different theme will see shopping malls, amusement arenas and hotels transformed to provide live entertainment including music, dancing, competitions and interactive workshops – all under the breeze of cool air-conditioned air, of course. Each of the participating venues taking part will offer weekly entertainment in line with the themes of arts, food, adventure, cartoons, nature, knowledge, flower, heritage and school surprises. Phew. Visit www.mydsf.ae for details.
Power play
With summer well and truly underway, hitting the water is a great way to beat the heat. If you like a little raw power with your water, you should stroll down to the Jumeirah coastline to enjoy this year’s contenders in the UAE Wooden Powerboat Race on June 8 at Mina Seyahi Marina. The event is the fifth and final heat of the championship and spectators can expect to be thrilled by around 30 boats screaming across the water aiming to leave competitors in their spray. The course stretches over 28 miles of coastline and spectators can catch the action from the Marina, as well as from beaches along the way. The competing boats are made entirely of wood – but with the help of modern engines reach speeds of anything up to 100kph. Visit www.dimc-uae.com for details.
Recipe for disaster
The farcical antics of Don’t Dress for Dinner take to the stage at the Madinat Jumeirah Theatre from June 27 to 30. The dramatic romp follows the story of would-be Casanova Bernard, who hopes to entertain his chic mistress Suzy over a weekend with some gourmet cuisine in a luxurious farmhouse. After inviting his friend Robert along as an alibi, he begins the process of packing his wife Jacqueline off to his mother. For a moment it seems like nothing can go wrong. But what if Robert turns up without knowing why he’s been invited? What if Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers? And, what if Suzy gets mistaken for a chef and she’s useless in the kitchen? Mix all of these ingredients together and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an evening of confusion and high farce, as Bernard tries to salvage his world. Tickets are priced at $36. Call the Madinat Jumeirah box office on +971 4 366 6550.
Ballet high
Dance lovers are in for a real treat from June 5 to 9 when The Imperial Russian Ballet brings its glamorous production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake – one of the most famous and critically acclaimed ballets of all time – to the Madinat Jumeirah Theatre. The ballet tells the story of Prince Siegfried whose romance with Queen Odette goes awry when she is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer. What follows is a classic emotional tale of hope, despair, terror and tenderness as Odette is destined to remain a swan until rescued by a man’s undying love. Swan Lake has unsurprisingly remained a firm favourite thanks to its popular plot and technically demanding choreography. The Imperial Russian Ballet are pulling on their pointes in Dubai as part of a world tour which has included performances at the Winter Olympic Games in Torino. Tickets are priced from $40. For details call the box office on +971 4 366 6550.