January events calendar

JANUARY 1

Bootik Rehab New Year’s Day  with Frederick Stone at Vanity Club, Murooj Rotana Hotel. Doors open at 11.30pm. Call 050-9579471 or 050-4734666

JANUARY 2

Get shopping! Dubai Shopping Festival starts today, running until February 2. Back by popular demand this year is the gold raffle.

Pakistani Ghazal singer Munni Begum performs at Asian Palace, Sharjah. For invitations call 050-7681729/06-5638008.

At the movies: There’s not much out there for English-language movie lovers this weekend, with the only new film of note being the latest Paranormal Activity instalment. For Hindi fans, there’s Joe B Carvalho, with Arshad Warsi and Soha Ali Khan. Mohanlal lovers, check out Drishyam.

JANUARY 3

Gossip girl actress Blake Lively will visit Galeries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall, 6pm. Want to meet her? You’ll have to buy a large bottle of the perfume she’s promoting.

Last chance to see Chicago at Dubai World Trade Centre with two shows — 5pm and 9.30pm; tickets from Dh245.

First night of Ajantaa — The Grand Musical, a Bollywoodstyle musical performance at Shaikh Rashid Auditorium, The Indian High School. Tickets Dh50-500.

Gossip girl actress Blake Lively will make an appearance at Galeries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall, 6pm. Want to meet her? You’ll have to buy a large bottle of the perfume she’s promoting.

Last chance to see Chicago at Dubai World Trade Centre with two shows, at 5pm and 9.30pm; tickets from Dh245.

First night of Ajantaa — The Grand Musical, a Bollywood-style musical performance at Shaikh Rashid Auditorium, The Indian High School. Tickets Dh50-500.

JANUARY 4

Open mic night, from 7pm at B-Lounge, Sheraton Abu Dhabi. Call 02-6773333.

JANUARY 5

Mind & Music, a show by magicians and musicians Raja, Adarsh and Balabhaskar, at Ductac; also January 6. Tickets Dh250-500.

JANUARY 6

Celebrate Russian Christmas. Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi hosts a dinner at Sayad and a brunch of traditional Russian food the next day. Call 02-6907999. Sheraton Abu Dhabi’s Flavours Russian Christmas Eve buffet, Dh170.00.

JANUARY 7

New term begins at James & Alex Dance Studios, classes from just Dh720 for 12 weeks, children (2-16) dance free for the first week of the term. Call 04-4470773.

JANUARY 8

See Emirati Expressions: Realised, the third in the series of Emirati Expressions, showcasing artworks by six Emirati artists, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi. Last day on January 18.

JANUARY 9

Ten soloists from the Paris Opera National Ballet dance at Madinat Theatre, at 8p. There are four performances in total (8pm on January 10, and at 2pm and 7pm on January 11). Dances include the Tchaikosvky Pas de Deux created by Balanchine in 1960, In the Middle, Somewhat

Elevated by William Forsythe and Romeo & Juliet by Nureyev. Tickets Dh250-450 at the Madinat Theatre Box Office (04-3666546).

Comedyfest, McGettigan’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers (also January 10) with Karl Spain, Eric Lalor , Chris Kent, Colm O’ Regan and Bernard O’ Shea. Doors 7pm, show 9pm, Dh60 with a pint and a burger. Call 800McGS (6247).

At the movies: Now here’s a bumper film week: 12 Years A Slave, Wolf of Wall Street, Out of the Furnace, The Past, Parkland and Dedh Ishqiya are all on the line up.

JANUARY 10

SALAAM DUBAI 2014, a four-hour Bollywood concert with KK, ARIJIT SINGH and MONALI THAKUR and a 25-member troupe, at Madinat Jumeirah Arena. Tickets Dh100-2,000 (varying categories) at Choithram, Spinneys and Madinat Theatre Box Office; call 050-6984599.

Filipina singer Jamie Rivera performs at Al Nasr Leisureland Ice Rink with special guest Jeffrey Hidalgo. Tickets Dh75-200, at Spinneys and other outlets.

Asianet Film Awards, at Meydan, tickets Dh100-1,000, at ticketmaster.ae.

JANUARY 11

Bollywood Nights, combine Indian cuisine with a classic Bollywood movie every Saturday night at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Amala restaurant and private screen room. Dinner 6pm, screening 3.30pm  and 7.30pm. Dh285 per person for dinner and Movie. Call 04-4530444

JANUARY 12

Catch a performance of Michael Jackson: Immortal, the Cirque du Soleil show at Dubai World Trade Centre, on until January 14. Tickets from Dh295 at ticketmaster.ae.

JANUARY 13

Hip Hop Chic Mondays with DJ Bliss, at Cirque Le Soir, Fairmont Dubai.

Check out Peace In An Open Space, an exhibition of sound art curated by English artist Simon Coates, at The Gallery of Light, Ductac, until January 26.

JANUARY 14

Alta Badia ladies night, one bottle of Italian bubbly or five selected sundowners, with buratta and bruschetta for Dh199 at the new bar on the 51st floor of Emirates Towers, 6-11.30pm. Call 04-3198771.

JANUARY 15

Punchline Comedy Club features comedians Alex Boardman, Johnny Awsum, and Phil Butler for five nights of stand-up across the emirates. Find them at
a new venue, Girders Garden at Ocean View Hotel in Dubai. (Also at Emirates Golf Club on January 9; The Clubhouse at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, on January 10; Jumeirah Creekside Hotel on January 16; Sharjah Rugby Club on January 17.) The comedy starts at 9pm, tickets for all shows Dh150, excluding food, at urbanevents.ae.

Sharjah World Music Festival, Al Qasba, until January 18, starts with Naseer Shamma and Ashraf Sharif Khan. Tickets from Dh150. January 16, Jahida Wehbe and Belgium Fusion Band; January 17, Furat Qaddouri and Vicente Allende; January 18, Macadi Nahhas and Oriental Jazz Band. 

JANUARY 16

Naseer Fiesta, until January 18), at Centerpoint Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, a celebration of theatre with Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Heeba Shah, Rajit Kapur, Vivaan Shah, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Falsal Rashid and Rakesh Chaturved performing “Ismat Apa Ke Naam”, “A Walk In The Woods” and “Katha Collage”. Performances at 7pm, tickets Dh200-700. Call 04-3692128/055-9100468.

Artscape: The Harmony of Art and Poetry, an evening of readings and performances by writers, artists and musicians, 5-9pm, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. Call 800-555.

At the movies: See Pakistan’s submission to the Oscars (it didn’t make the cut), Zinda Bhaag; Judi Dench’s tearjerker Philomena; Chris Pine takes on the Jack Ryan character in Shadow Recruit; and finally, that little movie called August: Osage County, starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and Ewan McGregor.

Egyptian composer Omar Khairat in concert at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai. Ticekts Dh200-500 (21+ only); call 04-4570336.

JANUARY 17

Amr Diab in concert at  Dubai World Trade Centre with support from Jadal. Tickets Dh195-550 at Virgin Megastores.

MiXTAPE Rewind, with Boney M, Dr Alban, Vengaboys, SNAP! and N-Trance, at Emirates Golf Club. Tickets Dh295, call 04-4570336.

JANUARY 18

Last day of We Are The Champions (starting January 16) at Madinat Theatre, a 10-member tribute to pop icons such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Pink! and Freddie Mercury. Tickets, Dh200 and Dh250 at the box office and online. 

JANUARY 19

Last day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club (starts January 16). General admission is Dh50.

JANUARY 20

Al Moulid, an exhibition of Egyptian artists, extended until January 24, at Gallery Ward, Al Quoz, next to The Courtyard. 10am-6pm; call 04-3883204.

JANUARY 21

Tiki Bar Tuesdays featuring Polynesian-themed beverages with special discounts for the ladies, at B-Lounge, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. Call 02 677 3333.

JANUARY 22

Ladies’ Night at Malecon, unlimited drinks between 10pm and 1am, a Latin band and a DJ plays R&B.

JANUARY 23

Head to the races! Meydan Racing Carnival is in full swing, with races every Thursday throughout January-March, leading up to the World Cup on March 29. Tickets Dh50-595; call 04-3272110.

At the movies: Salman Khan’s Jai Ho (formerly Mental, which was filmed in Dubai) aims to kickstart Bollywood’s 3 billion club year.

JANUARY 24

ASAP 2014, a celebration of Filipino entertainment with 40 acts including Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Vina Morales, Martin Nievera and Charice Pempengco, at the Dubai Festival City, from 4pm. Tickets, Dh85-365.

Australia Day at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, with DJ, Australian food and beverages and games. Entry free, from 1pm. Also Australia Day at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, 1pm-5pm with entertainment from Spies in the Cellar, Sweet Chili Jam, DJ Scott B, kids activities, Dh140 (Dh180 with beverages, Dh50 for children). Call 02-6950413.

JANUARY 25

Barasti Aussie Day Special, an all-dayer with Marty Metcalfe, Marky Marc, DJ Venus, Tom Ferguson, Soto and Dave Simeon. Free entry all night; call 04-3181313.

JANUARY 26

Australia Day at the Belgian Beer Café Hoegaarden Garden, Grand Millennium Dubai. Enjoy two complimentary draught brews if you are an Australian (valid upon showing a picture ID proof).

Go West at Mazina, for the ultimate BBQ experience at Mazina where classic Kansas City flavours are on the menu, for a celebration of the slow-cooked smoky style of Missouri’s most famous culinary export. Choose from an all-American menu including smoked beef brisket, Cajun chicken, slow smoked ribs and beef chilli, along with delicious sides including BBQ corn, good ol’ fashioned coleslaw, corn bread. 7pm to 11pm at Dh199 per person, excluding beverages

JANUARY 27

Vietnamese BBQ Classes, cooking demonstration with own personal chef at Voi Restaurant, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, 1–3pm, min 4 people. Dh245 per person including a beverage. Call 04-4530444

JANUARY 28

East China State Circus performs at Madinat Theatre twice daily (4.30pm and 7pm) until February 1, with 28 performers in a 70-minute show. Tickets can be reserved online at http://www.madinattheatre.com Souk Madinat Jumeirah will also have traditional street food, parades, live musicians and a lion dance daily to celebrate Chinese New Year

JANUARY 29

Learn Tuscan cooking with lessons throughout the month at St. Regis Abu Dhabi at Villa Toscana, using Tuscan produce such as honey, olive oil, cheese and meats. Every session the team will cook an antipasto, main course and dessert. 9am-12.30pm, Dh400 this month only. Call 02-694 4444.

JANUARY 30

Moonlight Yoga at Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, unite your body, mind and spirit for a true inner peace experience with Danica as she takes you through a series of asana’s guaranteed to improve strength, stamina, bring flexibility to the entire body and calm the mind. Dh85, 75 minutes per class. Call 02-6563500

At the movies: Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam tell an Indo-Pak love story Total Siyappa; Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin tell a love story of a different kind in Labor Day.

JANUARY 31

Kung Hei Fat Cho — it’s the year of the Horse! Celebrate Chinese New Year.
Emirates Palace Chinese New Year Buffet AED 310.

Sizzling Wok, Citymax Hotels Bur Dubai - Buffet on 30 and 31 January 2014 for dinner from 8pm onwards. Dh79 per person including two regular beverages. Call 050 100 7065