8 lovely things to do in Dubai this week: May 5 to 8
Things to do in Dubai this week: sorted…
Looking for some things to do in Dubai this week? There's plenty, from a new (and different) afternoon tea to a night swim with gorgeous views, regional films, and more…
Here are 8 fun things to do in Dubai this week Monday, May 5 Fresh flavours from the sea
Craving seafood fresher than fresh? Swim on over to Ibn AlBahr – the Lebanese gem on Palm Jumeirah at Club Vista Mare or on Dubai Creek. Your menu? It's laid out right in front of you on ice. Point and pick from what you'd like to savour. Will it be the red snapper with Sultan Ibrahim? Or the lobster with local Emirati bait? It's all prepped by chefs and guaranteed not to disappoint. Oh, and the restaurant have received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. Yep, it's that good.
Ibn AlBahr, locations at Palm Jumeirah (9am to 2am) and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club (12am to 1am), Tel: (800) 4262 52247. ibnalbahr.me Travel the world
This is your last chance, folks. Global Village Dubai is closing its doors on May 11, 2025. The family-friendly destination offers everything from shopping to dining, attractions, performances and much more. For your guide to Global Village, head to this link here.
Global Village UAE, Dubailand, Dubai, until May 11, ticket prices from Dhs25. globalvillage.ae @globalvillageUAE Tuesday, May 6 Afternoon tea, but with a twist
We all love a good afternoon tea, but if you want to shake things up, try it at Alba Restaurant. The homegrown and award-winning Asian in Dubai Opera district has launched an afternoon tea with two tiers – sweet and savoury, all crafted by Group Executive Chef Vladimir Chistyakov. The sweet selection (the Geisha selection) includes mochi, mini pancakes, tiramisu, halva cookies, and more. On the savoury tier,(the Samurai selection), there's hamachi and salmon tostadas, mini wagyu sando, wagyu onigiri and more. Pair it with a selection tea and don't be shy to ask for suggestions from the staff – they know just what to serve up. PS – It's also a great option to enjoy before your next show at the Opera.
Alba Restaurant, Opera district, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, avail daily, Mon to Fri 4pm to 7pm, Sat and Sun 3pm to 7pm. @albarestdubai Unlimited sips
All-new bold GABA Bar at Dubai Marina is inviting you for a mid-week break with mates. An intimate tearoom by day and a vintage glam speakeasy by night, you can enjoy unlimited sips for just Dhs90 daily this May. Pick from daquiris, espresso martini, gin and tonic, and more. It's perfect to catch up with mates in a moody setting paired with vintage décor, and statement pop-art pieces.
Gaba Bar, Dubai Marina, Dubai, avail daily, 5pm to 10pm, Tel: (0)58 806 7256. @gaba.dubai Wednesday, May 7 Catch a flick
Calling all cinephiles – the fourth edition of Arab Cinema Week is back at Cinema Akil, everyone's favourite independent arthouse cinema and the go-to spot for alternative watching. The festival runs until May 11 and will take you through an incredible journey through the cinematic landscape of the Arab world. Expect to pick from a mix of bold, creative, and versatile stories from around the region, and as always there is a huge focus on highlighting strong female talent. Tickets to the festival are available to purchase online here. Read more here.
Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, until May 11, tickets from Dhs56.70. @cinemaakil Sing your heart out
Ladies, gather up to the Celine Dions and Gloria Gaynors, and well… maybe the William Hungs (the She Bangs American Idol dude), and make plans to go to Lucky Voice on Wednesday. Why Wednesday? Because the night is all about the ladies. You will get to enjoy free-flowing selected house beverages and an addional 25 per cent off your total bill. Make your plans in advance, as it's quite a popular night. It's also Latin Night which brings a vibrant mix of Latin-themed beats, a live singer, and a full carnival show, adding to the energy.
Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai, ladies night on Wed. Tel: ( 800) 58259 . luckyvoice.ae Thursday, 8 Just keep swimming
If you love swimming but aren't too keen on braving the sun, a night swim is your best bet. Post sundown, Cloud 22 at Atlantis the Royal is inviting guests for a dip in its iconic sky pool. Aptly named Moonlight Sessions, you can enjoy this deal from Thursday to Saturday, from 7pm to 11pm. PS. The sessions are strictly open to those over the age of 21, and you are highly encouraged to come dressed in swimwear and beach attire. Read more here and take a look at the video above to know what you'll be missing if you skip out.
Cloud 22, Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, 7pm to 11pm, Thurs to Sat, prices from Dhs300. Tel: (0)4 426 2700. @cloud22dubai Visit Hatta
Last chance: Hatta is one of those spots you just have to visit before summer arrives to really soak in its beauty without breaking out in a sweat. However, if you're doing the long(ish) drive down for Hatta Wadi Hub, take note as the adventure hub closes on May 15. ' What's at Hatta Wadi Hub ?', you ask? It's a spot that will heal every adventure seeker's soul. There's archery, the net walkway, the mountain biking trails, a zorbing track, horse rides, and so much more.
@visit.hatta
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
9 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Amman International Film Festival unveils jury lineup for sixth edition
This year, AIFF has added the Black Iris Award for Best Non-Arab Film to its lineup of honours. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) has revealed the distinguished jury members for its sixth edition, set to run from July 2 to 10, 2025, in the Jordanian capital. This year, the festival takes a significant step toward international inclusion by launching the Black Iris Award for Best Non-Arab Film, marking an expansion of its mission to celebrate cinematic excellence across both Arab and global landscapes. Selected for their deep expertise, industry contributions, and diverse cultural backgrounds, the jury members are tasked with evaluating debut works in various categories with fairness and insight. The Arab Feature-Length Narrative Film competition will be judged by Algerian filmmaker Adila Bendimerad, Yemeni director Amr Gamal, Cannes Directors' Fortnight executive Christoph Leparc and veteran Jordanian actor-director Rasheed Malhas. This section focuses on films featuring first-time talents, whether in directing, writing or acting. In the Arab Feature Documentary category, which showcases feature-length nonfiction films by debut directors and editors, the jury comprises Lebanese editor Gladys Joujou, Syrian documentarian Ziad Kalthoum and award-winning British producer-director Mike Lerner. The Arab Short Film competition, open to independent first-time directors of narrative or animated works up to 30 minutes, will be evaluated by Lebanese actress Diamand Abou Abboud, Jordanian director Amjad Al-Rasheed and Indian filmmaker Ajitpal Singh, whose previous work has garnered critical acclaim at the AIFF and beyond. Notably, the festival has restructured the selection process for the Best Non-Arab Film category. Previously decided by audience vote, the winner will now be chosen by a jury composed of members from the AIFF Advisory Board. This new jury includes Lebanese artist Georges Khabbaz, Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, Jordanian actress-producer Saba Mubarak, Egyptian director Yousry Nasrallah, Swiss-Iraqi filmmaker Samir and Egyptian-Lebanese documentarian Jihan El-Tahri. The change reinforces the Festival's vision of expanding its critical engagement beyond the Arab world while strengthening the role of its advisory members. Introduced in 2023, the FIPRESCI Prize – awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics – returns to honor excellence in Arab feature-length documentaries. This year's jury includes Iraqi critic Ali Alyasery, Thai scholar Anchalee Chaiworaporn and Austrian journalist Bert Rebhandl, underlining the Festival's commitment to critical perspectives and emerging voices in Arab documentary cinema. In addition to jury awards, the AIFF will continue its tradition of presenting the Audience Award in all four competitive sections. These honours are determined by festivalgoers, highlighting the films that leave the strongest emotional impact on viewers. Running alongside the main festival is the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID), which also appoints a dedicated jury to evaluate film projects in development and post-production. Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, Burundian filmmaker Joseph Bitamba, Spanish film journalist Eduardo Guillot, Jordanian producer Linda Mutawi and Saudi director Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei will assess entries from emerging Arab talent and provide vital support in both financial and in-kind forms. The juries will play a central role in shaping this year's edition by recognising the creativity, ambition, and originality of the next generation of filmmakers. The full list of films and projects selected for competition is expected to be announced soon.
Al Etihad
20 hours ago
- Al Etihad
'The piano allows me to communicate feelings that I might not be able to say out loud'
12 June 2025 22:58 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Diagnosed with autism, 15-year-old Ahmed Al Hashemi found his voice not in speech, but in the sound of the piano - its touch, tempo, and journey with music began at seven years old, when he surprised his mother by playing "Happy Birthday" on a piano after hearing it just instantly recognised his musical gift: perfect pitch, a rare skill that allows him to identify and reproduce any note without he's an award-winning composer, using music to articulate what words can' Emirati teen doesn't view his condition as something to overcome; instead, he embraces it as a unique lens that shapes the way he hears, feels, and composes original autistic, Al Hashemi finds it difficult to verbalise his feelings and experiences, but at the piano, his inner world comes alive. "The piano allows me to communicate feelings that I might not be able to say out loud," he told Aletihad . "Each note carries meaning, and I use music as my voice." The young musician wrote one of his earliest and most personal compositions, "A Day Without You", when his brother left for military service."Instead of telling my mother how much I missed him, I expressed it through music. That was when I truly understood the power of composition," he Hashemi's music has travelled far beyond the Emirates, earning him international accolades like the UNESCO Award and the Mother Teresa Award."These awards remind me that my music has an impact beyond just performance," he said. "It's not just about recognition – it's about proving that music can transcend barriers and bring people together."As both a composer and performer, Al Hashemi finds joy in connecting with a live audience but treasures the intimate silence of solitary creation."Composing is deeply personal – it's where I can express myself without any limitations," he shared."Sometimes a feeling triggers my creativity, and I sit at the piano to translate that emotion into sound. Other times, I hear a melody in my head and work on developing it into a full composition."Al Hashemi attributes his success to the unwavering belief of those closest to him, especially his mother."She believed in me when others doubted my abilities. Her dedication helped me find the right teachers and opportunities to grow as a musician."Looking ahead, Al Hashemi has no plans to slow down. His dream? To play piano on stages across the world and collaborate with musicians who inspire him."Every performance is a chance to share my story and connect with people through music."He hopes that his music inspires "perseverance" and "passion" in those who listen to it."Music is not just sound – it's emotion, storytelling, and connection. I want my journey to show that challenges can be overcome with dedication and belief."Al Hashemi feels a strong responsibility to represent the neurodivergent community in the arts."I want to show the world that autism is not a limitation – it's a different way of experiencing life," he said. "Through my music, I hope to inspire others to embrace their unique abilities." To young people with autism, Al Hashemi says: "Never stop believing in yourself. Your talents and passions are valuable, and with the right support, you can achieve incredible things."
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Unjust retaliation
The Trump administration could declare a US travel ban on widely acclaimed rights lawyer Amal Clooney for her role in advising the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor who issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. The warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were made public in November 2024 after the US imposed sanctions on ICC prosecutor Karim Khan. Donald Trump warned at that time he could instigate measures against 'those responsible' for building the case. In a May 2024 statement published on the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) website, Clooney said she served on the panel recommending the warrants 'because I believe in the rule of law and the need to protect civilian lives.' She added, 'As a human rights lawyer, I will never accept that one child's life has less value than another's.' In 2016, she and her husband, US actor George Clooney, co-founded the CFJ which provides legal support for victims of abuse and injustice and 'fight systematic injustice against vulnerable communities,' such as journalists, women and girls, democracy defenders, individual dissenters and monitories. Since its establishment, the CFJ has expanded its reach to 40 countries, representing victims in court cases, getting journalists out of prison, triggering trials of genocide perpetrators, and helping girls to access school and jobs when under pressure to marry. The potential threat against Amal Clooney coincided with George Clooney's Broadway production of 'Good Night and Good Luck.' The play is a historical drama about CBS television journalist Edward R. Murrow who, in the 1950's, battled Senator Joseph McCarthy's campaign against people he accused of being Communists or Communist sympathisers. By compelling accused persons to defend themselves in Senate hearings, McCarthy caused many to lose their jobs and others to flee the US. When Murrow exposed his terror tactics and lies, McCarthy accused Murrow of being a Communist. After Murrow denied the charge and one of the accused committed suicide, the tide turned against McCarthy. The Broadway play, an adaptation of a 2005 film written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, coincides with Trump's crusade against liberal media and educational institutions, especially Harvard University, the oldest and most prestigious in the US. Amal Alamuddin Clooney is a British citizen of Lebanese descent. Her father is a Druze businessman from the village of Baakleen in the Chouf mountains overlooking Beirut and her mother a Sunni rights activist from Tripoli. The family emigrated to London during the Lebanese civil war (1975-90) when Amal was two. She attended St. Hugh's College, Oxford, and graduated in 2000 with a degree in jurisprudence. She proceeded to the New York School of Law where she received a Master of Laws degree. She is qualified to practice law in England, Wales, and the US. After clerking for high profile US judges and engaging in key cases, she became involved in prosecutions for war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon trying suspects for the 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. As well as Khan, Trump has imposed sanctions on four ICC female judges investigating possible war crimes committed by the US in Afghanistan and Israel in occupied Palestine. ICC Second Vice-President Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin), Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza (Peru) and Beti Hohler (Slovenia) have been targeted. The European Union promptly extended bloc support for the ICC, calling it 'a cornerstone of international justice whose independence and integrity must be protected.' In a post on X, European Council President Antonio Costa wrote: 'The ICC does not stand against nations, it stands against impunity. The rule of law most prevail over the rule of power.' The governments of the Netherlands, Belgium and Slovenia have denounced the sanctions as an effort to halt the work of the ICC. Neither the US nor Israel are signatories of the 2002 Rome Statute which established the ICC which has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. As non-signatories, the US and Israel argue they cannot be compelled to submit to ICC jurisdiction. However, their citizens can be prosecuted of they commit crimes in countries – such as Afghanistan and Palestine – which have joined the Rome Statute. While the International Court of Justice deals with crimes committed by states, the ICC investigates and prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by individuals if their home countries fail to deal with accountability. The US argues that joining the ICC would undermine US sovereignty, infringe on national security and the independent of the government and target US personnel for political reasons. The latest round of sanctions is nothing new. In April 2019, the US revoked the US visa of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, a prominent Gambian lawyer, who prepared to investigate possible war crimes committed by US servicemen during the war in Afghanistan. After the investigation began, Trump authorised the imposition of sanctions against her and Phakiso Mochochoko who served as head of the court's jurisdiction division. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo charged the ICC with being a 'kangaroo court.' Shortly after taking office in 2021, US President Joe Biden lifted the sanctions against ICC personnel although Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed Washington's objection to ICC efforts to assert jurisdiction of citizens of non-ICC members such as the US and Israel. As usual, 'double standards' have come into play. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Biden welcomed the ICC arrest warrant issued for President Vladimir Putin on charges of transporting Russian children into Russia from Ukraine. However, once the ICC began considering warrants over Gaza for Netanyahu and Gallant, Biden – a fervent Zionist – denounced the ICC's action as 'outrageous' and vowed 'ironclad' backing for Israel. Photo: TNS
