The latest happenings around town!

What everyone is talking about

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Glamour and Giving
It's all about fashion in September, with new collections, new stores and the return of Dubai's favourite lifestyle exhibition - Araaish. Just in time for Eid and Diwali, the ninth season of Araaish will be held at the new Taj Hotel, Business Bay, on September 12 from 11am to 8pm, featuring collections from Mandira Bedi, Simar Duggal, Madison on Peddar, Glam Closet featuring Malini Ramani, Kavita Bhartia, Gaurav Gupta and more. Jewellery collections by Queenie, Private Collections, Anmol jewels, Lotus Sutr and Dubai's very own Essa Walla will be on display as well.
Araaish is one of the largest fundraising events in India, with proceeds going towards Save the Children and the P.R.I.D.E India NGO, which helps rural communities in India. So every purchase you make goes towards helping the underprivileged. For more information, head to www.araaish.com
 
Tales of our city
It's about time Dubai had its own show, documenting the highs and lows of life in this city, and that's exactly what the team behind D City - Dubai's answer to American sitcoms like Seinfeld, Friends, Will and Grace and Gossip Girl - have in store with their new show that premieres in September on www.dcitytv.com. The show follows the lives of three women who live in Dubai and the funny side of living here, and how they deal with unusual circumstances and unexpected events. The show is the first English show scripted and produced entirely in the UAE, so make sure you catch it when it hits the airwaves!

 Have you got all that jazz?
Dubai's original home of jazz and live music, Frankie's Italian Bar and Grill, is launching a weekly event - Talented Frankie's - to find Dubai's most talented musicians. It's an amazing opportunity for local musicians to showcase their musical skills in front of an audience to win cash prizes. The restaurant is accepting acts ranging from acoustic covers, singers, duos, spoken word, rap or even something completely new and different. Basically, if you think you've got the talent, Frankie's will give you the stage. For your chance at some local fame head down to Frankie's where auditions will take place on August 29 and September 5, from 5-7pm. For more information, email ahmad@ih-c.com or call 050-8095629 to book? a slot.

How to become a candy-maker
Candylicious, at Dubai Mall, is conducting a new candy-making master class so fans can learn how boiling sugar magically transforms into their very own inspired spun candy. Participants will get a briefing on the science of confectionery and what goes into making the perfect candy. This will be followed by a demonstration by expert spun candy-makers, who will explain the step-by-step process of making the candy. Finally, participants can make their own versions, which they get to take home. There will also be a Children's Lollipop Masterclass, and you can opt to learn how to make candy flowers during the Spun Candy Flower Masterclass. The classes can be booked in advance for groups or for private sessions. Parents can enroll their children (aged 10-15) in 60-minute master classes, starting from Dh99 per child. Adult classes start from Dh139 per person. For more information, schedules and bookings please call 04-3308700.

 Regal fabrics
Whether you're looking for delicate chiffons, Italian silks or fine cottons, Regal - one of the UAE's largest fabric retail chains - is bound to have what you need. Now, with their eighth store in Dubai - the recently opened outlet in Qusais, at the intersection of Damascus and Baghdad streets - you can find all your desired fabrics from around the world, with the same great service that Regal has been known for, for over 60 years. At the Al Qusais store you can browse through their wide collection of French laces, French chiffons, Italian silks, pure crepes, cottons, linens, brocades, fancy embroideries, and suit and shirting materials.

Boosting your child's confidence
In a recent survey by Centrepoint stores, 90 per cent of the 14,000 customers surveyed believed that new school gear helped boost their child's confidence at the start of a new academic year. Also, 50 per cent of families spend an average of Dh400 on new school supplies each, with school bags, shoes and uniforms being the top three purchases. The survey also shed some light into children's behaviours, indicating that they mostly choose products based on characters appearing on products. Additionally, about 35 per cent of the respondents said that they shop only two weeks in advance, so if you're one of those, you'd better hurry and get all your kids' supplies. The school days are coming!