12 things to do in UAE this weekend: Music, shows and more

Dubai - Looking for something to do? Here's our guide to spend your off days.

How to make the most of your Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Khaleej Times recommends...
Dance day
On Friday, 80 students from The Ballet Centre Dubai will be performing alongside professional ballerinas from the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersberg in The Nutcracker at the Raj Mahal Theatre in Bollywood Parks & Resorts. There will be two shows; one at 2.30pm and the other at 7.30pm. Contact fatima7@alphaeventsme.com for tickets.
Get your horses ready, here comes the beach polo
The spectacular Beach Polo Cup Dubai is back for its 9th year, with two days of sporting action, entertainment and socialising under the stars today and tomorrow. For the first time this year, entrance to the Shams Zone will be free of charge, where there will be food outlets and premium beverages available to enjoy during the polo action. It's on near SkyDive Dubai in the Marina. Visit www.beachpolocup.com.

This just in
There's now another reason to visit IMPZ as the Occidental Hotel has a new establishment. Stage Sky Bar & Lounge is the  hotel's rooftop venue. Guess what? It also has touches of an old American movie theatre. Dishes include paneer tikka rolls with mint chutney, and fish and chips with green pea mash for mains. It's show time! 
Mini brunch
Is a four-hour stint too much? Well, Stella has kicked off the holidays with a more manageable festive treat. Le Brunchette is taking place in over 30 bars in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and offers a special Sharing Menu - a two-hour free-flow hops package with bites. It's around Dhs180 for a couple of hours any time until Dec 31.  

Friday funnies
Known as the "Comedy Doctor", one of South Africa's leading comedians is coming to Dubai for his first ever show on Friday. Riad Moosa will be at the Madinat Theatre and you better be quick on the draw to nab a seat. Tickets start from Dhs150 and are available on dubai.platinumlist.net and www.madinattheatre.com
Festive crafts
Are you handy and wish to put that to good use for the holidays? Floral master classes take your fancy? If you love traditional or modern wreaths and garlands, take part in crafting your own creation with guidance from Florette's expert florists. The classes are on through December from 5.30-7.30pm, at their home near Dubai Miracle Gardens. Visit www.florette.ae to confirm a place.
Balcony sessions
To celebrate Middle Eastern contemporary music, Today at Apple and Apple Music are hosting the first Balcony Music Sessions on Friday from 2pm on the balcony at Apple Dubai Mall. The sessions will host five unplugged performances from Mashrou' Leila, Hana Malhas, Hamza Hawsawi, Ghaliaa & Hamdan Abri. Register: apple.com/ae/today/collection/balconyseries/

Wow!
Get ready to put your dancing shoes on as #WOWJBR, right in the heart of JBR, celebrates the best of the '70s, '80s and '90s with all-time favourite anthems and an exciting line-up of performances and entertainment acts. They've got old-school hip-hop dancers, retro stilt walkers, Michael Jackson lookalikes and a classic Elvis Presley tribute act from tonight and every evening this weekend.

Comedy inbound
The laughs just keep pouring into this city, don't they? We have professional stand-ups almost every weekend and tomorrow Dubai will once again rock with laughter as it welcomes India's comedy icon, Raju Srivastav, for a rib-cracking performance. Comedy Ka Dhamaka will also feature actor, singer and television presenter Sugandha Mishra and mimicry artist Sanket Bhosale. How can you resist? The performance will be held at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Dubai, on Friday at 9pm. Tickets starts at Dhs65 for the show and are available exclusively at https://www.meraticket.com
Cancel all your clubbing plans, we've got you covered
Hero worship
In case you live under a rock, we'll say once more Enrique Iglesias will perform live on a purpose-built stage on the water at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, on Friday. Tix: www.ticketmaster.ae.
Where: The Pointe
It was him
Shaggy is ready to bring his bombastic energy to BASE Dubai tonight. The American-Jamaican superstar will perform his multi-platinum hits such as Oh Carolina, Bombastic and Angel. Complimentary drinks for ladies till 2am.
Where: Base

Alma Chula
Take a trip down to Roberto's Dubai in DIFC on Saturday for a night of live entertainment from acoustic gypsy musicians Alma Chula from 10pm.
Where: Roberto's
Big Sean
Rapper and all-round big deal Big Sean is taking over White Dubai's URBN stage at the Meydan Club on Saturday. Head along, listen to the tunes, and it'll be ladies' night until 1am.
Where: White

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