ART BEGINS TO TAKE CENTER-STAGE
by Siddha3th
For many years a cultural desert, Dubai has only recently begun revealing an artistic tendency. The Majlis Gallery was the flag-bearer of all brush-related activities for nearly two decades. But it's not alone any longer. The mushrooming of several new art galleries, both large and small, has begun to foster a sense of community among the city's art missive.
Like any nascent scene, the art movement here has got many things going wrong for it - lots of pretentious rubbish on display, exorbitant prices for ridiculously mundane work, that sort of thing. But what's important is that there are many opportunities now for talented new artists to get their stuff out into the market. And even a small step in this direction is a welcome step away from the city's mall-obsessed mindset. I trip out on some of the smaller, sexier art joints that have opened up over a relatively short time. The 5 Green Art gallery is at the vanguard of the indie sub-culture in Dubai. They've begun hosting exhibitions regularly, with an emphasis on pop-art projects - manga-inspired drawings, digitally altered paintings, etc. Jam Jar is another hotspot, inviting all and sundry to chill out over coffee while laying down some paintings and pottery. Two other places worth checking out are Art Space at the Fairmont & the XVA Art Gallery in Bastakiya.
Contrasts
by solopes
“Out of the beaten paths” it’s possible to see some contrasting sights of tradition and modernity, hi-tech and improvisation.
The hidden side of each city is quite often the most authentic, and rather important to those who like to have an independent idea of the visited places. Not easy, but possible in Dubai.
Burjuman Center, One Stop Shopping
by Rinjani about Burjuman Center
Another a-must-to-go shopping place is Burjuman Center. Located in Bur Dubai (in front of Regent Hotel) Burjuman has built extension shopping complex, which comprises of around 300 shops. From high street fashion such as Next, Esprit, Giordano, Diesel to world class designer. Let’s start with Louis Vuitton, Hermes, DKNY, Versace, Christian Dior , Chanel and the hottest is, Saks Fifth Avenue is also new open here. (you will love this place in Shopping festival season)
Saks Fifth Avenue has two levels. Level one is a place for fragrance and cosmetics, gifts, sunglasses to a nail studio. And level two is where the individual designer boutiques and collections can be found.
Also don’t forget to check my favorite shopping place, Massimo Dutti and Zara. They usually have something for everybody. And especially Massimo Dutti, they have a bunch of friendly and helpful staff.
The new Burjuman has a nice lay out and design. They usually also have events, such as fashion show, stage performance, etc. Many things. From fashion, accessories to handbags, home appliance, electronic, etc. As you wish
For serious clubbers with fat wallets
by JessH about PEPPERMINT CLUB (Fridays only)
Peppermint club is strange to say the least: it's a club that has recently been "shifted" to a new location (until Aug. 2007 it used to be located inside the Fairmont Hotel). At the club's "VIP tables" Dubai's pretentious socialites can book a space for a couple of thousand Dirhams, including 2 or 3 bottles of overpriced vodka. They also wear belts with feathers and tassels; French caps or sparkly cowboy hats... Oh, did I mention yet? Dress to Ueber-Impress in this place!
I've been here a few times (this club is only open on Fridays) and I'm sure that if this is your scene, you may just enjoy yourself a bit. The music is mostly techno, hard house, drum 'n' bass, etc. and the clientele is extremely pompous; holding their chins up high & making sure they're at the place to be seen, and of course always with the right crowd of people... I've usually found that I enjoy 2 or 3 songs, only to be disappointed by some hard-core remix of an 80s classic tune. This is simply not my scene so you won't see me or my friends here any time soon...
This said, I have to give Peppermint its due as it also manages to book some international DJs such as Armin van Buuren, Timo Maas, Paul van Dyk, etc. on a regular basis. So if you like this type of music you'll have a blast at this place! The club is definitely worth a visit on special nights. Just make sure to get there early or purchase tickets in advance. Visit their website for upcoming events.
DOOR POLICY WARNING: Get there early as queues start to build-up around 11pm & be prepared for some possible scrutinizing & rude comments by the bouncers who are known to unfortunately be quite racist (even though the club denies this). Also, this is one of the clubs that is very stringent & doesn't really let men enter by themselves. So either bring a date or try to ask a girl at the entrance if you can walk in with her. Even then, if you don't look "important" enough you may be refused entry, so dress to impress!
It gets extremely crowded, and I've seen fights & minor scuffles happen quite a few times. The drinks are over-priced & this is one of the very few clubs in town that actually charge an entrance fee, even for women.
Entrance Fee: around Dhs 90 per person.
Opening Hours: 09:00pm until 03:00am (Fridays only)
SUMMARY: If you like hard & loud dance music with international DJs and a clubbing-obsessed crowd then this is the place for you!
All you can eat cusines from around the world
by kirsty_lamb about Spice Island
An all you can eat buffet set in a colouful hotel. There are seperate zeons in the restaurant that have the different types of food, and each zone is decorated authenitally to the type of food. You can wander around all of the zones and have food from all over the world, italian, asian, mexican, japanese, mongolian, Chinese.....and with it being all you can eat...!
There are three different price 's, one for food and soft drinks, one is with food and some alcohol, and the thrid is food with a bigger selection of alcohol. Again it's free refills on the drinks too.
The service is first class and the food is just amazing! It has to be seen to be believed! All of them! Seriously with it being all you can eat, try the lot!
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My husband in Tunisian area Ibn Battuta Mall
Palm Jumeirah Island
Sting Rays in Aquarium
Calzone and pizza - Biella, Deira City Centre
