THE WEEKEND EDIT: SIX THINGS TO DO, TRY & BUY

4 min read
The Edition Abu Dhabi

There’s plenty to keep you busy around the country this weekend…

The countdown to the weekend is officially on. There is much to do and celebrate in honour of The Holy Month – from cultural excursions to beautiful suhoors – as well as essential shows to see, books to read and online shops to surf. For a weekend of refinement and reflection, dive in…

THE SUHOOR

Dubai Opera Suhoor

The Dubai Opera is hosting what will surely be the suhoor of the year for one day only, on May 24. The auditorium alone is absolutely spectacular and presents a unique setting for your suhoor celebration. Serving up a menu catered by the Palace Downtown Hotel, your feast will include all your Arabic favourites, as well international twists to break from the norm. With backgammon, card games and live music added to the mix, this promises to be an elegant and special evening to share with family and friends.

Dubai Opera Suhoor, May 24, from 10pm-2am (Dhs220 per person). For more information, please call +971 4 440 8888

THE BOOK

Barbie: 60 Years of Inspiration

Self-love has become 2019’s mantra – and one of the best ways to clock off, unplug and unwind is with a beautiful book that takes your imagination to another plane. This month, let Barbie lead your escapism, with Maison Assouline’s new coffee table tome, Barbie: 60 Years of Inspiration, and enter into her fictional-meets-3D world. Charting Barbie’s impact on cultural trends and illustrating her message of female empowerment whilst mirroring the evolution of modern culture, it will take you on a visual adventure through history seen through the eyes of one of the world’s most iconic faces.

Barbie: 60 Years of Inspiration, Dhs450, is now available at Maison Assouline, located in The Dubai Mall. 

THE TREATMENT

The Away Spa at the W Dubai – The Palm

Turn up the heat to cool you down – the perfect self-indulgent oxymoron. The Away Spa at the W Dubai – The Palm is one of our favourite places to retreat to when downtime beckons, and with its offer of 2-for-1 on all massages for UAE residents until August 31, no other reason is required. From traditional hammams to Steamy Daze – the perfect post-workout treatment with a 30-minute mud and steam treatment, massage and vitamin-packed facial – this is one way to see out the long, hot summer.

Away Spa is located at W Dubai – The Palm. For more information, please call +971 4 245 5533

THE EXHIBITION

Sweat & Gabbana by Luca Valentini

Pop-art culture vultures take note – Luca Valentini’s latest exhibition, Turn on the Light, at Sconci Art Gallery in DIFC, is one to add to your must-see list. His fascination with art, colour and social issues translate into both vivid reinterpretations of newspaper covers, movie posters and advertisements, as well as a collection inspired by Luca’s origins that place the theme of social acceptance at the centre of his work. The exhibition is eye-popping, humorous and thought-provoking – everything we like in art.

Sconci Art Gallery is in Gate Village, DIFC. For more information, please call +971 4 456 7183

THE STAY

The Abu Dhabi Edition

Where to bed down when the mercury is soaring but you’ve got a weekend to while away? The Abu Dhabi Edition is one of the UAE’s hottest staycay destinations since its opening in November, a hotel that’s made even more attractive by its waterfront oasis setting, innovative design by Ian Schrager, and three standout restaurants from British culinary guru, Tom Aikens. The Royal Penthouse has to be your chosen bolthole, while the Annex will serve up your perfect after-dark hotspot. Trust us, this will be a weekend away you won’t forget.

The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi. For more information, please call +971 2 208 0000.

THE ONLINE SHOP

The Lighthouse.ae

For those who like to online shop from your sofa, we can add another bookmark to your browser. D3 restaurant and concept boutique, The Lighthouse, has just launched its e-comm platform, Thelighthouse.ae, which means all the cool, kitsch and unique pieces you find at the bricks and mortar store, can now wing their way to you without you having to lift much more than a finger. Featuring a curated edit of 28 brands, including lifestyle, art and gift items from tableware to books to beauty, this is one easy Eid-gifting win for its cult followers.

To see the full collection, visit Thelighthouse.ae 

  • Words: Emily Baxter-Priest