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What's On
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
8 lovely things to do in Dubai this week: May 26 to 29
Things to do in Dubai this week: sorted… Looking for some things to do in Dubai this week? There's plenty, from an afternoon tea to a delicious business lunch, a beauty meets wellness event and more… Here are 8 fun things to do in Dubai this week Monday, May 26 Beauty meets wellness YSL Beauty is hosting a pop-up for just three-days this week at Seven Wellness. Expect wellness classes, wellness shots, and gift bags for all attendees. You can also visit sample and hydrating stations and more. When: May 26 to 28 Location: Seven Wellness, Al Quoz Contact: 04 232 3737 @sevenwellness Miami magic The 305 promises feel-good day-cay vibes whether it's for a weekend pool day or a long weekday lunch. Alongside a small indoor restaurant, there's ample tables on the terrace for dining with your toes in the sand, plus a lounger-lined swimming pool, and a private stretch of sand with a collection of day beds. Nestled between palm trees, the oh-so-Instagrammable beach club is an ode to the Magic City, adorned in bubblegum shades of pink and green that gives it that blockbuster Barbie feel. Pool passes are fully redeemable on Monday to Thursday, priced at Dhs200, while Friday to Sunday rates are Dhs250, of which you get 50 per cent back. Offer: Mon to Thurs Dhs200 (fully redeemable) , Fri to Sun Dhs250 (50 per cent back) When: Daily, 9am to midnight Location: The 305 Dubai, Palm West Beach Contact: 050 735 9177 @305dubai Tuesday, May 27 Find me at 25 Jump Street One of the region's most celebrated Oriental dining and nightlife destinations, Antika has a new home: 25 Jump Street, right next to 25hours Hotel. Expect the same high-energy vibes and enjoy the modern Arabic cuisine meets electric live entertainment experience. The entertainment lineup includes live vocalists, dancers and a dynamic DJ set that carry the energy late into the night. Pair the night with delicious dishes from Chef Louay Noureldine's Levantine menu and inventive cocktails that spotlight regional ingredients. When: Tuesday to Sunday, 9pm to 3am Location: 25hours Hotel Dubai – 25 Jump Street, One Central Contact: 050 735 9177 @antikabar Let's get down to business Head to Downtown Dubai with colleagues or your business partners for a lunch at Fouquet 's Dubai. The three-course French experience is priced at Dhs130 and includes the soup of the day, a thoughtfully crafted starter, and a main course. Highlights include citrus prawn ceviche, wagyu beef sirloin, and pan-fried sea bass. Enhance your experience with side dishes, dessert, and wine. Offer: Dhs130 for a three-course lunch When: Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm Location: Downtown Dubai Contact: 04 524 5301 @ Wednesday, May 28 Open Sesame Love an afternoon tea? Experience the quintessential British tradition with an Arabic twist at Open Sesame at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown. The Neighborhood Arabic Tea Experience includes nostalgic flavors from camel milk rose ganache to labneh-cucumber sandwiches and beyond. It's just Dhs250 for two people. To make an experience out of it, pair it with a guided art tour for Dhs350. Offer: Dhs250 for two with afternoon tea, Dhs350 afternoon tea for two and art tour When: daily 1pm to 5pm Location: Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown Contact: 056 422 7120. @opensesamedubai Pasta and wine Make plans with loved ones to dine at Jones the Grocer with a pasta dish of your choice and two glasses of house wine for just Dhs99. The deal runs from 6pm every Wednesday at JBR at Delta Hotels by Marriott. Offer: Dhs99 pasta and wine (two glasses) When: every Wednesday from 6pm Location: Jones the Grocer at Delta Hotels by Marriott Contact: 04 439 8883 Thursday, May 29 STOMP at Dubai Opera Did you know that there are over 1,500 musical instruments in the world? But you won't have these at this beat-driven performance when it STOMPs its way to Dubai this week. STOMP is a high-energy performance that has managed to captivate audiences worldwide by using everyday sounds to create an electrifying, percussion-driven experience. There's no storyline – just pure energy. Tickets start from Dhs290. You can purchase your tickets here. Ticket cost: From Dhs290 When: May 29 to 31 Location: Dubai Opera Contact: 04 440 8888 Italian and a show Ladies, here's what your Thursday is going to look like. Your night starts at 7pm at Papas with free flowing drinks and authentic Italian dishes (two courses) such as truffle and mushroom pizza, cheese and pepper Tuscan pasta, and dessert, all paired with a curated beverage menu. After, make your way to The Showhouse for the Vegas Calling show and two drinks at the bar from 8.45pm. Offer: Dhs325 ladies (free-flowing drinks), Dhs350 gents (three beverages) Timings: Thursdays from 7pm Location: Papas and The Showhouse Contact: 04 423 8321 @papasdubai @showhousedubai Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
The Witcher 3 Dev Reveals the Game Originally Had a Bank Heist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The Witcher 3 is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and with it comes a host of interviews across a number of outlets with the game's development team at CD Projekt Red. Earlier in the week we learned some juicy details about how the game's most memorable sidequest was almost very different, and it turns out that wasn't the only one. According to CD Projekt Red quest designer Danisz Markiewicz, one fan favorite quest from the Hearts of Stone DLC, Open Sesame, originally started off as a bank heist, before the team decided it wanted to go even bigger. The result was the quest that we got in the final game, which had Geralt pulling together a team of roguish misfits to run a heist on an auction house. "We wanted to have something more interactive," Markiewicz told DBLTAP in an interview. "The whole section of Geralt taking part in an auction, getting to meet people from high society, actually buying stuff – that felt very compelling. A bank heist could have certain opportunities, but this was on a completely different level." A screenshot from the Open Sesame quest in The Witcher 3, showing Geralt and others planning a heist. A screenshot from the Open Sesame quest in The Witcher 3, showing Geralt and others planning a heist. CD Projekt CD Projekt put great care into making sure its characters were a good fit for the bombastic nature of the quest, which takes inspiration from films such as Point Break and Ocean's Eleven. But, because CD Projekt never makes anything easy for itself, designers decided to have multiple options for each role in the heist, which required a lot of careful planning and clever execution to make the whole thing work. "We didn't want to redo the entire scene," Markiewicz said. "So we developed some new tech to implement a scene so that those characters are technically there, but if they're not present, another character takes their place. You see that in several scenes – for example, when they're talking over the whole plan. If someone were to play this scene just as it is, you would get two characters talking over each other. Almost like Schrödinger's cat." The quest also originally had plans for a magical security system, with a magic portal whisking Geralt away and into a cave with a Golem. Instead, Markiewicz said, the team decided to keep the quest a little more grounded, eschewing magic altogether and having Geralt dropped through a trapdoor into a pit of spiders. All of this comes with the context that CD Projekt Red is currently hard at work developing The Witcher 4, which will be the first in a trilogy of games focused on Geralt's apprentice Ciri. The game is currently in development using Unreal Engine, a departure from the studio's usual in-house engine, but one that should allow developers to spend less time tinkering with its engine and more time crafting memorable quests.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Writer's Corner: Bengaluru-based Andaleeb Wajid on embracing multiple genres, coping with loss, and how routine helps an author
Romance, horror, mystery, young adult literature – works in these genres usually form a solid chunk of any good bookstore's collection. But for Bengaluru-based writer Andaleeb Wajid, this is a brief description of the genres she has written in, adding up to dozens of books over the years. In her works, Bengaluru often makes its presence felt to readers who know the city. Speaking to The Indian Express, Wajid said, 'Almost all my books have a Bangalore connection, barring one or two. I have lived here all my life. I wanted to be authentic in what I write…so it made sense for me to write about Bangalore in that way.' Wajid added that she wrote on and off throughout her school and college years, getting more seriously into it in her twenties while writing short stories for the Deccan Herald's youth supplement Open Sesame. 'Then I got into writing short stories for adults, and a full-fledged novel, Kite Strings, which was published in 2009,' she said. While Wajid has authored several romance books and series, they sit alongside other works aimed at younger audiences, and even horror novels. Another set of books, the Aunty Millennial series, has Wajid's character Iqra as one of the newer entrants to Bengaluru's eclectic collection of detectives and mystery-solvers. 'I don't want to be restricted to one genre….experimenting in different genres helps me as a writer since otherwise it is very easy to become complacent in what you know is your forte. I enjoy the process of doing something that is outside my comfort zone.' Interestingly, the character Iqra first appeared in a romance series by Wajid before making it into another series as an amateur detective. More recently, she has come out with a memoir, Learning to Make Tea for One. 'My husband and mother-in-law passed away during the second wave of the pandemic due to post-Covid complications. My memoir was a way of making sense of the world as it was,' Wajid said. The book was officially released on Saturday. As far as her writing habits go, Wajid has a routine, which might explain how she has managed to come out with so many published works. She said, 'If I have a plan to write something on a particular day, I sit down after breakfast and try and write as much as I can. The process is about building a routine. I try not to stop unless something really important comes up. As soon as one book is done, I want to move to the next and keep writing.' When it comes to reading, however, her tastes are slightly different. Andaleeb Wajid is a fan of crime procedurals, though they are not something she feels equipped to tackle as a writer. At least not yet. She notes that reading, in general, should always be a writer's habit, noting, 'My advice to writers all over is to read a lot and write every day. It is the sort of thing that needs practice. You can't suddenly decide to write a book one day… I like to compare it to a tap that you don't use. The water will not flow as smoothly. You can't also say I don't want to read, I just want to write.'
Mid East Info
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Art takes center stage this April at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown - Middle East Business News and Information
Packing out Dubai's creative calendar in signature style, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is set to inspire countless minds over the next few weeks. Filling April with artistic discovery, thought-provoking discussions, and cultural celebrations, the vibrant hotel continues to transcend the lines between art, design, and everyday life. 22 April: Talking 'Sustainability in Art & Fashion' on Earth Day Gathering eco-conscious minds of all ages for Earth Day, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is marking the occasion with a panel discussion and sustainability exhibition. The panel features Dubai British School Jumeirah Park's Sustainability Expert Conor O'Sullivan, sculptor and artist Marita Setas Ferro, digital wardrobe founder Amina Musaeva, and speakers from sustainable fashion concept stores. Moderated by Pierette Yammine – founder of Savoir Arabia, the discussion will delve into a mix of pressing topics from how sustainability is reshaping the world of art and fashion, the use of recycled materials in these sectors, the impact of (and solutions to) clothing consumption, and making sustainable fashion more accessible. Leaving attendees with a final dose of inspiration, the event will conclude with an art exhibition, showcasing sustainable art pieces crafted from repurposed materials. Details: From 7pm on 22 April, Open Sesame, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown 25 April: Korean Art Night, spotlighting Yerim Lee and other Korean artists As Korean creatives rise in Dubai's artistic scene, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is celebrating the striking works of three artists with an event on Open Sesame's terrace on 25 April. And from 26 April, guests can immerse themselves in the unique world of Yerim Lee upon setting foot in the hotel. As they make their way through the pop-up exhibition, they will also have the chance to explore works by Saleign and Doyim Kim. Visiting from Korea as part of the Korean Art Path – presented in collaboration with the Korean Consulate and curated by Sehee Lee, founder of the art project group Not A Galerie – the artists will be showcasing their work at both Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown and World Art Dubai, with additional activations including an exhibition at Tomini Cars Showroom. Details: From 25 April, Open Sesame, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown For more information, visit and its Instagram page.
Trade Arabia
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Trade Arabia
Art takes center stage at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown
Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is gearing up to host a dynamic blend of artistic showcases, engaging conversations, and cultural celebrations this week. Known for its creative spirit, the vibrant hotel continues to blur the lines between art, design, and everyday living, offering guests an immersive cultural experience. 22 April: Talking 'Sustainability in Art & Fashion' on Earth Day Gathering eco-conscious minds of all ages for Earth Day, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is marking the occasion with a panel discussion and sustainability exhibition. The panel features Dubai British School Jumeirah Park's Sustainability Expert Conor O'Sullivan, sculptor and artist Marita Setas Ferro, digital wardrobe founder Amina Musaeva, and speakers from sustainable fashion concept stores. Moderated by Pierette Yammine - founder of Savoir Arabia, the discussion will delve into a mix of pressing topics from how sustainability is reshaping the world of art and fashion, the use of recycled materials in these sectors, the impact of (and solutions to) clothing consumption, and making sustainable fashion more accessible. Leaving attendees with a final dose of inspiration, the event will conclude with an art exhibition, showcasing sustainable art pieces crafted from repurposed materials. Details: April 22, Open Sesame, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, 7pm Korean Art Night, spotlighting Yerim Lee and other Korean artists As Korean creatives rise in Dubai's artistic scene, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is celebrating the striking works of three artists with an event on Open Sesame's terrace on April 25. And from April 26, guests can immerse themselves in the unique world of Yerim Lee upon setting foot in the hotel. As they make their way through the pop-up exhibition, they will also have the chance to explore works by Saleign and Doyim Kim. Visiting from Korea as part of the Korean Art Path - presented in collaboration with the Korean Consulate and curated by Sehee Lee, founder of the art project group Not A Galerie - the artists will be showcasing their work at both Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown and World Art Dubai, with additional activations including an exhibition at Tomini Cars Showroom.
