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| Dubai
Culture Guide |
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Cultural life in Dubai
comes in a distant third to making money and having fun. Dubai’s
cultural attractions is limited and in the past suffered from not
having a major venue for major performances. But with the completion
of the Dubai Community Theatre the scene is improving.
Because of it's modest population, there are no major local orchestras
or dance companies. It is possible to find local groups who
put on public performances. The Creative Art Centre, Al-Jumeirah
Road (telephone: (04) 344 4394), from Saturday to Wednesday is a
centre for cultural activity. Venues are reserved in the mornings
for young children and afternoons for older children. Evenings are
set aside for adult classes. The Centre provides a wide range of
cultural and handicraft activities. The Dubai International Arts
Centre located off of Al-Jumeirah Road (telephone: (04) 344
4398), provides a similar range of activities and includes art displays.
The best way to purchase tickets for cultural events is via hotels
as there is no general ticketing company in Dubai. A source of good
information on events and timetables can be found in the monthly
Time Out
magazine, which can be purchased in many hotels and news stands.
Music
The chances of attending a classical music performance in Dubai
is limited. Some venues that occasionally host events include: The
Dubai International Congress Centre, Dubai
World Trade Centre, Bur Dubai (telephone: (04) 331 4200) and
The Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sheik Zayed Road (tel: (04) 331
1111). Often the nearest to classical music you'll get is from the
pianist in the lobbies of major hotels. The main venues for traditional
Arabian music and dance can be found at the Arabic nightclubs.
Theatre
The Indian Playhouse in the Intercontinental Hotel (tel:
(04) 222 7171 or 205 7333), is Dubai's permanent theatre company.
It features performances by Burjor Patel Productions and
the travelling British Airways Playhouse, which frequently
makes visits to Dubai.With over 100 members the Dubai
Drama Group is an amateur theatrical company. The Community
Theatre is also host to theatrical productions.
Dance
Dance companies in Dubai are limited. There are dance schools, including
the renowned Ballet Centre, behind Jumeirah Plaza (telephone:
(04) 344 9776), with ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance. Belly
dancing and traditional dance can be found
in many of the Arabic nightclubs, such as Al-Diwan, Metropolitan
Palace Hotel (telephone: (04) 227 0000), and Escoba, Al-Khaleej
Palace Hotel (telephone: (04) 223 1000).
Film
Going to the movies is very popular in Dubai. There are many cinemas
to choose from, including Al
Massa Bustan, at the Al Bustan Centre and the
Frand Cineplex, next to Wafi City (telephone: (04) 324 2000),
that provide English-language films. The lineup is the usual Hollywood
films with a limited art house content.
Cultural
events
Culture is mainly focused on the Muslim religion
and with the main events being religious there is little opportunity
for tourists to participate. The year’s biggest event is the
fasting of Ramadan, the month long Muslim
celebration of the truth of the Holy Koran. Following Ramadan is
Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day celebration. Eid Al-Adha
is the four day festival celebrated in February or March that follows
the main pilgrimage to Mecca or The Haj.
During the summer months "Dubai Summer Surprises"
attempts to attract visitors from June to September, with activities
and cultural events, including henna tattoo painting and traditional
handicraft making, in many of Dubai’s shopping malls and large
hotels. December 2nd is UAE day, a public holiday celebrated in
all seven emirates and is becoming more and more of a cultural event.
Literature
Some suggested reading:
 Father
of Dubai by Graeme Wilson.
Sheik
Rashid Bin Saeed al Maktoum (1999). A tribute to the founder
of Dubai.
Through
the Looking Glass (1979) by Jonathan Rabans covers the Emirate
as a whole, but also has an interesting section on Dubai.
Dubai
Tales (1991) by Muhammad al-Murr provides a
local perspective and comes from the English translation of his
famed short stories. Muhammad al-Murr is probably one of the most
revered local authors. It is worth trying to get a copy of his other
famous book, The Wink of the Mona Lisa (1994).
An
Arabian Album (1992) by Ronald Codrai offers a good pictorial
view of Dubai.
The
Emirates (1995) by Kevin Higgins puts Dubai in clear context
and also offers an overall look of the United Arab Emirates.
The
Emirates by the First Photographers (2002) by William Facey
and Gillian Grant pictures the scale of change in Dubai and the
other emirates over the last century. |
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