Emirati Women’s Day offers: Oud workshops, local artists and staycation deals

As the UAE gears up to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day on August 28, several hotels and restaurants have put together themed offerings, from exhibitions featuring local artists to discounts. Expo City Dubai, meanwhile, has an inspiring programme of events for the day. Here are some events and offers to check out. The Abu Dhabi hotel is kick-starting a month-long exhibition featuring the works of Emirati artist Faezeh Mohammed Hassan on August 28. Known for her plein-air art, Hassan celebrates the contributions of Emirati women such as Nabati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, as well as sites such as the Khorfakkan Fortress in her works. Visitors can also opt for an afternoon tea that offers delicacies with a local twist. August 28-September 28; Dh230 for the afternoon tea; Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi The hotel on the Abu Dhabi Corniche has teamed up with the Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative on an exhibition that celebrates female artistry with a humanitarian cause. This exhibition in the Grand Dome will feature carpets by Zuleya, each handmade by local artisans and with all profits dedicated to developing underprivileged Afghan communities. The rugs themselves are made from Afghan sheep fleece and purchased from nomads in the country’s northern areas. 26 August-September 1; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi Corniche A sensory workshop awaits at Mazi restaurant in the Saadiyat Island resort in Abu Dhabi. Participants can explore oud’s aromatic profiles, learn how to distinguish various nuances, explore the intricate process of crafting the high-quality fragrance and learn how to select fine oud. The workshop is followed by afternoon tea. August 28, 3pm-5pm; Dh475; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi Leva Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road is offering a 20 per cent discount on bookings from August 28 to 31. Guests need to make a reservation through the website and use the promo code GSTLV. The offer includes 20 per cent off all food and drinks at the in-house Sven’s Baker’s Kitchen, plus a 20 per cent discount on bookings at chef Sven’s baking class. Elsewhere, three Centrara properties, Canal Central Hotel Business Bay, Royal Central Hotel The Palm and C Central Resort The Palm, will offer 25 per cent discount on room bookings and 15 per cent discount on food and beverages, for stays on August 28. The Japanese restaurant at voco Hotel on Palm West Beach is offering a three-course lunch menu featuring A5 Wagyu beef as its star ingredient, which is a veritable steal at Dh170. Dishes include appetisers such as Wagyu gyoza, Wagyu tartare and charcoal-grilled rib finger yakiniku; and mains such as Wagyu katsu curry rice, beko bao and Wagyu stew. For dessert, choose from raindrop cake, matcha creme brulee and yuzu sorbet. August 28 to September 3; noon-4pm; Dh170; Palm West Beach, Dubai The restaurant in Downtown Dubai will offer 50 per cent off the bill and, as such, is a cool spot to check out both for breakfast and main meals. Dishes include options such as coconut pancakes, truffle-fried eggs and scrambled tofu; plus mains such as lamb shank with polenta, porcini ravioli with truffle and beef tartare. August 28; 8am-11.30pm; Downtown Dubai The Business Bay hotel's Saray Spa has a three-in-one Girls' Day package. This takes in a 30-minute back massage, a reflexology session and afternoon tea, all for Dh300. Afternoon tea will be served at La Farine Cafe & Bakery between 1pm and 6pm, and includes sweet and savoury treats such as berry quinoa, deviled eggs, spinach-cheese puff, pistachio-raspberry tart and mango-coconut rolly polly. August 28; 9am-10pm; Dh300; Business Bay, Dubai The Women’s Pavilion at Expo City Dubai has collaborated with the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, for Honour in Action, a day-long programme that highlights the humanitarian contributions of Emirati women. The free, family-friendly event features two panel discussions from female Emirati leaders, humanitarian workers and activists offering insight into policies and best practices in humanitarian work, as well as the experiences, challenges and impact they’ve made on communities around the world. There will also be a screening of Behind the Frontlines , a documentary on the lives of humanitarian workers sharing their stories of resilience, compassion and dedication to helping others. August 28; 10am-12.30pm; Expo City Dubai The Address Beach Resort restaurant, which serves Cantonese, Szechuan, and Beijing cuisine, has a limited-time three-course set menu that includes chocolate xiao long bao dessert in the shades of the UAE flag. Diners can also enjoy five appetisers and four mains priced at Dh375, which is a steal compared to the fine-dining restaurant's a la carte rates. Options include shredded Peking duck salad, chicken soup dumplings, prawn har gao, vegetable spring rolls and fried squid for starters. Mains include sweet and sour Chicken with dragon fruit and aged black vinegar; king prawns clay pot, beef fried rice and stir-fried vegetables. Until August 28; 6pm-1am; Address Beach Resort, JBR, Dubai

Emirati Women’s Day offers: Oud workshops, local artists and staycation deals

Plus, here's where to head to for a subsidised Wagyu menu or a free documentary screening