The buzz around town

Vintage Wheels

Doesn’t everyone love an old classic? Have your chance to get an eyeful of vintage and classic cars at sixth edition of the Emirates Classic Car Festival, which will bring the finest line-up of perenially-favourite models — both cars and motorcyles.

The annual event is the most awaited for car collectors and enthusiasts, and the Middle East’s premier showcase of such a sort. Besides bringing together an amazing collection in one venue, you can also learn of the models’ illustrious legacies and the evolution of the automobile world. Drive to Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, between February 7 to March 3. For registration or participation, call 043673588 or email eccf@emaar.ae

Choco-block

Bite into sweet delights with Kägi, a Swiss chocolate brand with 77 years of fine, homemade expertise. Two new flavours have been launched here — Hazelnut, a specially Arab regional preference, and Strawberry Limited edition. While the former has a delicate hazelnut cream filling with crispy water covered in Swiss milk chocolate, the latter is fully ripened real freeze-dried strawberry bites.

The Kägi family, hailing from the village of Lichtensteig in Switzerland, have blended the fine art of baking and fine chocolate making for 77 years now. Their high-quality biscuits and wafers are also free of genetically modified (GMO) components, artificial colours or preservatives.

Get happy in Dubai

If you want to cheer yourself up or get an instant pick me up, just YouTube ‘Happy Dubai version’! A couple of local websites have made their own versions of singer Pharrell Williams’ hit number Happy. The popular local lifestyle, culture and fashion portal Dubai Confidential’s version has a peppy collage of people — from 29 nationalities — shaking a leg in different, easily recognisable locations around Dubai, in a 3-minute sequence that pans from sunrise to midnight.

The social calendar and lifestyle website Dubai-Scene also has a peppy version featuring people going about their daily routines in various settings — at the mall, office, salon, park, on the metro, at a local garage etc. Even the Burj Khalifa does a happy little twirl! Go check it out — we had no doubt Dubai is a happy place!

Filmful evenings

If you’re a film buff, get your weekly film fix now at the Reform Social & Grill, located in The Lakes. Every Tuesday will be a weekly outdoor cinema event, starting 8 pm, at their gardens, which will transform into an outdoor cinema haven.

Plop on the beanbags and lounge furniture, get your popcorn and hotdogs and enjoy films ranging from British classics, comedies, musicals and star specials like James Bond and Hugh Grant films. Flicks will be grouped by genre and change on a monthly basis. Entrance and film viewing is open to the public. For more info, call 0557801328.

Literary Delights

It’s time to get your reading glasses on — it’s that time of the year again, when literary masters from around the world descend on the UAE, and the lovers of the written word can get together and celebrate their passion. The annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2014, taking place from Tuesday, March 4 to Saturday, March 8, is open to everyone and will be held at InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.

Listen to celebrated authors and thinkers, attend book and poetry readings, participate in workshops and competitions, experience the Fringe concerts and children’s events, or even volunteer to help out. It’s every literature lover’s dream come true, in our very own Dubai. Bookmark your calendar now!

Buy tickets at WHSmith outlets in Dubai Mall, Oasis Centre Mall, Marina Mall and Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. For more info, call 043534002 or visit www.emirateslitfest.com for programme schedules and other details.

Have a laugh!

March is truly the Emirates’ month of arts and cultural events. Adding a funny punch is The Punchline Comedy Club, which is back with a fresh line-up this month, to give us the giggles.

Taking the stage next weekend, on March 7, TPCC brings some fine Irish talent to Dubai, what with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner on March 17. Chris Kent, Colm McDonnell and Andrew Stanley are set to entertain the audience at the JA Ocean View Hotel, The Walk, JBR, starting 9 pm. Call 044587128.