Dubai never really slows down. There is always something happening. Keeping up with it all can feel overwhelming. That is why we pulled together a small edit of what is worth checking out over the next few days.

From adidas’ House of Fast pop-up on Kite Beach to Urdu Worlds, a thoughtful exhibition centred on language, there’s also a HoW Talk in Sharjah connecting architecture and food — and a chance to end the week dancing at the first Moist Paper Party of the year. A little bit of everything, so you can pick what fits your mood.

Where? Cinema Akil, Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue

If you are in the mood to watch something but can’t quite decide what, Cinema Akil usually has you covered. This Tuesday, they are screening No Other Choice, starring Lee Byung-hun — yes, the same actor who played the Front Man in Squid Game.

The film follows a man who, after being unemployed for years, comes up with an extreme and unexpected plan to land a new job: getting rid of his competition. Dark, tense, and very much not your average job-search story.

Where? House of Fast, Kite Beach

There is a new reason to head to Kite Beach. adidas has opened the House of Fast in Dubai — a pop-up space built around running, community, and spending time outdoors. Open now through the end of March, it is a mix of free training sessions, a café, and custom merch, all set right by one of the city’s most popular running spots.

Expect a rotating schedule of guided runs, tempo and performance workouts, recovery-focused sessions, and relaxed community shakeouts, many of them led in collaboration with local run clubs and coaches.

Where? TAKAHISA Downtown, Volante Tower

TAKAHISA opened its Downtown Dubai location recently, settling into its new space in December 2025. The restaurant is currently the only Japanese dining spot featured in the 2025 Michelin Guide Dubai and has also been awarded three Toques by Gault & Millau UAE 2025. It is now located on the 4th floor of Volante Tower.

The space combines the calm, precise atmosphere of traditional Japanese cuisine with the energy of Downtown Dubai — making it a great moment to (re)discover the restaurant in its new setting. If you have been meaning to try it, this is your sign.

Where? Ishara Art Foundation, A3, Alserkal Avenue, Street 17, Al Quoz 1

Urdu Worlds is the first contemporary art exhibition in the UAE to centre around the Urdu language. Curated by Hammad Nasar, the show brings together works by Ali Kazim and Zarina, creating a powerful conversation about language and how it lives within us. It is also the first time Kazim’s work is being shown in such depth in the GCC.

The exhibition looks at language not just as something we speak or write, but as something that shapes how we experience the world. Words become a way of building inner spaces, holding memory, and sharing culture — often in ways that feel personal before they feel collective.

Where? Gulf Inn Hotel Al Nasr, Oud Metha

Finally. After every Moist Paper Party, we end up wondering when the next one is going to happen — and here it is, the first of the year. This time, DJ Rudoh will be on deck all night, keeping things moving until late.

The location stays familiar too: Gulf Inn Hotel Al Nasr, the same spot that hosted the last couple of Moist nights.

Where? House of Wisdom, Sharjah

Why not head to Sharjah on Sunday and spend some time at the beautiful House of Wisdom? Throughout January, they are hosting a series of talks and workshops, and one of them is happening this Sunday — Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook.

So, what does architecture actually taste like? Pressure Cooker Recipes takes research from the UAE National Pavilion and turns it into ideas you can explore, question, and discuss. As part of this HoW Talk, the speakers look at how architecture connects with food systems in the UAE, opening up the conversation in a way that feels both accessible and engaging.

The talk features Azza Aboualam, Curator of the National Pavilion UAE at La Biennale di Venezia 2025; Kevin Mitchell, Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah; and Dania Al Tamimi, Artist and Food-Based Practitioner.

On Mondays, the golden rule is simple: don’t overwhelm yourself. Just work.