Wednesday 18

Donate unwanted trainers to Soles for Souls
If you have old sneakers kicking around the house, Soles for Soles is taking donations of trainers to give to the UAE’s labourers. Just make sure they’re clean.
Ongoing. Drop-off point: Sun-Thu 9am-6pm, Fortune Promoseven, Office 449, Emarat Atrium, Sheikh Zayed Road. Call Arun (050 457 6873).

Thursday 19

Community drumming
Head down to Marina Mall every Thursday to take part in family community drum circles and fire dancing. All ages and abilities are welcome to join in, from beginners to experts, and drums are provided.
Free. Thu 6.30pm-9pm. Ongoing. Ground floor, Dubai Marina Mall (050 659 2874).

Drinks tasting
Dubai ‘Grape’ Club is now meeting on Thursdays, and tonight will follow a new format. Following a blind tasting of grape-based drinks, there will be a vote for the most popular before the prices and labels are revealed. There is bread and water at the tables, plus a buffet from the hotel’s Italian restaurant, with hot snacks later in the evening.
Dhs175. From 7.30pm. Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, The Gardens, www.meetup.com/dubai-wine-club (no number).

Friday 20

Charity day at Exhale
Exhale is hosting a charity day in support of instructor Caroline Leon, who is trekking to the roof of Africa to raise money for disadvantaged children in Tanzania. There will be a series of classes and workshops from 9am, including cardio Pilates, hang-upside-down inversion yoga and a back-bending workshop. Visit the website for full details.
Dhs100 classes, Dhs150 workshops, Dhs250 day pass. 9am-4pm. Exhale Dubai, Murjan 1, Plaza Level, JBR, www.exhaledubai.com (04 424 3777).

Do something worthwhile with Friends of Cancer
Patients This local charity raises money, organises campaigns and supports people battling cancer, as well as their families. The group welcomes volunteers.
Free. Ongoing. Corniche Road, Sharjah, info@focp.ae (06 506 5542).

New Developments III playwriting contest
New Developments is a collection of 10 pieces shortlisted for Dubai Drama Group’s annual playwriting competition, with submissions from both first-timers and old hands. The winning play will be selected by the audience, who will vote for their favourite play following performances today, Saturday April 21, Friday 26 and Saturday 28. Admission by donation on the door. 7pm-10pm.
Until April 28. thejamjar, Street 17a, Al Quoz 3, www.dubaidramagroup.com (04 341 7303).

Saturday 21

Handbag shopping in Karama with Social Circles
Take a wander around Karama and haggle your way to bargain buys. Join Social Circles to take part in the shopping day out, followed by high tea at Dubai Creek Club (Dhs80 per person).
Free. 4pm-7pm. Karama Souk, www.socialcircles.me (050 349 4611).

Take your recyclables to Emirates Environmental Group’s family day
Every Saturday, EEG encourages families to visit its headquarters on Jumeirah Beach Road to drop off any recyclable household waste, including plastic, tetra packs (that’s juice boxes, to the uninitiated) aluminium cans, paper and glass.
Free. Open 8.30am-5.30pm. Villa JMR 68 117A, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1 (between Dubai Zoo and Beach Centre), www.eeg-uae.org (04 344 8622).

Sunday 22

Become a ‘Wish Maker’
Whether you’re an individual, group, school or corporate organisation looking to give back, donate some of your time or money and help fulfil the wish of a child with a terminal illness and turn their dream into reality. Ongoing. Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, Humanitarian City, www.makeawish.ae (04 368 0217).

Monday 23

African djembe and Arabic tabla classes
Drop in to these popular community drumming classes and learn to play the African djembe drum, which the organisers claim is a great way to de-stress. Alternatively, participants can also learn to play the tabla. Djembe Dhs50 per session, Tabla Dhs60 per session, drums provided. Djembe beginners 7.20pm-8.20pm, regulars 7.40pm-8.40pm, Tabla 8.45pm-9.45pm. Ongoing. Ductac, Mall of the Emirates (056 744 2129).

Tuesday 24

Bi-weekly photography meet-up
Emirates Photography Club meets to share images on the theme of ‘Fill Flash’. Bring your images on a flash drive, labelled with your full name.
Free. From 7pm. The Pavilion, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, www.meetup.com/emiratesphotoclub (no number).

Riding for the Disabled
Lend a hand at riding classes for children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities by leading horses and offering support to riders. No previous experience necessary – just patience, good humour and commitment.
Free. Sun-Wed 9am-11.15am. Ongoing. Desert Palm Resort, Al Awir Road, rdadinstructors@live.com (050 716 3779).