Thursday 7
See a footballing David v Goliath: Brazil have won a record five World Cups. Iran, on the other hand have qualified for the tournament just three times, crashing out in the first round on each occasion. So when the two go head-to-head right here in Abu Dhabi for a friendly this week, expect a goal-heavy match.
Zayed Sports City, 9pm, www.timeouttickets.com
Pull a frontside pop shove it: Grapple with everything from skateboards to air rifles (or just pack a flask of tea and tut disapprovingly from the sidelines) at Adrenaline Sports Live, the city’s premier extreme sports festival, which runs alongside the Barbican Turbo car show.
Adnec, Khaleej Al Arabi Street, (02 406 4471)
Take the kids to the classics: Give your youngsters a chance to listen to some serious music with this special performance of Richard Wagner’s charming piece Seigfreid Idyll by Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. If this doesn’t make them want to continue with their violin lessons, nothing will.
Emirates Palace, 11.30am (800 4669)
Wear silly trousers: Nobody’s quite sure why, but since time began October has been the designated month in which to get your chops around some German sausages and giant pretzels accompanied by a hoppy beverage or two. Festivities kick off at The Village from tonight, with Bavarian drinks, snacks and music on offer for Dhs180. Turn to page 74 for our full preview of Oktoberfest events happening across the city this month.
One to One Hotel – the Village (02 495 2000)
Friday 8
See some dragons: Head down to Maqtaa Creek to see teams of rowers paddling like crazy to take glory in the Abu Dhabi Dragon Boat Festival. If you look particularly healthy, you might even be able to replace a late drop-out and get the chance to show your rowing skills.
Maqtaa Creek, www.dubaidragonboat.com
Eat a traditional roast dinner: Tuck into a full roast dinner with all the trimmings you could hope for at Hemingway’s. The chef’s special roast beef is always a big hit, and costs just Dhs99. There will be live entertainment too from The News, making it a perfect way to kick off the weekend.
Hemingways, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Buy one breakfast at Mirabel and get the second free: Mirabel is serving up a 2-for-1 autumn special every Friday from now until Christmas. What are you waiting for? Get stuck into their delicious continental breakfasts and order a healthy smoothie on the side.
Mirabel, Fotouh Al Khair Centre (Marks & Spencer mall), Al Markaziyah (02 631 5111)
Dance like a Latin Lover: Salsa pro Brando holds dance lessons from 8pm-10pm, and you can stick around afterwards to practise your moves and listen to the live band. It’s guaranteed to get your blood pumping fast in your veins.
Latino Night at Zenith, Sheraton (02 677 3333)
Saturday 9
Have a hot stones massage: Try out Zen Spa’s de-stressing massage. It uses hot, volcanic stones, which are left on your back during the treatment allowing the heat to soothe and relax the muscles. Far more relaxing than it sounds! Go for one hour, or, if you’re feeling really indulgent, opt for the 90-minute session.
Zen Spa, Beach Rotana (02 6979333)
Play some digital tennis: If a game of pool or darts just doesn’t float your boat any more, enter the brand new world of digital pub games with this regular Nintendo Wii night at The Tavern pub.
Free. From 8pm. Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Play sports for free: Check out the all-new Abu Dhabi Beaches Sports Park, launched by Duplays. Located at the Corniche, it includes facilities for beach rugby, netball, football and more. Everything is free for the first week, but booking ahead is essential.
Abu Dhabi Beaches Sports Park, the Corniche. Book online at duplays.com or call (055 224 0186)
Get a good workout with aqua pilates: If plain old run-of-the-mill pilates just isn’t tough enough for you, why not give it a whirl in water? That’ll get those muscles toned and supple before you know it.
Aqua Pilates Class, Sheraton Health Club (02 6790 272)
Sunday 10
Catch some last-minute art: It’s the final day of the excellent Contemporary Romanian Art exhibition at the Salwa Zeidan gallery, with mixed media canvases, sculptures and specially created Arabic-themed pieces on show.
Free. Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 666 9656)
Flex your limbs: Yoga may look like a bit of a breeze, but an hour or so’s lunging is guaranteed to leave you feeling fitter, healthier and more limber. Get involved with this early week class from Ashtanga, a club exclusive to women.
Yoga Tree and Soma Pilates Studio, Al Rowdah (02 667 6579)
Indulge in delicacies from Down: Under It’s Aussie Night at Cooper’s. Head down for tasty beverages and meaty treats fit for Crocodile Dundee himself.
Park Rotana (02 621 0000)
See the Japanese Grand Prix: This season’s gripping title fight makes its way to Suzuka. Expect fireworks from contenders Hamilton, Alonso, Button, Webber and Vettel, who’ll be looking to make sure the battle goes down to the wire on Yas Island next month.
See it at Thirty 1st Bar, Holiday Inn (02 657 4888)
Monday 11
Drink for a dirham: Buy a starter and main course at La Terrazza at the Hilton Abu Dhabi and you can accompany your meal with house drinks for a crazily cheap Dhs1 each.
La Terrazza, Hilton Abu Dhabi Corniche, 7pm-11pm (02 681 1900)
Hear some smooth tunes: Pop on down to Etoiles, Abu Dhabi’s swankiest nightspot, for some unbeatable R&B and hip hop hits from DJ Andy.
Free, 9pm-3am, Etoiles, Emirates Palace (02 690 7999)
See world-class art: If you haven’t been along already, don’t miss out on the amazing RSTW art exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat. This could be your last chance to view works by art luminaries such as Andy Warhol and Robert Rauchenberg in the capital for years to come.
Free entry. 10am-8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 406 1400)
Eat some pastries: If it’s some tasty, sweet Gallic baked goods you’re after, head down to Maison Sucre, a classy French bakery in Khalidiyah that has just opened its doors for business.
Corner of Khaleej Al Arabi and Zayed The First Street, Khalidiyah (02 639 6622) www.maisonsucreuae.com
Tuesday 12
Feast on Spanish National Day: Bravo restaurant is serving up a Spanish banquet of paella, tapas, gazpacho and other national specialities to celebrate the country’s national day. Slurp down a few glasses of Spain’s famed fruity concoction too!
Bravo Tapas, Sheraton Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333)
Bake on the beach: Now the weather’s cooling, head down to the Corniche to bask in the sunshine and top up your tan on one of Bake’s comfy sun loungers. Forgotten your gear? Pick up a towel, swimwear, sun lotion or kids’ toys at one of their retail stores, located near Gates two and six.
BAKE, The Corniche, Gates two, three and five info@bakeuae.com
Have a chuckle: Get yourself on down to Stills Bar at the Crowne Plaza Yas Island for some side-splitting humour as the latest gang of comedians land in Abu Dhabi for The Laughter Factory tour of the country.
Tickets Dhs115. October 12.
Stills, Crowne Plaza Yas Island
Watch some: World Cup flops Fabio Capello’s England team aim to repay their nation for a dismal performance in the World Cup with a stress-free qualification for the 2012 European Championship. They take on Eastern European minnows Montenegro at Wembley Stadium. Surely England can’t lose this one?
11pm, Al Jazeera Sports
Wednesday 13
Head on up: Get on up to the lofty heights of Relax@12 to see Abu Dhabi’s renowned female spinner, DJ Natalie B, drop some hot house tunes for your ears to enjoy.
Free. 8pm-2am, Relax@12, Aloft Abu Dhabi (02 654 5000)
Go digital: Emirati digital artist Sumayyah Al Suwaidi’s interesting exhibition comes to an end today. Make sure you visit it to see the unusual cartoon-esque pictures on show before it’s too late.
The Art of Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Or…go Zumba! Burn some calories before the usual weekend blow-out with this high-energy South American-style workout that will push you to the limits of tiredness.
Dhs35/40, 9.30am, Beach Rotana Hotel, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000)
Shell suit yourself up: The ’80s may have been the decade that fashion forgot, but there’s no doubt the era had some pretty decent pop tunes tearing up the charts. Get down to Crowne Plaza Yas Island every Wednesday to show off your worst ’80s gear while singing along to tunes by Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and the like.
Free, 8pm-late. Stills Bar, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3053)
