Thursday 10
Mosh till you drop: Forget all these electronic beeps that some call music, if you think real tunes are all about sweaty, hairy men pumping out power chords on guitars, then squeeze into your Iron Maiden T-shirt and enter the fray at PJ O’Reilly’s rock night. House band Warwick play everything from soft rock anthems to eardrum withering metal.
Free. 8pm. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Do a sun salutation at sunset: Go to the 31st floor of Grand Millennium Al Wahda’s health club to watch the sun go down over the city as you do a Sunset Yoga and Pilates class. Perfect for keeping supple and toned while you check out the views.
Dhs40/60. 5.30pm. Grand Millennium Al Wadha (02 443 9999)
Kick the weekend off with free fizz: Sure, there are plenty of ladies’ nights out there, but they’re usually strategically scheduled at ridiculous times, such as 5am-6am on a Sunday, just to make you angry. Not so at Stills, where members of the more fragrant gender can fill their twinkly boots just as the hankering kicks in.
From 8pm. Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3000)
Nosh Michelin-starred grub: Anthony Genovese – head chef at Rome’s Ristorante Il Pagliaccio – knows a thing or two about food. He’s in the kitchen at Bice tonight, whipping up the sort of maddeningly brilliant cuisine that’ll leave you wishing you had three mouths. You know, so that you could eat more of it.
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Friday 11
Rock out to a guitar legend: He might be your dad’s favourite, but that doesn’t stop bluesy rocker and all-round guitar genius Eric Clapton from belting out some rocking tunes. If you’re a fan of such songs as ‘Laya’ and ‘White Room’ you won’t want to miss his one-off show at Yas Arena.
www.timeouttickets.com
See some speed: With all those dusty roads and open spaces, it’s no wonder Australia’s racing drivers are among the best on the planet. And, if your eyes can keep up, you’ll be able to see for yourself when the Australian V8 Supercar championship has its season opener at Yas Marina Circuit.
www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Hear an ’80s legend’s mixing skills: Some of our older readers might remember Boy George’s star turn in the classic TV show The A-Team. His acting career might have floundered after his wooden performance, but musically the Culture Club frontman’s still going strong as he’s one of the most in-demand DJs out there. He’s manning the decks at Allure tonight – expect plenty of party house anthems.
Dhs150. Allure, Yas Marina & Yacht Club (050 596 9543)
Float your literary boat: With book shops a little thin on the ground in the city, expect big crowds at Mina Port as the Logos Hope floating book fair moors up for the week. There are over 7,000 titles on board to check out, so bring your wallet and do your best to look intellectual.
Until February 12. www.adach.ae
Saturday 12
Check out some dhows: Like seeing old wooden boats trying to outsail each other? Who doesn’t? Make sure you don’t miss the Marwah Traditional Dhow Race this afternoon at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater. More than 100 of these old-time boats will be sailing around Abu Dhabi’s bay in a bid for glory. Sounds like a laugh to us.
2pm-4pm. Abu Dhabi Breakwater (02 681 5566)
Bowl a virtual strike: If you’ve spent the past year locked up in your apartment practising your Wii technique, maybe it’s time to actually put your skills to the test against real people. The Tavern pub is hosting its first Wii Olympics, with virtual bowling being today’s sport of choice. Win, and you’ll be elevated from friendless nerd to bar room hero in just a few flicks of the wrist.
Free. 8pm. The Tavern, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Start your art collection: As an attractive urban go-getter, you can guarantee that at some point in the near future one of your dinner party guests will ask if they can check out your latest canvas. Avoid a red face by popping along to Guess the Artist, an open-to-all art show with pieces priced at Dhs1,000.
Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Go to a theme park: Weekend passed in a blur? Thinking of spending the day doing such exciting activities as ‘sitting around’ or ‘watching TV’, while you wait for the last of it to slip away? Instead, why not break with tradition and spend your day hurtling along at 240kph? If this sounds like an appealing option, Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa is the answer.Dhs225 for general admission.
Noon-10pm Tuesday-Sunday. Ferrari World, Yas Island, (02 496 8001)
Sunday 13
Have an early Valentine’s Day: Since tomorrow is a dry night due to the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) many restaurants are hosting Valentine’s events tonight. How about booking a table on Le Royal Méridien’s Shuja Yacht for a romantic cruise with dinner and bubbly? Dhs290 for a buffet dinner with freeflow drinks.
Shuja Yacht (02 647 2020)
Get your fingers sticky: Need some new friends? Pop along to today’s chocolate and pastry workshop at AFOC and learn some skills that’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand (not literally, we hope). Dhs200. 9.30am-2.30pm. Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, www.gourmetabudhabi.ae (02 418 1401)
Tuck into traditional Sunday roast: But not just any Sunday roast – this one’s a three-course culinary feast at Marco Pierre White’s, so you can guarantee there won’t be any dried out beef slices on your plate. Dhs275 per person. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, Fairmont Bab al Bahr (02 654 3333)
Attack like a cobra: Well not quite that bad – but Cobra Muay Thai boxing class will certainly teach you how to deliver a few stinging blows. Take a class tonight and practise your moves.
Zayed Sports City (055 616 0996)
Monday 14
Try skydiving without the fear: Always fancied leaping out of a plane, but not actually crazy enough to do it? Get yourself to Abu Dhabi Country Club and try out the indoor skydiving.
Spacewalk, Abu Dhabi Country Club (02 657 7777)
Show some love: Valentine’s Day is here and, unless you want to return to the lonely life of a singleton, you really should treat your loved one to a posh, romantic meal. In our books, you can’t get more luxurious than Hakkasan. Dine here and all thoughts of divorce will probably be instantly forgotten.
Dhs350. Hakkasan, Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Scoff fine French food: Nautilus is hosting award-winning chef Régis Marcon from February 13-16, so you’ll be able to sample some of his signature dishes at their futuristic, chic restaurant. Bon Appetite!
International Masterchef Régis et Jacques Marcon -– Epicurean Promotions at Nautilus, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0000)
Eat a romantic cake: Don’t have the ready cash to spend on jewellery or holidays for your partner this Valentine’s Day? If they’ve got a sweet tooth, why not get them a cupcake decorated with romantic messages from Maison Sucre store. Each one will only set you back Dhs16.
Maison Sucre, Khalidiyah (02 639 6622)
Tuesday 15
Bop along to some ’80s beats: If you’re confused and frightened by the strange sounds of today’s chart-toppers, fear not – Eight Bar has you covered. Get to their Flashback night, where sounds of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s are the order of the day, and let the synthesized beats soothe you.
Free (by reservation only, reservations@eightabudhabi.com). Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988)
Hit the ice: There’s nothing quite like a refreshing midweek skate to blast away the cobwebs, and today is ladies’ morning at the Zayed Sports City ice rink. Follow up your session on the ice with a well-earned coffee and a chat.
Dhs90. 8.30am. Zayed Sports City ice rink (02 444 8458)
Stoke up a stogie: Should firing up a fine Cuban cigar be your vice of choice, get over to The Yas Hotel’s Skylite bar tonight, where a professional cigar maker has been flown in to create handmade rolls of tobacco for your puffing pleasure. Remember, though, folks, smoking kills. 6pm.
Skylite, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0000)
Get in step: Winter’s almost over, which means it’s time to tone up those thighs and burn off some calories with a step class. You’ll be beach ready before you know it.
Dhs30/40. 7pm-8pm. The Leisure Club, Khor Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Wednesday 16
Gorge on lobster: Eating until your eyeballs start bulging from their sockets needn’t just be an end-of-the-week indulgence – head down to Sevilos’ Seafood Night tonight and you can do just that, with house beverages thrown in.
Dhs230. Millennium Hotel (02 614 6000)
Dine out for a charitable cause: Singaporean chef Willin Low is hosting a charitable dinner as part of Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2011, so no need to feel guilty about gorging yourself on his modern Asian cusine with a western twist.
Dh650. Willin Low Donate a Brick charity dinner. 7pm-11pm. Teatro, Park Rotana Hotel, near Khalifa Park.
Fuse east with west: Love Arabic music and Western tunes in equal measures? If so, Étoiles nightclub should be your preferred destination tonight, as chart music from both cultures is played to please those those with eclectic musical tastes.
Free. From 11pm. Étoiles, Emirates Palace (02 690 9999)
Get conceptual with your camera: Renowned photographer Misha Gordin is in town for four days of workshops, passing on the tips and tricks that have earned him worldwide respect from camera fanatics. Head to the Emirates Photography Competition website to register for participation.
9am. National Theatre, www.ephotoc.net
