Thursday 27
Spend a weekend in the desert: Fancy trying all the desert has to offer? Book into the Empty Quarter’s new Tilal Liwa hotel and experience a weekend in the shadow of the dunes at an affordable price.
Tilal Liwa hotel, Empty Quarter, Liwa, www.danahotels.com (02 894 6111)
Go crazy to some Teutonic house: If your CV boasts stints behind the decks at the Berlin Love Parade, Pasha nightclub in Sharm el Sheikh and the 2006 World Cup after party, you’re obviously no mug when it comes to mixing tunes. That’s why, if electronic beats are your bag, get on down to Zenith nightclub tonight where DJ Simone, one of Germany’s top house music stars, will be manning the ones and twos.
Free for ladies, Dhs100 for men. 9pm. Zenith, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Learn how to ‘whack’ someone: Fans of surly, folically challenged British star Jason Statham will want to catch his latest action role, which is released in the UAE’s cinemas today. We were hoping The Mechanic would be about a frustrated grease monkey having to undertake a particularly tricky oil change, but apparently it concerns a hit man who teaches his skills to a young apprentice. Hollywood film names can be so misleading.
Watch a French mix master: DJ Wesley Aarons usually plies his crossfader skills at the famous Secret Square nightclub in Paris. He’s taken a break from this glamorous den to pop into the Yacht Club to captivate you with some Gallic house beats.
Free. From 10pm. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Friday 28
Revisit the ’90s: It might have been a while since you jumped up and down on the spot, one fist in the air shouting ‘Parklife!’ Give it another go this evening at Left Bank’s monthly indie session. They’ll play tracks you won’t hear anywhere else in the capital, including Happy Mondays and Primal Scream numbers, as well as a whole host of Britpop classics.
Free. 7pm-3am. Left Bank, Souk Qaryat al Beri (02 558 1680)
Marvel at a world-class maestro: Marking his first ever appearance in the capital, legendary pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim will be providing classical music fans with a rare treat tonight, as he leads the Staatskapelle Berlin orchestra through a recital of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.
From Dhs120. From 8pm. Emirates Palace Auditorium www.timeouttickets.com
Race on a paddleboard: Get out on the water and join in Abu Dhabi’s First Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Race. The event includes a 3km paddle, a relay and a shorter kids’ race, so everyone can have a go, even complete beginners. Board rentals will be available, and there are cash prizes for the winners.
Free. Races begin at 8am. Corniche Beach, Gate No. 1. Register at www.uaesup.com
Drink and be merry: Toast Sanza is hosting a sampling day of red and whites from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. There will be a kid’s zone for the young’uns too.
Dhs150. 12.30pm. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club www.toastsanza.com
Saturday 29
Take the tempo down a few notches: If you’ve had a particularly hedonistic weekend and are feeling a bit fragile, but hate the thought of staying in, then the new night at Oceans bar should be your port of call tonight. Sunset Sensations is all about downbeat, chill-out grooves to help your unwind before the big week ahead.
Free. From 8pm. Oceans, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi (02 674 1094)
Go fishing: Like messing around in boats? Head out on a fishing trip where you’ll get to breathe the sea air, enjoy the views of the capital and hopefully hook yourself some dinner. Book at least 24 hours in advance.
Dhs750 for three hours. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi (02 697 9000)
Parle Français: Did you have ‘learn a new language’ among your list of half-baked New Year’s resolutions? Still yet to master a single syllable? Good news – the French Alliance is currently offering lessons until the middle of February. There’s expert tuition on hand, meaning the whole experience ought to be a lot easier than halving your weight in two weeks or learning the banjo.
Alliance Française www.af-aboudabi.net (02 666 6232)
Glimpse into the future of Saadiyat: The amazing RSTW art exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat may have finished, with the works by Warhol, Serra, Twombly and the rest shipped back to the US, but there’s still a reason to visit the art space. The Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition is permanent show, detailing all the museums that will be built on the island through a series of interactive displays.
Free. 10am-8pm. Saadiyat Island (02 643 5781)
Sunday 30
Cheer on some burly rugby players: For the first time ever, a domestic English rugby union game is being played on foreign shores and we in Abu Dhabi have the honour of hosting this momentous match. London rivals Harlequins and Wasps clash at the Emirates Palace for some hard tackling action.
Dhs200 for stadium, Dhs100 for standing. 7pm. Emirates Palace (02 697 9000)
Tune in for some on court action: The men’s final of the Australian Open takes place today in Melbourne. Will Rafael Nadal capitalise on the good run of form he began by winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi at the start of January?
9am. Fox Sports
Meet your future spouse: Valentine’s Day is coming up, which can only mean one thing – blind panic. It’s okay, though, Eight Bar has you covered. Every Sunday it holds the Singles Traffic Jam, where your future Mr or Mrs Right could be waiting. And, if not, at least you can drown your sorrows with a classy blend.
Free. Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988)
Grapple with a martial art: Learn how to throw even the burliest of opponents with just the flick of the wrist at the Hiltonia’s friendly Aikido Class.
Dhs35, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7pm-8pm. Hiltonia Health Club & Spa, Al Khubeira (02 681 1900)
Monday 31
See some expat art: With members hailing from seven different countries, few art collectives can claim to be as culturally diverse as the Abu Dhabi Art Squad. Their latest show, Seven Perspectives, has just been unveiled at the National Theatre, featuring both canvases and sculptures inspired by travels to New Zealand, Pakistan, Italy and beyond.
Free. Until January 31. National Theatre (02 621 5300)
Lift some weights: If you’ve always fancied perfect rippling muscles, and are willing to put in some heavy lifting, then The Club’s Barbell Blitz could be the class for you. Members only.
6.30pm. The Club, Al Meena (02 673 1111)
Be a jet setter: Hire one of the powerful Jet Skis and spend the next hour showing off your speedy turns to everyone on the beach.
Dhs280 for one hour. InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 697 9776)
Lose some kilos: Fancy busting some cellulite but don’t want to move around too much? No matter, head to the Corpofino Spa & Slimming Centre where a wealth of slimming and anti-cellulite treatments are available.
Villa No. 3/2, Airport Road, Behind Al Wahda Mall, next to Zayed University, www.corpofino.ae (02 445 2800)
Tuesday 1
Catch an evening of football action: There are five English Premier League football games on the box tonight. If you’ve got the stamina to stay up into the early hours, Man Utd vs Aston Villa looks like the pick of the clashes.
11.45pm. AD Sports
Giggle at some musical comedy: Promising a refreshing break from the usual bawdy gags and amusing anecdotes, guitar-wielding comic Mitch Benn is the pick of the bill for the latest comedy night at Stills.
Dhs120. 9pm. Stills Bar & Brasserie, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (04 355 1862)
Drink with some fellow educators: Spending your day telling kids to tuck their shirts in and not to run in the corridors must be a tough old job. If the pressure’s getting to you, head to PJ O’Reilly’s After School Care, where teachers’ first drink is free and the rest cost just Dhs15.
From 4pm, PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Bag a bargain masterpiece: New art show Guess the Artist starts at the Ghaf Gallery today. All the works on display are available to buy, all priced at Dhs1,000. The catch being that you won’t know who painted it until you stump up the cash.
Free. Until February 12. Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Wednesday 2
Gawp at planes: Today marks the start of the Al Ain Aerobatic Show, a four-day festival of winged madness starring daredevils from four different continents. It’s a fair jaunt out of town, but, with the Red Bull Air Race’s Abu Dhabi leg sadly knocked on the head, this is your best bet for a dose of aerial adrenaline.
Dhs40. www.timeouttickets.com
Hang out with the foodies: Prepare to kiss your January diet goodbye as the third Gourmet Abu Dhabi festival kicks off tonight. Over the next 16 days, some of the world’s finest chefs will be taking over the city’s kitchens, so get ready to enjoy some serious epicurean treats.
Dhs450. 7.30pm. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. www.gourmetabudhabi.ae
Enjoy a free beverage: If you’re a lady and you’re in the mood for a tipple, but don’t fancy paying, head to Heroes where you can enjoy as many free mixed beverages as you can put away before 10pm.
6pm-10pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 621 0000)
Go for more some gourmet grub: Jones the Grocer is launching a new branch of its ever-popular chain today. So treat yourself to a healthy organic lunch, and make sure you leave room for their unmissable Apple Crumble Pie.
Jones the Grocer, Pearl Plaza building, Khalidiyah (02 443 8762)
