Thursday 15
Keep an eye on Earth: The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is hosting a special talk from Philippe Cousteau, Jr, Chief Ocean Correspondent for Animal Planet and Planet Green. Here, the greatest challenges facing the environment movement will be discussed.
11am, Adnec Hall 1 Theatre, www.adnec.ae.
Give to children: Medical Aid for Palestinians is hosting its first Charity Dinner in Abu Dhabi. There will be a local comedian, good food and an auction. All proceeds will go to helping children in need in Palestine and Lebanon. Have a good night out and help the defenceless.
InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi, Bainouna Street (050 446 4193).
Devour a seafood buffet: Choices restaurant is known for its mouth-watering buffets. Gorge yourself on oysters, langoustines, mussels, clams and sushi – and those are just the starters! There are also delicious fishy soups, curries and fried dishes, not to mention all the fish-free desserts you could want.
Yas Island Rotana,Yas Island (02 656 4169).
Do some serious clubbing: If you want some serious house beats, a lot of bass and a darkened room in which to dance then Thursday night at Etoiles is just the ticket. With DJ Jack providing the House and RnB tunes, whilst George Safi handles percussion, every Thursday is a blast at the Emirates Palace. Book in advance.
Etoiles, Emirates Palace (02 690 8960).
Friday 16
Have family falconry fun: The third annual Festival of Falconry in Al Ain is holding a public festival day at Jahili Park. From 10am until 1pm, and then again from 4pm to 5.30pm, there will be a number of events demonstrating the falconer’s craft in a lovely outdoor setting. All this will be followed by a Grand Parade of the nations where falconry is still practiced.
Jahili Park, Al Ain.
See Sade in concert: With a catalogue of smooth jazzy hits to make Norah Jones green with envy and over thirty years experience in performing live – Sade’s concert is sure to be a night out to remember. You’ll be humming classic hits such as Sweetest Taboo and Smooth Operator for days. Also check out the after-party at the Rush bar in the Yas Viceroy hotel. Our spies tell us that Sade and her band are staying at the hotel so there’s a good chance you’ll see them at this post-gig party. The Soulful sessions party will see some of the UAE’s best DJs (Schooly, Daniel Craig and Kristian Valdini) at the decks. Entry to the party is free for ladies and Dhs100 for gents.
Yas Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. www.thinkflash.ae. for the Sade gig and 02 656 0600 for the after party.
Visit Ripe Kidz market: This much loved food and craft market is hosting a set of fun activities for kids that will get their creative juices flowing at the same time as getting them into the festive spirit. While the kids are occupied making Christmas tree baubles, paper chains and snowflakes, why not go for a little tour of the market? You might find just the thing you didn’t know you were looking for to round off your Christmas shopping.
9.30am to 1pm, Ripe, Desert Garden Centre (www.ripeme.com).
Hear the sounds of Bollywood: If smooth jazz isn’t your thing, how about something a bit more lively? Shankar, Ehsan and Loy have more than fifty soundtracks and twenty awards to their names, and are amongst the most respected names in Indian film music. You can expect some serious fun, but don’t expect to just walk in – demand is high. Book your tickets.
ADNEC, Tickets Dhs95 to Dhs1,000, www.boxofficeme.com (800 90).
Saturday 17
See camels: With a beauty contest and an auction the Al Dhafra Festival is the camel event of the year. You don’t need to be an aficionado to enjoy this celebration of one of the most important beasts in UAE history.
Madinat Zayed, Western Region, www.aldhafrafestival.ae.
Get some dietary help: Need a little help keeping your heathy eating New Year resolutions? Laura Holland is able to help you with areas like blood pressure and bloating. If you want to improve your eating habits, but worry that you won’t have the will to go it alone, why not give her a call.
www.inshallah.org.uk (050 504 8523).
Buy toys that teach: With Christmas fast approaching, if you’ve not finished your shopping for the festive season, you should consider checking out toy store Journey Toys. They offer great toys for kids that will work their brains while they play. Games that teach logic, maths and language are all available. Delivered on the island of Abu Dhabi for free.
www.journeytoys.ae (050 622 6105).
Learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Some martial arts might as well be just for show, with lots of flying kicks and spinning leg sweeps. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not one of these. The Abu Dhabi Combat Club offers classes in this and a number of other deadly arts, so if you want to get in shape while becoming a little more dangerous, you’ll struggle to do better.
Near Immigration Office, Al Mushrif, www.adcombat.com (050 827 3934).
Sunday 18
Play tennis: Tennis is a great way to stay in shape. At Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotanna, you can hire a court for Dhs150 per hour and even rent rackets for Dhs25/30 – all in brand new facilities.
Al Khalidiyah (02 657 0000).
Buy some new clothes: Mexx is offering a new collection in store, so pop in and partake of a wide range of clothes including lots of lace, sequins and pretty dresses. Definitely a place to go if you feel your party wardrobe is getting a little stale.
Marina Mall (02 681 4574).
Eat pizza: Italian food tends to come in two categories: up-market and pricey or cheap fast-food imitation. Il Forno straddles that line with huge pizzas, salads and soups that are certain to leave both your belly and your wallet pleasingly full.
Al Wahda Mall, www.ilfornogroup.com (02 443 7344).
See life in the Trucial States: ADACH is hosting a very interesting exhibition on life in the Trucial States, seen through the camera lens of Ronald Codrai between the late 1940s and mid-1950s. This is the largest such collection of photos from this period, and we promise you’ll leave better informed than you arrived.
Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 406 1400).
Monday 19
Eat unpretentious French food: Le Beaujolais may not be the trendiest place in the capital, but they offer up some yummy French favourites in a pleasant atmosphere, with a diverse clientele and attentive staff. The price is right and the portions are generous in this decent facsimile of a French bistro.
Mercure Centre Hotel, Hamdan Street (02 633 355).
Relax with a facial: Mega-luxury spa Espa is now well established and catering to all of the capital’s beauty seekers. Enjoy facials, massages and more in chic surroundings.
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island (02 656 0862).
Enjoy a holiday menu: The Crowne Plaza on Yas Island is offering a Christmas Delight takeaway menu this year. If you want delicious Christmas favourites but none of the hassle, then head down to the Views lobby lounge and pick yourself up an order form.
Crowne Plaza, Yas Island (02 656 3000).
Feast at Bam Bu: With so many exciting options at Abu Dhabi’s hotels, it can be easy to forget the other venues around. It’s true that the Abu Dhabi Marina is a bit of a peculiar place but the food at this Chinese restaurant is well worth the adventure.
Abu Dhabi Marina & Yacht Club, Tourist Club Area (02 645 6373).
Tuesday 20
Get a new do: The team at Glamour Hair Salon will have your locks in tip top shape in no time. The salon also sells a range of great hair products.
El-Nilen Bank Building, 4th Street by Corniche Road (02 626 3002).
Go on a boys night: In this town, there seems to be a ladies night every day of the week. If you just want to enjoy some hoppy beverages with your mates, why not pop down to the Ally Pally Corner. One of the first pubs in the capital, with two dart boards, a pool table and all the crisps you can eat. Women are allowed in – but you’re unlikely to see many.
Al Ain Palace Hotel, Al Markaziyah (02 679 4777).
Shop at S*uce: Tired of all the identikit stores that seem to be on every corner and in every mall in the city? Then this could be the perfect antidote – with cutting edge fashion and boutique charm, S*uce is just the place to go if you want to stand out in a crowd.
Marina Mall (02 681 8650).
Get your nails done: Pop into Nail It to get your nails looking fabulous. Nail It promises to offer a personalised blend of class and charisma all wrapped up in a chic venue.
Corniche, Al Khalidiya (02 650 5560).
Wednesday 21
Have Ladies Night at Y-Bar: Every Wednesday between 8pm and midnight, members of the fairer sex get an unlimited supply of selected house beverages. With DJ Graca at the helm, the soundtrack is eclectic and decidedly funky; we defy you not to get on the dance floor and let your hair down.
Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000).
Go to the library: There’s nothing quite like the smell of a book, or the feel of pages between your fingers. If you don’t have a large collection at home, or you fancy something new to read without spending any money, head to the National Library and borrow a book.
33 street, between Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street and Airport Road (02 6578 6034).
Eat classy Indian: With a busy setting, a fantastic view and some truly yummy dishes, Ushna is one of the best places in Abu Dhabi to eat Indian food. Sure, the price higher than you might be used to paying for a curry, but trust us, it’s worth every penny.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 558 1769).
Check out a new hotel: The much anticipated Hyatt Capital Gate opens today. Take a look at the new restaurants and bars opening at this cool leaning construction.
Hyatt Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi (02 596 1709).
