Thursday 23
Enjoy an artful evening: To mark the conclusion of the long-running Splendours of Mesopotamia exhibition, Manarat Al Saadiyat is hosting another evening of culturally enriching activities. Artscape Neo Babylon will include Arabic poetry readings from Syrian poet Omar Al Farra, as well as music from the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble and educational workshops for those keen on broadening their horizons.
Free. From 5pm. Manarat Al Saaidyat gallery, Saadiyat Island
Get some even cheaper furniture: Looking to furnish your flat? Look no further! Today is the first day of the Ikea part-sale, meaning you can grab some flatpack wares at an even lower price than usual. Head on down before all the good stuff’s snapped up.
Ikea, Yas Island. www.ikeaabudhabi.com
Listen to some R&B: Stuck for a banging party to attend this Thursday? Why not celebrate the end of a hard working week by dancing the night away at Rush Bar, where DJs spin the finest R&B and hip hop tunes every Thursday?
Rush Bar, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0760)
Float in a pool: What’s more summery than watching films at an outdoor screening? Watching them in a pool, naturally. Head to Abu Dhabi Golf Club for their Floating Films evening, where you can watch two movies in the pool, on inflatable pool chairs, or buried in poolside bean bags, free of charge. Snacks and drinks will be available from the pool bar.
Free. Abu Dhabi Golf Club (02 558 8990)
Friday 24
Be a homesick expat: Missing a nice roast dinner? For Dhs159, ditch the swanky Friday brunch in favour of Cooper’s carvery option where turkey, sausages and all the trimmings are accompanied by unlimited selected beverages. Lovely jubbly.
Cooper’s, Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Try a camel shawarma: Curious to find out what local folk chow down on for Friday brunch? If so, Mezlai’s new buffet of traditional Emirati delicacies is the place to head. Ouzi, grilled seafood and – yup – camel shawarma are all in the offing, and while it’s a non-alcoholic affair, it could be worth a look if you’re after something a little different.
(02 690 7999)
Adopt a sad cat: Overrun with mice? Looking to make a YouTube hit? Sick of having all your furniture in one piece? What you need is a cat, like now. Get along to Feline Friends’ adoption day today and you can bag yourself a furry friend and do a good deed – all at the very same time.
1pm-3.30pm. Khalifa City A. Call 050 582 2916 for directions
Get a good swing: Golf Institute instructor Martin Gallagher will be conducting complimentary swing appraisals every Friday to help Abu Dhabi’s golfers improve their game, whatever their level.
11am-1pm, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, contact Martin for more information at mgallagher@adgolfclub.com or call 02 558 8990
Saturday 25
See award-winning snaps: Head to the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi to see some award-winning pictures from this year’s Emirates Photography Competition. Check out Black & White through Creative Eyes, a number of the most prominent works, which were chosen by the competition’s jury.
Free. Until June 30. National Theatre (02 657 6355)
Sort yourself out: For Dhs360, the ‘Top to Toe’ pamper package at Zayna Spa will leave you feeling relaxed and looking great. Ladies receive a complimentary wash and blow-dry at Kazumi Salon and gents a choice of haircut or shave with every 60-minute Aromatherapy Massage bought.
Zayna Spa, Grand Millennium Al Wahda (02 495 3822)
Educate yourself: Whether you want to take a sabbatical from work, or are leaving high school this year and aren’t sure of your plans, why not stop in at the Abu Dhabi University information evening where you can ask staff about the courses and how they could boost your career?
7pm-9pm. Hilton Abu Dhabi. Call 800 ADYOU (800 23968) for information or email admissions@adu.ac.ae
Rustle up something rustic: Looking to add a bit of flair to your home cooking repertoire? Jones the Grocer hosts another of its popular cooking classes tonight, giving you the opportunity to learn some of the secrets behind its TOAD Restaurant Award-winning menu. No spaces left? There’s another in two weeks, so get your name down early.
Jones the Grocer, Mamoura Building B, Muroor (02 443 8762)
Sunday 26
Start keeping time: Always late? Well that’s a prime excuse to hit the shops. Swatch has expanded its Full Blooded collection with 10 new pieces to choose from. If you like skulls and sparkles, head on down.
Swatch, Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 4674)
Eat some seafood: One to One Hotel’s new Mediterranean seafood restaurant, Sennera, has just opened its doors. Fill your face with fresh fish at this latest addition to the city’s dining scene.
One to One Hotel (02 495 2000)
See an F1 street circuit tussle: While it’s certainly got a lot to live up to after Canada’s four-hour epic, the winding streets of Valencia have provided plenty of drama in the three years it’s hosted the European Grand Prix. Tune in today to see if it’s another cracker.
4pm. AD Sports
Take the kids for a round of golf: Start them young with Saadiyat Beach Golf Club’s junior programme, which aims to incite a love of golfing in little ones through its fun approach. Exercises focus on athletic development as well as specific fundamental golf movements, and classes are open to children as young as four right through to teenagers.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, theacademy@sbgolfclub.ae (02 557 8000)
Monday 27
Swap one desert for another: Etihad Airways is celebrating five years of nonstop flights to Casablanca by adding a fifth weekly flight. Take a trip to see the sights and souks of Morocco.
Flights start from around Dhs4,900. Visit www.etihadairways.com
Train like a Navy Seal with TRX: After taut, bulging biceps? Abs that are shaped like a massive chocolate bar? Course you are. Develop them with a TRX training class, which was originally developed by a Navy Seal to help his teammates exercise when deployed.
Dhs60. 7pm-8pm. Haddins Gym, Zayed Sports City (02 403 4233)
Drink on a school night: Monday night is the night for Cuban beverages at Sho Cho in Souk Qaryat Al Beri, where special promotions on everyone’s favourite party drink are on offer from 6pm onwards. The resident DJ Gem will be playing commercial and house from 10pm onwards, so stick around to party like it’s already Thursday.
Sho Cho, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1117)
Be shellfish: Big on mussels? Head over to Stills tonight and you can gobble the little fishy blighters until they start glooping out of your ears. There’s a range of sauces to choose from, and at Dhs99, that’s a pretty cheap dinner.
Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3053)
Tuesday 28
Be a culture vulture: Head down to the Salwa Zeidan Gallery to check out the new collective sculpture exhibition entitled Art in Space. This is the gallery’s first exhibition entirely dedicated to sculpture, and features works in a range of mediums, from marble to steel, by a variety of local and international artists.
Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Villa 256, Al Khaleej Al Arabi St (02 666 9656)
Pack off the kids: If the kids are getting a little restless, send them for a day of fun at Summer Fun ’11 at Fun City. All sorts of exciting activities are being organised in Marina and Dalma malls, where kids will be able to take part in arts and crafts sessions, theatre productions, and music and dance activities.
Dhs200 per day. Three-eight years. Marina Mall (02 681 5527) Dalma Mall (02 5507407)
Try a new menu: The Hawksbill restaurant at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has launched its new summer menu with a whole new range of international dishes to try. We like the sound of creamy potato gnocchi with a truffle parmesan fondue and the trio of crème brulées.
Hawksbill Restaurant (02 557 8000)
Buy Ferrari World tickets online: Tickets for the largest indoor theme park in the world can now be bought online for the first time, so you can skip the queues and sort your visit out without leaving the sofa. What are you waiting for?
www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Wednesday 29
Watch a new show: Looking for a fun new comedy about six friends, break-ups, relationships and hanging out? Look no further – Happy Endings, starring Elisha Cuthbert, has just hit UAE screens.
7pm. OSN
Live like a lord: It could just be us, but we find there’s something about scoffing cheese and sipping plonk that makes us feel like we could, at any point, release a pack of hounds. Get your fix of both at Piano Lounge tonight for just Dhs85.
InterContinental (02 666 6888)
Get paid to drink: Lemon Tree’s new Dhs125 set menu is really rather clever. Not only are the drinks included, they’ll also give you a dirham (in the form of a voucher to spend within the hotel) for each glassful you knock back. As an incentive, a night’s stay in the hotel is currently around Dhs415. Bottoms up!
(02 657 4856)
Spend for your supper: Take advantage of the Crowne Plaza’s summer offer, where spending Dhs100 in any of the restaurants or bars will earn you Dhs25 in dining vouchers. The perfect excuse to chow down.
Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street (02 616 6122)
