Thursday 14
Check out some world champion martial artists: Today is the opening day of the Abu Dhabi World Professional jiu-jitsu Championship, where some super-tough guys will be grappling, pinning and throwing each other around for a slice of a US $1 million prize fund. Word of advice: if you bump into any of the contenders outside of the ring, we’d advise not insulting their mothers or spilling their drinks.
Until April 16. 9am-6pm. Adnec, Khaleej Al Arabi Street. www.uaejj.com
Golf for Japan: Have you done your bit for Japan yet? Well, what if you could simultaneously play 18 holes and ease human suffering? The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is holding a modified shamble today, including 18 holes, shared golf cart, use of practice facilities, on-course events and offers on sushi and Japanese beverages. Both teams and individual entries are welcome.
Dhs3,000 for teams, Dhs575 for individuals or Dhs165 for SBGC passport holders. Event starts at 2pm. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (02 557 8000)
Try some Thai: Fancy ringing in the Thai New Year? Visit Royal Orchid at the Hilton to sample their festive Songkran set menu, available today and tomorrow. There will be all the usual Thai favaourites plus a few more unusual dishes served.
Dhs129 per person. Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road (02 632 7777)
Show your passion for urban sounds: Consider yourself someone who quite likes R&B? Well sling your hook, because ILoveRnB night at Rush Bar is only for those who truly adore the musical genre. DJs Andy P, Cliff Townley and Neil T will be supplying the beats.
Dhs50 before midnight, Dhs100 after, ladies and airline crew free before midnight. From 10pm. Rush Bar, Yas Hotel (02 656 0000)
Friday 15
Let your ears ring with the sound of barking hounds: Expect a sea of wagging tales and a chorus of barks at the first Abu Dhabi Dog Show at Zayed Sports City. Bring your mutt along and it might win a prize, or just visit by yourself and be prepared to pat some fluffy pooches. Best to leave your portable lamppost or your pet cat at home, though.
Dhs10-Dhs25. 3pm-9pm. Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200)
Tame a dragon: A Chinese family festival is coming to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in celebration of the Chinese Grand Prix, with plenty of entertainment, culture, and cuisine to be had. Head out to Yas and let the Chinese Dragon show, martial arts, and assorted Chinese entertainers take you one step closer to one of the oldest civilisations in history. There will be noodle; oh yes.
Ferrari World, Yas Island (02 496 8001)
Fill your belly with Thai food: Though you won’t find any of the freshly shucked oysters, chocolate fountains or similar tokens of outrageous decadence that you might have come to expect from your Friday brunch, Thai restaurant Talay puts on a darn fine spread of delicately spiced curries, noodles, rice dishes and more. Take a break from the norm – you won’t regret it.
Dhs195. Le Méridien (02 644 6666)
Eat dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef: Chef Isnard, of France’s Auberge de la Charme restaurant will be preparing some of his signature dishes at Blue Grill. Tonight’s your last chance to try them out.
Blue Grill, Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000)
Saturday 16
Buy chocolate bunnies … and eggs of course, since Easter is just around the corner. They’re handmade at the Chocolate Gallery, which is one of the finest purveyors of chocolate in the land so get some for your friends and family. Everything tastes better when it’s egg-shaped, after all!
Chocolate Gallery, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333)
Remember how you hate Wham! As long as you don’t take things too seriously, cheesy retro pop music nights can be an absolute blast. The city’s newest old school party – Eightyluscious – takes place at Eight tonight, where you’ll doubtless encounter folk balancing Rubik’s cubes on their foreheads, drinking straight from a SodaStream and moaning on and on about poll tax.
Free. From 8pm. Eight Bar & Restaurant, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1988)
Make a maki: You’ve probably never spared much thought for the art of sushi-making as you stuff maki rolls down your gullet by the boatful, so you’d be surprised to learn that the Japanese craft is not as easy as it looks. Take a lesson at Soba today and not only will you learn a neat party trick, but you’ll also get to eat your creations (assuming they’re edible).
Dhs75. 10am-noon; 4pm-5pm. Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Get cultured: The recently restored Al Qattara Fort displays the country’s history and heritage, and the beautiful Al Qattara Arts Centre’s inauguration saw the launch of Four Decades, a visual arts exhibition celebrating 28 Emirati Artists from the past 40 years. The show is steeped in culture, and is on until the end of the month; what are you waiting for?
Free. Al Qattara Fort, Al Ain. For more information contact the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage on 02 657 6171
Sunday 17
Purchase some property: Cityscape Abu Dhabi exhibition starts today, and the city’s major developers will be showcasing the mega projects they’ve got up their sleeves (not literally.) If you have the ready cash to hand, you could buy yourself a new apartment or even a whole tower block.
Until April 20. 10am-7pm. Adnec, Khaleej Al Arabi Street. www.cityscapeabudhabi.com
Get curried: With all the good curry available in the city you’ll be hard-pressed to manage an entire week without eating some. This week, head down to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and dig into their curry night offerings. The menu is still à la carte, but every Sunday the chef throws in a completely separate curry menu that’s not to be missed.
À la carte, 6pm-10pm. Café 28, Abu Dhabi Golf Club (02 558 8990)
See a Shanghai showdown: F1 heads to China this weekend, where Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and co will be tearing up Shanghai International Circuit in the championship’s third round.
11am AD Sports
Sink a sushi boat (or two): Like your fish raw and spicy? Get down to Yacht Club tonight to fill up on unlimited Japanese cuisine and free-flowing beverages for a very tasty price. Dhs165. 7pm-10pm. InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Monday 18
Turn your child into a master sculptor: There’s a huge programme of workshops and talks running alongside the Splendours of Mesopotamia exhibition at Manarat al Saadiyat. This afternoon, children aged six-12 can learn how to create their own authentic Assyrian style relief narrative carving. Free, although booking is essential.
4pm-5pm. Manarat al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island(02 657 5900)
Buy a French book: For the Francophones of the capital, today could be a good chance to get your hands on some French literature. Head out to the Alliance Française Abou Dabi for their April Reading Rendezvous and check out their collection of titles.
Free entrance, 9am-8pm. Alliance Française Abou Dabi, (02 666 6232)
Perfect your brows: Eyebrows starting to meet in the middle? Need to tame those bristles? Visit Sisters Lounge, which has just launched Dynamic Brows semi-permanent make-up for a perfectly framed face.
Sisters Lounge (02 222 2501)
Put a chef through his paces: La Mamma has a new menu, designed by Italian chef Andrea Molinari. So if you fancy indulging in dishes such as risotto shrimp, melon and gorgonzola head on down and dig in.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road (02 697 0257)
Tuesday 19
Watch a pizza juggler on stilts: If you thought spinning pizzas was impressive, try spinning them on stilts while playing the saxophone and cracking jokes. Well, maybe not all at once, but certainly all in the same night. Head to Sevilo’s and watch Chef Manolo Mosconi’s amazing acrobatic pizza display.
À la carte, 7pm-10pm. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi (02 614 6000)
Nail ‘I Will Survive’: Some people are born to sing. Other people are born to sit quietly in the corner and bask in the awesome glow of the vocally gifted, while resenting their own useless voice. Whichever you are, there’s plenty going on at Sax’s popular karaoke night, which returns this evening.
Free. From 11pm. Le Royal Méridien (02 671 0000)
See a new art show: Having been open for little over a week, the new solo show by Abdul Badi Abdul-Musawwir has the city’s art appreciators falling over themselves for a glimpse at the American’s simplistic, high-contrast works.
Free. Until May 15. Salwa Zeidan Gallery (02 666 9656)
Shake your stuff: Salsa dancing isn’t particularly difficult – all you need is snake-like hips, agile feet and a snazzy shirt. Two of the three will probably do, so head down to Trader Vic’s tonight and have a bash.
Free. Beach Rotana (02 697 9000)
Wednesday 20
Stock up on Easter treats: If you want to fill your cupboards full of traditional foodstuffs, visit Jones the Grocer, which is selling a range of festive goodies this spring. Chocolate eggs are on sale and hot cross buns baked daily in-store. Fill your boots.
Jones the Grocer, Al Mamoura Building B Muroor Road (02 443 8762)
Catch an eclectic dance show: Though it’s been running in Dubai for the past 10 years, tonight sees the first appearance of the subtly entitled Sharmila Dance Extravaganza in the capital. Head down to witness a variety of modern dance styles, including hip hop and street jazz.
Adults Dhs125, under-18s Dhs100. Wednesday, April 20. Abu Dhabi Theatre. Tickets available from Spinneys and Le Royal Méridien, www.sharmiladance.com
Arm your kids: Turn your kid into the next Hanashiro Chomo one grueling Karate afternoon at a time.
Dhs35, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort (02 697 0272).
Drink tea and talk sculptures: Like a drop of tea? Not averse to pondering over ancient artefacts? Mosey on over to Manarat al Saadiyat, where an afternoon tea session and tour of the Splendours of Mesopotamia exhibition is taking place.
Free, booking is essential. 2pm-4pm. Manarat al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 657 5900)
