Breakdancing
Some of the world’s best B-boy champions will be on hand to show off their head spins and caterpillars, while there will also be workshops where you can learn these skills for yourself.
Karting
Most of the current hotshots of the F1 world took their first steps towards racing greatness in these nippy little vehicles. The Yas Marina karting track has just opened, so anyone aged 18 and under will be able to find out if they have the lightning reactions and steely nerves to make it as the next Fernando Alonso. Once the Grand Prix is over, people aged over 18 will also be able to use the facility.
Kids’ zone
Bouncy castles, climbing frames and face painting will make sure junior F1 fans aren’t likely to become an annoyance.
Spas
Should you fancy a quick manicure, nail polish or head massage, there’s a tent in place for general sprucing up and winding down. Only in Abu Dhabi, folks…
Sound of music
If you’re not aware of this year’s Yas Arena line-up, you’ve either been living under a camel or you just don’t like to be entertained. F1 ticket holders will be offered an earful of the following…
Kanye West
In a time when most hip hop has become painfully clichéd, Kanye continues to produce intelligent rap music that marks him out from his wannabe gangster contemporaries. Get to the front and nod your head to hits like ‘Gold Digger’ and ‘Through the Wire’.
November 12, 8pm.
Linkin Park
The Californian nu-metal kings will fire out classic hits such as ‘Somewhere I Belong’ and ‘What I’ve Done’. Whether the F1 crowd is the ideal market for guitar-based angst-ridden tunes remains to be seen. November 13, 8pm.
Prince
The purple one doesn’t play gigs as much as he used to, so persuading him to return to performing is a huge coup for the F1 organisers (and one we’re sure set them back a giant bag of dirhams). We’re dying to see whether his risqué on-stage antics have been toned down for the Middle East.
November 14, 8pm.
Also playing
If you’re without an F1 ticket, or fancy something a bit less raucous, three recognised British acts will be putting on a set of acoustic sessions at the Longitude poolside bar at Yas Hotel. It ain’t cheap, though…
Gabrielle
The eye-patch-sporting singer may not have the chart-topping power she did a few years back, but we reckon she can muster a decent singalong.
November 12, 11pm.
Sugababes
This three-piece girl band seems to replace its line-up more often than we change our underwear. Whichever ’babe turns up to Abu Dhabi, she’ll likely be singing ‘Round Round’ and ‘Push the Button’.
November 13, 11pm.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Rae’s genuine talent is a rare thing in these insipid days, and her mix of original soul, funk and indie angst have won her a sack of deserved awards. Arguably the best act of the weekend.
November 14, 11pm. Tickets from Dhs800 per night (800 35247).
Night fever
You’ll have to be a true party animal to keep going until the end at the Skybar late-night bashes in the specially constructed Flash Forum arena. If so, here’s some of the dance acts you’ll be gyrating to until the break of dawn…
Thursday 11
On the night before the first F1 practice session, Dutch trance ace Ferry Corsten will be working the ones-and-twos, bling reggae star Sean Paul will be performing, and shouty hip hop heavyweight Fatman Scoop will be yelling into the microphone.
11pm.
Friday 12
As well as ‘Milkshake’-touting songstress Kelis and UK grime scene’s man of the moment Tinie Tempah, the act we’re truly excited about is the eclectic dance music
duo Basement Jaxx.
11pm.
Saturday 13
Dutch DJs rule the house scene at the moment, and Sander Kleinenberg’s silky mixing skills will prove why. He’ll be sharing the billing with singer Chris Willis, who’s a regular David Guetta collaborator, and Romanian pop sensation Inna.
11pm.
Sunday 14
Event organisers Flash are keeping mum about who’s playing on the last night, but we doubt they’d book anyone less than a true legend from the world of dance music.
11pm. Tickets from Dhs500 (800 35274, www.timeouttickets.com).
