If someone whoops ‘Yasalam!’ at you over the coming month, don’t instantly reach for your duelling pistols – it’s all in good spirits. The phrase translates from the Arabic for ‘wow’ or ‘amazing’ – hence the exclamation mark. It’s also the banner under which the city is being transformed in the run-up to the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to see it graffitied just about everywhere, from the malls and streets to the corniche, as each plays host to live music, parades, games and even an outdoor cinema.
So, lest you freak out at the sight of hundreds of Brazilian samba dancers shimmying down the corniche, we offer you a quick guide to the sights and sounds over the coming month. ‘Yasalam!’ we hear you cry. Yes, indeed.
Drive in-ish!
A cinema on the beach? Yes, you heard right, our favourite beach is being turned into a family friendly outdoor cinema. Sadly, it’s not an actual drive-in, although we would love to see an F1 car at a drive in – where would you balance the popcorn? Instead, the films themselves are car themed.
Herbie Fully Loaded (Oct 22, 7pm, pictured) and Days of Thunder (Oct 22, 9pm); Cars (Oct 23, 7pm) and Talledega Nights (Oct 23, 9pm); and finally, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Oct 24, 7pm) and Michael Caine’s original ’60s version of The Italian Job (Oct 24, 9pm) all play on consecutive nights. Now, not a lot of people know that.
Art attack
‘Quick, stop them – they’re sabotaging the F1 cars!’ No, put your handcuffs away, they’re actually part of Accelerating Art. A number of the city’s most respected local artists, including Ghaf Gallery owner Jalal Luqman, Al Ain-based artist Wasel Sarfan and the nine-strong collective of former Abu Dhabi students known as Mizmah have gotten together to turn five ordinary million-dollar F1 cars into works of art. Catch their efforts between 4pm and 8pm at the Emirates Palace, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi University, the corniche and the airport at various times throughout the month. Meanwhile a semi-permanent exhibition of F1 racing photography is scheduled to run the length of the corniche boardwalk from October 5.
The F1 philes
Hold your breath as the F1 Zone (Oct 16-Nov 1) builds the tension for the final race of the season by showing the entire Brazilian Grand Prix live on a giant LED screen. It all takes place on the corniche (Oct 16-18) where you can watch all the qualifying races, as well as the final itself at 9am on Sunday. Meanwhile, for those unlucky enough not to get tickets for the circuit, the Abu Dhabi races will also be shown live (Oct 29-Nov 1) on the corniche, with the final race screened on Sunday at 5pm. Or, for those in need of a distraction, F1 simulators, speedy pit-stop challenges and special appearances by drivers (for autograph hunters) will be spread across the F1 Zone for both weeks.
Brazil nuts
To celebrate the Brazilian Grand Prix, the city is turning a little bit samba as the corniche walkway goes green, yellow and every other colour under the sun for a Brazilian parade. Over 300 costumed revellers will be taking part, with street performers, Latin food and live music ensuring that everyone gets in the samba spirit. The fun begins on October 16 at 4pm and goes on until midnight, with a DJ continuing the celebrations until 2am. Meanwhile, the parade itself will run from 5pm to 7pm on the following Sunday.
Eastern delight
The Arabic culture week (Oct 26-31, 4pm-midnight) runs in tandem with the music stage as the corniche boardwalk becomes illuminated with falconry displays, stalls, local performers, folk dancers, henna and gift stands, as well as plenty of local food. From October 27-31, visitors are also welcome to moor their boats alongside the dhows bobbing off the shoreline. Now, enough talk, bring on the international bestselling artists.
