Thursday 23
Go dragon-boating: Fancy an outdoor taste of the Far East? Hit the waves with one of the capital’s dragon-boating teams, who are always happy to welcome newbies.
Call Jason on 050 763 4008 for times and prices
Back the Belarusians: The Belarusian Art Festival has been touted as a milestone in Belarusian-Emirati relations. Take part in this historic event while you can – it finishes on September 24. Featuring performances by a chamber orchestra and the Belarusian State Choregraphic Company, as well as a small, international ice hockey tournament (because any self-respecting art festival has an ice hockey tournament these days).
Gallery One, Emirates Palace, www.adach.ae
Learn about hunting: Until September 25, visit the free Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition and get a taste of what it’s like to have your own bird of prey. You’ll also be able to check out saluki, horse and falcon beauty contests, traditional dances and a coffee brewing competition, in which we assume Nescafé will be strictly disallowed.
Adnec, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 654 5000)
Remember Arthur Guinness: Born around September 23, 1725, Arthur was the founder of the Guinness empire, best known for producing books that contain information on record breaking. He also had something to do with a certain black beverage (on sale here for Dhs15 a glass), but we’re sure it’s his contribution to coffee-table tomes they’re celebrating at the Crowne Plaza this evening. 6pm until late.
Stills, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3053)
Friday 24
Get Warholian: The man who launched the careers of Andy Warhol and his pop art contemporaries is bringing his personal stash of artwork to the city. Undoubtedly the highlight of this year’s cultural calendar, and not to be missed by anyone.
Entrance is free. Daily, 10am-8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 406 1400)
Climb the walls: Climbing the walls might be expecting too much for most mere mortals, but running up them should be well within the grasp of most reasonably fit Dhabians. No, really…
Abu Dhabi Parkour. 4pm. Meet on the Corniche (050 721 8169)
Get poolside: Pool parties are on the agenda again now that the heat is easing off. Take a dip with DJ Paul Darley (big news on the Ibiza scene) at the decks at Crowne Plaza Yas Island this Friday – the ideal way to show off that bikini body you were honing with last week’s Time Out. Dhs120, including a complimentary drink. Late afternoon until very late indeed.
Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3030)
Saturday 25
Get out of Dodge: Noukhada are better known for their informative mangrove tours, so joining their exploration of the Umm Al Quwain archipelago has the potential to be excellent stuff indeed.
Noukhada Adventure Company (050 721 8928)
Learn to kick people: Of course, the delicate art of karate isn’t really about inflicting pain, though you wouldn’t be the first to study it with malicious intent in mind. This class is for ladies only, so watch out men! Dhs40. 7pm-8pm.
Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, behind Emirates Palace, (02 666 2228)
Check out the brand new souk: Be one of the first in the city to visit the souk in Central Market. Lots of the small stores and cafés are open already, so go for cake and coffee and soak up the atmosphere in the capital’s newest iconic location. We can’t wait to see it finished.
Central Market. www.centralmarket.ae/souk (02 810 7810)
Shed your skin! Head down to Abu Dhabi’s sparkling new hamam at Sisters Beauty Lounge for a vigorous all-over-body scrub that’ll leave you exfoliated, soft and smelling oh so sweet.
Sister’s Beauty Lounge, Villa 1, Khalifa Bin Shakhbout Street (02 222 501)
Make time for tea: Savour the scent and subtle flavours of Jing tea, served at the Café de Foyer in the Sheraton hotel. Sipping delicate Asian tea is the perfect way to unwind, so bring your newspaper, switch your phone off, and bliss out for an hour or two.
Café de Foyer, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 697 0257)
Sunday 26
Expand your artistic horizons: As part of the workshop programme running alongside the Fanaan group’s ‘Up Close’ exhibition, today’s your chance to catch artist Daksha Bulsara giving a talk on the influence of science on abstract art.
4pm-6pm, National Theatre
Write the week off nice and early: The popular Late Bird Lounge at Cho Gao serves up house beverages with a tasty 25 per cent discount between 10pm-1am, which is as good a reason as any to slip your party pants on so early in the week.
Cho Gao, Crowne Plaza (02 621 0000)
Nail the deal with a bargain lunch: Good food and top value is bound to get your clients in a contract-signing mood, so head to Hawksbill where there’s 40 per cent off for groups of 4-8.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (02 557 8000)
Express yourself: Kick the week off with a high-energy class at Expressions of Dance & Drama. There are lessons in ballet, hip hop and everything in between for both kids and adults.
www.expressions-dance.com (02 448 2778)
Monday 27
Look Romanian: Want to get your head around some alternative culture? Head to the Salwa Seidan Gallery and check out some contemporary Romanian art, on display until October 10.
Call ahead (02 666 9656)
Make a move: Want to get your heart racing in more ways than one? Step to it with the Brazilian Dance class at Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, Ras Al Akhdar. Dhs30/40.
7.15pm-8.15pm (02 666 2228)
Shoot some hoops: Keep fit and have fun by joining the girls for a round of basketball. Step up and find out if you can keep up with the ladies on the court. 9pm-10pm.
Duplays Women’s Basketball, Al Jazira Sports Club, Al Ittihad (02 445 4455)
Tuesday 28
Be a guitar hero: Join Dhabi’s musos on stage at Unplugged, the ever-popular acoustic open mic night at Heroes. Get ready to strum some classic tunes, and keep your fingers crossed it’s an easy crowd!
9pm, Heroes, Crowne Plaza (050 3289 642)
Go for a Brazilian: …night out, that is. What did you think we meant? Free drinks for all the girls and Brazilian beats for everyone at Chamas bar.
9pm-11pm, Chamas Bar (02 666 6888)
Teach your kids to be crafty: The Abu Dhabi Pottery class gives kids aged five and above a chance to get creative with clay.
Abu Dhabi Pottery (02 666 7079)
Wednesday 28
Start the carnival: The weekend starts a day early at Left Bank’s Carnival night. Expect an authentic Rio De Janeiro vibe with Latino party tunes from the DJ booth, free drinks for the females and two-for-one offers for everyone else. Free, 8pm-late.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1680)
Strut your stuff: If you consider yourself one of Abu Dhabi’s beautiful people, pay a visit to the Eight Bar & Restaurant’s Models’ Night Out party for a glamorous evening of seeing and being seen. There’s 50 per cent off drinks for cabin crew too.
Free, 8pm-late. Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1988)
Footie fun: Expect a classic clash as Spanish giants Valencia face English titans Manchester United in this hotly anticipated Uefa Champions League Group C match. Can Alex Ferguson’s men regroup after drawing with Glasgow Rangers in their last game?
10.45pm. Al Jazeera Sports
