Thursday 14
Keep it chic: Are you chic? Are you a lady? If you answer ‘yes’ to both these questions make sure you pay a visit to this fashion expo at Adnec. Up-and-coming fashion designers from the UAE will be showing off their sartorial skills at a host of catwalk shows.
October 14-18. Adnec, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 44 6900)
Break out the air guitar: It’s Rock Night at PJ O’Reilly’s, with a live band belting out the sort of hits that’ll make you want to punch the air like a loon and crowd surf for literally hours on end. Don’t, though; it’s dangerous and you’re probably heavier than you realise.
Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Get fighting fit: Release the week’s pent up agression and tone your buttocks in one fell swoop with Body Combat, an exercise based around kicks and punches. An exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable use of your Thursday afternoon.
Dhs40. 5.30pm-6.30pm. Abu Dhabi Country Club (02 657 7777)
Go star spotting: Tonight sees the big red carpet event at Emirates Palace launching this year’s celebtastic Abu Dhabi Film Festival. While it’s unlikely you’ll get on to the red carpet yourself, expect fans to start gathering at the gates of the hotel throughout the afternoon. For a bit of Hollywood excitement, why not join them? Just make sure you have your autograph book and camera at the ready. We’ve heard Kate Winslet is in town…
Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Friday 15
Take a trip down memory lane: Remember the good old days of Yasalam 2009, when the beach was packed with Timbaland freaks and Yas Marina Circuit was virgin territory for all of us? Ah, innocent times. Relive them at the Abu Dhabi Galleria, a free F1-themed collection of photos on display along the Corniche boardwalk until mid November.
Boardwalk, Corniche, www.yasalam.ae
Think pink: The Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels on Yas Island have joined up with HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) to stage a huge walk-a-thon. Kicking off at 4pm, walkers can also partake in free mammograms, though you’ll need to register early by calling 02 656 2000 and asking for ‘free MAM registration’.
4pm. Radisson Blu, Yas Island (02 656 2000)
Get wrecked: As you’ll have seen in last week’s TOAD, Adrien Brody is in town to promote his new flick, Wrecked. At the time of going to press, tickets to the world premiere were still available.
Dhs40. 9.30pm. Emirates Palace. www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae
Get proper mad for it: One of Abu Dhabi’s newest nights takes its lead from the glory days of the Manchester music scene, with the likes of Joy Division, The Smiths and Happy Mondays set to get heads nodding.
Recession. 7pm-3am. Left Bank, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1680)
Saturday 16
Sink or Swim! Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival kicks off at 6am, so rise and shine nice and early and get down to the Corniche. Swimmers will be competing in a mile-long race for a prize of Dhs5,000, so if you fancy your chances sign up as soon as possible at www.swimabudhabi.com.
Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival (050 668 4026)
Take tea for two: Relax at Lobby Lounge with a freshly brewed tea, as well as a platter of tempting desserts such as home-made cheesecake and sweet tiramisu.
Dhs75 for two. Available daily from 5pm to midnight. Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8555)
Encourage the kids’ creativity: There’s nothing children love more than going nuts with a Pritt Stick. This one-off workshop at Manarat Al Saadiyat, open to 12-17 year olds, offers a masterclass in collage – the delicate art of cutting things up and sticking them to other things. There’s also a tour of the gallery’s excellent RSTW show.
4pm-6pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 406 1400)
Learn about a plague of toads: A 3D documentary about nuisance amphibians may be a fairly niche option for your Saturday afternoon viewing, but there’s no denying the originality of this tongue-in-cheek flick from Aussie director Mark Lewis. See page 34 for more info on this and other environmentally minded offerings at this week’s film festival.
Dhs20. 4.30pm. Marina Mall 5. www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae (02 6790 272)
Sunday 17
Test your brain power at Quiz Night: Quizmaster Chalky will be stumping the crowd with his tricky questions, so get a strong team of your smartest mates together and you could win free drinks and other prizes. Leave the dumbos at home.
8-10pm. Hemingway’s at Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Eat a Sunday Roast: Stuff yourself with a traditional British Sunday roast dinner. The pièce de résistance is the Black Angus prime rib, but leave room for the Eton mess dessert.
Dhs275. 7pm– 12.30am. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3238)
Hit the ice! Check out the Abu Dhabi Scorpions playing ice hockey – one of the most improabable sports to be played in the desert.
8pm-10pm. Abu Dhabi Ice Rink (02 444 8548)
Try a Thai massage: Thai massage is the combination of gentle rocking and brutal body attacks, which improves flexibility and stimulates blood circulation. There’s a brand new Thai masseuse at the Hilton. so why not book a session? Not for the weak spirited.
Dhs380 for one hour. Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Monday 18
Watch The Ditch: One of the most explosive films to be released this year, The Ditch tells the story of the Chinese citizens condemned to labour camps in the Gobi desert in the ’50s. Part of the ADFF.
Marina Mall 5, 7.15pm
Do a downward dog! Get those muscles firm and limber, with a Dynamic Yoga class. A great workout for anyone out to burn a few extra calories or just tone up those limbs.
10.15am-11.30am. Yoga Tree and Soma Pilates Studio (02 667 6579)
Ride a horse: In the land of the Arabian stallion, why not learn to ride like a real pro? Take lessons at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and you’ll be galloping over the fields with confidence before you know it. So book a lesson and saddle up!
Dhs50. 4.30-8.30pm. Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (02 445 5500)
Try a personal training session: If you need a stern taskmaster to help you get in shape, contact one of the Hilton’s new personal trainers who’ll be able to challenge you, get you in tip-top shape and make sure you stay that way.
Hiltonia Beach Club, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Tuesday 19
Laugh loud and heartily: The city’s always popular comedy night returns courtesy of The Laughter Factory, with Gordon Southern, Michael Fabbri and Tim Clark providing the gags. All you need to do is turn up, scoff a burger and try not to laugh lemonade through your nose.
Dhs115. 9pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132)
Rev your brain: Motorsport-themed quizzes are being held at Hemingway’s for the next four Tuesdays, with the victors entered into a draw for the chance to win passes to next month’s climactic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Yas Island.
8pm. Hilton Abu Dhabi, 02 681 1900
Get the kids playing rugby: The third edition of the Etihad Airways Junior Rugby Festival kicks off at Zayed Sports City today and continues until October 30. More than 2,200 school children aged from five-18 are expected to sign up for some oval-shaped ball action.
Contact Anna McGovern on 050 668 4026 for more information
Wednesday 20
Eat Turkish Food: Guest chefs have been flown in all the way from Turkey to cook up a storm of authentic delicacies. Choose delicious dishes from the Turkish menu at Flavours restaurant or join in the fun with a cookery class so you can have a go at recreating the recipies at home.
Flavours, Sheraton Hotel (02 677 3333)
Blow your tiny mind: As part of a new series of thought-provoking lectures, New York University is hosting a talk exploring some of the mysteries of the human mind, entitled ‘The Ethical Brain.’ It looks like pretty deep stuff, so make sure you’re paying attention.
Free. 7-9pm. Al Mamoura Auditorium, NYUAD (02 628 4000 )
See a film premiere: Notorious Venezuelan criminal Carlos the Jackal is the subject of biopic Carlos by French director Olivier Assayas. Édgar Ramirez tackles the title role in this film, which was originally a five-hour mini-series but has been chopped down to a mere 159 minutes for the big screen. This version of the movie is being shown as an Abu Dhabi world exclusive.
Dhs20. 6pm. Emirates Palace. www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae
Learn about Latin literature: As part of their country’s bicentennary celebrations, Abu Dhabi’s Venezuelan embassy is hosting a lecture to highlight the importance of the region’s rich literary heritage. And there’s no need to worry if you’re not a student – this one’s open to all.
Free. 7.30pm. Sorbonne University Auditorium Amphitheatre (02 656 9555)
