Thursday 13
Chow down on Korean food: Apart from the reasonably good Hankook restaurant, Korean cuisine is underrepresented in the capital. Spotting a gap in the market, the Holiday Inn’s Silk Route Café has just started its own Korean food night on a Thursday, where you can fill up on kimchi and other Korean delicacies, washed down with a few authentic brews.
Dhs125. Holiday Inn, 31st Street (02 657 4855)
Pretend you’ve always loved jazz: It’s a well known fact that appearing to appreciate jazz music can make you seem a great deal more sophisticated than you actually are. Take some friends along to check out the new brass-wielding band at Belgian Café, and you’ll instantly boost your social kudos.
Free. From 7pm. Belgian Café, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Gawp at the gee-gees: Not the Bee-Gees (thankfully) – we’re talking horses, people. See the magnificent beasts leaping over sticks of varying heights at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, where a three-day showjumping event begins today.
4pm-11pm. Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Al Mushrif (02 445 5500)
Go jet skiing: Not everyone goes to the beach to laze around on the sand soaking up the rays, some people like to climb aboard a small motorised vehicle and plough through the ocean at a bone-rattling pace. If you’re one of those people, head to the Hiltonia Beach Club where you can enjoy an hour with the wind in your hair and only the terrified sea creatures for company.
Dhs280 per hour. Hiltonia Beach Club, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 692 4205)
Friday 14
Party in a pool: There aren’t many cities in the world where you can go nuts in an open-air swimming pool in the middle of January. Not without contracting some sort of life-threatening illness, at least. All the more reason to check out the latest Immaculate Touch pool party, where DJs Chad Phunk, Stew Magoo, Natalie B and more will be providing the soundtrack. Dhs50.
Centro Hotel, Yas Island (055 650 6337)
Dive in: If you’ve always dreamed of exploring the ocean floor, gazing in wonder at the brightly coloured fish and strange sea creatures as you glide by, then head to the Beach Rotana for a lesson in scuba diving. There’s no time like the present.
Dhs2,300 for six lessons. Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000)
Scrum down: Abu Dhabi Harlequins Women’s rugby team are hosting a tournament this afternoon, so get down to their home ground, Zayed Sports City, and cheer them on. The tournament is part of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union Women’s Rugby 7s League and eight teams from the region are taking part.
1pm, Zayed Sports City (050 660 2605)
Swim, cycle and run: Feeling competitive? You better be. A gruelling triathlon is taking place at the prestigious Yas Marina circuit, and competitors will be aiming to splash, pedal and stride their way to victory.
www.yasmarinacitrcuit.ae
Saturday 15
Look at a giraffe: If you’re a fan of tall yellow animals, then take a trip to the UAE’s biggest zoo – Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort. This desert spot boasts plenty of exotic creatures, including a pair of rare white lions and a colony of meerkats, making it well worth the drive.
Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, www.awpr.ae (03 782 8188)
Spend the day at a theme park: Al Hilil Fun City was once old, decrepit and like something from a horror film. Now, however, it has undergone a major revamp, which means visitors can enjoy a shiny new play park, roller coasters, bumper cars and an ice rink.
Dhs20, free for children. 9am-11pm (03 784 5542)
Become the new Truffaut: A film workshop kicks off today at the Alliançe Française Abu Dhabi centre, giving French-speaking youngsters aged 12-16 a chance to hone their directorial talents and increase their awareness of cinema. Before you know it, they’ll be creating their own New Wave masterpiece in the living room.
Dhs1,000 for 12.5 hours. 2pm-4.30pm. 26th Street, Khalidiyah (02 666 6232)
Eat some pampered cattle: If you thought wagyu beef was the finest cattle meat you could sink your teeth into, you’d be totally wrong. Kobe beef, another Japanese cut of cow, is so soft and tender it makes wagyu’s texture seem like you’re eating the sole of your shoe. Maybe not, but get down to the Beach Rotana’s Rodeo Grill and Benihana restaurants this week, which are both having Kobe beef special menus.
Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000)
Sunday 16
Fill up on stew: It’s winter and it’s as cold as it’s going to get in the UAE, so there’s no more satisfying a dish during these relatively chilly months than a big plate of stew. Pay a visit to the Belgian Café which is serving up a number of special casseroles this week.
Belgian Café, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Explore the city: Hop aboard one of Abu Dhabi’s Big Buses and check out the city sites like a true tourist.
Dhs202 per day for adults, Dhs100 for children, www.bigbustours.com (800 24 4287)
Expand your brain: Remember your New Year resolution to learn something new in 2011? You have the perfect chance to make a start this weekend with a series of distinguished lectures from the boffins at the New York University Abu Dhabi Institute. If you’re feeling particularly intellectual and creative then get involved with the debates on climate change and economy at the institute’s Al Mamoura Auditorium. The first lecture, The (Unfortunate) Complexity of Economic Systems, takes place on January 16 from 6.30 to 8.30pm. If that does not float your boat, then an enlightening talk titles, Climate Change and The Mathematics of Sea Ice, from 6.30 to 8,30pm on January 19 could well be the eye-opener for you.
Get more information at nyuad.nyu.edu/news.events/events.ad.html
Drink for free: Only if you’re a girl, of course. Enjoy free mixed beverages served up in Cho Gao’s chic Asian setting.
9pm-midnight. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6149)
Monday 17
Watch some masterful putting: The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship kicks off on January 20, but if you can’t wait until then, drive out to Yas Links Golf Course today where a Pro-Am tournament will see golfing greats and celebrities join forces to smash a few balls around.
Yas Links Golf Course, Yas Island (02 810 7777)
Create art from junk: As part of the RSTW show, a children’s workshop is taking place today, where youngsters will learn how to make art from objects found in the great outdoors.
Free. 5pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 643 5781)
Quaff for free: You’ll need to be a lady to take advantage, but turn up to the rather swanky Cristal from 7pm and you’ll be served unlimited free drinks.
Until 10pm. Millennium Hotel (02 614 6000)
Help save the earth: The World Future Energy Summit kicks off at Adnec today, where hordes of environmentalists meet to discuss how to save our planet from ecological disaster. Register online then get down there to do your bit.
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Khaleej Al Arabi Street. www.worldfutureenergysummit.com
Tuesday 18
Get your skates on: Join in with ladies’ morning at Abu Dhabi ice rink for a fun way to burn off a few calories, and then pile them all back on again with a post-skate hot chocolate and a chat.
Dhs90. 8.30am. Heroes, Zayed Sports City Ice Rink (02 444 8458)
Soak up the spirit of Rio de Janerio: If you book a table at the Brazilian meat-fest that is Chamas restaurant tonight, you’ll be intermittently entertained throughout your meal by a trio of stunning carnival dancers. Viva la carnival!
From 8pm, Chamas, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888
Get chilled: It’s almost the weekend – just one more day to go. Celebrate this fact with a night of chilled out house music, shisha, tasty snacks and expertly mixed blends.
Sunset Terrace. Oceans Seafood Kitchen & Lounge (02 674 2020)
Shake your tailfeather: Shedding your festive fatsuit needn’t be a joyless chore – check out the brand new salsa night at Trader Vic’s and discover the slimming power of Cuban rhythms and funky Latin American beats.
Free. 9pm. Trader Vic’s, Beach Rotana (02 697 9000)
Wednesday 19
Learn more about climate change: The latest in its series of popular lectures, New York University Abu Dhabi uses statistical physics to explain why our world may be thawing out even quicker than we’d feared.
Free. 6.30pm-8.30pm. New York University Abu Dhabi nyuad.nyu.edu
Listen to an old man singing: Described as a ‘Viennese electro-crooner’, Louie Austen brings some upbeat entertainment to Yacht Club tonight. Pop along to check out the 64-year-old as he fuses traditional, jazzy vocals with edgy contemporary beats.
Free. 10pm. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi(02 666 6888)
Support some local artists: Showcasing the work of seven expat artists living and working in the city, new show Seven Perspectives has just opened. It’s supported by ADACH, and promises an eclectic mix of sculptures and paintings, both figurative and abstract.
Free. National Theatre (02 621 5300)
Dance to some banging tunes: DJ Valery brings the beats to Relax@12 every Wednesday, so get down there and enjoy some top tunes while sipping on a blend.
Relax@12, Aloft (02 654 5000)
