Thursday 24
Hear the screech of tyres on Tarmac: For normal motorists, skidding wildly is a last resort to avoid smashing into another car. But the racing drivers at today’s Formula Drift event have made it their life’s ambition to master the manoeuvre. Turn up at Yas Marina Circuit and you’ll see the drivers take their cars through corners in well-controlled sideways slides at high speeds. It’s sure to be thrilling stuff.
Dhs50-Dhs150. 2pm. Yas Marina Circuit (800 927)
Eat an airborne pizza: Appearing at Sevilo’s restaurant for the next couple of days is a man who obviously ignored his mother’s warnings not to play with his food. Italian Manolo Moscini is an award-winning pizza acrobat, and he’ll be there to throw the dough around before you tuck into his delicious creations.
Until February 25. Sevilo’s, Millennium Hotel, Khalifa Street (02 614 6000)
Stock up on sneaks: If you think sneakers (that’s trainers to our British readers) are more than just a piece of footwear to slip on when you’re at the gym, head over to Dubai for the first ever Sole DXB event. Here, sneaker nuts will be giving you a glimpse of their rare shoes, while sports shoe companies will be showcasing their future designs. Invite only.
Email info@thejamjardubai.com for entry. 8pm. thejamjar, Al Quoz, Dubai (04 341 7303)
Treat your hair: Kazumi, the Grand Millennium Al Wahda’s new salon, has just opened its doors. Take advantage of their deal offering 60 per cent off Keratin hair treatments, valid until the end of February. Full prices start from Dhs600 depending on hair length.
Kazumi, 3rd Floor Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel, (02 495 3940)
Friday 25
Check out some giant cars: The Emirates National Auto Museum (aka the Rainbow Sheikh Car Museum) is a great way for motoring fans to spend a lazy Friday afternoon. And even those who start to drift off at the mere mention of the words ‘torque’ and ‘supercharged’ can’t argue with the merits of a see-through disco bus or house-sized pick-up truck.
Near Hameen, www.enam.ae (02 667 6999)
Discover an alternative night out: Tonight sees the return of Reçession, the city’s monthly indie party at Left Bank. Expect Blur, Oasis, Joy Division, Happy Mondays and men in sunglasses and Armani T-shirts with greased-back hair wondering what on Earth is going on.
Free. From 7pm. Left Bank, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (055 596 9250)
Stuff yourself for a good cause: No need to feel guilty as you glug and chomp your way through this luxurious brunch – it’s in support of The Sunrise Children’s Villages Foundation that helps Cambodian orphans and The Future Centre, a local charity for kids with disabilities.
Dhs80 per person, including freeflow bubbly. Le Méridien ballroom (02 644 6666) 12.30pm-3pm.
Saturday 26
Catch a fleeting art show: Their last show at the National Theatre was one of the highlights of Abu Dhabi’s 2010 cultural calendar and now, expat art group Fanaan are back. This latest show’s just a two-dayer, though, so get down this weekend and meet some of the city’s most promising talent.
Free, Golf Gardens Clubhouse, Abu Dhabi Golf Club (055 609 3775)
Experience innovative dance: Famed for pioneering a style known as ‘urban kathak’, Sonia Sabri is a pretty big deal on the UK contemporary dance scene. Her company is in town tonight for a one-off performance of Kathakbox, a dance piece that incorporates elements of hip hop music and traditional poetry.
Dhs50. 7.30pm. National Theatre, www.timeouttickets.com
Catch some world cinema: Today is the final day of the Heritage Film Festival, a programme of open-air screenings celebrating films of local and cultural significance. Following shorts from Swiss and Emirati filmmakers, the fest’s curtain-closer is Kebab Connection, a feature-length German production about a young Turkish man living in Berlin.
Free. 7.30pm. Heritage Village, Breakwater www.goethe.de/abudhabi
See a classic rugby clash: With England and France both unbeaten so far in the Six Nations, expect blood and sweat to fly when the two teams clash at Twickenham tonight. As ever, you can catch all the action at Heroes. We suspect French fans will be outnumbered.
9pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000)
Sunday 27
Listen to some tropical tunes: Tonight sees acclaimed composer José Antonio Molina head-up musical extravaganza Caribbean Gems, a one-off collaboration between the symphony orchestras of Syria and the Dominican Republic.
Dhs200. Emirates Palace Auditorium (050 907 6158)
Hit a puck: Fancy strapping on some heavy padding and ice skates, then grabbing a big stick and knocking a hard disc around some ice? Then ice hockey’s the game for you. Join in the Abu Dhabi Scorpions training session tonight. Yes, the sport is really played in this country.
8pm-10pm. Abu Dhabi Ice Rink, Al Madina Al Riyaada (02 444 8548)
Scale a mountain of sand: Tel Moreeb (which means ‘scary mountain’ in Arabic) is, basically, a giant lump of stand reaching a staggering 120m height. Definitely worth a look if you’ve not been, and worth a climb if you’re a bit crazy.
Moreeb, Near Liwa Oasis
Cheer on some world cup hopefuls: The Cricket World Cup is well under way, and today two of the favourites – England and India – will face off in the group stages.
1pm, CricOne TV
Monday 28
Dance yourself fit: Zumba, a popular South American aerobic dance class is taking the city by storm – sign up and get slim in style. Dhs70, including access to pool, or free for members.
6pm-7pm. Re:charge at Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat (02 654 5148)
Have an evening of Latino fun: Monday is all about the South American vibe at Étoiles nightclub. The evening kicks off with some salsa classes at 8pm, before the DJ spins some Latin rhythms from midnight, giving you a chance to show off your newly learned steps.
Étoiles, Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Catch art while you can: After an impressive two-month run, Globe at Salwa Zeidan Gallery comes to an end today. Pop along to check out some striking black and white photography from British snapper George Lewis.
Free. Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Khaleej Al Arabi Street, (02 666 9656)
Toast Tinseltown: Crank up the glamour, folks – it’s Oscars night (or, in the Middle East at least, Oscars very early morning). Remember to talk about how fabulous everyone looks and moan like a dejected teenager when your favourite flick walks away with nothing.
3am, Fox Movies (repeated at 9pm)
Tuesday 1
Relax with a freebie: Chill out in the comfy wicker chairs and gaze at the spectacular views at Relax@12. If you’re a lady, you can enjoy free selected drinks until midnight, while everyone else can enjoy the banging house tunes.
Tuesday 8pm-2am. Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat (02 654 5000)
Indulge in some male grooming: Throughout March, popular men’s beauty spot Man/Age is offering quite the package. Called Sports Man’s Delight, it includes Skin Fitness Facial, Sports Man Body Massage and a Moroccan Bath with a Deep Sea Salt Scrub with Ginger & Lemongrass. All for Dhs600. Bargain!
Man/Age Luxury Man’s Spa, Marina Mall (02 681 8837)
Shout at a referee: Tonight, two of the English Premier League’s best teams – Manchester United and Chelsea – meet for a match that could potentially decide who’s crowned champion this year. We reckon Stars ’n’ Bars on Yas Island is as swish a sports bar as any to catch the game.
11.45pm. Stars ’n’ Bars, Yas Island (02 565 0101)
Hone your haggling: If your home is in need of something to really tie the room together, head to the carpet souk for a fine selection of traditional designs. Haggle hard and you could end up with a beautiful bargain.
Carpet Souk, port end of Mina Road
Wednesday 2
Eat Asian Food: There’s an all-you-can eat offer on at Le Méridien’s La Brasserie tonight. If you’re a fan of spicy Asian flavours, try out their Passage To Asia buffet, which includes modern and traditional dishes from the East.
Dhs120. 7pm-11pm. La Brasserie (02 644 6666)
Jump on a Jet Ski: Head to Hiltonia Beach Cub and hire a Jet Ski then go tearing it up along the Corniche. Everyone will either think you’re incredibly cool or incredibly annoying.
Dhs180 for 30 minutes. Hiltonia Beach Club, Hilton Abu Dhabi ( 02 681 1900)
Learn salsa for free: Join one of the most sociable dance classes in the city and keep fit at the same time. Teachers are from the well-regarded Colombian BNF dance group, and you can stick around afterwards to practise. Best of all, it’s completely free.
Wednesdays 9pm onwards The Village Club, One to One hotels (02 4952 000)
Become a Thai boxing master: Thai boxing is one of the toughest martial arts in the world, with fists, elbows and feet being used to take out your opponent. If you think you’re hard enough to get involved, join one of the classes at Zayed Sports City tonight. Dhs70. 8pm.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya (055 616 0996)
