Thursday 24
Applaud some cricket legends: The Lashings XI is a team made up of recently retired international players, who travel the world thrashing minor club teams in the name of charity. The Emirates Palace Gentleman’s XI are their latest targets, and they’ll be playing them as part of the three-day Abu Dhabi Cricket Festival, which starts today.
Free, but you need to email andy.elliott@kempinski.com for entry. 1pm. Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Make a (massive) splash: The Al Gharbia watersports festival gets under way today, giving everyday folk the chance to try their hand at waterskiing, kitesurfing and various other forms of aquatic madness.
Until April 2. Mirfa Beach, Al Gharbia, www.algharbiafestivals.com
Eat all of China: If you’re a fan of Chinese food, you won’t want to miss the all-you-can-eat extravaganza at Shang Palace in the Shangri-La hotel. Twelve kinds of steamed dim sum, as well as noodles, rice, soup and dessert, or a visit to the Sofra Bld dessert station, are included in the price. Practice using your chopsticks at home.
Dhs108, or Dhs88 without the Sofra Bld dessert. Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel (02 509 8888)
Conquer the high seas: It’s the first day of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, providing the perfect opportunity for those bored of staring at their piles of money to embrace a life of seafaring saltiness. Just remember to pick up some beige chinos and a pair of ridiculous shoes to complete the look.
Until March 26. Yas Marina. Register for entry at www.abudhabiyachtshow.com
Friday 25
Watch an Aston race a Lambo: Also known as Battle of the Brands, the FIA GT1 World Championship will see supercars made by the likes of Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Maserati race for supremacy around Yas Marina Circuit. Anyone with a craving for velocity won’t want to miss this event.
Dhs50-Dhs1,000. March 25-26. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island (800 927)
Greek pride: In celebration of Greek National Day, Stills Bar is throwing a themed evening of Greek food, mood and music with complementary beverages for all Greeks, and the occasional pretender. We’re not sure if there will be plate-smashing, so ask before you get overeager.
Dhs350, reservation recommended. Stills Bar, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3030)
Get soul: MustHaveSoul, the weekly party at Skylite is the place to see and be seen tonight. This trendy party has become a hit with the capital’s late-night revellers who want something a little bit different on the sound system. Take advantage of the special room rates at The Yas Hotel if you’re planning to stay really late.
Free. 4pm-2am. Skylite (02 656 0760)
Eat a small mountain of pad Thai: Fancy a break from the norm for your Friday feast? Check out the new brunch at Thai joint Talay, where chicken satay, red beef curry and pineapple fried rice are all yours for the plundering.
Dhs195 per person, including freeflow bubbly. 12.30pm-3pm. Le Méridien (02 644 6666)
Saturday 26
Have some fun with the family: Bouncy castles, face-painting, games – you name it, they’ve got it at the Family Fun Day. And if you’re too grown up for those kind of antics, there’s always the all you can eat barbecue to fall back on for entertainment.
Dhs80. Noon-3pm, Hawksbill Restaurant, Saadiyat Golf Club (02 499 8107)
Eat around the world: Not sure what cuisine is your favourite? Why not have them all. Head to La Brasserie for a bottomless buffet from all over the world. Keep a map handy and blot out the countries you sample; your trousers will love you for it.
Dhs120. La Brasserie, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi (02 644 6666)
Sport a fancy hat: Although Dubai World Cup is ostensibly a huge horse race, many see it as nothing more than the opportunity to splurge on a new dress or suit, head along to the paddock area and socialise like crazy. When you’re done mingling, at least try to catch the final race at 9.30pm, where the jockeys will be competing for a US$10 million prize.
From Dhs350. Meydan Racecourse, Dubai. www.dubaiworldcup.com
Flick a switch, save the Earth: Today it’s Earth Hour, meaning that, come 8.30pm, you’ll all be required to turn the lights off and stand in the corner, thinking about what a terrible, energy-wasting idiot you are. For those looking to go the extra mile, there’s a lantern-lit walk and drumming performance happening by the public beach.
www.uae.panda.org
Sunday 27
Lend an ear to some cello classics: Abu Dhabi Festival is in full swing, and tonight the programme continues with virtuoso cellist Jean Guihen Queyras, who’ll be bowing his way through Bach’s Cello Suites No’s 1,2,3 and 5.
Dhs100. 8pm. Zaha Hadid Pavilion, Emirates Palace. www.timeouttickets.com
Welcome F1’s return: Following the false start in Bahrain, the 2011 Formula One Championship finally gets under way in Australia today. Yas Marina master Sebastian Vettel has looked strong in pre-season testing, but who’ll start the season with winning ways?
10am. Abu Dhabi Sports
Grilled goodness: Calling all carnivores! If being surrounded by a dozen types of steaming meat makes your arteries jump with joy, head to the Park Rotana for a day of mixed Arabian grills, and kabab the night away.
Dhs140. Ginger All Day Dining, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi (02 657 3333)
Crank up the cardio: Make time for a Body Attack class – it’s not as violent as it sounds. Just a high-energy aerobic workout that will burn off the calories.
Dhs50. 9.30pm-10.30pm. Abu Dhabi Country Club
Monday 28
Listen to a Lebanese chanteuse: Soumaya Baalbaki’s made a name for herself by keeping alive the lush sounds of Lebanese tango music and introducing it to a new generation. She’ll be crooning some of her distinctive crossovers between Arabic and Latino music tonight.
Dhs100. 8pm. Zaha Hadid Pavilion, Emirates Palace, www.timeouttickets.com
Feel the breeze at an open-air cinema: With the city’s cinemas often air-conditioned to uncomfortable levels, heading outdoors for your cinematic pursuits might sound like a good option. If so, get along to The Village tonight, where they’ll be showing their latest film in their programme of outdoor screenings.
Free. One to One Hotel, Salaam Street (02 495 2000)
Strain your brain: It’s quiz night at Heroes, so round up your nerdiest pals, charge your smartphone and prepare to take on the city’s toughest quiz teams. It gets pretty busy, so booking a slot in advance is advised.
Free. Heroes, Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street (02 616 6261)
Gorge on raw fish: If a bottomless sushi buffet sounds like the sort of thing you can get on board with, polish up your finest chopsticks and head to Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Dhs135. From 6pm. Abu Dhabi Golf Club (02 558 8990)
Tuesday 29
Ponder over relics: Following on from the phenomenally successful RSTW, new show Splendours of Mesopotamia opens on Saadiyat Island today. It’s a showcase of ancient works discovered within the Middle East, so arrive armed with a suitably intellectual expression.
Until June 27. Manarat Al Saadiyat (800 8342)
Watch some cricket final hopefuls: The first ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final takes place today, with the second one happening tomorrow. See which team have the steely nerves needed to reach the big game on April 2.
Noon. CricOne Channel
Dance like Aishwarya Rai: Not getting enough sub-continental tunes? Check out the all-new Bollywood Night at Cubes bar, where desi DJs are primed to drop your favourite Indian anthems.
Free. Cubes, One to One Hotel (02 495 2000)
Catch a ball game: Netball, to be exact, which is a bit like basketball but with less dribbling and fancier skirts. It’s the final meet of the season for the Abu Dhabi Netball League, meaning drama, tension and high-pitched squealing ought to be on the cards.
Free. 7pm. InterContinental Hotel tennis courts, www.adnetball.com
Wednesday 30
Fill your belly with free food: That’s right, free tapas snacks for all at Spaccanapoli. There’s a catch, of course – you’ll need to buy a drink for each mini-plateful, but still – it’s an offer worth getting on board with.
5pm-8pm. Spaccanapoli, Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street (02 616 6261)
Kitesurf for free: All you need is wind, water, a kite and some serious guts. Kitepro Abu Dhabi can lend you the kite and show you the ropes for free if you visit their base at the Al Gharbia Watersports festival this week. Look for the white flag with the flying fish or call Sameh on 050 544 1494 to arrange a lesson.
Eat like a Kazakstani: Here’s a chance that doesn’t come along very often (unless you live in Kazakhstan, of course). Visit the Taste of Kazakstan food festival where you can sample regional delicacies such as lagman, noodles with gravy, or kuirdak, lamb fried with spices.
Ginger, Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Sup on seafood: If cramming crabmeat into your mouth until you just can’t eat any more is your idea of an evening well spent (it is ours) head to the Seafood Extravaganza for a real treat.
Dhs120. 7pm-11pm Traders Hotel (02 510 8888)
