Thursday 7
Dance on the beach: It’s Womad weekend, people, and if you’ve not already planned to spend your entire weekend frolicking to free live music, there’s probably something seriously wrong with you. Miss last week’s feature on the big acts? Point your eyes at timeoutabudhabi.com for our exclusive interview with reggae superstar and headliner Jimmy Cliff, plus the full schedule of all the festival’s unmissable events.
Free. From 7pm.Corniche Beach.www.womadabudhabi.ae
Remember Guns N’ Roses fondly: Axl Rose might still have what it takes to kick up a concert, but nothing will beat the original lineup of Guns N’ Roses – the band responsible for more emotional teenagers than Robert Pattinson and Justin Bieber combined. As a tribute to the rockers of old, PJ O’Reilly’s new In-house band, White Rabbit, will perform old favourites as part of the pub’s Rock Night.
PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Walk for autism: In a bid to raise awareness of autism in the city, the Future Centre for Special Needs has organised a walk along the Corniche, with clowns, balloons and similar family-orientated shenanigans.
Corniche Beach (02 666 9625)
Get a dose of Miss Di-na-mit-ee: After topping the charts in the early part of the last decade with catchy tunes such as ‘Di-na-mit-ee’ and ‘It Takes More’, picking up a Mercury Music Award for her efforts, Miss Dynamite kind of disappeared for a while. She’s back in the spotlight now after guesting on dubstep hits by the likes of Katy B and Magnetic Man, and will be appearing at Étoiles tonight.
Free. 11.30pm-4pm. Étoiles, Emirates Palace (02 690 8960)
Friday 8
Watch teenagers beat each other: Jiu Jitsu’s origins lie somewhere in 17th century Japan, or was it China? The jury is still out on that. What they do agree on is that senseless bashing – especially if it’s flowy and artistic – is excellent fun. So head down to Adnec anytime today, pick a random contestant and cheer!
Ticket price to be confirmed. 8am-5pm, Abu Dhabi Hall, Adnec (800 23632)
Catch a dust storm: A weekend of high-speed kicks off today at the Yas Marina Circuit. Stop by and watch local and Gulf drivers burn through the roads, and your weekend, with the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, and the Radicals Master.
Seating from Dhs25 per day. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island (800 927)
Nail an alternative brunch: We’re all for making the most of a traditional UAE brunch, but we have to admit there’s something disturbingly crass about eating lobster every Friday simply because it’s there. For a tasty break from the norm, check out the crustacean-free spread at Cooper’s, where the weekend feast pays homage to the traditional British carvery. Roast beef, veggies, gravy and free-flow tipples for Dhs159? Sounds like a plan.
Noon-4pm. Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Take the kids swinging: As Tiger Woods’ parents know only too well, getting your kids enthusiastic about golf can reap huge financial rewards. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s new Mini Falcon classes are the perfect opportunity to get your offspring involved. And even if they don’t end up making you a million, at least they’ll be out of your hair for a few hours.
Free. Noon-2pm. www.adgolfclub.com (02 558 8990)
Saturday 9
Play like Rooney and Berbatov: Manchester United Soccer School’s third module, ‘learn to finish with style, the United Way’, will be coached by the Manchester United Academy. Think your kid has what it takes? It’ll cost you a pretty penny to find out.
Dhs1,650, Dome @ Rawdhat, Airport Road, www.manutdsoccerschools.ae (02 449 8480)
Wish for a boat: Don’t you wish you had a boat? And we don’t mean those shiny loud ones that look like aeroplanes, we’re talking about authentic sail and rope rigs that take you to the days your ancestors braved the seas. Not in love? Head to the Breakwater today and watch over 100 traditional dhows race the afternoon away; you’ll fall head over heels.
Breakwater, 2pm-3.30pm. For more information call the ADIMSC (02 681 5566)
Enjoy a final night of Womad: It’s the final day of the three-day world music festival. For those who have the stamina to stay up late on a school night you’ll be able to enjoy acts such as the rhythmic pounding of Drummers of Burundi and the speedy guitar skills of Habib Koite.
Free. From 7pm. Corniche Beach, www.womadabudhabi.ae
Be mesmerised by a classic movie: The Silences of the Palace is a haunting film that tells of a beautiful servant girl growing up in a Tunisian palace at the end of France’s colonial rule of the country. It’s showing tonight at the New York University Abu Dhabi Campus, and will be followed by an open discussion about the movie with Abu Dhabi Film Festival executive director Peter Scarlett and other film buffs.
Free. 7pm. New York University Abu Dhabi, Al Nasr Street, www.nyuad.nyu.edu (02 628 4000)
Sunday 10
Laugh at Rio: Not the Brazilian city, or the braided Manchester United and England defender (although both are worth the odd chuckle), but a 3D comedy cartoon about the adventures of a group of tropical birds, which goes on general release in the UAE this weekend.
See a brand new art show: Abdul Badi Abdul-Musawwir has just unveiled an all-new collection of wares at the Salwa Zeidan Gallery. The veteran American artist specialises in two-tone, calligraphic style works, depicting shapes and scenes that draw on his Islamic heritage.
Free. Until May 15. Salwa Zeidan Gallery (02 666 9656)
Zumba your afternoon away: Zumba is a mix of Latin and international music combined with an active and effective workout system. Scientifically proven to distract your flab and shake your rear, this class is just the thing for people who want to work out, but don’t.
Level Lounge, Crowne Plaza. Every Sunday and Tuesday from 6pm-7pm (02 616 6200)
Bend yourself: Stretch your limbs, breath deeply and aim for serenity at this ashtanga yoga class at Yoga Tree & Soma Pilates.
Dhs55. 8.30am-10am. Al Rowdah (02 667 6579)
Monday 11
Sample a Michelin-starred chef’s wares: We’re still slightly confused as to why a tyre manufacturer is adjudged the expert in gourmet cookery, but there’s no doubting the kudos you receive for winning a Michelin star. A man who has one of them under his big white hat is Nicolas Isnard, of France’s Auberge de la Charme restaurant. He’s showing off his skills at Blue Grill steakhouse tonight.
Dhs350. Until April 15. Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000)
Pound some pavements: The Abu Dhabi Island Hash House Harriers meet this evening to clock up some miles as they race around the city streets. Runners of all abilities are welcome to join them.
6pm. Various locations (050 466 8452)
Shed the body hair: Worried about all the excess fuzz? Silkor’s full-body lasering package now comes with five free facial treatments. So if the beach season wasn’t enough motivation for you to get barbecued into beauty, the freebies should do the trick..
Silkor Laser Medical Centre (02 681 6070)
Tuesday 12
Have a fiesta: It’s Spanish night at Lemon Tree – head down to fill up on tapas and Spanish grapey drinks for a thoroughly reasonable Dhs145. There’s no discount for turning up in a sombrero, but feel free to come in traditional costume all the same.
Holiday Inn (02 657 4856)
Squirt lemonade through your nose: It’s another killer line-up of comedic talent at this month’s Laughter Factory show at Heroes. Portly gagster Mick Ferry is the pick of the bill.
Dhs115. 9pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, www.timeouttickets.com
Whet your appetito: Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Bar’s L’Apri Cena offers up a wide range of antipasti, including tomato and buffalo mozzarella, cold pasta salads, bruschetta and beef carpaccio, plus two beverages. That and live music from the resident pianist make this a pretty sweet deal.
Dhs95. 7.30pm-9.30pm, Fairmont Bab al Bahr (02 654 3238)
Become an expert in old style writing: Cuneiform was the complex written language used by the folk who lived in the Mesopotamia region many years ago. Get along to Manarat Al Saadiyat tonight, when British Museum expert Irving Finkel will be explaining all about the ancient code.
Free. 6.30pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, www.artsabudhabi.ae
Wednesday 13
Mould clay into a masterpiece: Inspired to create your own piece of Mesopotamian art by the stunning exhibition? Adults should head over to the gallery today, where they’ll be taught how to make their own narrative clay frieze based on those of the ancient Assyrian palaces. Free, but pre-booking is essential.
11am-1pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 406 1400)
Get festive: Today marks the beginning of the Songkran festival, or Thai New Year. While we don’t recommend following Thai tradition and throwing water, you can at least have a proper meal. Get down to Cho Gao and take part in the Thai Food Festival.
Cho Gao, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6149)
Scream abuse at a referee: Tottenham take on Real Madrid and Schalke play Inter Milan in the second leg of their Uefa Champions League quarter final clashes tonight. If your team loses, you know it’s the referee’s fault.
9.45pm. Al Jazira
Check out a famous Lebanese actress: Randa Asmar is one of Lebanese theatre’s most highly regarded actresses. She’ll be starring in the play Viva La Diva, which is about the plight of a famous actress, so shouldn’t be too hard to find the motivation for her character.
Dhs50-Dhs100. 8pm. Al Jahili Theatre (050 491 9164)
