Thursday 12
Soak up the gypsy jazz sounds: Craving some jazz noodlings, improvised solos and laid-back beats? Try out the Trigo Trio tonight, where the French musical ensemble will be putting on a one-off show. The group is centred around multi-instrument playing Frenchman Olivier Lorang, who plays clarinet and bass, as well as singing. Expect an evening of fusion jazz, inspired by a wide range of cultures.
Dhs175. May 12. Splash Garden, Aloft Abu Dhabi www.timeouttickets.com (02 666 6232)
Quaff on the cheap as the sun sets: If you’ve had a truly tough week at work and desperately need some relaxation this evening, the Sundowner session at Left Bank should do the trick. From noon-8pm, selected beverages cost just Dhs25, while DJ Asela will help lift your mood with some laid-back house grooves.
Noon-8pm. Left Bank, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 558 1680)
Learn the secrets of sushi: Japanese chef Koji Kagawa’s worked at some of Tokyo’s top sushi restaurants, and so knows pretty much everything there is about the delicious dish. He’s manning the kitchens at Yacht Club over the next few days, but he’s organising a one-off lesson where he’ll impart his fish-slicing and rice-rolling skills. Dhs200 per person, including lunch.
11am. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Party with an Aussie DJ: Patrik Carrera will be flying in from Sydney to Relax@12 rooftop bar tonight, where he’ll be invading the eardrums of the revellers with his sample-laden brand of house music. Could this weekend be the last chance to enjoy some alfresco partying before the summer heat wave sets in?
Free. From 9pm. Relax@12, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 654 5138)
Friday 13
Be entertained by four cheery men: The Australian fourpiece who are The Wiggles are due to play Abu Dhabi. They’re the most popular children’s entertainers of the past decade, so if you have some littl’uns of your own, unless you want to be nagged to within an inch of your sanity, buy some tickets now. Dhs200-Dhs300, children under two sitting on their parents’ knees do not require a ticket.
May 13-14 at 11am and 2pm. Flash Forum, Yas Island, www.timeouttickets.com
Have a calamitous night out: As it’s Friday 13 today, If you’re of an unduly superstitious nature, you might want to lock yourself indoors and make extra sure you don’t drop any mirrors or step on cracks in the pavement. Those who don’t believe in such irrationality, should head to PJ O’Reilly’s, where a Friday 13 party is happening, with prizes for the coolest spooky costume.
Free. From 6pm. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi (02 674 2020)
Watch some kings of the waves: In this Jet Ski-loving city, the contest to be the fastest racer is an intense one. Get down to the Breakwater this afternoon and you’ll be able to see some of the ace drivers of the speedy water-riding machines battling for glory in heat three of the UAE Jet Ski Championships.
Free. 3.30pm-5pm. Beside Al Safine Restaurant, Breakwater, www.adimsc.ae
Party on an island: Need an escape from the crushing intensity of inner city life? There’s a pool party going on at Al Maya Island resort where Abu Dhabi DJ stalwarts ChadPhunk and Natalie B will be providing the beats.
Dhs100 including boat ride, cabin crew free. Boats leave from Al Maya jetty, behind Khalidiya Palace (050 873 2078)
Saturday 14
Become a master chef: If you’ve ever eaten in the superb Jones the Grocer cafe and wished you could cook as well as the chefs there, their wish is your command. They’re starting weekly cooking classes on Saturdays, where today they’ll be tutoring you in how to cook a perfect salmon with poached egg, salsa verde, green bean and hazelnut salad.
Dhs375 per person. 6pm. Jones the Grocer, Al Mamoura Building B, Muroor (02 443 8762)
See a beauty queen being crowned: The finals of the Miss India Worldwide pageant are taking part at Emirates Palace tonight, where the most alluring of 30 entrants will
be crowned champion.
Dhs125-Dhs600. 6.30pm. Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar, www.timeouttickets.com
Return to Virgin: For the past few months, the city’s music and movie lovers have been pretty downbeat about the fact that Virgin Megastore was shut while it underwent a massive refit. Finally, they can stop their moaning, because it has just reopened and it looking shinier than ever.
Virgin Megastore, First Floor Abu Dhabi Mall (02 644 7882)
Soak up the magic of the cup: England’s FA Cup is the oldest knockout football competition in the world, dating back some 130 years. Stoke City will be taking on Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London today. Could this be the time for Abu Dhabi-owned Man City to finally get their hands on some silverware?
6pm, Al Jazeera Sports
Sunday 15
Get loved up in Paris: The likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra have all crooned about their love of Paris in the springtime. See what moved them to song as Lufthansa are offering cut-price flights to the French capital from Dhs2,555. Hurry, you’ve only got until May 19 to book.
www.lufthansa.com
Go stripey: If you’re in need of a new summer look, stripes are all the rage at the moment, and Juicy Couture boutique at Marina Mall has a whole new range of horizontally lined clobber on its shelves.
Juicy Couture, Ground Floor, Marina Mall (02 658 0397)
Mould your kid into the next Tiger Woods: We’re referring to his golfing ability, of course. If you’d like your littl’un to have Tiger’s sweet golfing strokeplay and putting ability, one of these lessons should give them a few pointers.
Dhs700 for three 90-minute lessons. 9am-11pm, Sundays -Wednesdays, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island (02 557 8000)
Sip for free if you’re wearing blue: If you’re a female and if you’re wearing something blue, you can sip bubbly for free at Prego’s Italian restaurant tonight.
7pm-9pm. Prego’s, Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9000)
Monday 16
Visiter une exposition d’art: Regard Sur Les Emirats is a new show exhibiting the wealth of French artists who currently call the UAE their home. It features a diverse range of style and represents their impressions of the country’s people, landscapes and culture.
Free. Until May 25. Ministry of Culture, Youth & Development. Muroor Road (02 446 6145)
See some brutal tackles: Australia is a nation of strapping blokes, and its rugby league players are about the burliest of the bunch. This afternoon, two of the nation’s top teams, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Gold Coast Titans clash.
1pm. OSN Sports 2
Become a Latino dance genius: Want an easy way to make friends and burn energy at the same time? Salsa lessons are hugely popular over here, and JJ Shaban is one of the capital’s most respected teachers. He holds classes for beginners at Étoiles tonight.
Free. 8pm. Étoiles nightclub, Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Unleash a torrent of trivia: It’s quiz night at Heroes tonight, where the city’s brainiest folk congregate to parade their intellectual prowess. Don’t worry if you’re unbelievably dumb, there’s a booby prize for last place.
Free. 8pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000)
Tuesday 17
Soothe your sun-damaged skin: If you’ve been overdoing it on the sun lounger recently in the quest for a perfect bronzed body, Espa at The Yas Hotel has the perfect antidote. Sun Escape is a soothing and hydrating treatment for sensitive sun-exposed skin, and is on special offer this month.
Dhs725. Espa, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0862)
Watch a priest battle vampires: Priest 3D stars invisible-eyebrowed British thespian Paul Bettany, and concerns a priest who disobeys church laws to take on the vampires who kidnapped his niece. Find out if this movie is a horror classic or a fright-free turkey as it is released today
Have a girly get together: Not content with one of these once-a-week ladies’ nights, Y-Bar is now putting a free drinks offer for the lasses on five nights a week. Tonight, females can quaff red and white for free from 8pm-midnight.
Y-Bar. Yas Rotana, Yas Island (02 656 4000)
Overload on curry: What with your kormas, butter chickens and more, choosing which curry you’d like can be a real headache. Visit Rangoli at Yas Rotana tonight, where you can choose four from a selection of 15 different curries for just Dhs99, or just add Dhs40 for unlimited brews as well.
From 7pm. Rangoli, Yas Rotana (02 656 4000)
Wednesday 18
Pound some metal: Whether you’re interested in ancient artefacts or maybe you just like smashing stuff with hammers, this Splendours of Mesopotamia-inspired workshop should amuse you. Develop your own designs, before smashing a sheet of metal into a plate, cup, bowl or jewellery piece. Free, although pre-booking is essential.
8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 657 5900)
Honour museums: It’s International Museums Day today and to celebrate there’ll be free artistic workshops at the French Alliance Abu Dhabi building. Free, but you have to register before May 15.
6pm-8pm, French Alliance, Choitram Building, Khalidiyah (02 666 6232)
Hear some acoustic anthems: If crowd-friendly guitar music’s your bag, get along to Mai Café where acoustic plucker Danny Shirran takes up a Wednesday evening residence. Free. 7pm-10.30pm. Mai Café, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 654 5000)
Recharge in Oman: If you haven’t been to Oman yet, you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful countries in the region. Why not book into the Salalah Marriott Resort, where in May you get three nights stay for the price of two?
Dhs1,219 for three nights. www.marriottsalalahresort.com (+968 2 3268245)
