Things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, including brunch, deals, sports, entertainment, new openings.
It’s the start of a brand new year, folks! Better still, it’s a long weekend! But if you’re not sure what you’re doing yet, don’t worry. What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.
THURSDAY
Battle of the Bands
Versus is a night where DJs pit musicians from today against classic old timers to see who will win. Hosted at De La Costa at the Saadiyat Beach Club, DJ A.L.L.A.D. and DJ Crown Prince will place multiple artists in the line-up for head-to-head sing (or is it dance?) offs. It could be Beyonce vs Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye vs Al Green or Jay Z vs James Brown. Expect hip-hop, soul, reggae, R&B and Top 40 tracks on the night.
Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 10pm to 3am, free entrance. Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Club. saadiyatbeachclub.ae
Go to the opera
This performance will see the UAE’s NSO Chamber Orchestra perform Gian Carlo Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors.’ The Abu Dhabi premiere of the one-act opera is led by Maestro Andrew Berryman and will feature professional opera singers, the NSO chorus and a student ballet troupe.
Brighton College, Al Matar, Abu Dhabi, until Jan 23, 4.30pm and 7.30pm, Dhs75 to Dhs150. Taxi: Brighton College, next to twofour54. nsouae.org
Ace night out
Start the weekend off at Rush this Thursday at Xtra Ace. The night will see DJ Ace, who flew in from the UK, hit the decks. Other special guests include Cliff Townley and DJ Kaboo.
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, open at 10.30am, entry for men Dhs100, ladies free entry till 12.30am. Tel: (055) 7800086. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. facebook.com/RushAbuDhabi
Eat like an Aussie
In honour of Australia Day, check out the Aussie themed menu available at jones the grocer. Items include grilled asparagus and soft poached eggs on vegemite toast, Aussie wagyu burger with grilled pineapple, beetroot and fried egg or the vegemite gravy lamb potpie with fries.
Al Mamoura Building B, Al Muroor, Abu Dhabi, until Feb 1. Tel: (02) 4438762. Taxi: Al Mamoura Building, corner of Muroor and 15 Street. jonesthegrocer.com
FRIDAY
Rock out to Bon Jovi hits
This ain’t for the broken hearted. Tribute band The Bon Jovi Experience, led by look-a-like front man Tony Pearce, will be rocking the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club on Friday. The line-up should include fan favourites such as It’s My Life, Livin’ on a Prayer and Bed of Roses.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, 19th & 24th Street, Abu Dhabi, gates open at 7.30pm, Dhs100. Tel: (02) 4459600. Taxi: Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. platinumlist.net
Australia Day BBQ Brunch
Say g’day with Aussies Abroad’s BBQ brunch. Munch on traditional dishes including pavlovas, lamingtons and sausage rolls while the kiddies enjoy a bouncy castle, face painting and games. Live music and complimentary pool access is included in this family-friendly day out.
Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 5pm, non-alcoholic package Dhs120 for members and Dhs155 for non-members, alcoholic package Dhs160 for members and Dhs195 for non-members. Tel: (02) 6742020. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com
Take an Abra
From today the existing Abra Service at the Souk Qaryat Al Beri will be extended to a 25-minute trip to include a pick-up and drop off at Eastern Mangroves every Friday and Saturday. The extended route will see service start at the Souk Qaryat Al Beri, stop at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, then onto the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara.
Various locations, including Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 6pm, Dhs50 for one-way or Dhs80 for return. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com
Glow at Twelve
This hip-hop, RNB party at Aloft Abu Dhabi will feature music from DJ Allad at their newly rebranded venue, Twelve. Wear white to shine in the night. Glow sticks and glow paint provided.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat, Abu Dhabi, 9pm to 3am, free entrance before 11pm, Dhs60 after 11pm. Tel: (02) 6545111. Taxi: Aloft Abu Dhabi, near ADNEC. aloftabudhabi.com
Learn to cook – LAST CHANCE
Check out live cooking sessions hosted by professionals at Yas Mall. Learn how to make beef satay, wasabi prawns, eggplant ravioli, sushi or kebbeh labanyah. Chefs from Yas Viceroy restaurants including the Noodle Box, Amici, Kazu and Atayeb will host live 30-minute cooking demos. Twenty participants are taken each session in a first-come first-serve basis.
Town Square, Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 10am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Taxi: Yas Mall. yasmall.ae
SATURDAY
The Festival at Masdar – LAST CHANCE
Hosted as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, this two-day festival ends today. Visitors can learn about sustainable energy, check out a special vendors market, and participate in arts and crafts workshops, storytelling performances and guided tours of the eco-city.
Masdar City, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, timings vary. Tel: (02) 6533333. Taxi: Masdar City. facebook.com/eventsatmasdar
Watch a play
French play Le Malade Imaginaire, or the Imaginary Invalid, by playwright Moliere will be hosted at the Lycée Louis Massignon school. The comedic play is in French and is conducted by French theatre company, Le Theatre de L’Oiseau-Tonnerre.
Lycée Louis Massignon, Al Reehan, Abu Dhabi, 4pm and 7pm, Dhs120 for non-members, Dhs100 for membres, Dhs60 for students. Tel: (02) 6666232. Taxi: Lycée Louis Massignon, near Hotel Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan. afabudhabi.org
Be the light workshop
This one-day workshop aims to understand the dynamics of life force energy. Hosted by wellness consultant Sagrika Bajaj, topics include special meditation, understanding and balancing chakras and optimising energy flow.
Salwa Zeidan Gallery, The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 12pm to 6pm, Dhs600. Tel: (02) 6669656. Taxi: The Collection, Saadiyat Island. salwazeidangallery.com
Audition for a musical
Abu Dhabi Choral Group is hosting auditions for their next musical, Legally Blonde. Based on the 2001 film with Reese Witherspoon, a ditzy Blonde goes on to become a lawyer in a bid to win back her ex-boyfriend, there will be two general singing and dance rehearsals at the NYUAD Arts Centre on Saturday. Dress in clothing suitable for dancing.
NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Dhs100 for annual ADCG membership fees. Taxi: NYU Campus Saadiyat Island. abudhabichoralgroup.com/choralgroup