Things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend

You know that moment on a Thursday afternoon when your work buddy asks what you’re doing this weekend and your mind goes blank? Well worry no more, friends, because What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.

THURSDAY

Eid celebrations on Yas  (LAST CHANCE)
Barouk at the Crowne Plaza Yas Island has a set menu dinner package on offer and there’s entertainment from a singer, keyboard player and belly dancer throughout the evening.

Crowne Plaza Yas Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, July 31, 7pm to midnight, Dhs220 to 300. Tel: (02) 656 3053. Taxi: Crown Plaza Yas Island. ihg.com

Yas Waterworld summer deals
Abu Dhabi’s waterpark have launched a new annual pass for families of four, which includes 10 per cent discounts on food and beverages at the park, the souvenir shop and on PearlMasters, Yas Waterworld’s interactive treasure hunt.

Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Daily 10am to 8pm, Dhs2,500. Tel: (02) 4142000. Taxi: Yas Waterworld. yaswaterworld.com

Banish cellulite
Citrus fruits not only taste good, and they’re also pretty good at combating cellulite. Zen the spa is offering a Citrus Cellulite Treatment, which it claims will detoxify skin and eliminate impurities and is specifically targeted at those unwanted bumpy bits. The session includes a deep massage to break down fat deposits, body brushing, a detoxifying mud mask and a cellulite gel that decreases the appearance of cellulite.

Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily, call for timings and prices. Tel: (02) 6979333. Taxi: Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area. rotana.com

Try Artistic yoga
This form of yoga has taken off in a big way in India, and combines traditional techniques with cardio training. The aim is to increase your body’s flexibility, while also achieving fat loss at the same time.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi. Thur 7.15pm to 8.15pm, Dhs745 for 12 sessions, Dhs955 for 20 sessions. Tel: (02) 6970272. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. sheratonabudhabihotel.com

FRIDAY 

New band at Hemingway’s
What do you get if you combine Tex-Mex dishes with Irish music performed by a South African duo? A celebration of all things green at Hemingway’s in the Hilton. Musical pair Once will be supplying the tunes and will be performing a selection of cover songs plus traditional Celtic tunes. Irish beverages will also be available.

Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Aug 1 to 31, Sat to Wed noon to 2am, Thur to Fri noon to 3am. Tel: (02) 6811900. Taxi: Hilton Abu Dhabi. hilton.com

See Freej Live: Abood’s Dream
The stage show version of the popular Emirati animated TV series is touring Abu Dhabi during August, with stops at Emirates Palace, the Western Region and Al Ain. The cartoon has been on UAE TV screens since 2006 and tells the tale of four elderly Emirati women living in a quiet neighbourhood in modern day Dubai. The star of the stage show is Abood, a cheeky young boy who made his debut in the cartoon in the second series. In Abood’s Dream, he goes on a magical adventure while looking after a canary that lives in a fish bowl. This weekend the show is on at Emirates Palace.

Freej Live: Abood’s Dream, Emirates Palace Theatre, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, July 31 to August 2, 7.30pm, Dhs100 to 400. Taxi: Emirates Palace. thinkflash.ae, abudhabisummerseason.ae

A Pictorial Orchestration
Get cultured this month while dining on Italian dishes. Mezzaluna is exhibiting 18 pieces of vibrant, colourful work by Italian artist Amedeo Tremigliozzi. The exhibition, called A Pictorial Orchestration, is a collaboration between Emirates Palace, Swiss Art Gate and the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. “My goal is to create a relationship with the viewer through my decor, to convey a sense of well-being and joy in my work, take the negativity and lead towards thoughts of light, just like a spiritual journey,” says Tremigliozzi.

Until August 30
Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, daily 12.30pm to 7pm (viewings by appointment only). Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com 

Trampolining
Head to Dalma Mall and bounce your way fit on the recently opened Adventure HQ’s trampoline park. It’s a low-impact way to exercise which as well as being a great cardio workout, will also help with muicle tone. NASA research claims you can burn more calories if you spend 10 minutes on a trampoline than if you spend 30 minutes running.

Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Fri 10am to midnight, Dhs50 for 30 minutes. Tel: (02) 4458903. Taxi: Dalma Mall. adventurehq.ae

Liquid rain returns
Aloft Hotel’s legendary rooftop pool parties return tonight after their summer hiatus. A second party is expected later this month, but no date has been confirmed yet.

Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat, Abu Dhabi, Aug 1, 9pm to 3am. Tel: (02) 6545138. Taxi: Aloft Abu Dhabi, near ADNEC. aloftabudhabi.com

Master the piano
The Amadeus Music Institute is offering piano and guitar lessons for kids and adults throughout August.

Amadeus Music Institute, Hamdan Centre, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Aug 1 to Aug 31 (closed Fri), 10am to noon, 2.30pm to 9pm, Dhs1,080 (for 12, 30 minute lessons). Tel: (02) 6280984. Taxi: Hamdan Centre. amadeusmusicinst.com 

Learn to sail with Watercooled
Fancy mastering the ocean waves? Watercooled is offering lessons in sailing and windsurfing throughout the month and the courses are certified by the Royal Yachting Association.

Watercooled, Hiltonia Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, RYA Start Windsurfing, Aug 1 to 2, RYA Start Sailing, Aug 29 to 30, Dhs1,500 for ten hours. Tel: (02) 6395997. Taxi: Hiltonia Beach Club. watercooleduae.com

The Ritz-Carlton’s Arabic tent
Fancing eating some Arabic dishes? Or smoking some sisha? The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi’s Alf Layla wa Layla tent is the place to go during August.

Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, daily until August 31, 4pm to 1am. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com

Brunch on Saadiyat
The Park Hyatt’s Friday brunch at The Café is back. The menu features pan-fried foie gras, fresh scallops and wagyu burgers and king prawns, with cracking views of Saadiyat’s stunning coastline thrown in for good measure.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, Dis 280-360, Tel: (02) 4071234. Taxi: Park Hyatt, Saadiyat. abudhabi.park.hyatt.com

Learn about the history of the world (LAST CHANCE)
Today is your last chance if you want to see the magnificent exhibition, A History Of The World in 100 Objects, at Manarat Al Saadiyat. It’s a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and the British Museum.

Until Aug 1
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm. Tel (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. saadiyat.ae

Look in to the shadows (LAST CHANCE)
Rosewood Abu Dhabi has teamed up with Abu Dhabi Art Hub to display stunning carvings by Basam Al-Selawi and Maysoon Masalha. When lit, the shadows reveal incredibly detailed silhouettes of camels, people, mosques and more. You can buy the pieces on display as well.

Until Aug 2
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 8135550. Taxi: Rosewood, Al Maryah Island. rosewoodhotels.com, adah.ae 

Buy affordable art (LAST CHANCE)
If you’re looking for some new works to display in your home but don’t have a big budget, then we suggest you check out Abu Dhabi Art Hub’s 5^th, annual Affordable Art Sale, featuring artists from the UAE and beyond. The most you’ll pay for a piece is Dhs2,000.

Until August 1
Abu Dhabi Art Hub, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, July 15 to 31, Dhs250 to 2,000. Tel: (02) 5515005. Taxi: 7^th Street, by Emirates Driving School, adah.ae

SATURDAY 

Have a B.E.S.T night at Traders
B.E.S.T stands for ‘big eats for small tummies’ and Traders Hotel is offering sharing dishes, including a 42 inch pizza and giant-sized portions of fries with lava cheese and free flowing selected beverages, tonight.

Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs120 to 200. Tel: (02) 5108418. Taxi: Traders Hotel. shangri-la.com/abudhabi/traders

Catch of the day
The Sheraton’s new Catch of the Day trips are fishing and snorkeling expeditions which can last either three or eight hours.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, call for timings, Dhs750 to 1,500 (maximum five people in the boat). Tel: (02) 6970272. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. sheratonabudhabihotel.com 

See a fusion of styles on Yas
Ever wonder what happens when you mix together photography, technology, paint, varnish, and glitter? Monaco artist Fiona Ai Bubble’s first UAE exhibit is your chance to find out. Titled “Crossroads #16 – Crystallization,” the exhibit shows a range of colour-splashed, sizable works. The show is organised by Swiss Art Gate UAE in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Yas Viceroy hotel.

Until Aug 9
Light Box and Bridge Gallery, Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, free. Tel: (04) 3958782. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. swissartgateuae.com 

Ramadan and Eid Festival 2014 (LAST CHANCE)
Unique gift items, tasty Arabic food and traditional song and dance form the core of the popular annual Ramadan and Eid Festival 2014, taking place at ADNEC. Visitors can find excellent bargains on clothing, toys and books during Ramadan and Eid and with an estimated 65,000 visitors attending. Today is the last day.

Until August 2
Halls 1 to 5, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, Ramadan 8:30pm to 2:30am, Eid 4pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 4446900. Taxi: ADNEC. adnec.ae

Football freestylers, henna artists, clowns and more (LAST CHANCE)
Bawabat Al Sharq Mall is celebrating Eid with a variety of performances and activities, including the finals of its Pro Evolution Soccer tournament Live The Challenge, plus football freestylers, African drummers, clowns, henna artists and an arts and crafts stand.

Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas City, Abu Dhabi. Varies dates and times until August 2. Tel: (02) 5031400. Taxi: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas City. basmall.ae 

Expanding Horizons exhibition
Salwa Zeidan Gallery’s new exhibition Expanding Horizions is selling paintings, sculptures, prints and installations at wallet-friendly prices. Artists featured include Omar Zeidan, Hwang Seong Woo, Fatema Al Mazrouie, Joëlle A Kurdy, Alice Al Khatib, Marc Guiragossian, Rose Husseiny, Nasser Palangi and Abdul Badi.

Until September 5
Salwa Zeidan Gallery, The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 11.30am to 8pm, Sat 2pm to 8pm (Ramadan timings). Tel: (02) 6669656. Taxi: The Collection, Saadiyat Island. salwazeidangallery.com

New menu for Eid at Jones
To celebrate Eid al Fitr, Jones The Grocer has a new menu running until August 3. Dishes on it include hummus with spiced lamb, pine seeds, coriander, extra virgin olive oil and Turkish bread, plus grilled haloumi, marinated grilled vegetables, aubergine stuffed courgette rolls on North African cous cous with kalamata olives.

Various locations including Gardens Plaza, Al Raha Gardens, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 5574882. Taxi: Al Raha Gardens. jonesthegrocer.com 

Market Night at Li Jiang
If you’re fussy about what you eat or are on a diet, even ordering a la carte can be a nightmare. So what you need is a menu that lets you choose exactly what will be in your meal. The Ritz-Carlton’s Asian restaurant Li Jiang is holding Market Night every Saturday evening, where guests can choose the ingredients for their dinner (veg, meats and seafood, plus sauces), which the chefs will then cook before them in the open-plan kitchen.

Li Jiang, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, Saturday 7pm to midnight, Dhs90. Tel: (02) 8188282. ritzcarlton.com