Things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend - Eid special
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
Football freestylers, henna artists, clowns and more
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 between July 24 and August 2. Tel: (02) 5031400. Taxi: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas City. basmall.ae
Eat more, spend less
For every Dhs100 you spend at the Staybridge Suites Yas Island’s restaurants this month, you’ll receive a voucher worth Dhs25 to spend in the hotel’s outlets. There’s a similar deal running at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island.
Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6563333. Taxi: Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi, Yas Island. ihg.com
Learn about the history of the world
Time is running out if you want to see the magnificent exhibition, A History Of The World in 100 Objects, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, which finishes at the star of August. It’s 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
Eat around the world in a night
Phileas Fogg famously went around the world in 80 days, but if you don’t have that kind of holiday allocation left this year, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is giving foodies the chance to try global dishes from Britain, Lebanon, Japan, France and Southeast Asia in one evening. Around The World In One Dinner includes aperitifs at Scott’s, dinner at Li Beirut, Tori No Su, and Brasserie Angelique, followed by dessert at Quest.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Fri, 7pm, Dhs850. Tel: (02) 8115666. Taxi: Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com
FRIDAY
Journey into space
The Galleria has a mobile planetarium up and running this month on its promenade, and astronomer Nezar Sallam is hosting education workshops tonight, where shoppers can learn about the stars and planets including Mars and Saturn.
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 9.30pm and 10.30pm. Tel: (02): 6166999. Taxi: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. thegalleria.ae, weyana.ae
Look in to the shadows
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
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 5th, annual Affordable Art Sale, featuring artists from the UAE and beyond. The most you’ll pay for a piece is Dhs2,000.
Until July 31
Abu Dhabi Art Hub, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, July 15 to 31, Dhs250 to 2,000. Tel: (02) 5515005. Taxi: 7th Street, by Emirates Driving School, adah.ae
SATURDAY
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
Meet the characters from TV show Freej at The Galleria
Head to Al Maryah Island to catch an appearance by the characters from popular Emirati kids TV cartoon Freej.
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 11pm. Tel: (02): 6166999. Taxi: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. thegalleria.ae
Al Ain’s highest café
The new Ayla Hotel in Al Ain has opened an Arabic chill-out lounge. Sky5 is the highest café in Al Ain and guests can dine on oriental grub and smoke shisha while watching the sunset.
Ayla Hotel, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 1pm. Tel: (03) 7610111. Taxi: Ayla Hotel, near Baladiya Park, Al Ain. aylahotels.com
Enjoy iftar for less
Avasa, the Indian restaurant on Saadiyat Island, is serving an iftar buffet this month at a bargain price of Dhs120 per person. You’ll find a variety of dishes on offer, including aloo chettinad, samosas, chicken tikka, paneer laalpari, mutton saagwala and special Lucknowi style dum biryanis.
Avasa, The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily sunset to midnight, Dhs120. Tel: (02) 67842221. Taxi: The Collection Saadiyat Island. facebook.com/avasatheindiankitchen
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
SUNDAY
Learn golf in a week
Yas Links is running a course, starting today, to get you swinging and putting with style within seven days. The course includes the basics, such as fundamentals of a golf swing, plus chipping and bunker shots.
Yas Links, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, from July 27, Dhs895. Tel: (02) 8107710. Taxi: Yas Links, Yas Island. yaslinks.com
Ray of Hope iftar
The Cristal Salam Hotel is hosting a charity iftar in its Korean restaurant Sura to raise funds for Operation Smile UAE tonight. A percentage of every iftar purchased will be donated to the charity to help provide free surgeries for children born with Cleft lip and Cleft palate.
Crystal Salam, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Sunday 7pm, Dhs120. Tel: (020) 6597666. Taxi: Cristal Salam, Tourist Club.
Attend a Ramadan art exhibition
Today is expected to be the last day of the Holy Month of Ramadan and the Etihad Modern Art Gallery is exhibiting a collection of art that won’t leave your cost an arm and a leg from artists including Khulood Al Jabri and Khaled Najja, plus ‘healing art’ painter Wilma Burton.
Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 2pm, 9pm to midnight, free. Tel: (02) 6210145. Taxi: Al Bateen Mall. etihadmodernart.com
MONDAY
New menu for Eid at Jones
To celebrate Eid al Fitr, Jones The Grocer has a new menu running July 24 to 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
Drive a fancy car
Hurtle around Abu Dhabi’s F1 track in a sports car. You can choose from several models, including a Chevrolet Camaro, a Yas Radical SST and an Aston Martin GH4.
Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs650-1,500. Tel: (02) 6599800. Taxi: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island. yasisland.ae
TUESDAY
Eid celebrations on Yas
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 29 to 31, 7pm to midnight, Dhs220 to 300. Tel: (02) 656 3053. Taxi: Crown Plaza Yas Island. ihg.com
Ramadan and Eid Festival 2014
Unique gift items, tasty Arabic food and traditional song and dance form the core of the popular annual Ramadan and Eid Festival 2014, a month-long exhibition at ADNEC. Visitors can find excellent bargains on clothing, toys and books during Ramadan and Eid and with an estimated 65,000 visitors attending.
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
Bargain Eid brunch
The Mercure Centre Hotel is holding brunch today to celebrate Eid al Fitr at the bargain price of Dhs95 per adult.
Mercure Centre Hotel, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 12pm to 3pm, Dhs95, kids under three eat for free, 50 per cent discount for kids aged three to six. Tel: (02) 6333555. Taxi: Mercure Hotel, Hamdan Street. mercure.com
