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
Unleash your inner artist
The Space is holding a workshop tonight for wannabe artists. During the two-hour Oil Painting With Palette Knives session, you’ll master palette knife techniques and learn about famous painters who created incredible pieces of work using oil paints. Bring an old set of clothes as oil painting is a messy business
The Space, Twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 8pm, Dhs400. Taxi: Twofour54, by Park Rotana. thespacead.tumblr.com
Sign up for the Glee Club
Music Hub is starting a new programme called Glee Hub at the Hub from September 6. Inspired by the hit TV show Glee, kids and teens of all ages can sign up for sessions of singing and drama. They’ll learn vocal techniques, performance skills, character development, improve and more. There is a free trial session on September 6, so register your kids now at registry@musichub.ae.
Music Hub, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Saturdays 2pm to 3pm (seven to ten year olds), 3.15 to 4.15pm (11 to 16 year olds). Taxi: Falcon Tower, Hamdan Street. musichub.ae
Yas Waterworld summer deals and ladies’ night
Abu Dhabi’s waterpark has 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. Tonight is also ladies’ night at the park.
Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Daily 10am to 8pm, annual pass Dhs2,500. Tel: (02) 4142000. Taxi: Yas Waterworld. yaswaterworld.com
FRIDAY
Party hard by the pool
Aloft Abu Dhabi is hosting Lotion Friday in Mai Café today, a pool party featuring DJ JoseRC on the wheels of steel. Ladies get free access to the pool and complimentary selected cocktails
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat, Abu Dhabi, 12pm to 3pm, ladies free, gents Dhs100. Tel: (02) 6545138. Taxi: Aloft Abu Dhabi, near ADNEC. aloftabudhabi.com
Listen to live jazz
Fancy listening to some live music? Jazz star Jimmy Jackson performs tonight at Cristal Bar.
Millennium Hotel, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 7.30pm to 2am. Tel: (02) 6146000. Taxi: Millennium Hotel, near the Corniche. millenniumhotels.com
See a Bollywood legend live
Sunidhi Chauhan has leant her vocal cords to the soundtracks of more than 400 films during her 19-year career as a playback artist and has also worked with Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. Tonight, the films take a back seat as the multi-award winning Bollywood arrives in Abu Dhabi for a performance with her dancing troupe at Emirates Palace Theatre.
Bollywood Spectacle with Sunidhi Chauhan, Emirates Palace Theatre, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Aug 15, Dhs195 to 400. Taxi: Emirates Palace. thinkflash.ae, abudhabisummerseason.ae
Kids Summer Festival
Got some bored nippers at home going stir crazy? Games, activities, face painting, water sports and more are available at various locations throughout August.
Various locations including Boutik Mall, Al Reem Island, Gardens Plaza, Al Raha, and Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Khalifa City A, Aug 8 to 29, 6pm to 8pm. Tel: (02) 8105560.
Back to school activities at Dalma Mall
Take the kids to Dalma Mall from today until August 17 for face painting, balloon and clay making, a dancing competition and more.
Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Aug 15 to 17, 4pm to 10pm, free. Tel: (02) 5506111. Taxi: Dalma Mall. emackarabia.com
SATURDAY
Shadowland (LAST CHANCE)
Shadowland is a group of shadow art dancers who can contort their bodies into all sorts of shapes, including elephants, penguins and even the Empire State Building.
Shadowland by Pilobolus, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, Aug 8 to 16, Dhs150 to 1,000. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: ADNEC. tixbox.com
Eat curries from around the globe
Head to the Royal Orchid at the Hilton to try curries form Nepal, Bangledesh, Pakistan and India.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3pm, 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6811900. Taxi: Hilton Corniche. abudhabi.hilton.com
Visit a photography exhibition (LAST CHANCE)
This year’s Emirates Photography Competition winners have had their works on display for two months, but it all comes to an end today. This year’s theme, called Decisive Moment, received 35,985 submissions. Italian photographer Cristina Garzone won the grand prize.
Until August 16
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6415699. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
Metronome music night
The second of a new night of live music by local organisation White Cube, taking this time place at Argo Tea Arabia. Performers include The Boxtones, Sarah El Gohary and Core 304.
Argo Tea Arabia, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Aug 16, 6pm. Tel: (02) 6651142. Taxi: Zayed the First Street, Opposite RAK Bank, Kamala Tower, Al Khalidiyah. argotea.com, facebook.com/WhiteCubeUAE
Expanding Horizons exhibition
Salwa Zeidan Gallery’s current 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. Tel: (02) 6669656. Taxi: The Collection, Saadiyat Island. salwazeidangallery.com
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
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
