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
See a movie for free
The Space is showing the classic movie The Princess Bride, starring Robin Wright and Cary Elwes and directed by Rob Reiner, for free.
The Space, Twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, Aug 7, 7pm, free. Taxi: Twofour54, by Park Rotana. thespacead.tumblr.com
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
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
FRIDAY
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 in 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 in the Western Region.
Freej Live: Abood’s Dream, various locations including Youth and Culture Club, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, Aug 7 to 8 and Al Ain Municipality Theatre, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Aug 11 1 to 13, Dhs100 to 400. Taxi: Al Ain Municipality Theatre. thinkflash.ae, abudhabisummerseason.ae
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
Shadowland
While all the attention will be on David Blaine’s shows in the city later this month, we think another could top even his tricks when it comes to wow factor. 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 26, Dhs150 to 1,000. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: ADNEC. tixbox.com
Kids Summer Festival
Got some bored nippers at home going stir craxy? 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.
Eat pizza ice-cream
Yes, you read that right. Adding cheese and bread to ice cream would be a very bad idea, but thankfully the pizza ice cream at Emack & Bolio’s uses more traditional ingredients. It comes with a brownie crust instead of the traditional bread, plus vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and marshmallows.
Emack & Bolio’s, Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to midnight, Dhs99. Tel: (02) 5516069. Taxi: Dalma Mall. emackarabia.com
Ladies Beach Festival 2014
Head to Al Bateen for the Abu Dhabi Sports’ Council’s campaign to encourage the fairer sex to do regular exercise and give tips on avoiding the dreaded Abu Dhabi stone. Ladies can take part in a variety of games and activities during the event.
Al Bateen Beach, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Aug 7 to Aug 10, 5.30pm, 7.30pm. Tel: (050) 4450809. Taxi: Al Bateen Beach
SATURDAY
Cake Boss Live in Abu Dhabi
American celebrity chef Buddy Valastro, star of US TV show Cake Boss, will perform for one day only in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Cake Boss Live will feature live cooking demonstrations, a Q&A session with the audience, a cake decoration competition which anyone can enter, and audience members will be invited on stage to cook with Buddy.
Cake Boss Live in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace Theatre, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Aug 9, 3.30pm, Dhs75 to 150. Taxi: Emirates Palace. thinkflash.ae, abudhabisummerseason.ae
Go on a dhow cruise
Want to learn a little more about the country you live in? The Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara has joined forces with Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey and is offering trips on a dhow around the mangroves, plus a history lesson on pearl diving, which used to be the main source of income for many people in the UAE. You’ll get to take home a pearl at the end of the trip.
Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey/Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 5pm, Dhs500 per person. Tel: (02) 6561052. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. adpearljourney.com
Market Kitchen tasting menu
This new American-influenced restaurant is offering a five-course taster menu for dinner.
Le Royale Meridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11pm, Dhs245. Tel: (02) 674 2020. Taxi: Le Royale Meridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com
See a fusion of styles on Yas (LAST CHANCE)
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. swissarthateuae.com
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
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
Metronome music night
The first of a new night of live music by local organisation White Cube, taking place at Café Arabia. Performers include Melissa Oval, Kudos By Proxy, Physical Grafitti, Nushka and Kali Juali.
Café Arabia, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, Aug 9, 6pm. Tel: (02) 6439699. Taxi: Café Arabia, between AL Karama and Airport Road. facebook.com/WhiteCubeUAE
Play Squash
If your idea of fun is chasing around a less than bouncy ball in a glass room, you’re in luck: squash is one of the most popular indoor racket games around the world and can be played in the capital at the Mafraq Racket Club. Equipment can be hired at the club – all you need is a worthy opponent.
Average calories burnt per session: 600-800
Mafraq Racket Club, Mafraq Hotel, Al Mafraq, Abu Dhabi, daily 6am to 1am, Dhs50 per hour. Tel: (02) 6596666. Taxi: Mafraq Hotel. mafraq-hotel.com
Go on an eco tour
The Park Hyatt and Captain Tony’s Boat Tours have joined forces to offer Eco Boat Tours, which are trips through Abu Dhabi’s mangroves with a marine biologist. You’ll learn about the city’s eco-system and its flora and fauna. Trips leave from Yas Marina.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Tel: (02) 4071234. Taxi: Park Hyatt, Saadiyat. abudhabi.park.hyatt.com. Captain Tony’s, Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. captaintonys.ae