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.
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.
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THURSDAY
Beats on the Beach
No F1 tickets? No problem. Hosted as part of Yasalam, check out a handful of big names in the music biz on the Corniche beach for free at the Volkswagen presents Beats on the Beach. November 20 sees Filipino singer Charice, hip hop artist Juicy J and Chada Hassoun. Friday November 21 sees US R ’n’ B Jason Derulo, Miguel and Bollywood artist Hard Kaur. Saturday November 22 will see UK singer Rita Ora, Tinashe, Ragheb Alama and Sabine close the event.
Lagoon Beach, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi, Nov 20 to 22. Taxi: Corniche Beach. yasalam.ae
Treat your ears to conductor Jordi Savall
The capital’s classical series is back after a three-year hiatus, with concerts and events running until May 28 2015. Tonight’s there’s a new concert by Spanish conductor Jordi Savall that examines the life of the most famous of Arabic travellers: Ibn Battuta. The international orchestra Hesperion XXI will be playing traditional Arabic instruments, including the kanun, rebab and the oud. Ibn Battuta: The Voyager Of Islam tells the tale of how the 14th Century explorer travelled 120,000kms in 29 years across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Far East. The memoirs of his travels are the inspiration for Savall’s new piece.
Emirates Palace Theatre, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Nov 20, 8pm to 11pm, Dhs30 to 500. Taxi: Emirates Palace. ticketmaster.ae
View Art from the Heart
In honour of Children’s Day, socially minded art lovers should check out this special exhibition, Art From The Heart, at The Gallery in Hala Arjaan by Rotana. Showcasing creations made by special needs children, all artworks are for purchase with proceeds will go to the Special Care Center. The not-for-profit school was created in 1989 and caters to children with special needs including Down’s syndrome, autism and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. In addition, six creations will be featured at the restaurant and all proceeds will go to Special Care Center.
Hala Arjaan by Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, until 23 Nov. Tel: (02) 4180000. Taxi: Hala Arjaan, Hamdan Street. rotana.com
Abu Dhabi Science Festival (LAST CHANCE)
The 4th Abu Dhabi Science Festival comes to an end this weekend and is taking place in three locations: one on the Corniche, one at Al Ain Zoo and the final venue takes the festival UAE-wide and is based on the Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah. Aimed at kids aged five to 15, the festival has had more than 370,000 visitors since it launched back in 2011 and gives your nippers to learn about science and technology in a fun, relaxed environment.
Abu Dhabi Science Festival, Abu Dhabi Corniche East Plaza, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Zoo, Abu Dhabi, Al Majaz Waterfront Sharjah, until Nov 22, Dhs5 (adults) and Dhs10 (kids over four years old, kids under go free). abudhabisciencefestival.ae, adsftickets.ae
Party at The Podium Lounge
Four music heavyweights play the Podium Lounge on F1 weekend. DJs Smokingroove and Patrick Oliver get the party started on November 20, Faithless DJ Sister Bliss plays on November 21, while another British dance music act, Dirty Vegas, perform on the Saturday. It ends with Brit band Rudimental on the Sunday night.
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Nov20 to 23, Dhs350 to 850. Tel: (055) 3095495. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. podiumlounge.com.ae
Party at O1NE
Head over to O1NE Yas Island to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle as Jason Derulo headlines on November 20. DJ and du Arena headliner Armin Van Buuren will appear November 21 and rapper T-Pain will take to the stage on November 22. Over 21s only.
O1NE, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs300. Tel: (052) 7888111. Taxi: O1NE, Yas Island. o1neyasisland.com
FRIDAY
Sea and be seen
For some epic tunes and sand filled nights, check out People by The Sea, a three-day electronic, dance and techno music event on Yas Beach during the F1 race weekend. Headliners include Mark Fanciulli, Danny Howells, Timo Mass, Audio Jack and Betoko.
People by Crystal, Yas Beach, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Nov 21 to 23, from 10am, Dhs100. Tel: (050) 2878703. Taxi: Yas Beach, Yas Island. abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Follow your nose
To find out more about the power of smells check out this special DIY Aromatherapy workshop at Bodytree Studio Abu Dhabi. Learn about the physical, spiritual and emotional properties of essential oils and which ones can help activate the 7 chakras.
Bodytree Studio, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 11am, Dhs200. Tel: (02) 4434448. Taxi: turn right onto 11st street from Al Nayhan street, opposite the ADNOC station. bodytreestudio.com
Wheels on walls
In honour of Formula 1 head down to the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche to check out their special Auto Art Exhibition. Hosted in the lobby, a selection of work from Ukranian artist Yuri Shevchenko will be on display. Known for his auto pop-art oil paintings, get your motor fix here.
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, until Nov 30. Tel: (02) 8137777. Taxi: Sofitel hotel. sofitel.com
Breakfast at the beach
Beach House at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is now serving a breakfast menu, featuring salmon with potato and leek cakes, and oven-baked rosti with fried eggs.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 4071234. Taxi: Park Hyatt, Saadiyat. abudhabi.park.hyatt.com
Try modern Arabic cuisine
You’ll find Levant and Egyptian dishes in ZayZafoon, a new restaurant in Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, which is now open. There’s also a shisha lounge.
Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas City, Abu Dhabi, mall timings Sun to Wed 10 am to 1pm, Thur to Sat 10am to midnight. Tel: (02) 5031400. Taxi: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas City. basmall.ae
SATURDAY
Dance all night
Etoiles heads to the du Forum on Yas Island for epic after parties after the races. Check out Conor Maynard, Rita Ora, Miguel, Tinashe, and The Neptunes’ Chad Hugo and Daniel Biltimore perform.
Project Etoiles, du Forum, Yas Island, Nov 21 to 23, doors open at 11pm, Dhs350 and up. Taxi: du Forum, Yas Island. www.projectetoiles.com
Get theatrical with a meal at Circo
The newest Italian restaurant to open its doors in the capital is Circo at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. Offering traditional Tuscan dishes prepared by Chef Luca Banfi, the décor was designed with a European carnival tent in mind so expect some whimsy.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6666888. Taxi: InterContinental Abu Dhabi. ihg.com
Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
December 2 is the 43rd National Day here in the UAE, and if you want to learn more about Emirati culture and the country you now call home this month, then head to Al Wathba in the Western Region for the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. The event runs until December 9 and includes exhibitions and entertainment that document the history of the country, from its origins with the joining of the seven emirates in 1971 to its modern-day achievements. It takes place at the Al Wathba camel track.
Al Wathba Race Track, Al Wathba, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, Nov 20 to Dec 9. Taxi: Camel Track, Al Wathba. cra.ae
Shop till you drop
Yas Mall recently opened on the island and will be offering shoppers plenty of new shops, dining and entertainment offerings. One of the largest retail and entertainment venues in the region, check out Yasalam Live at Yas Mall during race weekend. Artists performing at the After-Race concerts and Volkswagen’s Beats on the Beach will be dropping by every day for interviews.
Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Nov 20 to 23, 3pm to 6.30pm. Taxi: Yas Mall. yasmall.ae
Snap it up
Formula 1 fanatics can check out an exhibition of exclusive photographs taken during F1 races at Park Rotana. Photographer John Toscano has spent over 30 years taking images of the events and will be displaying a selection of images that are also available for sale.
Park Rotana, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, until Nov 27. Tel: (02) 6573333. rotana.com
Check out Seeing Through Light
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi isn’t expected to open until 2017 but if you want to catch a glimpse of what to expect when it does, head to Manarat Al Saadiyat this month. The pre-opening exhibition Seeing Through Light: Selections From The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Collection, features 16 pieces of art including two loans from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. The pieces are displayed in chronological order, starting in the 1960s, and cover five themes: Activated, Celestial, Perceptual, Reflected, and Transcendent. Artists featured include Angela Bulloch, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Robert Irwin, Y.Z. Kami, Bharti Kher, Rachid Koraïchi, Yayoi Kusama, Otto Piene, and Douglas Wheeler.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, free, until Jan 19 2015. Tel: (02) 6415699. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
Drool over luxury cars
In honour of the petrol-fuelled season, check out a spectacular line-up of unique and high-performance automobiles with a total value of over AED 85 million. The inaugural car show will be in a public indoor and outdoor exhibition of seventeen cars including Rolls-Royce Drophead Pininfarina Hyperion, Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir, hybrid MCLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder.
The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, until Nov 24. Taxi: (02) 6166999. thegalleria.ae
Check out Venetian Village
Situated right next to the Ritz-Carlton, Venetian Village is currently home to two restaurants – Emirati outlet Al Fanar and Japanese eatery Inakaya, which opened late October. Eating at the latter goes by the name of robatayaki; a style of grilling meat that’s just as much about the theatrical performance from the chefs as it is about the food.
Venetian Village, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi. Inakaya, daily 6.30pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 4041921. Taxi: Venetian Village, next to Ritz-Carlton. venetianvillage.ae
