Another busy one in the capital – highlights include the Red Bull Air Race, a new exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat, plus art inspired by the late, great Sheikh Zayed

Thursday February 1

See Den Of Thieves at the cinema

Gerard Butler plays a US cop tracking down a group of bank robbers planning a heist on the Los Angeles Federal Reserve Bank. Rapper 50 Cent and O’Shea Jackson Jr (rapper Ice Cube’s son) also star in this action-packed thriller.

East meets West on Saadiyat at a new exhibition

From Barcelona To Abu Dhabi is a collaboration with the Barcelona Museum Of Contemporary Art and will feature works from the European museum alongside pieces by 20 Emirati talents. In total, there’ll be art on display from some 60 creatives, spanning 80 years. Emirati artists exhibiting include Mohammed Kazem, Farah Al Qasimi, Ebtisam AbdulAziz and MA Ibrahim. Artists from the museum in Barcelona include abstract duo Gusmão & Paiva, who use 16mm film projectors for some of their pieces, the late Spanish sculptor Juan Muñoz and American conceptual artist John Baldessari.
February 2 to March 17
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm, free. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabifestival.ae

Learn about Sheikh Zayed at Abu Dhabi Art Hub

The art centre in the World Trade Centre Mall has an exhibition of artworks of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed.
Until February 11
World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (020) 5515005. Taxi: WTC Mall. adah.ae

Zoolightful at Al Ain Zoo

Al Ain Zoo is hosting a light show and illuminated displays of animals and plants including reptiles, lions, birds, plants and flowers.
Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, daily 6pm to 10pm, Dhs10 after 7pm. Taxi: Al Ain Zoo. Tel: (800) Zoo. alainzoo.ae

Friday February 2

Check out a new photography exhibition

Dominique Baudis was a photographer living in the Middle East in the 1970s and you can see his photos on display in the capital this month.
Until February 27
Alliance Français Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen Street, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6122900. Taxi: Al Bateen Street. afabudhabi.org

The Red Bull Air Race starts today

Abu Dhabi hosts the Red Bull Air Race this month – the race in the capital is the season opener for this year’s World Championship. It takes place at Abu Dhabi Corniche and fans will be able to witness all the action from a premium Sky Lounge in the Hiltonia Beach Club. You can also watch it at Nation Riviera Beach Club, which will have a barbeque and activities for kids. Read our full preview here.
February 2 and 3
airrace.redbull.com, nationrivierabeachclub.com, hilton.com

Maki madness at Smoking Doll

Pan-Asian outlet Smoking Doll has a new deal on maki – pay Dhs89 on a Friday or Saturday lunch time and you can eat as much as you like.
Various locations including Boutik Mall, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri and Sat 1pm to 4pm, Dhs89. Tel: (02) 6778849. Taxi: Boutik Mall. smokingdoll.com

Go see From One Louvre To Another

The inaugural special exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi, From One Louvre To Another: Opening A Museum For Everyone, traces the history of Musée du Louvre in Paris and will run throughout the first quarter of 2018. It features approximately 145 significant paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and other pieces from the collections of Musée du Louvre and Château de Versailles.
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (600) 565566. Taxi: Louvre Abu Dhabi. louvreabudhabi.ae

Saturday February 3

Try some healthy grub at Leopold’s

Leopold’s Of London has joined forces with GuavaPass, the fitness class subscription company, to create a healthy menu. On it you’ll find farm salad with fennel and kale, guacamole on toast with poached eggs, and chia pudding with berries and honey.
Nation Galleria, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 7am to 11pm, Thur and Fri 7am to midnight. Tel: (02) 6654776. Taxi: Nation Galleria. leopoldsoflondon

Check out the latest in fashion in the garden city

The 11th edition of the Newlook Exhibition will feature fashion designers, cosmetics, department stores, hairdressers and lots more.
Al Ain Convention Centre, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (050) 6221797. Taxi: Al Ain Convention Centre. baderuae.com

Van Gogh like you’ve never seen him before

See the works of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch impressionist, in the capital at Abu Dhabi National Theatre in a very unique way – Van Gogh Alive projects the artist’s works onto the gallery’s walls, showing them at a larger scale and in stunning detail. The show features 3,000 images set to a soundtrack of classical musical.
Until February 26
Abu Dhabi National Theatre, Al Itihad, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 10pm, Dhs70. Taxi: National Theatre, near Sky News and Abu Dhabi Media buildings. tickets.virginmegastore.me

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