Your guide to all the events taking place in the nation’s capital

Thursday May 10

Noura at NYU

New York University on Saadiyat is hosting three performances of Noura this weekend, a play that examines the lives of Iraqi immigrants in New York, and explores themes such as modern marriage and motherhood. The story focuses on Noura and her husband Tariq, who are forced to remember their past when they host a young female Iraqi refugee called Maryam over Christmas. The play is the work of Heather Raffo – she’s an award-winning Iraqi- American playwright and actress who rose to fame after writing and starring in a play called Nine Parts Of Desire (it’s a play she wrote after interviewing Iraqi women for a decade and was inspired by a painting she saw in the Saddam Art Center in Baghdad in 1993, called Savagery). This is the first time Noura will be performed in the Middle East, and it’s made in conjunction with Washington, DC’s Shakespeare Theater Company.
May 10 to 12
NYUAD Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, free, Thur and Fri 8pm, Sat 3pm. Taxi: NYUAD. nyuad-artscenter.org

Check out Bride Abu Dhabi 2018

Head to Adnec if you’re planning your big day – there are 200 exhibitors displaying wedding supplies, plus a pamper zone, catwalk shows and plenty more.
May 9 to 12
Adnec, Abu Dhabi, daily 3.30pm to 10.30pm, Ds30 to Dhs80. Taxi: Adnec. thebrideshow.com

See a stage performance of Anything Goes

Abu Dhabi Coral Group are back this weekend with their series of stage performances of the classic musical Anything Goes, written by legendary US songwriter and composer Cole Porter. It’s a love story about Billy Crocker, who works on Wall Street. He runs into his ex-girlfriend on a boat trip to England and tries to win her back. Unfortunately, her fiancé and her mother are also there and have other ideas.
May 10 to 11
Folklore Theatre, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, timings vary, Dhs100 to Dhs110. Taxi: near Al Wahda Mall. platinumlist.ae

Friday May 11

Flex your muscles on Yas

The Muscle And Fitness Expo will take place this weekend at the du Forum, and it’s a chance for fitness companies to showcase their products, and for you to learn a few things about keeping fit. There’ll be celebrities on hand to give advice – disciplines covered will include wrestling, MMA, jiu-jitsu and Les Mills classes. There’ll also be some high-profile muscle events taking place over the weekend, including the World’s Strongest Man Championships and an IFBB Elite Pro International Bodybuilding competition.
May 11 and 12
du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri and Sat 9am to 8pm, prices TBC. Taxi: du Forum. yasisland.ae

Party time at McGettigan’s

Irish pub McGettigan’s marks its fourth birthday this weekend and is holding a special brunch to celebrate. The event lasts for five hours and features a carving station and four musical acts, including Irish group Suckin Diesel and UAE stalwarts The Boxtones.
May 11
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, Fri noon to 5pm, Dhs229. Tel: (02) 6524333. Taxi: Al Raha Beach Hotel. mcgettigans.com

There’s a water festival on at A’l Bahar

The new area on the Corniche has a festival on this weekend with lots of activities for kids, including a game of soapy soccer, plus lot of slides, including one called the Triple Fun Mega Water Slide. There are 15 water-themed activities plus an obstacle course.
May 11 to 12
A’l Bahar – Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 12pm to 7pm, Dhs100 (early bird). Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche. al-bahar.ae

Go for a run around Ferrari World

The capital’s motor theme park has joined forces with Yas Mall to hold an event where runners will make their way around a track in both venues. There are 2.5km, 5km and 10km options available, depending on your experience. You’ll get a medal for participating and discounted access to the park after the event.
May 11
Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri, 8.15am, Dhs57.75. Taxi: Ferrari World. premieronline.com

Decked out on Yas Marina returns

Yas Marina is hosting one of its family-friendly Decked Out weekends today and on Saturday. It’s called Alibaba & The Pirates, children can play a game of hook the camel, and attend lantern-making classes and puppet shows inspired by the spirit of Ramadan. The movie this weekend continues the theme, it’s Alibaba & The Pirates.
May 10 and 11
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri and Sat 3pm to 7pm. Taxi: Yas Marina. yasmarina.ae

Go collecting at Etihad Modern Art Gallery

Etihad Modern Art Gallery’s annual exhibition and souq are back, giving you the chance to admire works by local artists, and maybe even buy a piece. The artworks on display have been featured at all of the gallery’s shows over the past year, and the event is now in its fifth year. The souq will be selling a selection of contemporary art pieces, including modern acrylic and oil paintings and digital prints.
Until July 31
Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, free entry. Tel: (02) 6210145. Taxi: Al Bateen Mall. etihadmodernart.com

Brunch at Cipriani

Italian outlet Cipriani recently launched a brunch that you can only try once a month – the Dolce Vita features dishes such as burrata with cherry tomato and calamari fritti, plus chicken alla Milanese and grilled salmon teriyaki for mains. There’s cakes, ice creams and sorbets for dessert. This your last chance to try it before Ramadan.
May 11
Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs375 to Dhs625. Tel: (02) 6575400. Taxi: Yas Marina. ciprianiyasisland.com

Saturday May 12

Meet some monsters

Art For All is bringing a stage show version of the book, called Monstersaurus Live, to the nation’s capital. The show is the work of a UK company who have had another hit show in London’s West End called Aliens Love Underpants, and the 50-minute performance in Abu Dhabi will feature interactive songs and dancing, and is suitable for kids aged three and over.
May 12
Abu Dhabi Theatre, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, Dhs100, timings TBC. Tel: (04) 3042340. Taxi: near Marina Mall. artforall.ae

See Isle Of Dogs at the cinema

Set in futuristic Japan, this dystopian stop motion follows one boy’s journey to rescue his pup from an island of exiled canines voiced by an A-list cast, including Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton and Bill Murray. Director Wes Anderson is the king of kookiness, and this latest adventure has enough perfect symmetry and obscure references to leave design geeks and film nerds barking for more.

Palestinian Art at Warehouse421

Abu Dhabi Art has joined forces with Dubai’s Meem Gallery and Warehouse421 for an exhibition of pieces by Palestinian artist Kamal Boullata. The exhibition will feature work from Boullata’s last three project – Bilqis, Addolcendo and Angelus. The pieces are for sale as well.
Until May 13
Warehouse421, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, free. Taxi: Warehouse421 next to COOP in Mina Zayed. warehouse421.ae

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