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

Thursday February 8

See Seong-Jin Cho perform live

The South Korean classical star performed at NYU last night and tonight’s he’s playing his second Solo Piano Recital in the emirate’s dunes in Liwa.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara, Liwa, Abu Dhabi, Dhs55 to Dhs420, from 7pm. Tel: (02) 8862088. Taxi: Qasr Al Sarab, Liwa. qasralsarab.anantara.com, ticketmaster.ae

#Jesuis is on at NYU

NYU is hosting an ensemble work this month from award-winning British dancer Aakash Odedra. #Jesuis will be performed with a group of Turkish dancers Odedra met in Istanbul and the show examines how their country is misinterpreted by global media and also examines themes such as displacement and instability, and why people there now struggle for a sense of peace.
February 8 to 9
NYUAD Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, free, reservations required. Taxi: NYUAD Arts Center. nyuad.nyu.edu

East meets West on Saadiyat at a new exhibition

ADMAF’s Abu Dhabi Festival is back, and first up is From Barcelona To Abu Dhabi, a collaboration with the Barcelona Museum Of Contemporary Art. On display are works from the European museum alongside pieces by 20 Emirati talents. In total, there’ll be art on display from more than 60 creatives, spanning 90 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.
Until March 17
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm, free. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabifestival.ae

Fozi Mozi are in town

A band from Palestine, Fozi Mozi tell stories about brothers and sisters through song. They’re popular on YouTube – their kid-friendly channel has had more than 25 million views.
Abu Dhabi National Theatre, Al Itihad, Abu Dhabi, Dhs110 to Dhs150. Taxi: National Theatre, near Sky News and Abu Dhabi Media buildings. Tel: (04) 4560945. abudhabievents.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

Friday February 9

There’s a Goan Festival on at Le Meridien

Celebrate Goan culture with food, live music and more at the Le Meridien’s courtyard area. There’s also competition prizes up for grabs.
Le Meridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, from noon, ladies and kids free, gents Dhs50 (includes one house beverage in price). Taxi: Le Meridien. Tel: (02) 6446666. lemeridienabudhabi.com

Celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday

Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley’s songs made him a global superstar before his tragic death in 1981, but the man and his music are still honoured every year in Abu Dhabi at the Bob Marley Birthday Festival. Back for a fifth year, the Yas Beach event celebrates the singer-songwriter’s birthday (he was born in Jamaica on February 6, back in 1945). And this year, one of Marley’s family members will be in the capital performing, his son – Ky-Mani (Bob had 11 kids in total). Ky-Mani, above, was born in Jamaica in 1976 but moved to Miami when he was nine. He’s released eight albums and has worked with the likes of Shaggy and American rapper and G-Unit member Young Buck.
Yas Beach, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 4pm to 3am, Dhs125 to Dhs150. Tel: (04) 4245191. Taxi: Yas Beach. reggae-beachfest.com

New dishes at Afya

Beachside restaurant Afya has added 40 new courses to its menu, with sharing platters making an appearance. The Traders Hotel outlet has added starters, mains and desserts including Cajun chicken with marinated roast vegetables, eight stone-baked pizzas, a passion fruit crème brûlée and more.
Traders Hotel, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 5098555. Taxi: Traders Hotel. tradershotels.com

New brunch at Filini Garden

Yas Island’s alfresco outlet Filini Garden is joining the brunch club – the new Garden Brunch package features Wagyu and Angus beef dishes, pizzas, pastas and risottos, Italian cheeses, salads and more. DJ Cliff Townley will spin house tunes and will be accompanied by sax player Milan Ivkovic.
Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs200 to Dhs500. Tel: (02) 6562000. Taxi: Yas Island. radissonblu.com/en/hotel-abudhabi

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

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 10

There’s a new exhibition on at the Fairmont

Mother Earth Kimberley Australia features images by renowned Australian photographer Anthony Horth. The series examines the Argyle Diamond Mine – it’s where you’ll find most of the world’s supply of rare pink diamonds. It’s running until April.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6543238. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. fairmont.com/abu-dhabi, anthonyhorth.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

– For more about Abu Dhabi straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.