What to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi (1/2/3 May)

Very busy times at the Abu Dhabi Days HQ! We will be back in about a week with our regular posting schedule.
In the meantime… Here are our activity picks for this weekend, chosen among the many things happening in Abu Dhabi.
Have a happy one!

Please note that to join some of the activities listed below you need to become a member of the group that organises them: most memberships are free but some require a fee.
Always double check/book using the provided links before setting off, as last minute changes to time/places/availability might have occurred since this list was compiled.

SPORT
Explore the Al Forsan Sports Resort: the list of activities there is pretty much endless. From archery (which we tried), to shooting, from go-karting and racing to paintballing, this massive sport centre has a lot to offer for hours of fun.

THURSDAY 1

CULTURE/TALKS
6 PM – The New York University Abu Dhabi hosts the lecture Fine Art: Why Care? Saving a Van Gogh. Through the story of a Van Gogh rescue, this talk charts the process and challenges in the high-stakes work of art conservation. And if you don’t fancy going alone, you can join this Meetup group which is going to attend.

ENTERTAINMENT/SHOPPING
6 PM – Circus entertainment at Dalma Mall: one of the largest shopping mall in Abu Dhabi (sometimes overlooked because kind-of out of the tourist route but one of our personal favourites because of all its interesting shops and restaurants) promises an evening of fun with acrobats, jugglers, clowns and more.

MUSIC
8 PM – The India Social and Cultural Centre organises an evening of music by the theme: Golden 60’s – Melodies from Hindi and Malayam Movies.

MEETUP/NIGHTLIFE
8 PM – The Abu Dhabi Cocktail Club is heading to Entrecote at the Cafe de Paris.

NIGHTLIFE
8 PM – Throwback Thursday at Heroes, inside the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, with tunes by Dj Chris Delaney.

MEETUP/LADIES ONLY
8 PM – The Abu Dhabi Ladies group is planning a fun evening at the Montecarlo Beach Club.

NIGHTLIFE
9 PM – eleMental night “90s Edition” at Pearls and Caviar, inside the Shangri-La Hotel. Free drinks for best dressed in 90’s style!

FRIDAY 2

SPORT
6:30 AM – The ADTC & Yas Beach Aquathlon promises an afternoon of fun for all ages, as organised by the Abu Dhabi Triathlon Club.

FRIDAY BRUNCH
12:30 PM  – This week our choice is the Bubbalicious Brunch at the Westin Abu Dhabi: great food and lovely location.

SPORT
12 PM – Beach Tennis UAE organises an afternoon of smack-down fun on Saadiyat Public Beach. There are 3 events that anyone can join: men doubles, mixed doubles, and junior doubles. People and players can sign in on the day of the tournament: sign in is from 12pm to 2pm and games start at 2:30. Players can use the courts to warm up during the sign-in period, and you can sign in any time before the start of the tournament. There will be prizes and vouchers to be given by sponsors Abu Dhabi mall, Montecarlo beach club, St regis hotel and more. More info and contacts here.

PARTY
1 PM – The Blue Marlin Ibiza celebrates its 2nd anniversary with an afternoon of music and entertainment.

MEETUP/LADIES ONLY
2 PM – The Weekend Ladies are going paintballing at the Al Forsan Sport Resort.

SPORT
From 3 PM – The Clubhouse Sports Bar and Cafe is showing premier sport games live on their screens. Matches of the day are:
EPL West Ham v Tottenham Hotspur 3.00pm
EPL Man United v Sunderland 6.00pm
Rugby Pro 12 Edinburgh v Munster 8.00pm
EPL Everton v Man City 8.30pm
(More info: email theclubhousesportsbar@gmail.com)

MEETUP/SPORT
4 PM – The UAE Parkour group is planning to meet for their weekly jam.

BOOKS/TALK
5:15 PM – Panel discussion at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair organised by the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi: the evolution of writing and reading in the digital age will be discussed with a panel of guests, including best-selling author – and Sorbonne Abu Dhabi alumnus – Andrea Hirata.

INTERNATIONS/FOODIES
7 PM – Global social network Internations organises a night out at Lemon Tree, inside the Holiday Inn Hotel: tapas, sangria, flamenco dance and the chance to meet a lot of new friends.

MEETUP/FILM
7:30 PM -The Black Culture Experience group is meeting for their BCE Movie Club.

NIGHTLIFE
10 PM – “Exotic Friday” at Zenith nightclub, inside the Sheraton Corniche hotel, with Dj Double U and Dj Ali X.

SATURDAY 3

MEETUP/LADIES ONLY
8 AM – The Abu Dhabi Ladies group is going kayaking in the mangroves.

MEETUP/DANCE
1 PM – The Abu Dhabi Choreography and Dance group is planning to shoot a video inspired by Pharrel’s video for Happy.

INTERNATIONS/SPORT
1 PM – The Abu Dhabi Table Tennis group is meeting for an afternoon of fun at Zayed Sports City.

MEETUP/SPORT
4:30 PM – The Raw Yoga Abu Dhabi group is watching the sunset whilst doing stand-up paddleboard yoga.

MEETUP/ART
7 PM – The Abu Dhabi Art Initiative group is going to the opening night of the Scandinavian Art Month, organised by Art Hub.

MUSIC
7 PM – As every first Saturday of the month, it is time for new talent to showcase their tunes at the Open Mic night at B-Lounge, inside the Sheraton Hotel on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

COMEDY
World renown ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham is performing at the du Forum on Yas Island on both Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd starting 7:30 PM. Tickets are still available here. 

CULTURE/FAIR
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is open until the 5th of May at ADNEC. Authors taking part include Turkish journalist and writer Ece Temelkuran (interview here), Berlin-based slam poet Frank Klotgen (interview here), and Abu Dhabi-based writer Seumas Gallagher (interview here).