Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for May 2, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.
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Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Register to attend TrainYas, presented by Daman’s ActiveLife, and enjoy fitness in the cool outdoors while it lasts. Walk, jog, run or bike around the 5.55km Yas Marina Circuit with family and friends. Bikes and helmets are available for rent from Fun Ride Sports, while Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has bicycles available to borrow.
Tonight, 6pm to 10pm, free with registration, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 800 927, register at www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Dubai
Family fun
Book online to visit Aventura Nature Adventure Park during its new summer timings. The park has five circuits including tree-surfing, zip-lining, rope-climbing, and obstacles for different heights and age groups. You can enjoy three hours on the circuits and spend all day exploring or taking a nature walk. Arrive early and attend a 15-minute briefing session in advance of your booking time.
Daily, 8.30am to 10am and 2.30pm to 7pm, Dh150 for adults; Dh125 for children, Aventura Nature Adventure Park, Mushrif Park, Dubai, book at www.aventuradubai.com
Abu Dhabi
Art exhibition
Two Souls One Homeland by Ukrainian artists Grygori Sokyrynskyi and Igor Shipilin displays the landscapes of their homeland and focuses on the simple aspects close to people's hearts – water, trees, roads, mountains, houses and vineyards. Pictured: Sea Shore. Hersonissos in April by Igor Shipilin
Daily until May 24, 10am to 10pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), N2N Gallery, first floor, Nation Towers Galleria, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 055 283 2642, www.n2nartgallery.com
Abu Dhabi
Book fair
Catch the final day of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and take part in events reflecting the literary and cultural scene of the UAE, the Middle East and the world at large, with a focus on China as the guest-of-honour country. In the Show Kitchen, see demonstrations including Cooking with Children and Hyderabadi Dishes. Black Box Cinema will show eight films, including shorts The Choice (from the UAE), The Watermelon (Egypt) and Stranded (Tunisia). Plus attend book signings, talks, panel discussions and more.
Today, 9am to 10pm, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, www.adbookfair.com
Abu Dhabi
Art exhibition
Lebanese painter, sculptor and poet Rudy Rahme presents Walking Rock Tour, a series of sculptures focusing on nature and the human form. Pictured: Fingers of Words
Daily until the end of Ramadan, 9am to 10pm, Le Royal Méridien, Sheikh Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, 02 674 2020, www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com
Dubai
Kids’ fun
Visit The Mermaid Reef, a new attraction at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, where children can transform themselves into the magical sea creatures. Makeover sessions include make-up, costumes and hairstyling, plus a hair accessory and souvenir photo to take home. The Mermaids of Arabia will also present a message of marine sustainability and protection, with underwater mermaid artist Hannah Fraser and champion freediver Marina Kazankova performing in the main aquarium tank on weekends, as well as meet and greets.
Daily, 11am to 9pm for makeovers, Dh200; noon to 8pm for meet and greets, Dh140; both experiences include Researcher access, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, 04 448 5200, www.thedubaiaquarium.com
Dubai
Performance
Get tickets to see Jersey Boys at Dubai Opera. The musical tells the story of 1960s rock group Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, renowned for their groundbreaking harmonies, although their off-stage relationships were more stormy. Hit songs include Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Sherry, Walk Like a Man and December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night).
October 11 to 14, 8pm daily, plus 3pm on October 13, from Dh250, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
Dubai
Performance
See Mary Poppins at Dubai Opera. The nanny arrives by parasol at the Banks home on Cherry Tree Lane, bringing a world of magic, travel and imagination to the family's children. The timeless score includes the singalong songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Until May 25, 7.45pm daily, plus 3pm on May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24 and 25 (no shows May 7, 14 and 21), tickets from Dh250, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
Dubai
Art exhibition
In Abstract Calligraphy, Canadian artist Hamza Abdulbasit's works reveal his love of abstracts, with Arabic and Urdu scripts, featuring one character at a time, all imposed on bold, colourful backgrounds reflecting the cultures and people of these languages. Pictured: Dubai
Daily until June 30, 10am to 10pm, Z Gallery, first floor, Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 323 0333, www.fourpointssheikhzayedroad.com
Dubai
Concert
South African singer/songwriter Johnny Clegg brings his last world tour, The Final Journey, to Dubai Opera. For more than 40 years, Clegg has pioneered a musical style that blends western pop with Zulu rhythms, helping to break down barriers in South Africa. Hit songs include Great Heart, Scatterlings of Africa, The Crossing and I Call Your Name.
September 20, from Dh250, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
