5 things to do today: Get ready for Halloween or find out how to make a difference

Visit the exhibition Peace With Nature and see abstract works and photographs by Palestinian-Omani artist Sara Nimer, who paints in the rain in Dubai.

Open all day, Mondo Gallery, Sofitel The Palm Resort & Spa, Dubai, www.mondagallery.com

Register to attend Wearables with IM. Adults are invited to take part in this workshop focused on creating Halloween-inspired wearable technology as part of the exhibition Invisible Threads: Technology and its Discontents.

Sunday, 5pm to 8pm, free, Seminar Room, NYUAD Art Gallery, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at www.nyuad-artgallery.org

Attend a talk by Yasser Elsheshtawy, curator of Transformations: The Emirati National House, the exhibition presented by the National Pavilion UAE at the 2016 edition of Venice International Architecture Biennale. He will speak at the third of three public talks about the Sha'abi houses, focusing on aspects of the research and curation of the exhibition.

Wednesday, 6pm to 7pm, Dubai Design Week, d3, Dubai, www.dubaidesignweek.ae

Plan to attend Make a Difference Day at Beach Rotana. Under the theme Discover Our Home, Abu Dhabi, the event lets children explore the history and future of the capital through candle-making, puppet-doll making, Arabic-sword painting, lantern papercraft, solar-oven s'mores, a spice souk and Bedouin dress up. Proceeds support the Emirates Wildlife Society.

Thursday, 3pm to 7pm, Dh35, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/BeachRotanaAD

Make plans to visit Wafi Mall beginning on Thursday and take part in the Halloween-themed The Dark Escape maze. Present a receipt of Dh50 from a store at Wafi Mall to gain entry for two people or Dh100 for a family of four, and if you dare, choose a maze section to enter based on your preferred level of fear.

Thursday, from 10am to 10pm, Main Atrium, ages up to 12 and ages 12 and older, Wafi Mall, Dubai, www.wafi.com

* Compiled by Ellen Fortini

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Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai

Gulf Under 19

Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy

Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2

Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina

Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School

THE SPECS

BMW X7 xDrive 50i

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission

Power: 462hp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh600,000

The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta

Why the Tourist Club?

Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.

In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.

It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.

Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.

Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.

Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.