< Previous10 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Meet us at the mall GET YOUR GAME ON Yas Gaming Festival returns Levelling up from last year, the Yas Gaming Festival promises the latest game showcases, racing stimulators, retro-games, and cutting- edge virtual reality (VR) games, cosplay, and more. Better still, it’s totally free to enjoy at Yas Mall’s Town Square. O Free. Until Tue Sep 12. Yas Mall, Yas Island. LACE UP THOSE TRAINERS Sign up for Reem Mall’s indoor run Following on from the Àrst indoor run back in June, you can take on a 2.5k, 5k or 10k route around Reem Mall in mid-September. Prices start from Dhs75 and you can sign up now through gulfmultisport.inphota.com. O Dhs75 (2.5k), Dhs85 (5k or 10k). Sat Sep 16. Reem Mall, Reem Island, gulfmultisport.inphota.com. Free movies The independent initiative Cinema Space, which sees free screenings held every Thursday, Sunday and Monday, has returned to Manarat Al Saadiyat. The line-up for September is yet to be released, but expect a mix of restored classics, documentaries and Àlms from Àrst or second-time directors. O Free. Every Thu, Sun and Mon. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com. SLIMEY AND SUPER FUN Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards returns for 2023 The star-studded family event is back for another year, set to be held at Etihad Arena on Saturday September 16. Fans can cast their vote across 16 categories, including favourite inÁuencer and favourite artist and you can see the winners on the night by attending in person, or by watching live on Nickelodeon MENA. O Dhs69 (bronze), Dhs139 (silver), Dhs199 (gold), Dhs299 (platinum), Dhs399 (diamond). Sat Sept 16. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae. DAWN OF ARAB BOXING Rising Stars Arabia to be held in Abu Dhabi A new Àghting series, Rising Stars Arabia, is being launched at Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Arena on Saturday September 9. The Àrst event will be headlined by a Àght between Moroccan talent Moussa Gholam and former world title challenger Matias Carlos Adrian Rueda. Tickets are available now. O Dhs100. Sat Sep 9. Mubadala Arena, Zayed Sports City, abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net. Oktoberfest time September can only mean one thing – Oktoberfest. This year, several spots across the city are hosting events including Bridges Bar, Heroes Never Die, and Stars N Bars, but our pick of the bunch would have to be Ramsa. Between September 16 and October 15, you can enjoy three draught hops for Dhs100, or three draught hops and a main course for Dhs149. Head to our website for the full Oktoberfest listings. OaSat Sep 16-Sun Oct 15. Erth, Khor Al Maqta (02 497 5832).There’s no such thing. That’s why Time Out has been reviewing Abu Dhabi restaurants anonymously since 2002. LUNCH? FREE Head to timeoutabudhabi.com/food-drink for the latest and greatest eats in town12 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com MEET THE Spoiler alert: It’s you, at these brilliant creative classes in Abu DhabiCREATIVE CLASSES timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 13 E MAKER CREATIVE CLASSES 14 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Maybe it’s just us, but we spend hours upon hours scrolling through TikTok and Instagram being wowed by artists doing pottery, crochet, resin art, rug tufting… just name a craft, and there’s a good chance we’ve watched it. We watch it, we save it, and promise ourselves we’ll come back to it later, but then never do. Well, we think it’s time we changed that, and we think you should be doing the same, which is why we’ve rounded up all the different ways you can get creative in Abu Dhabi this September. Whether you haven’t picked up a pen in years or you’re a budding potter, here’s where you should be heading. 421 This independent gallery in Mina Zayed, which you might know by its previous moniker Warehouse 421, is popular among creatives from practically every discipline. You can sign up for monthly events such as the Jamming Session, where you’ll learn how to make traditional recipes from home chefs based in the UAE, or the Performance Co/Labs, where you’ll meet like-minded individuals. There are photography walks for budding snappers, as well as a monthly culture bus which takes you to other galleries or attractions in the UAE, with recent outings to Al Sadeem Observatory and the Sharjah Biennial. Keep your eyes peeled on @421.online on Instagram for the latest outings. O Free (Performance Co/Labs), Dhs120 (Jamming Session), prices vary (culture bus). Open Tue-Sun 10am- 8pm. Mina Zayed, @421.online (02 676 8803). ABU DHABI POTTERY Founded back in 1994, thousands of budding potters have passed through the doors of Abu Dhabi Pottery over the years. Classes run from Sunday to Friday, with wheel throwing, hand building and glazing classes available. If this isn’t your Àrst spin of the wheel, Abu Dhabi Pottery can offer personalised courses ranging from four sessions to 12 to help take your pots to the next level. Single sessions for adults, which last for two hours and include half a kilogram of clay, are priced at Dhs195, while you can book in for four sessions for Dhs640 or a term with 12 sessions included for Dhs1,800. O Dhs195 (per session, adults), Dhs640 (four sessions, adults), Dhs1,800 (per term, adults), Dhs120 (per session, kids), Dhs420 (four sessions, kids), Dhs1,200 (per term, kids). Open Sun-Fri 10.30am-8.30pm. Khalidiya, abudhabipottery.com (02 666 7079). ART CENTRAL Aside from selling art supplies, Art Central also drop in sessions for painters and potters. CREATIVE CLASSES timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 15 AT-HOME CREATIVES Looking to get creative at home? Here’s where to get your supplies… Art Central O Open daily 10am-10pm. Shams Boutik Mall, Reem Island, artcentral.ae (056 201 7970). Crafty Cottage Manual Art Center O Open Sat-Thu 9.30am-8.30pm. Al Sa’adah, craftycottageuae.com (050 327 5752). The Green Branch Trading Est. O Open daily 9am-10pm. Al Danah (055 111 5047). Prices start at Dhs65 for one hour of acrylic, oil or watercolour painting (with Art Central supplying the paint, but you’ll have to buy the canvas for an additional fee), or for one hour of pottery (but again, you’ll have to provide your own clay). Firing is not included, although you can have your clay Àred after for an additional fee. O From Dhs65. Open daily 10am-10pm. Shams Boutik Mall, Reem Island, artcentral.ae (056 201 7970). ART HOUSE CAFÉ Less interested in a formal class, and just want to go with the Áow? Then you should be heading to Art House Café. Here, you’ll be able to dig into tasty bites while painting your own plate, brick or face, with all the materials you need for just Dhs20. Go wild with the design and take home your creation to decorate your home with, or give it to that special someone as a gift. It’s also a great opportunity to try one of the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi, as Art House Café was shortlisted at our 2023 Restaurant Awards. Breakfast with a side of art? Yes, please. O Dhs20 (all materials). Open daily 9am-11pm (Al Bandar), 9am-10.30pm (Al Bateen). Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach and Al Bateen, arthousecafead.com (02 546 6876 / 02 666 0175). ART GRAM From soap making and embroidery to acrylic painting and terrazzo art, Art Gram offers it all. This is a great option for those looking to get creative as a family, as there are a number of classes just for kids running throughout the week. Prices vary depending on the activity, but start from Dhs150 for pottery painting, Dhs180 for acrylic painting, or Dhs200 for a terrazzo workshop. You can take a look through Art Gram’s Instagram @artgramcenter for all your options.CREATIVE CLASSES 16 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com O Dhs150 (colouring pottery), Dhs200 (acrylic painting or terrazzo workshop), Dhs250 (hand building), Dhs300 (pottery wheel). Open Sat-Thu 11.30am-8pm. Al Nahyan, @artgramcenter (050 719 1193). ATWRAP If you love bringing a pop of sunshine into your home with Áowers, then you’re going to love Atwrap. The Áoral and design studio offers workshops such as painting or creating Áoral arrangements, and also hosts pop-up events with other brands such as Welded, which offers permanent jewellery. Keep in the loop on upcoming events through the Instagram page @atwrap.ae. O Prices vary. Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm; Fri 10am-1pm. Mussafah, @atwrap.ae (052 622 2018). CALM CLAY Find pottery calming? Then you’ll be in good company at Calm Clay. The mobile pottery studio hosts sessions across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (and all over the emirates, but we’re here to talk about getting creative in Abu Dhabi). You can try your hand at ceramic painting and hand building, and your perfectly imperfect creations will bring you joy every time you use them. This month, you can try hand building and wheel work at dialogue at Sheikha Fatima Park on Sunday September 3 between 3.30pm and 6.30pm, with the session priced at Dhs333, or attend a class at August Cafe in Al Ain on Saturday September 16 between 3pm and 6pm for Dhs320, but you should keep your eyes peeled for more classes coming up in the near future over on the Calm Clay Instagram, @calm.clay. Cultural Foundation O Dhs320 (Al Ain), Dhs333 (Abu Dhabi). Sun Sep 3 3.30pm-6.30pm (Abu Dhabi), Sat Sep 16 3pm-6pm (Al Ain). dialogue, Sheikha Fatima Park and August Cafe, Al Ain, @calm.clay. CANDELARIA CANDLES Candle making is a lot harder than it looks, and we would consider it both an art form and a science. You can learn from the experts at a workshop from Candelaria Candles, which goes far beyond the mere basics. Sign up for a class and you’ll walk away with all kinds of different creations, with recent workshop options including cereal, summer-themed and stackable candles. If you’re having an event, you can also book in for a private workshop. O Prices vary. Various locations, @candelaria.ae. CULTURAL FOUNDATION There are plenty of reasons to visit the Cultural Foundation, from the free exhibitions to the brilliant Abu Dhabi Children’s Library. And if you’re looking to create art rather than just look at it, there are a number of workshops running here throughout the month, including calligraphy, candle making and still life painting. A single session for most of the activities here is priced at Dhs100, while some options are only available in packages of four sessions, which will set you back Dhs630. You can browse the full programme on the Cultural Foundation website, and keep up with the latest on @abudhabicf on Instagram. O Dhs100 (single session), Dhs630 (four sessions). Open Sat-Thu 9am-8pm; Fri 2pm-8pm. Qasr Al Hosn, Al Hisn, culturalfoundation.ae (02 657 6348). Candelaria CandlesCREATIVE CLASSES timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 17 CREATIVE CLASSES 18 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com DEEP ROASTERY Letting your creative side run free doesn’t have to involve picking up a paintbrush. And over at DEEP, you can master the art of latte art (and it really is an art). Alongside latte art, the coffee shop has previously hosted Áoral arrangement, fabric plaster art workshops and a session on aeropress basics that’s perfect for coffee snobs. Keep your eyes glued on @deep.uae for the next workshop. O Prices vary. Open daily 6.30am-midnight. Al Ameriya, Al Ain, @deep.uae (050 200 0617). DESIGN & DINE Design & Dine hosts pop-up events all over Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and this month, LEGO ART If you want to get creative with your little ones, why not give LEGO art a go? The LEGO Store in Yas Mall has lots of options like The Great Wave off Kanagawa, and you can even buy LEGO Áowers, giving you the option to try Áoral arrangements, too. O Yas Mall, Yas Island, lego.yellowblocks.me. there’s a full-day retreat in the schedule. Held on Sunday September 24, the ladies- only retreat at West Bay on the Corniche will feature meditation, an emotional intelligence workshop, personalised card readings, a manifestation workshop and a vision board workshop. On the creative front, you’ll also take part in a motivational mantra painting class while enjoying a Sunday brunch. The day will set you back Dhs650, and includes all activities as well as Dhs100 in food and beverage credit. Can’t make it? Keep your eyes peeled on the Design & Dine website for more upcoming events. O Dhs650. Sun Sep 24 9.30am-4pm. West Bay, Corniche, designanddine.com. CREATIVE CLASSES timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 19 Louvre Abu Dhabi Fleurology ETHER ART STUDIO You’ll Ànd lots of inspiration while wandering around Ether by Cloud Spaces, the concept store that opened at Yas Mall earlier this year. Filled to the brim with local and international brands, you can shop everything from Jesmonite homeware from ClareyP Pours to handcrafted pieces from Rana Mikdashi Jewellery. Not satisÀed with just offering up inspiration, you can also book workshops at the Ether Art Studio. There, you’ll be able to try wheel throwing, hand building and glaze painting, with all workshops held in collaboration with Studio COE (more on that in a moment). To book your slot you’ll need to call 050 578 4397 and provide details such as date and time, number of participants and your preferred workshop. Wheel throwing classes can accommodate a maximum of Àve people, while other classes can have up to six. O Dhs110.25 (glaze painting, 60 minute class), Dhs220.50 (wheel throwing, 105 minute class or hand building, 90 minutes). Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Yas Mall, Yas Island, @etherbycs (050 578 4397). FLEUROLOGY Another option for Áoral fans, Fleurology is a Áorist and café found in Sheikha Fatima Park. You can grab a coffee and admire the Áowers, or book in for one of the workshops, which include Ikebana (that’s the Japanese art of Áoral arrangements, for the uninitiated) and Áower imprinting clay. Fleurology also hosts pasta workshops in collaboration with The Cucina Edit, and you should follow the café on Instagram for the latest news. O Dhs160 (acrylic paint workshop), Dhs350 (Áoral basics workshop), Dhs375 (Áower imprinting workshop), Dhs380 (vase arrangement workshop), Dhs450 (pasta workshop), Dhs450 (Ikebana workshop). Open daily 9am-10pm. Sheikha Fatima Park, Khalidiya, @Áeurology.ae (050 770 1115). KHAZAF FOR FINE ARTS First opened in October 2021, Khazaf for Fine Arts is another option for those looking to get into pottery in the city. Workshops include wheel throwing, hand building and glazing, and you can even book a party here if you’re looking for an alternative way to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday. O Dhs80 (glazing session), Dhs190 (two-hour handbuilding, adults), Dhs200 (two-hour wheelthrowing, adults), Dhs240 (trial, one hour handbuilding and one hour wheel throwing), Dhs95 (one-hour handbuilding, kids over Àve). Open daily 10am-10pm. Al Mushrif Co-operative Society Shopping Mall, Mushrif, @khazaf.Àne.arts (055 341 9591). KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER Hangukmal isn’t the only thing you can learn at the Korean Cultural Center on Yas Island. The centre also hosts various workshops, including cooking, music and painting, with one-off classes as well as short-term courses for those looking to learn more. You can Ànd the latest courses on the Korean Cultural Center’s website uae.korean-culture.org/en. O Prices vary. Open Mon-Thu 10am-7pm; Fri 10am- 2pm. Entrance 13, Podium 2, Yas Creative Hub, Yas Island, uae.korean-culture.org/en (02 491 7227). LEARN FROM JAY A Looking to improve your photography skills? You can do just that by booking classes with Jay Alonzo (aka Jay A). You can opt for in-person lessons in Abu Dhabi, or book in for online sessions, with two courses offered: The Perfect Click, and The Perfect Frame. The former focuses on taking great photos of any subject, while the latter is about capturing photos that are perfect for the ‘gram without any Àlters whatsoever. Both courses have eight hour-long sessions, and by the end of the course, you’ll be a complete pro. O Dhs795 (The Perfect Click or The Perfect Frame). Various timings. learnfromjaya.com (02 628 0546). LOUVRE ABU DHABI Unsurprisingly, Abu Dhabi’s most popular gallery also offers up ways for you to get creative. On Sundays, you can take part in a weekly themed painting session at the Art Studio. Drawing on inspiration found inside the Louvre, you’ll take part in a 30-minute skill development activity before letting loose on your very own canvas. For little ones, there are also a number of drop-in sessions held every Saturday and Sunday when there is an exhibition on display. O Dhs150 (Art Studio session). Every Sun 1pm- 4pm. Open Tue-Thu 10am-6.30pm; Fri-Sun 10am- 8.30pm. Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565566). MAKE Community hub MAKE welcomes everyone, whether you’re completely new to crafting or a bit of an expert. You can try almost every kind of craft out there, including ceramics, woodworking, metalworking and more, and the schedule for this September includes sessions on sheet metal basics, 3D printing, vinyl cutting, and ceramics. Plus, if you’re not interested in classes and prefer to freestyle Next >