• Dana Gingras and Animals of Distinction: FRONTERA

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A second performance for this visually stunning spectacle of propulsive dance, dazzling lighting, and powerful live music from the Canadian experimental post rock band Fly Pan Am. Choreographer Dana Gingras and her Montreal-based dance company Animals of Distinction explore spaces [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Tao Ye: 4

    Sharjah Performing Arts Academy University City, Sharjah

    Tao Ye’s choreographic works explore the potential of the human body beyond the limitations of representation or dramaturgical narrative.  In this performance piece, the choreography is abstract – four fluid bodies flow in powerfully controlled movements around a magnetic central [ ... ]

    Free
  • Le Petit Prince

    Dubai Opera

    A spectacular dance/circus interpretation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fable of an aviator who lands in the middle of the desert and meets the Little Prince, who’s travelling from one planet to another looking for his sheep. We're told that this [ ... ]

    From AED250
  • Le Petit Prince

    Dubai Opera

    A second performance of this spectacular dance/circus interpretation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fable of an aviator who lands in the middle of the desert and meets the Little Prince, who’s travelling from one planet to another looking for his sheep. [ ... ]

    From AED250
  • Radouan Mriziga: Libya

    Sharjah Art Foundation, Bait Obaid Al Shamsi Arts Square, Sharjah

    In Libya, Radouan Mriziga collaborates with dancers to elaborate on transgenerational shared histories and epistemologies from an Amazigh perspective, where the memories of the body play a pivotal role (the Amazighs are the indigenous inhabitants of the North African littoral, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Le Petit Prince

    Dubai Opera

    Two more performances of this spectacular dance/circus interpretation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fable of an aviator who lands in the middle of the desert and meets the Little Prince, who’s travelling from one planet to another looking for his sheep. [ ... ]

    From AED250
  • Le Petit Prince

    Dubai Opera

    Two final performances for this spectacular dance/circus interpretation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fable of an aviator who lands in the middle of the desert and meets the Little Prince, who’s travelling from one planet to another looking for his sheep. [ ... ]

    From AED250
  • Aakash Odedra & Aditi Mangaldas: Mehek

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The world premiere of a new dance piece, devised and performed by two of the pre-eminent South Asian dancers of their time – Aakash Odedra, well known to Abu Dhabi audiences from previous visits; and Aditi Mangaldas, a dancer and [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Aakash Odedra & Aditi Mangaldas: Mehek

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The second and final performance of the world premiere of a new dance piece, devised and performed by two of the pre-eminent South Asian dancers of their time – Aakash Odedra, well known to Abu Dhabi audiences from previous visits; [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Noé Soulier: Passages

    NYUAD East Plaza Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A 40-minute site-specific project that adapts to each location in which it’s performed – the movement sequences by the four dancers are predetermined, and it uses a bodily vocabulary that choreographer Noé Soulier has been developing over the last 10 [ ... ]

    Free
  • Ola Maciejewska: Bombyx Mori

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    In this 55-minute this work for three dancers, choreographer Ola Maciejewska draws inspiration from the innovative early 20th century work of modern dance pioneer Loïe Fuller. Bombyx Mori explores movement as a result of the interactions between the body and [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • PETTEE: storybox

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    ‘Pettee’ is a word with multiple meanings in the languages of millions of people (Malayalam, Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi) but one is instantly recognised: container, and by extension box, briefcase, casket, coffin … It is a word with weight for [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • PETTEE: storybox

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A second performance for this show where dancers and fabricated landscape lead the audience into an immersive world of movement and music and flight, where bodies unbend, lunge and soar, to unseal and unpack years of youth, where multiple futures, [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Todes Ballet Alla Duhova: Attention

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    Spectacular and crowd-pleasing genre-crossing work from Moscow’s hottest contemporary dance company, created by celebrity choreographer Alla Duhova in 1986 and still led by her. There's nothing academic about their work – their styles range from ballet to break via hip-hop [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Entrusted Ground

    NYUAD Art Gallery Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A 40-minute dance performance conceived as part of artist Gözde İlkin’s installation in the current NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery exhibition In Real Time (which ends on 9 June). It's a collaboration between İlkin, choreographer Aslı Öztürk, musician Berke Can [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Entrusted Ground

    NYUAD Art Gallery Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The final performances of this 40-minute dance performance, conceived as part of artist Gözde İlkin’s installation in the current NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery exhibition In Real Time (which ends on 9 June). It's a collaboration between İlkin, choreographer Aslı [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Cie Hervé Koubi: Sol Invictus

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The new NYUAD Arts Center season opens with a spectacular new show from the returning Compagnie Hervé Koubi. Koubi is building a reputation for stunning choreography that blends contemporary dance and kinetic urban moves; this piece features no fewer than [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Cie Hervé Koubi: Sol Invictus

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The second and last performance for this spectacular season opener at the NYUAD Arts Center. This new show from the returning Compagnie Hervé Koubi features no fewer than 17 male and female dancers who perform as a cohesive unit, emphasising [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • LA Dance Project: Romeo & Juliet Suite

    Dubai Opera

    Benjamin Millepied is a former principal dancer at New York City Ballet whose raison d’etre is to make classical ballet accessible: that's the essential purpose of his dance company, LA Dance Project, and his condensed version of Shakespeare’s story is [ ... ]

    From AED 330
  • Move on Screen: Short Films UAE

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A programme of dance-related shorts in the Move on Screen programme. The 24 films include 10 produced by students of the Sharjah Performing Art Academy; the remainder are by local filmmakers and artists.

    Free, but pre-register
  • Korea National Contemporary Dance Company: Jungle

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Our everyday lives are sometimes like a jungle, where everybody has to fight for survival in their own way. This work for 17 dancers of the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company interprets the jungle as a place of collisions between [ ... ]

    AED 150
  • Igor Moiseyev Ballet: Dances of the World

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The Igor Moiseyev Ballet is a novel ensemble that blends classical ballet with folk dance. Founded by Moiseyev just before WW2, the company is  credited with creating a new dance genre; it now led by Elena Shcherbakova. There are performances [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Igor Moiseyev Ballet: Dances of the World

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The Igor Moiseyev Ballet is a novel ensemble that blends classical ballet with folk dance. Founded by Moiseyev just before WW2, the company is  credited with creating a new dance genre; it now led by Elena Shcherbakova. There are performances [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • We call it Tango

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    A 60-minute celebration of the sensational Argentine dance, “a whirlwind of romance and passion … The dancers, commanding the stage with precision and agility, invite you on an emotional journey through love and lust”. Two pro dancers, live music; sounds [ ... ]

    AED 140
  • Compagnie Nacera Belaza: La Nuée

    Sharjah Performing Arts Academy University City, Sharjah

    The title of this dance piece by Nacera Belaza holds two meanings in French: a dark cloud and a dense flock of birds. She developed the performance following a research visit to the First Nation Dakota tribes in North America; [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi: Harleking

    Sima Performing Arts Warehouse 38, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi, based between Berlin and Turin, have been working as a duo since 2008 with a style that merges dance, performance and visual art. Harleking is a choreographic work that was first seen in 2018 and has [ ... ]

    AED 90
  • Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi: Moving Towards Grotesque

    Joint Space 17th Street, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A workshop based on rhythmic exercises and the movement vocabulary from Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi’s Harleking. Drawing inspiration from the symmetric patterns in ancient grotesque statuary, participants will examine the muscular response to laughter – a kinaesthetic expression of [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Máté Mészáros: Mechanics of Distance

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    This piece for three different trained dancers – they come from backgrounds in classical ballet, folk dance and contemporary dance – has been performed several times since its 2019 premiere, but it is always different since it is always adapted [ ... ]

    Free
  • Samaa Wakim & Samar Haddad King: Losing It

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Growing up in a war zone means living and breathing politics. The Palestinian choreographer and performer Samaa Wakim asks herself how these experiences impact her identity in this solo performance which explores how the trauma of previous generations manifests in [ ... ]

    Free
  • Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi: Harleking

    Sima Performing Arts Warehouse 38, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The second performance, part of the Frontiers dance programme, for this piece by Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi. Harleking is a choreographic work that was first seen in 2018 and has since been featured at several dance festivals; its subject [ ... ]

    AED 90
  • Máté Mészáros: Performative Walk – Mechanics of Distance

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    During the pandemic, Máté Mészáros came up with an alternative form of his piece Mechanics of Distance that could still be shared and experienced while spaces were closed and gatherings prohibited. He developed a participative walk to enact nine stages [ ... ]

    Free
  • Samaa Wakim & Samar Haddad King: Interdisciplinarity in Dance

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Samaa Wakim graduated from the faculty of Theatre at the University of Haifa and has since performed in numerous dance theatre productions; Samar Haddad King, the founding artistic director of Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre, has a BFA in choreography, has [ ... ]

    Free
  • Beytna – Cie Omar Rajeh | Maqamat

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An interesting idea – five dancer/choreographers (Omar Rajeh, May Bou Matar, Anani Sanouvi, Koen Augustijnen, Jihun Choi) and four musicians (Ziad El Ahmadie, Samir Nasr Eddine, Youssef Hbeisch, Afif Merhej) meet onstage over a banquet. Bringing different artistic experiences and [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Tango After Dark

    Dubai Opera

    World Tango Champions German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi dance to the music of Astor Piazzolla. Accompanied by an ensemble of ten dancers and a seven-strong live band, the spirit of Buenos Aires should infuse Dubai Opera with passion and drama [ ... ]

    From AED 330
  • Tango After Dark

    Dubai Opera

    A second performance by tango champions German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi, dancing to the music of Astor Piazzolla and accompanied by an ensemble of ten dancers and a seven-strong live band.

    From AED 330
  • Sharmila Dance Extravaganza 2025

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The annual show by Sharmila Dance Center, one of the UAE's longest-established dance schools, is currently in its 24th year. A show for aspiring performers of all ages – from 7-year-olds to professional dancers – it always offers a whirlwind [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Sharmila Dance Extravaganza 2025

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The second day of performances for this annual show by Sharmila Dance Center, one of the UAE's longest-established dance schools. Currently in its 24th year, this is a show for aspiring performers of all ages – from 7-year-olds to professional [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Sharmila Dance Extravaganza 2025

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The final day of performances for this annual show by Sharmila Dance Center, one of the UAE's longest-established dance schools. Currently in its 24th year, this is a show for aspiring performers of all ages – from 7-year-olds to professional [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Benji Reid: Find Your Eyes

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    With Find Your Eyes, Benji Reid has made a performance that is unlike any you will have seen. Other artists have approached the creative process itself as performance; but no one else has combined photography, choreography and theatre to make [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Benji Reid: Find Your Eyes

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The second performance of a remarkable show that combines photography, choreography and theatre to tell an emotional rollercoaster of a story. Find Your Eyes draws on Benji Reid’s work both as an award-winning photographer and a pioneer of hip hop [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Mid-Autumn Festival: A Moonment to Remember

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The promoters are calling this ‘actobatics’: it’s a spectacular celebration of Chinese acrobatics from the Dezhou Acrobatic Troupe from Shandong Province. This 90-minute show with 25 performers and 12 acts, blending traditional Chinese choreography with modern acrobatic techniques – like [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Mid-Autumn Festival: A Moonment to Remember

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    A spectacular celebration of Chinese acrobatics from the Dezhou Acrobatic Troupe from Shandong Province. This 90-minute show with 25 performers and 12 acts, blending traditional Chinese choreography with modern acrobatic techniques – like the dazzling Flying Fork (stunning aerial feats) [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Christos Papadopoulos: Mellowing

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    In his new production the Greek choreographer Christos Papadopoulos embarks on his inaugural collaboration with the dancers of the Dance On Ensemble, a group that features performers aged more than 40. Incorporating their knowledge and experience into the creation, together [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Sima Dance Company: NUN

    Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

    Created by choreographer Alaa Krimed and performed by his acclaimed dance company as part of the Year of Ocean, NUN explores the relationship between human beings and the sea – "a cosmic mirror reflecting the complexity of life" as the [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • Aakash Odedra: Songs of the Bulbul

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Aakash Odedra returns to the Arts Center with his latest work, an hour of beautiful, engrossing virtuoso dance from a single dancer that unashamedly embodies emotions – mostly joy, some reflection, a tinge of sadness and pain – in a [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Jesús Herrera Flamenco Ballet: Hamlet

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    A flamenco ballet, inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy and featuring more than 30 artists in total — dancers, orchestra, choir — under the direction of Spanish choreographer Jesús Herrera. It should be an interesting interpretation of the play: “movement replaces words [ ... ]

    From AED 190
  • Dance Workshop: Huang Yi – Whispers of the Body: a Workshop on Awareness and Movement Dialogue

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The acclaimed Japanese choreographer, in town for his performance piece Ink in a couple of days' time, explores how movement becomes conversation. In this workshop, participants learn to sense and respond to the subtle messages within their own bodies and [ ... ]

    Free, but request invitation
  • Artist Talk: Huang Yi – Art, Movement, and Gratitude

    NYUAD Art Gallery Reading Room أبو ظبي, أبو ظبي, United Arab Emirates

    Behind the precision of robotics and the poetry of movement lies a story of resilience and grace. In this talk, Huang Yi reflects on how scarcity became a source of creativity and how gratitude continues to guide his work and [ ... ]

    Free, but request invitation
  • Huang Yi: Ink

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Huang Yi was last seen in Abu Dhabi in The Arts Center’s inaugural season, dancing with an industrial robot. This time he takes the ‘dance meets tech’ idea in new directions; in this collaboration with audiovisual pioneer Ryoichi Kurokawa, the [ ... ]

    AED 105