• Welcome Home / Marhaba al Sah

    ME by Meliá The Opus by Omniyat, Al Amal Street, Business Bay, Dubai

    A continuation of the interesting Useless Palace exhibition, a specific group show by ten artists staged in the desert by popup gallery InLoco (who are due to move into a permanent Al Quoz location this autumn) in the desert last [ ... ]

    Free
  • Urinetown

    Sharjah Performing Arts Academy University City, Sharjah

    Final performance for this satirical musical by SPAA students; the story is set in a dystopian future, where a chronic water shortage means that public loos have been extravagantly privatised. The plot hinges on a rebellion led by a cleaner [ ... ]

    Free but pre-register
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Ten actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. After each round you score the players on a scale of 1 to 5, and the one with the lowest score is eliminated. Eventually only [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    H72 Productions has found another interesting play for its current season. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedy by the American writer Christopher Durang, has been praised as a humorous adaptation of Chekhovian themes that doesn't require any [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • A Summer Allegory

    XVA Gallery Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A group exhibition with a seasonal theme: "summer is when all positive feelings surface allowing for a better appreciation of everything we do,” says the curatorial statement. “A Summer Allegory aims to encompass this summer’s glamour through a selection of [ ... ]

    Free
  • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A second performance (of three) for this bittersweet comedy by H72 Productions. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a play by the American writer Christopher Durang, has been praised as a humorous adaptation of Chekhovian themes that doesn't require [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The third and final performance of this bittersweet comedy by the American writer Christopher Durang. Praised as a humorous adaptation of Chekhovian themes that doesn't require any familiarity with Chekhov, its story revolves around the relationships of three middle-aged single [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Exactly what it says: a regular Monday evening of scenes, stories and narrative improvisation influenced by audience suggestions and featuring the Courtyard Playhouse's most experienced improv performers. Classic Courtyard stuff. It's free, but you need to put your name on [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • Karama Arts Club: 2023 Summer Soirée

    25hours Hotel Dubai One Central Trade Center Street, Dubai

    Karama Arts Club winds up what sounds like a successful first year with "a Summer Soirée that's hotter than the middle of August" – a chance to network with the cream of Dubai’s creatives over a few a drink with [ ... ]

    From AED 65
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Ten actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. After each round you score the players on a scale of 1 to 5, and the one with the lowest score is eliminated. Eventually only [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • First Gentleman: dir Hayato Kawai (2021)

    RAK Chamber of Commerce of Industry Al Nakheel, Ras al Khaimah

    Hiyori (Kei Tanaka) is an ornithologist whose wife Rinko (Miki Nakatani)) unexpectedly becomes prime minister – making him the first gentleman of the country. Unexpected circumstances complicate things in this romantic comedy. This is part of Japan Film Week, co-hosted [ ... ]

  • Neko Ninja: dir Takeshi Watanabe (2017)

    RAK Chamber of Commerce of Industry Al Nakheel, Ras al Khaimah

    Cat ninja action – the adventures of a rogue ninja and a fat cat who he believes is the feline form of his legendary but long-disappeared and ninja father ... This is part of Japan Film Week, co-hosted by the [ ... ]

  • Little Nights, Little Love: dir Rikiya Imaizumi (2019)

    RAK Chamber of Commerce of Industry Al Nakheel, Ras al Khaimah

    Romantic drama based on the collected short stories of Kotaro Isaka that follows the lives of 27-year-olds Sato and Minako and those around them – friends, colleagues, children – over a 10 year period, showing how love, hope and friendship [ ... ]

  • Children of the Sea: dir Ayumu Watanabe (2019)

    RAK Chamber of Commerce of Industry Al Nakheel, Ras al Khaimah

    Fantasy animated adventure – a young girl is drawn into a mystery involving sea life around the world, in which two boys are somehow involved. This is part of Japan Film Week, co-hosted by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al [ ... ]

  • Artists Talk I: Brian Gonzales, Diego Mendoza, Hala El Abora, ji-Hye Kim

    Aisha Alabbar Gallery Warehouse 101, Al Quoz 2, Dubai

    As part of the programme for Press Print!, the gallery's current show, four of the participating artists talk about their creative process, inspiration, and the stories behind their works in the exhibition. (The other four artists in the exhibition are [ ... ]

    Free
  • Artists Talk II: Brian Gonzales, Diego Mendoza, Hala El Abora, ji-Hye Kim

    Aisha Alabbar Gallery Warehouse 101, Al Quoz 2, Dubai

    As part of the programme for Press Print!, the gallery's current show, four more of the participating artists talk about their creative process, inspiration, and the stories behind their works in the exhibition.

    Free
  • Chopin’s Best Works

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    Chopin favourites by Candlelight, a recital for solo piano by Aldo Dotto. These concerts are "a series of classical music concerts aimed at democratising access to classical music by allowing people all over the world to enjoy live candlelit music [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Van Gogh x Japan The Immersive Experience

    Van Gogh’s love for Japanese art ran deep: he admired the way Japanese artists lived in harmony with nature and the complete focus on their work, and he aspired to do the same. Although he only discovered Japan in the [ ... ]

    From AED 110
  • In the Heart of Another Country: the Diasporic Imagination Rises

    Al Mureijah Square Sharjah

    Originally shown at Deichtorhallen Hamburg, this exhibition exploring the concept of home has been expanded for its Sharjah Art Foundation visit with the addition of recent acquisitions and newly restored works of art from the Foundation's own collection. The exhibition [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Piano Alchemy

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    Neoclassical music from the trio of Kiann (piano and compositions), Marilies Guschlbauer (cello), and Alessandra Toni (vocal). We’re promised a seamless fusion of smooth classical harmonies with contemporary styles, all inside ToDA’s immersive 360° visual environment.

    From AED 200
  • Dreams of Rumi

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    An evening of music, poetry and Dervish dancing in tribute to the poetic wisdom of Rumi, delivered by a small ensemble within ToDA’s 360° impressive immersive visuals.

    From AED 200
  • Talk: Maha Alsharif – Collecting Prints

    Aisha Alabbar Gallery Warehouse 101, Al Quoz 2, Dubai

    Maha Alsharif from the MA in Art Business faculty at ZU talks about the nuances of the print market and the value and significance of limited edition prints regionally and internationally. This talk is part of the programme for Press [ ... ]

    Free
  • Omar Kamal

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

    With influences ranging from Sinatra’s jazz and swing to Arab idols like Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Fairuz, Omar Kamal’s broad repertoire and emotional delivery promise to make for an enchanting evening. Kamal’s vocals have been described as powerful, emotive, and [ ... ]

    From AED 300
  • Siwon Ghim: The Sense of Living

    Korean Cultural Center, Yas Yas Creative Hub P2, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Abstract paintings by the Seoul-bawed artist, a Slade graduate who has “consistently expressed her determination to define her identity through her artwork". Said Siwon Ghim: "For The Sense of Living, I have carefully selected paintings that exemplify my ever-changing internal [ ... ]

    Free
  • SAF Book Club: Readings on diaspora and migration

    Al Mureijah Square Sharjah

    This SAF Book Club meeting begins with a tour of the current Al Mureijah Art Spaces exhibition, the rather good In the Heart of Another Country. The show is about diaspora and migration, and that's the theme of the book [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Victor Sitali: African Hues

    Le Meridien Fairway Al Garhoud Road, Dubai

    An exhibition for the Zambian (but Dubai-based) artist in the hotel's lobby (why don't more hotels do this?) that promises "a wide range of bold artistic styles, mediums, and themes". Sitali says he takes inspiration from" the colourful nature of [ ... ]

    Free
  • Women Expressions

    Oblong Contemporary Art Gallery Al Khayat Art Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai

    A group show that "celebrates the unifying spirit of art, showcasing how these talented artists from different parts of the world have found common ground through their creativity and unique expressions" ... which sounds like a somewhat vaporous theme. Hopefully [ ... ]

    Free
  • Sohni Mahiwal

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    An award winning treatment by Yusra Irfan of an epic love story, timed for the Independence Day weekend of India and Pakistan, and set in Punjab (which is part of both). Sohni Mahiwal (or Suhni Mehar) is a established tragic [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • Sohni Mahiwal

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The second and final performance of this epic love story, timed for the Independence Day weekend of India and Pakistan. Sohni Mahiwal (or Suhni Mehar) is a long-established tragic romance from Sindh and Punjab, dating back to the 10th century [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • Bill Burr

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    The Emmy-nominated US comedian gets a big stage for his quick wit, dark humour, and unrivalled storytelling with rants about relationship advice, sports and the Illuminati ...

    From AED 250
  • Star Wars: A New Hope dir George Lucas (1977)

    Cinema Akil Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The first, and arguably the best – if only because of the impact of the opening titles. Universally acknowledged as a landmark in action films and featuring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher in their prime (plus Alec Guinness [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Candlelight: Beethoven’s Best Works

    Raffles The Palm West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The title of this concert certainly sets the bar high, though it seems a pretty good selection of the composer's works for piano. The pianist is Magdalena Wajdzik, and the other plus is the way these recitals are lit by [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Aftersun: dir Charlotte Wells (2022)

    Cinema Akil Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Charlotte Wells’ stunning feature debut movingly portrays a father-daughter relationship. Calum (Paul Mescal) and Sophie (Frankie Corio) are on a week’s holiday in Turkey; it’s a chance for the two to re-bond, and they do. Twenty years later, Sophie's tender [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Summer Editions 23

    Mestaria Gallery Unit 35, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    A curated exhibition of work from six artists -- energetic street and pop art fusion from Mr Brainwash, capturing iconic cultural moments; Dan Pearce's innovative mixed-media explosions; intricate hyperrealistic paintings of figures by Craig Alan; textured tales of city life [ ... ]

  • Candlelight Concert: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

    Raffles The Palm West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    One of the most successful productions in the Candlelight Concerts series of "classical music concerts aimed at democratising access to classical music by allowing people all over the world to enjoy live music candlelit performances".  The Vivaldi favourite was written [ ... ]

    From AED200
  • Bellissima | Beautiful: dir Luchino Visconti (1951)

    Cinema Akil Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    A newly restored print of this black-and-white classic. It’s a pointed satire on the film industry; Maddalena (Anna Magnani) is a screenstruck mother convinced of the star potential of her daughter Maria (Tina Apicella) and desperate to escape of everyday [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Sudarshan Shetty: Only Life, Myriad Places

    Ishara Art Foundation Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    This major solo exhibition for Sudarshan Shetty celebrates the global premiere of the artist’s latest film One Life Many with the first-ever survey of Shetty’s moving image works, including rarely seen videos, multimedia installations and sculptures. A key motif is [ ... ]

    Free
  • Deep Blue: Man + Machine

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    “An immersive showcase that delves into the profound relationship between human creativity and cutting-edge artificial intelligence,” says the press blurb. “This extraordinary event is set to captivate audiences with a fusion of art, technology, and innovation.” Effectively it’s a three-hour [ ... ]

    AED 280
  • Summer Palette: An Artist Soiree

    421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Food, music, and art as 421's Artistic Development Program cohort for 2022/2023 – Asma Belhamar, Mahshid Rafiei and Nasir Nasrallah – present their work and process. Asma Belhamar’s practice confronts the visual memory of local landscapes, and offers insight into their [ ... ]

    Free but pre-register
  • Deep Blue: Man + Machine

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    A second pair of shows for this "immersive showcase that delves into the profound relationship between human creativity and cutting-edge artificial intelligence". Effectively it’s a three-hour mini-festival of technology as art that also provides a networking opportunity for practitioners, would-be [ ... ]

    AED 280
  • VIP Classical: Julia Kociuban and Sanaz Sotoudeh

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    A piano recital in SAMIT Group's VIP Classical series presented as two halves: the Polish pianist Julia Kociuban starts with Chopin, the Ballade No.3 Op.47 followed by Mazurkas, Op.24; the three Polonaises Op.71; and finally the Andante spianato et grande [ ... ]

    AED 500
  • Andrew Schneider: N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars)

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

    This immersive theatrical installation uses nearly 5,000 points of lights and hundreds of speakers (496-channel sound) to create an interactive theatrical cosmos where viewers become active explorers, discovering the traces of themselves in light, the universe, and those who have [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Candlelight Abu Dhabi: Best of Chopin

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    Fever brings its candlelight classical music recitals to Abu Dhabi again – "a series of classical music concerts aimed at democratising access to classical music by allowing people all over the world to enjoy live candlelit music performances ... by [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • Robert Santoré: Timeless

    Firetti Contemporary Unit 29, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    An exhibition that traces the Californian artist's evolution as a painter and printmaker, from early years of study in New York to his pursuit of new techniques and expressive styles with works that emphasise a bold colour palette and the [ ... ]

    Free
  • Joanne McNally

    The Agenda Abdullah Omran Taryam St, Media City, Dubai

    McNally was a big hit with Vogue Williams in their Dubai Comedy Festival show My Therapist Ghosted Me; but she's genuinely funny on her own, too – described by The Sunday Times as "a truly gifted stand-up", and now capable [ ... ]

    AED 295
  • Gerda Carina: Gold Codes

    Le Meridien Fairway Al Garhoud Road, Dubai

    A series of abstract acrylics by photographer-turned-painter Gerda Carina that contain ‘codes’ to attract what you most need in life. This is Dubai, so most feature gold paint or gold leaf “because Gerda believes it holds a very special kind [ ... ]

    Free
  • Josh Rowell: Moral Codes

    Firetti Contemporary Unit 29, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Rowell’s first solo exhibition in the Middle East, curated by Celine Azem, invites viewers to contemplate the moral codes that shape our society. At the heart of the exhibition lies an installation of Rowell's Painting Language series, interpretations of Aesop's [ ... ]

    Free
  • Betsayda Machado and La Parranda el Clavo

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

    Building on their participation in The Arts Center’s virtual online season in 2021 with the world premiere of their documentary Las Cantoras, Betsayada Machado leads her group in close harmonies, polyphonic melodies and call and response – a spirit-shaking celebration [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Swan Lake

    Dubai Opera

    The Hungarian National Ballet is in Dubai for three days with a critically acclaimed Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky’s first (and by many accounts best) ballet has the iconic casting of the same female ballet dancer for both Odette – the pure, [ ... ]

    From AED 350