16 July 2025

LAST CHANCE Rana AlMutawa: Everyday Life in the Spectacular City

Kutubna Cultural Center Madina Avenues 17, Nadd Al Hamar, Dubai

Dubai’s newest independent bookstore and cultural centre, Kutubna Cultural Center, is opening with Dr Rana AlMutawa’s first solo exhibition in Dubai – an exhibition of images from her book Everyday Life in the Spectacular City: Making home in Dubai. It’s [ ... ]

Free

Comedy at the Stables

The Stables Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A comedykix standup gig promising "Dubai’s finest comedians". The door price is redeemable on F&B.

AED 75

ST-Duo

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

ST-Duo are pianists Sofia Sakhnova and Antonina Luzko, multiple prizewinners in Russia and recipients of a special prize from Yamaha for Best Piano Duet at the 2018 Roma International Piano Competition. They will be playing an entertaining-looking programme, mostly arrangements [ ... ]

From AED 200

Searching for Pierrot

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

A one-person play written and performed by Gillian Rhodes, who is really very good at this storytelling-with-performance sort of thing. This time it's a coming-of-age tale of a young boy in the late 19th century; a chance encounter with the [ ... ]

AED 120

Friday Unfiltered Comedy

Funny Cat Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A comedykix standup gig, as usual promising "Dubai’s finest comedians". The door price is redeemable on F&B.

AED 75

Rita Mikhael

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

"A rising star from Lebanon brings the essence of Palestine to life ... showcasing the rich musical heritage of Palestine through timeless folk songs and stories" says the blurb for this ToDA gig in its Women’s Voices of the Middle [ ... ]

From AED 190.29

Coco Tomita and Simon Callaghan

Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

The brilliant young Japanese violinist (winner of the BBC Young Musician strings category in 2020) is regularly accompanied on piano by Simon Callaghan – not least on their universally applauded 2022 debut album Origins. Their programme: Debussy Violin Sonata L.140 [ ... ]

AED 199

Same Same, but Different: A Sit Down with Shawn and Friends

VOX Mercato Mercato Mall, Jumeirah Beach Rd, Dubai

Shawn Chidiac, aka ‘My Parents are Divorced', is doing this chat-plus-comedy evening once a month at VOX Cinemas Mercato Mall until the end of the year. For the Julyedition, Shawn will be joined by Russian-Romanian content creator Denisa Alexe (known [ ... ]

From AED 175

Ali Al Sayed: Canceled Culture

Meyana Auditorium Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Top Dubai comedian Ali Al Sayed – 16 years in the business, one of the founders and mainstays of Dubomedy, many awards – is back with a new, expanded version of his heavy-hitting solo show last seen here in an [ ... ]

From AED 130

Artist’s Rooms: Amba Sayal-Bennett

Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

Works spanning the last eight years of the artist’s practice that critically engage with the socio-political contexts of architectural heritage and modernist ideologies and aesthetics. Drawing is at the centre of Amba Sayal-Bennett’s practice, expanding across works on paper, projections [ ... ]

Free

Artist’s Rooms: Augustine Paredes

Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

Augustine Paredes’ artist’s room brings together his own personal histories and stories that explore his relationship to identity and family via his personal journey as a migrant, navigating constantly between time, places and identities. Gradually moving away from the camera [ ... ]

Free

Artist’s Rooms: Sancintya Mohini Simpson

Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

Sancintya Mohini Simpson is a descended from indentured labourers sent from India to work on colonial sugar plantations in South Africa; her work navigates the complexities of migration, memory and trauma, moving between painting, video, poetry and performance to address [ ... ]

Free

Sibel: dir Çagla Zencirci, Guillaume Giovanetti (2018)

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The French-Turkish couple Çagla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti have directed several films together, and Sibel – their third feature – is a film festival favourite.  Sibel is  a mute, but she communicates by using the ancestral whistled language of the [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Game On! Piano Concert

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

Music of from top video games from The Witcher, Skyrim, Genshin Impact and League of Legends, played by Armenian piano virtuoso Gayane Aslanyan on grand piano plus MIDI keyboard, and accompanied by ToDA's signature 360° visuals.

From AED 211.43

High and Low: dir Akira Kurosawa (1963)

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Classic Kurosawa, a gripping police thriller (based on an Ed McBain story) starring the ineffable Toshiro Mifune. Kidnapping goes wrong, moral dilemmas ensue, and Kurosawa uses the film noir to anatomise the inequalities in modern Japanese society. "Kurosawa's virtuoso direction [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Funny Thursday

Reform Social & Grill Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A comedykix standup gig promising "Dubai’s top comedians" in "an unforgettable comedy show". The door price is redeemable on F&B.

AED 100

LAST CHANCE An Hoang: Between Days

Volery Gallery Maze Tower - 5201, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai

Solo exhibition for An Hoang, her debut show in the Middle East. In these new paintings, Hoang explores a delicate balance between abstraction and figuration through "expressive, colourful compositions that capture moments of immersion in nature ... With the use [ ... ]

Free

Project22: The Code

kanvas Dubai Unit 1, Al Khayat Art Avenue, 19th Street Al Quoz 1, Dubai

A one-evening-only popup exhibition celebrating the second anniversary of the eponymous digital art project Project22, featuring work by two dozen generative artists including Sasha Stiles, Seohyo, and Nice Aunties. There will also be an AV performance by Digital Moss, an [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

LAST CHANCE Kusay Bader: What Have You Done

Artbooth Gallery Centro Capital Center, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi

Solo exhibition that offers "a unique perspective on the beauty of nature and the urgent need for environmental stewardship".

Free

Bastille Day Concert 360° by Sebastien Agius

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

French classics by Édith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Joe Dassin and other legends, delivered by "X Factor superstar" Sébastien Agius with ToDA's 360° visuals.

From AED 211.43

Comedy at Melrose

Melrose Paramount Midtown, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai

Dubomedy's occasional Sunday evening gig featuring a mash-up of stand-up and improv ("a killer line-up ready for you" and "you never know who will pop in"). It's free, though you do have to pre-register to get on the list.

Free, but pre-register

LAST CHANCE Arnaud Rivieren: Steel Life

Waddington Custot Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Rivieren's second solo show at Custot is a continuation of his previous exhibition, Natural Sublime, featuring new organic forms and new production processes On show are 14 new and existing works; "through recognisable and nostalgic organic shapes, we find ourselves [ ... ]

Free

Cuba: Music Journey

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

Six-piece Cuban band Cubache brings the hot salsa rhythms of Buena Vista Social Club, Celia Cruz, Celina Gonzales, Polo Montanes and more to ToDA, complete with signature 360º visuals.

From AED 158.57

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This month's Laughter Factory tour promises a preview of the best of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. That's a bold claim, and as far as we know only one of the three acts will be performing in Scotland this August ... [ ... ]

AED 160

The Jazz Night with Winck

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

ToDA transforms into a jazz venue for live performance accompanied by a 360° immersive show for a 90-minute set from Luisa Winck, with keyboard and drums as accompaniment. Expect a range from soulful ballads to upbeat foot-tappers ...     [ ... ]

From AED 180

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A second JBR gig for this month's Laughter Factory tour: Rory O'Hanlon The Irish comedian is a firm favourite at the Fringe, thanks to his rapid-fire delivery – "a joke every 30 seconds" calculated the Irish Times. Highly recommended. Darius [ ... ]

AED 160

Funny Face: dir Stanley Donen (1957)

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Classic feelgood Hollywood of the 50s: a Paris-set musical with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire at their most charming, directed by the legendary Stanley Donen, gowns by de Givenchy, songs by George and Ira Gershwin ... No wonder it was [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Liz Bains: Special Fringe Preview

Melrose Paramount Midtown, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai

The excellent Liz Bains (a Dubomedy alumnus) is previewing her Edinburgh Fringe stand-up show before she heads off to Scotland. Expect "hilarious cultural observations and expat anguish", and you will never look at cucumbers the same way again ... The [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Sounds of Sufi

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

Fadi Rifaai (vocal) is joined by Sandu (tabla) and Zahi Saba Ayon (keyboard) for an immersive sound journey through the poetry of the greatest Sufi mystics — Al-Hallaj, Ibn al-Farid, Abu-al-Hasan — supported by ToDA's signature 360º visuals.    

From AED 190.29

Hotel Salvation: dir Shubhashish Bhutiani (2016)

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A warm tale of life and relationships, embedded in Indian culture and Hindu rituals. Daya decides he wants to die in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. Rajiv, his over-worked accountant son, struggles with anxieties about his responsibilities back home [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

ELF Community Night

One Life Kitchen & Café Building 5, d3, Dubai

An evening of poetry and spoken word performances "of all kinds" inspired by the theme 'Passages' in response to an open call (so a kind of pre-curated open mic event). It's run by Emirates Literature Foundation, organisers of LitFest. The [ ... ]

AED 25

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Al Habtoor Polo Resort Al Safa 5, Emirates Road 611, Dubai

This month's Laughter Factory tour moves into midweek: Rory O'Hanlon The Irish comedian is a firm favourite at the Fringe, thanks to his rapid-fire delivery – "a joke every 30 seconds" calculated the Irish Times. Highly recommended. Darius Davies Definitely [ ... ]

AED 160

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

This month's Laughter Factory tour calls in on Abu Dhabi, something it hasn't done of late: Rory O'Hanlon The Irish comedian is a firm favourite at the Fringe, thanks to his rapid-fire delivery – "a joke every 30 seconds" calculated [ ... ]

AED 160

New Orleans Jazz: Nikolai Mishchenko Quintet

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

Classic New Orleans jazz favourites in ToDA's immersive 360º visuals that "will transport you straight to the heart of New Orleans". The band: Nikolai Mishchenko piano Matt West saxophone Tona trumpet Rami Lakkis bass Satya Darcy drums    

From AED 211.43

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

The penultimate gig for this month's Laughter Factory tour: Rory O'Hanlon The Irish comedian is a firm favourite at the Fringe, thanks to his rapid-fire delivery – "a joke every 30 seconds" calculated the Irish Times. Highly recommended. Darius Davies [ ... ]

AED 160

Dreams of Miyazaki

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

A journey in 360° space through the worlds created by Hayao Miyazaki & Joe Hisaishi with the Armenian pianist Gayane Aslanyan. "In 60 minutes, she will transport you to a realm of wonder and fantasy where imagination knows no bounds [ ... ]

From AED 211.43

Improv Party

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

A spontaneous, unscripted live show created on the fly in response to audience prompts. We're promised "comedy, drama, mischief, and a bunch of unique emotions". Mostly comedy, we'd guess ...

AED 100

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Dukes The Palm Palm Dubai, Dubai

Last gig for this month's Laughter Factory tour: Rory O'Hanlon The Irish comedian is a firm favourite at the Fringe, thanks to his rapid-fire delivery – "a joke every 30 seconds" calculated the Irish Times. Highly recommended. Darius Davies Definitely [ ... ]

AED 160

LAST CHANCE Leila Eskandari: Whispers of Legends

Zawyeh Gallery Warehouse 27, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Eskandari's exuberant and busy paintings intertwine myth and reality, exploring the power of storytelling – the artist's inspiration for this series comes from the Shahnameh, or the Book of Kings, an ancient Persian epic poem filled with mythical figures and [ ... ]

Free

The Lion King: dir Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff (1994)

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A gorgeously restored print for the 30th anniversary of the family friendly classic. With help from his long-lost friend, Nala (Moira Kelly), and a curious pair of newfound friends, Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) and Timon (Nathan Lane), Simba (Matthew Broderick) must [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Ali & Ava: dir Clio Barnard (2021)

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A compelling contemporary love story about two fundamentally lonely people – classroom assistant Ava and landlord/failed DJ Ali – who bond over a love of music and their shared affection for the child of Ali’s Slovakian tenants. But even as [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

LAST CHANCE Houda Bakkali: Digital Art, Digital Culture

Alliance Française Abu Dhabi Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

An exhibition that aims to demonstrate the power of digital art to break spatial, temporal and generational borders, "creating synergies between different audiences and making art not only timeless, but also universal, close and understandable". It features work by Bakkali [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE ChefBurger: Journey Through the Arts – From Tokyo to Paris

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

A collection of digital and painted art from ChefBurger (aka Mano Gonzalez) that "offers a unique opportunity to experience the convergence of diverse cultures through compelling portraits, French masterpieces, and a profound reverence for nature". Included is a new series [ ... ]

Free

The Jazz Night with Winck

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

ToDA transforms into a jazz venue for live performance accompanied by a 360° immersive show for a 90-minute set from Luisa Winck, with keyboard and drums as accompaniment. Expect a range from soulful ballads to upbeat foot-tappers ...     [ ... ]

From AED 180

Same Same, but Different: A Sit Down with Shawn and Friends

VOX Mercato Mercato Mall, Jumeirah Beach Rd, Dubai

Looks like VOX has a winner with this one: Shawn Chidiac, aka ‘My Parents are Divorced', is doing this chat-plus-comedy evening once a month at VOX Cinemas Mercato Mall until the end of the year. For the August edition, Shawn [ ... ]

From AED 175

LAST CHANCE Drawing Time: Duets

Al Mureijah Art Spaces Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

This exhibition spotlights new and historical works from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection that present the range and possibilities of drawing and print culture. The first instalment of a four-part series, it delves into the concept of “the double, the [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE Khaled Jarada: Non Key Frame

Fann à Porter The Workshop, Villa 45, St. 23b, off Al Wasl Road (opposite Box Park), Jumeirah 2, Dubai

The title of this exhibition evokes a notion that originates from the world of the moving image. Key frames are those that define a scene in a film; they set its starting as well as ending point, they are typically [ ... ]

Free