• Ahmad Nabil: Fetus Exodus

    Jameel Library Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai

    A Jameel Library Commission by the Palestinian artist and educator that explores regional myths and legends through ten monthly texts – chapters in fact, in digital form – that address an imagined foetus (referred to as a “child of myths") [ ... ]

    Free
  • Library Circles: Samar Halloum

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    A workshop led by Palestinian architect and educator Samar Halloum as part of the public programmes for Jameel Library Circles. Halloum will present research developed through her fieldwork and interviews in Dheisheh Refugee Camp in Palestine, some of which is [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Ramona: dir Andrea Bagney (2022)

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

    Andrea Bagney’s debut feature, largely shot in black and white in a stylistic nod to the French New Wave of the 1960s, is a romantic comedy with a difference. After living abroad for several years, Ramona and her boyfriend Nico [ ... ]

    AED 25
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Bik Van der Pol’s The poem that jumps the fence

    Abu Dhabi Beach Al Hisn Street, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Artist duo Bik Van der Pol (Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol) engage in collaborative projects on how art constructs public spaces for speculative thought and collective creativity. The poem that jumps the fence features weekly performances on Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Horia: dir Ana Maria Comanescu (2023)

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

    Restless teen Horia takes off on his father’s old motorbike on a cross-country journey to reunite with his girlfriend. On the road, he is joined by Stela, a sassy 13-year-old, and an unlikely friendship blooms. The film’s atmosphere is colourful, [ ... ]

    AED 25
  • Riders: dir Dominik Mencej (2022)

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

    Two friends from a small village rework their mopeds into choppers and embark on a journey – travelling through dreams of the past and visions of the future, looking for freedom and love. On the road through Slovenia and Croatia, [ ... ]

    AED 25
  • The Government Inspector

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

    Third and final performance of Gogol's comedy of mistaken identity, satirizing human greed, stupidity, and political corruption. It's also very funny, "proving that bureaucracy and buffoonery are a match made in theatrical heaven" as the producers put it.

    AED 120
  • M.O.R.O.N.S

    Blacksmith Bar The First Collection Business Bay, Al A'amal Street, Dubai

    Mad Cat's Business Bay comedy night. The cover charge of AED 99 includes one drink.

    AED 99
  • Beat the Gong

    Blacksmith Bar The First Collection Business Bay, Al A'amal Street, Dubai

    Classic brutal standup – 15 comics try their luck, the audience decides how long they get on the stage. A Mad Cat Comedy night, hosted by Mad Cat's main man Miqdaad Dohadwala. The door price includes one drink ...

    AED 99
  • LAST CHANCE Bashir Makhoul: The Promise

    Zawyeh Gallery Warehouse 27, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    New works by the noted Palestinian artist. The title The Promise suggests a poetic and ambiguous statement of intent; a promise is made but can also be broken. Makhoul's practice engages deeply with the concept of home, with the recurring [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Subtitled explicitly 'Contemporary Art from Korea, 1960s to Today', this exhibition is a selection of works from the Seoul Museum of Art, curated by SeMA's Kyung-Hwan Yeo and Maya El Khalil for the Abu Dhabi Festival, and it aims to [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE MyLysses

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

    How do contemporary artists grapple with the shifting role of text, literature and knowledge in an age of AI? This group exhibition curated by Tor Seidel tries to answer that question. As Seidel puts it, "Has access to texts and [ ... ]

    Free
  • Tajammul

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

    The XVA group show for the summer, curated by Carina Vicente, promises "beauty and grace, capturing the aesthetics of the evolving art landscape in the contemporary Middle East" – the title comes from the Arabic root word for beauty (jamaal), [ ... ]

    Free
  • No Trespassing

    Ishara Art Foundation Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Ishara’s first summer exhibition, curated by Priyanka Mehra, features six UAE-based and South Asian artists exploring their relationship with the street – “a collection of individual experiences that alternate between chaotic and orderly, gritty and beautiful, uninhibited and curated … [ ... ]

  • Al Mahatta: dir Eltayeb Mahdi (1989)

    Efiɛ Gallery 2 Al Khayat Art Avenue, First Al Khail Street, Dubai

    Sudan, late 1980s. People cross the desert on foot or cover long distances by car and truck. In Al Mahatta, Eltayeb Mahdi shows encounters at one of the large crossroads between Khartoum in the centre of the country and Bur [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Politically Incorrect Comedy

    The Clavichord Signature Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai

    Mad Cat Comedy returns to the Clavichord in TECOM with "Dubai's wildest comedy night ... raw, unfiltered, hilarious". The cover charge of AED 80 includes one drink.

    AED 80
  • Summer Cinema: In Memory of David Lynch

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    Jameel’s Summer Cinema, organised in collaboration with The Culturist Film Club and curated by Hind Mezaina, ia a season of free-to-attend films about cities, archives, and the ways we live and remember together – plus this special evening celebrating the [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Joke Hub

    Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef Al Seef Street, Umm Hurair 1, Dubai

    Another regular Mad Cat Comedy night – "Dubai's wildest comedy show on Saturday" (sic). The cover charge of AED 99 includes two drinks.

    AED 99
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Bik Van der Pol’s The poem that jumps the fence

    Abu Dhabi Beach Al Hisn Street, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Artist duo Bik Van der Pol (Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol) engage in collaborative projects on how art constructs public spaces for speculative thought and collective creativity. The poem that jumps the fence features weekly performances on Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • M.O.R.O.N.S

    Blacksmith Bar The First Collection Business Bay, Al A'amal Street, Dubai

    Mad Cat's Business Bay comedy night. The cover charge of AED 99 includes one drink.

    AED 99
  • The History of Letters and Diacritical Marks

    Al Rahmaniyah Mall Abu Amr Al Basri St, Al Rahmania Suburb, Sharjah

    This short Sharjah Public Libraries exhibition – part of SPL’s centennial celebrations – features rare manuscripts and artefacts from the Sharjah Quran Complex collection, shedding light on the vital role the Arabic script has played in preserving cultural identity and knowledge [ ... ]

    Free
  • Ruby, Art & Science

    L'ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts Building 10, Dubai Design District, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A L'ÉCOLE Middle East talk that exploring the world of pearls, given by two of the School of Jewelry Arts' lecturers – gemologist/lecturers Chandra Horn and Tania Heikal. A welcome reception is followed by the talk at 6.30pm.

    AED 50
  • Rushdi’s Comedy Souk

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

    The return of a popular evening of improv and stand-up hosted by Rushdi. The bar's set pretty high: "from side-splitting stand-up to mesmerising improv, the finest comedic artists from near and far come to showcase their talent".      

    Free, but pre-register
  • Shades of Yellow: dir Sergio Pontier (2024)

    Efiɛ Gallery 2 Al Khayat Art Avenue, First Al Khail Street, Dubai

    Sergio Pontier reshapes the portrayal of black childhood, reflecting on the innocence of his youth and how it defined him; voyaging into mundane moments from his childhood, made nostalgic and meaningful on reflection, the Afro-Dominican-Spanish photographer and filmmaker has created [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Politically Incorrect Comedy

    The Clavichord Signature Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai

    Mad Cat Comedy is back at the Clavichord in TECOM with "Dubai's wildest comedy night ... raw, unfiltered, hilarious". The cover charge of AED 80 includes one drink.

    AED 80
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    The Agenda Abdullah Omran Taryam St, Media City, Dubai

    The July Laughter Factory tour looks like a good one to finish the season. The acts: Steven Briggs excellent high-energy US standup with a CV that includes winning one of the Moth's StorySLAMs (open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Bill Burr

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    An Emmy and Grammy Award nominee, Bill Burr manages to be a successful actor, writer, director, producer, and podcaster as well as a very good arena-scale comedian. Very classy, very professional, very funny.

    From AED 275
  • Joke Hub

    Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef Al Seef Street, Umm Hurair 1, Dubai

    Another regular Mad Cat Comedy night – "Dubai's wildest comedy show on Saturday" (sic). The cover charge of AED 99 includes two drinks.

    AED 99
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Studio One Hotel Dubai Studio City, Dubai

    The July Laughter Factory tour looks like a good one to finish the season. The acts: Steven Briggs excellent high-energy US standup with a CV that includes winning one of the Moth's StorySLAMs (open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Bruno Sfeir: The Return to Essence

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

    A solo exhibition for the Lebanese-Uruguayan painter. We're promised "a profound journey through imagination, memory, and abstraction ... With this poetic metaphor, the artist gestures toward a body of work that resists confinement. His paintings, like the river he evokes, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Bik Van der Pol’s The poem that jumps the fence

    Abu Dhabi Beach Al Hisn Street, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Artist duo Bik Van der Pol (Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol) engage in collaborative projects on how art constructs public spaces for speculative thought and collective creativity. The poem that jumps the fence features weekly performances on Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Pinoy Comedy in Abu Dhabi

    Jazz Bar Radisson Blu, Corniche, Abu Dhabi

    Three good UAE-based Filipino comedians at a very pleasant venue – Ahmad Kasid, Joshua, and the irrepressible Imah Dumagay.

    AED 95
  • M.O.R.O.N.S

    Blacksmith Bar The First Collection Business Bay, Al A'amal Street, Dubai

    Mad Cat's Business Bay comedy night. The cover charge of AED 99 includes one drink.

    AED 99
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    The July Laughter Factory tour looks like a good one to finish the season. The acts: Steven Briggs excellent high-energy US standup with a CV that includes winning one of the Moth's StorySLAMs (open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Friday Night Spotlight

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

    The Courtyard's community theatre night, described as "a celebration of creativity and experimentation" with community members and in-house performers taking the stage to try out fresh ideas and showcase their talents. The first half features performances from the community, offering [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    The July Laughter Factory tour looks like a good one to finish the season. The acts: Steven Briggs excellent high-energy US standup with a CV that includes winning one of the Moth's StorySLAMs (open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Summer Cinema: Rematerialising the Archive

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    Jameel’s Summer Cinema, organised in collaboration with The Culturist Film Club and curated by Hind Mezaina, is a season of free-to-attend films about cities, archives, and the ways we live and remember together. Audiences are encouraged to engage in "collective [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Dukes The Palm Palm Dubai, Dubai

    The final gig for the July Laughter Factory tour. The acts: Steven Briggs excellent high-energy US standup with a CV that includes winning one of the Moth's StorySLAMs (open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, five-minute [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • LAST CHANCE Eltiqa: How to Work Together?

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    More 80 artworks by the Palestinian artist collective Eltiqa, Eltiqa (Arabic for “encounter”) is an artist collective from Gaza City founded in 2000. Eltiqa members have developed artistic practices together – including the setting up of a dedicated exhibition and [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE The History of Letters and Diacritical Marks

    Al Rahmaniyah Mall Abu Amr Al Basri St, Al Rahmania Suburb, Sharjah

    This short Sharjah Public Libraries exhibition – part of SPL’s centennial celebrations – features rare manuscripts and artefacts from the Sharjah Quran Complex collection, shedding light on the vital role the Arabic script has played in preserving cultural identity and [ ... ]

    Free
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Bik Van der Pol’s The poem that jumps the fence

    Abu Dhabi Beach Al Hisn Street, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Artist duo Bik Van der Pol (Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol) engage in collaborative projects on how art constructs public spaces for speculative thought and collective creativity. The poem that jumps the fence features weekly performances on Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • M.O.R.O.N.S

    Blacksmith Bar The First Collection Business Bay, Al A'amal Street, Dubai

    Mad Cat's Business Bay comedy night – "Dubai's Wildest Crowdwork Roast Show". The cover charge of AED 99 includes one drink.

    AED 99
  • Summered

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

    The summer show at Artbooth Gallery is a group exhibition featuring Soraya Abu Naba’a, Gilbert Halaby, Asaad Arabi, James Mathews, Habuba Farah, Noor Bahjat, Bruno Sfeir, Oussama Diab, Layal Khawly, and Elias Naman. We’re promised “more than an ode to [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Comedy Lab @ Easy Tiger

    Al Ain Palace Hotel Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi

    Mad Cat brings its standup crew to Abu Dhabi's Easy Tiger bar in the Al Ain Palace. The door price of AED 99 includes two drinks ...

    AED 99
  • I Am Cuba: dir Mikhail Kalatozov (1964)

    Efiɛ Gallery 2 Al Khayat Art Avenue, First Al Khail Street, Dubai

    A landmark in radical political cinema and one of the most visually ravishing films ever made, this legendary hymn to revolution was the product of an ambitious collaboration between the Soviet and Cuban film industries, I Am Cuba unfolds in [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Politically Incorrect Comedy

    The Clavichord Signature Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai

    Mad Cat Comedy is back at the Clavichord in TECOM with "Dubai's wildest comedy night ... raw, unfiltered, hilarious". The cover charge of AED 80 includes one drink.

    AED 80
  • Joke Hub

    Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef Al Seef Street, Umm Hurair 1, Dubai

    Another regular Mad Cat Comedy night – "Dubai's wildest comedy show on Saturday" (sic). The cover charge of AED 99 includes two drinks.

    AED 99
  • LAST CHANCE Nima Nabavi: Sunrise at the Vortex

    The Third Line Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The second solo exhibition by Nima Nabavi at the gallery features new works that mark a significant evolution in the artist's practice, reflecting a deepened commitment to introspection, geometry, and modes of making that embrace technology alongside traditional tools. Created [ ... ]

    Free
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Bik Van der Pol’s The poem that jumps the fence

    Abu Dhabi Beach Al Hisn Street, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Artist duo Bik Van der Pol (Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol) engage in collaborative projects on how art constructs public spaces for speculative thought and collective creativity. The poem that jumps the fence features weekly performances on Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Jameel Library Commissions: A Conversation and Workshop with Ahmad Nabil

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    Artist Ahmad Nabil talks with Jameel Library’s Azim Al Ghussein about Nabil's ongoing Fetus Exodus project, followed by a bilingual writing and drawing workshop. The discussion will consider the transformative nature of myth-making and storytelling, and the ways they shape, [ ... ]