Accolades like "accomplished singer/songwriter" and "talented musician" are bandied about all too easily; Mary Gatchell really does seem to deserve them. Here's a partial CV: A graduate of NYU with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Theory and Composition [ ... ]
The Courtyard's most peopular evening of elimination improv. 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 [ ... ]
Curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala and Zeynep Öz, Sharjah Biennial 16 features works by more than 190 participants, including over 200 new commissions. The SB16 Opening Programme weekend, which runs at locations in Sharjah City, [ ... ]
Riken Yamamoto, winner of the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize, will talk about the transformative power of architecture in shaping communities via key themes such as sustainability, intergenerational living, human-centred design, and the integration of public and private spaces. Drawing from [ ... ]
We love this idea, and it's just the sort of thing that we'd hope for from an arts centre like 421. It's a writers’ group intended for writers to practice their craft without the pressures of producing a final outcome, [ ... ]
"A Grapes of Wrath for our time” said critic Roger Ebert of this lovingly rendered, heartbreaking story of hope and survival. After their family is murdered by the government during a civil war massacre in Guatemala, brother and sister Enrique [ ... ]
A group show of works by Ludmilla Radchenko, Rachel K (above), Ihab Ahmad, Laurent Perbos, Yana Abramova and Samuele Ventanni curated by Celine Azem. The aim is to explore how colour extends beyond visual experience, "shaping memory, emotion, and perception [ ... ]
Over the course of a parent/teacher conference, a grieving mother and an emotionally overwhelmed primary school teacher have a fraught conversation about the tragic suicide of the mother’s son. Gidion may have been bullied – or he may have been [ ... ]
The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1972; the charismatic Japanese conductor, Yutaka Sado, has been the music director since 2023 and he conducts two concerts to open the 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival. In this first concert, star tenor [ ... ]
The acclaimed singer and composer known for blending MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) with jazz and contemporary influences continues to be a leading figure in contemporary Brazilian music. For this two-night residency, the top British jazz singer Emma Smith provides the [ ... ]
Two further performances (at 2pm and 8pm) for this powerful two-hander by Johanna Adams. Over the course of a parent/teacher conference, a grieving mother and an emotionally overwhelmed primary school teacher have a fraught conversation about the tragic suicide of [ ... ]
Dilyara Kaipova's practice is located at the intersection of folk artisan traditions and contemporaneity; she works with Uzbek textiles, employing centuries-long traditions to make work that is relevant to the socio-cultural and ecological issues of the region. To 8 April.
FLEX* is a talking and listening game created by Manila-based curatorial and research initiative Load na Dito; participants explore the meaning of words based on personal experiences while moulding clay. Inspired by the city’s ubiquitous gift shops, the accompanying installation will [ ... ]
In the second concert for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yutaka Sado, the orchestra plays Yasushi Akutagawa’s Triptyque for Strings and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5. The soloist is the young rising star Kyohei [ ... ]
Comedy from the coolest Chinaman in town at what he calls "the coolest gallery café in Dubai" for "a night of stand-up, good vibes, and unfiltered laughs". DM seven_chinaman on Instagram for a reservation.
Second of two nights at this top jazz lounge venue for the acclaimed Brazilian singer and composer. The top British jazz singer Emma Smith provides the support.
The final performances (at 2pm and 8pm) for this powerful two-hander by Johanna Adams. Over the course of a parent/teacher conference, a grieving mother and an emotionally overwhelmed primary school teacher have a fraught conversation about the tragic suicide of [ ... ]
An exhibition of masterpieces from the Post-Impressionist period that is organised into in nine sections, each celebrating both the individual styles and the shared themes that connect this transformative era in art – visitors can follow paths dedicated to Neo-Impressionism, [ ... ]
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 [ ... ]
Warwick Davis stars as Willow Ufgood in this Tolkien-ish family-friendly mix of fun, fantasy and action; the diminutive Willow teams up with a wandering rogue swordsman (Val Kilmer) to protect a baby princess who has miraculously fallen into his care. [ ... ]
Rimini Protokoll pushes the boundaries of conventional theatre. During this performance walk within the collective’s ‘Remote X’ series (2013–ongoing), you are invited to explore the growing presence of artificial intelligence in future cities; for this tour, designed specifically for Abu [ ... ]
Rimini Protokoll pushes the boundaries of conventional theatre. During this performance walk within the collective’s ‘Remote X’ series (2013–ongoing), you are invited to explore the growing presence of artificial intelligence in future cities; for this tour, designed specifically for Al [ ... ]
An ongoing programme of performance exercises such as contact improvisation, breath work, acting warm-ups, games, and techniques aimed at "performing artists, creatives, and curious individuals looking to explore movement practices. Instructors are multidisciplinary theatre artist and game designer Carlos Páez [ ... ]
Superbly filmed, the romantic film of the year spans decades, continents and cultures as a widower embarks on an emotional journey. Based on the bestseller by Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson and directed by Iceland’s multi-award-winning director Baltasar Kormákur, TOUCH is the [ ... ]
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 plus guests. Classic Courtyard improv. It's free, but you need to put your [ ... ]
What does it mean to come from a home that does not exist today? The artworks in this exhibition examine the idea of true foreigners – whose left-behind homes exist not only in a different place, but also in a [ ... ]
The Fridge's series of showcase concerts closes with Emirati soul singer Arqam – six hit singles to date. Support comes in the form of Polynesian from Vahimiti, debuting two tracks from her upcoming album.
Very silly, very funny: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props, and a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon ... [ ... ]
The Courtyard's most peopular evening of elimination improv. 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 [ ... ]
Two more performances (at 3pm and 7pm) of this very silly, very funny show: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous [ ... ]
A newly-restored print of one of Hollywood's classics – romantic, witty, a great director, and full of stars: Humphrey Bogart, William Holden and Audrey Hepburn lead in this Cinderella story of a gauche girl who returns from a trip to [ ... ]
A rare non-improv evening at the Courtyard, and a perfect Valentine's treat: John Cariani’s play is made up of a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming [ ... ]
The final Dubai performances (at 3pm and 7pm) of this very silly, very funny show: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, [ ... ]
"Better than the art afterparty" claims 421. "We’re ramping up the art season with pop-up vendors, independent brands, eclectic workshops, diverse entertainment, neighbourhood walks, and obviously, more art ... Block Barty is for the 'art' people, the non-art art people, [ ... ]
“An immersive celebration of jewellery arts” with “an exciting lineup of engaging experiences” that showcase the school’s expertise across its three pillars: art history, 'savoir-faire', and gemology. The jewellery school’s director, Sophie Claudel, describes it as “a celebration of everything [ ... ]
Now this looks a lot of fun: a version of the Shakespeare play (pretty faithful to the original, apparently) woven together with Queen music, a five-piece band and choir, dancing, and lots of swordfighting. Says the blurb: “Imagine Shakespeare’s classic [ ... ]
A second performance of John Cariani’s play, a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming exploration of love's many facets, filled with wit, warmth, and unexpected surprises, [ ... ]
Two further performances (at 2.30 and 7.30pm) for this version of the Shakespeare play featuring a five-piece band, songs by Queen, dancing, and lots of swordfighting. Says the blurb: “Imagine Shakespeare’s classic envisioned by Freddie Mercury, blending elements of Zeffirelli, [ ... ]
"An exhibition that bridges the glamour of international stars from cinema and music and the depth of fine art portraiture" – a total of 22 portraits by Bahraini artist Jamal A. Rahim of figures from Hollywood and the Arab world, [ ... ]
This solo show by the Dubai-based artist/designer celebrates the Gulf’s mangroves, celebrating their vital role in protecting wildlife, the coastline, and the balance of nature, "celebrating their inherent tranquillity and the intricate tapestry of endangered wildlife thriving within their protective [ ... ]
“An immersive celebration of jewellery arts” with “an exciting lineup of engaging experiences” that showcase the school’s expertise across its three pillars: art history, 'savoir-faire', and gemology. The jewellery school’s director, Sophie Claudel, describes it as “a celebration of everything [ ... ]
A conversation between Vikram Divecha and writer Robert Kilroy about the publication developed after Divecha’s 2024 solo exhibition at the Jameel, exploring his concept of “found processes”, where he observes how people navigate, adapt and disrupt systems. Recommended.
FLEX* is a talking and listening game created by Manila-based curatorial and research initiative Load na Dito; participants explore the meaning of words based on personal experiences while moulding clay. Inspired by the city’s ubiquitous gift shops, the accompanying installation will [ ... ]
Now this should be an impressive piece of theatre: Boiler Room Six tells the almost impossible but true survival story of Frederick Barrett, lead firemen in one of the boiler rooms on the Titanic. Barrett’s story is one of the [ ... ]
The penultimate Courtyard performance of John Cariani’s play, a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming exploration of love's many facets, filled with wit, warmth, and unexpected [ ... ]
Top British soul talent who has had a long and storied career, much peer approval and an MBE but still deserves wider recognition. A two-night residency at this intimate venue and a knowledgeable audience should suit him, though. Recommended.
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 [ ... ]
Rimini Protokoll pushes the boundaries of conventional theatre. During this performance walk within the collective’s ‘Remote X’ series (2013–ongoing), you are invited to explore the growing presence of artificial intelligence in future cities; for this tour, designed specifically for Abu [ ... ]
Anyone who has read The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov is free to take part in this book club meetup – attendees will each get the chance to express their impressions, then a moderator will [ ... ]
The second (and final) performance of Tom Foreman's account of the almost impossible but true survival story of Frederick Barrett, lead firemen in one of the boiler rooms on the Titanic. Barrett’s story is one of the most devastating accounts [ ... ]
© 2024 magpie media