4 December 2023

LAST CHANCE Samuel Olayombo: Lotus Bloom Ranchers

Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery 796 Jumeirah Street, Dubai

“I cross the boundaries of traditional masculinity, macho culture, societal gender assertions and associations," says Samuel Olayombo, who works with oils, acrylics, charcoal and pastels to create vibrant and large-scale canvases of predominately male but non-gender normative portraits. Using a [ ... ]

Free

Authentic Flamenco

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

Two final performances for this showcase production created by the award-winning dancer and choreographer Amador Rojas for the Royal Opera of Madrid. This compilation of traditional flamenco features Paula Rodríguez, a noted artist with a complete education in classical, contemporary [ ... ]

From AED225

Wissam Shawkat: Black & White

Mestaria Gallery Unit 35, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Monochrome works at reduced scale from one of the masters of modern calligraphic art. In this show there are 111 in total, all in his characteristic calligraphy styles including Al Wissam and Calligraforms. "It feels to me a universal truth [ ... ]

Free

Global Notes: Laura Mekhail & Amira Fouad

Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

The Egyptian soprano Laura Mekhail, the first Arab recipient of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation /  Community Jameel Scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, is accompanied for this Global Notes evening by Amira Fouad on piano in a [ ... ]

AED 265

Ali Sethi

Dubai Opera

Blending traditional South Asian melodies with global beats, Sethi’s soulful voice and adept performance style promises “a musical journey that transcends borders and resonates with the heart”. Time magazine has praised him for showing that “differences of culture, language, religion, [ ... ]

From AED 185

Emirates Community Symphonic Orchestra

Dwight School Dubai Dubai Sports City, Dubai

The second of two Autumn concerts by the Emirates Community Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Jonathon Grover. The programme includes pieces by Bizet, Delius, Schubert and George Butterworth. Entrance is free, but you need to prebook a seat by [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Diwali Special: Bollywood Improvised

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

Improv with a Bollywood twist – "a spicy mix of star-crossed lovers, angry parents, long-lost relatives and villainous siblings, all created on the spot by our improvisors and starring a member of the audience". As usual it's free, but you [ ... ]

Free but donations welcome

LAST CHANCE Mathilde Magnier: What We Leave Behind

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

This series of images of the UAE, started when Mathilde Magnier Rabate moved to the Emirates in 2014, attempts to document the impact of the country's rapid transformation on the Emirati traditional landscape and ecosystems. In a part of the [ ... ]

Free

Diwali Special: Bollywood Improvised

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

Improv with a Bollywood twist – "a spicy mix of star-crossed lovers, angry parents, long-lost relatives and villainous siblings, all created on the spot by our improvisors and starring a member of the audience". As usual it's free, but you [ ... ]

Free but donations welcome

LAST CHANCE Olaf Breuning & Edgar Orlaineta: Yours or Mine?

CARBON 12 Unit 37, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai

This is looking like a major show for Carbon 12, with two of its mid-career stars; the gallery believes the works of Edgar Orlaineta (b.1972, Mexico) and Olaf Breuning (b.1970, Switzerland) “weave a captivating narrative of hybridity and environmental consciousness [ ... ]

Free

Philip Mueller: The Black Flags of Medea

CARBON 12 Unit 37, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai

Another excursion through the worlds of one of Carbon 12's stars.  It's a gathering of old and new people from paintings past, featuring the Black Flamingo Sad Boys and the Naxos Racing Team; the work marks a fundamental stage in [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE Femalarity

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

A group show of ten female Asian artists, curated by Hing Kong gallerist Matt Chung. The artists: Haeji Min Sonya Yufei Zhang Von Hyin Kolk Debbie Kim Chey Claire Yang Du Estelle Tcha Kyungmin Lee Hilarie Hon Wong Sze Wai

Free

Afra Al Dhaheri: Give Your Weight to the Ground

Green Art Gallery Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Working across various mediums including mixed media, sculpture, drawing, painting, installation, photography, and printmaking, Afra Al Dhaheri draws out notions of time and adaptation, rigour and fragility. Born in Abu Dhabi, where she still lives and works, Al Dhaheri has [ ... ]

Free

Roshanak Aminelahi: Faces of Resilience

Ayyam Gallery Alserkal Avenue Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The second solo exhibition for Roshanak Aminelahi at Ayyam Gallery (the first was way back in 2017) illuminates the stories of women who navigated a male-dominated society and persevered through adversity. The selected women come from diverse backgrounds, spanning different [ ... ]

Free

Lubna Chowdhary: Disjunctions

Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A solo exhibition from an always interesting artist that foregrounds her distinctive disruption of material, of tradition, of expectations. Clay and ceramics constitute her principal media, but she uses them to explore tensions between the handmade and the industrial, the [ ... ]

Free

Nima Nabavi and Jason Seife: Duality

The Third Line Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

New works by two artists working together in symbiosis – pairings of canvases that are mixed and matched (the precise dimensions of each canvas are the same) but not exact: the works are cousins, not siblings. Geometry was the common [ ... ]

Free

I Can No Longer Produce the Limits of My Own Body

NIKA Project Space Unit 11 Al Khayat Avenue, 19th Street Road — Al Quoz 1, Dubai

The fourth exhibition at NIKA Project Space is a group show for seven artists highlighting ecofeminist perspectives, curated by Nadine Khalil and featuring work by Liane Al Ghusain, Lilia Ziamou, Dalia Khalife, Sara Niroobakhsh, Mirna Bamieh with Isaac Sullivan, and [ ... ]

Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design

Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

This exhibition highlights the influence of the Islamic arts on design at the luxury goods brand from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Co-curated by Évelyne Possémé, Former Chief Curator of Ancient and Modern Jewellery at the [ ... ]

AED 63

Abdulrahim Salim: Muheera & I

Aisha Alabbar Gallery Warehouse 101, Al Quoz 2, Dubai

Abdulrahim Salim’s first solo exhibition with the gallery presents a collection that spans two decades of his career, including figurative drawings, paper collages, and  abstract paintings. Central to his artistic vision is the enduring influence of folklore and the character [ ... ]

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

Walid Siti: Fragile Construct

Meem Gallery Umm Suqeim Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Two towers loom large in Walid Siti’s artwork, one manmade – the 9th century Malwiya minaret of Samarra, encompassing both the hubris of political power and the genius of an unknown architect; and the mountains of his native Kurdistan, formed [ ... ]

Free

Miwa Matreyek: This World Made Itself / I Infinitely Yours

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

Two works featuring Miwa Matreyek's signature projected animations and shadow silhouettes, both combining surreal and poetic narratives to depict the conflict between humans and nature. Matreyek is an animator, designer, and performer who creates live, staged performances where she interacts [ ... ]

AED 105

The Fridge Open Mic

The Fridge Warehouse Warehouse 5, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Open to all singers, musicians, instrumentalists and performers -- register from 6.30pm on the night, and it's first come first served. We thinks it's free for performers and audience ...

Free

Beyond the city – Chapter 1

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

An “unseen collaboration” between local art gallery/consultancy kanvas and the French female artist collective Féminin Pluriel, where “the physical artworks of 10 artists will be immersed into the digital world of kanvas” to offer "a vision of opposition between the [ ... ]

Free

Miwa Matreyek: This World Made Itself / I Infinitely Yours

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

A second performance of these two works featuring Miwa Matreyek's signature projected animations and shadow silhouettes, both combining surreal and poetic narratives to depict the conflict between humans and nature. Matreyek is an animator, designer, and performer who creates live, [ ... ]

Event Series Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

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

Gaby Milky writes and directs this "musical-ish satire", first seen back in 2017. The king of Blinktonasia is imposing a strict regime that requires eradication of the clowns, the threat to his monarchy; so he orders the Professor to devise [ ... ]

AED 120

Crossbones Trombones Ensemble

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

Now this should be a lot of fun. The ensemble (usually five trombones, generally unaccompanied) are a group of young and driven Belgian musicians whose repertoire mixes classical and jazz styles infused with cinematic and pop elements. The short gig, [ ... ]

AED 75

Rooftop Rhythms: The Sustainability Edition – Open Mic Night

Marketplace, NYUAD Campus Abu Dhabi

The Middle East’s longest-running poetry (and other performance) open mic event always features culturally-diverse voices with a lineup that includes spoken word artists, poets, and musicians presenting original material, typically on a first-come first-served basis (sign up by emailing info@rooftoprhythms.org) [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Laughter Factory: ‘The Good, the Bad and the Filthy’ Tour

Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This month's standups are Kate Barron from Canada ("after a lifetime of being told she is too big, too loud and too vulgar, by everyone from strangers to teachers, she decided to step on stage and start wearing those labels [ ... ]

AED 160

Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective (1970–2023)

Al Mureijah Square Sharjah

Jantjes is recognised as a creative activist, artist, curator and critical thinker, furthering the discourses and representation of African and African diaspora art. The largest solo presentation of the artist to date, this retrospective for the UK-based South African artist [ ... ]

Free

Miwa Matreyek: This World Made Itself / I Infinitely Yours

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

The final two performances of these two works featuring Miwa Matreyek's signature projected animations and shadow silhouettes, both combining surreal and poetic narratives to depict the conflict between humans and nature. Matreyek is an animator, designer, and performer who creates [ ... ]

Dreamscape

Total Arts at the Courtyard Al Quoz, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

From the press release: Dreamscape is "an immersive installation honouring the nurturing power of our Earth and emphasising the reverence it deserves as a sacred element of our existence. A sensory experience that seeks to bridge the intangible space between [ ... ]

Free
Event Series Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

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

Gaby Milky writes and directs this "musical-ish satire", first seen back in 2017. The king of Blinktonasia is imposing a strict regime that requires eradication of the clowns, the threat to his monarchy; so he orders the Professor to devise [ ... ]

AED 120

Laughter Factory: ‘The Good, the Bad and the Filthy’ Tour

Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A second night at the Mövenpick for Kate Barron from Canada ("after a lifetime of being told she is too big, too loud and too vulgar, by everyone from strangers to teachers, she decided to step on stage and start [ ... ]

AED 160

Hazem Harb: Dystopia is not a Noun

Warehouse 58 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Charcoal on paper holds profound significance for long-time Alserkal Avenue collaborator Hazem Harb – the black carbon dust echoes that which now settles in Gaza, his home. In this ‘intervention’ he’s returning to the medium after ten years; “combining elements [ ... ]

Free

Al Ain Book Festival 2023

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium Al Ain

The 14th edition of the former Al Ain Book Fair, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the theme All Eyes on Al Ain, is open 9am to 10pm from 19 to 25 November. It celebrates literature with [ ... ]

Free

Fahd Burki

Grey Noise Unit 24 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

To 3 February  

Free
Event Series Abu Dhabi Art

Abu Dhabi Art

Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The fifteenth edition of Abu Dhabi Art, which runs 22-26 November 2023, will once again be the largest yet – there will be 92 gallery booths (a few galleries are in more than one section). They include 37 new and [ ... ]

Free

Acoustic Sundays

The Fridge Warehouse Warehouse 5, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

A pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon: chilled Latin beats by Jose Ramon on piano, zero alcohol cocktails from TVM @ The Fridge ...

Free
Event Series Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

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

Gaby Milky writes and directs this "musical-ish satire", first seen back in 2017. The king of Blinktonasia is imposing a strict regime that requires eradication of the clowns, the threat to his monarchy; so he orders the Professor to devise [ ... ]

AED 120

Aida Garifullina: Opera Gala

Dubai Opera

The star Russian lyric soprano Aida Garifullina performs a programme that ranges across iconic arias from the classic Italian and Russian operas but also includes crossover hits. She's accompanied by the Northern Sinfonia under conductor Fabio Mastrangelo.

from AED 350

Rashid Rana: It Lies Beyond

Volte Art Projects Warehouse 13, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Rashid Rana characteristically challenges our perceptions of scale through the intermingling of both small and large imagery, exploring and revealing patterns and similarities. In It Lies Beyond (above), the imposing proportions invite viewers to immerse themselves in the intricate imagery [ ... ]

Gazelli Art House: Jawhar

Jossa by Alserkal Warehouse 45, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

A pop-up exhibition for Alserkal Art Week by London-based Gazelli Art House. The group show aims to spotlight pressing environmental concerns and features Recycle Group; Libby Heaney; Kalliopi Lemos; Aida Mahmudova; Elnara Nasirli; Aidan Salakhova; and Matteo Zamagni. Recycle Group [ ... ]

Free

Juma Al Haj: The Return

Warehouse 46 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

A short run for this pop-up solo exhibition by the Emirati artist, noted for his calligraphy-like abstracted text in paintings and drawings. His abstract notations appear unconscious, though his process is in fact method-based, calculated and always originating from his [ ... ]

Free

Reviewing Landscape

Elmarsa Gallery 23 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A group exhibition of landscapes from a genuinely eclectic list of painters – Alexis Delahogue (France, d.1936), Ammar Farhat (Tunisia, d.1987), Antoine ‘Mayo’ Malliarakis (Egypt, d.1990), Atef Maatallah (Tunisia, b. 1981), Baya Mahieddine (Algeria, d.1998), Cécile Bougourd (France, d.1941), Hedi [ ... ]

Free
Event Series Alserkal Art Week

Alserkal Art Week

Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

This year’s Alserkal Art Week runs from Monday 20 November to Sunday 26 November at Alserkal Avenue. It’s been refocussed at short notice on Gaza and related issues, in particular with a major exhibition in Concrete. The full programme is [ ... ]

Free

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 plus guests. Classic Courtyard stuff. It's free, but you need to put your [ ... ]

Free but donations welcome

Art Here 2023

Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

The third edition of Louvre Abu Dhabi's Art Here exhibition and the accompanying Richard Mille Art Prize has the theme ‘Transparencies’ and is curated by Maya El Khalil. Seven artists have been shortlisted from the “diverse submissions received from multinational [ ... ]

AED 60

LAST CHANCE Victor Ekpuk: INTERwoven TEXTures

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

The Nigerian-American artist’s solo debut in the Middle East is an exhibition of painting and sculpture that continues his exploration of Nsibidi, an ancient Nigerian graphic communication system. A tribute to the power of dialogue and collective human experiences, this [ ... ]

Free

A Musical Journey: Jordi Savall in Conversation

NYUAD Conference Centre NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The -award-winning Catalan-Spanish musicologist, music maker and conductor Jordi Savall is in town for a concert with a special focus on the Hispanic and Mediterranean musical heritage. Here he joins Maurice Pomerantz, Senior Director of NYUAD Institute and Professor of [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register