• 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
  • The Jazz Night with Olesia Glants & Big Band

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    ToDA delivers big-band jazz accompanied by a 360° immersive show for a 90-minute set from Ukrainian vocalist Olesia Giants, with backing from a stellar collection of top Dubai musicians. Expect classics by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and [ ... ]

    From AED 190
  • LAST CHANCE Gold and Treasures: 3,000 Years of Chinese Ornaments

    L’ÉCOLE Middle East Building 10, Dubai Design District, Dubai

    L'ÉCOLE Middle East – Van Cleef and Arpels' school of jewellery arts– is celebrating its opening in Dubai Design District with this spectacular exhibition. The clue is of course in the name: the pieces on show (a hundred or so [ ... ]

    Free
  • SAF Book Club: Dystopian Literature in the Present

    Sharjah Art Foundation, Flying Saucer Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    An SAF Book Club meetup to talk about dystopian literary titles such as The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa, Vauhini Vara's Immortal King Rao and the granddaddy of the general, Orwell's 1984. You're also welcome to bring your own [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • LAST CHANCE Echoes of the Orient

    Bassam Freiha Art Foundation Cultural District Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    The inaugural exhibition of the brand new Bassam Freiha Art Foundation is curated from the private collection of Bassam Said Freiha to offer a perspective into how the Middle East has been perceived, portrayed and romanticised over time – particularly [ ... ]

    Free
  • Susan Doe: Entwined

    NYUAD Project Space NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    The first Project Space exhibition of the new season features a series of paintings, sculptures, and installations through which Susan Doe explores ideas of intersectionality, rooted in her own bicultural upbringing. Says the gallery: "Reflecting on her Chinese American background, [ ... ]

  • Uncharted Paths: DocuShorts in Focus

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

    An evening of short documentary films from the region, works by artists taking part in Image Nation Abu Dhabi's Arab Film Studios programme: Luminary: dir Nada Jahed Arabic, 9.5 mins A poetic portrait of a blind father who is strongly [ ... ]

    Free
  • Summertime: dir David Lean (1955)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    David Lean’s lush love letter to Venice was his personal favourite among his own films. A sublimely bittersweet tale of romantic longing, it also has Katharine Hepburn at her best, portraying the conflicting emotions in a lonely, middle-aged American tourist [ ... ]

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

    Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The Laughter Factory tour this month looks like one of their best: John Fothergill "Everything he says is funny ... He looks like he was born onstage, under a follow spot, with a mic in his hand" said the Guardian  [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017

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

    An explicitly-titled exhibition of 27 paintings selected from two Dubai collections, those of the International House Group and Al Noon Residence; included are works by Farid Aouad, Amine El Bacha, Saliba Douaihy, Farghali Abdel Hafez, Faek Hassan, Shaker Hassan, Emanuel [ ... ]

  • The Spot Camp

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The Spot camp is back with workshops, games, music (including an open mic), and a bunch of retail and F&B stalls. There's lots for the kids (bubble machines, face painting) and interactive art and live painting. Should be fun, though [ ... ]

    AED 17
  • 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 night at the Mövenpick JBR for this month's Laughter Factory tour: John Fothergill "Everything he says is funny ... He looks like he was born onstage, under a follow spot, with a mic in his hand" said the [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Wolfwalkers: dir Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart (2020)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An excellent Irish animation that combines history and myth in a compelling narrative that explores friendship and difference. A young apprentice hunter journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack and befriends Mebh, a free-spirited [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Thelma: dir Josh Margolin (2024)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A poignant action-comedy featuring veteran Oscar nominee June Squibb in her first leading role and featuring the final performance of trailblazing blaxploitation legend Richard Roundtree. Squibb is Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • For the Love of Palestine

    RAW Coffee Company 7A Street, Al Quoz, Dubai

    Musicians, comedians and poets take to the stage for an evening of art and solidarity. Opens at 7pm for artisan stalls "and solidarity".  

    Free, like Palestine should be
  • LAST CHANCE Through the Seasons with Eric Carle

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

    For the first time in the region, the work of the noted illustrator and children’s book author (more than 70 titles to his name, including of course The Very Hungry Caterpillar) is celebrated through Carle’s brilliant imagery of the seasons, [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Mummy: dir Stephen Sommers (1999)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Formulaic but neatly done. Adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) teams up with librarian Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) and a motley archaeological crew to conquer the vengeful reincarnation of Egyptian priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) for 124 minutes of non-stop action with some [ ... ]

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

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    An Abu Dhbai visit for this month's Laughter Factory tour (looks like The Club will be a regular stop now): John Fothergill "Everything he says is funny ... He looks like he was born onstage, under a follow spot, with [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    The last weekend for this month's Laughter Factory tour (looks like one of the best). On the bill: John Fothergill "Everything he says is funny ... He looks like he was born onstage, under a follow spot, with a mic [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Dukes The Palm Palm Dubai, Dubai

    Last date for this month's Laughter Factory tour. On the bill: John Fothergill "Everything he says is funny ... He looks like he was born onstage, under a follow spot, with a mic in his hand" said the Guardian  A [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • LAST CHANCE Mona Ayyash: The Clock Doesn’t Care

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

    In her first solo exhibition, Mona Ayyash presents a collaborative video piece with a group of actors, dancers, and performance artists, focusing on small body movements. Selected through an open call, the artist’s collaborators committed to a long-term creative process [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE On a Timeline: 2024 MFA Graduate Show

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

    Marking the third year of collaboration and an expanded partnership between 421 Arts Campus and NYUAD, the exhibition of work by students completing the two-year Master of Fine Arts in Art and Media at NYUAD showcases research and experimentation by [ ... ]

    Free
  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75
  • Closing Program: Spring 2024 Exhibitions

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

    Most exhibitions open with a bang and close with much less fanfare, so 421 is to be commended for marking the end of its current shows – Mona Ayyash: The Clock Doesn’t Care and On a Timeline: 2024 MFA Graduate [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Sound of Music: dir Robert Wise (1965)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    One of the best loved films of its time, this sumptuous adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway show gets renewed punch from a newly restored print of the film. Julie Andrews is of course Maria, the spirited young governess [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Dubomedy’s Stand-up Showcase 1

    Melrose Paramount Midtown, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai

    Graduates of Dubomedy's Summer Stand-up Intensive course take the stage to perform their best new material. Always good, and always a chance to spot the next big standup star ... It's free, though there's a minimum order of one drink [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Dubomedy’s Stand-up Showcase 2

    Melrose Paramount Midtown, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai

    A second tranche of graduates of Dubomedy's Summer Stand-up Intensive course take the stage to perform their best new material (the first group were on at 6pm). Always good, and always a chance to spot the next big standup star [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • The Old Oak: dir Ken Loach (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Sometimes Ken Loach films can seem a bit of a constant battering of messages about social incohesion and unfairness. At their best, though, they are suffused with empathy and idealism along with the anger and the black-and-white morality; and The [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • The Fugitive: dir Andrew Davis (1993)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Harrison Ford is on top form as the Chicago surgeon framed for the murder of his wife who aims to prove his innocence by leading his pursuers (led by Tommy Lee Jones, playing Tommy Lee Jones) to the man who [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75
  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75
  • Tom Alban: Validation

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

    An opportunity to see one of the rising stars of British stand-up before he really gets famous (he's also an actor, so he has two chances). Expect clever storytelling and relatable anecdotes, infectious humour, and really good crowd work ... [ ... ]

    From AED 100
  • Candlelight: Beethoven’s Best Works

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    A second candlelit performance this evening for pianist Aldo Dotto, who did Chopin at 7pm. This programme of Beethoven favourites lasts around 65 minutes: ♦ 'Für Elise' (Bagatelle no.25 in A minor) ♦ Piano Sonata No.21 (Waldstein) – 1st movement [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • LAST CHANCE Hussein Sharif: Re-framing Reality

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

    A major survey of four decades of the artist’s work across painting, drawing, collage and sculpture that should further demonstrate why Sharif – one of 'the five' – is such an important figure in the development of UAE postmodernism. The [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Native: Plants in the UAE

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

    A group exhibition that showcases the UAE’s native flora, exploring the life conditions of plants indigenous to the country’s landscape and examining how the surrounding atmosphere both affects their growth and results in unique variations of colour, texture, size and [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Hussein Sharif: Re-framing Reality

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

    The Culture Foundation's big summer show is a major survey of four decades of work showcasing the multidisciplinary practice across painting, drawing, collage and sculpture of an artist acknoweldged as one of the UAE’s key postmodernists (he was one of [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Native: Plants in the UAE

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

    An exhibition that explores the plants indigenous to the UAE, looking at the surrounding atmosphere that affects its growth and gives it its unique variations of colour, texture, size and behaviour. "From the iconic Ghaf tree to the resilient desert [ ... ]

    Free
  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75
  • Always Growing

    Foundry Downtown Boulevard Crescent, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    Subtitled “look into the history of contemporary digital art in China” and curated by Jing She, this exhibition features works from 10 artists or collectives from the contemporary digital art scene in China that showcase AI, generative art, 3D imaging, [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Lost King: dir Stephen Frears (2022)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Based on a true story – the discovery of the remains of Richard III under a Leicester car park in 2021 – this is the story of amateur historian Philippa Langley (Sally Hawkins at her best), whose passion and research [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro

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

    A new season of this 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
  • Cie Hervé Koubi: Sol Invictus

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

    The new NYUAD Arts Center season opens with a spectacular new show from the returning Compagnie Hervé Koubi. Koubi is building a reputation for stunning choreography that blends contemporary dance and kinetic urban moves; this piece features no fewer than [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Mamma Roma: dir Pier Paolo Pasolini (1962)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Pasolini's audacious second feature is a tale of doomed maternal love set against a stark backdrop of ancient ruins and prefab apartment blocks on the desolate outskirts of Rome. Anna Magnani is superb as a middle-aged streetwalker who attempts to [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Ayesha Sultana: Fragility and Resilience

    Ishara Art Foundation Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The first major solo show in the GCC for the Bangladesh-born US-based artist. Her practice spans drawing, painting and sculpture, "exploring the material and conceptual possibilities of form and medium ... Sultana proposes that fragility can be a form of [ ... ]

  • Cirque Dreams: Elysion

    Al Ain Square Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that [ ... ]

    From AED 75