“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 [ ... ]
Tehran's Dastan Gallery has worked with Fereydoun Ave since its establishment and has been part of many of his projects. In this exhibition, Dastan seeks to present a glimpse into the diverse and multidimensional world and practice of the artist. [ ... ]
Two short films by the Norwegian director Ursula Biemann that explore the profound connections of indigenous communities to their natural environments. Screenings will be followed by a Q&A with Biemann. Acoustic Ocean (2018, 18 mins) is a poetic invitation to [ ... ]
Glasgow-based Emmie McLuskey works with sculpture, print, sound and performance to explore the physical embodiment of communication with a particular focus on systems of learning. McLuskey works across the roles of artist, programmer, writer and educator. She sees these as [ ... ]
An immersive AV-plus-2D group exhibition featuring Talal Al Najjar, Ziad Al Najjar, and Miramar Al Nayyar in a new space at ICD Brookfield Place. Guests are invited to enter “an otherworldly space that feels simultaneously like a sanctuary of origin [ ... ]
Godfrey Reggio’s groundbreaking 1982 film Koyaanisqatsi set to an influential score by Philip Glass (his first major film success) and performed live by the Philip Glass Ensemble. Taking its title from a Hopi word meaning “life out of balance,” Koyaanisqatsi [ ... ]
This is the 12th annual event in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a strong all-female line-up of comedians plus a special guest survivor, a BCA info booth and more. Men are very welcome too ... Mina Liccione hosts, [ ... ]
The French-Lebanese funnywoman has a massive social media following for her character-based snippets of life – notably for Mother Makmak, a caricature of the typically caustic Lebanese mother. There are shows on 5 and 6 October, in French, Arabic and some [ ... ]
This is the second edition of a festival that described itself as “the point of intersection between art, technology and the community … The main goal is to attract and create a community of open minded artists, scientists, and tech [ ... ]
A second show for the French-Lebanese comedienne and her character-based snippets of life in French, Arabic and some English.
The Malaysian doctor-turned-comedian is in town with his Brain Drain world tour. Expect quick wit and and great comic timing; his recently released second Netflix special, Ride With Caution, suggests that he is destined for greatness (he's keen to become Malaysia’s first [ ... ]
The Jameel's annual festival devoted to helping the young explore a possible future in the arts is pitched at "all high school and university students, teachers, developing professionals and creatively minded youth in the UAE". Day one is aimed at [ ... ]
Award-winning keyboardist Jolynn J Chin did well on America’s Got Talent with her eclectic blend of classical, pop and electronics. For this 90-minute ToDA gig, she's supported by immersive neon art from Polygon.
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. There's a new angle to the event for this season – [ ... ]
The Omani artist’s first solo show in Dubai declares that there's always a way to emerge from darkness to lightness, as exemplified by the transformation of shame from something sinister into strength and confidence: bold colours suspending and transcending traumatic [ ... ]
The multi-award-winning musical (it has won more than 99 international awards) inspired by the Roald Dahl book touches down in Dubai for an eight-day run that has to be one of the highlights of the season. As the New York [ ... ]
Redaround plays a blend of rock, pop and Arabic music that isn’t as rare as it once was – “taking inspiration from the melting pot of cultures in Dubai as well as the band’s own tastes and influences, they fuse [ ... ]
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 [ ... ]
A visually stunning spectacle of propulsive dance, dazzling lighting, and powerful live music from the Canadian experimental post rock band Fly Pan Am. Choreographer Dana Gingras and her Montreal-based dance company Animals of Distinction explore spaces of inclusion and exclusion, [ ... ]
Called by The Independent “the most sought-after ballerina in the world”, Natalia Osipova’s Abu Dhabi Classics show promises a programme of favourite classics and contemporary masterpieces. Her new dance company, Blooms Dance Project, which has been running now for a [ ... ]
A second performance for this visually stunning spectacle of propulsive dance, dazzling lighting, and powerful live music from the Canadian experimental post rock band Fly Pan Am. Choreographer Dana Gingras and her Montreal-based dance company Animals of Distinction explore spaces [ ... ]
Every Friday, ToDA transforms into a jazz venue for live performance accompanied by a 360° immersive show: this time it's Lady J & her trio in a 90-minute set. "Expect a sparkling arrangement of the Grooviest Classics together with jazzed-up [ ... ]
Four more standups, perhaps a bit more varied than usual and featuring a couple of good local comics on the bill for a change. Dana Alexander (originally from Canada, now based there and in the UK) tours a lot and [ ... ]
Featuring more than 100 works, many on view for the first time, this exhibition is the largest solo presentation of artworks by Ethiopian telsem artist Henok Melkamzer. Traditionally termed as healing or talisman art, telsem is a sophisticated visual art [ ... ]
Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual photography exhibition returns for its 11th edition, featuring artists “whose work challenges established notions of photographic practices” – four individuals and one collective, chosen through an international open call that received more than 350 applications. This [ ... ]
A really interesting panel discussion presented by Museum of the Future as a contribution to Dubai Culture's ongoing Calligraphy Biennale. The session promises to explore the role of calligraphy across diverse cultures, local communities, and heritages, looking at how it [ ... ]
Following sold-out shows in New York, London and his native South Africa, Darren "Whackhead" Simpson returns to Dubai with his standup show – but expect a few of the phone pranks for which he's well known.
“An unforgettable night of laughs” (it says here, and who are we to argue?) from Dubomedy and Art For All . The line-up includes Dubomedy main man Ali Al Sayed and the equally stellar Mina Liccione (his partner in Dubomedy), [ ... ]
A second evening on JBR for the latest Laughter Factory tour – Dana Alexander (originally from Canada, now based there and in the UK) tours a lot and has been a hit in Dubai before; her style has been described [ ... ]
Aldo Dotto plays a recital of what does indeed look like a top selection of the composer's works, all lit by candlelight. The programme: ♦ Symphony 40, 1st movement (arranged for piano) ♦ Sonata no.5 KV 283 in G Major: [ ... ]
German Cova and his musicians (guitar, piano, tabla and one dancer) will guide us through the world of Flamenco — from classical guitar to the passion of movement. "Every aspect of this vibrant show will leave you breathless," promises 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. There's a new angle to the event for this season – [ ... ]
Ewaa, the Abu Dhabi Centre for Sheltering and Humanitarian Care, is launching the MENA region’s first-ever art therapy conference on 17 and 18 October. Under the theme Empowering through Creativity, the conference promotes the creative application of arts and evidence-based [ ... ]
Ethnic tribal electronic house music closes out the Fridge Concert season: Hawazin mixes Arabic house with the vibrant traditions of North African music. We’re promised “pulsating rhythms, live improvisation and enchanting melodies”. DJ Andre Lyke sets the tone for the [ ... ]
Robbie knows how to put on a great show to back up some great pop tunes from a 25-year career (feeling older now?). Sure to sell out
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 [ ... ]
A new one-woman show by the much-loved Coco Makmak delves into the complexities of Lebanese culture with her usual sharp humour and insight. We're promised "a clever mix of social critique, personal confession, and intentional caricature" which is indeed Coco [ ... ]
A night in Abu Dhabi for the latest Laughter Factory tour – Dana Alexander (originally from Canada, now based there and in the UK) tours a lot and has been a hit in Dubai before; her style has been described [ ... ]
Described by the organisers as “the perfect introduction to ballet”, this family-friendly version of the Prokofiev favourite, with original choreography by the Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, offers a familiar story and all the language of classical ballet – albeit with [ ... ]
First of two final Dubai gigs for the latest Laughter Factory tour – Dana Alexander (originally from Canada, now based there and in the UK) tours a lot and has been a hit in Dubai before; her style has been [ ... ]
A second Abu Dhabi performance for this family-friendly version of the Prokofiev favourite, with original choreography by the Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov. It offers a familiar story and all the language of classical ballet – albeit with a reduced company [ ... ]
Last gig of the latest Laughter Factory tour – Dana Alexander (originally from Canada, now based there and in the UK) tours a lot and has been a hit in Dubai before; her style has been described as “smart, irreverent [ ... ]
Described by the organisers as “the perfect introduction to ballet”, this family-friendly version of the Prokofiev favourite, with original choreography by the Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, moves to Dubai after its Abu Dhabi performances. It offers a familiar story and [ ... ]
A group exhibition with works by nine artists, thinkers, filmmakers, and researchers from East, South, Southeast Asia, the MENA region, and South America. Curated by Ritika Biswas, it conceives of climate-related extinction through various states of negation and excess emerging [ ... ]
SIFF is back for its tenth edition on 22 to 28 October with an official selection of 81 films from 37 countries (slightly down on last year, which saw 90+ from 47 countries). But "the new edition promises to exceed [ ... ]
This solo exhibition captures the tensions between shifting natural geographies and dynamic urban environments, featuring new works inspired by the UAE’s architectural history. It narrates the topographic evolution of the UAE, as influenced by Western classical modernity, contemporary traditionalism in [ ... ]
A free-to-attend community awareness event – “raise awareness, get educated, and voice your thoughts against Corporate Cancer”. The theme is blue rather than pink because “the Corporate World over the last few years has begun to sell Pinktober, almost as [ ... ]
The intelligent networking session for creative peers is back after its summer break with an extended evening session – a social (with private bar) for members and guests (5.30 to 8.30) followed by the meat of the evening, a panel discussion [ ... ]
© 2024 magpie media
