• Susan Kosti: What Lies Beneath

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

    The Sydney-based media artist and motion graphic designer has assembled a cutting-edge immersive 3D-projection show that translates ocean data collected by NASA into what the organisers describe as “a stunning kaleidoscope of vibrant corals and sea creatures ... What Lies [ ... ]

    Free
  • Entrusted Ground

    NYUAD Art Gallery Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A 40-minute dance performance conceived as part of artist Gözde İlkin’s installation in the current NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery exhibition In Real Time (which ends on 9 June). It's a collaboration between İlkin, choreographer Aslı Öztürk, musician Berke Can [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Art, Social Space, and Public Discourse

    Alserkal Arts Foundation Warehouse 50/51, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    An artist talk by Ala Ebtekar at Alserkal Arts Foundation that draws from his recent explorations and research on art in public space. Ebtekar expands the critical framework of conversation around public art projects, exploring various tools of cultural production [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Ennio Morricone – The Official Concert Celebration

    Dubai Opera

    Dubai Opera's short Film Music Week opens with a tribute concert for Ennio Morricone. Under the baton of his son Andrea Morricone, the Armenian Symphony Orchestra and Dubai Festival Chorus will bring to life the music from films such as [ ... ]

    From AED 275
  • Art Souk

    Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai

    Art, crafts, F&B, music and hands-on interactive workshops at a Dubai Culture weekend under the umbrella of the Sikka platform. Should be fun for all the family ... The full programme is here.

    Free
  • Circa: Duck Pond

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

    The world’s most romantic ballet reimagined as "a family-friendly acrobatic spectacular"? Australia's Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the globe’s leading performance companies, pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances and drawing rave reviews and standing ovations [ ... ]

    AED 155
  • Soiree Stand-Up Parisien

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Top Francophone comedy with Nassim Mellah, Benito, and Malcolm & Syphax. There's drinks and nibbles at 8pm, the show starts at 8.30pm. AF members pay AED 100, the rest of us AED 125.

    AED 125
  • Ennio Morricone – The Official Concert Celebration

    Dubai Opera

    A second tribute concert for Ennio Morricone in Dubai Opera's Film Week. Under the baton of his son Andrea Morricone, the Armenian Symphony Orchestra and Dubai Festival Chorus plays music from films such as The Good, the Bad and the [ ... ]

    From AED 275
  • The Gracefulness of Daily Life

    Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery 796 Jumeirah Street, Dubai

    A group show for Saudi artists associated with Gharem Studio, Riyadh (including its founder and the co-owner). Works on display include photography, printmaking, video, installation and sculpture; "in this show you will discover that studios are places through which you [ ... ]

  • Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

    Dubai Opera

    The second (of four) presentations in Dubai Opera's Film Music Week features a screening of the first Star Wars movie from 1977 (feeling old yet?), featuring one of John Williams' most stirring scores. It's accompanied live by the Armenian State [ ... ]

    From AED 275
  • Entrusted Ground

    NYUAD Art Gallery Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The final performances of this 40-minute dance performance, conceived as part of artist Gözde İlkin’s installation in the current NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery exhibition In Real Time (which ends on 9 June). It's a collaboration between İlkin, choreographer Aslı [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Writing Workshop | Object Lessons: Bad Diaspora Poems

    Alserkal Arts Foundation Warehouse 50/51, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Led by poet and researcher Momtaza Mehri, this writing workshop traces what diaspora means as a space of both collectivity and tension. Paryicipants are invited to "write around, and through, objects that represent the inward facing, closely-held relationship we have [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Circa: Duck Pond

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

    A second performance (of three) for this exuberant take on Swan Lake (with a hint of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling) that mixes the enchantment of the ballet with the thrill of the circus. Australia's Circa Contemporary Circus is [ ... ]

    AED 155
  • Alserkal Community Lane Takeover

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Alserkal Avenue is being taken over for this weekend's evenings by a food festival involving the Avenue's own F&B outlets and a mass of invited incomers. Should be good – and the highlight of the first evening will probably be [ ... ]

    Free
  • Artist Talks | Sheher, Prakriti, Devi

    Alserkal Arts Foundation Warehouse 50/51, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Ishara Art Foundation presents talks by Gauri Gill, Shefalee Jain and Mariam Suhail with their first public presentations in the UAE – the ongoing exhibition Sheher, Prakriti, Devi, which Gauri Gill has curated. Moderated by media and culture theorist Rashmi [ ... ]

    Free
  • Soiree Stand-Up Parisien

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A second evening of top Francophone comedy with Nassim Mellah, Benito, and Malcolm & Syphax. There's drinks and nibbles at 6.30pm, the show starts at 7pm. AF members pay AED 100, the rest of us AED 125.

    AED 125
  • Natalie Perez and Ina Charuashvili

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    The elegant French mezzo-soprano is joined on piano by Ina Charuashvili for the latest in this series of recitals for the Global Notes series, a programme curated by Amira Fouad that features young stars from around the world with a [ ... ]

    tbc
  • Aurie Styla: The Aurator Tour

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    Award-winning comedian, actor and writer from London with a load of style, a Spirit of the (Edinburgh) Fringe Award for 2022, a distinctive voice (he's the worldwide voice of Pintrest, among others), and a neat line in wit for tech [ ... ]

    From AED 125
  • Rana AlMutawa: Everyday Life in the Spectacular City

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

    Dubai’s newest independent bookstore and cultural centre, Kutubna Cultural Center, is opening with Dr Rana AlMutawa’s first solo exhibition in Dubai – an exhibition of images from her book Everyday Life in the Spectacular City: Making home in Dubai. It’s [ ... ]

    Free
  • Circa: Duck Pond

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

    The final Abu Dhabi performance for this exuberant take on Swan Lake (with a hint of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling) that mixes the enchantment of the ballet with the thrill of the circus. Australia's Circa Contemporary Circus is [ ... ]

    AED 155
  • Alserkal Community Lane Takeover

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    The second evening of Alserkal Avenue's pop up food festival involving the Avenue's own F&B outlets and a mass of invited incomers. Should be fun, with DJ music including The Flip Side’s Shadi Megallaa.

    Free
  • Dubai Bibliophiles Book Club – Toni Morrison’s Beloved

    21grams Urban Balkan Bistro Meyan Mall, Al Thanyah St, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai

    The book group discusses what is arguably Morrison's finest literary work, a multi-layered attempt to give voice to the collective memory of African Americans that also explores notions of family, trauma, the repression of memory, and of course the restoration [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Soiree Stand-Up Parisien

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Third evening (of three) for this top gig of Francophone comedy with Nassim Mellah, Benito, and Malcolm & Syphax. There's drinks and nibbles at 6.30pm, the show starts at 7pm. AF members pay AED 100, the rest of us AED [ ... ]

    AED 125
  • Maysoon Zayid: Bint Balad

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

    The distinctive stand-up style of America's first Muslim female comedian (probably) and (definitely) the funniest. Comedian, writer, actress, tap dancer, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid delivers a humorous and heartwarming tale of beating the odds in so many ways ... [ ... ]

    From AED 125
  • 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
  • Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid live in Concert

    Dubai Opera

    A celebration of Charlie Chaplin's Day today in the form of a live cine-concert, the last in Dubai Opera's Film Week series: Chaplin's silent movie classic from 1921 is accompanied by the full Armenian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Timothy Brock. [ ... ]

    From AED 275
  • Fridge Concert Series season 43: TalkinToys | Sreeja Chakra

    The Fridge Warehouse Warehouse 5, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The Fridge Concert Series has always been A Good Thing – typically new(ish) and local(ish) artists given a decent set in a well-equipped space with a supportive audience. Here's pop and indie band Talkintoys, formed in 2018 in the UAE [ ... ]

    AED 80
  • LAST CHANCE Salomé Chatriot: If That Glass Breaks Humanity is Doomed

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

    A solo exhibition show for a magpie favourite. Salomé Chatriot's work merges technology with organic elements to suggest a harmony between human and machine, advocating for a future where technology and humanity coexist. There's no pessimism about technological progress, just [ ... ]

    Free
  • NYU Keys for Two

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

    This should be an impressive performance in The Arts Center's Red Theater: two virtuosos of the piano – Eteri Andjaparidze (Professor of Piano at NYUNY) and Ioannis Potamousis (NYUAD Professor of Piano) – come together for recital programme featuring solo [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 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
  • LAST CHANCE Elena Butko and Jasbir Saggu

    ME Dubai The Opus by Omniyat, Al Amal Street, Business Bay, Dubai

    The chance to exhibit in an undeniable architectural icon designed by a starchitect (and priced to attract HNIs) doesn't come along every day. ME Dubai's Cultural Connections programme for the spring features vivid abstracts by Elena Butko and "multidimensional landscapes [ ... ]

    Free
  • Mona Ayyash: The Clock Doesn’t Care

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

    For her first solo exhibition, the culmination of the artist's participation in the 2024 cycle of the 421 Artistic Development Program, Ayyash presents a collaborative video piece focusing on small body movements. Created with a group of actors, dancers, and [ ... ]

    Free
  • 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, this 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
  • Arnaud Rivieren: Steel Life

    Waddington Custot Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Rivieren's second solo show at Custot is a continuation of his previous exhibition, Natural Sublime, featuring new organic forms and new production processes On show are 14 new and existing works; "through recognisable and nostalgic organic shapes, we find ourselves [ ... ]

    Free
  • Suanjaya Kencut: Re-Charge

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

    Kencut's first solo show in the Middle East explores personal challenge and transformation, described by the gallery as "a pivotal moment in Kencut's artistic journey— a deliberate pivot from external inspirations to an introspective examination of the struggles that define [ ... ]

    Free
  • DuoCalva

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A rare chance to catch the Swiss 'cellocomedy' duo outside Europe. Alain Schudel and Daniel Schaerer are excellent cellists in their own right, but on the stage with pieces by the likes of Mozart, Strauss, Holst and David Bowie (ok, [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • Art Expression Workshop

    BFAF Culture District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    This workshop, led by the Guatemalan artist and art therapist Emilie Dubois, promises "a transformative journey towards self-discovery and emotional expression" based on colour mapping – participants assign vibrant colours to elements that bring them joy, "visually mapping their sources [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • LAST CHANCE Féminin Pluriel: Beyond the City – Chapter 2

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    "A most exotic dreamlike journey" promises the blurb for this successor to the first Beyond the City show last November. Art collective Féminin Pluriel returns with work by Bénédicte Gimonnet; collective memebrs Alison Ladegaillerie, Agnès Sheikh, Alexandra Raynaud, Bénédicte Joland-Chazelle, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Nika Neelova: Beghost

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

    A solo exhibition for the London-based artist that draws inspiration from Buhais Geology Park and Jebel Buhais archaeological site in Al Madam. Neelova's sculptures, crafted from a variety of materials including glass, clay, and fossilized shark teeth, offer a speculative [ ... ]

    Free
  • Les Triplettes de Belleville: dir Sylvain Chomet (2003)

    Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

    A quite brilliant full-length animated comedy, largely dialogue-free (though this version is in French with English subtitles: it was released in the UK as Belleville Rendezvous) about an elderly woman on a quest to rescue her grandson, a Tour de [ ... ]

    Free
  • Blue Fever meets Motown

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi's very own a cappella group take on Motown with the aid of The Retromaniacs Band and a buffet dinner. Should be good ... Tickets are AED 200 for members, AED 220 for the rest of us; they're available [ ... ]

    Non-members AED 220
  • Othello

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

    You can't fault the Junction's resident H72 theatre company for lack of ambition; Othello is an expansive play, full of big characters and demanding powerful acting to deliver Shakespeare's tale of jealousy, interpersonal politics and social commentary. We know little [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Modern and Contemporary Art Dubai

    Christie’s Dubai DIFC, Gate Village, Building 5, Dubai

    This online-only Christie’s sale takes place 9-23 May but includes a selection of the works in an exhibition at its DIFC base between 18 and 23 May (10am to 7pm each day). We don't know exactly what will be on [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Comedy Breakfast Club: Yolks and Jokes!

    Table Top Tavern 114 Khalifa Bin Zayed The First Street, Abu Dhabi

    Love this idea – breakfast coffee with a side of family-friendly comedy and games. This Abu Dhabi Comedy Week gig will be hosted by fan-favourite Adi Thomas and features stand-up with Nadim and Josh, musical comedy with Valentina, and “comedy [ ... ]

    Free with purchase
  • Untamed Pages II

    Alserkal Arts Foundation Warehouse 50/51, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The second in a series of playwriting workshop for writers, artists and performers. Playwright and artist Rebecca Crookshank invites participants to create a scene structured around the rituals of a dinner; "through playful experimentation building on the shared celebration of [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Improv Comedy Workshop

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Improvisation is the art of thinking on your feet, and while it’s an essential tool for performers who get involved with audience interaction it’s useful more generally for verbal and physical communication and team collaboration. This workshop, billed as part [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • Blue Fever meets Motown

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    A second fun evening for entertainment from Abu Dhabi's very own a cappella group with The Retromaniacs Band plus a buffet dinner. Tickets are AED 200 for members, AED 220 for the rest of us; they're available at The Club [ ... ]

    Non-members AED 220
  • Othello

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

    You can't fault the Junction's resident H72 theatre company for lack of ambition; Othello is an expansive play, full of big characters and demanding powerful acting to deliver Shakespeare's tale of jealousy, interpersonal politics and social commentary. We know little [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Aziz Ansari

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    The award-winning actor, director, writer, and comedian is so much more than the Parks and Recreation character he shed nearly ten years ago; much more indicative of his current style is the Netflix series Master of None (2015–2021) that he [ ... ]

    From AED 250