• 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
  • Exclusive Live Comedy Podcast: Ali Al Sayed

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    “Raw, real and hilarious” live podcasts, hosted by top local comedian Ali Al Sayed with guests as a contribution to Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Free to attend, but you need to pre-register (if you can’t get into this one there [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 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
  • Mame Khan

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

    Bollywood Sufi from the pride of Rajasthan and his ensemble. Featuring “the finest musicians on an assortment of traditional instruments such as the dholak, harmonium, kartal, kamaycha, sarangi, morchang, bhapang, matka, tambura, bansuri as well as keyboard and saxophone”, we’re [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Tommy Tiernan, Kevin Bridges, Joanne McNally

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Two of Britain’s best standups share this Abu Dhabi Comedy Week with a "special guest". The men are both established, both very funny, and both get less attention than they deserve; Tiernan is everything you want from a droll Irish [ ... ]

    From AED 345
  • Ahmed Al-Kadri

    Jazz and Fizz Bar, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche Corniche Road East, Capital Plaza Complex, Abu Dhabi

    The Yemeni/American standup is coming to Abu Dhabi for Comedy Week. He’s good, and though his improv and TikTok and Instagram shorts have been a viral hit he deserves a wider audience for his way with anecdotes and “jokes about [ ... ]

    AED 150
  • 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
  • New York Legends at Broadway Theater, Emirates Palace

    Emirates Palace Auditorium Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The Emirates Palace’s Auditorium has been repurposed as a Broadway theatre for this “unmissable comedy lineup” as the blurb puts it. It’s an Abu Dhabi Comedy Week evening with five standups (“legends”? Well, maybe) that come from or have a [ ... ]

    AED 290
  • Seven Winters in Tehran: dir Steffi Niederzoll (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An important documentary: Reyhaneh Jabbari was a female student in Tehran who was hanged for murder, but she had acted in self-defence against a rapist. She would have received a pardon and a short jail term if she had retracted [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee: Bad Friends

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Comedians Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee are touring their hit podcast Bad Friends, which showcases the dynamic and sometimes “contentious” relationship between the two. This gig is part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.

    From AED 175
  • John Achkar: Shou Zakeh?!

    Saadiyat Rotana Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    The popular Lebanese comic stops off in Abu Dhabi for a one-night-only special in Abu Dhabi Comedy Week as part of a world tour. The show’s in Arabic (specifically Lebanese Arabic).

    From AED 150
  • New York Legends at Broadway Theater, Emirates Palace

    Emirates Palace Auditorium Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A second chance to catch this “unmissable comedy lineup” as the blurb puts it. It’s an Abu Dhabi Comedy Week evening with five standups (“legends”? Well, maybe) that come from or have a connection with New York City – so [ ... ]

    AED 290
  • Behind The Mountains: dir Mohamed ben Attia (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    In this quite surprising supernatural drama, a man fed up with the chains of his humdrum life lashes out only to discover he possesses a logic-defying gift – the power to fly. The film departs from the director’s previous social [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Library Circles: Azza Aboualam

    Jameel Library Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai

    The Jameel's Library Circles is a series of research, talks, and experimental interventions by UAE practitioners that offers alternative research methodologies with a focus on 'thinking in public'. For this iteration, Azza Aboualam – an Assistant Professor at Zayed University [ ... ]

    Free
  • Déserts: dir Faouzi Bensaïdi (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A road buddy comedy with a twist or two, wry humour throughout, gorgeous camerawork, and an all-pervading good sense of humanity and absurdity. Two petty crooks, Mehdi and Hamid, drive around the villages of southern Morocco, trying to recover a [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Andrew Schulz

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    New York native and internationally touring stand-up comic and podcaster, Schulz is known for his raw and irreverent comedy. He claims nothing is off limits, so this should make for an interesting gig as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.

    From AED 250
  • 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
  • Fremont: dir Babak Jalali (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Beautiful but troubled, 23-year-old Donya finds her promoted to writing the mantras inside fortune cookies because the wise owner of the factory believes that people with memories write beautifully. Donya, an Afghan refugee with PTSD, Donya already has memories aplenty [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • LAST CHANCE Between Fiction and Dreams

    Andakulova Gallery Unit 18, P4 Level Damac Park Towers, DIFC , Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A group show by three artists from Karakalpakstan, an autonomous area of Uzbekistan: Bakhtiyar Serekeyev, Timur Shardimetov and Salomat Babajanov. "They introduced the rebellious spirit of expressionism and uninhibited painting into local art, which was very traditional in themes and [ ... ]

    Free
  • At the Edge of Land

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    This group exhibition, curated by Lucas Morin, highlights unexpectedly interconnected geographies, resources and commodities, moving between land and sea to tell stories of conflict, erosion and extraction; it's based on works from the Art Jameel Collection plus loans and new [ ... ]

    Free
  • Echoes of Sierra Leone

    Urbanist Art Gallery Box Park, Al Wasl Road, Dubai

    A group show by five artists from Sierra Leone – Hawa-Jane Bangura, Hickmatu Leigh, Julius Parker, Felix Rhodes, Zahra Fakih Zato. To 22 June.

    Free
  • No Bears: dir Jafar Panahi (2022)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The jailed Iranian director Jafar Panahi plays a version of himself, forced to shoot his new film in a village near the Turkish border whose inhabitants are encouraged to be scared of supposed “bears” roaming the countryside – just as [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Dave Chappelle

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    The Emmy-winning comedian brings his distinctive brand of comedy to the Etihad Arena for Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, his only gig in the region.

    From AED 280
  • L’hôtel du libre-échange

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

    Classic Feydeau farce (actually co-written with Maurice Desvallières). It's set in a notorious hotel, with a motley group of guests entering and exiting rooms that are only sometimes the right ones ... Lies and misunderstandings, frustrations and lack of luck [ ... ]

    AED 110
  • The Burdened: dir Amr Gamal (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    This drama, Gamal’s second feature, is based on a true story: Isra’a and Ahmed and their five children are engaged in a daily struggle against poverty in war-torn Yemen. When they discover that Isra’a is pregnant, they scrape together the [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Houda Bakkali: Digital Art, Digital Culture

    Alliance Française Abu Dhabi Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An exhibition that aims to demonstrate the power of digital art to break spatial, temporal and generational borders, "creating synergies between different audiences and making art not only timeless, but also universal, close and understandable". It features work by Bakkali [ ... ]

    Free