• Foragers: dir Jumana Manna (2022)

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

    Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, the film employs fiction, documentary and archival footage to capture the joy and knowledge embodied in the traditions of foraging for wild edible plants alongside the foragers' resilience in the face [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-regisrer and donate
  • Between Heaven and Earth: dir Najwa Najjar (2019)

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

    Salma and Tamer have been married for the past five years and living in the Palestinian Territory. As Tamer is given a three-day permit to cross the Israeli checkpoint to file for divorce in the courts of Nazareth, the couple [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-regisrer and donate
  • Rooftop Junior Open Mic

    Marketplace, NYUAD Campus Abu Dhabi

    A junior edition of the Middle East’s longest-running open mic event for spoken word artists, poets, and musicians presenting original material. Sign up by emailing info@rooftoprhythms.org.

    Free, but pre-register
  • Kenny Garrett: Sounds from the Ancestors

    Dubai Opera

    One of modern jazz’s most influential living masters recently released an album titled Sounds from the Ancestors. “The concept initially was about trying to get some of the musical sounds that I remembered as a kid growing up – sounds [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • Lubaina Himid and Magda Stawarska: Plaited Time / Deep Water

    Sharjah Arts Foundation, Arts Square Al Shuweiheen, Sharjah

    Lubaina Himid’s first exhibition in the region is something of a coup for Sharjah Art Foundation. Developed over several years, it has been conceived together with Magda Stawarska, who is internationally renowned for her practice of ‘inner listening’—a collaborative process [ ... ]

    Free
  • Future Talks X Calligraphy Biennale | Artist Mattar Bin Lahej

    Museum of the Future Trade Centre 2, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai

    Mattar Bin Lahej on the Museum of the Future as a public art masterpiece. He's the calligraphic artist who created the museum's distinctive facade; this talk aims to deliver an insight into its art, technology and positioning, how it transcends [ ... ]

    AED 149
  • Halloween Special: Horrible Bosses

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

    First of three consecutive nights of scares, laughter and payback, one of the Courtyard's most successful improv innovations. The audience gets to share stories of Horrible Bosses, and the team acts out some sweet revenge for you. Come dressed up [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Nabil Nahas: Tethys

    Lawrie Shabibi Unit 21, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    After months of renovations, Lawrie Shabibi is reopening with a show by the pioneering Lebanese American artist Nabil Nahas — who was actually the first artist Lawrie Shabibi exhibited, back in 2011. Nahas looks like a great choice. Noted as [ ... ]

    Free
  • Halloween Special: Horrible Bosses

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

    Second of three consecutive nights of scares, laughter and payback, one of the Courtyard's most successful improv innovations. The audience gets to share stories of Horrible Bosses, and the team acts out some sweet revenge for you. Come dressed up [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Halloween Special: Horrible Bosses

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

    Last (and scariest?) of three consecutive nights of scares, laughter and payback, one of the Courtyard's most successful improv innovations. The audience gets to share stories of Horrible Bosses, and the team acts out some sweet revenge for you. Come [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF)

    Expo Centre Sharjah Sharjah

    The 42nd edition of SIBF promises to be the fair’s biggest edition ever, claiming to show more than 1.5 million titles by 2,000 publishing houses representing 108 different countries. There will also be a packed 12-day agenda of 1,700 activities [ ... ]

    Free
  • Bastille

    Coca-Cola Arena City Walk, Dubai

    It's ten years since Bastille's smash hit debut album Bad Blood was released, since when the band's characteristic blend of cinematic, melancholic pop has turned them into global stars. So do they still sound as good, or indeed as relevant? [ ... ]

    From AED 199
  • Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum: day one

    Warehouse 1 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    It’s a pleasure to see the creative industries treated as an identifiable business path for entrepreneurs with its own special issues, culture and needs. This two-day event, an initiative of Al Quoz Creative Zone and Dubai Culture, looks like a [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Curators Talk | Suheyla Takesh

    NYUAD Art Gallery Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The first in a new series presented by The NYUAD Art Gallery, in which curators working in the UAE and beyond discuss their approaches to curatorial practice. The aim is to survey the various individual positions and institutional models at [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Authentic Flamenco Abu Dhabi

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

    After success in different cities around the world, this showcase production created by the award-winning dancer and choreographer Amador Rojas for the Royal Opera of Madrid – claimed to be "the most important performing arts institution in Spain" – is [ ... ]

    From AED210
  • Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum: day two

    Warehouse 1 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The second day of this initiative of Al Quoz Creative Zone and Dubai Culture. It’s free, but obviously there will be restrictions on space so get in quick … The workshops also require separate registration: check the website. Day Two [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Every Brilliant Thing

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    As his mother battles chronic depression, a child creates a list of every thing they can think of that makes life worth living. As the child grows, so does the list. Looking back on a life of ups and downs, [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Macbeth

    Dubai Opera Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    A new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy by ETT (English Touring Theatre), now touring after it opened a few weeks ago at Shakespeare North Playhouse in Britain. Directed by ETT’s Artistic Director, Richard Twyman, the play speaks to a world we [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Vasily Petrenko & Timothy Chooi

    Emirates Palace Auditorium Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The RPO, under the baton of its recently appointed musical director, Vasily Petrenko, plays a programme that includes Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor. For Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto, the orchestra will be joined by the young Canadian Timothy Chooi, [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Macbeth

    Dubai Opera Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    A second outing for ETT's new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Directed by ETT’s Artistic Director, Richard Twyman, the play speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now, asking why Macbeth has haunted our fears and nightmares for centuries [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Authentic Flamenco Abu Dhabi

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

    A second evening of performances for this showcase production created by the award-winning dancer and choreographer Amador Rojas for the Royal Opera of Madrid – claimed to be "the most important performing arts institution in Spain". The compilation of traditional [ ... ]

    From AED210
  • Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

    The WB Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    One of the most successful productions in the Candlelight Concerts series – "classical music concerts aimed at democratising access to classical music by allowing people all over the world to enjoy live music candlelit performances".  The Vivaldi favourite was written [ ... ]

    From AED150
  • Playing Ouds: Oud in the Hands of Women Musicians from Around the World

    Sharjah Performing Arts Academy Sharjah

    Organised by Sharjah Art Foundation in collaboration with Kamilya Jubran’s platform Zamkana, this participatory public seminar explores the way the oud is used and played by women artists from around the world. Five renowned oud players from different geographic, historical [ ... ]

  • Berklee Abu Dhabi Music Summit

    Berklee Abu Dhabi UAE Pavilion, Saadiyat ISland, Abu Dhabi

    Two days of participatory performance, workshops, panel sessions and networking aimed at "music professionals, artists and enthusiasts" and focussing on the music business for independent artists – it "aims to inspire the next generation of composers, songwriters, performers, and music [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Boogie Box Festival

    The Dunes Camping & Safari Ras Al Khaimah

    Boogie Box – the longest running House and Techno party series in the UAE, probably the wider Gulf region, and quite possibly in the whole Middle East – is celebrating its 13th birthday with a European-style all nighter. Hassan from [ ... ]

    From AED 125
  • Every Brilliant Thing

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    Second and final performance for his highly recommended one-hander, directed and performed by the Junction's Gautam Goenka. As his mother battles chronic depression, a child creates a list of every thing they can think of that makes life worth living. [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • The Soul Groove with Lina Ammor

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    An immersive evening at the Theatre of Digital Art – Lina Ammor and her band deliver a "360° soul and rhythm & blues journey to the essence of love and life". She's actually very good, with that soul-singer's ability to [ ... ]

    AED 170
  • Macbeth

    Dubai Opera Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    Last chance to catch ETT's new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Directed by ETT’s Artistic Director, Richard Twyman, the play speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now, asking why Macbeth has haunted our fears and nightmares for centuries [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Mohit Takalkar: Hunkaro

    Sharjah Art Foundation -- Calligraphy Square Sharjah

    A second performance of this piece, co-presented by Ishara Art Foundation, which invites the audience to practise the precious gift of attention through active, participatory listening. It interweaves three stories of human trials and tribulations, tied together by the vital [ ... ]

    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 & Music Night

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    An immersive evening at the Theatre of Digital Art – digitised projected art ("the masterpieces of the greatest artists of the 20th century") is accompanied live by Soren Lyng Hansen on cello, double bass and piano. He is very good, [ ... ]

    AED 150
  • Rushdi’s Comedy Souk

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

    A regular monthly evening of improv and stand-up hosted by Rushdi.

    Free, but pre-register
  • Noura Ali-Al Ramahi: Sustainable Art Awareness Project

    Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

    The Lebanese-born Emirati artist has a number of works showing in the public areas of the Four Seasons in a collaboration between the hotel and her gallery, ArtBooth. Noura Al Ramahi has long been commited to eco-friendly art; her reflective [ ... ]

    Free
  • Nowhere And Everywhere At The Same Time No.2

    Berklee Abu Dhabi UAE Pavilion, Saadiyat ISland, Abu Dhabi

    Now this is an unexpected offering from Berklee: the revised version of William Forsythe's Nowhere And Everywhere At The Same Time, a kind of DIY performance piece that encourages you to experience space, movement, other people, the absence of other [ ... ]

    AED20
  • The Abbasid Caliph and His People: A View From the Centre

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

    This talk explores the conventional representations of the Abbasid dynasty, highlighting its perceived trajectory from its rise in the mid-eighth century to its decline in the tenth century. Letizia Osti, Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature a the University [ ... ]

    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
  • Janet Bellotto: Salted Edges #islandparadise

    NYUAD Project Space NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    Janet Bellotto – artist and Professor of Visual Arts at ZU's College of Arts and Creative Enterprises– has been studying islands as both geography and metaphor for more than a decade. In Salted Edges #islandparadise she explores the concept of [ ... ]

    Free
  • Cveto Marsič: An art night

    Slovenian artist Cveto Marsič talks about his creative process and “the profound influence of color, music, and the diverse landscapes he has encountered throughout his artistic journey”. His fascination with the cultures and landscapes of Southern Europe, particularly regions like [ ... ]

  • Authentic Flamenco

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

    After recording success in different cities around the world (including hopefully a couple of nights in Abu Dhabi), this showcase production created by the award-winning dancer and choreographer Amador Rojas for the Royal Opera of Madrid – claimed to be [ ... ]

    From AED225
  • Candlelight Premium: Beethoven’s Best Works

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    The title of this concert certainly sets the bar high, though it seems a pretty good selection of the composer's works for piano. The pianist is Magdalena Wajdzik, and the other plus is the way these recitals are lit by [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Gentle Steps, Guided Words

    Emirates Literature Foundation Dar Al Adaab, Al Shindagha, Dubai

    A meditative walk followed by a writing workshop, organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation and dedicated to Emirates Red Crescent's Tarahum – for Gaza campaign. The start and end point is the ELF office in Al Shindagha; sign up for [ ... ]

  • Emirates Community Symphonic Orchestra

    Lycée Français Jean Mermoz de Dubai Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    The first of two Autumn concerts by the explicitly named and highly commendable Emirates Community Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Jonathon Grover. The programme includes pieces by Bizet, Delius, Schubert and George Butterworth. The latter is an English composer [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 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
  • 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
  • Philip Mueller: The Black Flags of Medea

    CARBON 12 17th Street, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    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