• 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
  • All That Breathes: dir Shaunak Sen (2022)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    From their makeshift bird hospital in their tiny basement, two brothers --  Mohammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad – try to care for thousands of the black kites that struggle in New Delhi's smog-choked skies. As environmental toxicity and civil unrest [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Nezouh: dir Soudade Kaadan (2022)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Fourteen-year-old Zeina lives with her mother and father in Damascus, one of the few remaining families in a devastated neighbourhood. Covert visits from a local boy offer Zeina glimpses of freedom outside the oppressive control of her father – but [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • The UAE Classical Talents: A Night of Harp and Piano

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A cocktail reception (8-8.30pm) followed by a recital from two artists who have been a hit in the Classical talents series – pianist Magdalena Wajdzik and harpist Erdinç Komsu. They will be performing works by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and Hasselmans. [ ... ]

    AED 130
  • Bassem Youssef and Maz Jobrani

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    The Egyptian surgeon-turned-satirist Bassem Youssef and the American comedian-turned-actor Maz Jobrani actually make a good double act, as seen/heard on various podcasts, chat shows and interviews, though for this Abu Dhabi Comedy Week we’d expect them to be doing successive [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • L’hôtel du libre-échange

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

    A second show for this Feydeau farce set in a notorious hotel, with a motley group of guests entering and exiting rooms that are only sometimes the right ones ... Performed by students of Culture Emulsion's Dubai-based drama school as [ ... ]

    AED 110
  • Goodbye Julia: dir Mohamed Kordofani (2023)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Mona is a retired singer in a tense marriage in Northern Sudan. Wracked by guilt after covering up a murder, she tries to make amends by taking in the dead man’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel. Mona [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • LAST CHANCE Rachid Koraïchi: An Ode to Intertwined Histories

    Elmarsa Gallery 23 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A solo exhibition with examples of many of the disciplines and media that made up Koraïchi's practice, all "showcasing his abiding fascination with the creation of deeply layered seams within the spiritual, political and intellectual". Koraïchi often speaks of belonging [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Zhivago Duncan: The Rare But Known Phenomenon

    Meem Gallery Umm Suqeim Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    It's a pleasure to find an artist who is prepared to expand on their principles, and to do with Zhivago Duncan's level of articulation. "Within this new collection," writes Duncan, "I have endeavoured to distill the complexity of ideas and [ ... ]

  • LAST CHANCE Omran Younis: Rise of the Cactus

    Fann à Porter The Workshop, Villa 45, St. 23b, off Al Wasl Road (opposite Box Park), Jumeirah 2, Dubai

    A new body of work in this solo exhibition from Syrian artist Orman Younis offers "a poignant social commentary on his surroundings, the human condition, and current state of political affairs in the region" that "combines ideas of post-Modernism with [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Dima Srouji: Charts for a Resurrection

    Lawrie Shabibi Unit 21, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The first-ever solo exhibition for artist, architect and researcher Dima Srouji, whose work acts as a form of political commentary and as a place-making (or un-making) tool – "Interested in the ground, objects, displacement, restitution, forgeries, and living archives, the [ ... ]

    Free
  • 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
  • CinemaMAS Weekend day one

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An afternoon of films, some full-length and some shorts, for a single price (AED 50) as part of the sixth edition of the Manarat’s CinemaMAS film festival. (Individual films on weekdays are AED 30 per head, and there’s an all-inclusive [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • CinemaMAS Weekend day two

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The final afternoon of films in the sixth edition of the Manarat’s CinemaMAS film festival; there's a single price (AED 50) for the whole programme. (Individual films on weekdays are AED 30 per head, and there’s an all-inclusive ticket at [ ... ]

    AED 30
  • Comedy Braai: Robby Collins and Celeste Ntuli

    The Sportsman’s Arms First Floor, International Tennis Center Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi

    We like the idea of comedy with brunch (the price doesn’t include any food and drink, of course) and these two South Africans should be a pretty tasty addition to Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Robby Collins is a hard-working comedian [ ... ]

    AED 125
  • Improv Comedy Workshop

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A second improv workshop, billed as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, that focuses on the nuts and bolts of improvisational comedy, short-form games, and exercises you can take away; it’s open to all levels (min age 15) and is [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • Exclusive Live Comedy Podcast: Ali Al Sayed

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A second chance to sit in on what's promised to be a "raw, real and hilarious" live podcast, hosted by top local comedian Ali Al Sayed with guests as a contribution to Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Free to attend, but [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Tom Segura: Come Together

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    The American actor/comedian/writer is one of the biggest names in the comedy tour business – this current tour is visiting more than 40 cities worldwide, and this gig for Abu Dhabi Comedy Week falls somewhere in the middle of the [ ... ]

    From AED 195
  • Qui veut la tête de Rakowsky?

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

    Panic blows through a burlesque cabaret when the star artists discover the assassination of their boss. Sassy or down to earth, rebellious or naive, or even mothers with psychopathic tendencies, they decide to carry out the investigation – in their [ ... ]

    AED 110
  • Phunny Filipinos

    Jazz Bar Radisson Blu, Corniche, Abu Dhabi

    Pinoy standup for Abu Dhabi Comedy Week from Ahmed Kasid, Joshua-John Dias and the ever-reliable Imah Dumagay.

    AED 95
  • LAST CHANCE The Fifth Wife

    Firetti Contemporary Unit 29, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    A group show, curated by Mara Firetti, Ali Cha'aban and Celine Azem and featuring Aidha Badr, ARE Studios, Ghaleb Hawila, Jason Seife, Khalid Zahid, Salmah Al-Mansoori and Sawsan Al Bahar. The exhibition explores the mythology of where the oral culture [ ... ]

    Free
  • Magic Phil

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A show from the popular kids entertainer as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Slightly disappointing that this is pitched as a family-friendly gig with one price for all – there are no reduced-price tickets for kids.

    AED 125
  • Performance Co/Lab

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

    An open invitation to all performing artists, creatives, and curious individuals looking to explore movement practices: participants will explore performance exercises such as contact improvisation, breath work, acting warm-ups, games, and techniques. Each session will introduce new and unique exercises [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Exclusive Live Comedy Podcast: Ali Al Sayed

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Last chance to sit in on what's promised to be a "raw, real and hilarious" live podcast, hosted by top local comedian Ali Al Sayed with guests as a contribution to Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.

    Free, but pre-register
  • Tacarra Williams and Mina Liccione

    Saadiyat Rotana Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    Two top women standups with real American sass – Liccione from New York via Dubai, Williams (“known as The Beautiful Beast”) from LA. Expect a woman’s point of view with no holds barred from this Abu Dhabi Comedy Week gig [ ... ]

    From AED AED 150
  • Jo Koy World Tour

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Top Filipino-American comic with a nice line in impersonations, anecdotes, and witty commentary on life (mainly his) and his colourful family. This gig is part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.

    From AED 180