• Behzad Khosravi Noori: The Life of an Itinerant Through a Pinhole

    Gulf Photo Plus Unit D36 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Behzad Noori, PhD is a self-described artist, writer, educator and necromancer; his research-based practice includes films, installations, and archival studies, investigating histories from the Global South, labour and the means of production, and histories of political relationships that have existed [ ... ]

    Free
  • Negin Fallah, Mai Al Remeithi, Annie Kurkdjian: Contours of Belonging

    Firetti Contemporary Unit 29, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    A group show for three female artists whose backgrounds, experiences, and practices converge in a shared exploration of cultural heritage, personal memory, and emotional landscapes. Negin Fallah examines the intersection of tradition and transformation, where echoes of Iranian illuminated manuscripts [ ... ]

    Free
  • Chinar Farooqui: ⁠Injiri (Real India)

    Total Arts at the Courtyard Al Quoz, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    An intimate look at the creative journey of the founder of the Injari contemporary clothing brand, Chinar Farooqui, and the narratives woven into each piece produced by Injiri, its dedication to traditional craftsmanship, and its emphasis on sustainable practices. To [ ... ]

    Free
  • Adel El Siwi: Yellow Tropics

    Tabari Artspace Gate Village Level 2, DIFC, Dubai

    El Siwi's first solo exhibition in over a decade features both new paintings and pieces from an archive of earlier works: "the paintings shown here collectively present philosophical provocations and musings" says the gallery. The title references Upper Egypt and [ ... ]

    Free
  • Sharjah Film Platform 7

    [various Sharjah locations]

    Sharjah Arts Foundation’s annual indie/experimental film festival returns for its seventh edition, featuring around 30 UAE premieres. Most are in the Competition section, documentary and fiction films that have been nominated by an international committee of filmmakers and industry professionals. [ ... ]

    AED 15
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    This month's Laughter Factory tour has a particularly good look, with some top standups on the bill (and one more than usual). It kicks off at the Mövenpick as usual. The acts: Stephen Grant hard-working emcee, a genius British comic [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Tyrrell Winston: Life in the Fast Lane

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

    Winston’s work blends art with sports culture, transforming everyday objects – deflated basketballs, cigarette butts, even the signatures of artists and athletes –into pieces that challenge viewers to reconsider the significance of these items; the results "resonate with resilience, legacy, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Candlelight: From Mozart to Chopin

    Sea World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A  new venue for the candlelit performance, the Al Azure Room at SeaWorld Yas Island. Aldo Dotti plays a 65 minute programme of piano favourites: Mozart: Rondo alla Turca from Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K 331 Mozart: [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Candlelight: From Mozart to Chopin

    Jumeirah Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Dubai

    Aldo Dotti plays a 65 minute programme of piano favourites, outdoors at the Jumeriah Al Qasr's Céleste poolside restuarant. The programme: Mozart: Rondo alla Turca from Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K 331 Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 12 [ ... ]

    From AED 180
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Vintage Grand Hotel Al Fay Road, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    This month's Laughter Factory tour has a particularly good look, with some top standups on the bill (and one more than usual). This is the earlier of two gigs today (the team moves on to the Mövenpick later). The acts: [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Casablanca Beats: dir Nabil Ayouch (2021)

    Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Trade Center St, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Nabil Ayouch’s grittily authentic tale of a rapper turned teacher helping his students find their creative voices is a class act. It manages to combine familiar cinematic tropes like 'strength through making music' and the inspirational teacher with a taste [ ... ]

    Free
  • Atlantis Live: Martin Garrix

    Atlantis, The Palm Crescent Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A gig at Atlantis for one of the big-name EDM producer/DJs who really does merit the acclaim. Last time he was here, he sold out the place and delivered a great 150-minute performance with a terrific lights-and-lasers show and more [ ... ]

  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    This month's Laughter Factory tour has a particularly good look, with some top standups on the bill (and one more than usual). This is the second of two gigs today. The acts: Stephen Grant hard-working emcee, a genius British comic [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • The Ice Hole – A Cardboard Comedy

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    This production debuted for four performances in May and two in July; all sold out (deservedly). It's now back for a run at Theatre by QE2 and these are its last two shows (at 3pm and 8pm). It's an English [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Alserkal Art Week

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Alserkal Art Week returns 17-25 November. As usual many of the galleries will be opening new shows during the week (we count ten: they're listed separately in the Agenda), but the Alserkal Avenue people have been developing a programme themselves [ ... ]

    Free
  • Al Ain Book Festival 2024

    Hazza bin Zayed Stadium Al Ain

    AABF has changed its nomenclature from 'book fair' to 'book festival' for 2024, but this is till an important date for Arab-language publishers – and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), which organises it, has reported a "significant" increase [ ... ]

    Free (we think)
  • Pina: dir Wim Wenders (2011)

    Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Trade Center St, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A captivating dance documentary that celebrates the life and work of the world-renowned choreographer Pina Bausch. During the preparations for the film in 2009, Bausch died suddenly; the dancers of Bausch's company, Tanztheater Wuppertal, convinced him to proceed as a [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Kaikhan Salakhov: Astral Space Exploration & dash; The Cosmic Renaissance

    Firetti Contemporary Unit 29, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Salakhov's work is “a profound exploration of the intersection between science, art, and spirituality, using sacred geometry to illuminate deep cosmic truths”. On show are 36 “meticulously crafted” acrylic paintings that reimagine Renaissance art through a modern lens, blending classical aesthetics [ ... ]

    Free
  • Artist Talk: Ayesha Sultana

    Ishara Art Foundation Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Ayesha Sultana’s first public talk in the UAE examines the complex relationship between the human body and the natural world, and in particular her hand-blown glass sculptures and watercolour paintings on tissue displayed at Ishara in her ongoing Fragility and [ ... ]

    Free
  • Hadwin’s Judgement: dir Sasha Snow (2015)

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A compelling hybrid of drama and documentary, this film covers the events that led up to the infamous destruction of an extraordinary 300-year-old tree held sacred by the Indigenous Haida Nation of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Inspired by John Vaillant’s [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Alyazia Al Nahyan: In the Breath of Decay

    Iris Projects Studio 20, Madar 39, MiZa, Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A solo show for the Emirati artist to open this new gallery in Abu Dhabi’s Mina al Zayed. Al Nahyan’s practice is based on foraging -- materials she collects on her walks through her family farm and elsewhere, are accentuated [ ... ]

    Free
  • Putting the Record Straight: The Lost Women of Art History

    Society Dubai Jumeirah Street, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Continuing this seven-part lecture series by art historian Rose Balston on female artists from the 16th through to the 18th century – “women who have not only been side-lined, but literally (and shockingly) blocked out of history”, mainly by the [ ... ]

    AED 250
  • Korea National Contemporary Dance Company: Jungle

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

    Our everyday lives are sometimes like a jungle, where everybody has to fight for survival in their own way. This work for 17 dancers of the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company interprets the jungle as a place of collisions between [ ... ]

    AED 150
  • Black Box Cinema x Public Matter

    Since 2014, Black Box Cinema (founded and managed by Abu Dhabi-born actor and director Nawaf Al Janahi) has presented Arab-language short films since 2014. Screenings are at the Biennial Hub on Abu Dhabi Beach. In this Public Art Abu Dhabi [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Abu Dhabi Art: day two

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The 16th edition of Abu Dhabi Art has 102 galleries, the largest number to date. It has five principal sectors: Modern & Contemporary: for established galleries (who have been operating for at least seven years) with curatorial framework for booth [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • NYU Abu Dhabi MFA Open Studios

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

    A chance to see what the NYUAD MFA in Art and Media programme is all about – meet students and faculty, learn more about the programme, check out the application process and available scholarships (available for all students, with some [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Identity and Reshaping Public Space

    A panel discussion on the shared sociocultural topics of Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s Wsh Wsh (2024) and Nicholas Galanin’s In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra (2024). Abu Hamdan reimagines the intimate soundscapes of Damascene [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Functionality, Space, and Public Art

    This conversation extends from artist Christopher Joshua Benton’s Where Lies My Carpet Is Thy Home (2024), a vibrant, collaboratively made astroturf carpet developed with merchants from Abu Dhabi’s carpet souq and inspired by their stories and lives. The audience can [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Fridge Open Mic

    The Fridge Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    An open mic gig for local musicians playing 10-minute performance slots. If you want to play, online registrations open on 18 November; or turn up from 6.30pm on the night and you might get a slot.

    Free (we think)
  • Black Box Cinema x Public Matter

    Since 2014, Black Box Cinema (founded and managed by Abu Dhabi-born actor and director Nawaf Al Janahi) has presented Arab-language short films since 2014. Screenings are at the Biennial Hub on Abu Dhabi Beach. In this Public Art Abu Dhabi [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Focal Point 2024

    FOCAL POINT 2023
    Sharjah Art Foundation, Bait Obaid Al Shamsi Arts Square, Sharjah

    The seventh edition of Sharjah Art Foundation’s Focal Point art book fair – the region’s only art book fair, we think – features local and international publishers with book launches, talks, workshops and musical performances during its run (22 to [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Tanweer Festival

    Mleiha Archaeological Centre Sharjah

    The inaugural Tanweer Festival promises “a three-day celebration that transcends language, culture, and borders” on 22, 23 and 24 November in the desert at Mleiha, itself a treasure of visual and archaeological significance. ‘Tanweer’ means something like ‘enlightenment’, and the [ ... ]

    AED 700
  • Lang Lang Plays Disney

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Top international pianist plus full orchestra and “special guests”plays Disney soundtracks – "a musical and visual experience of Disney’s most popular songs”. Lang Lang has been touring his take on Disney for some time – Disney has a 60-minute TV [ ... ]

    From AED 195
  • Fashionarte

    Chaka Arts Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    We don’t normally do fashion in magpie, but we do have a soft spot for Goshopia and its founder Araceli Gallego, repository and advocate respectively for sustainably-sourced don’t-scare-the-horses style in practical but very goodlooking wear, mostly for women. And now [ ... ]

    Free
  • Abu Dhabi Art: day three

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The 16th edition of Abu Dhabi Art has 102 galleries, the largest number to date. It has five principal sectors: Modern & Contemporary: for established galleries (who have been operating for at least seven years) with curatorial framework for booth [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Sociocultural Contexts and Public Art

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    This panel involves artists whose work connects us within cities. Bjørnstjerne Christiansen (SUPERFLEX) speaks about interspecies relationships and gathering spaces for humans and other species; Afra Al Dhaheri explains how her work fosters sensory engagement, promoting balance amid modern life's [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Globalisto – a Symphony for a Community

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

    This listening session, performance, and talk draws on the philosophy of Globalisto – the interplay of sound, memory, and identity in diasporic communities – developed by multidisciplinary artist and curator Ntshepe Tsekere (DJ Mo Laudi). Field recordings and Afro-electronic compositions [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Soulful Melodies: Cello & Piano Concert

    The Fridge Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A highly accessible recital by Laura Peribáñez (cello) and Luca Maringola (piano). Not so sure about 'soulful melodies', but this is a programme of short pieces that includes some favourites (Gershwin, Bach, Saint-Saëns) and some less familiar examples (Huguet, Cassadó, [ ... ]

    AED 145
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Tania Candiani’s Nomadic Stage

    Tania Candiani's contribution to the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial features an inflatable mobile stage that moves across the city, transforming urban spaces into hubs for collective exchange and endowing these spaces with renewed significance. The performers for this live [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Zazie dans le métro: dir Louis Malle (1960)

    Jardins Germaine Tillion Hazza Bin Zayed St, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Classic surrealistic slapstick from France: Zazie is a brash and precocious ten-year-old (Catherine Demongeot) who comes to Paris for a whirlwind weekend with her rakish uncle (Philippe Noiret); he and the viewer get more than they bargained for, however. Louis [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Les Demoiselles de Rochefort: dir Jacques Demy (1996)

    Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Trade Center St, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Delphine is a dance teacher ; her sister Solange composes and teaches the piano. Maxence, a poet and a painter, is doing his military service; Simon owns a music shop. They are all looking for love, without being aware that [ ... ]

    Free
  • Valentina Lisitsa

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

    With more than 83 million YouTube views, the Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa must be one of the most watched classical musicians on the internet. With her multi-faceted playing described as “dazzling”, Lisitsa has a vast repertoire ranging from Bach and [ ... ]

    From AED 199
  • Rumors!

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

    Complices Théâtre presents Neil Simon’s farcical package of gags, twists and zingers. A group of friends gathers for a dinner party, only to find that something is not quite right – the kitchen staff have vanished, the hostess is missing, [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    This month's Laughter Factory tour has a particularly good look, with some top standups on the bill (and one more than usual). This is the second weekend of gigs. The acts: Stephen Grant hard-working emcee, a genius British comic Allyson [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Down to Earth 2024

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    The Jameel’s annual festival for eco-consciousness and sustainability is back for its fifth iteration. Expect activities for all ages themed around botanical, sustainable and eco-conscious living with hands-on workshops, tours, talks and demonstrations, plus new interactive art installations, experiential performances [ ... ]

    Free
  • Nico Van Lucas: I PAINT COLORS

    Stu Studios First Al Khail Street, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Twelve paintings by the Italian artist featuring his trademark explosions of vivid colour, including his take on the UAE flag (above). He says his works place attention not on the subject, but rather on the gesture: "painting becomes the intermediary, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Create by Getty Images

    Gulf Photo Plus Unit D36 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A free weekend of solid professional development for creatives, hosted at GPP from 8.30am to 5pm on each day and run by Getty Images Middle East – hear from Getty Images’ people on what visuals are in demand by companies [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: gubuyoBand – Animating the Desert

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

    Rediscover Abu Dhabi's natural environment through the imagination of local participants. This workshop starts with a game-like activity (ink battle), then progresses to group activities on large pieces of paper. Participants can share local folktales and stories that take place [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Abu Dhabi Art: day four

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The 16th edition of Abu Dhabi Art has 102 galleries, the largest number to date. It has five principal sectors: Modern & Contemporary: for established galleries (who have been operating for at least seven years) with curatorial framework for booth [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register