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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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5 events,Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual convening of artists, curators, scholars and arts practitioners from around the world to discuss issues in contemporary art focuses this time on effective responses to global challenges in social unrest, environmental degradation, systemic erasure and alienation. [... more]
Free, but pre-register
Khalaf explores the relationship between self, object, and other through a focus on 'steel' in public spaces: The Field of Dreams, or "dreams as minefields", remind us of the modern structures of unbridled capitalism and the transformative domination of life. [... more]
Free
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Dubomedy is hosting a free community comedy workshop designed to help participants release stress, reconnect with laughter, and learn simple humour exercises that calm the mind and shift perspective during uncertain times. Participants will get to work with Dubomedy's Ali [... more]
Free, but pre-registrer
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Dubomedy's highly successful comedy gig at Hushh in Social Distrikt. We're promised "a fantastic lineup of comedians, laughter and levity, and great vibes"; and indeed much of that seems to be the case ... It's free, but there's a minimum [... more]
Free, but min spend of one item
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Final performance for Neil Simon's comedy of relationships. Jake is a New York novelist with a troubled marriage; he can’t stop talking to other women in his life, some of whom are imaginary, in an attempt to gain some insight [... more]
AED 120
|
2 events,The debut exhibition in the UAE by the emerging Egyptian artist draws inspiration from Hawam's hometown of El Mahalla El Kubra in Gharbeya Governorate – its countryside, colours, and the faces of people who shaped his early life. Working in [... more]
Free
A group exhibition that reflects on continuity, resilience, and quiet optimism at a time when the world can feel uncertain. Says the gallery: "All at Once speaks to the coexistence of multiple realities – personal and shared, fleeting and enduring, [... more]
Free
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2 events,
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A bold claim: "Dubai's first real comedy open mic" – you can WhatsApp organisers Funeral Home Comedy on +971 56 167 1399 if you want to perform. The venue is the rather cool LoLo House in Al Quoz.
AED 25
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MadCat’s standup team at their regular stop at the Easy Tiger bar in Abu Dhabi's Al Ain Palace. The door price of AED 99 includes two drinks ...
AED 99
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2 events,A close look at Dubai’s urban fabric through the lens of architect and photographer Robert Powers. The exhibition traces the patterns and repetitions in architecture, streetscapes, industry, and infrastructure that shapes the character of a city; taken between 2013 and [... more]
Free
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The Courtyard's popular evening of elimination improv. 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 [... more]
Free
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1 event,
—
A discussion of Sophie Kazan Makhlouf's excellent exploration of contemporary art in the Emirates, led by Kutubna's founder and director Shatha Almutawa and Nora Qudah, curator of art exhibitions at Kutubna. Free to members; others pay AED 25.
AED 25
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3 events,This first solo exhibition in the Middle East for the SF-based Libyan-Yurok artist takes its title from a poem by Joy Harjo, which considers cycles of transformation across land, water, and time, moving from submerged environments to human settlement and industrial [... more]
Free
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A group exhibition dedicated to mapping and navigation systems, "telling stories of fast cars and donkeys, spinning globes and street barricades, cosmic highways and broken bridges ..." Curated by Indranjan Banerjee and Lucas Morin, the exhibition presents a wide range [... more]
Free
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A lecture-performance with the Firdaus Orchestra that breaks down the music to reveal the hidden stories and craftsmanship behind the Bohemian composer's symphonic poem, a work which aims to evoke the flow of the Vltava River – in German, the [... more]
AED 75
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5 events,The first solo exhibition in the Emirates for the Münster-based Tatar artist Nazilya Nagimova brings together new works created specifically for her solo project at NIKA Project Space, plus selections from earlier projects. Nagimova explores memory, migration, and the search [... more]
Free
Elusive Territories is group show for 15 prominent Palestinian artists whose work examines the relationship between exile, memory, and homeland – three dynamics that constantly engage with one another, especially at this critical time. Says the gallery: "Throughout the exhibition, [... more]
Free
A group show of works by emerging, mid-career and established artists priced at $3,000 and below, conceived as an accessible entry into collecting "whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your collection with thoughtful additions". The artists: Ahmad Kasha [... more]
Free
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An interesting experiment in open-access open-ended performance by The Junction. It's a kind of open mic for any kind of performance: you can pitch for a slot for whatever it is you want to do (anything goes, apparently) – book [... more]
Free, but pre-register
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The Junction does comedy for two consecutive (but not repeated) nights on 4 and 5 April: "Jukebox Junction is where stand-up and improv collide for a night that’s fast, unpredictable, and seriously fun ... Sharp written comedy meets completely unscripted [... more]
Free, but pre-register
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4 events,This exhibition explores the quiet logic of annexed spaces and the peripheral architectures that shape everyday life across the Gulf. Through documentation, case studies, and spatial narratives, it reflects on how these overlooked structures mediate between privacy, family, and urban [... more]
Free
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A special screening of Zainab Shaheen's debut feature, a coming-of-age story that doubles as a love letter to the landscapes of the UAE. Suhail is a young Emirati with autism, living alone in the Fujairah mountains after his father shuns [... more]
Free
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Dubomedy's highly successful comedy gig at Hushh in Social Distrikt. We're promised "a fantastic lineup of comedians, laughter and levity, and great vibes"; and indeed much of that seems to be the case ... It's free, but there's a minimum [... more]
Free, but min spend of one item
—
The Junction does comedy for two consecutive (but not repeated) nights on 4 and 5 April: "Jukebox Junction is where stand-up and improv collide for a night that’s fast, unpredictable, and seriously fun ... Sharp written comedy meets completely unscripted [... more]
Free, but pre-register
|
2 events,The Dubai-based artist's first solo show aim to capture the essence of Dubai, and of belonging. Says the artist, who is currently Head of Art at Dubai College: "my visual palette and material inspiration are rooted in the streets. I [... more]
Free
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A two-act evening of spontaneous scenes and songs based on audience suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and guests (Tim Orr this time). After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with [... more]
Free
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1 event,
—
This flagship travelling exhibition, run in collaboration with McGill University, Canada, is a great chance to explore the richness, inherent beauty, and global impact of the heritage of Arabic and Islamic manuscripts. The exhibition promises an exploration of the intellectual [... more]
General admission AED 65
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2 events,A retrospective for one of the artists who have played a central role in shaping the UAE’s modern visual identity, featuring work from a career spanning more than five decades. Bridging heritage and modernity with authority, Al Rais’s paintings draw [... more]
Free
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The Courtyard's popular evening of elimination improv. 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 [... more]
Free
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6 events,For nearly five decades, Sarah McEneaney has devoted her practice to a singular theme, the meticulous chronicling of her own life. This exhibition presents a series of paintings that chart the latest moments and milestones in a life – domestic [... more] The Iowa-based artist John Dilg represents scenic panoramas as earth-toned paintings that feel immediately familiar yet poignantly dreamlike. Having specialised in abstraction early in his career, Dilg’s evolution towards landscape painting retained an especial awareness of spatial relationships – "a [... more] Shezad Dawood’s 25-year career spans painting, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, film, performance and digital media. Fascinated by ecologies and architecture, his work connects art, science, music, environmentalism and technology to explore both alternative histories and futures, through a process of continuous [... more]
Free
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A free taster session for the Playhouse's Corporate Academy – a practical introduction to the value of improvisation in business, designed to support communication, collaboration, and leadership (plus the opportunity to connect with other people navigating similar challenges). And if [... more]
Free
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One of the most consistently funny of the Courtyard's classic improv gigs: the speakers have to give a presentation on a slide deck they’ve never seen before, with the topic determined at random by the Wheel of Destiny. Each presentation [... more]
Free
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Culture Emulsion’s production (in French, of course) of the popular comedy by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière that premiered in 2010 and went on to become a successful film adaptation. It’s a story about names and family relationships; [... more]
AED 160
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4 events,
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Does what it says in the title – Expo City's excellent all-female orchestra tackles some classical favourites. From the promo: "from sweeping symphonies to iconic overtures, this concert pays tribute to legendary composers whose works have shaped the history of [... more]
AED 75
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“Bold, dazzling, and unapologetically fun ... jazz standards and iconic pop hits reimagined into sultry, high-voltage showpieces”. Olesia Glants has a great voice and real stage presence, and this regular date is usually a good gig.
From AED 160
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A second performance for Culture Emulsion’s production (in French, of course) of the popular comedy by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière. It’s a story about names and family relationships; 40-something Vincent is about to become a father for [... more]
AED 160
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The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [... more]
AED 175
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4 events,
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The culmination of Gallery Isabelle's 20th anniversary 20-day exhibition welcomes artists, contributors, and friends (the full exhibition, during which one work has been unveiled each day, remains on view until 28 May). Those involved: Artists: Hassan Sharif, Bahman Jalali, Mohammed [... more]
Free, but RSVP
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Four locally based metal bands – a decade of UAE metal history, from the well-established Verdict and April to relative newcomers Triton and 2024 NYUAD Battle of the Bands winner Stowaways. Says the Fridge: "Metal has always had a way [... more]
AED 100
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Noted US improviser Tim Orr (founder of SF's Improv Playhouse, duo shows with Inbal Lori, leading roles in Bay Area plays and improvised feature films, performer and teacher at numerous festivals and/or as an invited guest artist) brings the improv [... more]
Free
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The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [... more]
AED 175
|
2 events,
—
Subtitled "UAE authors reflect on their art and practice during war", this Kutubna panel discussion about writing – or not writing – at his time features authors Amandeep Ahuja, Hafsa Lodi, Shahd Thani, Tamreez Inam, Tessy Koshy, and Yosr ElSherbiny. [... more]
AED 25
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The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [... more]
AED 175
|
1 event,
—
A two-act evening of spontaneous scenes and songs based on audience suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and guests (Tim Orr this time). After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with [... more]
Free
|
1 event,Otieno’s first solo presentation with Efie centres on her signature transformation of reclaimed and distressed materials. Working across wood, metal, and mixed media, her semi-abstract forms explore layered narratives of history, memory, human interaction, and environmental survival. To 16 May. [... more]
Free
|
1 event,
—
The Courtyard's popular evening of elimination improv. 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 [... more]
Free
|
2 events,
—
The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [... more]
AED 175
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The UAE National Orchestra plays orchestral arrangements of the music that accompanies several Emirati film productions – including Ishhafan, Khalil Fi Mahab Al Reeh, Freej, Khiyanat Watan, and Al Kameen.
From AED 100
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1 event,
—
The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [... more]
AED 175
|
12 events,Durags are stretchable fabrics worn over the head to shape and protect the hair; in Akinbola’s practice, they are both culturally loaded objects and a material he can reconfigure. For this solo show, Akinbola assembles durags into compositions that are [... more]
Free
A group exhibition that approaches 'ground' as "something continuously produced: fractured, inscribed, and held in tension between erasure and persistence ..." The first of two spaces has works by Mandy El Sayegh, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Omar El Gurg, and Rand [... more]
Free
One of two 10-minute play festivals running concurrently in Dubai on six successive weekends with a basically similar format. This one is probably the more familiar name; it's been running in Dubai for some years, latterly as a franchise but [... more]
AED 100 – AED 120
For her first solo exhibition in the UAE, curated by Nadine Khoury, Samar Hejazi presents a body of work that explores how forms shift, unravel, and reassemble over time. Working across textile, printmaking, and spatial intervention, her practice suggests that [... more]
Free
"All the lands from sunrise to sunset", a phrase attributed to the Mesopotamian king Sargon of Akkad, graphically invoked his claim to total dominion. Taking this assertion as both point of departure and provocation, this exhibition includes works by Alla [... more]
Free
Alserkal Avenue's Art Month (18 April to 19 May) includes a raft of individual events, mostly at the weekends, alongside the usual gallery opening hours – most of those we have listed separately in the Agenda. Here’s the schedule for [... more]
Free
In 2014, an exhibition was held in Hong Kong under the title The importance of staying quiet; conceived by Saira Ansari and Umer Butt, it was an attempt to find a minimal vocabulary within Pakistani art. A decade later, The [... more]
Free
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This interesting-looking event by the Ripple Collective, a group of multidisciplinary designers and design-led retailers based in Abu Dhabi, has been running for four years now with little fanfare. It offers a day of “the things we love most: good [... more]
Free, but pre-register
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One of two 10-minute play festivals running concurrently in Dubai on six successive weekends with a basically similar format. This one is the Junction's: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to [... more]
AED 120
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Opera Under the Dome returns to Al Wasl Plaza, with the Firdaus Orchestra introducing a fresh repertoire that we're promised "captures the depth, passion and drama of opera".
AED 75
—
The UAE National Orchestra plays orchestral arrangements of the music that accompanies several Emirati film productions – including Ishhafan, Khalil Fi Mahab Al Reeh, Freej, Khiyanat Watan, and Al Kameen.
From AED 100
—
The final stop the Laughter Factory's April tour. On the bill: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of [... more]
AED 175
|
4 events,One of two 10-minute play festivals running concurrently in Dubai on six successive weekends with a basically similar format. This one is probably the more familiar name; it's been running in Dubai for some years, latterly as a franchise but [... more]
AED 100 – AED 120
Here’s the schedule for the first Sunday of Alserkal Avenue's Art Month (18 April to 19 May): 3-4pm Project Space KIDS' WORKSHOP Animal Comic Creations Participants (aged 7+) design their own comic-style story, inspired by an animal of their choice [... more]
Free
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"An authentic fusion of drama, choreography and music" – specifically, an evening of music, poetry and Dervish dancing in tribute to the poetic wisdom of Rumi, delivered by a small ensemble within ToDA’s 360° impressive immersive visuals.
From AED 200
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Second day for opening weekend of the Junction's festival of short plays: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single [... more]
AED 120
|
1 event,
—
A two-act evening of spontaneous scenes and songs based on audience suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and guests (Tim Orr this time). After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with [... more]
Free
|
1 event,
—
A lecture by Elsie El Deek Bou Jaoude, art historian and Director of the USEK Archaeological Museum, that promises “a rare glimpse into the unseen work of museums, exploring how conservation, research, and collaboration shape collections beyond what is visible to [... more]
Free, but pre-register
|
1 event,
—
The Courtyard's popular evening of elimination improv. 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 [... more]
Free
|
1 event,
—
Mad Cat Comedy's regular Thursday stop in Silicon Oasis promises "insane laughs every week". The door price of AED 99 includes one drink and popcorn.
AED 99
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2 events,
—
The Mad Cat Comedy folk add another gig, this one in Jumeirah at what is probably the best Russian restaurant in town (though obvs the performing is in the bar/lounge space – still, catch the beef stroganoff if you have [... more]
AED 99
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Mad Cat Comedy's regular standup night at Xandros in Signature 1 Hotel, TECOM. The cover charge of AED 80 includes one drink.
AED 80
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7 events,Following previous editions of this exhibition in Paris and Tokyo, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts aims to offer a dialogue between 19th and 20th-century Western jewellery and Islamic arts, with poetry as the common thread. Jewels, precious objects, and gouaché [... more]
Free
Second weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays if you attended all [... more]
AED 100 – AED 120
Described as "the UAE’s first collaborative gallery exhibition", this 14-day selling show features more than 50 artists represented by 20 of the UAE’s leading contemporary art galleries. The intention is to provide a commercial opportunity for the galleries, which have [... more]
Free
The annual Faculty exhibition of the Academy of Visual Arts at the University of the Arts, Sharjah. The curator is Tor Seidel, filmmaker and lecturer in photography and video at the Academy, and his statement includes this summary of the show: [... more]
Free
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Documentarist Phil Grabsky has carved a niche for himself by concentrating for the most part on films about artists – composers first, then more recently painters; Young Picasso is both typical of this work and one the best examples of [... more]
Free, but pre-register
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The second weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. Essentially you [... more]
AED 120
|
9 events,This major exhibition marks the ten-year anniversary of 421 Arts Campus and offers a chance to reflect on emergent artistic practices in the UAE, their possibilities, and challenges for the future. Featuring video, performance, installation, and multimedia works, it invites [... more]
Free
For its inaugural exhibition, SAF's Photography Gallery presents a panorama of artistic experimentation and engagement drawn from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection of photography. Says the Foundation: "the works navigate the sociopolitical terrain of the last six decades against a [... more]
Free
A group show for six contemporary artists of Arab descent: Gilbert Halaby, Hanibal Srouji, Hussein Baalbaki, Richard Hearns, Sarah Alagroobi, and Soraya Abu Naba’a. Says the gallery: "At the heart of Memoryscape lies a shared inquiry into how our surroundings [... more]
Free
Second day of the second weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays [... more]
AED 100 – AED 120
In this exhibition of a new body of work, curated by Cima Azzam, Noor Al Suwaidi approaches colour as a field of sensation where form appears and dissolves within shifting tonalities – "figures hover at the edge of abstraction; colour [... more]
Free
Curated by Cima Azzam and featuring artworks loaned by Firetti Contemporary, this exhibition reflects an ongoing exploration of memory, material, and place by Salmah Al Mansoori, an Emirati artist from Abu Dhabi. Her practice begins with acts of noticing: fragments, [... more]
Free
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Dubomedy's highly successful Sunday gig at Hushh in Social Distrikt gets a bit of a makeover to celebrate its 18 years of comic activity in Dubai. We're promised "a night of laughs, fits, and unforgettable vibes" with Stand-Up Comedy Game [... more]
Free, but min spend of one item
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A Mad Cat Comedy Sunday night regular, featuring the group's main man and mates in "a night of ridiculous stand up comedy" at one of Al Quoz's hidden gems (no alcohol, but good mocktails and t brilliant shots). The cover [... more]
AED 99
—
The second weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. Essentially you [... more]
AED 120
|
1 event,
—
A two-act evening of spontaneous scenes and songs based on audience suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and guests. After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with an evening of high [... more]
Free
|
1 event,
—
Mad Cat’s standup team at their regular stop at the Easy Tiger bar in Abu Dhabi's Al Ain Palace. The door price of AED 99 includes two drinks ...
AED 99
|
2 events,
—
The third annual showcase presented by graduates of the Musical Theatre Programme at University of the Arts Sharjah (was SPAA until it integrated into UAS). Past editions have been genuinely exhilarating, a blend of song, dance and drama performance curated [... more]
AED 60
—
The Courtyard's popular evening of elimination improv. 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 [... more]
Free
|
4 events,A solo exhibition for Shamsa Al Omaira, an Abu Dhabi based multidisciplinary artist and designer. Evocations of duality occupy a prominent position in her work; childhood bedding and memories of jelly desserts morph into soft-looking sculptures laced with hidden or overt [... more]
Free
—
Following a sold-out debut last year, Blue Note returns to Dubai Opera for a celebration of the legacy of Blue Note Records. From hard bop to modal jazz, the programme pays tribute to the artists who shaped the label’s legacy; [... more]
From AED 290
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"An immersive mini-festival" to celebrate International Jazz Day, featuring a variety of artists and style from trad to contemporary via Cuba, R&B, and beyond. The roster includes Tona & Friends, Nikolai Mishchenko, Sincopa Ti, Nuvo Soul, and Errico Cutolo for [... more]
From AED 180
—
Comedy Kix is bringing a Thursday night stand-up gig to the InterCon Abu Dhabi's Belgian Café (magpie remembers fondly when it was the Belgian Beer Café) promising "killer comics, cold drinks, and zero chill". On the bill: Imah Dumagay, Josh [... more]
Free
|
3 events,
—
The revived UAE Phil – originally formed back in the Noughties, and reinvented a couple of years ago under the baton and direction of Nicholas Mann – continues its 2025/26 concert series at ToDA. We're promised "a musical journey across [... more]
From AED 170
—
"Mind-blowing magic" meets sharp standup comedy. Recommended – this guy is *very* clever, especially at close-up work ...
From AED 125
—
A standup special by MadCat Comedy's main man, Miqdaad Dohadwala. Expect some guests.
AED 80
|
7 events,Third weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays if you attended all [... more]
AED 100 – AED 120
As part of its ongoing institutional programming, Sharjah Architecture Triennial presents what it terms a “new chapter” in a long-term research initiative dedicated to architectural archives in the Arab world. Building on the inaugural 2023 exhibition, which focused on Beirut, [... more]
Free
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The inaugural auction of what is described as “a secondary market platform focused on mid-range contemporary works from the UAE and the wider region” will consist of a “tightly curated” sale of 21 lots. The organisers, from the Bayt AlMamzar [... more]
Free
—
The third weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. This weekend [... more]
AED 120
—
Classics from an icon of Francophone music, whose songs from a career of six decades seem filled with warmth, nostalgia, and humanity ... This performance may be one of his last international appearances, too.
From AED 295
—
Improvised comedy from two very sharp standups – expect quick wit, superfast comebacks, and exemplary crowd work from Noha Bashir and Denise Alexe.
From AED 130
|
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