10 things to do today: Have some fun with the Yalla Laughs crew, see the art exhibition Nowherescapes, and more

Courtesy The Third Line

Courtesy Chico and the Gypsies

Courtesy Beyond the Veil

Pawan Singh / The National

Courtesy Jones the Grocer

Courtesy The Laughter Factory

Courtesy Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club

Courtesy Wasla

Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for January 12, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun.

Abu Dhabi

Comedy show

Have some fun with the Yalla Laughs crew, featuring top local and regional comedians including headliner Maher “Jokah” Barwany, Akshay Ahuja, Colin Armstrong, Rushdi Rafeek and MC Jon Boulton (pictured).

Tonight, 8pm, free entry, Up & Below, Courtyard Marriott, Abu Dhabi, www.yallalaughs.com

Dubai

Art exhibition

In the exhibition Nowherescapes, Alireza Masoumi explores emblematic landscape portrayal through oil paintings on canvas and ballpoint works on paper. Masoumi is influenced by abstract expressionists, city life and the beauty of nature. Pictured: An untitled image by Alireza Masoumi

Daily until January 28, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), The Third Line, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 341 1367, www.thethirdline.com

Sharjah

Music festival

Attend a performance by Chico and the Gypsies as part of the Sharjah World Music Festival, which runs until Saturday. Led by Chico Bouchikhi, one of the founders of the Gipsy Kings, the band performs a French musical tradition of rumba catalana, flamenco and Latin pop and rock tunes.

Tonight, 9pm, from Dh250, Flag Island, Sharjah, www.ticketmaster.ae

Abu Dhabi

Theatre festival

Register now to attend Short+Sweet Abu Dhabi. Ten-minute plays encompassing various genres will be staged over two nights by UAE-based actors, directors and playwrights who are members of the capital’s theatre scene. Vote for your favourite performances in the People’s Choice along with the Judge’s Choice awards, which will be handed out on Saturday night.

January 20 and 21, 8pm on January 20; 2pm and 8pm on January 21, free with registration, Black Box, NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.nyuad-artscenter.org

Abu Dhabi

Boat tour

Take a tour of the mangroves with the Eco Donut boats, which are solar-powered vessels that seat up to six people for up-close viewing of the vegetation and wildlife of Abu Dhabi’s waterways. Bring food and drink on board for an even more enjoyable experience.

Open 8am to 11pm, from Dh200 per boat for 30 minutes, Eco Donuts, Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Abu Dhabi, booking ­recommended at 056 480 0427, www.easternmangrovespromenade.ae/leisure

Abu Dhabi & Dubai

Cooking class

Book your spot at a special Australia Day-themed masterclass at Jones the Grocer, and learn to make a traditional surf and turf meal, perfect for winter grilling time. Try your hand at grilled Australian grass-fed beef tenderloin with pan-seared jumbo prawns, smoked tomato butter, kale and shallot rings.

Saturday, Al Mamoura, Abu Dhabi, 02 443 8762; Wednesday and January 25 at Al Manara, Dubai, 04 346 6886; January 21 at Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, 02 557 4882, 7pm to 9pm, Dh375 per person, www.facebook.com/JonestheGrocer

Dubai

Comedy show

The Laughter Factory is back, so start the new year with fun and frivolity from the gang. This month’s lineup includes London-based Danish comedian Sofie Hagen (pictured) who won Best Newcomer at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe; Rob Deering, who offers his own observations and lyrics to the tune of popular songs; and veteran British comedian – and former pro snooker player – Jack Dathel.

Tonight and tomorrow, 9pm, Dh140, ages 21+ , Mövenpick, JBR, Dubai, 04 355 1862, www.platinumlist.net

Dubai

Horse event

Plan to attend the Al Habtoor Horse and Hound Show tomorrow and enjoy a family day out featuring horse-showing classes, a hound show, pet stalls, a grooming van, a shopping village, food trucks, pony rides and a kids’ play area and entertainment. Dog vaccination book is required upon entry at the vet check.

Tomorrow, 9am to 4pm, Dh50 for ages 12 and older; free entry for children and dogs, Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, Dubai, 056 520 5081, www.alhabtoorresortandclub.com

Dubai

Concert

Get tickets now for the Wasla Arabic Alternative Music Festival and celebrate the region’s rich culture by enjoying performances by some of the leading alternative Arabic music artists, including soul and funk band Abri and the Funk Radius from the UAE, jazz fusion Salhi from Tunisia, folk musicians Souad Massi from Algeria, hard rockers Jadal from Jordan, alt-rockers Mashrou’ Leila from Lebanon, and electronic acts Emel Mathlouthi (pictured) from Tunisia and Neobyrd from Egypt. Plus hear up-and-coming UAE-based artists at The Sound Gaarden stage.

January 20, noon to 2am, from Dh295, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, www.virginmegastore.me

Dubai

Theatre screening

Register to catch a screening of the UK's National Theatre Live broadcast of Harold Pinter's No Man's Land, starring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. One summer evening, two ageing writers tell tall tales and unbelievable stories, but the tone of the evening takes a dark turn when two intimidating men join them.

Saturday, 8pm to 11pm, free with registration, Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz, Dubai, register at courtyardplayhouse.com/events