Bringing a beautiful insight into life of UAE residents during the holy month of Ramadan, this exhibition was put together by the Emirates Photography Society and showcases the work by 13 of the country's finest photographers. The exhibition gives visitors the chance to discover a local perspective on the many unique traditions and customs that characterise this special time of the Islamic year. There are pictures of outdoor prayers, both men and women, as well as intimate shots of family and social gatherings. The works are a mixture of colour and black and white, but the message of Ramadan remains clear throughout. The collection promotes the ever-increasing number of UAE-based photographers who are starting to make a name for themselves, 10 of whom have work on display here, as well as strengthen the connection between art and the local community. Daily until September 18 10am-10pm, Maraya Art Centre, Al Qasba, Sharjah, 06 556 6555, www.barjeelartfoundation.com
Celebrating Ramadan The work on display features both professional and amateur artists, and includes Arabic calligraphy. There is a real mixture of pieces, which have been created using oils, acrylics, watercolours and mixed media. Much of the work is for sale, making this a great opportunity to pick up a special gift, or buy yourself something to help celebrate this special time of year. Daily until September 4, 9am-3pm, closed Thursdays and Fridays, Gallery 76, Dubai International Art Centre, Jumeirah Beach Road, Street 75b, Villa No 27, 04 344 4398 Sumayyah al Suwaidi's Ramadan Art Bazaar This fine collection of pictures has plenty of works for sale by no less than 24 artists. And with top-end price-tag of Dh4,000, there is something available to suit a variety of budgets. Daily until September 9, 9am-1pm and 8-11 pm (closed Fridays), Ghaf Gallery, Abu Dhabi, 02 665 5332. That Shimmering Beast: The Capture of Urban Life Virgilio Ferreira, Miyuki Okuyama and Mehrdad Naraghi offer their own unique take on what factors give cities their unique feel and characteristics. It goes far beyond the architecture and urban planning, showing that humans cannot control the personality of a town, no matter how much they may try to. Daily until September 9, 9am-10pm (Fridays 3pm-10pm), The Empty Quarter, DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 1210 Kalimat The word kalimat literally means "words" and while the artworks that make up the exhibition all contain elements of the written Arabic word, they embody a variety of styles, techniques and approaches in the spirit of tradition and Middle Eastern culture. Daily until September 13, 2-10pm, Saturdays 9am-10pm (visit www.ductac.org to confirm opening hours), Manu Chhabria Arts Centre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777 The Story of Islamic Art in 99 Objects Curated with Zayed University, this brilliant exhibition is historical, educational and captivating. Farhad Farjam's extensive private collection is a joy to behold. A must-see during this special time of year. Daily until September 15, 10am-8pm, Saturdays 12pm-8pm, closed Fridays, Farjam Collection@DIFC, Gate Village 4, Dubai, 04 323 0303 Blue Skie'd and Clear This exhibition features Birgit Graschopf, Yuko Ichikawa, Maria Maeser, Jamie Baldridge, Maximillian Pramatarov and Hazem Mahdy as they look to "expand the photographic horizon". All of them play with the notion of everyday life and try to define what this phrase means to them. Daily until September 25, 11.30am-7pm (closed Fridays), Carbon 12 Gallery, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Warehouse D37, Dubai, 050 464 4392. A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions This noteworthy exhibition was extended by two months due to its popularity. It features hundreds of textiles, some more than two centuries old, including pieces from Central Asia and Russia. Daily until September 25, 10am-2pm and 8.30pm-11.30pm, ladies only on Tuesdays 10am-2pm, Gallery One, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, 02 690 9000 The President of the UAE Cup Series Photography Gallery Brand Abu Dhabi and the Emirates Equestrian Federation have come together to create this superb selection of photos from the past 15 years which celebrate Arabian horses in the UAE. Many of the pictures are privately owned and have never been on public display before. A fine collection which illustrates the passion that is held for these beautiful animals in the Emirates. Daily until October 17, Gate 4, The Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.presidentscup.ae Peripheral Vision Paintings, photos and sculptures created by artists from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE examine unique Arab identities and the complex struggles facing different communities. The works show areas of culture not usually discussed in public circles. Daily 10am-8pm, Barjeel Art Foundation, Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah, www.barjeelartfoundation.com Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition Take a glimpse of the future cultural plans for the capital by checking out the designs for buildings such as Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Daily until February 25, 2011, 10am-10pm, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, www.artsabudhabi.ae
Choose Wisely Sustainable Fish Dish Challenge The Emirates Wildlife Society is holding a recipe competition to raise awareness of the declining stocks of some varieties of fish in the UAE, and promote sustainable fisheries. Visit www.choosewisely.ae to submit recipes created using sustainable fish. Recipes will be posted online and scored by visitors, with the highest rated recipes being featured in a UAE sustainable fish dish cookbook. The contest is open until October 15. ADIHEX The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is after applications for its heritage competitions to be held at the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at Adnec in Abu Dhabi from September 22-25. Among the competitions are an Arab coffee brewing contest, art and poetry competitions and a saluki beauty championship. For more details visit www.adach.ae or call 02 657 61711. Choose Wisely Sustainable Fish Dish Challenge The Emirates Wildlife Society is holding a recipe competition to raise awareness of the declining stocks of some varieties of fish in the UAE, and promote sustainable fisheries. Visit www.choosewisely.ae to submit recipes created using sustainable fish. Recipes will be posted online and scored by visitors, with the highest rated recipes being featured in a UAE sustainable fish dish cookbook. The contest is open until October 15. Regarding Borders Shelter Maraya in Sharjah is looking for people to submit photographic or video works which celebrate the landscape of the Arabian peninsula for a forthcoming exhibition. The deadline for submissions is September 25, with the exhibition taking place from December 15 until January 16. You can enter via email at regardingborders@shelter.ae or hand in your work in at Shelter in Dubai or Sharjah, 10am-7pm, Sunday to Thursday. For more details visit www.shelter.ae or call 06 556 6555 Museum Me the UAE If you fancy taking your first step in the world of art and want to give something back to the Emirates at the same time, then why not help out thejamjar gallery in Dubai, which is looking for 100 objects to display in the upcoming exhibition Museum ME the UAE - a brief history of one country. Submissions must be made to museumuae@thejamjardubai.com by October 1, with full details of the object and no more than 150 words on why it is important to the country. The exhibition will take place at thejamjar from October 14-21. www.thejamjardubai.com
Embroidery Workshops To compliment the extended A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions (see exhibitions) comes a series of workshops where young and old can learn how to weave their own work. The classes are not daily, so visit www.artsabudhabi.ae for details. Prior booking is essential Until September 6 Gallery One Education Room, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, free entry, 02 690 8207, artsabudhabi@tdic.ae Summer Art-rageous Kids aged between 6 and 12 can unleash their creativity while learning about famous artists and art techniques. The final camp of the summer starts on September 5. Sunday-Thursday Manu Chhabria Arts Centre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777 Dubai Mall Summer Camp These week-long camps offer five very different days, with ice skating, movie watching, a trip to KidZania and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo all on the schedule. The scheme runs until September 9. Sunday-Thursday 9am-3pm, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, Dh950, 04 448 5200.
Emirates Palace Iftar The Ramadan Pavilion on the Ballroom Terrace can host over 1,200 guests and is one of the best places to enjoy a high-class meal during the holy month. Daily throughout Ramadan, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, Iftar Dh215+ taxes, suhoor Dh95+taxes, 02 690 7999
Ramadan & EidThis consumer show takes up half a dozen of Adnec's huge halls and has plenty of shopping and gifts on offer, as well as traditional song and dance being performed. Daily until September 14, 8pm-3am, Halls 1-6, Adnec, Abu Dhabi, 800 23632 Ramadan At the Top Enjoy unparalleled scenery from the world's highest viewing deck on top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Daily until September 9, 5pm-midnight, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Dh100 (Dh75 for children) in advance, Dh400 on the door, www.atthetop.ae Sharjah Ramadan Fair A fine selection of fashion goods and perfumes are on offer at this huge shopping extravaganza, as well as plenty of entertainment for all ages. Daily until September 11, Expo Centre Sharjah, 06 577 0000. Art & Craft Market Members of Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE) show off and sell their latest wares, from jewellery to home furnishings, all of which were made in the country. Today 6pm-midnight, Mezzanine level (near Ikea), Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, 800 33232.
Bag Sale Dubai Ladies Club is hosting a second-hand bags sale, so you can expect some pretty glam stuff up for grabs. All money goes to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment. Saturday 8pm-midnight, Dubai Ladies Club, Dubai, 04 349 9922. Iftar Art Auction The Portfolio Gallery has donated Dh30,000 of works for a silent auction to raise money for a disabled student in Sharjah, but organisers, the Canadian Business Council, are still looking for more art to auction off. Monday 6.30pm, Media Rotana Hotel, Dubai, 04 359 2625. Charity Bazaar Le Méridien hotel in Abu Dhabi is raising money for Unicef's Schools for Africa campaign. Wednesday until September 3, 6-9pm, main lobby & Opus Lounge, Le Méridien hotel Abu Dhabi, 02 644 6666.
Iftar Games Volleyball, dodgeball, flip cup and more are on offer, as well as a tasty Iftar buffet. You can register to play from 6pm and the action begins at 8pm. Today 6pm, The softball fields next to the Metropolitan Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, www. dubai.duplays.com
DTCM Ramadan Tent 2010 Islamic and other educational lectures are being offered to help celebrate the holy month organised by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Daily until Saturday, Al Towar, Dubai, www.almultaqa.ae Kids Theatre Works Drama Camp Youngsters can learn how to read, write and perform their own lines. Sunday-Thursday 9am-3pm daily, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, Dh650, 04 341 4777 Color The Cuadro Fine Art Gallery has been colour-coded and divided into six different sections. Daily until August 31, 10am-8pm, Saturday (12-6pm), closed Fridays, Cuadro Fine Art Gallery, Building 10, DIFC Gate Village, Dubai, 04 425 0400 Beyond the Surface An exhibition by a group of 15 Dubai artists aged from 16 to 18. The works ask the viewer to look beyond the obvious surfaces which frame our everyday life. Daily until August 31, 10am-8pm (Friday 2-8pm, closed Sundays), thejamjar gallery, Street 17, Dubai, 04 341 7303.
The Laughter Factory Mickey Hutton makes his second appearance of the year in the Emirates and is joined by Craig Campbell and Doc Brown for a series of live shows. September 14-23 Various venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Dh115, 21+, www.thelaughterfactory.com , 800 4669.
Tekken When the main film of the week is based on a beat-'em-up computer game then you know it's not a vintage time for new releases at the cinema. Jin Kazama (Jon Woo) wants to avenge his mother's death the only way he knows how - by battering his dad and grandfather in a fighting tournament. Kazama thinks it was his granddad who killed his mum, but when it's over will the phrase "Winners don't take drugs" flash along the bottom of the screen? www.grandcinemas.com , www.cinestarcinemas.com , www.cineroyal.ae Oceans The epic voyage to the deep has been re-released and is now in 3D. Jacques Perrin's Disney-funded work, which took four years to complete, gives a wonderful account of life beneath the surface of the world's five great oceans. There is the obligatory eco-warning message, but this never gets in the way of some mesmerising footage. www.grandcinemas.com , www.cinestarcinemas.com , www.cineroyal.ae The Greatest This family drama stars Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon as parents trying to come to terms with their son Bennett's death in a car accident. When a young woman contacts them saying she is pregnant with Bennett's child, the couple invite her stay. What follows is the usual mix heartache, sorrow and, ultimately, emotional healing. www.grandcinemas.com , www.cinestarcinemas.com , www.cineroyal.ae Accidents Happen Harrison Gilbertson plays a teenage boy who somehow manages to keep his family together until a car crash forces him and his closest relatives to face up to the reality of their lives. Set in Sydney, this Australian coming-of-age drama features Geena Davis as the mother whose bitterness has driven a wedge between her and her husband that Gilbertson can no longer bridge. The movie was well-received by teenage audiences on last year's film festival circuit. www.reelcinemas.ae Cry of the Owl A young woman is attracted to a man who is stalking her, but when her boyfriend goes missing, the stalker is the prime suspect. It's a remake of a 1987 French film and this one stars Paddy Considine and Julia Stiles. www.grandcinemas.com , www.cinestarcinemas.com , www.cineroyal.ae