Astronautalis at Bad House Party
Alternatively-minded club night Bad House Party marks the National Day weekend by weighing in with only its second-ever line-up of international guests. The team have pulled out all the stops to secure a full-band performance from painfully hip, beguilingly talented indie/hip-hop artist Astronautalis. He’s been compared to everyone from Eminem to Beck, but in truth, this guy is one of a kind. Check out our full interview in Thursday’s Arts&Life.
• Thursday, December 3 from 9pm at Casa Latina, Ibis Al Barsha, Dubai. Dh100 on the door
Hekayah the Story at New York University Abu Dhabi
The ever-cerebral folk behind NYUAD’s Arts Centre have cooked up a fittingly multidisciplinary approach for their National Day-themed performance. Expect a mix of poetry, spoken word and hip-hop from a dozen different artists, in a show to honour the diverse communities of the UAE. Confirmed participants include Afra Atiq, of Emirati female writer’s hub Untitled Chapters, Haitian author/poet Christine-Jean Blain, Dubai-born multilingual Palestinian spoken-word performer Farah Chamma – who will perform accompanied by oud and guitar – and calligrapher Muhammad bin Yahya.
• Monday, December 7, from 7pm, at The Arts Centre, NYUAD, Abu Dhabi. Free tickets from www.nyuad-artscenter.org
For an interview with the curators, read Review on Saturday
Eleonora Zouganeli
One of Greece’s “most iconic” performers, 32-year-old Athenian Eleonora Zouganeli leads a two-night stand at arguably Dubai’s best live venue, The Music Room. Stop for a bite in top Greek restaurant Elia before you head in – it’s a few floors up in the same hotel.
• Thursday and Friday, December 3-4, from 9.30pm at The Music Room, Majestic Hotel Towers, Bur Dubai. Dh210 on the door
Holi Festival of Colours
The ancient Festival of Colour traditionally celebrates the onset of spring, but that hasn’t stopped the capital’s party people hijacking the Technicolor spirit as part of a big National Day weekend shindig. At least nine decksmiths – including Barrie Birse, Daniel Jamshed, Taya Kruzz, Omar Basaad, Dion Mavath and Natalie Brogan – have been confirmed and will bring a mix of trance and EDM tunes to this 11-hour event.
• Friday, December 4, from 3pm at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi. Dh170 from www.platinumlist.net
Dastan Ensemble
Season four of the Classics series at Ductac wraps with Dastan Ensemble, a contemporary group who claim to include some of the modern masters of classical Persian music.
• Saturday, December 5, 8pm at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. Tickets from Dh150 at www.platinumlist.net