Five Things to Do Today: browse quality handmade items in the capital

Plus: see portraits of famous Britons; sign up for a workshop on communicating with a child; get tickets for Cavalia; and register for Gulf Photo Plus 2014.

Bubs Boutique is one of many retail outlets to be found at Shopping Soiree. Courtesy Tiny Bean Events

Visit the Shopping Soiree, where you can find quality, handmade crafts and gift items from 35 vendors, featuring toys, homewares, clothing, artwork, jewellery, soft furnishings and more. From 10am to 2pm, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, [e-mail]

See the exhibition In the Bathroom Mirror: Effigies and Faces. The British figurative painter Edward Sutcliffe will present a solo exhibition of his work, including portraits of Glenda Jackson, Sir Paul Stephenson and Neil Kinnock. From 9am to 10pm, The Gallery of Light, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777, www.ductac.org

Sign up now for a workshop on How to Communicate with your Child. Learn different styles of communication and how to build trust. On February 26, from 9.30am to 11am, Dh50, The LightHouse Arabia Clinic, Villa 2, Jumeirah Road, Dubai, register at ­[e-mail]

Get your tickets to see Cavalia, the ­grand-scale equestrian and performing arts show created by Normand Latourelle, a co-creator of Cirque du Soleil, as part of the Qasr Al Hosn festival, which celebrates more than 250 years of the capital's birthplace. At 8pm, from Dh250, Qasr Al Hosn, between 5th and 7th streets, www.qasralhosnfestival.ae

Register now to take part in the food-focused workshops at Gulf Photo Plus 2014. The annual photography festival will host workshops and events, including some as an extension of the Dubai Food Festival. From March 7 to 14, Gulf Photo Plus, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 380 8545. Visit www.gulfphotoplus.com