Abu Dhabi
Concert
Abu Dhabi Classics presents two evenings of performances by Staatskapelle Dresden with Rudolf Buchbinder (pictured) at Emirates Palace, featuring the complete cycle of five piano concertos by Beethoven, expressing the spirit of classical music in Vienna in the 19th century. The first night, the orchestra will perform piano Concertos 1 and 5, and the next, Concertos 2, 3 and 4.
Tomorrow and Wednesday, doors open at 7pm; concert begins at 8pm, from Dh195, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, www.ticketmaster.ae
Ajman
Outdoor sports
Take advantage of the cooler winter weather and enjoy the expanded portfolio of watersports experiences at Al Zorah, the leisure destination nestled in the Ajman mangroves and lagoons. Choose from activities such as jet-skiing, wakeboarding, flyboarding, kayaking, water-skiing, kiteboarding and paddleboarding, with options for all ages and abilities, under the expertise of safety-conscious instructors.
Open daily, Al Zorah, Al Ittihad Road, Ajman, 800 259 6724, www.alzorah.ae
Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Cinema Space presents a screening of the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life. The 1946 Frank Capra film was nominated for five Academy Awards and tells the story of George Bailey (James Stewart), a struggling businessman whose guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers) steps in to save him, showing the impact he has had on his community.
Tonight, 7.30pm, free with registration, Cinema Space, auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com
Abu Dhabi
Exhibition
See the exhibition Inventing Downtown: Artist-Run Galleries in New York City, 1952-1965, which examines the New York art scene from the abstract expressionism of the 1950s to the pop art and minimalism of the 1960s. The establishment of artist-run galleries resulted in the expansion of artists from Downtown Manhattan to the industrial areas, acquiring spaces that shaped their creativity. See 200 works by more than 50 artists, including installation and performance art. Pictured: Ada Ada (1959) by Alex Katz
Daily until January 13, noon to 8pm (closed Sundays), NYUAD Art Gallery, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.nyuad-artgallery.org
Abu Dhabi
Comedy show
Have some weekday fun with the Yalla Laughs gang at the Beat the Camel competition. Up to 12 Yalla Laughs comedians from across the UAE will each take to the stage for a five-minute performance, during which they are challenged to outlast the judgment of the audience, who hold three large camel cards. If all three cards go up, the comedian is voted off. The audience decides who gets to stay. Those who survive the camel cards then face-off in a final round.
Tonight, 8pm, free entry, Pappagallo Italian Restaurant, Le Méridien Village, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/yallalaughs
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Read more:
[ WWE superstars John Cena, Finn Balor, and Jason Jordan to appear in UAE ]
[ Emirates Airline Festival of Literature announces full line-up ]
[ Abu Dhabi Classics: Beethoven’s five piano concertos are always emotional ]
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Dubai
Art classes
Ductac offers a range of winter-themed art activities for adults and children, with a focus on creating personalised keepsakes and gifts for the family. Tomorrow, children ages 5-10 can take part in yule log decoration, and adults can create 3-D art such as vases, collages and murals.
Tomorrow, 2pm to 6pm for ages 5-10, from Dh95 per hour; tomorrow, 6pm to 8pm for adults, sessions Dh180, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777, www.ductac.org
Dubai
Exhibition
Kais Salman presents Cities, in which he draws upon folktales, epics and myths to create alternative worlds. Salman explores the roles his characters play in the making of a social fabric, within alleys, streets and entire communities.
Daily until January 6, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays; noon to 6pm on Saturdays (closed Fridays), Ayyam Gallery, 12 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 323 6242, www.ayyamgallery.com
Dubai
Performance
Book tickets to attend An Evening with Dame Joan Collins, where the actress, celebrity and bestselling author will reveal stories and secrets from her long career. The audience will get the opportunity for an intimate chat with the Golden Globe-winner and Emmy nominee, who will answer questions about her life, roles and share never-before-seen footage.
December 12, 8pm, from Dh295, The Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
Dubai
Family fun
Register to take part in the Christmas Full Moon Desert Drumming event, featuring drum circles, a buffet dinner and entertainment including a visit from Santa, who will arrive over the sand dunes on Clarence the camel, bearing gifts.
Friday, arrival from 6pm to 7.30pm; departure from 9.30pm to 11pm, from Dh260 for adults; Dh110 for ages 6-14; Dh20 for ages 3-5, Planet Tours Desert Camp, Al Awir, Dubai, www.dubaidrums.com
Dubai
Fitness event
Get tickets for Reebok Les Mills Live Dubai. BodyCombat and BodyAttack programme directors Rachael Newsham and Lisa Osborne will lead the event, on their first visit to the region. Enjoy a workout to music, lights and a party atmosphere, which showcases the latest Les Mills releases, including BodyPump, BodyStep, RPM and BodyAttack 100.
Saturday, 8am to 7pm, from Dh299, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, tickets.virginmegastore.me
