What's on in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in December: art, music, fireworks, New Year

97e2c4f35ea58210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRDapproved/thenational/Articles/Migration/2009-Q4What's on in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in December: art, music, fireworks, New Year87e2c4f35ea58210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____What's on in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in December: art, music, fireworks, New Year

With the arrival of cooler temperatures comes the ideal time to head outdoors and explore the new infrastructure and cultural activities on offer in your area. Immerse yourself in a month packed full of National Day celebrations, art exhibitions and festive season fun.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures comes the ideal time to head outdoors and explore the new infrastructure and cultural activities on offer in your area. Immerse yourself in a month packed full of National Day celebrations, art exhibitions and festive season fun. <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/assets/pdf/AD532371130.pdf">Download the guide</a> Dec 1 Check out the work of the UAE artist Abdel Qader al Rais in the exhibition Eight Contemporary Arab Masters, on show at the <a href="http://www.courtyardgallerydubai.com/">Courtyard Gallery & Café</a> until December 12. Dec 2 Delight in an extravaganza of events on the Abu Dhabi Corniche marking the UAE's 38th National Day. Presented by <a href="http://www.adach.ae/en/default.aspx">Adach</a> (02 621 5300), there will be children's activities, fireworks and concerts from today until December 4. Dec 3 The Syrian painter Walid el Masri explores the notion of chairs in his first solo exhibition in the UAE at <a href="http://www.ayyamgallery.com/">Ayyam Gallery</a> until December 31. Dec 4 The Filipino rock concert Rakrakan Fest 09 kicks off this evening at the Airport Expo, Dubai. Buy tickets online at <a href="http://www.timeoutdubai.com/">Time Out Dubai</a> . Dec 5 Experience Dresden's great Staatskapelle orchestra, as <a href="http://www.abudhabiclassics.com/">Abu Dhabi Classics</a> presents Symphonic Masterworks - "Classical" Mozart and "Romantic" Bruckner. Dec 6 Bring the family to see young musicians from the <a href="http://www.abudhabiclassics.com/">Abu Dhabi Classics Academy</a> perform with Dresden's legendary orchestra in the Santa Claus Concert for Kids. Dec 7 The artist Fouad Elkoury presents a series of 32 photographic montages addressing a range of contemporary socio-political issues in a solo exhibition titled What Happened to My Dreams? at <a href="http://www.thethirdline.com/">The Third Line gallery</a> until December 17. Dec 8 The synth-rock band The Killers perform tonight on the grounds of the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Tickets at Virgin Megastores or online at <a href="http://www.boxofficeme.com/">Box Office Me</a>, <a href="http://www.timeouttickets.com/">Time Out Tickets</a> and <a href="http://www.ticketingboxoffice.com/">Ticketing Boxoffice</a> . <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091125/COMPETITION/911259984/1402">Win tickets to see The Killers</a> (competition ends at midnight on Dec 5). Dec 9 Lose yourself in the latest Arab, Asian and African cinematic releases at the <a href="http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/">Dubai International Film Festival</a>, which starts today until December 16. Dec 10 The Abu Dhabi Drama Society presents its annual family pantomime, Rumplesillyskin. Get in quick for tickets as shows are selling out fast. Visit <a href="http://www.the-club.com/">The Club Abu Dhabi</a> or call 02 673 1111. Dec 11 The UK dance festival Creamfields at the <a href="http://www.emiratespalace.com/">Emirates Palace</a> in Abu Dhabi promises a fusion of some of the world's best DJs and live music. St Andrew's Church Abu Dhabi is hosting Carols by Candlelight in the desert. Meet at the church at 3pm, then caravan out 45 minutes to the desert. Four-wheel drive not required, but bring chairs, blanket, food and drink, torch, disposable BBQ and musical instruments. For more information, call 02 446 1631 or <a href="mailto:standrew@emirates.net.ae">e-mail standrew@emirates.net.ae</a>. Dec 12 The Emirati artist Salama al Mansouri takes the viewer on a journey through the streets of the world in a photographic exhibition titled Random Minutes, at <a href="http://www.ghafgallery.com/">Ghaf Art Gallery</a> until December 16. Dec 13 Significant moments in time are brought to life in an new way in Terry Deary's Horrible Histories show, playing at Dubai's Centrepoint Theatre until December 17. It's sure to delight adults and children alike. For more information, go to <a href="http://www.ductac.org/">Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre</a> . Dec 14 The british Harpist Danielle Perrett, who has performed at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Versailles, treats audiences tonight at <a href="http://www.thefridgedubai.com/">The Fridge </a> (04 347 7793) in Dubai. Dec 15 Catch one of the last remaining performances of Peter Pan on Ice, running until December 19 at the Arabian Center Mall (04 343 4674 or 04 284 5555). Dec 16 Al Saheel: A Thousand and One Horse Tales is an equine-themed show inspired by the ancient Arab tradition of storytelling. Performed at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club (04 361 8111) until December 19. Dec 17 The Backstreet Boys are back! Performing at <a href="http://www.thepalladiumdubai.com/">The Palladium</a> in Dubai, their gig will mix new material and classic hits such as Quit Playing Games With My Heart. <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091125/COMPETITION/911259974/1402/">Win tickets to see The Backstreet Boys</a> (competition ends at midnight on Dec 15). Dec 18 Marian Richardson explores issues of globalisation and homogenisation in a self-titled exhibition at the <a href="http://www.af-aboudabi.net/">French Alliance</a> in Abu Dhabi. Only two days remain. Dec 19 Attakus Star Wars characters converge on Dubai in the photographer Cedric Delsaux's solo exhibition at <a href="http://www.theemptyquarter.com/">The Empty Quarter</a> titled The Dark Lens/The Dubai Invasion. It runs until December 31. Dec 20 It'll be a festive treat for the whole family when the UK-based pantomime production company H2 performs Sleeping Beauty at <a href="http://www.madinattheatre.com/">Madinat Jumeirah</a>. Today until January 2. Dec 21 The Turkish photographer Nazif Topcuoglu stages theatrical compositions of young women and lavish backdrops in the solo exhibition titled Consolation, showing until January 21 at the <a href="http://www.gagallery.com/">Green Art Gallery</a>. Dec 22 The sculpture, photography and paintings of four international artists are on show in Art Euphoria, until January 7 at the <a href="http://www.artcoutureuae.com/">Art Couture gallery</a>. Dec 23 Grow your appreciation for illustration by viewing the work of 14 UAE-based artists at <a href="http://www.ductac.org/">Ductac's Gallery of Light</a> (04 341 4777). in an exhibition titled DPICT. Runs until January 7. Dec 24 The Sharjah-based Italian artist Paolomaria breathes new life into discarded materials in his first solo show, Memoriale, at <a href="http://www.tashkeel.org/">Tashkeel</a> (04 336 3313). Dec 25 <a href="http://www.the-club.com/">The Club Abu Dhabi</a> is offering plenty of options for festive Christmas dining - from lunch in the Main Hall for all the family, to early evening lobster dinner cruising the Corniche in a dhow, for adults only. Dec 26 From Pointe Noire in the Congo, the artist Mabounga brings an engaging series of paintings to <a href="http://www.boutique1.com/">Boutique 1</a> (04 448 3444), exploring powerful themes about life in Africa. Until January 5. Dec 27 A collection of paintings by the Palestinian modernist artist Kamal Boullata will be on display at the <a href="http://www.artspace-dubai.com/">DIFC Art Space gallery</a> until December 31. Dec 28 <a href="http://www.carbon12dubai.com/">Carbon 12</a> invites you to watch "experimentation and playfulness unfolding" in Pilot Plan Indicated, an exhibition by the Norwegian painter Tor-Magnus Lundeby. Until January 10. Dec 29 The British Council presents a photography exhibition titled My Father's House, exploring the role that buildings can have in shaping a nation's identity. Until Jan 23 at the <a href="http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/">Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation</a>. Dec 30 Enjoy the playful yet carefully composed canvases of the Iranian painter Rokni Haerizadeh in Oh Victory! You Forgot Your Underwear. Until January 7 at <a href="http://www.b21gallery.com/">B21 Gallery</a>. Dec 31 The Grammy Award winning R&B singer Rihanna rings in the new year performing tonight at the <a href="http://www.emiratespalace.com/">Emirates Palace</a>.

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