The Laughter Factory The biggest name on this small but perfectly formed four night comedy tour is the 4' 11" Jo Enright. One of the best and brightest performers to come to the country this year, Enright, right, mixes comic timing and subtle observations to brilliant effect. Indeed, Peter Kay, one of the UK's most prominent comedians, compared her talents favourably with Julie Walters. Enright's appeared on TV alongside the likes of Kay and Steve Coogan, but it's on stage where you find her raw wit at its sharpest. Speaking of which, Rob Deering, who mixes his gags with some nimble guitar playing, is also on the bill. The Independent newspaper in the UK also called him "as sharp and versatile as a Swiss Army knife" after one show. We wait to see if he can be used to open a can of beans. Completing the line-up is Karl Spain, who has become one of the top Irish comedians over the past few years. The Sunday Times referred to him as "achingly funny". Now's your chance to feel the pain of Spain in your sides. Tuesday Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Wednesday Zinc, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai, Thursday Courtyard Dubai, Green Community, Dubai, August 6 Rainbow Room, The Aviation Club, Dubai, all shows start at 9pm, tickets Dh115, 800 4669, www.thelaughterfactory.com
The Sandisk July Rockathon No less than 19 acts and four concerts in one day, with the last of them seeing various rock acts perform acoustic versions of their songs. Confirmed bands include Dubai favourites Nikotin and Fatiniza. Today 4pm, Shelter, Warehouse 209, 318 Road, Al Quoz Industrial 4, Dubai, Dh15 (free for members), 04 434 5655 Bhangra Fever 2010 This huge Asian dance event features RDB, Raghav and Punjabi MC together for one night only. Thursday 9pm doors, 10pm show, World Trade Centre, Dubai, tickets from Dh100, 800 4669 Circoloco This Ibiza institution comes to Dubai and features Clive Henry and Dyed Soundorom on the decks. Thursday 10pm, Main room, The Rooftop, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Dh130, (ladies and FACE Card holders free before 11pm), 800 4669
Tracking the Emirates Khalfan Abdul Rauf's wonderfully colourful paintings and Linda Stephanian's flowing sculptures are not only on display, but are available for purchase. Daily until August 7, RAK Hospital, Ras al Khaimah, www.swissartgateuae.com
Dunya - Glimpses of Muslim Life in Europe Ahmed Krausen's photographs provide a true insight into Islamic life on another continent. Daily until August 14, 8am-8pm (Fridays 4pm-8pm), Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah, family ticket Dh10, adults Dh5, children free, 06 565 5455 Iraq: Transition to Peace Tina Hager's spellbinding collection of photos from Iraq paint a very different picture of the country than much of the mainstream media has touched upon. Daily until August 15, 9am-7pm (closed Fridays), Portfolio Gallery, Dubai, 04 323 2395
Color The Cuadro Fine Art Gallery is mixing things up by keeping its colours apart. The entire gallery has been colour-coded and divided into six sections - red, blue, green, black, brown and white. With all works split into these coloured sections, rather than by genre or artist, it gives you a totally new way in which to study them. Daily until August 31, 10am-8pm, Saturday (12-6pm), closed Fridays, Cuadro Fine Art Gallery, Building 10, DIFC Gate Village, Dubai, 04 425 0400
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
Beyond the Surface A summer exhibition by a group of 15 Dubai artists, all of whom are teenagers. The works ask the viewer to look beyond the obvious surfaces which frame our everyday life. The exhibition brings together art which can be taken at face value or used as something which inspires further thought and contemplation. Daily until August 31, 10am-8pm (Friday 2-8pm, closed Sundays), thejamjar gallery, Street 17, Dubai, 04 341 7303
That Shimmering Beast: The Capture of Urban Life Virgilio Ferreira, Miyuki Okuyama and Mehrdad Naraghi offer their own take on what factors give cities their unique feel and characteristics. Daily until September 9, 9am-10pm (Fridays 3pm-10pm), The Empty Quarter, DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 1210 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. Daily until October 17, Gate 4, The Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.presidentscup.ae
Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition Enjoy a glimpse of the future cultural plans of the capital by checking out the designs for Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Daily until February 25, 2011, 10am-10pm, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, 02 690 8207, www.artsabudhabi.ae Peripheral Vision Paintings, photographs and sculptures created by artists from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Syria and the UAE examine the question of Arab identity. Daily 10am-8pm, Barjeel Art Foundation, Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah, www.barjeelartfoundation.com
Museum ME the UAE If you fancy taking your first step in the world of art, and giving something back to the Emirates, then why not help out the jamjar Gallery in Dubai - which is looking for 100 works to display in the upcoming exhibition Museum ME the UAE - a brief history of one country. Submissions must be made via e-mail to museum uae@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. For more details visit www.thejamjar dubai.com
Regarding Borders Shelter Maraya in Sharjah is looking for people to submit photographic or video works that celebrate the landscape of the Arabian peninsula. The deadline for submissions is September 25, with the show taking place from December 15 until January 16. You can enter via e-mail 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
ADIHEX The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is inviting applications for the various heritage competitions to be held at the annual 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 6171
Speak Dating Get the chance to learn a new language at the interestingly titled event in Dubai. The session helps find out how many people want to learn each particular language, and tries to pair them up with a native speaker. Please contact Shelter 48 hours in advance to let them know what languages you speak and would like to learn. Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Hindi, Urdu and Russian are all available. Sunday 7-9pm, Shelter, Warehouse 209, 318 Road, Al Quoz Industrial 4, Dubai, 04 434 5655, speakdating@shelter.ae
Zouk Dancing Learn the Lambada style of Zouk - a form of dance which came out of the Franco-Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. It's bold, colourful and lots of fun. Monday 7.30-9.30pm, Shelter, Warehouse 209, 318 Road, Al Quoz Industrial 4, Dubai, Dh40 (Dh35 for members), RSVP to events@shelter.ae
Catalan cooking The summer gastronomic menu at Ossiano is strongly influenced by the roots of chef Santi Santamaria. The five-course meal on offer includes octopus with potatoes and scallops with summer truffles and wild asparagus. Daily until September 30, Ossiano, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, Dh550 inclusive of wines, 04 426 2626
Modhesh World There are over 100 things for kids to do at this Dubai summer treat, including games and rides. Daily until August 7, 10am-10pm, Thursdays 10am-midnight, Fridays 3pm-midnight, Dubai Airport Expo, 600 545 555, www.modheshworld.com 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 this country. Today 12 noon-9pm, mezzanine level (near Ikea), Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, 800 33232
Dubai Mall Summer Camp These week-long camps offer five very different days, with ice skating, movie watching, and trips to KidZania and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo all on the schedule. The scheme runs until September 9, and there are also separate camps based at KidZania and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Sunday-Thursday 9am-3pm, The Dubai Mall, Dh950 for main camp, other camp prices vary, 04 448 5200 DUCTAC Summer Camp Children can enjoy painting and creating for five days, with pottery and fabric work also available. The week-long courses will begin every Sunday until August 8. Sunday-Thursday 10.30am-1pm daily, Manu Chhabria Arts Centre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, one week Dh900 (two weeks Dh1500), 04 341 4777
This Location A trio of female painters chart how relocating to a different country has made them consider the importance of location when it comes to their work. How much of their creativity comes from nature and how much is nurture? The artists now live in Qatar, India and England. Daily until July 31, 10am-7pm (closed Fridays), Mojo Gallery, Unit 33, Al Serkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, 04 323 6367
I U Heart Mahmoud Bakhshi, Shahab Foutouhi, Arash Hanaei, Mamali Shafahi and Vahid Sharifian illustrate their individual responses towards how Iran's politics continue to dominate its global image. Daily until Saturday (closed on Fridays) 10am-7pm. The Third Line Gallery, Dubai, 04 341 1367
Summer Exhibition Sameer Reddy's startling photographs and Saba Qizilbash's works on paper present a positive outlook on modern life. There is a repeat showing of the whole exhibition from September 1-22, meaning this last chance listing comes with an asterisk. Daily until Saturday 9am-7pm (closed Fridays), XVA gallery, Bastakiya, Dubai, 04 353 5383 Summer Salon Works from 10 Dubai-based artists are on show, with all pieces up for sale and new creations arriving all the time. Paintings and sculptures will sell for between Dh1,000-7,000. Daily until Saturday 9am-4pm, (closed Thursday and Fridays), Gallery 76, Dubai International Art Centre, Street 75b, Villa No 27, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, 04 344 4398
Big Apple Circus This New York institution, making its Middle East debut, features a host of spectacular acts, including trapeze artists, clowns and acrobats. Daily until Tuesday doors 7.30pm, show 8pm, Abu Dhabi Hall, Adnec, Abu Dhabi, tickets Dh200 (children Dh75), buy one get one free. www.boxofficeme.com, www.summerinabudhabi.com
Summer in Abu Dhabi There's all kinds of fun for kids at this annual event aimed at the capital's children. There are music, dance and performance attractions, which are both enjoyable and educational, for all ages. Daily until Wednesday, 4pm-10pm, 2pm-10pm Fridays & Saturdays, Hall 11, Adnec, Abu Dhabi, Dh15, 02 444 0444, www.summerinabudhabi.com Cool Summer Nights This is the final time this weekly Brazilian carnival-themed night will be held. It includes Samba dancers and beach football. There is also manta ray feeding and a laser and fireworks display at the end of the evening. And if it all gets a bit much, you can cool off on one of the brilliant waterslides. Thursday 7pm, Aquaventure, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, tickets Dh200 (Dh165 children 3-11), pay on the door, www.atlantisthepalm.com
Predators The third film in a series which started in 1987 and seems to get more violent and gory and less compelling with each instalment. Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, above, and Listings team favourite Walton Goggins (who played Detective Shane Vendrell in the excellent TV drama The Shield), are part of a group who have no idea how they reached the planet they are on or, indeed, why they were sent there. Cue a scrap with the locals. www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com, www.cineroyal.ae
The Last Airbender This movie is based on the first series of the animated show Avatar: The Last Airbender, and is written, produced and directed by M Night Shyamalan, who still seems to be searching for a decent second film after the success of the Sixth Sense back in 1999. The plot sees Aang (Noah Ringer) having to use his element-controlling skills to save the world. www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com, www.cineroyal.ae
The Slammin' Salmon Cleon "Slammin'" Salmon (Michael Clarke Duncan), the former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, turned Miami restaurant owner, sets his staff a challenge. Whichever waiter makes the most money in one night will get US$10,000 (Dh36,700), while whoever makes the least will be on the receiving end of his fists. www.grandcinemas.com Letters from Juliet Sophie Hall (Amanda Seyfried) helps Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) track down a love she lost contact with decades earlier. Along for the ride is Claire's grandson Charlie (Chris Egan). Spoiler alert: the man who Claire is searching for, Lorenzo Bartolini, is not the neoclassical sculptor who died 160 years ago. Even dear Vanessa is not that old...is she? Predictable stuff, just like our gags. www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com, www.cineroyal.ae
A Time for Drunken Horses Bahman Ghobadi's excellent film focuses on a family trying to cope with life in a Kurdish village on the Iran-Iraq border when one of the brothers is told he needs a life-saving surgery. Tuesday 8.30pm, Shelter, Warehouse 209, 318 Road, Al Quoz Industrial 4, Dubai, Dh15 (free for members), RSVP events@shelter.ae or 04 434 5655
