Lord of the Dance A friend of the listings team said recently that just because something is popular, that does not necessarily mean it is good. He was complaining about the World Cup, but he could have been talking about Lord of the Dance. But how can a show that has been watched by over 100 million people in 67 countries since it was performed in Dublin back in 1996 be considered anything other than a huge success? Michael Flatley's Irish dance extravaganza has a fervent following, with fans as loyal as those following the football teams currently playing in South Africa. Detractors say the show is irritating, unimaginative and that it borrows too much, and incorrectly, from Irish folklore. We say, don't judge it until you've seen it live. Just don't take your vuvuzela. Wednesday until June 26, 8pm Wednesday & Thursday, 3pm & 8pm June 25 & 26, Abu Dhabi Hall, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, Dh295-795, 800 4669
Martina Holler and Herman Ridd This unusual combination of harp (Holler) and saxophone (Rudd), who are married, somehow manages to work, despite the huge age gap between the two instruments. Sunday Doors 7.30pm (invitation holders holder), general admission from 7.50pm, Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, free entry, 04 341 4777 Fête de la Musique Fifteen bands and 100 musicians take part in this fabulous annual event, with French and Irish songs, blues, jazz, pop and classical all being played on the same night. The theme of this year's event is music by women. Monday 8pm-midnight, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, free entry, 04 335 8712 Clare and David Lesser Another married couple performing in Dubai, this time with soprano Clare being accompanied on the piano by her hubby. Monday doors 7.30pm, concert 8pm, The Fridge, Street 26, Warehouse 5, Al Quoz 4, Dubai, Dh50, RSVP essential info@thefridgedubai.com, 04 347 7793.
Students Ceramic Exhibition Students from the Dubai International Art Centre show off what they have learnt. On display is a vast selection of clay pieces, including human faces and animals. Saturday until June 29 (closed Fridays), opening night 6pm, Saturday to Wednesday 9am-9pm, Thursday 9am-4pm, Gallery 76, Dubai International Art Centre, Jumeirah Beach Road, Street 75b, Villa No 27, 04 344 4398 I U Heart Mahmoud Bakhshi, Shahab Foutouhi, Arash Hanaei, Mamali Shafahi and Vahid Sharifian illustrate their individual responses towards how Iran's politics dominate its global image. Thursday until July 31 (closed on Fridays), 10am-7pm. The Third Line Gallery, Dubai, 04 341 1367 Experiment This exhibition features the work of five young Emirati artists. Two curators began the project in 2009 as a way of creating a platform for upcoming talent to explore new frontiers in multimedia design. Daily until June 26, 10am-10pm, Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah, www.alqasba.ae Mass Movement The Lebanese artist Zena Assi brings together an exhibition that illustrates the psychology of how people think differently in a crowd. Daily until June 26, 10am to 7pm (closed Fridays), Art Sawa, Dubai, 04 340 8660 Shabab Uprising This exhibition showcases 10 emerging artists, including the painters Thaier Helal and Kais Salman, and the photographer and filmmaker Ammar Al Beik. Daily until June 30 (closed Fridays), Ayyam Gallery, Dubai, 04 323 6242 Summer Exhibition Sameer Reddy's startling photographs and Saba Qizilbash's vivid works on paper present an optimistic outlook on modern life. Sunday until June 31 & September 1-22 (closed throughout August), 9am-7pm (closed Fridays), XVA gallery, Bastakiya, Dubai, 04 353 5383 On the Wall This series of paintings by Syrian artist Baseem Rayyes seeks to tell stories of the artist's nostalgia for and perspective on the country of his birth. The people at Vindemia Art, Antiques and Collectibles Gallery are the brains behind this exhibition. Daily until July 4, 11am-9pm, Aspen Cafe, Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 427 0219 That Shimmering Beast: The Capture of Urban Life Images by Virgilio Ferreira, Miyuki Okuyama and Mehrdad Naraghi offer their own perspectives on what gives cities around the world their unique characteristics. Daily until July 4, 9am-10pm (Fridays 3pm-10pm), The Empty Quarter, DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 1210 Blue Skie'd and Clear This group exhibition features photographs by Birgit Graschopf, Yuko Ichikawa, Maria Maeser, Jamie Baldridge, Maximillian Pramatarov and Hazem Mahdy. Daily until September 25, 11.30am-7pm (closed Fridays), Carbon 12 gallery, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Warehouse D37, Dubai, 050 464 43 92 Set Me Free From My Chains Zoulikha Bouabdella's show pokes fun at "traditional notions of representation and abstraction". Playful, colourful and very well thought out. Daily until July 23, 10am-7pm (closed Fridays), Gallery IVDE, Dubai, 04 323 5052 A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions The types of textiles on display range from over the past 200 years and include those from Central Asia, Russia and Turkey. Daily until July 28, Gallery One, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi (ladies only Tuesday 10am-4pm), 02 690 9000 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 on as she charts the country's rise out of conflict. Daily until August 15, 9am-7pm (closed Fridays), Portfolio Gallery, Dubai, 04 323 2395 Peripheral Vision Paintings, photographs and sculptures created by artists from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE examine the question of Arab identity. Daily 10am-8pm, Barjeel Art Foundation, Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah, www.barjeelartfoundation.com
Salsa lessons Have fun learning the basics or take your moves to a new level, with instruction from members of the Dubai-based Espiritu Latino dance team. Wednesday 7-8pm (beginners), 8.30-9.30pm (intermediate), Shelter, Warehouse 209, 318 Road, Al Quoz Industrial 4, Dubai, Dh40 (Dh35 for members), RSVP to events@shelter.ae
They Score, You Score One of the smartest offers available during the World Cup is at the Belgian Cafe. Every time a goal is scored, the price of selected beverages drops by 10 per cent. The offer stands for up to seven goals in a game, meaning there is a chance you can get 70 per cent off drinks. But judging by the lack of goals scored on the opening few days of the tournament, big savings may be a rarity. Daily until June 11, Belgian Cafe, Crown Plaza, Dubai Festival City, 04 701 1128
Summer in Abu Dhabi A host of fun for kids at this annual event aimed at the capital's children. There are plenty of music, dance and performance activities for all ages. Thursday until August 4, Hall 11, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, dh15 entry, 02 444 0444, www.summerinabudhabi.com Summer painting session Let the little ones create their first masterpiece. The canvas sizes available range from one to 12 square feet. Daily until end of August (closed Sundays), thejamjar gallery, Street 17a Comm 368, Al Quoz, Dubai, Dh55-195, 04 341 7303 Wild Nights Al Ain Wildlife Park is open at night until the end of August. Daily Saturday to Thursday, 4pm to midnight, Fridays 10am to midnight, adults and over 12s Dh15, children three to 12 Dh5, Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, Al Ain, 03 782 8188
Rob & Derek Live at Meydan Former ShowSports football presenters Rob McCaffrey and Derek Whyte are hosting a series of nights throughout the World Cup, with England's group games with Algeria and Slovenia the focal points of this week's action. Tonight 7.30pm, Wednesday 4pm, Parade Ring Restaurant, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, Dh375, 04 445 6824
Summer in Abu Dhabi A host of fun for kids at this annual event aimed at the capital's children. There are plenty of music, dance and performance activities for all ages. Thursday until August 4, Hall 11, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, dh15 entry, 02 444 0444, www.summerinabudhabi.com Summer painting session Let the little ones create their first masterpiece. The canvas sizes available range from one to 12 square feet. Daily until end of August (closed Sundays), thejamjar gallery, Street 17a Comm 368, Al Quoz, Dubai, Dh55-195, 04 341 7303 Wild Nights Al Ain Wildlife Park is open at night until the end of August. Daily Saturday to Thursday, 4pm to midnight, Fridays 10am to midnight, adults and over 12s Dh15, children three to 12 Dh5, Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, Al Ain, 03 782 8188
Rob & Derek Live at Meydan Former ShowSports football presenters Rob McCaffrey and Derek Whyte are hosting a series of nights throughout the World Cup, with England's group games with Algeria and Slovenia the focal points of this week's action. Tonight 7.30pm, Wednesday 4pm, Parade Ring Restaurant, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, Dh375, 04 445 6824
Football Mania 2010 If the action on the pitch is getting you a bit hot under the collar, then why not chill out by watching the World Cup on a huge 20m x 10m screen while sitting on an enormous bean bag in the middle of an Olympic-sized ice rink. Tuesday 7pm,Dubai Ice Rink,The Dubai Mall, Dubai, Dh50 for seats on the ice, Dh25 for seats at the side, 04 448 5111
Art For All & Blooming Attitudes Art For All is by a diverse group of international artists, while Blooming Attitudes showcases the work of Cynthia Richards. Daily until June 24, 10am-9pm (Fridays 2pm-9pm), Art Couture gallery, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, 04 399 4991 Express Yourself in 30x30 Each participant was given the task of painting a piece that represented their view of the world on a square canvas. Daily until June 24, 9am-1pm & 5-9pm (closed Fridays), Ghaf Gallery, Abu Dhabi, 02 665 5332 Ceramics and Glass Exhibition An eclectic collection demonstrating the array of skills and craftsmanship involved in making such works. Daily until June 24, 10pm-6pm (closed Fridays), Majlis Gallery, Dubai, 04 353 6233
Hairspray Big hair, big tunes in this stage musical version of the 1988 movie. The cast are all local, made up of those fortunate to come through last month's auditions, which saw hundreds trying out for a place in the spotlight. July 13-17 7.30pm (there are also 2.30pm shows on 16th and 17th), Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, Dh175, 04 341 4777 Fame This hugely-anticipated stage version of the 1980s hit TV show premieres in the Middle East after a 10-year run in London's West End. July 13-17 7.30pm, First Group Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, tickets for opening night Dh75, other nights Dh130, 04 366 6546
