Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 31, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun.
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Abu Dhabi
Film screenings
Catch two film screenings as part of the Cinema Space series. The family-friendly 1970 French musical Donkey Skin (Peau d’Âne), pictured, tells the story of a princess (Catherine Deneuve) who flees her kingdom to avoid an unwanted marriage. The film is based on a fairy tale by Charles Perrault and also stars Jean Marais, Jacques Perrin and Delphine Seyrig. In the 1951 film A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim stars as the ultimate miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who learns the error of his unkind ways and is taught the true meaning of the holidays when he is visited by the ghost of his late business partner and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future.
Today, 4pm for A Christmas Carol; 7pm for Donkey Skin, free with registration, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com
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Dubai
Concert
Book now to see Angela Gheorghiu in concert as part of the White Nights in Dubai concert series, which features international musicians all playing at the Dubai Opera. The Romanian soprano has performed in leading roles in works including La Bohème, Faust and Tosca with opera companies around the world.
April 7, 8pm, from Dh550, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, www.ticketmaster.ae
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Abu Dhabi
NYE event
Ring in the New Year with a star-studded musical line-up at Al Maryah Island. Emirati star Hussain Al Jassmi, Egyptian pop icon Mohamed Hamaki and Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf will perform on the waterfront promenade. There will be a fireworks show at midnight.
Tonight, 7pm to 1 am, free, entry to the main concert area is registration-only from www.ticketmaster.ae, the waterfront promenade, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, www.almaryahisland.ae
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Abu Dhabi
NYE event
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Yas Mall. Shops and restaurants will be open until 1am and there will be performances from international acts in the Evolution of Dance, featuring dances from Australia, China, the United States and Egypt.
Tonight, dance event from 5pm to 1am, Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yasmall.ae
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Abu Dhabi
Heritage festival
Visit the last two days of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival and learn more about local culture at an event that celebrates the legacy of the Founding Father of the UAE. Visitors can enjoy traditional regional and international dances, camel and horse rides, arts and crafts, and a playground for children, plus films, handicraft demonstrations, henna, a souq and traditional food.
Until tomorrow, 3pm to 10pm, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, www.zayedfestival.com
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Nationwide
New movie
The Monster stars Zoe Kazan as Kathy, who has to drive her daughter Lizzy (Ella Ballentine) to her father’s house on a rainy night. While driving through a lonely road in the woods, their car breaks down, leaving them stranded. They telephone for assistance and as mechanic Jesse (Aaron Douglas) is fixing their car, a monster attacks him and he disappears. When Kathy and Lizzy try to find Jesse, they realize they are not alone and that monsters do exist. Horror, with Arabic subtitles, also starring Scott Speedman, Chris Webb and Christine Ebadi.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE. (15+)
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Dubai
NYE event
Watch one of the Emirates’ most spectacular fireworks shows in Downtown Dubai. Amazing pyrotechnics and an LED show will light up the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera and the buildings that line the fountain lake in a blaze of exploding colour. The accompanying music has been inspired by Middle Eastern melodies, with a series of dramatic crescendos to match the scale of one of the most-watched firework displays in the world.
Tonight, midnight, free, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.mydubainewyear.com
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Dubai
NYE event
Enjoy the fireworks display that stretches from Jumeirah Beach Hotel past the Burj Al Arab to Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The 12-minute coordinated display involving 12 pontoons and five boats, firing an array of fireworks up to 300 metres high over the Jumeirah shoreline.
Tonight, midnight, free, Jumeirah, Dubai, www.jumeirah.com
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Sharjah
Art exhibition
Check out the exhibition Robert Breer: Time Flies. It features some of Breer’s paintings and experiments in animation, as well as kinetic sculptures and large-scale works. Pictured: Untitled (1949-50).
Until January 9, 9am to 9pm, 4pm to 9pm on Fridays, Flying Saucer, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah, www.sharjahart.org
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Dubai
Fitness class
Sign up and take part in an eight-week New Year bootcamp with GetFitChick. The programme includes detailed dietary advice, five varied training sessions each week, including HIIT, weight training and Spinning, plus community support. Two coaches will be there to assist in class and track your food diary to help you reach your goals. Meal delivery is available six days-a-week for an additional cost.
Starts January 15, 6.30am, 10am and 5.30pm, from Dh3,000, Train Strength and Fitness, 4th Street, Al Quoz 1, behind Suzuki showroom, Dubai, www.getfitchick.ae
