Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for January 6, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun.
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Abu Dhabi
Cultural festival
Enjoy the extended opening of Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Learn more about local culture at this event that celebrates the legacy of the founding President of the UAE, including entertainment such as traditional dances, camel and horse rides, arts and crafts, a playground for children, films, handicraft demonstrations, henna, a souq and traditional food.
Daily until January 22, 4pm to 10pm, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, www.zayedfestival.com
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Dubai
Pottery classes
Start a new hobby with Yadawei at the pottery for beginners intensive workshop. Learn the main techniques of working with clay, including coils, pinch, slab and wheel-throwing, and begin your creative journey.
January 27 and 28, 10am to 3.30pm, Dh635, ages 16+, Yadawei, 8th Street, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 379 1312, www.yadawei.net
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Sharjah
Music festival
Attend the Sharjah World Music Festival, which features nine concerts over nine nights, starting tonight with Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel Wahab and Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi (pictured).
Daily until January 14, 8pm tonight; 9pm all other nights, from Dh250, locations include Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Flag Island Amphitheatre and Al Qasba Theatre, Sharjah, www.ticketmaster.ae
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Nationwide
New movie
Catch The Great Wall, in which Matt Damon plays William Garin, a mercenary warrior imprisoned within China’s iconic structure who joins an elite force when the wall comes under attack. Fantasy, also starring Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe and Andy Lau.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE (PG-15)
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Abu Dhabi
Outdoor market
Check out Marhaba Market at Deerfields Mall, which features 30 exhibitors offering fresh produce, flowers and plants, plus art, handicrafts, fashion, toys and homewares. There’s also children’s activities, food stalls, football, Zumba and hip-hop dance classes.
Today, 4pm to 10pm, Deerfields Mall, Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road, www.facebook.com/deerfieldsmall
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Abu Dhabi & Dubai
Arabic classes
Tackle that New Year’s resolution to learn Arabic at Eton Institute. The three-week, 30-hour intensive course is interactive and fun for beginners as well as those who are looking to enhance their Arabic skills.
Starts Sunday, runs until January 26, 8am to 10am or 10am to noon, from Dh1,550, Eton Institute, Park Rotana Office Complex, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, 02 449 9649; Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, 04 438 6800, www.middleeast.etoninstitute.com
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Dubai
Concert
Attend an exclusive performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at a gala dinner featuring Italian cuisine and caviar. Bocelli will perform for 40 minutes with piano accompaniment. He’s famed for work with Luciano Pavarotti and Céline Dion.
Tomorrow, 8pm, packages from Dh2,500, Billionaire Mansion, Taj Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, 04 510 3100
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Dubai
Concert
Book tickets now for next month’s RedFest DXB and enjoy live music from Daya and The Veronicas (pictured) on Thursday and Demi Lovato, Mike Posner, Tove Lo and Alessia Cara on Friday.
February 2 and 3, 6pm to 1am on Thursday; 2pm to 1am on Friday, from Dh395 for a one-day ticket, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, www.ticketmaster.ae
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Dubai
Film screening
Plan to catch a screening of Simshar as part of the Work in Progress film series presented by Cinema Akil and Alserkal Avenue. The 2014 drama directed by Rebecca Cremona was Malta’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in 2015 and tells two simultaneous stories – one involving the sinking of the ship Simshar; the other a boat of rescued migrants stranded as bureaucratic war rages.
Tomorrow, 7pm, free, The Yard, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, www.cinemaakil.com
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Dubai
Art exhibition
See the exhibition Word Chimes; Meaning in Movements, in which Pakistani artist Simeen Farhat presents a solo show of works that she describes as a record of her own evolution in that art is synonymous with life, and feature abstract forms created out of dyed-cast resin and texts of poems in various languages as well as the artist’s personal writings. Pictured: A Whirlwind
Daily until January 24, 10am to 6pm daily, XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, 04 353 5383, www.xvagallery.com
