Other highlights of the season

Music

Double bill on September 26 includes

Sufism Vs Modernism by Fathy Salama and Shaikh Mahmoud Tohamy, and Zanzibari Taarab, and Kidumbak by Dhow Countries Music Academy, featuring a blend of Arab sounds from the African continent.

Middle East premiere of Data Not Found by Kaki King in November. The show expands the concept of a concert through King’s experimentation with the acoustic guitar and the innovative use of dynamic projection mapping and machine learning. It examines contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence, the natural world, big data, and personal empowerment.

The fourth edition of the Barzakh Festival, featuring six live performances on three stages in one night, including the world premiere of a reimagining of the work of Umm Kulthum by Dubai-based band Noon, and the UAE debuts of AMMAR 808’s electronic Maghreb beats and rai star Sofiane & Mazalda.

A recital, talk, and piano masterclass by renowned concert pianist Awadagin Pratt.

ElectroFest — second edition features cutting edge electronic music, video and sound art, and improvisation. Solo and group recitals by NYUAD music faculty.

Poetry

Rooftop Rhythms: The eighth season of the longest-running poetry open mic night features slam competitions, open mic nights and fifth annual Rhyme-OWeen on the last Friday of the month throughout the season.

Hekayah/ The Story, a celebration of UAE National Day through poetry and song.

Dance

On October 30, France’s National Centre for Contemporary dance will celebrate the centennial of acclaimed American choreographer Merce Cunningham, through revivals of two of his masterpieces — Biped, a pioneering work from 1999, influenced by video and motion-capture technology; and his 1965 collaboration with John Cage, How to Pass, Kick, Fall & Run.

Theatre

World premiere of Al Raheel/ Departure: This commissioned work, about the evolution of a woman from childhood to old age has been created by Emirati playwright Reem Almenhali and award-winning American director and NYUAD professor Joanna Settle.

Cartography: a theatrical work about migration that draws on artist Kaneza Schaal and writer Christopher Myers’ work with refugee youth. The show aims to engage young audiences with visual tools like map-making and voice-activated digital scenery, as well as art and performance elements such as sculpture, filmmaking and dance, to create an array of visual journeys.

NYUAD students will present Bertolt Brecht’s play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

Cinema

CinemaNA: The third edition of contemporary Arabic cinema series on Monday Nights.

Family Shows

The Storyville Mosquito: Created by Kid Koala, this is a live animated graphic novel about a young mosquito who dreams of playing in a famous jazz band. The show brings the characters to life using miniature sets, puppets, multiple cameras and screens, scored in real time to an original music soundtrack performed by Kid Koala along with a string trio.

The Arts Centre at NYUAD

The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi is a performing arts centre that presents distinguished professional artists from around the world alongside student, faculty, and community productions. It creates a dynamic space for research, investigation, and innovation through initiatives such as new commissions, residencies by visiting artists, talks and discussions. Membership is open to all, with membership packages offering privileges such as exclusive early ticket booking and behind the scenes access.