This weekend’s don’t-miss events.
Keep an ear out for classical music pieces from Mozart and Beethoven in between your bargain hunts at Wafi Mall today. As part of the mall’s DSF celebrations, talented young musicians (violinists, cellists, flautists) of the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform from 5-7pm.
Grown-up musicians from the Vienna State Opera Woodwind Quintet take the stage tomorrow at the One and Only Royal Mirage Ballroom. The event is part of the Dubai Concert Committee’s World Classical Music series and will feature musicians playing only woodwind instruments – flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon – to perform pieces such as Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian dance compositions and Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 8pm. Tickets from Dh250 at platinumlist.net
If classical music isn’t your cup of tea, head to the WASLA Arabic Alternative Music Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre from 2pm-2am today. The day-long festival has roped in a new wave of alternative Arab artists, such as Beirut-based band Mashrou’ Leila, Algerian country and folk singer Souad Massi, Jordanian rock band Jadal, and Salhi (the music duo formed by Sufi singer Mounir Troudi and jazz trumpeter Michel Marretist) and UAE’s Abri and The Funk Radius. Arabic food and retail stalls will be spread across the venue. Tickets from Dh295 at virginmegastores. me. Doors open at 12pm.
The Miracle Worker, a play by William Gibson based on Helen Keller’s autobiography, The Story of My Life, shows today and tomorrow, at Ductac. Directed by Jimish Thakkar, the play explores the relationship between the deaf, mute and blind Keller, and her teacher Anne Sullivan, who helped Keller overcome her frustration and anger and to communicate. Shows at 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets from Dh100 at ductac.etixdubai.com. Reel Palestine, a series of alternative Palestinian films, and independent theatre Cinema Akil are showing short films and documentaries at A4 Space, Alserkal Avenue on January 24. Films include 16-minute short film Abu Amar Is Coming by Naeem Mohaiemen. This event is free and will be followed by a show by Arab-American comedian Amer Zahr at The Jam Jar.