From opera and film to art exhibitions and Russian classics
If you remember the days when people used to say, “There’s nothing happening in Abu Dhabi”, those days are long gone.
This week alone, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi and the NYUAD Art Gallery are proving just how vibrant the city’s cultural scene has become.
Bill Bragin, Executive Director of The Arts Center at NYUAD, is thrilled to welcome audiences to what promises to be an extraordinary lineup of performances, exhibitions, and screenings.
The action kicks off on Wednesday 11 February, with the CinemaNa series, screening Hijra, followed by a conversation with Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen.
It’s a timely exploration of identity and belonging, offering audiences a thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the NYUAD Art Gallery is opening its major new exhibition, All Manner of Experiments: Legacies of the Baghdad Modern Art Group, curated by Dr Nada Shabout.
Visitors can explore the legacy of modern Iraqi art, with additional insight during a public conversation later in the week between Dr Shabout and gallery director Maya Allison.
The excitement continues on 13 and 14 February, when The Arts Center will host the UAE premiere of Kavan – An Ambedkarite Opera, performed by Nalanda Arts Studio and Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch.
Co-commissioned by The Arts Center, the production blends humour, puppetry, and a rich mix of musical styles, from Shahiri folk and rock to rap and electronic.
At its heart, Kavan explores the dreams, desires, and dilemmas of young people while navigating caste and class in contemporary India.
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Beyond the stage, the artists will host interactive workshops as part of the Off the Stage programme, giving participants a hands-on experience of folk music traditions.
For music lovers, next Saturday brings a Valentine’s Day treat: the UAE National Orchestra returns with a programme of Russian classics, featuring Shostakovich, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky.
Set in the Red Theater, one of the UAE’s finest acoustical spaces, it promises a performance that will resonate with every note, making it a must-see for lovers of orchestral music.
And for audiences beyond Abu Dhabi, there’s a reprise run of Metro Diaries by 63Kolektib at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai.
Originally commissioned by The Arts Center, the sold-out production tells the stories of Filipino migrants in the UAE through theatre, spoken word, dance, and video, creating a moving, immersive experience.
According to Bill, it’s weeks like this that demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s rise as a cultural hub.
With performances like Kavan, the orchestra, film screenings, art exhibitions, and productions in Dubai, the Saadiyat venue is showcasing the diversity, talent, and ambition that make the UAE’s arts scene truly world-class.
Whether you’re a theatre buff, a music lover, or a visual arts enthusiast, this week proves there’s never been a better time to explore, experience, and celebrate the arts in Abu Dhabi.
For further information, visit publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu
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