Season 11 has relaunched with some spectacular events
As The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi relaunches Season 11 this June, two distinct musical evenings spotlight the breadth of contemporary global and regional artistry.
From diasporic improvisation and Mandé rhythms to emotionally charged indie-folk and Arabian soul, these two performances are not to be missed.
Mandé Maqamāt – Yahael Camara Onono
On Thursday 11 June, internationally acclaimed percussionist and composer Yahael Camara Onono transforms The Black Box into a space of spontaneous musical exchange.
Best known as the founder and bandleader of the award-winning Balimaya Project, Onono’s work bridges traditional West African music with jazz, orchestral composition, hip-hop, and contemporary improvisation.
The evening explores the rich connections between West African folklore and the Arab world through rhythm, storytelling, and collaboration, weaving together deep Mandé grooves, soaring Arabic maqamāt, and fearless improvisation.
Alongside the performance, audiences are invited into a wider conversation on artistic practice and sustainability, examining what it means to build a creative life across local and international music scenes today.
Fatima | MINOVA
Then, on Saturday 13 June, the spotlight shifts to the next wave of UAE artistry as Fatima Bin Safwan and MINOVA come together for a powerful double bill of deeply personal, genre-blurring performances.
Blending Arabian jazz-inflected soul with electronic indie-folk, the evening showcases two artists whose music is rooted in emotional honesty and introspection.
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FAFA’s work combines R&B, soul, and Arabian jazz influences into sonic storytelling centered on healing, empowerment, and inner truth.
Her current project, The Veiled Essence, explores the emotional layers formed through shame, trauma, and self-protection, guiding listeners toward self-assurance and peace.
MINOVA, meanwhile, brings her melancholic bedroom-pop intimacy to the stage following the breakout global success of her self-produced debut single I Miss You So.
Her stripped-back songwriting and atmospheric indie production have resonated with millions of listeners worldwide, establishing her as one of the UAE’s most compelling emerging voices.
Following performances in Vienna, Milan, and Dubai, her live set continues to evolve into an intimate reflection on vulnerability, youth, and connection.
These two evenings reflect the spirit of Season 11: artist-led, globally connected, and deeply grounded in storytelling, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
11 and 13 June, The Arts Center at NYUAD, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu
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