Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of creativity and inspiration! The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi celebrates a dazzling decade of artistic brilliance! Kicking off its 10th season, the Center is rolling out a spectacular line-up of events that promises to enchant and elevate, from showcasing local talent to introducing fresh faces who are ready to make their mark. So, whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just curious about the performances this season is an unforgettable celebration of the arts!

10. Renowned Choreographer Hervé Koubi returns to NYU Abu Dhabi with a Ballet fusing Hip-Hop and Classical Dance elements

Get ready for the Arab world premiere of “Sol Invictus” by Hervé Koubi! This show-stopping performance at The Arts Center is a mesmerizing blend of imaginative contemporary and kinetic urban dance. With 17 dancers moving as one, the piece emphasizes the beauty of collective responsibility and personal accountability. So, this ballet masterfully combines the physicality of hip-hop with classical dance and aerial elements. The New York Times even praises its extraordinary acrobatics and poetic vision! Also, it is presented with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels, this is one performance you won’t want to miss!

When? Thursday, September 5 and Friday, September 6 at 7:30pm

Where? The Red Theater at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

9. Get ready for a musical journey like no other with Gaye Su Akyol and TootArd!

In this unique, genre-defying concert, Gaye Su Akyol brings a futuristic touch, blending Turkish psychedelia with surf music, folk, and ’90s Western rock. Meanwhile, the visionary duo TootArd, made up of brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, delivers an electrifying fusion of global pop and SWANA-inspired disco. Their distinct mix of quarter-tone melodies and dance rhythms will have you dancing the night away to music that’s both fresh and deeply rooted in tradition.

Where? The Black Box at NYU Abu Dhabi

When? Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20 at 7:30pm

To book, click here.

8. Experience the UAE premiere of “Augurs,” a captivating play starring Lebanese actors Hanane Hajj Ali and Randa Asmar at NYU Abu Dhabi

This powerful performance retraces their professional journeys, exploring theater as a space for true freedom. Set against the backdrop of Beirut in the early 1980s, when the city was divided by civil war, the play delves into the actresses’ personal and professional memories, reconstructing a map of long-lost theaters and venues. As they reflect on the challenges of creating art during a turbulent decade, “Augurs” offers a touching look at their relationship with theater. Performed in Arabic with English subtitles, this is a theatrical journey not to be missed!

Where? The Red Theater at NYU Abu Dhabi

When? Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 at 7:30pm

To book, click here.

7. Claude Cozens Trio feat. Ghazi Al-Mulaifi and Tonatiut Zardoìn in their UAE debut!

Get ready for a special reunion of the Claude Cozens Trio, the multi-faceted jazz-fusion group from Cape Town, South Africa! This dynamic trio, featuring Kyle Shepherd on piano and keyboards, Benjamin Jephta on double bass and electric, and Claude Cozens on drums, will be joined by some new friends from the UAE: Ghazi Al-Mulaifi on guitar and Tona aka Tonatiut Zardon on trumpet. It’s a one-of-a-kind performance blending fabulous jazz traditions with fresh, global influences. Also, it’s presented in collaboration with the NYUAD Music Program, this concert is not to be missed!

When? Saturday, October 5 at 7:30pm

Where? The Black Box at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

6. Odeya Nini Makes UAE Debut with Captivating Solo Vocal Performance “ODE”

Prepare to be enchanted by the UAE debut of Odeya Nini in her mesmerizing solo vocal performance, “ODE.” This interdisciplinary piece showcases Odeya’s incredible ability to use her body as an instrument for sound, amplifying pure resonance and the dynamic dance of vocal energy. Blending improvisation with composed elements, she invites you on a captivating sonic journey where her voice becomes a powerful expression of desire and emotion. This act is presented in collaboration with the NYUAD Music Program, this is a unique performance you won’t want to miss!

When? Wednesday, October 9 at 7:30pm

Where? The Black Box at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

5. Enjoy a 45-minute play with Francesca Bizzari and Goffredo Puccetti’s La Lezione di Teatro | The Acting Class

This play is both a joyful lesson in theater and a tribute to the Italian knack for connecting with audiences, no matter the language! Performed in a mix of English and Italian (no subtitles needed!), this playful performance humorously challenges the idea that theater language is tough to grasp. Instead, it shows how communication can be effortlessly understood through the art of theatrical body work, making it a fun and accessible treat for everyone – whether you speak Italian, English, or neither!

When? Friday, October 11 at 7:30pm

Where? The Black Box at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

4. Don’t miss out on Hamour Doesn’t Leave the Cubicle! An absurd Emirati satire on workplace inconveniences

Rooted in Emirati culture yet striking a universal chord, this play turns the mundane into the extraordinary. From navigating the labyrinth of bureaucracy to holding a whimsical funeral for a pen, it’s a riotous journey through the absurdities of office life. Also, this play is performed in Arabic with English subtitles. “Hamour Doesn’t Leave the Cubicle” invites you to laugh and reflect on the bizarre world of work, proving that humor is the best way to navigate even the most convoluted processes. It is commissioned and produced by Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Additionally, the play is supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture and co-presented by ADMAF and New York University Abu Dhabi.

When? Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 at 7:30pm

Where? The Black Box at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

3. Al Sidr Film Festival unveils ‘All Living Beings’ theme in three-day event curated by Nezar Andary and backed by Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi

Get ready for a cinematic treat at the Al Sidr Film Festival! This year’s festival, themed “All Living Beings,” celebrates the diverse ways films from around the globe explore environmental issues and our impact on the planet. Drawing inspiration from the Holy Quran’s Surah Al An’am, the festival highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings with the thought-provoking question: How can we learn from every community, big and small? So, from classic works by celebrated directors like Ken Loach and John Abraham to recent international gems, this is your chance to see how cinema reflects our world and its wonders.

When? Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27 – various timings

Where? The Blue Hall at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

2. Enjoy two stunning pieces of postmodern dance choreographed by Trisha Brown and Noé Soulier

This is your chance to be captivated by the Trisha Brown Dance Company as they present a stunning performance featuring two groundbreaking works. The evening pairs a new creation by Noé Soulier, titled In The Fall, with Trisha Brown’s iconic 1985 piece, Working Title. So, In The Fall delves into the theme of bodily control, with dancers stretching and extending their bodies until they inevitably fall, creating a mesmerizing exploration of physicality. Complementing this is Working Title, which showcases Brown’s signature style with a dynamic collage of asymmetrical and unpredictable movement patterns. This performance beautifully highlights the pioneering spirits of both choreographers, offering a unique glimpse into the evolution of postmodern dance.

When? Friday, November 15 at 7:30pm

Where? The Red Theater at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.

1. Celebrate 10 years of cultural diversity with Hekayah | The Story!

This event is a vibrant exploration of poets, singers, and musicians in honor of the UAE’s National Day! People are invited to reflect on what “home” means to them, be it their country, city, heritage, or family. Performers, who will be revealed closer to the event, will be chosen through a collaborative curatorial process involving notable figures from the UAE’s literary and performing arts scenes. With contributions from Ali Al Dhiyebi of STR8UP Entertainment, Bill Bragin and Lana Goliath from The Arts Center, Safeya Alblooshi of Resound, poet Rawad Raidan, and Reem Allam of The Arts Center, this celebration promises to be a heartfelt and diverse tribute to the spirit of home.

When? Thursday, November 28 at 7:30pm.

Where? The Black Box at NYU Abu Dhabi

To book, click here.