The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi is a multi-venue complex that has been designed to host events across disciplines including music, theatre, dance and film. Students and faculty members of NYUAD, as well as community productions and distinguished international artists take turns to perform at the venue on Saadiyat Island.
The Center is going to be abuzz over the next few months, with myriad activities being hosted. It has five performance spaces, each one catering to a different need. The 700-seater Red Theater is suitable for music, dance, theatre or film. The 150-seater Blue Hall is more intimate and ideal for concerts and small-scale performances, while Black Box, Screening Room and Project Space all have their own individual character.
Here we take a look at three upcoming events being hosted by Black Box. While each of them are free, you do need to register online in advance.
Badke
An infectious take on the traditional dabke style of dance, the performance will feature traces of hip hop and capoeira. With a score by Nasser Al-Faris, Badke is an expression of a desire to belong to something bigger.
Free. Sep 8, 8pm. Sep 9, 5pm.
Nik Bärtsch’s Mobile
Composer Nik Bärtsch and his acoustic quartet will take to the stage for this 27-hour performance of “ritual groove music”. The non-stop multimedia act will include textures of jazz, funk and new music.
Free. Sep 1 through Sep 2, 7pm-10pm.
Zahed Sultan 
A live performace like no other. Kuwaiti multimedia artist Zahed Sultan likes his audience to get immersed in his shows that integrate music, visual graphics and lights. Brazil’s DJ Dolores will also perform.
Free. Sep 21 and Sep 22, 8pm.
The Arts Center at NYUAD, Saadiyat Island, www.nyuad-artscenter.org (02 628 6868).
