The Arts Centre at NYUAD is known for bringing some amazing international acts and events to the capital to cross cultural barriers.
There’s always something going on in the creative space and we have one eye on NYUAD to see which global artists are coming to our city.
This year, expect more of the same, with more than 100 live performances, 22 artist residencies, three world premieres and 14 UAE premieres and debuts, as part of the fifth performing arts season.
Taking place from September until May, the pan-genre, eclectic and exciting calendar of events, curated under the theme of ‘conncetion’, has something for everyone.
From animated graphic novels to circus acts and Egyptian jazz, there’s a real mix of performances, events and workshops.
So what’s going on this year?
As a prelude to the season, a specially commissioned performance by Sima Dance Company, Ansaf, will premiere on August 23 and 24 in The Black Box.
Launching the new season, on September 5 and 6, is the Middle Eastern debut of Ethiopian Dreams by Circus Abyssinia – a show filled with acrobatics, juggling, clowning, and contortion.
In acknowledgement of The Year of Tolerance, two pieces will explore migration stories of young refugees.
From September 12 to 21 Scottish theatre company Vox Motus will perform the Middle East debut of Flight, a heartbreaking story of two young orphaned Afghani brothers in search of safety and freedom
On September 26, Sufism vs Modernism will bring the sounds and rhythms of traditional Sufi chanting and contemporary Egyptian jazz together and Zanzibari Taarab and Kidumbak will blend the instrumental colors of Western Indian Ocean culture with the African-Arab taarab music.
On October 30, classic dance performances How To Pass, Kick, Fall and Run and Biped will be performed in The Red Theater.
In November, guitarist Kaki King will perform a Middle East Premiere of Data Not Found on 13 and 15.
Next up is the world premiere of Al Raheel | Departure, a contemporary theater work created by emerging Emirati writer Reem Almenhali on January 24 and 25.
Returning again, Kid Koala will being his animated graphic novel The Storyville Mosquito to the stage on March 12 and 13.
As well as all that a number of returning favourites will be back again this year including Barzakh Festival, Hekayah, CinemaNA, Rooftop Rhythms and more.
For the full list of shows visit www.nyuad-artscenter.org
