Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for February 14, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.
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Abu Dhabi
Art exhibition
Grace: A Retrospective of Dance Portraiture and Performance 1986-2004 by Joanne Savio, an arts professor at NYU Abu Dhabi, presents images that focus on dance as inspiration and feature some of the most celebrated dancers and choreographers in the field. Pictured: Geoffrey Holder, 1930-2014, choreographer
Daily until February 25, 3 to 10pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Project Space, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 628 8000, www.nyuad-artgallery.org
Dubai
Photo week
GPP Photo Week 2017 continues with exhibitions, photo walks, special events and workshops led by top photographers aiming to inspire and challenge others. Today, Sara Lando presents Through the Looking Glass, a talk exploring the connection between photography and reality. Exhibitions include Humanae, which shows a range of human skin colours; the Sony World Photography Awards from 2016 and 2017; a group show that explores photography through different genres; and a community exhibition for locally based photographers. Pictured: An image by Sara Lando
Daily until Friday, various timings and prices, Gulf Photo Plus and venues in Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, www.gulfphotoplus.com
Abu Dhabi
Talk
Aziz Sahmaoui (pictured), from Morocco, and Noura Mint Seymali, from Mauritania, who are both performing at the Barzahk Festival at NYU Abu Dhabi this weekend, will speak at the event Global Sounds & Artists Talk, presented by Alliance Française Abu Dhabi. Meet and talk with the artists, who bring their international sounds to the capital.
Today, 6.30pm, free with registration, terrace, Alliance Française Abu Dhabi, near Irish Embassy, Abu Dhabi, register at 02 612 2900, www.afabudhabi.org
Abu Dhabi
Valentine dinner
Book a table for two at Bord Eau for a Valentine’s Day to remember. Enjoy an evening of romance, music and excitement featuring a five-course meal, a welcome drink and a surprise gift from Swarovski for the ladies.
Today, from Dh980 per couple, Bordeau, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, 02 509 8555, restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Abu Dhabi
Performance
The NSO Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Berryman, will present Hansel & Gretel, Humperdinck's fully staged opera in the musical style of Wagner, featuring mezzo-soprano Louise Merrifield as Hansel and soprano Julia Teal Kermott as Gretel, along with a full cast of 80 Abu Dhabi resident children in the gingerbread chorus, witch's dance and angel ballet.
March 10 and 11, 7.30pm gala evening on March 10; 2.30pm matinee on March 11, from Dh75, The National Theatre, Abu Dhabi, www.ticketmaster.ae
Abu Dhabi
Heritage walk
Attend the completion of the Women’s Heritage Walk 2017, as Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority welcomes the 50 women ending their six-day, 120km trek from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi through the desert. The event honours the UAE tradition of following an ancient path travelled by generations, and the end will be marked with a free concert by Sherine Tohamy.
Today, 6pm, Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi, www.womensheritagewalk.com
Dubai
Improv show
Register to attend Valentines Improv: Lost in Translation at Courtyard Playhouse and enjoy a night of romance, laughter and love as the improvisers entertain with scenes and songs based on audience participation.
Tonight and tomorrow, 8pm, free with registration, Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz, Dubai, register at courtyardplayhouse.com
Dubai
Art exhibition
Sculptures by Tony Cragg features 18 works of bronze, stone, wood and glass, with which Cragg uses an experimental approach based on material and forms of the world around us, and creates new forms by applying techniques such as stacking and layering different types of materials and everyday objects. Pictured: 3-D Incident
Daily until March 6, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Leila Heller Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 831 3520, www.leilahellergallery.com
Dubai
Art exhibition
In Splashes, Syrian artist Osama Nassar presents an exhibition of works that tells of the world's humanity and focuses on being optimistic in times of trouble, artificiality and vulgarity. Pictured: Everyone Smiles
Daily until February 27, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm daily; 7pm to midnight, Saturdays to Tuesdays; 7pm to 12.30am, Wednesdays to Fridays, Coya Dubai, Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, 04 316 9600, www.facebook.com/CoyaDubai
Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a heart-healthy stroll around the 5.55km Yas Marina Circuit. Take part in TrainYas with your loved one, friends or family and bike, run, walk or jog in the cooler winter weather. Bikes and helmets are available for rent from Fun Ride Sports, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides 400 complimentary bikes each week.
Tonight, 6pm to 10pm, free with registration, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, register at www.yasmarinacircuit.com