Tina Hager's spellbinding collection of photos from Iraq paint a very different picture of the country than much of the mainstream media has touched on. The work on display ranges from the very first moment the United States went to war - photographed from the West Wing of the White House, to former president George W Bush's first trip to Baghdad, US troops in Iraq and finally, the emergence of a new prospering nation. "While the focus before was always on kinetics and tragedy, my work on the economic development has afforded me access to daily life in the new Iraq," says Hager. "It is a different perspective that many don't have a chance to see. Iraq is the cradle of life, and it has reemerged as the country of mighty women, unparalleled history, and great relevance." Hager has been a photographer for 25 years and has worked in over 70 countries. She was an official White House photographer from 2001 to 2005. Daily until August 15,9am-7pm (closed Fridays), Portfolio Gallery, Dubai, 04 323 2395
The Music Chamber's 2010 Summer Concert Since 2003, the family-run chamber has been one of the country's top musical education centres, and this concert gives students the chance to show off just how much they have learnt. Today 5-7pm, Third Line Gallery, Al Quoz, Dubai, free entry, 04 341 1367 Chesney Hawkes The man, the myth, the mole. This one-hit wonder from 1991 is the main attraction at this appropriately cheese-themed night. DJ Tim Cheddar will do the rest. Today doors 8pm, Chi@The Lodge, Dubai, free before 11am, over 21s only, 04 337 9470 The Wiggles Since releasing their first album in 1991 (nothing to do with Chesney), The Wiggles have delighted young children and parents around the world with their lively family shows. Today & Saturday, The Palladium, Dubai, tickets Dh140-250 (under 18 months free, if they sit on an adult's knee), 800 4669 Whose Line Is It Anyway? Stephen Frost, Andy Smart, Niall Ashdown, Steve Steen and Ian Coppinger, all regular members of the Comedy Store Players in London, stop by for a bit of improvisational comedy. Today & Saturday 8pm, The First Group Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, tickets Dh150 (over 21s only), 04 366 6546 Mix Tape A performance with two very different sides as the worlds of comedy and tap-dancing collide courtesy of the NYC Tap and Body Beats School. Saturday doors 7.15pm, show 7.30pm, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, free entry, 04 341 4777 The Laughter Factory Music-mad comedians Mickey Hutton, Andre Vincent and Louis Ramey conclude their stint in the Emirates.Today Rainbow Room, The Aviation Club, Dubai Tuesday Crowne Plaza, Abu Dhabi, Wednesday Zinc, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai, Thursday The Palladium, Media City, Dubai, all shows 9pm, tickets Dh115 (over 21s only), 800 4669
Hues of Harmony Enjoy some of the finest contemporary Indian and Pakistani works, including sculptures and mixed-media performances by 20 artists. Sunday & Monday 12pm-10pm, InterContinental hotel, Festival City, Dubai, 04 701 1111 Summer Exhibition Sameer Reddy's startling photographs and Saba Qizilbash's vivid works on paper present an optimistic and thought-provoking outlook on life. Sunday until June 31 & September 1-22 (closed throughout August), 9am-7pm (closed Fridays), XVA gallery, Dubai, 04 353 5383 Ceramics and Glass Exhibition An eclectic collection demonstrating the array of skills and craftsmanship involved in making such works. Daily until June 24, 10pm-6pm (closed Fridays), Majlis Gallery, Dubai, 04 353 6233 Set Me Free From My Chains Zoulikha Bouabdella's show pokes fun at "traditional notions of representation and abstraction". Playful, colourful and very well thought out. Daily until July 23, 10am-7pm (closed Fridays), Gallery IVDE, Dubai, 04 323 5052 Blue Skie'd and Clear This group exhibition features photographs by Birgit Graschopf, Yuko Ichikawa, Maria Maeser, Jamie Baldridge, Maximillian Pramatarov and Hazem Mahdy. Daily until September 25, 11.30am-7pm (closed Fridays), Carbon 12 gallery, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Warehouse D37, Dubai, 050 464 4392 That Shimmering Beast: The Capture of Urban Life Images by Virgilio Ferreira, Miyuki Okuyama and Mehrdad Naraghi offer their own perspectives on what gives cities around the world their unique characteristics. Daily until July 4, 9am-10pm (Fridays 3pm-10pm), The Empty Quarter, DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 1210 Art For All & Blooming Attitudes Art For All is by a group of international artists, while Blooming Attitudes showcases the work of Cynthia Richards. Daily until June 24, 10am-9pm (Fridays 2pm-9pm), Art Couture gallery, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, 04 399 4991 Express Yourself in 30x30 An exhibition of work by local and international artists. Each participant was given the task of painting a piece that represented their view on a square canvas. Daily until June 24, 9am-1pm & 5-9pm (closed Fridays), Ghaf Gallery, Abu Dhabi, 02 665 5332 Experiment This exhibition features the work of five young Emirati artists. Two curators began the project in 2009 as a way of creating a platform for upcoming talents to explore new frontiers in multimedia design. Daily until June 26, 10am-10pm, Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah, www.alqasba.ae Mass Movement The Lebanese artist Zena Assi brings together an exhibition that attempts to illustrate the psychology of how people think differently in a crowd as they do when alone. Daily until June 26, 10am to 7pm (closed Fridays), Art Sawa, Dubai, 04 340 8660, www.artsawa.com Shabab Uprising This exhibition showcases 10 critically acclaimed emerging artists, including the painters Thaier Helal and Kais Salman, and the photographer and filmmaker Ammar Al Beik. Daily until June 30 (closed Fridays), Ayyam Gallery, Dubai, 04 323 6242 On the Wall This series of paintings by Syrian artist Baseem Rayyes seeks to tell stories of the artist's nostalgia for and perspective on the country of his birth. Daily until July 4, 11am-9pm, Aspen Cafe, Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 427 0219 Peripheral Vision Paintings, photographs and sculptures created by artists from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE examine the question of Arab identity. Daily 10am-8pm, Barjeel Art Foundation, Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah, www.barjeelartfoundation.com
Salsa parties Learn some new moves and meet new friends as these two weekly events.
Fridays Casa Latina, Ibis Hotel Al Barsha, Dubai Mondays Ciro's Pomodoro, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi hotel, DubaiBoth 9.30pm, free entry, over 21s only, www.salsaindubai.com
Openings
Hakkasan New ground is being broken here, not only with the opening of this top notch Chinese restaurant with roots in London, but also by the fact that this is a repeat opening listing. We should explain, Hakkasan was officially opened on June 2, but from tomorrow the restaurant is fully open for business to the general public.
Saturday 6pm-2am, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, 02 690 9000
Gastro
Long Lunch with Live Acoustic Tunes Enjoy a four-course meal and some chilled out music and make the most of a lazy Friday afternoon with the family.
Fridays 12pm-4pm, Nezesaussi Grill, Al Manzil hotel, Dubai, Dh145 (Including one drink), under 12s eat for free, 04 428 5923
Family events
Chocolate-making class Children can learn how to make chocolates from one of the top chefs in the capital. There will also be a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen. Framed photos and chocolates will be given out at the end.
Today 11am-1pm, Shangri-La hotel, Abu Dhabi, Dh180 (including lunch) Dh100 for just the class, 02 509 8565
Wild Nights Al Ain Wildlife Park's summer opening hours are now in full effect, allowing you to see the animals at night until the end of August.
Daily Saturday to Thursday, 4pm to midnight, Fridays 10am to midnight, adults and over 12s Dh15, children three to 12 Dh5, Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, Al Ain, 03 782 8188
Sport
Rob & Derek Live at Meydan Former ShowSports football presenters Rob McCaffrey and Derek Whyte are hosting a series of nights throughout the World Cup, starting with today's opening ceremony and Saturday's game between England and the US. Expect plenty of banter, prizes, special guests and 20 HDTVs to watch the action on.
Today 5pm Saturday 8pm, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, Dh375 (Dh3,750 season ticket for all 11 events), www.robandderek.com
Last chance
The Will of the Reed An excellent Arabic calligraphy exhibition with plenty of ornate and embellished script.
Daily until June 11, West Wing Gallery, Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi, 02 690 9000
Coming up
Lord of the Dance By popular demand, there are now six performances of this dance show, spread over four days. Created by Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance brings a troupe of more than 40 modern Irish dancers to dazzle the capital.
Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, tickets Dh295-795, family ticket Dh850 (two adults, two children), 800 4669
The A-Team
Updated film version of the 1980s TV show about a quartet of Iraq war veterans trying to clear their names after being framed for a crime they did not commit (must be said in a gruff voice at all times). Two of the original cast have cameos (Face and Murdock), but we wait to see if the film has the up-and-at-'em charm which made the TV series a hit. Remember how no one died in the TV show? Will they stick to this? The group are led by Hannibal (Liam Neeson), with the muscle provided by BA Baracus (Quinton Jackson).
www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com, www.cineroyal.ae
She's Out of My League
But she is in cinemas. Alice Eve plays Molly, the too-good-to-be-true girlfriend of Kirk (Jay Baruchel). The pair meet by chance at the airport where Kirk works, but despite their romance initially blossoming, their relationship looks destined to end in tears due to his chronic lack of confidence and that old chestnut, peer pressure.
www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com, www.cineroyal.ae
The Haunting in Connecticut
A family move to a new house so they can better tend to their cancer-stricken son. Sadly, a boy named Jonah, who can communicate with the dead, is rather upset by their arrival. There is already a sequel planned - The Haunting in Georgia. Hands up all those hoping for a 50-part epic?
www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com
The Joneses
Corporate marketing is taken to a whole new level when a fake family are transplanted into suburbia as a ruse to get the neighbours to spend, spend, spend. Seeing how fantastically dressed and turned out the new family are, with all their wonderful gadgets, gizmos and cars, the locals go on a shopping spree to keep up with the Joneses. But how long will it be before the smiling stops and the repo men start appearing? Starring Demi Moore.
www.reelcinemas.ae, www.grandcinemas.com, www.cineroyal.ae, www.cinestarcinemas.com
World Cup
If the 50-inch HD, surround sound monolith you purchased last week is just not large enough to capture the enormity of the world's biggest football event, then why not watch a few matches at the cinema? Huge drinks, gigantic popcorn and big fun (not the band).
www.grandcinemas.com, www.cinestarcinemas.com