Get ready to receive hands-on training from Joe McNally, David Hobby, Drew Gardner, Ben Willmore and Chase Jarvis at a photography workshop in Dubai. Those who can’t make it to the workshop can visit their separate Photo Friday event and master a few techniques from a choice of more than 30 different lecture topics, mini workshops and live demonstrations from the experts. Prices range from $15 (Dh55) at Photo Friday to $720 (Dh2,650) for a place in a three-day advanced commercial workshop with renowned photographer Chase Jarvis.

WHEN: April 29-May 4

Her work reflects the personal journey of an artist trying to discover the depth and meaning of human existence. Colombian-born artist Diana Minerva Reny’s paintings carry their own unique interpretation of this glimpse into life. Her artwork is done through the eye, hand and soul. Her paintings stand still, waiting for the right observer to pause and receive the message.

WHERE: Carpe Diem La Cafette

Ahmed & Maz and Friends, from the guys who brought you the Axis of Evil, are back on stage in the UAE with a whole new show, brought to you by Delwood and k.a.p.a. Back by popular demand, two of the Axis of Evil crew, Ahmed Ahmed and Maz Jobrani, will be performing with Sebastian Maniscalco live on stage. Don’t miss them this time.

WHERE: Oceans, Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi; and Dubai Community Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

WHEN: March 29-30 in Abu Dhabi and March 31 in Dubai

Known as a movement-filled painter, Beatrijs Tavernier, a Belgian artist and a Dubai resident, is all set to offer collectors and investors an extensive range of oil paintings based on five different hand-based themes: Hands filled with dreams, love, pain and fear, a stream from the heart that finds its way to her fingertips and the scenery of life.

WHERE: Gallery 76, Dubai International Art Centre

WHEN: April 14-28

His love for Indian poetry isn’t new.

In 1996, he first came in touch with the world of Indian poetry when he was honoured by the Dubai-based Indian society, Dubai Kairali Kala Kendram, alongside famous poetess and Nobel Prize nominee Kamala Das Surayya. The rest, as they say, is history.

Dr Shihab Ghanem, one of the UAE’s most well-known poets, recently launched a collection of Indian poems translated into Arabic.

Chanakyashastra is a Hindi play which highlights the leadership practices of Chanakya, the great Indian strategist and thinker. The story showcases the nine gems (navratan) used by Chanakya in creating leaders like Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Written and directed by Sanjay Srinivas, the play is based in a corporate setting and aims to underline the usefulness of Chanakya’s wisdom and teachings for future leaders.

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel

Shoppers will have the chance to walk away with diamonds from Damas worth Dh11,000 in the form of gift vouchers, when they shop at Lamcy Plaza. This unique promotion, which will continue until March 29, is being offered to visitors as part of the mall’s 11th birthday celebrations. All one has to do is to visit any of the outlets in the mall and buy goods worth Dh111.

Where: Lamcy Plaza

Famous designer Mille Rostock will be showcasing her Autumn/Winter collection this evening as part of the Dubai Fashion Week (DFW).

The highlight of this year’s event is the Young Generation Talent Hunt contest, which gives upcoming designers the opportunity to showcase their collections to an accredited list of buyers. In its third year now, the fashion week got under way on Wednesday.

The historical, cultural, social and political angst that India and Pakistan have suffered over the years has found a new expression.

And now this expression is being reflected in an integrated body of work put together by artists (Bani Abidi, Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, Rashid Rana, Naiza Khan and Mithu Sen) from the two neighbouring countries in a thought-provoking exhibition called Crossroads.

The collection of their works, . which include video installation, sculptures, paintings and digital prints, can be seen at the Elementa Gallery at Dubai Airport Free zone until April 19.

The second edition of Art Dubai is offering art collectors and investors an extensive range of work from 80 of the world’s top art galleries, including four from Dubai.

Some of the artworks are priced over millio ns of dirhams. But that should not put you off because there’s still a lot you could buy here even if you have a Dh500 budget.

"It’s an unmatched opportunity for regional and international art collectors to interact with gallery owners, artists, and curators to learn more about global trends while enjoying the art on sale," says Art Dubai Fair Director John Martin.

One of Britain’s finest contemporary artists, Alexander Creswell, will be showcasing his work at the Majlis Gallery on March 15. Alexander is best known for his landmark water colours commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II to record the fire and restoration of Windsor Castle in the 1990s. He has also been attributed with doing a series of water colour paintings which, at 3 metres in length, could be the world’s largest.

WHERE: Majlis Gallery

WHEN: March 15

The B21 art gallery is displaying the latest works of Lara Baladi until March 16.

On show will be pieces such as Roba Vecchia, The Wheel of Fortune and Acetat. Baladi’s works are often themed on image reproduction. The artist transforms digital trash to give it a new meaning.

WHERE: B21

The 8th Al Ain Classical Music Festival which features the region’s first performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in Arabic, will be held across five different venues in Al Ain as well as Abu Dhabi from Thursday until March 16.

Classical music fans can also take part in free workshops by Europe’s leading artistic directors like Cecilia Balestra, Carmelo Di Gennaro, Risto Nieminen, Director of the annual Helsinki Festival, and Gaston Fournier-Facio, Artistic Department Co-ordinator of the Teatro Alla Scala.

DJ Akhtar, the resident DJ of Enigma night club in Mumbai, performs at Kandy Club on Thursday.

The event also features Bollywood and bhangra mixes by DJs Hani and Shadow.

A total of 10 super yachts will take pride of place at the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) 2008 at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi from March 11-15.

Over 800 participating companies and nearly 400 boats at this year’s event make it the best since the show was launched in 1992. On display will be yachts by the leading boat builders.

The event will also host interior designers and supplies and service providers as well as companies from charter and brokerage industries.

The much awaited annual headbangers ball, Dubai Desert Rock Festival, is back. And as always promises to be an affair to remember with an impressive line- up and rockers from home and abroad.

The two-day festival which takes place at Dubai Festival City on March 7-8 will feature bands like Korn (USA), Slapshock (Philippines), Nervecell (UAE) and Spoon Feedas (South Africa).

However, the biggest draw of the fifth anniversary of the festival is expected to be Marky Ramone (from the iconic Ramones) and Velvet Revolver, a band that features rock stars from Guns’N’Roses, Stone Temple Pilots and Wasted Youth.