Workshop: Dune driving

Drive down to the Al Ain-Abu Dhabi road and watch around 60 powerful cars and 140 bikes and quad buggies rough it out in the desert for top honours at the Al Ain Dune Championship. Visitors coming from Dubai will need to drive all the way to Al Ain and then take the Abu Dhabi road, looking for signs to Al Saad.

WHEN: May 1-2; 5pm-10pm

WHERE: Abu Dhabi-Al Ain road

PAINTINGS: Art show

Indian artist Deepthi Alex’s exhibition Inner Peace – a set of eight thought-provoking paintings – is an experience of knowing oneself and finding fulfilment. A must-see for all art enthusiasts.

WHERE: Carpe Diem La Cafette, Town Centre Jumeirah

WHEN: May 1-14

EGYPTIAN IMAGERY: Total recall

French-Egyptian artist Katherine Bakhoum’s paintings are dominated by Egyptian imagery and characters reminiscent of the orientalist period. Visit her exhibition at the Green Art Gallery and experience the feeling of being transported to a far-off land.

WHERE: Green Art Gallery, Villa No 23, Street 51 332, Behind Dubai Zoo

WHEN: May 5-23

CALLIGRAPHY: Letters and dots

Omani artist Saleh Al Shukairi’s calligraphy skill comes to the fore in Letters and Dots, a brilliant exhibition of abstract art.

WHERE: Sahary Gate, Bastakiya, Bur Dubai, next to Ruler’s Court

WHEN: May 1; 10am-9pm

CONTACT: 050-152 2910

THEATRE: Romeo & Juliet

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is staging Shakespeare’s classic play, Romeo & Juliet, today and tomorrow

WHERE: American University of Sharjah (AUS)

WHEN: May 1-2-; 7pm

TICKETS: Dh50

MUSIC: Sounds of Arabia

Sounds of Arabia, a festival featuring musicians from this part of the region begins from today. Omar Khairat, Al Fayha Choir and Furad Qaddouri are among several Arab artists who will be performing during the six-day-long event.

WHEN: May 1-6

WHERE: Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, (ADACH)

CONTACT: 02-621 5300

SHOP: Promotion

Check out the newly redeveloped jewellery court at Deira City Centre. The mall is celebrating its opening by launching a promotion where anyone spending Dh300 at any of the 35 participating jewellery stores stands to win Dh100,000 worth of jewellery gift vouchers. The promotion runs for 17 days and the draw will take place on May 18.

WHEN: May 1-17

WHERE: Deira City Centre