From catching a movie at Yas Island to a fascinating exhibition that explores the most influential alphabets in the Middle East…

With a brand new month comes brand new events to check out, and culture vultures, we’ve rounded up plenty to keep you busy in April.

Here are 6 cool cultural events to check out in the UAE this month.

Exhibition: Nomadic Traces – Journeys of Arabian Scripts

In collaboration with Khatt Foundation, this exhibition explores the origins of six of the most influential alphabets in the Middle East. It features nine specially made artworks in different mediums such as ceramic, textile and furniture. Essentially, it’s a display of Middle Eastern history and culture through design and form.

Warehouse 421. Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, Tue to Sun, 10am to 8pm until July 28. Tel: (02) 676 8803. warehouse421.ae

Event: Yas Movies in the Park

Make the most of the tailend of the winter with this free festival of movies. With a giant fun-fair, food trucks, a kids’ zone and even live music, this is an event for all the family. This year’s blockbuster lineup of movies includes The Incredibles, Armageddon, Jurassic World, Finding Dory, Happy Feet, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to midnight April 18 to 20. Tel: (600) 511 115. yasmovies.ae

Talk & Live Music: Recycling Traditional Voices

Syrian musician duo Sami Abo Louh and Munsef Turkmani, known as 2 Witnesses, play a live demo from their debut album Polarity, then open the floor for a conversation about recycling traditional voices, tunes and lyrics, and reproducing them in a contemporary musical style – while still maintaining authenticity. Email rsvp@alserkalavenue.ae to register.

Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz, Dubai. 4pm on Apil 6. Tel: (04) 333 3464. alserkalavenue.ae

Exhibition: Jameel Arts Centre

The artist rooms at Jameel Arts Centre change every few months. Don’t miss the latest solo shows by Hemali Bhuta, a minimalist Indian artist; Farah Al Qasimi, an Emirati who largely uses photography to explore small details of interior spaces; and the duo of Seher Shah and Randhir Singh, whose work has an architectural slant. The shows are accompanied by a public programme of talks, workshops and tours.

Jaddaf Waterfront, Sat to Thur 10am to 8pm, Fri 10am to 10pm until June 8.  jameelartscentre.org

Performance: London Mozart Players Quintet

This is the UAE debut of the UK’s longest established chamber orchestra. Known for crossing traditional music with contemporary styles, the orchestra also has a long history of collaboration. At this event they will perform music by Mozart, Schubert and Brahms.

Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai. 8pm on April 24. Tickets from Dhs150. Tel: (04) 4408888. dubaiopera.com

Workshop: Creative Thinking

No matter what industry you work in, learning to think more creatively is a key asset. Camille Despalle de Béarn leads this practical workshop to help focus on the connection between rational thinking and the creative mind, and how visual arts can make sense to us on an emotional level. Email rsvp@alserkalavenue.ae to register.

Jamjar. Unit 74, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. 4pm on April 13, free. Tel; (04) 3417303. thejamjardubai.com

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Words: Anna Seaman.
Anna is an arts and culture specialist in the UAE, and a regular contributor to What’s On. Find out more at annaseaman.com