From celebrating Halloween with Gotham’s villains to checking out an art exhibition with a sustainable twist… 

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 October.

Here are 7 cool cultural events to check out in the UAE this month.

Exhibition: Moments

Discover new and emerging artists with this photography exhibition that showcases a range of imagery. From natural landscapes and city scenes from within the UAE to more hard-hitting subjects such as domestic violence in Egypt, the pieces capture life’s moments. There is also a showcase of African wildlife, Nepalese scenery and a dream-like series of skyscapes.

The Empty Quarter, Gate Village 02, DIFC, Dubai. Sun to Thur 10am to 7pm until October 18. Tel: (04) 323 1210. theemptyquarter.com

Screening: Freedom Fields

Naziha Arebi’s Freedom Fields is a documentary that demonstrates the audacity of three friends: Naama, Halima and Fadwa. They are women pursuing their desires to form Libya’s first national women’s football team amidst the atmosphere of the revolution. This 2018 film is told in three parts, from 2012 to 2016.

Cinema Akil, Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz, Dubai. Start times between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on October 2, 4 and 5. Tel: (058) 5246 362. cinemaakil.com

Exhibition: 10,000 Years of Luxury 

Explore more than 350 objects of fashion, jewellery, art and design spanning thousands of years to look at the way luxury has been interpreted through the ages. This exhibition considers the place for luxurious excess in society and across cultures, moving from the dripping finery of the 18th and 19th centuries to the modern age of sustainability.

Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. 10am to 8pm (open till 10pm on Thur and Fri) from October 30. Tel: (600) 565 566. louvreabudhabi.ae

Exhibition: Kollages and Inks on Paper

French artist and UAE resident Laurent Koller is a self-taught artist who works with acrylic and ink on canvas and paper. For this exhibition he will show his latest works on paper: inks and collages made from discarded torn cut-offs from other artworks, giving the show a sustainable twist.

La Galerie, Alliance Francaise, Street 18, Oud Metha, Dubai. Sun to Weds, 9am to 8pm, Thur and Fri 9am to 5pm until October 12, Tel: (04) 335 8712 afdubai.org

Play: Four O’ Clock

Written by Talal Mahmoud, directed by Ibrahim Salem, and inspired by Laurent Baffie’s 2005 play Toc Toc, Four O’Clock is a play that centres on a psychiatric clinic where each character struggles with various types of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Soon, their stories and lives begin to intersect.

Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain. 8pm on October 25 and 26. Free. Tel: (03) 711 8225. tcaabudhabi.ae

Event: Gotham City Nights

Celebrate Halloween with a series of performances from Gotham City’s most undesirable villains. Expect a visit from The Joker, troubles from The Riddler, and dirty tricks from Harley Quinn as audiences enter the spirit of the ghostly evening. Let’s hope Batman and Robin have their watchful eye over the chaos…

Warner Bros World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. 9pm on October 31, Tel: (600) 511 115. wbworldabudhabi.com

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Images: provided

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