The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) continues its milestone 10th season with the first Spring shows of 2025. In keeping with the theme “Looking back and looking forward” comedian, best-selling author, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid makes a celebrated return to perform two shows, one in English on Wednesday, January 15, and another in Arabic on Friday, January 17.
Fans can expect more jokes and observations about her family, global culture, and her life with cerebral palsy. Bint Balad is a laugh out loud tale of beating the odds and bouncing back in the face of failure. As a Palestinian, disabled woman growing up in America, her family taught her to dream big and to have no fear. The performances are supported by the US Mission to the UAE.
Another fan-favorite returns on Thursday, January 16, in the form of Hakili Koura: A New Mentality led byYahael Camara Onono. The master djembe drummer and innovative band leader of Balimaya Project will present a night of song, dance, discovery, discussion, and history, rooted in the folklore of the Mandé peoples of West Africa. He is accompanied on this occasion by Sonzi (guitar), Jali Bakary Konteh (kora), Jonathan Moko (bass), Aboubacar Konaté (dounoun), and Aida Diop (dance).
Highlighting The Arts Center’s integration with academia at NYUAD, both artists will participate in J-Term (January Term), which offers students the opportunity to take three-week intensive courses, in the UAE and abroad.
The Arts Center’s Executive Artistic Director Bill Bragin said: “Taken together, our anniversary season continues to be our most eclectic, vibrant calendar of events to date. We’re thrilled to deepen how The Arts Center works with our NYUAD academic colleagues. With Maysoon and Yahaelboth teaching courses in the university’s J-Term semester, alongwith their public performances, it’s a further example of the roles artists play as thinkers and teachers as well as entertainers, and demonstrates the unique mission of The Arts Center as both a public venue, as well as part of an educational institution.”
Rounding out an eclectic January and February, Beytna– Cie Omar Rajeh | Maqamat,a celebration of contemporary dance, is presented with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels, on Thursday, January 30. Four dancers/choreographers and four musicians meet onstage over a banquet, in a celebration of domestic and food culture, Arab family culture, and regional art. Meanwhile, Tamaas Festival features the boundary shattering global UAE debuts of Cimafunk + KOKOKO!, and Abosahar + Aïta Mon Amour, on February 13.
Bragin adds, “In the spirit of Looking Forward, we are also excited to welcome artists making their first appearances at The Arts Center, such as choreographer Omar Rajeh and dance company Maqamat, whose show Beytna brings the dynamics of Arab family life into a celebratory dance theater piece.”
Listings information (January-February)
Event: Maysoon Zayid
Date: Wednesday, January 15 (English) & Friday, January 17 (Arabic) at 7:30pm
Venue: The Red Theater, The Arts Center
Visit here for details and tickets
Event: Hakili Koura: A New Mentality – Yahael Camara Onono
Date: Thursday, January 16 at 7:30pm
Venue: The East Plaza, The Arts Center
Visit here for details and tickets
Event:Beytna – Cie Omar Rajeh | Maqamat, presented with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
Date: Thursday, January 30 at 7:30pm
Venue: The Red Theater, The Arts Center
Visit here for details and tickets
Event: Workshop: The DIY Approach of KOKOKO! with Xavier Thomas and Makara Bianko
Date: Wednesday, February 12, at 6:30pm
Venue: The Arts Center
Visit here for details and to request an invitation
Event: Workshop: AfroCuban Music with Cimafunk and La Tribu
Date: Wednesday, February 12, at 7:30pm
Venue: The Arts Center
Visit here for details and to request an invitation
Event:Tamaas Festival
Date:Thursday, February 13 (Cimafunk + KOKOKO! at 7pm | Abosahar + Aïta Mon Amour at 10pm)
Venue:The East Plaza and The Black Box
