City of Music

In 2021, Abu Dhabi was designated as “City of Music” by the UNESCO Creative City Network.

The ‘City of Music’ designation reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as the home of a resilient and growing music ecosystem that is built on innovation, collaboration, and shared governance.

 

In celebration of the ‘City of Music’ status, Abu Dhabi presents an exceptional selection festive musical events.

 

 

Umsiyat


The annual Umsiyat series showcases Arabic and global music, promotes openness and cultural diversity and supports the preservation of regional musical history, featuring a variety of artists from across the Arab world and beyond in a wide range of musical genres.

Read More

Trio Joubran 

 

Abu Dhabi Classics


Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abu Dhabi Classics presents a new season of dynamic classical and traditional musical performances in the capital.

Read More

Abu Dhabi Classics 

 

Abu Dhabi Music Programme


Through its programs; Abu Dhabi Classics, Bait Al Oud Series, Sound of UAE and Umsiyat, DCT—Abu Dhabi presents some of the main artists in the field of Arabic and Western classical music with an aim to display how borderlines between the so called 'Western', 'Arabic' and 'Local' classical music have become porous. At the same time, the Department is offering an extended programme dedicated to regional heritage music, thus proposing a unique musical panorama for all listeners.

Read More

Abu Dhabi Music Programme 

 

 

 

(Fera) by Maurice Louca and UAE Musicians


Fera is Maurice Louca’s new long form composition, with micro tonal guitars, violins and Feral percussions, he picks up from where he left off in his latest record Saet El Hazz (The Luck Hour), while adding more synthesizers and electronic explorations this time around taking it more in the Acoustic/Electric realm, he will be joined by Lebanese Percussionist Khaled Yassine and Egyptian Violinist Ayman Asfour , and for this very special collaboration with Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and Abu Dhabi City of Music Maurice will create a new rendition of this composition in collaboration with local Abu Dhabi musicians an Emirati percussion ensemble and featured guest musicians from the South Asian community.

Date: 2 November 2022
Location: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi

Read More

Maurice 

 

 

 

Ammar 808 & the Electro Tambura Ensemble


As part of Abu Dhabi City of Music, Factory People and Abu Dhabi Art are proud to present a unique commission that brings Emirati music heritage into the electronic music forefront.

Ammar 808, the stage name used by Sofyann Ben Youssef, whose albums Maghreb United & Global Control, have respectively reworked the sounds of North Africa and India, will be undertaking the same experiment with a plethora of Emirati musicians.

The end result, that will be created in a residency between Ammar 808 and the musicians, selected from Taher Ismail Tambura Ensemble, will be performed live on 16 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat. This Commission was created with the support with New York University Abu Dhabi Music Program.

Date: 16 November 2022
Location: Abu Dhabi Art, Manarat Al Saadiyat

Ammar 808 

 

 

 

Cultural Foundation Performing Arts


Cultural Foundation presents a world-class, contemporary, popular and home-grown performing arts programme, which includes music, dance and theatre, taking place in the heart of the city.

Read More

Performing Arts at Cultural Foundation 

 

Abu Dhabi Festival


Abu Dhabi Festival acts as a time of celebration but also as a time of gathering and exchange for the different communities Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation serves: the population of the of the UAE, the region and the world. Abu Dhabi Festival is the time and the place where the year’s work is shared, where new encounters are orchestrated and new ideas are forged, where long-trusted partners visit, new collaborations shape, and where artists and audiences connect.

Read More

Abu Dhabi Festival 

 

 

Berklee Abu Dhabi


Berklee Abu Dhabi, the first Middle East outpost of Berklee College of Music, is the preeminent institute of contemporary music and the performing arts.

Berklee Abu Dhabi offers world-class educational experiences through workshops, masterclasses, courses, ensembles and labs, all led by world-renowned artists and instructors. We also host live performances from students, alumni and global artists.

Read More

Berklee Abu Dhabi 

 

 

 

Winter Concerts


This winter! Abu Dhabi hosts an exciting line-up of concerts and musical shows. Stay tuned and make sure to get your tickets!

Read More

Winter Concerts 

 

The Arts Center at NYUAD


The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi presents distinguished professional artists from around the world alongside student, faculty, and community productions.

As a place that both presents and develops work, The Arts Center is a vibrant laboratory for performance that fosters a dynamic relationship between the arts, scholarship, and the community.

Read More

The Arts Center at NYUAD