5 Things to Do Today: see an exhibition of paintings, drawings, prints, kinetic works and sculptures

Plus: check out some French art, watch some short plays, learn business communications in French and attend a talk by the former secretary general of the Nato.

Samia Halaby's exhibition, Five Decades of Painting and Innovation, at Ayyam Gallery Dubai. Courtesy Ayyam Gallery Dubai

See the exhibition Samia Halaby: Five Decades of Painting and Innovation, the first major retrospective organised for the artist, which includes paintings, drawings, prints, computer-generated kinetic works and hanging sculptures. From 8pm to 10pm, Ayyam Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 323 6242, www.ayyamgallery.com

Check out the exhibition France Art Month, where you will see works created by the four visiting artists, including Jean Francois Bouron, who completed a one-month residency at Art Hub in Abu Dhabi, as well as five guest artists. From 9am to 8pm, Art Hub, Plot 38 MW5, Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi, 02 551 5005, www.adah.ae

Watch Abu Dhabi's Resuscitation Theatre presents The Trojan B******, their parody of The Trojan Women, at the Short + Sweet festival of 10-minute plays. From 8pm, tickets from Dh100, Kilachand Studio, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, www.timeouttickets.com 04 341 4777

Improve your business communications in French with a course by the French Business Group. Learn to draft meeting minutes, set up appointments, plan business trips and seminars, and tailor responses to different audiences. On February 20, 23, 25, From 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm, from Dh1,600 for FBG company members and Dh1,950 for non-members, Alliance Française Abu Dhabi, register at [e-mail]

Attend the talk 2014: A European View by Dr Javier Solana, the former secretary general of the council of the EU and former secretary general of Nato. At 7.30pm, free, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Hall, ECSSR office complex, Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi, www.ecssr.com