10 things to do today: Catch a screening of dark-comedy short 40 Dirhams, celebrate Australia Day at Jones the Grocer, and more

Courtesy Jones the Grocer

Courtesy The Laughter Factory

Courtesy Majid Al Futtaim

Courtesy GlamBox

Courtesy Dubai Autodrome

Courtesy Marina Souq

Courtesy Showcase Gallery

Courtesy of Ductac

Courtesy XVA Gallery

Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for January 18, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun.

Abu Dhabi

Film screening

Catch a screening of the Emirati dark-comedy short 40 Dirhams by Jalal Luqman. The film is about Mr Jassim, a heartless businessman who meets Yathoom, a crazy taxi driver and wizard. It stars Ahhed Al Arshi, Khaled bin Hamad, Ruwaida Al Mahrouqi and Abdullah Al Qassab. There will be a Q&A session following the film.

Tonight, doors open at 7pm, movie starts at 7.30pm, free entry, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae

Abu Dhabi & Dubai

Special menu

Celebrate Australia Day, on January 26, with a special menu at Jones the Grocer. Enjoy Aussie delicacies including sweet-corn fritters, butternut-pumpkin soup, pan-seared tuna tossed with spaghetti, the Aussie Wagyu burger (pictured) and mixed-berry pavolova.

Available until February 5, at Jones the Grocer locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.facebook.com/JonestheGrocer

Abu Dhabi & Dubai

Comedy show

The Laughter Factory is set to hit Abu Dhabi and Dubai this week. The lineup includes Danish comedian Sofie Hagen, who won Best Newcomer at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe; Rob Deering (pictured), who offers his own observations and lyrics to the tune of popular songs; and veteran British comedian and former pro snooker player Jack Dathel.

Tonight, 8pm, Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi; January 19, 9pm, Grand Millennium, Barsha Heights, Dubai; January 20, 9pm, The Gramercy, DIFC, Dubai, all shows Dh140, ages 21+ only, 04 355 1862, www.platinumlist.net

Dubai

Performance

Visit City Centre Deira and see Beat It Live, a tribute show to Michael Jackson that features electrifying dance performances to the music of top hits by the King of Pop as part of Dubai Shopping Festival. Hits include Billie Jean, Thriller and Bad.

Daily until Saturday, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8pm, 9.30pm, City Centre Deira, Dubai. www.facebook.com/CityCentreDeira

Nationwide

Beauty offer

Sign up to receive GlamBox, the monthly beauty-samples subscription service, and get an additional box with the company’s favourite beauty products in celebration of its fifth anniversary. The box features a Rimmel lipstick, Debby mascara, Gosh nail lacquer, and Caudalie moisturiser, mask and serum.

Order by Monday, from Dh90 per month, in three-month, six-month and 12-month subscriptions, GlamBox, www.glambox.me

Dubai

Fitness event

Register now to take part in The Buggy Run, an untimed 2.5km and 5km run with buggies that lets beginners and seasoned runners – mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and grandparents – enjoy a social, family-friendly fitness event while teaching children about the importance of health and fitness from a young age.

February 11, from 6.30am for registration, from Dh150, Dubai Autodrome, Dubai Motor City, www.thebuggyrun.com

Dubai

Crafts market

Attend the Marina Souq Special Sale and find items from favourite local designers available at discounted prices, including clothing, jewellery, home decor, gift items and more. Baker & Spice and The Salad Jar pop-up restaurants will be on hand serving coffees and healthy salads.

Today, 9am to 7pm, fishing harbour, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, 050 585 7543, www.facebook.com/marinasouq

Dubai

Art exhibition

Ukama is a group exhibition of stone sculptures created by the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe. They believe in a spiritual connection with the stone, which they craft to "free" a shape to join the contemporary world. Ukama is an ethic held by the Shona people, based on the fact that humans should be concerned with the well-being of those who will live in the future, hence their craft of stone sculpting is passed through generations. Pictured: Dreaming by Lovemore Bonjisi

Daily until March 9, 10am to 6pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Showcase Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 379 0940, www.showcaseuae.com

Dubai

Performance

Get tickets to see the fun, family-friendly performance Riding Madly Off in All Directions, in which the Shah family come together on stage to share a collection of short stories in English, based on Canadian writer Stephen Leacock's ruminations as stand-alone acts.

Friday, 5pm and 8pm, from Dh200, Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777, www.ductac.org

Dubai

Art workshop

Register to take part in a three-day Islamic geometric design workshop led by Eric Broug, author of the book Islamic Geometric Design. Each day will offer different insights into the art. Broug will also give a lecture on shared heritage and regional identity on the first day.

February 16 to 18, 7pm to 9pm for the lecture and book signing on February 16, Dh200; 9.30am to 4.30pm for the introductory workshop on February 17, Dh350; 9.30am to 4.30pm for the advanced workshop on February 18, Dh350, XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, register at 050 153 3813, www.xvagallery.com