David Blaine, Lady Gaga and other not-to-be-missed UAE events

This summer there's a plethora of cultural events, awards shows and film releases to keep you entertained over the hot months.

David Blaine at the Electrified: 1 Million Volts Always On stunt in New York City in 2012. Laura Cavanaugh / Getty Images / AFP

Teen Choice Awards, August 10

The Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey and the Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland will host the Teen Choice Awards, which will crown winners – picked by 13- to 19-year-olds – across 75 categories. Pretty Little Liars is up for Best TV Drama and Glee is up for Best TV Comedy. Both won the same categories last year. The movie 22 Jump Street has seven nominations across eight film categories. Leading the music nominations is Iggy Azalea, with nods in four categories. Visit www.teenchoiceawards.com.

Mardaani, August 21

This Bollywood film features the A-lister Rani Mukerji as a police inspector fighting child trafficking. The role of a tough female cop is something that is not common in the Hindi film industry. Marketed as one of the boldest movies under the Yash Raj Films banner, it has been directed by Pradeep Sarkar. The actress claims to have slaved for the role, which included training in krav maga, a form of martial arts. Mukerji says Mardaani is her tribute to all the female cops in India and, given her success in essaying bold roles in the past (No One Killed Jessica, 2011), she is sure to shine this time too. The film also stars Jisshu Sengupta and Tahir Bhasin.

David Blaine, August 21-23

The American endurance artist David Blaine has done it all. He has lain in a box underneath three tonnes of water for seven days. He has been frozen in ice for nearly 64 hours. And he once broke a world record by holding his breath for 17 minutes. Besides all these death-defying stunts, he also happens to be a magician and illusionist. David Blaine: Real or Illusion is coming to Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace theatre as part of the Summer Season events. Tickets start at Dh295; visit www.thinkflash.ae.

The Emmy Awards, August 25

Breaking Bad will be looking to do the double at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards next month, after the first half of its fifth and final season picked up the Best Drama prize last year. However, the shows leading the way with the most nominations are HBO's Game Of Thrones, with 19, and the FX network's mini-series Fargo, based on the 1996 Cohen brothers movie, with 18. This year's ceremony, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on August 25, will be hosted by the late-night TV star Seth Meyers. It is taking place a month earlier than usual to avoid clashing with the broadcaster NBC's American Football coverage.

Mary Kom, September 4

Priyanka Chopra may look nothing like the five-time world champion boxer, but watch the two-minute trailer of this forthcoming sports biopic based on the Indian boxer Mary Kom and you’ll find out why she is perfect for the part. The actress trained hard for almost a year to achieve the physique of a boxer and even taped her conversations with Kom so that she could get the accent right. Chopra, who has also sung a few songs for the film, went to the extent of fighting with professional boxers for some scenes. The film is directed by Omung Kumar and also stars Minakkshi Kalitaa, Shishir Sharma and Zachary Coffin.

MTV Video Music Awards, August 25

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards have a lot to live up to (or should that be down to) after the huge controversy surrounding last year’s event, which was overshadowed by Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke’s risqué performance together. Justin Timberlake was the biggest winner on the night 12 months ago, picking up four gongs. Leading the nominations at this year’s event – the 31st staging of the ceremony, which will be held at The Forum in Inglewood, California – are Beyoncé, with eight, followed by the rappers Eminem and Iggy Azalea with seven each. The headline-grabber Cyrus will be part of the mix again, with her raunchy Wrecking Ball video up for two awards, including Video of the Year. It will be broadcast in the UAE at 10.15pm.

Lady Gaga’s artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball tour, September 10

The UAE music calendar will kick off with the Lady Gag's Middle Eastern concert debut. The American pop icon is bringing her provocative artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball tour to Dubai's Meydan Racecourse with a set list featuring hits from her latest album Artpop as well as the favourites Bad Romance, Just Dance and Poker Face. Tickets are Dh495 for general admission, Dh750 for grandstand seating and Dh1,295 for a Golden Circle pass from www.ticketmaster.ae.

United Nations of Comedy, August 28-29

The Arab comedy showcase returns after its successful inaugural edition last year. Leading the laughs from Lebanon is Nemr Abou Nassar, known in his homeland as |the King of Comedy. Flying in from further afield is the Egyptian Australian comic Khaled Khalafalla, the Palestinian American Aron Kader, the Kuwaiti-born American Mo Amer, the Iranian Amir K and the US-based Sammy Obeid. At Emirates Palace; tickets start from Dh195 from www.ticketmaster.ae.

Man Booker Shortlist, September 9

The Man Booker Prize shortlist will be announced on September 9 (the winner will be announced on October 14). There are 13 books on the longlist, including the Irish-American author Joseph O'Neill's book The Dog, set in Dubai. The book, due out in early September, is based on an American expatriate's experience in the city. This is the first year the Man Booker Prize has been open to American authors. Visit www.themanbookerprize.com for more details.

This Is All Yours by alt-J, September 22

Indie rock fans are salivating over the follow-up to alt-J's 2012 critically acclaimed debut An Awesome Wave, with the forthcoming new release This Is All Yours. Most of the new songs have been written on tour and include the tracks Arrival in Nara, Nara and Leaving Nara. All form part of a three-song suite based on the Japanese city. The album is released on September 22.