On Thursday

In Abu Dhabi

Summer in Abu  Dhabi a family festival featuring live performances, theatre productions, circus workshops, BMX bikers, a robot zoo, art & craft workshops and a variety of fun fair rides and games at the   Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre. Tickets Dh20 for children and Dh30 for adults from 12pm to 9pm daily until  August 18.

Aliens, an exhibition by Spanish photographers Evru, Miguel Trillo and Miguel  Oriola at Ghaf Art Gallery until July 8.

In Dubai

The Laughter Factory with Ava Vidal, Pete Johansson and Ty Barnett at Player’s Lounge, Chelsea Hotel. Show starts 9pm,  entry Dh100.

Deep Nights with the Shapeshifters , an  electronic music  group at the Mix,  Grand Hyatt from  10pm onwards,  entry Dh150.

Kandy Club featuring Raghav along with Iceberg Slim, DJ Hani and Shadow at Tribe, Crowne Plaza Hotel from 10pm onwards.

Dubai Lime Art Exhibition by artist Arthi Srinivasan at Bert’s Café, Dubai Marina. Call 04-4224126 for more details. Exhibition continues until July 15.

Journey from the Orient, a collection  of moving photographs capturing the   essence of Dubai by French-born Gilles Delmotte at Mercato from 4pm to 6pm until July 9.

In Sharjah

The Shaolin Troupe from China perform kung fu acrobatics at Sahara Centre as   part of Sharjah    summer promotions until July 10. Performances at 6pm and 8pm.

On Friday

In Abu Dhabi

Back2Back with DJ Cliff spinning house and electro at Sax,   Le Royal Meridien from 10pm onwards.

Picasso Abu Dhabi, the Arab world’s first exhibition of the works of Pablo Picasso’s masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris, featuring 186 paintings, sculptures and drawings at Gallery One, Emirates Palace until September 4.

In Dubai

Double Decker Idol, a karaoke singing competition at Double Decker, Al Murooj Rotana from 8pm until 10pm. Call 04-3211111 ext 2202 for more details.

Mojo featuring Jeremy Newall spinning disco, funk house and soul at Alpha, Le Meridien from 7pm onwards. More details at www.platinumlistdubai.com

Boogie Woogie 70s party hosted by the American Business Council at Emirates Golf Club. Entry by invitation only.

Impulse photoexhibition by French artist Fabien Lemaire at the Heritage House Gallery in Bastakiya, Bur Dubai until July 31.

The Laughter Factory with Ava Vidal, Pete Johansson and Ty Barnett at the Rainbow Room, Aviation Club. Show starts 9pm, entry Dh100.

Home featuring hip hop DJ Ca$h at Chi@The Lodge,  Al Nasr Leisureland from 7.30pm onwards. Free admission before 10pm.

Summer Salon showcasing artworks of amateur and professional artists at Gallery 76, Jumeirah until August 23.

Calligraphy Exhibition by Mehdi Fallah at Block 13, Dubai Knowledge Village. Exhibition continues until July 20th.