Performers take to the streets in Dubai

DUBAI // The biggest international street theatre and comedy festival in the Middle East has a new name and a new location, but the spectacular fun and games remain the same.

Previously known as the Dubai Street Festival, the new-look Dub Fest is taking place at the Al Ghurair Centre in Deira from March 20 until March 29.

More than 30 dancers, fire jugglers, gymnasts and tightrope walkers from 12 countries will put on 300 shows at the mall and in the surrounding streets during the event.

Among them will be Micha Da Hann from the Netherlands, the holder of three Guinness World Records for creating giant balloon sculptures, and the Rubberband Boy from New Zealand, who is known as the inventor of The One Man Band, a rubber band-powered human jukebox.

The award-winning USA Break Dancers from New York will join gymnasts and circus stars, including Reuben Dot Dot Dot from Australia, who has also appeared in the Cirque du Soleil and will be performing some gravity-defying acrobatic stunts.

In a first for the festival, work by a group of 3D artists will transform the streets of Deira.

Visitors will also be able to get up close to magicians as well as street-theatre comedians.

“Having heavily supported art, music and culture in the region with free events, the Al Ghurair Centre continues to incubate urban talent in the heart of Deira through educating and entertaining audiences,” said David Thurling, vice president of the centre.

The Dubai Street Festival was previously held at Dubai Marina Mall.

Now officially known as the Al Ghurair Centre’s Dub Fest International Street Theatre and Comedy Fair, it will be held at the Deira centre for the next three years.

The festival runs from 4pm until 11pm on weekdays, and 2pm to 11pm at the weekends.

nhanif@thenational.ae