What’s On previews three new street festivals in Dubai. Find out about Dub Fest, Sikka Art Fair, Dubai Marina Street Festival in March 2015.

More…
– Art Dubai preview
– VIDEO: Street Nights
– VIDEO: Street Food
– Meet d3

Dub Fest
Dubai does a pretty good impression of London’s Covent Garden in March as the Dub Fest street theatre and comedy festival comes to town. The famous pedestrian square in London becomes a daily theatre space for jugglers, acrobats and clowns, as crowds of shoppers stop to watch.

Dub Fest, which last year drew more than half a million people, takes over the Al Ghurair Centre for ten days, welcoming more than 30 international performers.

Dub Fest at Al Ghurair Centre, Deira

On the bill for 2015 is Doctor Bucketman, a drummer whose drum kit is made of pots, pans, and buckets. Victor Rubilar shows off his football freestyle tricks; there’s madcap dancing from Spandy Andy; while Checkerboard Guy juggles with axes and machetes.

New this year is a circus workshop for children in which performers teach skills such as tightrope walking, trapeze work, and unicycle riding. The workshop runs Sunday to Thursday from 3pm to 9pm, and 2pm to 9pm at the weekend.

March 19 to 28
Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, Dubai, Sun to Thur 3pm to 11pm, Fri and Sat 2 pm to 11 pm, free. Tel: (800) 24227.  Metro: Union Square. dubfest.net

Dub Fest at Al Ghurair Centre, Deira

Sikka Art Fair
Sikka Art Fair returns to the Al Fahidi historical neighbourhood for its fifth edition, with a string of stimulating displays for young and old. Wander among alleys and wind towers, and step inside any of the restored villas that have been transformed into open studios by the Artists In Residence Dubai programme or occupied by a multitude of local creative organisations.

As well as art, the fair welcomes musicians, so expect a few live performances too. Plus, there are plans for poetry readings, film screenings and other entertainment in the evenings. For children, the fair will host interactive arts workshops, and there are interesting culture walks taking place during the day.

March 14 to 24
Al Fahidi Historical Area, Dubai, free. Tel: (600) 560000. Metro: Al Fahidi. dubaiculture.gov.ae

Sikka Art Fair

Dubai Marina Street Festival
The fifth edition of the Dubai Marina Street Festival will see the Mall and surrounding area transformed into a stage for acrobats, street entertainers, singers, dancers and all manor of performers. The likes of New Zealand, Australia, USA, UK, Spain and Chile are all represented across the arts.

Among those capturing your attention will be diabolo juggler, magic illusionist and physical comedian Vinyl Burns, award-winning New York trio B-Extreme, and La Bella Tour old-school circus acts. There will also be ladder balancing, juggling, oddball stunts, and improvised clowning. One highlight will be the appearance of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ semi-finalist act, Faces Of Disco.

Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 4361020. Metro: Dubai Marina Mall. dubaimarinamall.com

Dubai Marina Street Festival