For its inaugural event last year, Street Nights saw thousands of people flock to a quiet street in Al Quoz for a gathering of artistic and musical expression. This year, it is even bigger and better.
Art and poetry at its core
This weekend, spread over two nights, street artists from across the region – including renowned industry names such as L7M from Brazil and the United Kingdom’s Zombi – will paint two 200-metre walls along both sides of the street, while musicians and DJs take to three separate stages at various times each day to entertain visitors. If all this seems a bit too noisy, then step into The Poetry Box. A new concept this year, it is a soundproofed shipping container set in the middle of the street, providing an instant silent space where visitors (up to 20 at a time) can listen to poetry while the street outside erupts in noise and music.
Food for thought
Since the event is now an official part of the Dubai Food Festival, come hungry. Twenty street-food vendors will serve up delicious dishes to the crowds, including Moti Roti, an Indian street-food concept serving roti-wrap sandwiches; Home Bakery, one of Dubai’s much-loved sweet stores which has a brand-new food truck; Brooklyn Bros; and Parkhouse Café.
Chefs from the Radisson Blue Deira, Emirates Golf Club, Sofitel JBR and Park Hyatt Hotel will also make an appearance and participate in a cook-off. And in the street-chef contest, the chefs will cook delectable street bites that will be free to the public to taste, subject to a voluntary donation.
“Street culture in the UAE in general is getting a lot more credibility and visibility,” says the event’s co-founder Alexandre Teodoresco. “This year, it was important to be part of the Dubai Food Festival, to create a sense of place and be a destination to which people want to return.”
A grass-roots project
The best bit? There will be no established chains or franchised brands displaying their wares here – just some good old-fashioned community spirit.
“We will operate Street Nights like an honour system,” says Teodoresco. “All donations will go to help future exhibitions and support young artists. Everything links back to helping the community.”
“It’s for the community, by the community in a not-for-profit way,” says the event’s cofounder James De Valera (also known as Break DJ Lobito). “We are trying to make a difference to the community. Whether it is a street-food vendor, a musician or an artist, they all face the same struggles and they represent what we stand for – reclaiming the street for art.”
• Street Nights runs Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, on Street 4b in Al Quoz industrial area, from 5pm to midnight. The event is open to the public; entrance is free. Visit www.streetnights.ae
