Troupe has the moves that help make Dubai shopping fun

Russian dance troupe, Art Alle, has performed at the DSF for the past five years, offering spectators a mixture of gymnastics and dancing.

Russian dance troupe Art Alle has performed at the DSF for the past five years, offering spectators a mixture of gymnastics and dancing. Jaime Puebla / The National

DUBAI // A Russian dance troupe will be entertaining crowds at the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) on the Creek for the rest of the month.

The 20-strong Art Alle has performed at the DSF for the past five years, offering spectators a mixture of gymnastics and dancing.

Larisa Midanova, general manager of Art Alle, said the crowds grow as the night continues. "We do three shows a day and the earliest one is usually the quietest," she said. "The crowds grow and at weekends, it is usually at its busiest."

Some of the athletes perform somersaults off ladders and others juggle while high upon them.

Other performances consist of classic gymnastics with props.

"When they are not performing, they are always stretching and keeping the muscles warm in between performances," Ms Midanova said.

Dubai is the first show of the year for the troupe. Yana Midanova, Larissa's daughter and one of the show's stars, said the UAE had always rated high on her travel list.

"I always like performing here. It is different every year," the 20-year-old said.

Last year, Art Alle visited Turkey, Korea, Denmark, Switzerland and Holland. When the group is not travelling, the performers spend two to three hours training, twice a day.

"It is tough but we are professionals," Yana said.

James and Linda Roche, who are on a two-week holiday from the UK, said it was not what they expected to see while walking along the Creek. "We got an abra down the Creek and saw all the tents and decided to see what was going on," Mr Roche said.