Cirque du Soleil's 'Grand Chapiteau' stands tall at Ibn Battuta Mall

Notes and media contacts

About Nakheel:
Nakheel is one of the world's largest privately held real estate developers, and a key player in realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world class destination for living, business and tourism.

Nakheel is developing an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai, and now in key markets around the globe, across a range of sectors - residential, commercial, hotels, retail, and leisure. Nakheel's projects are conservatively estimated to be worth US$80 billion. Upon completion, Nakheel's waterfront projects will have added more than 1,000km of shoreline to Dubai's coastline.

Nakheel's Dubai portfolio includes Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Deira, The World, Waterfront, The Universe, Nakheel Harbour & Tower, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Furjan, International City and Dragon Mart.

Nakheel is a key entity within Dubai World. Dubai World is one of the world's largest holding companies and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai Government across five continents and more than 100 countries.

About Cirque du Soleil:
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has almost 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 artists. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 80 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents.

In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 18 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d'Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

Fast Facts about Alegría:
- Two of the current artists belong to the original cast, having performed in over 54,000 shows

- The oldest artist is 67, and the youngest is 13

- Approximately 500 balls of knitting yarn, 1,094 yards of braid, 1,586 yards of lace, 22 pounds of glitter and 2,515 yards of silk jersey are used for the production of the costumes

- 1,000 buttons and jewels are used for the two singers' costumes alone!

- More than 1,000 springs hold up the Power Track trampoline ... end to end that's 105 meters

- Over 10,000 kilos of "snow" have been used in the "Storm" act

- Alegría travels with a 'village on wheels' that covers an area of 20 000 m² and is completely self-sufficient for power, water and all essential services. The village includes various offices, a box office, a kitchen and even a school.


For more information please contact:
Becki Willis
Account executive
Four Communications Group
Office 707, Tower A
Business Central Towers
Dubai Media City
PO Box 502099
Dubai , UAE
Tel: +971 4 369 3545
Fax: +971 4 362 5358