Carnival of Colours festival all set for new location at Brooke Park
The Carnival of Colours is back in Londonderry for another year, bringing the very best of International Street Theatre.
The festival, which takes place in Brooke Park in Londonderry on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, will be jam-packed with circus-themed treats. These acts will be performing alongside local artists to present an eclectic mix of shows and attractions to guarantee a full quota of belly laughs and a truly magical experience for people of all ages and backgrounds.
A wide range of circus and street theatre shows will be presented from some of the world’s most talented circus artists. Feast your eyes on skills including acrobatics, juggling, diabolo, aerial, clowning, comedy, physical theatre and some beatboxing thrown in for good measure! Acts will include Grant Goldie, Andrea Fidelio, Dr Skita, Siolta Circus, Tina Machina and Jack Wise.
Joining in with the Youth19 celebrations, and thanks to funding from Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Golden Events Fund, the Festival will have a brand new YOUTH ARTS ZONE featuring Youth Circus Shows from across Northern Ireland; the Nerve Centre’s Hothouse Stage; Graffiti, Dance and Parkour from the Take Back the Streets Project; mini-me walkabout characters and much more.
The Festival attracts people of all ages from right across the North West and visitors to the city; it brings people together from all walks of life for a shared cultural experience. It also highlights Derry City as an exciting and progressive destination for events and arts activity and there really is something for everybody to enjoy.
Aine Kearney, Tourism NI Director of Business Support & Events said; “Events are crucial to enhancing our visitor experience, increasing visitor numbers and spend and helping to elongate the tourism season. We are delighted to support In Your Space Circus and the Carnival of Colours festival which will animate the North West arts scene and attract both local and international visitors to explore the area. We wish the event organisers every success with the festival.”
In addition to attracting sponsorship from Tourism Northern Ireland’s National Events sponsorship programme, the Festival is being supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Headline Events and Golden Events programmes, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Guapo – Fresh Mexico, and The Everglades Hotel.
Speaking at the launch, Gilly Campbell, Head of Community Arts and Education at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “In Your Space Circus is a vital part of the network of arts organisations in the North West delivering arts to all sections of the community and to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Their annual festival has established itself as a creative highlight and a firm favourite amongst audiences. The Arts Council is proud to be the principal funder of this dynamic arts organisation and wishes In Your Space Circus continued success with this year’s brilliant spectacle of street theatre and circus arts.”
Carnival of Colours is a showcase and celebration of In Your Space Circus’s year-round work with children and young people from communities across the North West; and our Street Theatre and performance work delivered across Northern Ireland. Cath McBride, IYSC’s Company Director said: “Carnival of Colours has become a key event in the City’s calendar and something our team is very proud of and passionate about producing. We are delighted and excited about moving the event from its home of 11 years, St Columb’s Park to the stunning location of Brooke Park.
“The Festival provides a superb platform for showcasing local talent alongside international artists; and this year we are delighted to be celebrating the children and young people we work with through the Youth Arts Zone, as part of the Youth19 celebrations. We hope we provide an event that offers something for everyone, from the littlest to the biggest circus, arts and music fan! Most of all we aim to create an atmosphere of happiness, fun and total enjoyment!”
