Back again for it’s 6th year running, Motion Festival is once again shaping up to be a true celebration of the spectacular arts. From the 22nd till the 26th September the festival will attract jugglers, acrobats, circus artists, dancers, aerialists and other performing artists from all over the world to Clonakilty. The 5 days will be packed with workshops, shows and games. Internationally renowned artists have been invited to inspire, teach and perform throughout the festival.
Motion Festival started 6 years ago as Clonakilty Juggling Convention. Over the last few years it has evolved past its “juggling” boundaries to include all forms of body and object movement and manipulation arts, such as:
- clowning and theater
- object manipulation – juggling in all its forms – balls, clubs, rings, contact ball, diabolo, poi, staff, the fire arts, hoop, devilstick, etc
- movement – dance and movement of all kinds – all dance styles, martial arts, acrobatics, aerial dance, parkour
- therapeutic or mind/body arts – yoga, alexander technique, etc
Throughout the 5 days, workshops in many of the disciplines mentioned above will be held in the Clonakilty Community Hall. Children’s workshops will be offered at the beginning of each day, along with workshops for all levels from amateur to professional all day long.
After last years great success we are hoping to once again hold the Fire Show at Emmet Square on the night of Friday the 24th September. Live music will lead to a truly breathtaking show by some of the worlds leading fire artists.
Keep your eyes open around the town over the course of the weekend for amazing shows by street performers.
This year we are proud to present Ireland’s first “Freestyle Hurling Battle“! In the style of dance battles, contestants will one by one show their skills by demonstrating combinations of tricks using only a hurley, sliotar(s?) and their body. So dust your hurley off and get practicing!
The highlight of the festival will be Saturday nights spectacular Gala Show featuring performances from the best of Irish and international juggling, circus and dance artists
The Festival will come to a spectacular close with the Public Street Parade and the Juggling Olympics at Emmet Square on the Sunday. Games requiring tremendous skill and silliness will provide a fun day out for all the family.
Visit www.clonakiltyconvention.com for more information on this fun filled weekend.
