Cork Midsummer Festival | Editor's Pick

Words: David O'Shaughnessy

Kicking off today, Cork Midsummer Festival, now in it’s 16th year, is set to captivate Cork with ten days of world-class performances, events and entertainment. The annual event pours all sorts of unique and unusual delights over the people and parts of city, varying from street entertainers, musical performances, dance and theatre to debate and visual art. Smart, startling and appealing to all age groups, there’s something for everybody and here’s a few of our top picks.

Rian
Highly anticipated, the internationally acclaimed show Rian opens the festival in an original and inspiring mix of dance and music. Fusing traditional music and contemporary dance with a full company of accomplished and celebrated dancers and musicians, Rian’s live music and powerful dance-speech-song hybrid performance is not to be missed.

What The Folk!
Taking a fresh look at traditional Irish nostalgia, What The Folk! promises a charming look at folk and tradition in a mix of storytelling genres, and offers insights into the smaller intricate moments and pieces beyond the clichés established around the jigs and reels.

Solstice
Returning for 2012, Solstice in a mini-festival of it’s own, providing a platform for emerging artists in the arenas of theatre, dance, visual arts and performance. Running from Wednesday 27th - July 1st, there is a veritable smorgasbord of delights to devour, one particular highlight being This Is Tough Love Everyone, a display of brand new works from six artists that have been developed in a Big Brother style residency. A rare snapshot of the up-and-comings in the Irish arts world, venture in and be wowed.

The Trailblaze Sunday Service
Having run their events in intimate climes around Dublin and the festival circuit to a growing troupe of ‘Trailblazers’, Trailblaze take their eclectic followers and invite audiences to an alternative Mass on the closing day of the festival. Promising confessions of “virtues, vices and deadly sins”, Trailblaze set out to inspire and rock the boat by tapping into the collective potential of the communities they create. If their previous events are anything to go by, this one will be a blessing.

White
Billed as a perfect introduction to theatre for young children, White is a bizarre and wonderfully playful experience, welcoming audiences into a beautiful pristine white space, and then exploding with colour and excitement. If you’re looking for something that is family friendly but won't leave you slumped in your seat half-asleep, White is for you.

entertainment.ie exclusive discount

Buy a ticket to any performance of Rian AND any performance of What the Folk! for the price of €40 excl fees.

http://entertainment.ie/tickets/

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Thursday 21st June 2012 | Theatre

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