It’s that time of the year again when Cork comes alive with the magic of circus and street arts. Prepare to be dazzled, enchanted, and utterly captivated as the 6th Pitch’d Circus & Street Arts Festival takes center stage. With a mission to present diverse and high-quality circus and street arts events, this festival promises to be a thrilling extravaganza for audiences of all ages.

Last week, with the help of Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy and Lady Mayoress Marcelline Bonneau, Pitch’d Circus and Street Arts Festival is officially launched!

The opening weekend of Pitch’d brings French dance and juggling company ‘Cie Circographie’ and their show ‘Entre Noeuds’ to Dance Cork Firkin Crane. Entre Noeuds explores the relationship between three individuals. During the show, they meet and interact with each other, slowly growing closer and becoming a cohesive group, in precise choreographies where their bodies intertwine and move as one.

Pitch’d Crew and Lord Mayor at the launch at Rebel City Distillery

Once you’ve ignited your appetite for Circus, House of Circus; a circus and drag company, will be performing at the Everyman. The show portrays the unique combination between circus and drag. House of Circus shows you the bruises behind the makeup, the paddings under the tights, and the struggle of unreachable perfection. Throughout the show you will experience an array of emotions and you will leave this performance with a smile on your face and lots of positive energy.

Also taking place at the Everyman is the Pitch’d Festival Gala. Back this year after a resounding success, this all ages family friendly gala is one of the highlights of the festival where we invite the people of Cork to enjoy Circus with us in one of the best arts venues Cork has to offer! This year’s gala will see many performers take the stage including Jack Wise: sword swallower and magician,our very own Lisa Wong performing Aerial Silks and Dean Evans as Honeybuns: the World’s Greatest Mime.

Honeybuns also invites you to spend the evening with them at the Roundy, Cork. “Honeybuns, billed as ‘The World’s Greatest Mime,’ is a visceral and hilarious theatrical event. To share the room with the gigantic creature known simply as Honeybuns is to experience a highly physical, interactive piece of performance art that has impressions of mime and improv.

Pitch’d Festival Brochure at the launch at Rebel City Distillery.

If you’re looking for family friendly day-time activities, keep an eye out for the street performances taking place at Douglas Street Autumn Festival and Marina Market. Also taking place at Marina Market is a ferocious fire show! You’ll find more Circus at Opera Lane too!

We’re delighted to be selected for the Culture Night Late award to collaborate with Candy Warhol for a night of over the top campness and circus.

This year we also welcome an international delegation of producers as part of our Industry Programme thanks to Culture Ireland. The programme includes workshops by Spymonkey, Emmen Donnelly and Chris McAuley, mime workshop, producer discussions and more!

The theme for this year’s festival is “Seasoned Circus : Flavours for all”, so if you want the spice of a late night cabaret or just good old hearty family friendly shows, peruse the programme and you’ll discover something that tingles your tastebuds. From daring aerial acts to hilarious street performances, there’s something for everyone.

For the full programme, visit PitchdFestival.ie. The festival runs from September 11- 24th.