Mallow Arts Festival to launch in a blaze of glory
The second annual Mallow Arts Festival will be launched, quite literally, in a blaze of glory on Saturday night at 9.30pm, with a breathtaking fire-storm set to light up Mallow Town Park.
As a precursor to the Festival, which will run for five glorious days from July 25 to 29, the internationally acclaimed Inferno Fireshow will bring their stunning ‘Firestorm’ show to Mallow for a free night of fire-based frolics.
Inferno Fireshow was formed in 2014 by three Cork-based fire performers who, having toured the world with their own solo performances, decided to use their expertise to form a company that would represent Ireland on the international stage.
Through the integration of unique custom fire techniques and props, they have created a series of breathtaking shows.
These performances have thrilled and mesmerised audiences across Ireland, Europe and as far away as Taiwan.
Drawing inspiration from cult movies such as ‘Star Wars’ and ‘ The Matrix’, ‘Firestorm’ uses wired-up fire equipment and small pyrotechnics to create a choreographed show featuring a fusion of circus, juggling, dance and martial arts techniques performed to a thumping customised soundtrack.
The chair of the Mallow Arts Festival committee, Tadhg Curtis, said they could not think of a better, or more spectacular, way to launch this year’s event.
“We decided that we wanted to kick off this years festival with a bang – and ‘Firestorm’ fits that bill perfectly. I have no doubt but that it will whet the appetites of locals ahead of the festival later on this month,” said Mr Curtis.
“We are currently in the process of finalising the full festival programme, which will be officially unveiled at the show and on our Facebook page next Saturday,” he added.
While the full festival line-up has yet to be announced, organisers have given people a taste of what to expect over recent weeks, releasing details of some of the headline events taking place at venues across the town under its auspices.
These will include an opening night gig by Irish jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan at the Hibernian Hotel, and a free concert the following Sunday night at the at same venue.
Irish family group Greenshine and a performance of Noni Stapleton’s multi-award winning play ‘Charolais’ at the Aemillian Theatre.
Other festival highlights will include the screening of a series of short films in the Gate Cinema, a Céilí Mór in the Hibernian Hotel and a performance by local musicians Noel Walsh and Eoin Leahy at St James’ Church.
“In total, we will have almost 40 separate events, many of them free, to suit all ages and tastes taking place at local venues and on the streets of the town over the course of the festival,” said Tadhg.
“So come along on Saturday night, enjoy the spectacle and find out what else the festival will have in store,” he added.