Tickets are on sale for one of the South West’s favourite summer events, the Western Australian Circus Festival.
Held each year in the town of Karridale, the festival also includes the popular Lunar Circus Summer School, where participants of all ages can take part in workshops and lessons to hone their circus and performing skills.
The purpose-built festival site on a private property will this year play host to more than 100 circus, cabaret, comedy and theatre stars, along with lively gypsy funk and hillbilly rock bands.
More than 3000 festival goers will camp onsite, enjoying early morning yoga sessions and late night adults-only cabaret shows.
Lunar Circus’ Louise Moss said the event called upon the festival experiences of Burning Man in the USA and UK’s Glastonbury Circus Quarter.
“Come and enjoy a day’s entertainment or step up and join in a workshop – you can even have a go on the flying trapeze!”
The Summer School program encourages young circus, gymnastic and dance trainees to partake in a two week program that caters from tiny toddlers all the way to teen and adult performers.
Developing their skills in acrobatics, hand balancing, aerial arts and object manipulations, this is an opportunity to connect and train with the best circus professionals from all over the world.
“Our first release line -up includes a number of premier Australian circus companies including the unique acrobatic troupe Casus, award-winning festival favourite and comedy duo, The Birdman and Egg, Melbourne’s post-apocalyptic party Retrofuturismus, the marvellous magic of Liam Power, multigenerational adagio A Good Catch with the indomitable Debra Batton, and local legends, The Pitts Family Circus,” said Moss.
“From all over the planet, we welcome sketch comedy and circus catastrophe Laser Kiwi from New Zealand and German speed-juggler Marc Dorffne, as well as Fabian Galouÿe, the French master of diabolo.
“These are just the tip of the iceberg, with more than 100 artists and companies joining us for the festival.”
The Lunar Circus Festival Training Week runs from Sunday January 21 to Thursday January 25.
The WA Circus Festival kicks off on Friday January 26 and runs all weekend, with a full program of circus acts, music and live performances.
A three day weekend pass for January 26 – 28 (Child $88, Youth $108, Concession $134, Adult $149, Family 2A2C $372) includes free camping. Single day passes are also available.
For more information visit www.westernaustraliancircusfestival.com or www.facebook.com/circusfestival