Shakefest 2023 to return to Charleville Castle after three-year absence

Charleville Castle has announced the physical return of Shakefest, the highly-anticipated festival that celebrates art, music, and dance, after a three year online hiatus due to the pandemic. The festival will take place once again on May 27 and May 28, at Charleville Castle in Tullamore.

Shakefest has been a staple of creativity and culture in the Midlands for 18 years. From its origins in 2006 as a small workshop and performance day for cultural dancers, Shakefest has grown into a vibrant, family oriented weekend programme. With an exciting line-up of workshops, performers, and artists in focus, the festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees.

The cultural craic begins on Saturday, May 27, with a fun and dynamic drum circle experience with David Day of Jabba Jabba Jembe in the castle forecourt for all ages. An evening Hafla featuring Bubble Lock Hip Hop with Rama and students will follow, showcasing the moves that will be taught in Bubblelock's workshops the next day, Sunday, May 28, in the Charleville Castle Ballroom. The workshop will be divided into two sections: Kids Hip Hop, 6-12 years, and Adults and Teens, 13 years and over.

Along with Bubble Lock Hip Hop, Shakefest 2023 offers a diverse range of workshops that includes abstract paint pouring for kids aged 6-12 years in the castle courtyard on Sunday, May 28. This dynamic and free-flowing abstract painting art form allows creators to experiment with the effect of everyday objects through the paint.

The legendary Shakefest Hafla will once again be a night to remember, with performances from some of the most talented artists from across the world. Dr Subhashini Goda, the guest cultural dance performer, will perform four dances in Indian Classical and Bharatanatyam. The festival will also feature Finn Nichol, a talented artist originally from Birr, who will showcase his most recent works previously featured in Soundscapes of Nature at the Birr Music Festival 2022. Finn Nichol is also the winner of the RDS Taylor award in late 2021. The Red Embers Bellydance Troupe, long-term organizers, performers, and supporters of Shakefest, will perform four cultural dance songs – Tribal, South American, and Cabaret style.

The recital will also showcase youth dance sensation Ishani Acharya, who can perform in multiple dance genres, including Bollywood, Indian Classical, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Krump. Rose from the Celtic Blondes will also perform Irish dance and music. Rahan Comhaltas, who host Culture Night each year at the castle, will be in their usual charismatic form with Irish dance, song, craic, and storytelling.

The featured artist will be Caroline Conway, renowned for her stunning projected imagery from Birr. She will create an illuminating animation projection show on the front of Charleville Castle as a magnificent visual crescendo to the night’s festivities. She will be focusing on the history, community, and ethos of Charleville Castle Heritage Trust. It is exciting to anticipate how she will interpret Charleville Castle, built from 1801-1814; its life, times, and journey from the past to the present and its community aspirations for the future. The outdoor Castle Illumination show will begin at 10:30pm and is part of the whole evening programme which starts at 7:30pm.

Charleville Castle invite everyone to join them for a celebration of art, music, and dance that promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.

The Saturday Evening Recital is only €10 per adult and €20 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children). Prices start from only €7.50 for workshops - for more information on tickets and to book, please visit www.shakefest.net or email info@shakefest.net.

Shakefest is supported by the Offaly County Council Arts Office.