Illuminating Night at on Coney Island
Illuminating Night at on Coney Island
For Cairde Sligo Arts Festival Spectacle Event
06-09-2021
Illuminated skies over Coney Island this weekend for Cairde Sligo Arts Festival's Seven Sisters - newly commissioned work by Mark Hill and Mandy Blinco of LUXE. Photo Emilija Jefremova
Two hundred people gathered on the island of Coney on the night of Friday, September 3rd for a very special event. Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, Sligo’s annual multi-disciplinary arts festival, presented “Seven Sisters”, a newly commissioned spectacle by landscape theatre specialists LUXE. A team of 45 cast, crew and volunteers made the event possible.
Upon arrival on the island at dusk, the audience were brought on a magical procession with handheld lanterns, making their way to the pier on Coney Island. From here a magical performance by the ‘Seven Sisters’ took place, followed by an enchanting fire dance display. The 90 minute performance culminated in a light procession back to Cummeen Strand for a grand finale featuring a fire drawing and a large scale fireworks display.
Cillian Rogers in in Cairde Sligo Arts Festival's Seven Sisters, newly commissioned work by Mark Hill and Mandy Blinco of LUXE. Photo Emilija Jefremova
A memorable night, it will be one that people will not forget for a long time. Festival Director Tara McGowan said: “This was a very special night for the people of Sligo and all those who joined us. It’s the first time for Cairde Sligo Arts Festival to produce a large-scale spectacle event, so to make it happen in such a unique setting has been a significant milestone for the Festival. We have wanted to work with LUXE for some time and were delighted to make this a reality with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland’s Spectacle Commission Award, with additional support from Creative Sligo, Sligo Arts Service and Sligo Tourism Development Association. The islanders and families connected to Coney island were extremely welcoming and we would like to thank them for joining us on the night and helping to make this happen.”
We have had such an amazing time working with Mandy Blinco and Mark Hill, the incredibly talented creatives behind LUXE and we have already started talking about a new collaboration.. so watch this space!"
Jusztina Hermann and Zoe Ramsey in Cairde Sligo Arts Festival's Seven Sisters, newly commissioned work by Mark Hill and Mandy Blinco of LUXE. Photo Emilija Jefremova
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival's Seven Sisters, newly commissioned work by Mark Hill and Mandy Blinco of LUXE which took place n the magical setting of Coney Island. Photo Emilija Jefremova
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival takes place every July, with various events and creative happenings taking place in many of County Sligo’s cultural venues as well as unique venues and locations across the County. The Festival will return for 2022 from 1st to 10th July.
See cairdefestival.com for further details.