Phedon Phedonos: 1st Pafos Street Festival is proving a huge success

The 1st Pafos Street Festival is currently underway with some 20 artists showcasing their skills in 160 different shows.

Mayor of Paphos Phedon Phedonos said on his LinkedIn: “The first Street Festival in our town, which will go on for seven days, is proving a huge success. With 20 artists and 160 shows, we are bringing our town to life!”

Inspired by the popular and well-respected European street festivals, the First Pafos International Street Festival will be a week-long event of entertainment, family fun, and laughter for Cypriots and tourists alike.

From 26 August to 1 September 1st, 2024, starting at 7:00 every evening, there has been a great variety of performances by different international artists at seven different locations at the promenade in Kato Pafos and in Ktima (Pafos town).

Up to 24 performances every evening for seven consecutive days were planned, making it the biggest festival of its kind ever held in Cyprus. The performances cover a variety of genres, such as acrobatics, circus skills, comedy, clowning, music, dance, and more.

This festival is open for all (no tickets required), with attendees deciding what to pay each artist at the end of the show. Performing in public places for gratuities, the hat tradition (or busking), dates back to antiquity. The contribution by members of the audience was traditionally placed in a hat that was passed around. Nowadays, street performance is practised all over the world and passersby, who enjoy the performance, similarly put money into a hat for the performers – this is the primary payment for the artists.

The performing artists

Paul Morocco & Olé (USA/Spain)

This world-famous trio perform together in one of the most unpredictable, zany and spectacular shows. It’s a wonderful celebration of music and comedy full of surreal invention and fun. Virtuoso guitar, pop musical parodies, spitting ping pong balls, juggling fruits and eggs thrown by the audience… this group has all the exhilarating sounds from the rhythms of flamenco to salsa, swing, blues, jazz and pop.

Tom Timon (USA)

Tom Timon is an “Unusualist” – a manipulator of objects, magician, and master of balance. Blending the bizarre and unexpected with great skill in a comedic fashion, he is a true vaudevillian in the American tradition. Originally from the USA and now based in Germany, Tom Timon works in Variety Theatre and at festivals across Europe.

Alvin Yong (Malaysia)

Malaysian circus artist, Alvin Yong Kin Hoe, will perform “Soul to Show”, a story-telling act inspired by Alvin’s journey as an artist. Alvin’s enthusiasm and artistic mastery of his performance props – the Diabolo and the Cyr Wheel – creates a mesmerising act. His show is a search for the “lights” (“Cahaya” in Malay) that connect Alvin and his movements with the performance venue and the audience.

Domenyk La Terra (Australia)

“Juggling Dom - Street Show” is comedy juggling show that combines impressive and technically challenging juggling feats with Domenyk's quick-witted humour. Domenyk aims to entertain and inspire, showcasing his passion for juggling with an astonishing finale trick. Juggling with 9 balls and a hint of danger, featuring fire.

Corey Pickett (Australia)

"The Silent Show!" is the loudest silent show you may ever see. A delightful mix of high energy, cartoonesque physical comedy and circus stunts. All set to a jazzy electro swing sound track! Using his amazing hand and eye coordination and over the top facials, Corey takes you on a not-so-silent journey with slick skills and sensational silliness, finishing on top of a giant unicycle. Clowning and play are the center of this circus based show, using audience participation and object manipulation, Corey will get the audience whipped into a frenzy and screaming for more.

Isaac Aborah (Ghana)

Ghanaian, Isaac Kwaku Aborah, brings a vibrant mix of traditional African acrobatics, object manipulation, and balancing acts to his performances. Heartfelt and captivating, each act blends cultural heritage with pure artistry, creating an immersive experience that transports and thrills audiences of all ages, leaving them inspired and amazed.

Mariano Guz (Argentina)

To pop or not to pop? That is the bubble question. Elegance and comedy distinguish this stunning show where the poetry of bubbles creates a magical and emotional atmosphere. A funny gentleman will blow the audience’s mind through exhilarating gags and amazing tricks with soap bubbles. Since 2018, the artist, Mariano Guz, holds two Guinness World Records.

Sergio Barros (Brazil)

Sergio Barros is an enigmatic magician captivating audiences worldwide for over 16 years. Sergio effortlessly blends charm, humour, and awe-inspiring magic to mesmerise crowds of all ages. With a special knack for engaging children and eliciting laughter from even the toughest crowds, his performances are unpredictable and therefore never the same.

Schuberth & Kapeller (Austria)

This Austrian duo, who are part of the team of Flare Productions, offer a combination of dance, acrobatics, and fire-arts in motion to create a magical atmosphere with pyrotechnic effects and sparkling flames. For more than ten years, they have been travelling around the word and entertaining audiences in more than forty countries. Their multi-skilled performances have been featured in street festivals, theatres, circuses, on TV, and more.

Duo Santus (France)

Meet Bettina-Nina and Jacob, the dynamic duo known as Duo Santus. Bettina hails from two prominent circus families, bringing tradition to their performances. Jacob complements her skills perfectly. Together, they have been captivating audiences across Europe with their different circus acts. Join us as we witness the multiple talents of this married couple as they showcase their artistry under the big top.

Richard Handley (UK)

We are now “Going Bananas” about mobile phones. Like monkeys, we are hypnotised by a special banana. In this original clown show for all ages and languages, Richard makes fun of this new reality. Through fun and laughter, improvisation, mimicry, comic physicality, and expert timing, the audience is taken on a journey back into the real world in a show where no one can guess what’s going to happen next. This live clown theatre performance builds into a much loved audience participation routine.

Kwabana Lindsay (UK)

International circus artist and musician Kwabana Lindsay is a showman and a troubadour. He entertains the crowds with his own style of “on the edge skills” balancing and dancing on the slack rope whilst combining this with Hula hoop and musical dexterity. He is a legendary entertainer who has worked all over the UK and at many festivals worldwide.

Creme & Brulè (Italy)

This Italian comedic duo delight audiences of all ages with their dazzling acrobatic fire dances and theatrical performances. In this festival, they will be performing a "poetic show" in an elegant, retro, and magical atmosphere. It is a voiceless fascinating love story with dance, hilarious gags, romantic waltzes, sparkling fire-rains and much more.

Super Mario Brothers (Italy)

Passion, creativity, unparalleled dedication and friendship are the driving forces behind the conception of “OK World Wide”. Showcasing their unique blend of breakdance, acrobatics and comedy, while also interacting and involving the audience, the duo is captivating from start to finish.

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