Freaks and geeks to hit Cork street fest

SUMMER festivals have a reputation for attracting the more unusual characters, but this is taking things to the extreme.

For the next two weekends, an army of piano jugglers, contortionists, 8’2” robots, the world’s strongest woman, and a man whose job involves climbing head-first into a giant balloon will descend on the unsuspecting Irish public as part of the AIB Street Performance World Championships.

The free event – which pits some of the best international street performers with, frankly, some of the worst – will start in Cork city’s Fitzgerald Park this weekend before continuing in Dublin’s Merrion Square from June 18 to 21.

As part of the contest, which is coming to Cork for the first time, 31 of the world’s most notorious freaks and geeks will put on 210 free shows, aiming to receive public votes in their bid to be named the street performer champion.

Up to 150,000 people are expected to attend the five-day bonanza of bizarre acts, either to admire or simply to stare open-mouthed at the unusual abilities on display.

Among the more surreal acts set to be showcased on the city streets over the coming days include:

nAustralian Alakazam, a man “who has made an incredible career out of his ability to squeeze his entire body through the mouth of a squash racket”.

nCanadian Mike Wood, who for some reason, likes to catapult cabbages onto a spiky helmet on his head.

nMr Toons, from Denmark, described as “the perfect example of a grown man with too much time on his hands” whose bizarre act “leaves you asking less how did he come up with that but rather why did he come up with that”.

nBetty Brawn, the strongest woman alive “who can (and will) tear any Irish man to pieces”.

Other contestants include American Rob Williams, who makes sandwiches with his feet – a deliciously ironic example of putting your foot in your mouth, considering the competition is sponsored by AIB.

lFurther details of all the events are available at www.spwc.ie.