Roll up, roll up

The UK’s first outdoor circus festival will be launched this June by Lakes Alive, a four-year initiative programming arts events in Cumbria. After a pilot last year, Lakes Alive will now run ‘Zircus Plus 2010’, with support from Barrow Borough Council. This year’s festival will see the world premiere of aerial dance performance ‘Madam Silk’, a co-production between Ireland’s Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company and France’s Cie Drapes Aeriens. Performers from as far as Tanzania and Rajasthan will also be in attendance and any inspired festivalgoers will be given the chance to sample free workshops in circus skills. Julie Tait, Director of Kendal Arts International which creates Lakes Alive with Manchester International Arts, aims to “put Barrow on the map as the UK’s number one circus town”.