‘The love is still there’: Athlone burlesque festival back for fourth year
By Rebekah O'Reilly
The Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival is returning for its fourth consecutive year this month.
The festival is taking place from Friday, September 11, to Sunday, September 13, in the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone.
A weekend of colour and fantastic performance, Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival is the brainchild of Athlone native Michelle Jinks, who has been performing the art of burlesque under her stage name Miss Memphis Shell since 2017.
“I’m just delighted that it’s going ahead for its fourth year," Michelle said. “Athlone is a small town with a big heart. The sponsorship has been amazing from local businesses.
“The fact that the love is still there for it, and we have people travelling from all over Ireland and flying in from abroad as well to support performers taking the stage, it's amazing really."
On the Friday night, a newcomer competition for the rising stars of burlesque the Sionnan Spirit Award will take place, with fresh faces vying for the chance to be crowned the Sionnan Spirit.
The fun will continue on Saturday night, for the main event, the Gala Night for the Heart of Ireland Award which will see the best of the best compete for the title of Heart of Ireland.
The Viking Boat Cabaret Drag Show Tour will also return this year, closing out the festival in serious style.
When asked whether anything special had been added to spice up the line-up of this year's festival, Michelle mentioned a guest performance by iRadio presenter Steven Cooper.
"I’ve actually been mentoring him for the last few weeks. He’s going to be performing on the opening night," she said, encouraging festival-goers to attend the opening night of the festival to see what spectacle Cooper has to offer.
“This is the start of the festival. This is where it all begins. It’s where it all happens. We have headliners on that stage, and award-winning performers opening the show as well.”
The festival will also feature some of Athlone Family Resource Centre's wonderful handmade puppets to dress the stage over the weekend.
"We will have St Brigid's Crosses, Sheela na gig, and other Celtic inspired puppets from the Family Resource Centre. There will be a QR code on the night as well to help raise some money for the centre."
When it comes to the demand for the fourth year of the festival, Michelle said many of the workshops and dance classes are already completely sold out.
An event by Doctor Sketchy is taking place at Dead Centre Brewing, with models including festival performers Audrey Love and Rex.
"You don't have to be a serious artist, it's about having a bit of craic," Michelle added.
Both of the after parties for this year's festival are set to take place in the bar at the Dean Crowe Theatre, featuring DJ Deanface and Galway drag artist Annie Naggins.
The Memphis Market will return once again, featuring festival merchandise, local traders, prints, pasties, boas and other items.
Michelle is encouraging festivalgoers to put on their glad rags and join in on the fun.
"We want people to come along, look fantastic, but also be themselves and just enjoy the weekend in a nice, comfortable, safe space for everybody.”
Weekend tickets for the festival are available for €45 each, while tickets for individual nights are priced at €26 each.
For more information, or to book tickets, go to: https://www.heartofirelandburlesquefestival.ie/events-tickets/