Brouhaha International Opening Ceremony

Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street
21st July 2006

Reviewed by Darren Guy

Brouhaha International Street Festival comes up with the goods again, in their snapshot of having a go, the good and the fantastic street entertainment across the world.

If it isn't already, Brouhaha is quickly becoming Liverpool’s premier festival, with its mixture of local, national and international street performers – ranging from very good amateurs through to highly skilled professionals. From costume extravaganzas and stilt dancers Circus Plamka (Poland) through to finely tuned Capawara/hip hop dancers MD Company (Reunion) and Companhia Multicultural Diaspora (Cape Verde/Portugal). My favourites – without mentioning Liverpool’s own (Beatlife, Digabeat, Shockout and X-Tension) – were the fantastically hypnotic Ballet Enteredanzas (Spain), back for the tenth time at the festival, who drew the audience in with their contemporary flamenco. Also, Danza Universitaria (Costa Rica) – a haunting, elastic dance exploring the ‘essence of youth’. I’m no expert on dance, but Danza moved like they could dislocate their limbs.

Don’t miss the Brouhaha festival. Even if street entertainment has never awed you, some of the performers here will. The festival will be running from now until 5th August, the highlight being their carnival extravaganza and parade from Myrtle Street through to Princes Park, Toxteth for an all day festival on 5th August.

Brouhaha makes a very important contribution to not only the city’s art and culture but to multiculturalism in the city, it brings together locals, both young and old, black and white from the north and south of the city and beyond. All the organisers and performers should be congratulated.

For all performance details visit www.brouhaha.uk.com