Laya Healthcare Street Performance World Championship (LHSPWC) FAQ’s

What is the Laya Healthcare Street Performanaces World Championship? The Laya Healthcare Street Performance World Championship is an annual competition for the best street performers in the world. It has taken place in Merrion square since 2006 and is free for the public to attend. It consists of Street Performers from around the world showing off their skills from sword swallowing to fire breathing and much more. The performers all have ‘pitches’ or area to perform at ground level and interact directly with the audience. The audience can donate monetary contributions to performance that they enjoy most.

When is it on? In the LHSPWC event is on in Merrion Square on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of July. Friday is a slightly smaller spectacle with 2 or 3 performer’s pitches, whereas Saturday and Sunday are the main days of the event with 8 to 10 performer pitches taking place throughout the day. The event also takes place in Cork on 20th and 21st July.

What is the nearest stop to the event? The nearest Luas stop is St. Stephen’s Green on the Luas – hop off at St. Stephen’s Green and walk in the direction of Grafton Street turning right and following the edge of the park toward Merrion Row. At the Merrion Row/Baggot Street Junction turn left onto Upper Merrion Street and continue straight to Merrion Square West.

From Luas Red Line, hop off at Abbey Street and walk towards O’Connell Street. Turn left and cross the Liffey at O’Connell Bridge. Follow towards Trinity College and at the foot of Grafton Street, keeping Trinity College to your left, follow Nassau Street. Nassau Street gives way to Leinster Street South. When you pass the National Gallery of Ireland, turn right onto Merrion Square West.

There is also plenty of space in Luas Park + Rides. On the Green Line at , , and and on the Red Line at Red Cow and Cheeverstown

What is Luas’ involvement with the event? Luas is a sponsor of this year’s Laya Healthcare Street Performers World Championships and hosts a VIP Golden Ticket Preview Event on 12th July on Luas at St. Stephen’s Green at 1pm. Everyone attending will receive a goodie bag and will be automatically entered into a draw to win an annual Luas ticket.

Luas are also sponsoring a pitch at the event – so come down to Pitch 4 and see us for lots of fun and games and some free goodies at the event. Dublin Community Circus will also be doing workshops in the Luas area on Saturday at 3pm (Juggling) and Sunday at 2pm (Poi) by Dublin Community Circus. There was a competition on Facebook to win spaces at the workshops, but check in with the Luas crew on site if you didn’t win a space and are interested in participating.

What is the Golden Ticket VIP Event? It is an exclusive VIP preview of some of the acts performing over the weekend. It is being held on a stationary tram at St. Stephen’s Green at 1pm on Friday 12th July. There will be goodie bags for everyone attending the event as well as some spot prizes.

Is the Golden Ticket VIP Event suitable for kids? Yes, we will have a kids section on the VIP Luas on Friday 12th July.

When will I find out if I have won a Golden Ticket? We are selecting the winners on Monday 1st July so we will be getting in touch with people by phone and email after that.

When will I receive my Golden Tickets? We will be sending out the Golden Tickets on Monday 8th July along with Luas tickets to get to the event on Friday 12th July.

Can I bring a buggy? You can bring a buggy however because the tram will not be at a platform, there is a bigger step up so access will not be as easy as boarding an in-use tram.

I won a pair of tickets, but I have 2 children, can I bring them both? Space is very limited on board, so we have to restrict the tickets to 2 per person. If one child is a baby/in the arms, then subject to space we may permit that child on your ticket. However there will only be 1 goodie-bag per ticket, so you would not receive 3 goodie bags.

I won a pair of tickets, but I can’t go to the event now, will I still get a goodie-bag? The goodie bags are only for people attending on the day. Unfortunately we do not have a facility for sending them out to people after the event. Please do let us know if you have accepted the invitation and can’t attend – you can contact [email protected] or Freephone 1800 300 604.

What’s in the goodie-bags? The contents of the goodie bags are a surprise and will be revealed on the day!

Is Luas giving out free tickets for this event? No, Luas is not giving out free tickets for this event. The Kids Go Free offer is running that weekend so any adult with a valid ticket can bring two children for free on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July.

Do I have to pay to pay to get into this event? No, LHSPWC event is free, however you can make donations to the performers themselves to show appreciation of their show – donations are not compulsory.

How does someone win the champion title? The champion is determined by public vote. Voting boxes will be placed on site in Dublin and Cork and audience members can place their vote in these throughout the weekends. All votes are added together to reveal the champion. The LHSPWC winner will be announced at 8pm on Sunday 21st July in Cork.

What is the focus of this year’s Laya Healthcare Street Performers World Championships event? The Ministry of Silly Ideas is this year’s focus, with a Custard Pie Throwing Competition and a Rainbow Disco. There is also a world record attempt to try and break the world record for throwing the most water balloons as one person at one time. Ray D’Arcy is that person! To take part in any of these events you can sign up by registering on www.facebook.com/theSPWC

Where can I get more information about the event? You can find more information, maps and a timetable at www.spwc.ie