NoFit State ran the Clifton Street Festival, in partnership with the community of Adamsdown, on 28 August 2022.
It was a day of celebration starting with a parade, followed by an exciting mix of performance, workshops, food, music and much more. Celebrating community, place and home - taking inspiration from the surrounding streets of Adamsdown known locally as ‘the metals, gems and solar system’.
The event opened with a giant puppet descending the walls of the NoFit State building and, with local community wheels procession leading the parade down Clifton Street, ending in Brewery park.
Line up on the day included Afro Brazilian percussion troop Barracwda, circus performances from NoFit State, Oasis One World Choir, Fluidity free running, Capoeira, Upbeat Music, Tenovus male choir, as well as local storytellers, a poetry give away, high wire walking, Ingoma Nshya the Women Drummers of Rwanda, traditional fair games, craftivism and much more. With attendees able to explore the shops and food offerings from around the world on Clifton Street throughout the day.
Everyone attending the festival was able to take part in the extensive programme of activities alongside the parade, as well as being encouraged to get into the festival spirit and dress in costume inspired by the ‘metals, gems and solar system’ or wear celebratory costume that represent their culture and community.
Summer Programme
Leading up to the Clifton Street Festival we had a programme of summer activity including a range of FREE holiday activities including circus, crafts, drumming and percussion and costume making in preparation for the festival and parade day on Sunday 28th August. You can find out more about the 2022 summer programme here click here
The Clifton Street Festival was an incredible success, and we very much hope to run it on a regular basis.
Clifton Street Festival Programme
Leading up to the Clifton Street Festival we had a programme of summer activity
It included a range of FREE holiday activities including circus, crafts, drumming and percussion and costume making in preparation for the festival and parade day on Sunday 28th August.
Find out more about the 2022 summer programme, click here
Collaborators
- Cardiff Community Housing Association
- Fluidity
- Inkspot
- Oasis
- Railway Gardens - Green Squirrel
- UpBeat
- Ingoma Nshya
- Haven Foods
- St German’s
- Local artists and creatives
Meet your Community Champions
Sharon
Sharon is the creator and editor-in-chief of Alienated Magazine, a platform inspired by the isolation of the lockdowns which aims to give voices to young creatives in Wales. Connecting people through art and creativity is important to Sharon and she’s excited to explore the world of circus. Sharon is passionate about meeting the demand for diversity and responding to people’s cares and concerns to create work that they can truly relate to.
Dave
In his own words, Adamsdown dweller Dave is quirky and determined, he is a beat boxing enthusiast and professional plasterer who never stops moving. He has a smorgasbord of skills and talents and a real passion for helping people to express themselves. As a Community Champion Dave hopes to bring people who might be unsure how to express themselves into the world of circus and encourage them to develop a creative outlet.
Kelly
Kelly is vice chairman of a homeless charity, providing essential items to vulnerable people in Cardiff. She worked for a while at the Clifton pub to develop the local connections she’d been missing since her move from mid-Wales. Living in a rural area before moving to Adamsdown means that Kelly appreciates how isolating it can be to live in a city and she wants to empower people to form new connections and to engage with each other in a sustainable way.
Pearl
Pearl describes herself as bubbly, helpful and informative. She has quite the origin story, moving around between America, Jamaica, the UK, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and, most recently, spending 5 years studying an economics degree in China. Nowadays she can often be found working in Haven’s African Foods on Clifton Street. Moving around so much means Pearl is great at creating links with new people and she’s excited about creating the Clifton Street event with her local community.
