Wake: An Adventure in Transformance Art

Throughout the year I get to meet amazing people who live in beautiful cities and who are part of dynamic communities. I get to talk and conspire with them about everything from the personal to the political in the places they call home. But once a year I get to turn the tables. Once a year I invite people to come and spend time with me in the land that I call home. The place where my ideas were forged and where my vision crystallized.

Each year I put out an invitation for 40 people to take this pilgrimage with me at the end of April. To spend four magical days with me in a magical land. Sharing life, learning together, and socializing (actually, six days if you include the pre-event get-together and the post-event Festival of Fools).

Taking place in the cultural heart of N.Ireland and spread over multiple bars, cafes and galleries, all connected via a few interconnected cobbled streets; this festival fosters a rich community experience by blending together musicians, poets, parties, tours, storytelling, whiskey tasting, workshops, movies and more. It’s hard to describe exactly what goes on, and nothing I write will do it justice. But I can say that it’s been a life transforming event for many of those who attend.

I’m passionate about my work and love all the experiences it has opened up. But out of everything I do, this festival is the unfailing highlight. It not only allows me to speak more personally and talk more deeply, but it enables me to give a platform to some of the most important and influential people in my life.

The whole festival is a type of Transformance Art event involving magicians, musicians, politicians, peacemakers, poets, activists, artists, writers, therapists and filmmakers.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to visit Ireland, to see the birthplace of C.S. Lewis, and the Titanic, to have a holiday that not only revives the body, but nourishes the soul and feeds the mind, then sign up now for one of the few remaining tickets.

Below is a video from the last event.

You can see pictures from last years event here.