Top ten 'must see' attractions - Drogheda Arts Festival
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)THE DROGHEDA Arts Festival takes place from May 3rd-7th this year and promises to have something for everyone. From an extensive line up, Hubert Murphy selects his top ten of 'must see' attractions for next week.WHEELCHAIR ON MY FACE
A PRODUCTION with the name 'Wheelchair on My Face' must be worth checking out.
It's in the Droichead on Thursday, May 3, at 8.30 p.m.
Sonya Kelly wrote it and performs it (no better combination). She's part of the Savage Eye team so expect humour, with a dash of acting thrown in.
It's about a seven year old getting her eyes tested by a nurse and finding out she'll need glasses, after a few embarrassing incidents.
The critics love this 55 minute show. Tickets: €10/€8. Booking. Tel: 041 9833946.
MACNAS COMING
MACNAS, the famed street performers, will bring something totally new to the arts festival.
The appear on Sunday, May 6, at 7 p.m. in the Bolton Street car park, 8pm at St Peter's, West Street and 9 p.m. at Millmount.
Tickets are free but prior booking required due to the interest. Tel: 041 9833946.
They are putting on the street show Rumpus. The costumes, light and movement of these people is world renowned.
SHIP STREET REVISITED
I CAN'T wait to see what this involves.
Anything the Upstate Theatre Project are involved in will be a success so don't miss this.
It's on Thursday May 3rd, 4th to Monday, May 7, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Ship Street of course.
The plan is to travel back to Ship Street in 1947 and meet the people who lived and worked there.
There will be 50 actors on the set and they will recount the stories of a bygone age.
The play will use vacant houses and the wide expanse of the street.
Researched and scripted by Aidan Harney. Facilitated and directed by Paul Hayes, and designed by Kieran Mcnulty. This will be pure magic. Booking. Tel: 041 9833946 Tickets: €10/€7.
MILLMOUNT DAY
THE traditional day at Millmount on Sunday, May 6, (1-5 p.m.) is always a huge day.
There's non-stop performance and workshops in five venues, including concert marquee in the Main Square. Uilleann pipers, setdance, sean nós dance, bodhrán, fiddle workshops, cannons firing, Celtic warriors charging, musketeers blasting, they have it all. The amazing Drogheda Museum and the majestic Tower will be open free all day. Special children's events. Gates open 1 p.m. Cannons will be fired at 2 p.m., 3.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
OLDBRIDGE FAIR
THE Oldbridge Country Fair on Monday, May 7, (11-5p.m.) at the Battle of the Boyne site should be unmissable. The OPW have organised it and it's free.
There's a craft and food village, floral art, sheep dog demonstrations and dazzling medieval Living History spectaculars. There's a dog show organised by Drogheda Animal Rescue (entrance fee for categories will apply) with exciting categories such as ' Waggiest Tail', 'Best Dressed Dog' and others. Trio Elatha play in the walled garden too.
MIRROR MIRROR
NATIONAL pole dance champion Arlene Caffrey from Drogheda is part of the crew for this unique show.
It's on Friday, May 4, at 8.30 p.m. in the Droichead Arts Centre.
It's a fairytale, with dance, sound, shapes and shadows. Seems like a show that would have to be seen to be appreciated.
Mirror, Mirror is written and choreographed by Niamh Creely, a co-founder of Paperdolls. Using dance-pole, aerial hoop and silks, Niamh will perform with Aisling Ní Cheallaigh, Jonathan Walsh and Arlene. Tickets: €12/€10 and book at 041 9833946.
7.42 EXHIBITION
The story behind this is haunting. At 7.42 a.m. on a day in April 1976, a munitions factory exploded in Lapua, Finland and 40 women died.
It remains in the very essence of that town to this day.
Four Irish artists took part in an Artists' Residency there in 2010, Abigail O' Brien and Seán Cotter, both from Co. Louth, Thomas Brezing, from north Co. Dublin, and Mary Kelly from Co. Wicklow. This is their Irish premiere.
It's in the Highlanes - Friday, May 4 – 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday/bank Holiday Monday, May 7, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
It will continue at Highlanes Gallery until September, 2012.
RABIH IN CONCERT
THE Middle East meets the world of jazz at St Peter's Church of Ireland on Friday May 4th at 8pm.
Louth Contemporary Music Society presents Arabian Waltz with Rabih Abou Khalil , the EQ Ensemble and Elisaveta Blumina. Rabih is a Lebanese born oud master and composer and what he does is described as being simply unique. The night will feature a world premiere of a new commission for string quartet, bass and oud, funded by the Arts Council.
Tickets for the concert cost €10 and are available from www.ctb.ie ( 0818 205 205) or the festival box office 041 983 3946 or at www.droghedaartsfestival.ie. LCMS will hold a wine reception at the interval for all ticket holders.
SATURDAY JOY
JUST hang about West Street on Saturday, May 5, for a range of free shows. One to certainly catch at 1pm and 3.45 p.m. is the Circus Skills Workshop and Challenge. Under the watchful eye of experts you get to try your hand at Juggling, Balancing, Stilt Walking, Unicycling and even Tight Rope Walking. Suitable for Children aged 8+ and adults of all ages!
It's free.
GIFT GRUB AND GEMMA
IF you just want to escape into a moment of fun and frolics, get to the TLT. On Saturday, May 5, Gift Grub hits the stage in the company of Mario Rosenstock and featuring
Michael 'Soft Day' Flatley, Joan 'Can I Just Say' Burton, Vincent 'Ah That's Very Good' Browne and many more live on stage!
Show is at 8pm and tickets €38.50 from 041 9878560.
A real gem appears in the d Hotel on Friday May 4th, namely Gemma Hayes. A genius at work is the best way to describe the singer/songwriter who is presently promoting her fourth album, Let it Break. Show starts at 8pm and tickets are €15.
Full details of the events at the festival may be had from www.droghedaartsfestival.ie.
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