BABORÓ, THE Galway based international arts festival for children, returns from October 13 to 19 featuring opera singing sheep, a lost sock workshops, haunted houses, hip hop dance, life size bubbles, and an electric fairy.
Bringing all this magic and fun to Galway will be 130 performers from USA, Italy, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, Norway, Scotland, England, and Ireland.
The festival will showcase 56 events, an opera, 11 touring performances, and 10 workshops over seven days.
Stories inspired by memories, courage, hope, love, and human spirit are at the heart of the 2008 Baboró programme.
Hot on the heels of an amazing Broadway run at The New Victory Theatre, New York, Baboró 2008 presents the Irish premiere of NIE’s European Narrative Trilogy.
NIE are an international, multilingual, collaborative making high-energy theatre through words, music, animation, movement, and light. The trilogy combines three stand-alone theatre pieces that shine a light on European history and the world we live in today.
Schaf! promises to be a stunning festival highlight introducing opera and sheep to young audiences! This unique production, steeped in the grand opera tradition, is aimed at connoisseurs aged five and upwards!
Compagnia Rodiso an award-winning company from Parma, Italy, present two inventive productions featuring wolves, goats, and quirky families.
Aracaladanza from Spain present a unique contemporary dance show for the four and over age group. This Madrid based company have just won the prestigious Max award in Spain, a first for a company dedicated to children.
La Baracca from Bologna, Italy will ponder the Colours Of Water for under three-year-olds. Shona Reppe comes to town as Olga Volt – The Electric Fairy. Another show to look forward to is The Attic Under The Sky from Denmark, a magical journey that explores memory and forgotten treasures.
Grammy Award winner Tom Chapin introduces folk music to Baboró audiences. His live performances engage the hearts, minds, and imaginations of children and adults alike.
From Ireland, Púca Puppets present Róisin Agus An Rón written by renowned poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill featuring an original score by Kíla’s Colm Ó Snodaigh.
The Nuns Island studio will be transformed into a haunted house for Scary Stories By Torchlight, a spooky storytelling event not suitable for scaredy-cats!
The RTÉ National Children’s Choir Cór na nÓg will present more than 65 singers singing everything from traditional Irish to African folk on Sunday October 19.
Other exciting events include readings from Derek Landy (writer of Boy Eats Girl and the award winning Skulduggery Pleasant ) Keith Charters, (a stand up literature event packed with hilarious stories and jokes ) and Simon Bartram (author and illustrator, Blue Peter Book Award winner ) at The Town Hall Theatre, Galway.
Workshops for children and grown-ups include kite making, puppet making, Art In A Sock, and a hip-hop dance off! Baboró on Tour will present work at the Station House Theatre in Clifden, Áras Eanna on Inis Oirr, and VEC Cork.
Tickets are available from the Town Hall Theatre on 091 - 569777. See also www.baboro.ie
