THE EIGHTH Féile Traidphicnic, the community-based festival of "music, art, and inclusion" takes place in and around the An Ceardlann Craft Village and Café, in An Spidéal, from July 5 to 7.
The festival will feature gigs; drama, with Brú Theatre presenting Cleite in a 'secret venue'; sessions; storytelling; wool-spinning; wood turning; a guided shore-walk with Gasóga Mara na Gaeltachta; a history of Galway Bay with Michael Gibbons; and masterclasses with Mary Bergin, Tommy Hayes, Jack Talty and Colm Devaney. Festival goers will be able to create their own piece of art as part of the visual arts projects 'Amharclann na gCupóige' with Nuala Ní Fhlathúin and Máirín Mhic Lochlainn, and 'Saltair na Rann ' with Noel Arrigan and Gabriel Henry.
The opening event is on the Friday from 2.30pm, with performances from Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha and Tommy Mellet; Liz Kane and Danny O'Mahony, and folk duo Ye Vagabonds.
Saturday's gigs feature Muintir Uí Cheannabháin performing traditional and classical pieces; an album launch with Doireann Glackin and Sarah Flynn; banjo playing from Stevie Dunne, with Brian McGrath and Gerdy Thompson; Glasgow's The Friel Sisters with Marty Barry (guitar ) and Cathal Ó Curráin (bouzouki ); and Ulaid from Belfast joined by Kerry's Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
Sunday will start with The ConTempo Quartet joined by piper Pádraic Keane, performing contemporary classical with a trad twist from 2pm; followed by gigs from Grainne Smyth, Finnian O'Connor, and Seán Conway; Back West; and young musicians from Ceoltóirí Chois Fharraige.
There will also be workshops in basket-making, glass craft, T-shirt design, weaving, clay modelling, drumming classes, and heritage displays. For more see traidphicnic.com
