THE 2019 Galway Fringe Festival, which this year celebrates it's ninth anniversary, runs from July 15 to 28, and will host more than 50 events in 15 venues across Galway city.
MUSIC
Music will be a huge feature of the 2019 programme, with a highlight being The Fringe Festival Band Showcase on July 20. Bands playing include French Ketamine, Baroda, and The Knocking Shop.
Other highlights will be Canadian/Irish indie-folk duo, Bookie Baker, playing Americana in De Burgos on July 25; Anne Marie Kennedy and folk singer-songwriter Don Stiffe performing ‘Spoken Words and Songs’ at De Burgo's, on July 19 at 9pm. De Burgo’s will also host the singer-songwriter showcase on July 17.
THEATRE
The fringe will showcase 15 theatre productions, including Prodigal by Andrew Carney (July 16 to 21, 8pm, no show July 20 ), charting the reunion of Andy and his estranged father Benny, after the suicide of Andy’s brother; The Diva (Cellar Bar, July 26 and 27, 9pm ) is the true life story of Anita Luna, her voyage from birth to death uncovering her transformation from vulnerable tomboy into a great diva; and Runaway Princess (The Loft, July 23 to 28, 3pm ). Performed by Mary Googin, the play tackles drug abuse, sex work, and redemption.
A highlight will be Velvet Determination - A Young Pianist's Journey to New York (The Loft, July 22 to 28, 8.30pm, no show July 26 ). It won the NYC United Solo Festival Best Festival Debut 2018 award, and the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival Best Solo Show 2019 award.
VISUAL ARTS
There will be visual arts exhibitions, such as at the Galway City Gallery, featuring work by Lynda Christian, Rosemary Langtry, Pauline Garavan, Christina Simpson, and Kymberley Dunne; and A Splash of Galway photography exhibition by Patrick Finn in the Nest Boutique Hostel, Salthill.
The festival will also host an Asian Culture Day at Cheshire House, Merlin Park, on July 20 from 11am to 2pm. The fringe programme launch takes place in The Loft at Seven, Bridge Street, this Saturday [July 6] at 6pm.
Tickets are available via www.galwayfringe.ie
