Monday October 5 marks the start of the Baboró International Arts Festival For Children, two weeks of creative, theatrical, musical and artistic events for children to share with families, friends, and classmates.
The festival, which runs until Sunday October 18, features physical and virtual performances.
Virtual shows
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The book doctor is in for the Baboró festival. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
A highlight of the festival is bound to be The University of Wonder & Imagination, with Prof Bamberg sending off participants on a self-navigated quest, unlocking their magical powers as they go. It will be broadcast live into homes and schools from Belfast-based Cahoots NI’s purpose-built set in Belfast.
Children’s Books Ireland will hold a series of its Book Clinic sessions online, where young readers looking for a new series to delve into can have a consultation with an expert 'Book Doctor' over Zoom.
Audio-led theatre experience Mountain Goat Mountain [pictured below], from Australia's Threshold, is a chance to explore tunnels, lava pits, and underwater caves without ever leaving your home.
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Meanwhile, A Piece Of You, will see award-winning Scottish composer and cellist Greg Sinclair offering live, intimate, interactive concerts for families, creating and performing music inspired by the audience members’ own thoughts and feelings.
Events for special needs children
Interactive theatre experience Sing Me To The Sea from Anna Newell is a magical watery adventure for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties which will take place in the gardens of The Ardilaun hotel.
Phillida Eves is inviting families with young children with additional educational needs to Go Wild With Art in a multi-sensory art experience taking inspiration from Brigit’s Garden. For children on the autistic spectrum, with learning disabilities or with sensory needs, Phillida will present Hear Our Voice!, an interactive theatrical experience with live music that re-creates the experience of camping under the stars.
Theatre, TV, and broadcasts
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Meet Luke is a hilarious, moving, and interactive piece about Luke, the mobility aid of Galwegian Mairéad Folan. Festival audiences will be able to get a sneak peek at this work in production, which questions how we perceive ourselves and others.
Critically-acclaimed Galway-based theatre company, Moonfish Theatre, will be recording a new audio drama for children aged seven and older. The magical adventures of Alex and Nicky as they journey through the pillow fort in their bedroom on a quest to bring Uncle Petey back from the Underworld will be broadcast over the coming months.
Scéalta ó Baboró is a series of readings for young children by Irish authors including Patricia Forde, Máire Zepf, Tadhg MacDhonnagáin, and Muireann Ní Chíobhán, will be broadcast on TG4. The readings will be filmed around Galway in a collaboration between Baboró and TG4, and broadcast the week of October 12 on Cúla4 Ar Scoil.
Visual arts
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An exhibition from local artist Jojo Hynes She Crashes In and Fizzles Out at Galway Arts Centre [a work from which is pictued above] will explore the magic and mystery of water goddesses from across the world. Exhibiting also are young artists who have worked with Jojo during Cruinniú na nÓg Galway to create artworks inspired by local myths. During Baboró, Jojo will also lead a live Local Legends Laboratory, working with young people to devise new myths from local stories and waterways.
The Colour My Life: Brighten Your Day art activities from Toodlelou will encourage children to make art at home and then put it on display for their communities to enjoy, as well as through online channels.
Tickets on sale via www.baboro.ie
