THE CITY may have the Galway Arts Festival, but the county is not content to be outdone, hence north west Connemara has the new Moondance Festival, while east Galway has the Tuam Arts Festival.
The seventh Tuam Arts Festival takes place from August 14 to 23 with more than 80 events taking place, showcasing the best of local and national talent.
The music line-up at this year’s festival is impressive with The Saw Doctors as the headline act. Also playing are Dublin sleaze funk, and libidinous r’n’b band Republic Of Loose, led by the charismatic Mick Pyro, and agit-folk singer and performance poet Jinx Lennon. Tuam musicians will be well represented with shows from singer-songwriter Noelie McDonnell, indie bands The Coonics and The Ralphs, and So Cow, penner of 1970s style pop-rock gems.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral hosts a classical concert with Sylvia O’Brien (soprano ), Elizabeth Cooney (violin ), and Hanna Shyabayeva (piano ). Dunmore Amateur Dramatics will present Tom Murphy’s Conversations On A Homecoming in the Mall Theatre. Wigóg, the children’s wing of the festival, will feature shows from Ladder 13, The Gombeens, Pignut Theatre, and story teller Eddie Lenihan.
The Tuam Arts Festival will also feature street theatre events, visual arts exhibitions, workshops, and the outdoor spectacle The Quarrel Of The Two Pig Keepers based on the pre-tale from The Táin.
The Tuam Arts Festival is produced by the award winning Earwig Arts Group, a not for profit organisation.
Full details of the festival line-up will be available in the forthcoming programme. Tickets for all events will be available from the box office from August 3. For more information see www.earwigart.com
