In a time of economic gloom it is good to remember that Ireland has many things it can still celebrate and Galway will be doing that next week for the 2011 St Patrick’s Festival.
The city will enjoy a feast of music, art, and street performances from March 16 to 18, the highlight of which will be the parade on March 17. The theme of this year’s parade will be ‘World of Wonder’.
The festival begins on Wednesday with The Coming Of Spring, an ambient mixed media installation of video mapping, cinematography, spoken word, and live music at the old city wall at the Spanish Arch at 8pm.
The piece, which has visuals by Andy Smyth and Brian Kenny, and music score featuring sean nós and flamenco by Michael Chang, begins at 8pm and will run every 15 minutes until 9pm and it free to the public.
Club Árus na nGael, Domnick Street, will hold the Celtic Night of Music at 9pm, featuring harpist Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, accordion player Ger Chambers, and friends. There will also be traditional Breton music and dancing from Lorient’s Cercle-Celtique-Armor Argoat.
The parade takes place on Thursday March 17, starting at 12.30pm, and beginning on Fr Grffin Road and ending in Eyre Square.
Among the many local groups taking part, will be The Funky Drums School of music. This will be the school’s debut parade performance and will feature 33 students from ages eight through teens to adults.
The Blue Teapot Theatre Company, for adults with learning disabilities, will also be taking part in the parade. Sponsored by the Galway Lions Club, the Blue Teapot’s parade entry is entitled ‘From East To The West’. It was conceived by actor Rod Goodall and promises to be a memorable addition to the parade as it will feature Krishna and Buddah and various eastern gods.
Following on from the parade the carnival vibe continues throughout the day. Community performance and music groups will showcase their parade entries on the streets of Galway creating a street theatre spectacle for all the family.
On Friday, members of the public will be treated to some quality street theatre from The Fanzini Brothers at 6pm and 7pm who promise fantastic comedy, pure fun, spoof danger, and circus tricks and live music from folk/roots/Americana band The Molly Hicks at the Town Hall Theatre at 8pm.
For more information see http://stpatricks galway.com/ or email info@stpatricks galway.com
