THE 2012 Colours Fringe Festival opens this Sunday and runs until Sunday July 8, featuring music, visual arts, literature, dance, and theatre.
The theme for the third Colours Fringe Festival is ‘Encore’ and this year’s festival is dedicated to the memory of the late John Arden. In his honour, 10 local writers will compete for the John Arden Award, which takes place Upstairs In Kelly’s, July 8, from 3pm to 5pm. On the same night in Kelly’s popular folk band The Atlantic Pirates play at 9pm.
Kelly’s will host a number of events for the festival such as Danish singer and musician Bo Callaby and his band on Tuesday July 3 at 8.30pm; the Solitary Man singer-songwriters’ concert, featuring Willow Sea, Mister Ebby, Matteo Priante, and Michael O’Connor on Friday 6; then on Saturday 7 it is comedy with Steven Sharpe and Steve Bennett.
Many other Colours events take place at NUI Galway. There will be performances at the BOI theatre, where The Strolling Players present The Spinner of Inishere, about a widow telling stories of life from her island home; there will also be shows from ALA community Theatre, Truman Town Theatre, and a one man show written and performed by Richard Walsh.
Áras Na Mcleinn’s Acoustic Room will host the premiere of the feature film Paper Rich by Martin Keaveney, a documentary by Mauricio Figueroa, and eight short films by local filmmakers. NUIG’s The Cube venue has programmed dance workshops and children’s events throughout the week.
The festival has invited internationally acclaimed Polish director Marcin Herich and his company Teatr A Part to the Town Hall Studio to present provocative dance performances The Hourglass (Friday 6 ) and Ophelia (Saturday 7 ). Both start at 8.30pm. The same venue will host Sparks by Pat Hynes [see interview with Charlie McBride].
Áras Na Gael will host a variety of intercultural events such as a world music and dance night on Sunday at 8pm; Sean Agus Nua music night on Thursday 5, and a wrap party on Sunday 8. There will also be visual art exhibitions such as Noel Tate’s Hobo Nickels, which is currently on show in Bar 8.
Tickets are available from The Socs Box, Árus Na Mcleinn, NUIG (091 492852 ). See also www.coloursfringe.blogspot.com
