THE BABORÓ International Arts Festival for Children was launched at a reception in the House Hotel on Monday afternoon. The festival runs from October 15 to 21 and features myriad magical and exciting shows and events from home and abroad.
Commenting on the programme, Baboró festival director Lali Morris said: “Festival 2012 will showcase the biggest programme of Irish work for families ever presented in Ireland, along with international work from Scotland, England, Italy, Germany, and Canada.
“Baboró offers the very best of Irish and international performing and visual arts for seven days in October. There are performances for ages two upwards that include theatre, music, aerial dance, puppetry, comedy, literature readings, poetry encounters, visual art exhibitions, and a host of workshops.”
What’s on
Audiences are invited to sail the high seas with Jason and the Argonauts from Visible Fictions (Town Hall Theatre, October 17 - 21 ); gasp in wonder as Red Riding Hood swings through the air with the Wolf at her heels in Catch Me! from aerial dance company Fidget Feet (Black Box Theatre, October 19 - 21 ); laugh at the antics of four crazy musicians from Graffiti Classics Live! (Black Box, October 15 - 17 ); and be captivated by Potato Needs A Bath from the ever popular Shona Reppe (Nuns Island Theatre, October 18 - 21 ).
Irish language and bi-lingual productions will have a strong focus this year including Spraoi, a physical theatre show created by Branar Téatar Do Pháistí (Druid Lane Theatre, October 15 and 19 ); Tic Teac Tic Teac puppetry show from Púca Puppets (Town Hall studio, October 19 - 21 ); the world premiere of Bodach an Chóta Lachna from Fíbín Teo (Town Hall, October 15 and 16 ); and An Fear Siúil, a miniature puppetry and storytelling show from Graffiti Theatre (Town Hall studio, October 17 and 18 ).
Other highlights include The Song from the Sea puppet theatre show from Barnstorm Theatre (An Taibhdhearc, October 15 - 17 ); The House that Jack Filled from Theatre Lovett (An Taibhdhearc, October 18 - 20 ); Gothic theatre for teens with Children of the Black Skirt from DramaWorks Ireland (The Cube, Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway, October 16, 17, and 20 ); the Irish premiere of Tiny Coloured Movements from Italian dance and visual art company Teatrimperfetti (Nuns Island Theatre, October 15 - 17 ). Germany’s Helios Theatre return with the Irish premiere of their beautiful science show for toddlers H20 (Druid Lane Theatre, October 16 - 18 ).
An action packed weekend of family shows for all ages will include one performance only of The Happy Prince (Town Hall, October 21 ). Donegal Youth Orchestra and choir will perform a unique and exquisite Donegal-inspired orchestral and storytelling adaptation of the favourite Oscar Wilde story, narrated by Little John Nee.
Baboró also introduces its first stand-up comedy gig for families as Steve Hartley brings his hilarious book Danny Baker Record Breaker to life (An Taibhdhearc, October 21 ). As if that was not enough, the Silent Disco is back! Cue two hours of dancing, singing and merriment with two Róisín Beag DJs at Seapoint Ballroom on October 21.
Families can also avail of free literature events with Joyce Dunbar, author of more than 80 books including her latest Puss Jekyll Cat Hyde (Charlie Byrne’s, October 20 ). Children are invited to go along with a cat mask or paint their faces like a cat for the reading.
Award winning author and illustrator Polly Dunbar will introduce children to her magical new adventure Arthur’s Dream Boat and find out what it takes to make a beautiful picture book. This mother and daughter duo will also read from favourite children’s books together on October 21 in Charlie Byrne’s.
Established, emerging, and aspiring writers for children will have an opportunity to join Steve Hartley, Polly and Joyce Dunbar, as they generously share their knowledge and experience in an informal setting in a Meet the Authors special (Town Hall Studio, October 20 ).
In spring Baboró launched BEAST! (Baboró: Environment, Arts, Science and Technology ), an environmental project across city and county, that matched scientists and artists with more than 200 children and the fruits of their collaboration can be seen in a fascinating exhibition running throughout the festival at the Interactive Building on Fr Burke Road (by Kashmir Restaurant ).
Full details of the above shows and more can be obtained at www.baboro.ie
