The Kilkenny Arts Festival launched itself with a bang in Dublin on Monday morning, when a flashmob of 50 dancers surprised commuters in Connolly’s Station, Amiens Street in the city centre.
The spectacular show was to highlight the details of the Kilkenny Arts Festival programme of events and exhibitions set to happen from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 August.
Monday morning commuters were surprised when What A Feelin’ from Fame, blasted out over the public address system and hip hop dancers, in Kilkenny Arts Festival T-shirts sprang into action in the station’s main concourse.
Already tickets are going well with the classical music programme, the indie and rock music strand, Wired and the children’s events selling fast. Other events include readings by renowned authors, a day of films based on the work of William Trevor, an interesting and varied music programme with everything from Irish traditional to an 11-strong Latin band from Texas is on the agenda. The theatre and dance programme has Beckett and Shakespeare as well as a contemporary take on the traditional Irish session with dance event Unsung.
Festival chief executive, Damian Downes, said that this year more than ever, the festival is aiming at the local audience and at Irish people who have decided to holiday at home instead of going abroad.
The event drew attention to the festival website www.kilkennyarts.ie which is up and running with this year’s programme, while Tickemaster is selling tickets online.
The festival box office, at St Francis Abbey Brewery, Parliament Street, will open on Monday next (June 29 ) for over-the-counter ticket sales.
The festival has put out a call for volunteers before and during the period from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 August. The need is for volunteers to drive artists and performers to and from Dublin Airport, people to help checking tickets at events, for local distribution of programmes, and box office work.
Potential volunteers should phone Niamh at 087 3273956 or drop into the festival box office, from Monday June 29, in the St Francis Abbey Brewery on Parliament Street.
