It’s here! RoolaBoola 2008, the Linenhall Arts Centre’s fun-packed 11th annual arts fest for young people is under way, culminating in a breathlessly brilliant bank holiday weekend of fun and frolics from October 25 to 27. So come along and join in with the magic!
Weekday shows
Some of the finest of international children’s theatre are appearing at the Linenhall Arts Centre, with weekday public shows including Lyngo Theatre’s captivating retelling of Hansel and Gretel for ages for to ten years on Wednesday October 22 at 8pm - still a few tickets left! - and La Società della Civetta’s charming sensory eco-show Droplets on Tuesday October 21 at 9.30am for two to five year-olds.
The RoolaBoola festival action comes to a climax over the October bank holiday weekend October 25 to 27, with a whole range of great shows, workshops and more, including: Shona Reppe’s magical puppetry in Olga Volt (Saturday 25 October at 12pm and 3pm, ages seven years+ ); Cahoots NI presents a fantastical flea circus experience, The Flea Pit (Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, various times, 6 years+ ); Fables, Tales and Tattlers gives a hilarious new take on the world of fairy tales (Sunday October 26 at 2pm and 4.30pm, three to seven years ); there’s a screening of the enchanting film Azur and Asmar (Monday October 27 at 12pm, all ages ); and musicians Emer Mayock and Robbie Harris open up the world of traditional music in The Session (Monday October 27 at 3.30pm, all ages ).
Also over the weekend, if you’re between three and 12, and you want to try your hand at anything from singing and rhyming through music and drama to 2-D and 3-D visual arts making, there are still places available on many workshops. Just be sure and book in advance! Plus there are a whole lot of free drop-in workshops for those ‘in-between” moments.
And there’s much more besides. Tom Meskell’s The Ant Farm presents a strange and mysterious world of wonder on Friday October 24 at 7.30pm (free event! ), plus there is your very own art exhibition, My RoolaBoola, in the Linenhall café from October 20.
Add to that the free Lough Lannagh Lights lakeside firework finale spectacular on bank holiday Monday (October 27 at 8pm ), and you have the makings of another brilliant RoolaBoola experience - a magical, fun-filled brew for the kids and the rest of the family too! RoolaBoola 2008 is booking now. Telephone: 094 902 8886.
Faulkner and Daly
Two of the great stalwarts of traditional music for over 30 years, John Faulkner and Jackie Daly combine their prodigious talents for an exciting musical evening at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Tuesday November 4 at 8pm.
Accordionist Jackie Daly is best known for his work with De Danann, Buttons and Bows and Patrick Street, while multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, fiddle ) and singer/songwriter John Faulkner is well known for his collaborations with Dolores Keane and the Reel Union. As major musical figures with some of the highest-profile Irish traditional acts over the past three decades, John and Jackie exhibit their vast musical experiences, complementing each other in a uniquely intuitive way while also showcasing their inimitable individual talents. An unmissable gig in prospect and a rare treat for all Irish and folk music lovers.
John Faulkner and Jackie Daly perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Tuesday November 4 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 902 3733.
Back for one night only; Preston Reed
He’s back! One of the world’s most amazing contemporary guitarists, Preston Reed. makes a highly anticipated return visit to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday November 12 at 8pm.
Acknowledged by an ever-growing string of superlatives from critics, musicians and fans alike, guitarist extraordinaire Preston Reed has single-handedly reinvented acoustic guitar playing. Drawing on blues, rock, funk and jazz influences among others, Preston Reed’s vast range of explosively original music will forever change your expectations of a guitarist. And critics just keep piling on the superlatives! The phrase ‘has to be seen to be believed” has never been more true! Don’t miss one of the most dazzling displays of musicianship you will EVER see!
Irish tenors live and loud
Ireland’s very own and hugely successful Three Tenors make a welcome return to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday November 13 at 8pm.
The Three Tenors have been hailed as “Ireland’s greatest voices”. The winning trio of magnificent mature singers are: John Scott (a regular soloist at the National Concert Hall, and one of the most powerful singers in Ireland ); David Martin (Ireland’s “Golden Voice”, who has performed at major venues in Ireland and abroad ) and Declan Kelly (who has performed and toured extensively in the UK and Europe ). And they have just released their exciting new single “Il Mondo”.
The Three Tenors present a scintillating evening of music interspersed with their own inimitable personalities and humour, with star guests, and some of the world’s most popular songs from Elvis, Sinatra, Bocelli, Pavarotti, Lloyd Webber and more greats. The Three Tenors are guaranteed to delight and thrill. Don’t miss it.
Deirdre Walsh exhibition
An exhibition of new paintings by highly regarded Mayo artist Deirdre Walsh continues at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar for the month of October. Discovered Moments covers subjects from dusty old collectibles, old dolls and teddy bears to gardens and landscape, all united by Deirdre’s painterly impressionism and “a desire to play out the notes of colour revealed by brief and changing light.” Deirdre is a painter who has exhibited over many years, both in Mayo and beyond. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the latest collection of works in Deirdre’s oeuvre.
The Linenhall Gallery is open to the general public Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm. Admission to exhibitions is free. Further details from the Linenhall. Tel: 094 902 3733 website: www.thelinenhall.com
