Here comes the Summer!
As Chair of Drogheda Arts Festival 2011, I’m delighted to introduce this programme for what we’re sure will be an enjoyable, stimulating, and memorable festival. This May Bank Holiday weekend will see Drogheda becoming the national focal point for creativity and expression, kicking off a season of arts festivals and events all over Ireland. Drogheda Arts Festival has established itself as both a significant cultural event, and as a curtainraiser for one of the fastest growing sectors in the Irish tourism market – cultural festivals.
Drogheda Arts Festival attracts significant numbers of people to the banks of the Boyne every year, our success is based on bringing exhibitions and performances of the highest calibre to the doorstep of people who live in and around Drogheda. Our town deserves the best, and everyone is welcome to join us in enjoying it.
Highlights include: a new piece of music by Tashkent-born Dimitri Yanov-Yanovsky, which will be performed by the Hilliard Ensemble, cellist Ivan Monighetti, and some of the foremost Irish musicians; the world premiere of “Pineapple”, a new play by Philip McMahon, commissioned by Calipo Theatre Company and Drogheda Arts Festival;Streetworx, where West Street will be transformed into an urban playground, showcasing skating, bmx, music and streetdance and much much more including outdoor movies to DAF at the car-park behind Clarke’s Bar,the return of the Traditional Day at Millmount, with music, set-dancing, and melodic cannons!A special word of welcome to the members of the choir of the Mondine di Novi on their first visit to Ireland, who will be performing throughout the weekend. Add a night of brilliant music at the TLT, a brand new play by Droichead Youth Theatre, exhilarating and innovative traditional music from awardwinning trio, Fidil, Dermot Bolger’s one-man show “The Parting Glass”, a special show for children, a wealth of workshops, a reading by acclaimed poet, Michael O’Loughlin, new work from Nexus, and a specially devised piece of drama taking place at Oldbridge House, created by the community, director Louise Lowe, and Upstate Theatre Project, and you’ve got the makings of a memorable four days.
Collette Farrell, Chair,
Drogheda Arts Festival 2011.
