Roll up, roll up for Roolaboola at Mayo's Linenhall

THE Linenhall Arts Centre’s annual and much loved RoolaBoola children’s arts season continues this year through their fantastic schools programme, with a multitude of engaging and diverse events to inspire all young audiences. Not forgetting the local adult population, there are several music and film events taking place at the Linenhall to indulge in this October.

Batten down the hatches and hang on tight for a storytelling experience that will ensnare your imagination and banish the darkening nights! Niall de Búrca is coming your way on October 6 with a very special show for children, ‘Wild Atlantic Tales’, inspired by one of the world’s most unique and mighty landscapes.

Ceol Connected's ‘Treehouse’, a unique big band music and puppetry performance for young audiences, will have everyone singing along on October 14. With mesmerising original music and songs by some of Ireland’s finest musicians and performers, it is a wonderfully interactive show.

A classic piece of magical realism, Gabriel García Márquez's darkly comic tale ‘The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings’ is brought to the stage for children and adults to share on October 19 and 20. In a kitchen, in a theatre, two storytellers and their audience find something remarkable - a very old man with enormous wings. The wise neighbour woman tells us he’s an angel. The priest says he’s an imposter. Pilgrims flock to see him, hoping to be healed by him, hoping for a gawp. They leave with something different than what they expected.

MUSIC

From a music standpoint, October features two very lovely evening offerings at the Linenhall. Mayo-based husband and wife pairing Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson take over the stage on October 7 to perform their eclectic harp led showcase, which consists of Irish and Scottish tunes, including 17th and 18th century harpers' tunes, airs, traditional dance tunes and recent compositions, played on two harps, bouzouki, tin whistle and concertina.

A mammoth night of music is scheduled for October 27 with Bridge of Song, featuring Greenshine and special guests Puddletown Suite No. 3. Bridge Of Song, an acoustic platform for established, and up and coming singer songwriters, facilitates music students and local talent from County Mayo/Connaught in performing to an intimate and receptive audience. It also gives established national artists the opportunity to promote their music in the west of Ireland.

This time around, Bridge of Song will be joined by Greenshine, a Cork-based family trio comprising Noel Shine, Mary Greene and their daughter Ellie. Their material straddles the boundaries of contemporary, folk and roots and includes many self-penned songs and are known for striking family harmonies, excellent musicianship and quality songwriting. Special guests on the night are Puddletown Suite No.3, a new folk supergroup featuring the songs of Tommy Hughes, performed by members of Coda, Vickers Vimy and Greenshine.

FILM CLUB

Cinematically, the Linenhall Film Club will screen the French title Two Of Us on October 12.

Featuring a trio of powerhouse performances from Barbara Sukowa (Hannah Arendt), Léa Drucker (Custody) and Martine Chevallier (of the Comédie Française), Filippo Meneghetti's Two of Us is an unbridled celebration of a love that knows no bounds - and the unshakeable fervour of the female spirit. Additional screenings later in October include ‘New York Our Time’, ‘Saint Maud’ and ‘Limbo’.

For further information of ‘What’s On’ at the Linenhall, see www.thelinenhall.com.