Mega line-up for Mayo children's arts festival Roola Boola
FROM October 18 to November 1, the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar presents its annual children’s arts festival, Roola Boola, with a humongous host of enthralling events for young people aged 3-12, offering low-cost or free admission.
Among the highlights, on Saturday, October 18, is French circus and acrobatic show By Trial and Error, about the fear of failure and how to bounce back, from internationally acclaimed Le Cirque Content Pour Peu. Full of surprises, humour and physical comedy borrowed from silent cinema, the whole family will laugh, gasp and cheer at this hilarious and heart-warming display of acrobatic brilliance.
More storytelling awe awaits at Ceol Connected’s The Land of a Hundred Little Hills for schools on October 14, Leaves from Branar features stage design by Achill artist Maeve Clancy on October 25t, and Pat McCabe penned The Adventures of Shay Mouse is on October 28.
Experience puppetry performance Maggie by Mayo-based Little Gem Puppets on October 29, with November 1 heralding the 'Dude. Be Nice.' book launch, plus Mónica Muñoz’s energetic dance show, Rolling!.
This year’s associated visual arts exhibition is a union of creative visionaries, Corrina Askin and Manchán Magan. Cat Crainn agus Madraí Uisce explores words for nature and our connection with the natural world. Corrina’s vibrant artwork, combined with a bilingual soundscape inspired by the magic of Manchán, forms an exciting, playful interaction.
GALLERY EVENTS AND MORE
In situ at the Linenhall Gallery from October 3 to November 15 is a complementary engagement programme of tours and workshops: primary school gallery tours, an Irish Sign Language tour for families, a tour as gaeilge - Turas Gailearaí Ealaíne agus Comhrá - and the Azure dementia inclusive gallery tour, supporting people living with dementia and those around them, plus a gallery tour in Ukrainian.
To other Roola Boola events, and marking Halloween in multiple ways, a Lámh Spooktacular workshop, led by writer and theatre-maker Alison Ní Mháirtín, takes place on October 11. No experience in Lámh, the manual sign system used in Ireland by children and adults with intellectual disabilities and communication needs, is required.
Over midterm, bringing festive fun and boogies, are a Halloween costume workshop on October 28, and fancy dress dance party The Big Ceili on October 30, featuring The Rolling Waves, a Castleba- based traditional Irish music group of young musicians.
For movie and music fans, a Swifties Sing Along on October 28, plus The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long screening on October 31, awaits.
Additional workshop opportunities include a family art session on October 30 and an introduction to watercolours on October 31.
Discover Roola Boola’s festival programme and book via www.thelinenhall.com or by contacting (094) 9023733 with queries. To attend any of the free gallery tours, email boxoffice@thelinenhall.com.