By Andy Spearman
Children invited to watch and enjoy the parade but also to take part
“Dance or be Doomed” said Drogheda’s most colourful and fun character Kieran Gallagher in an email. So I’m dancing, well tapping my toes under the desk at least, because ya gotta do as Kieran says.
There’s nothing Kieran loves more than a parade so he’s delighted to be in charge of this year’s Spooks Parade which is taking place in Drogheda this Friday afternoon (October 28th) at 4pm.
“Travelling from one end of the ancient town to the other, it starts at Barlow House and completes its goulash journey at St. Laurence’s Gate” Kieran said. I think he meant ghoulish but, this is Kieran so anything is possible!
He’s promising “…a pageant just full to the brim of creative folk from in and around the surrounds of Drogheda. All thanks to KadaKaBoomArts.com and the Droichead Arts Centre’s “Leanbh Children Festival”.
These creative folk include Kid Kast/Kid Kast Productions, Abbey Dance Studio’s Tracy Martin, St Brigid’s /St Patricks School and Presentation Ballymakenny school. The Brian Murphy Brass Quintet, The Samba Mammas and the Kada Ka Boom Crew.
Leading them off will be Kid Kast and their choreographed four piece, seven-foot tall, “The Skeleton Crew” dancing their way wickedly throughout the streets with their big boggledy eyes dancing in their heads!
The Abbey Dance studios Tracy Martin re-engages her role as chief choreographer for the parade, working this year with two schools. St. Brigid’s / St Patricks in Bóthar Brugha and the Presentation school in Ballymakenny.
“It has been just a great opportunity to engage with these young folk” Kieran said. “Their enthusiasm is infectious. Full of energy and all are eager to show off their talents on Friday.”
“Joining them will be the specially devised Brian Murphy Brass Quintet. A crew made up of a host of local musicians, they will be musically traversing their way from the solemn tones of Chopin’s downtrodden Funeral March, to the uplifting, spirits rousing, “Oh when the Saints come marching in”.
But that’s not all – Percussion will be provided by some of the towns finest musicians which this year include The Samba Mammas and the Kada Ka Boom Crew. What’s not to like, I hear you cry.
Kieran is the artistic Director and original creator of the Spooks Parade and he’s hoping that lots of folk will bring their children down not only to watch and enjoy the parade but also to take part in it.
“I’ve always loved seeing the children watching, all dressed up, in all sorts of costumes. This year we’d love if they joined us in the parade. Just register at admin@droichead.com and you’ll be invited to march along with us.”
Kieran concluded by saying: “I love the way this year’s Leanbh Children’s festival has had a focus of engaging children in their own environments, bringing the arts into so many of the children’s actual schools.
“The Spooks Parade just runs perfectly with the same theme as we bring our fancy dress Halloween parade into the middle of the children’s own town centre. Making the best positive memories for the future.”
