Droichead Art Centre’s annual Leanbh Children’s Festival returns this October with a series of wonderful events for children of all ages stretching over two weeks.
From the opening day featuring The Kakatsitsi Master Drummers from Ghana, through to the wonderful closing day Spooks Parade in the streets of Drogheda and showcasing the creativity of local school children, the programme will offer events to stimulate the imagination including wacky science outreach shows, music for babies, award winning ants and busy bugs.
Speaking about the festival, Collette Farrell, Director of Droichead Arts Festival said: “We want more people across all communities to know the arts in their lives. We want to extend the arts to as many children as possible, and ensure they have access to creativity and culture.”
Leanbh Children’s Festival is sponsored by Flogas and funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, Create Louth, Meath County Council Arts Office, and Louth County Council.
LEANBH FESTIVAL EVENT LISTINGS
The Kakatsitsi Master Drummers – 3pm, 15th October (workshops on 13 & 14 October)
The Kakatsitsi Drummers are a group of traditional drummers, dancers and singers from the Ga tribe of Southern Ghana, with their roots in the fishing community of Jamestown. Their music takes traditional rhythms and chants from their own Ga tradition and those of a variety of other West African cultures, rearranging them in a modern and accessible way. Using a wide variety of West African drums and traditional chants sung in six part harmony.
This live concert celebrates culture, breaking down the barriers between audience and performers by encouraging active participation through celebration, whether on drums, chanting or dancing. The Kakatsitsi drummers will also facilitate workshops in schools/youth organisations on the 13 and 14 Oct. Contact admin@droichead.com for more info.
Funded by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Local Live Performance Scheme.
StrongWoman Science – 15th & 16th October
Ever wanted to know how to balance a chair on your chin, if you can juggle liquid, or how circus performers eat fire? StrongWomen Aoife and Maria reveal the scientific secrets behind their astounding tricks.
In a fun, lively and fast-paced family circus performance, find out how jugglers, acrobats and hula hoop artists use science to create their amazing acts. Droichead Arts Centre will bring two shows off site into the communities in Moneymore and Termonabbey as part of Leanbh 2022.
Little Notes For Little Dotes – 12.15pm & 1.30pm, 19th October
Glas Quartet, a vibrant and exciting Irish collective of professional musicians from the East coast, will host a relaxed morning of music for you and your little ones. Enjoy music for wake time, playtime, nap time and bedtime. Come along with your yoga or baby mats and let your baby explore all the sounds.
An Ant Called Amy – 2pm & 4pm, 22nd October
This is a story about an ant called Amy (an award-winning ant I might add), her brother Andy and a brown spider. A story about a busy little ant who learns to slow down.
Amy the ant works very hard. When she wins the Employee of the Month Award Amy feels happiness that drives her to work even harder. But with the help of the Brown Spider, Amy finds true happiness by embracing her brother’s memory in the everyday. A story about a busy little ant who learns to slow down.
Written & Performed by Julie Sharkey and directed by Raymond Keane An Ant Called Amy is a Roscommon Arts Centre Production supported by The Arts Council of Ireland.
Lullaby Leaf | Ceol Connected – 10am, 12pm & 2.30pm, 26th-28th October
What is it like to live on a giant leaf? Prepare for whooshing winds, gigantic raindrops, busy bugs, and bursts of colourful canopy in this joyful multi-sensory performance. With the gentle unfurling of a leaf, a soothing sensory world is brought to life through music and song, light, smell, movement, and touch.
Lullaby Leaf is a captivating, fun-filled, and immersive theatre experience created by Ceol Connected for young children with Down Syndrome and their guardian/carer.
Supported by Creative Ireland regions Monaghan, Cavan, Louth and Meath, Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children (with support from Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund) and Tradoodle Festival Monaghan.
‘Lullaby Leaf’ is a beautiful artistic work, heightened by the careful preparation given to ensure that everychild is truly included and has an immersive, stimulating experience” (Dr. Kathleen Turner, Course Director MA Community Music, University of Limerick).
Spooks Parade – 4pm, 28th October
Droichead Arts Centre in partnership with Kada Ka Boom Arts brings you the Spooks Parade! As part of Leanbh Children’s Festival, children from local schools, will work with Kieran Gallagher and choreographer Tracy Martin to devise this ghoulish event marching a short spooktastic route through the town at 4pm on Fri 28 October!
For tickets and more information see www.droichead.com
