Leanbh (It means “Little Child”) is Droichead’s annual arts festival packed with events for children and families. It began yesterday and runs until October 27 when the Spooks Parade will see the streets of Drogheda packed with little horrors.
Designed to thrill and excite, there are shows for babies and toddlers, and a show for teens that explores mental health. Púca Puppets and Circus 250 are just some of the artists who will perform in Drogheda over the month.
On 27th October ghouls take over the streets of Drogheda for The Spooks Parade!! Launching the Lú Festival of Light in ghastly style, it’s “Dance or be Doomed” when a procession of horrific characters march out onto the ancient streets of and drag their sinister souls across Drogheda town.
I AM BABA
CREATED BY ANNA NEWELL | PRESENTED BY THE CIVIC, TALLAGHT
FRI 6 OCT | 10AM, 11AM, 12PM | €10 (1 ADULT & 1 CHILD)
I AM BABA is a theatre adventure for babies created by internationally renowned theatre director Anna Newell and composer David Goodall: a magical adventure of song, lights and textures for babies aged 0-12 months. It’s a show about identity, agency and personhood. Suitable for babies and toddlers aged 0-24 months.
PÚCA PUPPETS
SMALL WONDERS
THU 12 & FRI 13 OCT | 10:30AM| €10 (1 ADULT & 1 CHILD
A multisensory interactive performance experience for babies, toddlers and those who care for them. Two performers use music and puppets to welcome the children to the world of nature, growth and environment.
SENSORY WONDERS
THU 12 & FRI 13 OCT | 12.30PM | €10 (1 ADULT & 1 CHILD)
For children with autism aged 4-8 years. A multisensory interactive performance experience for children with autism and those who care for them.
WONDER GARDENS FAMILY WORKSHOP
SAT 14 OCT | 11AM (6OMINS) | FREE |
Inspired by the theme of garden, the Small Wonders set, and the work of other artists and photographers, the children will use fabrics, wool and their own imaginations to create a textural collage piece. Suitable for children aged 7-10 and their parents/carers.
CIRCUS 250 – JUANITA’S BIG PROBLEM
THU 19 & FRI 20 OCT OFFSITE IN SCHOOLS | FREE | FAMILY SHOW SAT 21 OCT AT DROICHEAD ARTS CENTRE | 2.30PM | €8
Juanita’s Big Problem is an interactive environmental show by leading female clown Angelica Santander for children and young people. Using world-class clowning, this show tackles plastic pollution in a provocative, entertaining and ridiculous way, for children aged 5-12yrs
SPOOK’S PARADE
FRI 27 OCT
Once again, the ghouls take over the streets of Drogheda for THE SPOOKS PARADE!! Celebrating the LU FESTIVAL OF LIGHT in ghastly style, it’s “Dance or be Doomed” when a procession of horrific characters march out onto the ancient streets of and drag their sinister souls across the town from Barlow House all the way to Laurence’s Gate. Six schools across Drogheda & East Meath will participate. Led by Director Kieran Gallagher, (Kada KaBoom Arts) working with a team of artists and a choreographer, the parade will also include local singers and musicians.
FREE HALLOWEEN FAMILY WORKSHOPS
SPOOKY STENCILS – Tues 31 Oct from 12pm to 1.30pm
Facilitated by artists Yvonne Dowd Gardiner and Darrin Finnegan a family workshop for children and their parents/carers/grandparents with a Halloween theme. Create your own spooky stencils….. bats, witches, and pumkins to decorate your home… For ages 7-11.
SPOOKY MONSTERS – Weds 1 Nov 12pm to 1.30pm
. Get awfully artistic and creepily creative in a workshop facilitated by visual artists Breda Marron and Vivienne Byrne. A family workshop for children and their parents/carers/grandparents For ages 7-11.
GRANDPARENT’S GROOVE- Thurs 2 Nov 12pm to 1pm
A together drumming workshop with Droichead and Kadakaboom Arts. Especially for grandparents and their grandest little ones. Get into some grooving fun this Halloween break with your grandchildren at a specially designed adult and children’s drumming together workshop! Led by Mr Samba himself, Kieran Gallagher, the entire family gets a chance to create grooves and breaks on drums large and small. There will be a bit of teamwork required, but nothing anyone couldn’t handle and all will be carried with Kieran’s fun and friendly welcoming manner to lead the way. No age limit, young or old on this one, just bring your enthusiasm, and prepare to groove.
Funded by the Arts Council, Creative Ireland, Drogheda Implementation Board, and Louth and Meath County Councils. With sponsorship from Flogas
For more information see www.droichead.com
