Bealtaine Festival
Photo courtesy of Bealtaine Festival
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| Country and Region | Ireland — Dublin |
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| Type of Festival | Dance, Music |
| Location of Festival | Venues throughout Ireland |
| Festival Address Information | Bealtaine Festival |
| Festival Description | Age & Opportunity is delighted to confirm that in 2008 the Bealtaine festival will be offering audiences a world-class programme by international artists, and collaborating with organisations throughout the country to make the festival as far-ranging and wide-reaching as possible. The theme of this year’s festival is taken from Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Station Island’: “Now Strike Your Note.” (Seamus Heaney, From ‘Station Island’ (Section XII). Faber & Faber Ltd.) This theme is proving an inspiration for arts events celebrating the diverse voices and rich experiences of elders and the fact that you are never too old to try something new. Bealtaine is Ireland’s national festival celebrating creativity in older age. Bealtaine includes all art forms like theatre, literature, dance, film, storytelling, music, contemporary art, painting and sculpture. In May 2006 an estimated 40,000 people took part in over 1000 Bealtaine events in all counties in Ireland. Bealtaine 2008 will be the 13th festival, with events taking place in every county in Ireland.. |
| Festival Dates | May 1 - 31, 2008 |
| Festival Links | http://www.olderinireland.ie/artsandculture/bealtaine/index.htm |
Festival Events:
Featured participants 2008:
- The theme for 2008 of “Now Strike Your Note” is proving to be an inspiration for arts events all over Ireland celebrating the diverse voices and rich experiences of older people. This year Bealtaine explores the many ways there are to grow older and delights in the fact that you’re never too old to try something new!
- Amongst the artists participating in this year’s festival, Bealtaine is delighted to be welcoming back the inspirational Liz Lerman Dance Exchange (LLDX), who will be active in various parts of Ireland as part of the festival. LLDX is an award-winning international dance company, which has opened up an extraordinary world of dance for older people through participation, workshops and performance. For further information visit
http://www.danceexchange.org. - Magic Me will be working in partnership with Sligo Arts Office developing an intercultural intergenerational project. Magic Me specialise in running creative projects which bring together young people (aged 9+) and older people (55+) for mutual benefit, learning and enjoyment, and have been described by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as “… a powerful model that is breaking down prejudice, building connections and touching lives.” For further information visit http://www.magicme.co.uk.
- Renowned artist Patrick Scott, who is actively working in his 80s, has collaborated with the festival and has chosen one of his pieces for the cover of the Bealtaine Bulletin, lending his support to the festival.
- The festival will also be offering the opportunities to:
- Tap toes at the Glen Road Bealtaine Sessions in Donegal with Kitty Sean Cunningham and guests
- Go behind the scenes at the Hugh Lane Gallery on a Conservation Open Day
- Dance in the National Concert Hall with Cois Céim Dance Theatre
- Take a voice workshop with Eamon Morrissey in Cork
- Witness the unique musical story-telling work that is Silver Stars - the Older Gay Men’s Song Cycle
- Go on an mystery tour of unusual artefacts at the National Museum in Kildare Street
- Join Dublin gardener Helen Dillon as she launches this year’s Bealtaine Film Tour with the film Grow your Own in the Irish Film Institute, in collaboration with access CINEMA
- Meet The Sapphire Trio Chamber Ensemble all the way from Spokane, USA, in Limerick
- Listen to Jennifer Johnston read in Donegal
- Drum at a workshop in Sligo
Additional programming 2008:
- Robert Ballagh, John Quinn, Mick Lally, Paddy Moloney, Geraldine Plunkett, Veronica Dunne, Liam Clancy, Tomas MacAnna, Eamon Morrissey, Jennifer Johnston, Eugene McCabe and Joanna Banks are all ambassadors of the festival, highlighting the role of Bealtaine in celebrating older artists.
- To celebrate her 50th birthday, Anthea McWilliams will be dancing from Mizen Head to Malin Head. She’s been working as an independent dance practitioner in Northern Ireland for over 18 years and particularly enjoys working with older people.
- The Linenhall, Castlebar, has turned its Visual Arts Programme for schools on its head and invited the 5th and 6th classes at Cornanool School to design and deliver a gallery tour and workshop for older members of the community. Following a discussion, all involved will create artworks based on the work they have seen.
- The National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, will be offering the chance to write an “Ode to a Bog Body” at the creative writing workshop And who could resist intriguing titles like Delig Inis’ ‘Raw War’, “Tobar an Cheoil’ in Cavan or Newcestown Friendship Group’s ‘Luscious Legs’!
Practical Info:
Program information 2008:
- Further information on the festival will be available to the general public as follows:
- Via local public libraries and County Council Arts Offices
- By telephone to Age & Opportunity on +353 01 805 7709
- Online at http://www.bealtaine.com
- Via email at bealtaine@mie.ie
- By post to Bealtaine at Age & Opportunity, Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9.
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