Sligo has been transformed into a kaleidoscope of colourful cultural happenings this week as visual artists, performers, musicians, comedians and writers continue to descend on Sligo town for Cairde Sligo Arts Festival.
The festival’s third annual open submission exhibition, Cairde Visual, opened on Tuesday evening at the Hyde Bridge Gallery and continues Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm until Friday July 22. This year’s show boasts up to 60 artworks from local, regional, national and international artists and features a great diversity of media.
More free cultural happenings tonight Thursday July 7 with Naomi Draper and Mark Garry’s “A Seed’s A Star” exhibition opening at The Hamilton Gallery at 6pm and then Illuminations, a literary wunderkammer of poetry, spoken word, music and performance taking place at The Book Mart at 8pm.
Illuminations will be a very special evening featuring the talents of internationally renowned writer Kevin Barry and award winning poet Paul McMahon is in-store but capacity is limited so come early.
If you missed the Lords of Strut earlier in the week, fear not as the comedy duo bring another fantastical hour of slapstick mayhem to Sligo tonight, Thursday, July 7, this time in the guise of a T.V talk show.
Join Seamus and Sean upstairs in McGarrigles at 10pm for “Tonight We Strut”, the action packed talk show that’s all talk and no action. Through the disaster and tornado of laughs watch a thrilling soap opera into the absurd, talking rocks, stupid gags, audience participation and dance routines so flash it could be the 80’s.
And all the way from Lithuania on Friday, July 8 is Dance Theatre Dansema for two interactive dance and circus performance for children aged 0–3 years.
Taking place at The Factory Performance Space at 12pm and 3pm, Colourful Games is beautifully crafted and exquisitely delivered, full of unexpected and colourful wonders, that invites children to explore, interact and discover new things both on and off the stage. Crawl, jump, grasp, drop. Smile, frown, share and make friends. All the playful games of babies and small children as they explore the world in their first few years of life.
On Sunday July 10, Park Fest marks the final day celebrations of Cairde Sligo Arts Festival and is a day-long event featuring music, theatre, storytelling, circus and art workshops with a range of food & craft stalls serving delicious goods in the beautiful ‘Peace Park’ – a secret gem in the centre of Sligo town.
The annual Park Fest, is without a doubt the highlight of the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival. Park Fest is one massive FREE celebration suitable for all ages and everyone is invited. Last year the event brought in crowds of over 3,000 people throughout the day which has become renowned for a great range of entertainment.
This year’s Park Fest line up includes music performances by Erdini, The Wranglers, The Mass Band with street theatre performances by The Raven Sisters and Caolan McBride. Bring your picnic blanket to Sligo’s Peace Park on Sunday July 10th and prepare for a feast of good food and entertainment from 12noon to 7pm.
For full information and booking log onto www.cairdefestival.com
