With May comes Bealtaine, the annual month long national celebration of the arts and creativity as a life-long journey.
Last year over 80,000 people of all ages participated in thousands of events around the country that shone on light on the energy, positivity and joy of making great art happen no matter what age you are.
Now in its 24th year the festival is definitely not showing its age with a fascinating and ambitious programme of events showcasing the very best of Ireland’s older artists, as well as working with artists of all generations to explore the collective theme of ageing / the importance of creativity at every age
2019 Highlights include:
Join our Intergenerational Bicycle Gang. The BEE BANDITS, brought together by artists Michelle Browne and James Ó hAodha this unique group of older cyclists from across Dublin will take to the streets on 17th May, starting at Grand Canal Dock. Why not bring your own bike and join them in cruising, loitering, and making your presence felt?
On the 18th May get down to Bealtaine @ Temple Bar, and explore what’s on offer in the heart of Dublin’s cultural quarter: events in venues throughout Temple Bar, a pop-up opera wandering through the streets, and rounding off the day with tea party in Crampton Court.
16th May dance artist Joan Davis, traditional fiddle player Antóin Mac Gabhann, writer Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, composer and performer Ronan Guilfoyle, and visual artist Annabel Konig discuss their significant and celebrated arts careers and try to answer that age old conundrum “If I knew then what I know now”.
28th May at the Smock Alley Theatre the Kilcock Men’s Shed Choir will be joined by Libyan singer Farah Elle for Abair/Samaa, a newly commissioned intercultural choral performance of traditional music from Ireland and North Africa.
On 20th May join writers Nicole Flattery and Pat McCabe for a conversation with Danny Denton, that will celebrate the influence of writers upon each other across generations, as well as personal reflections on age and ageing: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.
Do you love to dance? Join us for The Door, an imaginative and provocative dance project for people aged 50+, with CoisCeim BROADREACH. Starting with creative dance workshops throughout April and May and a celebration tea dance on 26th May.
To view the full programme of events and book visit www.bealtaine.ie
