Arts & Entertainment has been mostly consumed from our armchairs this last 18 months and as we move towards the reintroduction of live events, the culture landscape as we know is continuing to evolve. While the thrill of a live gig can never be replicated over zoom, the construction of hybrid events has allowed some arts projects a much wider global audience than may have been previously possible. From light ballets to film fleadhs and arts festivals to live gigs, here are just some of the exciting events to look forward to this year.
LIGHT BALLET, 13TH TO 20TH JUNE
Light Ballet will transform the skies and surrounding landscape of eight counties with a light installation floating down the River Shannon over eight days. Created by Irish Light Artist Mick Murray and Lighting Designer Matthew Cregan, Light Ballet will be visible (13th to 20th June) from up to seven kilometres and covering almost two hundred kilometres and will be accompanied by a newly composed soundscape by David Kitt. The light installation and soundscape are synchronised in real-time allowing audiences to experience the soundscape through their phones, tablets or computers. For more information on the full programme visit www.brighteningair.com
2021 GALWAY FILM FLEADH & FAIR, JULY 20TH – 25TH
The Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s leading film event will take place from July 20th – 25th and will deliver Ireland’s first hybrid film event, after being the first Irish film festival to deliver an online edition last year. Despite restrictions due to the Pandemic, the central goal of the Galway Film Fleadh remains unchanged: to be a platform for the boldest new films, and to bring audiences & filmmakers from around the world together, to celebrate a shared passion for film. Go to galwayfilmfleadh.com to view the full programme of events.
GALWAY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL, 28 AUGUST – 18 SEPTEMBER
This year, Galway International Arts Festival has been rescheduled to Autumn with an exciting hybrid programme of live and online events. The centre-piece will be the much anticipated second part of John Gerrard’s stunning Mirror Pavilion – Leaf Work, opening in Derrigimlagh Bog on 28 August and running through-out the festival. In the run up to GIAF 2021, the team invite you to explore their new Vinyl Hours Podcast series, a series of intimate conversations in which artists discuss the soundtracks of their lives with host Tiernan Henry. For further updates and booking visit giaf.ie
NIAMH REGAN 2021 TOUR
‘Album of the Year’ RTÉ Choice Music Prize nominee Niamh Regan has announced a nine venue national tour for November 2021, including Sat 13th Nov at Róisín Dubh Galway. Niamh released her critically acclaimed album ‘Hemet’ an album full of musical accomplishment, emotional maturity, and subtle craft via Black Gate Records in September 2020. Comparisons with contemporary artists such as Laura Marling, Lisa Hannigan, This Is the Kit and Sarah Jarosz have appeared regularly in the UK and Irish press and it is clear that Niamh has very much carved out her own niche in the world of contemporary folk music. Tickets and further information on www.niamhregan.com
