CAIRDE ARTS FESTIVAL
IF you fancy having a boogie or just to get into the summer groove, then Cairde Arts festival could be right up your street!
This year’s programme for the July event celebrates an exceptional range of diverse musicians with a strong focus on Irish and International collaborations.
2017 sees new ventures added to the line- up as festival director Tara McGowan explains: “We are excited to commission Bottlenote Music for a very special Sligo rendition of ‘ The Walls have Ears’ - a magical site specific evening of new and improvised music with special guests Phil Minton and Jennifer Walshe.”
A sell- out show at Dublin’s Fringe Festival - The Walls have Ears will move outside Dublin for the first time and will take place in Breda Murphy’s House’, No. 2 John Street .
Another act to look forward to according to Tara are a renowned guitar duo: “Two of Ireland’s premiere guitarists John Walshe and Redmond O’Toole will come together for a special collaborative concert in Calry Church.
“The pair gave their duo debut at the National Concert Hall last year to critical acclaim.” The show takes place on Wednesday 12th July at 8pm in association with Con Brio.
A variety of venues will host various acts including pubs, theatres, cafes and churches.
Navá will perfrom upstairs in McGarrigles on Thursday 13th July. The music is a mix of Irish and Persian.
Tara says: “The group is made up of Paddy Kiernan and Niall Hughes, and Iranian born brothers Shahab and Shayan Coohe.”
A special Kila Family Concert in association with The Model is scheduled for on Tuesday 11th July at 3pm.
The show allows children to engage with music in a fun, interactive and unusual way.
“Children will have the opportunity to hear music Kila composed for the film ‘ The Song of the Sea’ performed live along with this beautifully animated film,” says Tara.
Songs by the Sea – a series of intimate concerts in seaside cafés – returns this year with performances in Nook in Collooney, Eithna’s by the Sea in Mullaghmore, Shells Seaside Café in Strandhill and Pudding Row in Easkey.
The cafe musicians include Myles Manley, Felip Carbonnell, Tim V. Smyth and The Hunter.
Songwriters get a special mention as musicians Kieran Quinn and Charlie McGettigan host an evening celebrating the song writer on Saturday July 15th at The Hawk’s Well.
Later that evening audiences can enjoy old- time blues at McGarrigles with ‘ New Road’.
Tara says: “This incredible night of music will be topped off with the reggae ska outfit, The Clandestinos, who will take us into the wee hours at the Cairde Festival Club.”