Children ready for a week of creative delight in Galway
Galway’s reputation as a year-round festival city is well known. In October it’s the children’s turn when Baboró International Arts Festival for Children kicks off on Monday, October 16 for seven days of fun.
Artists from Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, USA, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, France, England and Norway will join Irish artists to present a rich programme packed with theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, talks and workshops. The programme includes shows for children aged 18 months right up to 15 years. The great thing about Baboró is that you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy it. There’s also a dedicated programme of talks and workshops just for adults.
Stopping off in Tuam as part of Baboró is festival favourite and multi-instrumentalist Tom Chapin who will bring his cheerful performance loaded with laughter, singing and foot-stomping fun to The Mall Theatre on Tuesday, October 19 at 12 noon.
There’s so much to see across the seven days. You can check out our top tips:
1. The Peter Pan Experience (Ages 7+)
Black Box Theatre
Family shows: Saturday 21 October 2.30 & 5.30pm | Sunday 22 October 2.30 & 5.30pm
Meet five adults who have forgotten how to use their imagination and journey with them to Neverland. A quirky, high-energy show based on one of our favourite fairytales.
2. Strange Feathers (Ages 18mths – 4 years)
St Joseph’s Community Centre, Shantalla
Family shows: Saturday 21 October, 9.30am, 11.30am & 1pm & Sunday 22 October 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm
Meet two little chicks who must find their wings for the very first time. Told with humour and a light touch, Strange Feathers mixes contemporary dance, aerial dance and live music in a beautiful show for the very young.
3. Bounce (Ages 7+)
Black Box Theatre
Family show: Tuesday 17 October, 7pm
Don’t miss a delightfully playful blend of music and dance in Bounce at this year’s Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.
Suitable for ages 7+, this show from Arcosm in France features immensely talented physical dancers together with a captivating live soundtrack featuring violins and an intriguing soundscape.
4. They Called Her Vivaldi (Ages 7+)
Town Hall Theatre
Family shows: Saturday 21 October, 1pm & 4pm
Family favourites Theatre Lovett present their upbeat comedy-adventure about a sensitive musical prodigy who makes a quiet name for herself in a cacophonous world. This is sure to delight children and adults alike.
Storytime and Readings
All ages and on various dates. There’s lots to choose from in the literature programme. Visit www.baboro.ie for the full programme.
There are also lots of opportunities to get creative at the Imagination Playground which encourages self-expression through free play and at Little Hands, Big Art which invites children and families to use a range of everyday materials and objects to make beautiful art.
Baboró runs from Monday, October 16 – Sunday, October 22.