Drogheda Arts Festival Announces 2011 Program April 29- May 2

Drogheda Arts Festival, running over the May bank holiday weekend (29th April - 2nd May), is the first major Festival of the summer season. Known for its eclectic mix of contemporary, Irish and international music, visual arts, theatre and street entertainment, Drogheda is the place to be this May bank holiday weekend.

The 2011 line up leads with performances theatre, music and outdoor. The Festival will include two world premieres - a new theatre production from Calipo Theatre Company Pineapple by Philip McMahon and the premiere of a commission from Louth Contemporary Music Society Sounds of the Silk Road from Dmitri Yanov Yanovsky, a composer from Uzbekistan.

Another key element of the Festival is celebration of the community over the May bank holiday weekend. For one day the Festival will reclaim the main street in Drogheda, West Street as an urban playground. Enjoy live performance bmx, free-running, skating, streetdance, beatbox and urban art and lots more. Not to be missed! Family outdoor celebrations will also take place in the traditional setting at Millmount as it has since the Festival began. With Poetry reading from Michael O'Loughlin performance from Winners of Music Network's 2008 Young Music Award, Fidil, visual arts, Jazz, Jack L and lots more there is something for everyone to enjoy.

"Drogheda Arts Festival has established a reputation as a festival where fun and participation sits easily with the best of local and international arts events" says Mayor of Drogheda,Cllr. Paul Bell. "Visitors are assured of a warm welcome, and a line-up of stimulating and exciting exhibitions and performances. This year's festival cements Drogheda's reputation as a town where the arts are valued and celebrated".

PROGRAMME DETAILS:

Louth Contemporary Music in association with the DAF has for the past few years presented Irish premieres from acclaimed international composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina, Terry Riley, Arvo Part. The year audiences are invited to immerse themselves in Sounds of the Silk Road. A new work specially commissioned by the LCMS from Composer Dmitri Yanov Yanovsky, and performed by the world renowned Hilliard Ensemble. (Fri 29th April 8pm St. Peter's Church, Drogheda)

Sounds of the Silk Road features a new work specially commissioned by the LCMS from Dmitri Yanov Yanovsky, a composer from Uzbekistan a country at the cross-roads of the rich oriental and Islamic traditions of Central Asia.. The work has been has written for world renowned Hilliard ensemble, Ivan Monighetti one of the world's most accomplished cellists who stunned audiences with his performance at the Drogheda Arts Festival 2010 and some of the foremost Irish musicians. Theremin player Lydia Kavina will open the concert playing music on an instrument without touching.

To enrich the experience of the Silk Road this April, Louth Contemporary music will host additional Silk Road arts events during the Drogheda Arts Festival. Film Screening: On Friday 29 April, a screening of a film about the Silk Road at 7pm in the Barbican . Workshops Painting on Silk. On Sat 30 April, a children's art workshop with painting on silk at 11am in Barlow House, Drogheda . Theremin Workshop. On Sat 30 April, facilitated by Theremin player Lydia Kavina at 11am in Barlow House. . The Theremin is an electronic instrument which makes music without touching and Lydia will facilitate a workshop on the instrument for beginners.

Calipo Theatre Company in association with Drogheda Arts Festival presents the world premiere of Pineapple by acclaimed playwright Phillip McMahon (Danny & Chantelle, All over Town, Alice In Funderland) (Fri 29th April - Sun 1st May Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell Street, 8.30pm)

Roxanna is only interested in herself, boys and Barcardi Breezers. Her sister Paula lives for others - her kids, her friends, and Roxanna - her family. In her tumble down flat in Ballymun, Paula is in control; but when the unknown shows up at her door, everything changes. Can Paula take a chance on love, or will she always sacrifice her own happiness for others? Pineapple is a tough and tender drama about love and survival. Directed by David Horan, and featuring Caoilfhionn Dunne, Janet Moran and Nick Lee.

Visual arts plays a central role in the Drogheda Arts Festival and this year is no exception with two special exhibitions to experience.

The Drogheda Arts Festival will officially open on Friday 29th April with the opening of Utopia Ltd. at the Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery, a group exhibition curated by David Mabb and Mary Ruth Walsh. This exhibition explores the relationship between utopian ideas and commodification, bringing together artwork by Blaise Drummond, Brendan Earley, Pil and Galia Kollectiv, David Mabb, Lizi Sanchez and Mary-Ruth Walsh.

Ravenous Beasts, princesses in distress, runaway dinners and mad Granddads are just a taste of some of the weird and wonderful features of Enchanted, an exhibition of 36 artworks celebrating illustration in children's books. A group exhibition of children's book illustrations by Adrienne Geoghegan, Bruce Ingman, Oisín McGann McGann, Niamh Sharkey and Annie West. Curated by Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford the exhibition will be in situ at the Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell Street from Fri 29th April.

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