Fringe festival to put science on the stage

SOME of Ireland’s best-known music acts will headline the Inspirefest Fringe Festival in Merrion Square later this month.

The full line-up was announced last week with musical acts including Dublin five-piece indie-rock band, Little Green Cars; synth-pop outfit, Little Xs for Eyes; and Bray folk-pop female trio, Wyvern Lingo, who will be taking to the stage alongside other acts such as Sierra Leonean-Irish singer, Loah and singer-songwriters, Inni-K and Katie Kim.

Inspirefest is a unique, new, three-day, international sci-tech event that is aimed at showcasing diversity and leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM). Organised by Silicon Republic, Inspirefest will take place from June 18 to 20 in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Merrion Square Park.

Speaking at the announcement of the festival line up, Ann O’Dea, CEO of Silicon Republic and driving force behind Inspirefest, said:

“The best networking and connecting at conferences happens in relaxed, social settings – but that shouldn’t confine delegates to pubs and bars.

“Inspirefest unlocks Dublin’s potential with an outdoor fringe festival to entertain and connect attendees through a variety of events and performances.

“Inspirefest visitors will enjoy a jam-packed day of keynotes and panel discussions from international leaders such as Cindy Gallop, Kimberly Bryant, Dr Sue Black and Dr Nina Ansary, as well as homegrown heroes Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Prof Susan McKenna-Lawlor, Margaret Burgraff and Lauren Boyle.

“And after all that mental stimulation, attendees will take a short stroll from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre to enjoy an evening’s entertainment in the beautiful surrounds of Merrion Square Park.

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There, attendees will enjoy the music of bands including Little Green Cars who have received international attention for their sweeping guitars, pretty harmonies and chant-able choruses, while the spirit of Irish trad is alive and well in the music of Bray-based trio Wyvern Lingo. The classically-trained musician Loah channels indie pop, merging a wall of strings with her operatic voice. Katie Kim has been described as Ireland’s answer to Joanna Newsom, but with an extra layer of grit, while Kildare artist Inni-K is a true original with an extraordinarily quirky indie pop style. Little Xs for Eyes’ catchy pop hooks deliver tight, slickly-produced songs on jangly guitars and light synths.

In addition to a stellar musical line up, the fringe festival will feature film screenings including

‘Code: Debugging the Gender Gap’, which will see its Irish premiere at Inspirefest. Robin Hauser Reynolds’ film examines how antiquated cultural attitudes, damaging stereotypes, educational obstacles and sexism are all reasons why girls and people of colour are less likely to seek careers in computer science than their white, male counterparts.

In addition, there will be director Q&As, spoken word and panel discussions featuring GLEN and Women For Election.