Liberties gears up for festival of fun

THE countdown is on for the 47th Liberties Festival that will take over the heart of Dublin from July 17-22 with over 30 diverse events in 20 venues.

Parks, pubs, churches and heritage buildings will all be transformed in a celebration of the vibrant character of this historic part of the city.

This year’s programme of events is the most expansive yet, offering everything from ‘Bang Bang’ to burlesque, ceilí to cabaret, and poets to photography.

There will be spoken word performances, opera, workshops of the imagination for all ages, and family-friendly and children’s events.

The award-winning spectacle is also encouraging members of the public to get involved and become part of the action through fun events such as Talent Quest and Liberties Snapped. 

Guaranteed to be one of the highlights in the summer arts calendar, Night at the Opera featuring Opera in the Open will be set against the stunning backdrop of St Audoen’s Church on Friday, July 21.

The following day, on Saturday, July 22, the Cirque de Comédie in the Guinness Storehouse will feature drag duo Queens of Pop; comedic songstress Teresa Livingston; the sparkling Azaria Starfire; and aerial contortionist Spinal Gap.

There will also be the traditional beloved community favourites such as the Garda Vs Street Traders football match that is now in its 27th year.

The Blue Rinse Ball and the Older Bowls competition will also return in a packed programme that seamlessly showcases the spirit of the area.

Locals and visitors alike can get involved through Liberties Snapped, a mobile phone street photography exhibition.

A selection of participants’ photographs from these workshops will be exhibited in the Digital Hub on July 17.

There are also two free photography workshops and booking is now on [email protected].

A Home for Bang Bang is a workshop for children conducted by artist Michael Bruce Weston.

It connects the beloved Liberties character Thomas ‘Lord’ Dudley, known to all as ‘Bang Bang’, with today’s young people who will walk, talk, read, write and draw in the home of Bang Bang.

Two free, limited capacity workshops for children aged 6-12 years are available for booking now on libertiesfestival.ie

  Contemporary folk singer-songwriter Aoife Scott, a Liberties local, born and raised in the Tenters, returns home to play the Liberties Festival on Wednesday, July 19 in Dublin’s oldest surviving Guild Hall.

Tailor’s Hall has stood for over 300 years and was host to one of the very first shows for Aoife’s family in the past, The Black Family.

Following the recent success of her song ‘Grace’ which went straight to number one on the iTunes charts, Aoife and her band will showcase a preview of her soon to be released project featuring songs from the Liberties.

Other favourites returning for this year’s festival include Dublin’s favourite arts collective Nighthawks featuring futuristic Afro soul band Fehdah, poet Dermot Bolger, comedy and much more.

Tickets, still at the low price of €15, are available now via the festival website.

What’s the Story? with writer Colm Keegan returns for the second year in a row, on Thursday, July 20 at 8pm.

Featuring writer in residence Alice Kinsella, with guest Stephen James Smith, the projerct was recently commissioned by the St Patrick’s Festival to write ‘My Ireland’.

Members of local community groups will come together after months of writing exploration to culminate in a fun and drama-filled whirlwind of poetry and performance in the beautiful St Catherine’s Church. Tickets are €5 on door.

Free Art of Burlesque workshops for ages 18-80 with Vixyn Von Trix are taking place over July 18, 19 and 20  and booking is now on [email protected].

On Wednesday, July 19 at 2pm, the Liberties Block Party kicks off.

Meet the working horses of the area at their stables at Molyneaux Yard off Thomas Street to learn how they are fed, shoed and groomed.

Meanwhile, DJ Doris will set the tempo for boxing and obstacle course demos by St Catherine’s Sports Club.

More events, with some  other major surprises, will be announced later this month on libertiesfestival.ie.

 The Liberties Festival was awarded Festival of the Year at the nationwide LAMA Community & Council Awards 2016.

The Liberties Festival is a non-profit, volunteer-led arts and community event.

Run under the inspired vision of Director Ger O’Donnell, it has been distinguished by eclectic programming choices which successfully combine the contemporary with the traditional. 

 For the full festival programme, go to the website www.libertiesfestival.ie.