Latest news with #DublinFringeFestival
Irish Examiner
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'There's so much creativity': Cork has a cut off its first Fringe Festival
Does Cork need a fringe festival? With the inaugural Cork Fringe Festival taking place a month before the Cork Midsummer Festival (CMF), its directors, Daniel Cremin and Ineke Lavers believe there is a gap in the festival market for emerging developmental work that may not be ready for something like the CMF. 'It's an opportunity for artists to workshop new projects in a low risk environment and potentially, to maybe bring it to the CMF,' says Cremin. He describes himself as a magician, a performer and producer, having started playing with magic at the age of four. He now does 'psychological magic' in theatre-based shows. Lavers is an arts producer working from Cork and Abu Dhabi. Locally, she has worked with the likes of CMF, the Cork Opera House and the Cork Theatre Collective. The two directors met while they were doing a masters in arts management and creative producing at UCC, in collaboration with Cork Opera House. 'There is so much creativity in Cork; so many groups of artists but they're all quite isolated from each other. The theatre people stay with each other, the music people stay with musicians. We feel there is huge potential for cross collaboration within the arts,' says Lavers. Cremin adds that some Cork artists bring their performances to the Dublin Fringe Festival. 'They should be able to perform in Cork.' When the call went out for acts to apply to the Cork Fringe Festival, Cremin and Lavers received 120 applications when they were only expecting about 40 expressions of interest. They have whittled down the applicants and over the three days of the festival, there will be 20 events across ten venues. Fourteen of the events are produced by Cremin and Lavers. The other six events are produced by people that already stage events in the city and wish to do something specifically for the festival. The Cork Fringe Festival is funded through ticket sales, private donations and sponsors. 'The Everyman [one of the venues for the festival] is a partner, helping us in terms of putting together budgets and making sure we have all our contracts in place. Also, last August we went to the World Fringe Congress in Stockholm. There are over 300 fringe festivals around the world and every two years, people from them meet up in a different city for a week. We got to make really good connections and learned a lot about how to put together a fringe festival. We have a really good relationship with the Reykjavik Fringe Festival.' Cremin admits that developing a fringe festival can be overwhelming when it hasn't been done before. 'The main challenge is that there are only two of us. I guess the biggest challenge we faced at the beginning was having to say 'no' to artists,' he says. The artists will be paid from ticket sales with a 70/30 split. 'The 30% goes on organising the tech and marketing for the shows. Ineke and myself are working voluntarily this year. The hope is that next year through our Arts Council application, there will be a producers' fee included in that budget. We're operating on a minimal budget. This year, it's really about getting the festival on its feet and having a proof of concept. The festival has a capability for about 1,700 people but we don't need to reach that audience figure to be able to sustain it.' The festival is using both traditional spaces such as the Everyman, the Granary Theatre and the TDC (Theatre Development Centre) at the Triskel. Unconventional spaces include the Marina Market as well as art galleries, the Laneway and the Lavit, which will be the site of unusual events. At the Laneway Gallery on Shandon Street, there will be an interactive game of 'trace the dot'. When a canvas is initially installed, it will be blank. As visitors trace a dot, an underlying image will slowly reveal itself. There will be a double bill at the Everyman, as well as another show in the Everyman bar. At the Granary Theatre, a story about identity and road kill takes place, in a show entitled A Xerox of a Deer. There's traditional fare at Forde's Bar near South Gate Bridge in an event called The 3 B's. Beamish, bodice and ballads will be on offer. 'By the end of the night, you'll feel like a true Corkonian,' they promise. The Cork Fringe Festival takes place from May 9-11. See
RTÉ News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Things to do in Dublin this long weekend (May 2-5)
From street photography festivals in Charlemont Square, to paint pouring in Temple Bar, there is plenty to be doing in Dublin this bank holiday weekend. Dublin Street Photography Festival When: Friday, 2– Sunday, 4 May Where: Charlemont Square, Dublin 2 How much: Free to enter This weekend, Dublin will welcome the return of the Dublin Street Photography Festival. This vibrant event celebrates the artistry of street photography. Attendees will enjoy a range of engaging activities, including exhibitions, networking opportunities, photo competitions, inspiring lectures, practical workshops, and even guided photo walks. Notice Box by Simon Hennessy When: Friday, 2 May Where: The Pearse Centre How much: €25 A concept comedy show about life on our phones, from the most chronically online of creatures - the internet comedian. Following a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2024, Simon will bring songs, sketches, and stand-up to his hour long show to Dublin's Pearse Centre this Friday at 8pm. The Big Bealtaine Tea Party When: Sunday, 4 May Where: IMMA How much: Donation Bealtaine Festival, Ireland's national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age, has launched its highly anticipated 30th-anniversary programme for 2025. Celebrated throughout the month of May, the festival will host a lengthy programme of diverse events nationwide, including the Big Bealtaine Tea Party. Running from 2-4pm, the flagship event will feature musical guests, poets, and more. Tickets are first-come, first-serve basis. Are ya Dancin'? Dublin City Céilí Dublin's Club na Múinteoirí (Teachers Club) is hosting a night of live music and craic this Friday from 7:30-9:30pm. An Irish-college-style céilí with live music and traditional dances like Ionsaí na hInse and more. All dances will be taught from scratch so no need for experience. Come alone or with friends - all are welcome. When: Saturday, 3 May Where: This Must Be The Place, 51 Wellington Quay How much: €30 Alternative Dublin is hosting a messy morning of paint pouring in Temple Bar at 8pm on Saturday. In under 90 minutes, participants will create an individual piece of art, using a mesmerising paint pouring technique to decorate a 3D bear that you can proudly display in your home. Tickets include a Bank Bear, acrylic paint, necessary materials, as well as free tea, coffee and biscuits. Parents, if you're interested in getting your kids involved, there will be a morning session at 11am, with tickets costing €18.13 Bat Walk Series When: Saturday. 3 May Where: Airfield Estate How much: €25 Designed for adults and families with children aged 8+, this event promises an evening of wonder and exploration, perfect for families and nature enthusiasts. Wrap up warm and venture into the world of bats from 8:00pm-10:30pm. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the full duration of the event. When: Sat, 3 May - Monday, 5 May Where: Board Dublin, 29 Clanbrassil Street Upper How much: €7.78 To celebrate 4 May (May the 4th be with you), Board Dublin - a bar specialising in no and low alcoholic drinks - is set to host a series of 18+ events for Star Wars fanatics. Teams should include 2-6 people who are willing to test their trivia when it comes to Padawans and Jedis. Tickets cost €7 per person (plus booking fee) and there will be a drink on arrival.
