World-class clown Fraser Hooper brings family fun to Earagail Arts Festival
The festival is presenting another packed weekend of music, literature and performance across Donegal
Families are in for a treat next weekend as internationally award-winning clown Fraser Hooper brings his hilarious, laugh-out-loud show Funny Business to Glebe Gallery & Gardens, Churchill, as Earagail Arts Festival presents another packed weekend of music, literature and performance across Donegal.
Performing on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 at 3pm, Funny Business is a joyous celebration of visual comedy featuring a stunt duck, a human fish, outrageous sound effects, wonderful music and what has been described as the silliest boxing match ever staged.
Blending mime, slapstick, audience participation and eccentric dance, Hooper's show has entertained audiences in more than forty countries and promises fun for children and adults alike.
After leaving a successful career in menswear to become a clown more than three decades ago, Hooper has become one of the world's most celebrated physical comedians, collecting international awards from New Zealand, Germany, China and France along the way. Time Out described him as "a most charismatic clown", while The Sunday Mail Australia praised his "perfect comic timing."
The weekend begins on Thursday, July 16 at Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, where The Ghostlight Sessions presents an Earagail Arts Festival special featuring Bell X1 founder David Geraghty, alongside rising Dublin singer-songwriter Ciaran Moran and Tyrone indie-folk artist Clara McHugh.
On Friday, July 17, acclaimed Donegal songwriter George Houston is joined by Derry-based composer Neil Burns and Malin musician Marty Smyth for an intimate evening of original music at McGrory's, Culdaff.
Together, the three Inishowen artists showcase distinctive songwriting that spans alternative folk, indie and contemporary composition.
Literary audiences can also look forward to the return of The Journals Fleadh, beginning on Friday evening at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, before moving to Rathmullan for a weekend celebrating Ireland's vibrant literary journal scene.
Curated by Megan Johnson, the programme features conversations, readings, workshops and performances with leading writers, editors and publishers behind Ireland's leading literary journals.
Experimental music lovers can immerse themselves in the fourth edition of RAMP – Rathmullan Music Project, running from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19.
Bringing together pioneering Irish and international artists through concerts, installations, workshops and site-responsive performances, RAMP continues to explore the relationship between sound, landscape and community in the unique surroundings of Rathmullan.
Also on Friday evening, Oíche Chultúir agus Oidhreachta celebrates the rich musical, singing and dancing traditions of Tory Island with a free community performance at An Club, showcasing one of Ireland's most distinctive cultural landscapes.
Saturday offers something for every musical taste. Sounding the Peninsula arrives at An Grianán Theatre, bringing together the acclaimed Inishowen Trad Choir with guest soloists Kevin McGonigle and TG4 Gradam Ceoil recipients Rita Gallagher, Niall Hanna and Nell Ní Chróinín in a celebration of Inishowen's rich unaccompanied singing tradition.
At Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey artist Patrick McMenamin launches his debut EP The More Things Change with a special hometown concert, while internationally renowned American bluegrass musicians Daniel Patrick and Whitt Algar begin a series of free Donegal performances in Ardara.
Festival-goers can round off the evening with the free high-energy rock 'n' roll sounds of Angel and The Dead Hearts at The Beachcomber Bar in Rathmullan.
On Sunday, July 19, the family fun continues with a second performance of Fraser Hooper's Funny Business, while Balor Arts Centre welcomes legendary Stockton's Wing founder Maurice Lennon, joined by Ciara Brennan and Chris Dawson, for an evening of outstanding traditional music.
Also highly recommended is the annual Irish Aerial Dance Fest (Monday, July 13 – Sunday, July 26), bringing workshops, performances and opportunities to experience aerial dance with participants and visitors travelling to Donegal from around the world.
With world-class family entertainment, outstanding live music, literary conversations and unique cultural experiences taking place across the county, Earagail Arts Festival offers another unforgettable weekend for audiences of all ages. For full programme details and tickets visit www.eaf.ie
Earagail Arts Festival is kindly supported by Donegal County Council, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Wild Atlantic Way.