Moth and Butterfly are delighted to present their 5th annual Moth & Butterfly International Festival of Storytelling & Improvisation this coming St Brigit’s Bank Holiday Weekend, from Thursday January 30th to Sunday February 2nd. Find out more here...
This year’s festival includes collaborations with Arts & Action, Tonnta, Galway City Museum, Galway's Westend and the Athenry Heritage Centre, and offers stories and events to suit every palate.
The Festival jumps into action on Thursday 30th January with Two Truths of Thomas the Rhymer at the O’Donoghue Theatre, The Festival Launch at The Blue Note, and the start of the Story Trail around Cafes and Pubs of Galway’s Westend, where listeners can enjoy an audio story (paired with a beverage) at their leisure!
The Story Trail invites us along to five of the Westend's best loved bars and cafés. The stories vary in length from 2 to 20 minutes, and each one has a suggested 'drink pairing' to match the flavour of the story. Listeners simply bring their headphones, order a drink, scan the QR code and listen. There's everything from mythical journeys, to short shocks as Gaeilge, to nostalgic memories of an old local. So pop by for a listen and stay for a chat! The festival runs January 30th to February 2nd (but the trail may be accessible a bit longer, depending on the venue). You can listen all in one go or visit over a few days! Check the festival website or individual businesses for opening hours, and be sure to bring your headphones! Discover more of this much-loved area of Galway by visiting www.galwayswestend.ie
The festival will also launch a lively online broadcast, discussing the connection between stories and place with Author and Ecologist Anja Murray, Digital Creator and History Enthusiast Jane Casey, and Festival Director Órla McGovern.
International storytelling and improvisational theatre guests include Crocodile Paws (Helsinki), Daniel Serridge from Village Stories in Glasgow, and renowned UK Teller Peter Chand, who will present a solo show weaving together traditional Indian tales with personal family stories of immigration.
The festival also extends to Galway County with the wonderfully whimsical Feast of Fools children’s show at the Athenry Heritage Centre. This is presented for audiences 6+ (as well as their lucky adults!). There will also be wonderful bilingual storytelling sets from Connemara Storyteller Máirín Mhic Lochlainn, and Druid Eimear De Burca.
Saturday of the Festival the hugely popular Moth and Butterfly Flagship Night of Storytelling, and will wrap up live events on Sunday with The Big Story Circle, featuring audience tellers as well as visiting artists!
"I’m delighted with the artists in this year’s programme", says Artistic Director Órla Mc Govern. "I feel there are sparks to ignite excitement for lots of different audiences. The theme ‘Horizons’ has summoned some great energy with the artists - I am really looking forward to how the audiences will engage with the events, as Storytelling and Improvisation are such dynamic art forms. From the Audio Story Trail in Galway’s Westend Pubs, to The Feast of Fools in Athenry, the thirst for stories should be nicely quenched!"
Festival Events are a combination of set ticket prices and ‘open to all’ events where donations are welcome. The programme offers a wide selection of live in person and online events, with something for all ages and tastes.
You can view a full description of events with links to artists at www.mothandbutterflystories.com/festival
The Moth & Butterfly ensemble have hosted regular monthly storytelling and improvisation events in Galway for over 14 years, as well as collaborating with festivals and events nationally and internationally! The Moth and Butterfly International Festival of Storytelling and Improvisation is kindly supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Galway County Council, and Galway City Council. They are also delighted to welcome partnership from local venues and businesses including, Rouge Galway, Blue Teapot Theatre Company, Arts In Action, The Blue Note, Taylor's Bar, Bierhaus, Galway City Museum, Athenry Heritage Museum, Kinlay House, Charlie Byrne’s Books, Galway's Westend Traders, and Plámas Galway.
Banner photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland.
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