Organisers of the Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures are pulling out all the stops for the 10th edition of the weekend-long shindig next month. For the first time, the event will take place from July 23rd-25th, instead of its usual late-August slot.
“With most artists touring in July,” said festival director Jody Ackland, “by moving
the dates we can attract an even higher calibre of international artist and reduce flight costs.”
The programme is packed with music and activities, and as usual there will be various ticketed events along with an extensive programme of free shows.
Highlights include Icelandic orchestral quartet Amiina, who play the Pavilion Theatre on July 24th with Caomhín Ó Raghallaigh and Donal Dineen; and Mexican cabaret performer Astrid Hadad (below), who plays the same venue on the 23rd. Jah Wobble the Nippon Dub Ensemble (July 25th), Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (July 23rd) and Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou (25th) play the Purty Loft.
Many of the free gigs take place at the Main Stage at Newtownsmith, where Algerian star Khaled, Trinidadian singer Calypso Rose and Malian musician Rokia Traoré will perform for the masses.
There will also be free gigs, DJ sets and club nights at the Kingston Hotel, the Royal Marine Hotel and People’s Park, plus workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and more. festivalof world cultures.com
