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VISUAL ARTS: A Trip Into The Unknown
An exhibition of works by Kasia Zimnoch and Pawel Kleszczewski. Discover magical animated worlds of St. Brendan and Dag and Daga in this wonderful exhition by Pawel and Kasia, a duo of visual artists and filmmakers. Pawel has a background in painting and studies at the Nicolaus Copernicus University, in Poland, and Kasia studied Art History. The exhibition includes two short animations: “The Voyage of Saint Brendan” and a ‘living illustration’ “Dag and Daga “. The video works are accompanied…
Find out more »THEATRE: Humours of Bandon
Fishamble: The New Play Company presents THE HUMOURS OF BANDON Written & performed by Margaret McAuliffe Directed by Stefanie Preissner Set Design by David Fagan Lighting Design by Eoin Winning Script Development by Gavin Kostick Dramaturgical Assistant Jo Halpin Produced by Eva Scanlan ‘Don’t be afraid of that floor, hammer it!’ On the eve of the Irish Open championship, we meet Annie, a 16 year old Dubliner, as she charts us through the various successes and disappointments of her Irish Dancing…
Find out more »VISUAL ART: BE-LONGING
The project 'Be-Longing' is a result of feelings of alienation and isolation that I have experienced as a result of moving away from the country of my birth. It is an exploration of the everyday experience of building a new identity and putting down roots in a country, language and culture that is unfamiliar and foreign to me. I am particularly interested in the links between identity and people’s homes, their community and their language and how the boundaries of identity are…
Find out more »Newbridge Musical Society Gala Concert
"Newbridge Musical Society is an award winning musical society which has staged shows such as Sweeney Todd, 9 to 5, Sister Act, Oliver!, Jesus Christ Superstar and Beauty and the Beast, and many many more over the years. They promise a night of great entertainment with familiar songs from the world of musicals and lots of laughter with some hilarious sketches. The perfect way to spend an evening!"
Find out more »Newbridge Musical Society Gala Concert
"Newbridge Musical Society is an award winning musical society which has staged shows such as Sweeney Todd, 9 to 5, Sister Act, Oliver!, Jesus Christ Superstar and Beauty and the Beast, and many many more over the years. They promise a night of great entertainment with familiar songs from the world of musicals and lots of laughter with some hilarious sketches. The perfect way to spend an evening!"
Find out more »CINEMA: The Other Side of Hope
Finland’s master of deadpan comedy, Aki Kaurismäki (Lights in the Dusk, Le Havre), returns with the story of an unlikely friendship between a Syrian asylum seeker and an elderly Finnish restaurant owner. Winner of the Berlin Silver Bear for Best Director, it’s a beautiful, timely film from one of the world's leading auteurs. Khaled (Sherwan Haji) arrives at the port of Helsinki concealed in a coal container, fleeing war-torn Syria to seek asylum in Finland. With hilarious sight gags, poker-faced…
Find out more »THEATRE: To Hell In A Handbag
While others are preoccupied with cucumber sandwiches and railway cloakrooms, two minor characters from The Importance of Being Earnest are up to their necks in something else. A country rector and a governess, models of Victorian propriety in public. But in private? This is the play behind the play: a tale of blackmail, false identity … and money.
Find out more »Ireland, Shed A Tear?
Written to commemorate the first anniversary of the Carrickmines tragedy, Ireland Shed a Tear? is a new play by acclaimed writer and actor, Michael Collins (Pavee Lackeen, Killinaskully, Glenroe, King of the Travellers). Using song and poetry, it portrays the life experiences of one Traveller family, while engaging the wider community in a dynamic and lighthearted way. In the aftermath of the fire that claimed the lives of ten members of the Connors and Gilbert families, including a pregnant mother,…
Find out more »FAMILY THEATRE: The Shape Of Things
The Shape of Things combines puppetry, object theatre and music, exploring how the world around us is created from different shapes, textures and materials in a beautiful non-verbal story featuring two quirky puppets, which unfolds in a specially designed space for adults and babies to relax in together. This beautiful, playful and tactile experience has been designed especially for very young children and their parents to enjoy together, calling on experience from all three partners of working with Early Years audiences…
Find out more »FAMILY THEATRE: The Shape Of Things
The Shape of Things combines puppetry, object theatre and music, exploring how the world around us is created from different shapes, textures and materials in a beautiful non-verbal story featuring two quirky puppets, which unfolds in a specially designed space for adults and babies to relax in together. This beautiful, playful and tactile experience has been designed especially for very young children and their parents to enjoy together, calling on experience from all three partners of working with Early Years audiences…
Find out more »Kildare Readers Festival
Kildare County Council Library And Arts Service are proud to present their eight annual Readers Festival. This is an entirely free literary festival with the aim of connecting readers with authors and artists, working to bring the very best from the world of literature to Kildare. The festival programme has something for everyone, including regular favourites such as Ten Books You Should Read with catriona Crowe and Manchán Magan and our Sunday Morning Session with Dermot Bolger, who this…
Find out more »CINEMA: The Beguiled
Sophia Coppola won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival for this film in which she crafts an atmosphere of dreaminess and softness, where repressed desires surface in this Southern Gothic tale of female sexual jealousy. Set in 1864 during the American Civil War in the sun-dappled state of Virginia, a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) is given shelter within an all-female boarding school. His allure soon awakens sexual feelings in Marta (Nicole Kidman), Edwina (Kirsten Dunst) and…
Find out more »KARE Fundraiser: The Moon & Sixpence In Concert
The Moon and Sixpence are a group local to the Newbridge area. The lead singer is Siobhan Hurley, with Paddy Jones on drums, Kevin (Pud) Barrett on lead guitar, John Reidy on rhythm guitar, Michael O' Connell on base guitar and Aiden Feeley on piano. They formed in 1994 due to their shared love of music and have being performing a wide variety of 60's and easy listening music for their own enjoyment ,in their spare time. They have raised funds…
Find out more »THEATRE: Down & Out In Paris & London
A man drifting through life, in 1920’s Paris, scraping by in dead end jobs and generally soaking up the rich underbelly of Parisian life, finds himself falling helplessly short and discovering a very different view of life, looking up from below. With a keen understanding of social inequality and a wry sense of humour, he vividly recounts his experiences while down and out. This powerful performance from Phelim Drew brings Orwell’s classic to the stage with humour, empathy and wit. Down and Out…
Find out more »FAMILY: Four Go Wild In Wellies
Four Go Wild In Wellies is a brand new show for audiences aged 3-5 years from Indepen-dance4, Scotland’s inclusive professional dance company. This whimsical adventure features bobble hats, scarves, tents that have a life of their own and, of course, lots of fun in wellies!
Find out more »COMEDY: David O’Doherty – Big Time
David O'Doherty – the Aldi Bublé, the Ryanair Enya – is delighted to present an evening of his latest jokes and songs in Newbridge. David has spent the last year on tour round America with Flight of the Conchords and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival. Over Christmas he sold out a record-breaking eleven nights at Whelan's, and has just completed his largest ever UK tour. When not on tour, O'Doherty is a regular panel member on Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10…
Find out more »FAMILY THEATRE: There And Back Again An Odyssey
Follow CBeebies Patrick Lynch as he uses a pioneering mix of live cinema and theatre to take you on a thrilling ride across the magical world of ancient Greece. With miniature sets he directs the lights, camera and action in front of your eyes to show the famous battles, floating islands, one-eyed giants and angry Gods that make up Ulysees' 20 year struggle to get back home. The use of multiple cameras magnifies in wide screen our table-top pup-petry down…
Find out more »CINEMA: The Student
A high school student becomes convinced that the world has been lost to evil, and begins to challenge the morals and beliefs of the adults around him. Challenged by a teacher who refuses to consent to his dogma, he sets out to eliminate her and subdue an entire community. At a time when arguments over the teaching of religion in public schools are prominent in the media, this wildly escalating classroom drama - based on a play by German playwright…
Find out more »Little Lámha-Pumpkin Fun
These workshops are designed for young children working together with their grown-up. Visual artist Beth O’Halloran will guide these fun and creative sessions. Together you will explore colour, shapes and storytelling in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. October 11: Pumpkin Fun. Today we'll be making tissue paper pumpkins we can hang in our windows to let the light shine through. Using tissue paper and sticky contact sheets, we'll create life-sized pumpkin decorations. Ages: 1-3 years
Find out more »MUSIC: The Fureys
The Fureys make a welcome return to Riverbank Arts Centre, having played the venue to sold out crowds previously. The band was formed in 1978 literally by accident. George, Paul and Davey were playing in Denmark with their own band called the Buskers and Eddie and Finbar, while touring in Germany were involved in a road accident. When George and Paul got news of the accident they immediately travelled to Germany to be with their brothers. They then decided that…
Find out more »CINEMA: Land of Mine
May 1945, German occupation of Denmark ends. A group of young POW’s are assigned to embittered Army Sgt. Rassmussen, their job is to neutralize and remove some 45,000 landmines the Nazis planted on a local beach. Promised that once their work is complete they will be free to return home the group are brutalised, starved and subjected to numerous humilitations by the liberated Danes. As Rassmussen begins to recognise the innocence and youth in his charges he softens to their…
Find out more »MUSIC: Chris Wood – So Much To Defend
Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English speaking people. With gentle intelligence he weaves the tradition with his own contemporary parables. A self-taught musician, composer and song writer, Chris is a lifelong autodidact whose independent streak shines through everything he does. Always direct and unafraid to speak his mind, his song writing has been praised for its surgical clarity.
Find out more »MUSIC: The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh
The Illegals are back touring with a new line up of songs to celebrate the 40th anniversary of two iconic rock albums – Rumours and Hotel California. Fronted by former Eurovision winner (and now Irish Celebrity Masterchef champion!) Niamh Kavanagh, The Illegals will be ‘cooking up a storm’ at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge in an entertaining three hours of vocal harmony, superb musicianship, unforgettable songs and great fun. Songs like Gold Dust Woman, Wasted Time, Second Hand News, Life In…
Find out more »WORKSHOP: Pressing Landscape with Marta Golubowska
Join artist Marta Golubowska for this exciting workshop where children can experiment with making clay impressions, learning about the intricacies of low relief. The workshop is linked to Marta's exhibition which focuses on connection of a person to a place. Ages 6+
Find out more »THEATRE: Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer
Tom Crean, the intrepid Antarctic explorer and one of Ireland’s unsung heroes, is brought to life in this dramatic and humorous solo performance by Aidan Dooley. Crean’s story is a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of the Antarctic, his 36 mile, solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans and William Lashly has been described by Antarctic historians as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”.…
Find out more »CINEMA: The Love Witch
Elaine, a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, and then picks up men and seduces them. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved will drive her to the brink of insanity and murder. With a visual style that pays tribute to the Technicolor thrillers of the ‘60s, The Love Witch explores female fantasy and the repercussions of…
Find out more »MUSIC: Duke Special – Hallow
Seamus Heaney described his friend, the poet Michael Longley, as: 'a keeper of the artistic estate, a custodian of griefs and wonders'. On this very special tour, Duke Special will be performing songs and music based on the poetry of this influential and renowned Belfast writer. Longley's poems are full of gentleness, honesty, mischief and love and are peppered with a cast of artists, animals, flowers, friends and long forgotten soldiers. As ever, Duke Special is mining a new seam…
Find out more »A World Of Colour
The Art Of Beatrice Alemagna and Chris Haughton. Curated by Sarah Webb A true feast for the eyes, this exhibition brings together two of the most exciting illustrators working in children’s books today, Beatrice Alemagna and Chris Haughton. Enter their world of the imagination, featuring art work from their award-winning picture books. Both are masters of composition and colour, and their work is lively and full of humour. Beatrice Alemagna was born in Bologna and now works and lives in…
Find out more »FAMILY THEATRE: The Locksmith’s Song
A boy tricks death and locks it in a box. He battles with a ferocious monster who has fought great armies of the world and lived to tell the tale. He risks everything he has to save his mother from the sickness that grips her. This is a story that tells of a love and bond that cannot be broken, that of a mother and her son.
Find out more »Paper Play Puppet Workshop
Eoin will show the students how to make puppets from a mix of natural materials, brown paper, rubber bands, plastic bottles and an array of other objects. Eoin will also teach some of the basic principles of puppetry and dram. Even though the workshop looks at character and action, we focus on creating "creatures" which each child develops from his/her own imagination.
Find out more »Artzone Halloween Camp
Get ready for trick or treating with Artzone this Halloween, sxploring the fun side of ghosts, ghouls, witches and warlocks. Book if you dare! Ages 5-7 and 8-12 years.
Find out more »FAMILY THEATRE: Fidget Feet Strange Feathers
Strange Feathers is an aerial dance show aimed at the youngest audiences. Two little birds are learning to fly with the help of their surroundings in nature. Feathers drop from the sky to the beautiful sounds of soft music. With two aerial dancers and a musician on stage Strange Feathers mixes contemporary dance, aerial dance and live music in a humorous way. It is beautifully crafted and exquisitely delivered, full of unexpected and colourful wonders, which invite the children to…
Find out more »Fidget Feet Aerial Workshop
The workshop is a taster workshop for the younger audiences to try to fly like the birds they see in the show. We will teach how to get into the cocoon safely and then once you have the basics, we can teach you to spin, swing and fly. Then we'll open the cocoon and we can teach you some double work with a partner. Please bring comfortable clothes with no zips and you'll both be working in bare feet. If…
Find out more »Sensational Writing with Debbie Thomas
What colour is Thursday? What does excitement taste like? Join children’s author Debbie Thomas for some creative writing fun with the senses. Meet Martians, orang-utans and the odd smelly sock as you explore how to spice up your writing with some sensible nonsense. For readers, writers and word-lovers aged 8-12.
Find out more »The Lego Batman Movie
Growing inexorably in awesomeness, the Lego movie empire delivers another fantastically funny and highly sophisticated pop culture adventure, though with only a hint of the first film’s existential angst. The Lego Batman Movie might even rescue DC’s battered reputation and persuade audiences to feel good about Suicide Squad and the idea of Batman fighting Superman. In a world made of Lego bricks, Batman – voiced with basso profundo severity by Will Arnett – is a super-successful crime fighter who battles…
Find out more »COMEDY: Bernard O’Shea & Karl Spain Fat Chancers
Comedians Karl Spain and Bernard O’Shea have decided to drop a few pounds together and go on tour around Ireland in 2017 and 2018. Karl says: "Don’t expect massive weight loss or body transformations or Bernard being funny”.
Find out more »The White Knights
Based on the true story of French aid workers plotting to smuggle West Sudan orphans to pre-paid adoptive parents in France, Joachim Lafosse provocative procedural drama portrays good intentions gone awry. Vincent Lindon excels as the charismatically stoic but selectively principled NGO Jacques. No simply answer can be found, as Jacques embroils himself and his team in an impossible situation that grows steadily worse. Sustaining an emotional tension alongside moral ambiguity, The White Knights, is a captivating portrayal of an…
Find out more »The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Odd Theatre Company is proud to present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy. This hilarious show follows the fortunes of an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (all played by adults), who vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of obscure words hoping to never hear the crushing"ding" of the bell that signals a…
Find out more »The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Odd Theatre Company is proud to present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy. This hilarious show follows the fortunes of an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (all played by adults), who vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of obscure words hoping to never hear the crushing"ding" of the bell that signals a…
Find out more »Lady MacBeth
Rural England, 1865. Katherine (Florence Pugh) is stifled by her loveless marriage to a bitter man twice her age, whose family are cold and unforgiving. When she embarks on a passionate affair with a young worker on her husband's estate, a force is unleashed inside her, so powerful that she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Lady Macbeth outclasses many of its peers in British period cinema, not because of its bold use of sex and violence,…
Find out more »Little Lámha- Hibernating Hedgehogs
These workshops are designed for young children working together with their grown-up. Visual artist Beth O’Halloran will guide these fun and creative sessions. Together you will explore colour, shapes and storytelling in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. November 15: Hibernating Hedgehogs! Let's help the hedgehogs have a cosy sleep for winter. We'll make a clay hedgehog and a little cosy bed for him to snooze in. Ages 1-3 years
Find out more »TALK: Living a Wild Life with Colin Stafford-Johnson
Join multi-award winning wildlife cameraman and presenter Colin Stafford-Johnson for an evening of hair raising stories from 30 years filming in some of the wildest places left on earth. How can viewing a pen and ink sketch of a tropical bird at the age of six change your life? How do you become a wildlife cameraman? How do you end up naming the world's most famous tiger? What are the challenges filming the wild, the weird and the wonderful? Filming…
Find out more »Paul Noonan Solo Show
Paul Noonan, lead vocalist of Bell X1, makes a welcome return to Riverbank Arts Centre for a special night. Nonnan will be performing plenty of new solo material as well as songs from the Bell X1 and Printer Clips catalogue. He has collobrated with some of the top female artists on Printer Clips including Gemma Hayes, Joan Wasser, and Martha Wainright. He will be joined on the night by special guest Maria Kelly, recently named one of ’50 People to…
Find out more »Mad Scientist Workshop
This fun event will introduce children to the wonders of digital media and electronics. Participants will get a chance to invent their own game controllers, musical instruments, and digital drawing tools, using objects like carrots, play-dough, coins, even their own bodies. Children will explore the fundamentals of electronic circuitry and how simple tools and materials, when mixed with imagination, can make awesome things. No prior experience required! Ages 8-12 Please Note: Laptops required
Find out more »Make Your Own Electronic Instrument
Interested in electronics and music? Want to learn how to create a spooky 'magic' musical instrument that works without any form of touch - a theremin. Come along to Riverbank Arts Centre and create your own etherphone. Ages 13+ Please note: Laptops with Arduino installed required.
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