This Saturday glór is the venue for the launch of the 2016 Ennis Street Arts Festival.
Now in its eleventh year, the Ennis Street Arts Festival is going with the theme of celebrating ‘Clare – County of Culture’. Similarly the aim is to provide a unique experience for artists and the community to celebrate our cultural and artistic diversity through culture and ceol.
On Saturday the launch commences at 2pm with fifth class pupils from Knockanean N.S. performing their centenary commemoration ‘A Soundscape of Easter Monday’. This will be followed by the Jaskane Café Trio that evokes the sounds of international café culture. Winners of the poster competition organized by the Ennis Street Arts Festival will be announced with the winning art piece set to grace the cover of the festival program brochure and posters.
Festival Director, Ana Bella Alvarez believes the success of the event allows for the possibility of it to play a big part in the development of the Shannon region. “With the increasing success of this festival year-on-year, and with the increase of funding from National and Local Authorities, we are in the perfect position to develop into an international showcase event that could be instrumental in the future development of the Shannon Region”. We’re all working together to make a difference in our community and society through the celebration of arts and culture.
Ennis Cllr Johnny Flynn has witnessed a generation of youngsters growing up with the Ennis Street Arts Festvial. “Personally over the last decade I’ve loved the cultural performances Ana Bella and her merry band of artists and performers have staged and created for us all to experience in Ennis. There has been a great benefit over those eleven years for a generation of children and young people who have grown up and experienced art and culture on the streets of Ennis. This includes my own four children who are now young adults”.
In August of last year, one of the driving forces behind the arts community in Clare passed away. This year’s Ennis Street Arts Festival will be dedicated to Sarah’s memory. A member of this year’s organising committee told The Clare Herald that they want patrons to enjoy this year’s event in Sarah’s memory.
“Sarah gave so much of her time and energy to working for the arts in the community over the past few years and she loved to see the town of Ennis come to life every year during the Ennis Street Arts Festival. In honour of Sarah Monahan, we wish, for everyone to enjoy every minute, every laugh, every smile of this wonderful experience at this year’s festival”.