We are delighted to announce the establishment of a new, community-based festival for Newbridge. It is called June Fest and will, appropriately, happen over the June bank Holiday weekend.
We have a packed programme of events ranging from an exhibition of work from some of our leading visual artists, to a gig by Luka Bloom previewing songs from his new album ‘New Morning.’ Lots of family friendly walks and attractions are planned, including children’s performances, family fun in the park, and walks on the trail of bats. Gigs and youth theatre events feature prominently, with a play performed in the Liffey Linear Park and a gig of local bands in Rosetown. To cap it all, there is a major Eighties Night of dance, fun, fancy dress and live music at the Hop in the Keadeen Hotel on Sunday 3rd.
The festival is run by volunteers (a group called Red Events) and is principally funded by Newbridge Town Council. June Fest is also supported by Kildare County Council and Newbridge 200.
June Fest 2012
31st May – 4th June
Principally sponsored by Newbridge Town Council. Additional sponsorship from Kildare County Council and Newbridge 200.
JuneFest 2012 is a community festival coordinated by Red Events which takes place in Newbridge, County Kildare over the June bank holiday weekend. It is an artist-led, community-based festival, designed to showcase the creative produce and enterprising spirit of the people of Newbridge.
JuneFest 2012 is an organic, home-grown festival. The events and activities are all organized by local people working as individual artists or through clubs, societies or projects. They include gigs, exhibitions, performances, walks, talks and markets, all scattered across the town and over 3 days and nights.
JuneFest 2012 reclaims, with art and events, spaces in the town that have become disused in the recession, such as vacant shop units and malls. The festival also emphasises the outdoors, with many events occurring at street-level, along walks, in the park, and in back yards.
JuneFest 2012 builds on the memory of Newbridge’s earlier festival, Bealtaine Arts Festival, and is galvanized by the energy of Red Events. Red Events is a collective of volunteers who make space in the town for creative things to happen. We organize gigs, walks, tours, exhibitions and events all year round and support independent artists to showcase their talents.
E: redevents@gmail.com
Telephone: 045 446612
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/REDevents1
Red Events 2012 are Mary Linehan, Noel Heavey, Mary Doyle, Jackie Tyrrell, Gay Brabazon, Peter Hussey, Veronica Bagnall, and Cllr Fiona O’ Loughlin.
Programme of Events:
Thursday, 31st May
10:00-12:00pm PAINTING WORKSHOP
A gentle way to unlock your creativity. Beginners welcome
The Lifeflow Centre, Moorefield
Bookings 086 0795095
Donation Welcome
11:00-2.00pm FOSSIL FUN
Children in local schools delve into the fascinating world of ancient artifacts and fossils with Vince Butler. (5th class pupils only)
FREE Event
11:30am INTRODUCTION TO REFLEXOLOGY
Learn more about the powerful, healing techniques of reflexology With Bernadette Doyle.
Newbridge Library.
Bookings: 045 448353
E: newbridgelib@kildarecoco.ie
FREE Event: booking essential
12.00pm UNVEILING OF WALL HANGING
St. Conleth’s Community College
Formal unveiling by Mayor of hand-made wall hanging made for the school by parents of the pupils.
5:00pm-7:00pm LIGHT FOR CONLETH
A guided walk to Hurley’s Moat, led by local historian, Mario Corrigan. Limited places available on the walk – book with Damien Molinyeux 087 2450881. Assemble at Parish Church.
FREE Event
8:00pm ART TRAIL & EXHIBITION LAUNCH
Arts exhibition in the Courtyard Shopping Centre, Newbridge for two weeks. Launch at 8pm with entertainment and refreshments – all welcome. 3 artists from Newbridge (Eamonn Keenan, Eleanor Swan and Maeve Mulcahy); 3 from Kildare (Brian O’ Loughlin, Margaret becker and Annette Mc Cormack); and 3 from Ireland (Padraig McCaul, rock Butler and Lar O’ Toole). There will also be exhibitions of 3 artists’ work in FRamwork Gallery on Eyre Street Studio (beneath the old Oscar Cinema). The 3 exhibited here are Zita McGarry, Mary Ruane and Grainne Dowling.
Exhibition open daily from 11.00am to 3.00pm
FREE Event, open daily
8.30pm – 9.30pm BEGINNERS’ LINE DANCING CLASS
Ryston Sports Centre.
FREE.
9.00pm – 11.00pm NEWBRIDGE NOVELTY TABLE QUIZ
A light-hearted table quiz on the theme of Newbridge. Expect quirky rounds of pictures, questions on well-known sons and daughters, some history, and a little bit of observation skill. (Only 17 tables available – if you want to ensure yours ring 087 2759420. Otherwise just turn up).
Table of 4: €40.
Friday, 1st June
10:00am-12:00pm Tai Chi/Yoga
Lifeflow Centre.
A powerful way to start your day with Yoga Teacher, Yogicho.
Bookings + 0851691304
Donation Welcome
11.30am HISTORY TALK: Forgotten Newbridge Prisoners of World War II
An intriguing talk by James Durney
Newbridge Library
Bookings: 045 448353
FREE Event
2:00pm-6:00pm HOLISTIC AFTERNOON
Feed your spirit with reiki and acupuncture. Find out about many other ways to relieve stress and develop holistic wellbeing.
The Lifeflow Centre.
Donation Welcome
6:30pm TEA-TIME WITH THE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP.
A talk about the history and heritage of our town. Followed by traditional music session.
Cummins’ Public House, Main Street.
FREE Event
7:00pm – 9.00pm SING FOR YOUR SUPPER
Kildare Youth Theatre showcase emerging young musicians and singers musicians and singers aged 14 to 17.
The Liffey Studio (above Johnson’s).
Admission: €5. Tickets at door.
9:00pm – late ROSETOWN ROCKS!
In keeping with the aim to reclaim, this event brings back live music from original local artists to Rosetown Club House. The gig will feature music from Substance, Loyal Cuckoo, King Modo and more.
Admission: €8/€5. Tickets at door.
Saturday, 2nd June
NEWBRIDGE IN BLOOM
Enjoy the delightful flower displays throughout the town, sponsored by Newbridge Credit Union and provided by Newbridge Tidy Towns Committee.
CAFÉ EVENTS
Look out for special pop-up festival events in coffee shops, with readings, music and visual arts (including a reading by Claire Codd in the Hoky Poky at 4pm; music from Paul McCormack in the Courtyard; and new bridge Drama Group in An Chistin).
11.30am – 12.00pm CROOKED MICE: CHILDREN’S DRAMA
Short performance created by children under 10 and directed by Mark Tuffy in the Liffey Studio.
Admission €3. Limited seating.
2:00-5:00pm FOSSIL FEST
Come along to see million year old fossils and hear about ancient life on earth. Presented by Vince Butler
O’Rourke’s Bar
FREE Event
4:00pm-5:30pm THEATRE IN THE BOOKSHOP
Book early to enjoy two short hilarious comedies about ladies whose good intentions backfire. Performed by Marguerite Rowan and Martina Mc Cormack. Directed by Peter Hussey.
Farrell’s Bookshop, Main Street
Admission: €8 (€5 concessions)
Tickets: 045 431708.
7.00pm – 8.15pm RUCKUS IN THE GARDEN
Kildare Youth Theatre presents this one-hour comedy about rival schools, strange and magical events in a garden, and unlikely romance. Directed by Keith Burke with a cast of 15 young actors from county Kildare.
Outdoors in The Liffey Linear Park. Strictly no alcohol event. If it’s reaining the play will be performed indoors in The Liffey Studio.
Donations welcome (suggested donation €5)
8:30pm LUKA BLOOM
Enjoy the pure pleasure and joy of an evening with one of Newbridge’s internationally celebrated musicians. This very special gig will preview songs from his upcoming album “This New Morning.”
Lumville House, The Curragh.
Admission: €20
Tickets: Top Twenty, The Kiosk, or on the door.
Sunday, 3rd June
Family Fun at the Liffey Linear Park
Outdoor games, and pop-up surprise events in the Liffey Park from Saturday til Monday 11.00am til 4.00pm.
2:00pm- 3:30pm LITERARY MISCELLANY
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon of words and music with John McKenna, and other established and emerging writers.
Keadeen Hotel.
Admission €5 (pay at door). Tickets at the door.
3:30pm HIDDEN HISTORY TRAIL
Join in this guided, gentle walk around Newbridge to visit some of our hidden history, with guide Brenda Walsh. Assemble at Riverbank Arts Centre.
FREE Event
9.00pm BAT WALK
Join experts in a walk along the banks of the life observing and finding out about bats in their local habitat. Assemble at the entrance to the Linear Park.
Weather permitting (needs to be dry).
9:00pm SUMMER HOP!
Keadeen Hotel
Relive the eighties in our annual Hop as the legendary “Backwater Crooners,” led by Mary Young and ably assisted by Pud Barrett, reprise popular 80s classics. Fun concert followed by 80s disco with Liam Kett. Lots of spot prizes – wear fancy dress and win for best costume.
Admission: €12. Fundraiser for Kildare Youth Theatre and Arts Project
Tickets: Top Twenty, the Kiosk or email booking info@crookedhouse.ie or telephone 087 2759420.
Monday, 4th June
11:00am GUIDED WALK IN POLLARDSTOWN FEN
Uncover the story of the fen with guide Nuala Madigan.
Assemble at car park in Pollardstown Fen.
FREE Event
STREET DANCE
Pop up dancing in public locations throughout the town by young dance crew Irish Jump Style (IJS).
Every Day
Family Fun at the Liffey Linear Park
Outdoor games, and pop-up surprise events in the Liffey Park from Saturday til Monday 11.00am til 4.00pm.
Café & Pub Events
Throughout the weekend look out for readings, music, short scenes from Newbridge Drama Group, and visual art. There will also be events and gigs in many of the town’s pubs.
Newbridge in Bloom
Newbridge Tidy Towns will launch their annual flower festival in Newbridge Credit Union at the start of the weekend.