Arts festival promises feast of music, theatre and dance

Internationally acclaimed Irish author Colm Toibín and renowned violinist Catherine Leonard are just two of the high-profile acts lined up for the 34th Kilkenny Arts Festival, it was confirmed today.

This year’s event kicks off in early August for 10 days of music, theatre, dance, art, literature and children’s events.

The festival was launched in Dublin with contemporary dancers Sara Rudner and Anneke Hansen showcasing a sample of the programme’s highlights.

Festival highlights include the inaugural Hubert Butler lecture by Pulitzer Prize winning Samantha Power, the world premiere of Lee Breuer’s A Prelude to A Death in Venice, and the Irish debut of American cellist Ani Aznavoorian.

Kilkenny City will come alive for the festival, with free outdoor theatre performed by Polish company Theatr Osmego Dnia staging The Ark and productions from Belgian aerial theatre company Compagnie du Mirador.

As well as classical music, the festival will also showcase the best in international and Irish music throughout the event.

Highlights include jazz from the Norwegian Tord Gustavsen Trio, singer Fay Claassen from The Netherlands and jazz/folk singer Eivor Palsdottir from the Faroe Islands.

The Kilkenny Jazz Festival runs from August 10 to 19.