Clowns with Kerry accents, African board games, Greek myths and sculptured puppets - that's the flavour of two children's arts festivals opening in Galway city and Louisburgh, Co Mayo, in a fortnight's time.
Louisburgh's Sonas runs from October 15th to 21st. It is the third year of the event and aims to turn an isolated area into a global village through music, dance, theatre and storytelling from around Ireland and the world.
Artists such as the Armagh Rhymers, Dog and String Theatre Company and the Fanzini Brothers, the acrobatic trio from Tralee, will be complemented by 35 workshops offering everything from carpentry to creative writing.
Larry O'Loughlin, the writer, will hold workshops for transition-year students; there is an "underage football blitz" for aspiring GAA stars on October 13th; and a street carnival for the family day.Each activity costs £1 and booking is essential. Call Louisburgh Community Project: 098-66218.
In Galway, Babor≤, the fifth international arts festival for children, runs from October 16th to 21st. Macnas has promised a special street parade on October 20th, at 1.30 p.m. Already, a giraffe has been spotted lolloping along the streets - that's for another Macnas production, A Tall Tale, which is to be performed at the Black Box Theatre during the festival.
Highlights of Babor≤ include Stories of Faces, presented by Swiss performer and sculptor Horta Van Hoye, at Taibhdhearc theatre; a Danish production of Hansel and Gretel at the Galway Arts Centre's Nun's Island theatre; a Greek mythical classic, Labyrinth, from the Scottish Wee Stories Theatre for Children; and the Tin Soldier and Jack, both by England's Storybox Theatre.
Irish work will include a bilingual show by P·ca Puppets for three- to five-year-olds in the Town Hall Studio and showcases by the Galway Youth Orchestra and the Performing Arts School.
A new addition, Babor≤ on Tour, gives schools and community groups the chance to host their own theatre shows or musical events. The Babor≤ box office is at the Fisheries Tower, Wolfe Tone Bridge, Galway. Tel: 091-566577/ 566578; or visit www.baboro.ie