Like an ice cream van for the Arts! FESTIVAL IN A VAN brings entertainment outside and makes it mobile
FESTIVAL IN A VAN FÉILE I VEAIN
The Show, On The Road
A mobile live arts event, Festival in a Van brings live performance to you. A trad session in the town square, a classical concert on the green, Shakespeare at schools, craic at care homes, and poets proclaiming in parks... Festival in a Van tours nationwide, bringing the magic of live performance to the parts and places other venues cannot reach.
Our van has been transformed as a mini mobile venue. Equipped with sound, lights, a drop down stage and a truly lovely crew, we are popping up in parks, streets, squares, care homes and more. During the lockdowns, we made safe, fun arts experiences part of life again. Now we're back on the road, bringing art to where you are.
Supported by Creative Ireland, and led by a team of theatre professionals, Festival in a Van is is available to festivals, community groups, schools, Local Authorities, and absolutely anyone who likes the idea of something wonderful coming their way.
TOUR DATES & INFO
Upcoming 2022
Kildare - May 5th, 6th and 7th
Visiting Care Homes and schools in North Kildare, with Shane Hennessy, Megan O'Neill, Stephen Fagan and Éamonn Galldubh. Programmed in partnership with Music Generation Kildare.
On May 7, we will be playing a series of public gigs with Shane Hennessy and Megan O'Neill:
12 noon and 1pm at the Irish National Stud, Tully, Kildare, with thanks to the team at the National Stud
and at 4pm at Maynooth University as part of the Arts and Minds Festival, with thanks to all at Maynooth University.
Festival in a Van in Kildare is supported by Kildare County Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
Tipperary - Bealtaine, May 10th, 11th and 12th
Visiting Care Homes and Day Care Centres in Tipperary for Bealtaine, with Aine Gleeson, Aidan O'Donnell, Darragh Carey Kennedy, Clíona Halley, Susan Coleman, Denis Carey, Denis Allen and Suzanne Buttimer.
Finalé event at Thurles Town Park, Thursday May 12th with Darragh Carey Kennedy and Clíona Halley. 4.15pm.
Festival in a Van in Tipperary is supported by Tipperary County Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
Kerry - May 13th, 14th and 15th
May 13: Kenmare, visiting schools and care homes with Joe Thoma and his band. Finishing with a public session at the Kenmare Golf Club at 5pm.
May 14: Killarney, visiting the Killarney Men's Shed, Care Home and Direct Provision Centre with Aoife Granville and Deirdre Granville.
May 15: Shared Ukranian and Irish Music Sessions in Killarney and Tralee, programmed and produced in partnership with Music Generation Kerry. With Olena Basw, Yevheniia Omelchenko, Katya Hloba, Iryna Blazhko, James Moore, Damian Greer, Vairis Burcaks and Deirdre Johnson.
Festival in a Van in Kerry is supported by Kerry County Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
Kildare - May 19th, 20th and 21st
Returning to County Kildare, visiting schools and care homes with Emma Warren, Brian Hughes and Kiruu.
May 21: Public sessions at Castletown House for Drawing Day, with Seána Davey and Shane Sullivan. Programmed in partnership with Music Generation Kildare.
Festival in a Van in Kildare is supported by Kildare County Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
Dublin - June, including Chinese Day in a Van on June 4 & 5 - Check back for Details
Roscommon - May 27th and 28th
Visiting care homes in Roscommon with John Carlos, John Wayne, Fiachra and Aoife Guihen, Angela and Anthony McDermott, Vincent Brennan, Shane Noonan, Therese Hanley and Nuala Donlon.
Festival in a Van in Roscommon is supported by Roscommon County Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
Coming up, Dublin dates in June, supported by Dublin City Council and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.
June - On The Road with Cormac Begley
In June, we're on the road with Cormac Begley, visiting Men's Sheds across all four provinces of Ireland, with thanks to the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts.
Making Vans Happen Where You Are
If you would like Festival in a Van to visit your community, or if you are planning a Festival and would like to hold performances somewhere that there isn't a stage, or like the idea of having a Cancellation-Proof Pop Up as part of your programme, please contact us for more information.
WORDS MOVE
Teaming up with the lovely people at Poetry Ireland, Festival in a Van took to the road in Summer 2021. Ten Counties, Ten Poets, plus Singer Songwriters came together to remind us just how much words can truly move. We visited community centres, care homes and held public gigs too. Ten poems were commissioned, and you can enjoy them online by clicking the local links here. With thanks to a Touring Grant from the Arts Council of Ireland and the teams at Local Authorities across the country.
SCHOOLS
Festival in a Van brings performance to schools for children of all ages. From magic shows to sean nós, story telling to multicultural magic, our schools visits are a firm favourite. We work with Creative Schools, Local Authorities and directly with teachers to plan the perfect programme. At Secondary Level, we also create bespoke shows in line with the National Curriculum. In 2020, we toured scenes from Romeo and Juliet for Junior Certificate Students, and in 2021 we were delighted to present King Lear (in a Van) for the Leaving Certificate.
Details for 2022 will be available here well in advance.
In the meantime visit schools page to view details of past productions
HOW TO BOOK
Vans can be hired as venues for your own programme, or we can programme for you. Vans can spend the day in one location or make up to three stops in one day, depending on distances and performance duration.
Costs for Festival in a Van are based on a full day’s hire including technical crew and Covid safety officer, fuel and all technical and safety equipment.
Festival in a van is available for Festivals, Local Authority Events, Schools, Care Homes, Private Hires and more.
To book Festival in a Van please email Gemma Tipton or click below
NICE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT FESTIVAL IN A VAN
"Thank you for bringing Festival in a Van to Mooorehall Lodge Ardee. From when Gemma, the van, crew and Gavan arrived it was like our Residents and staff got a new energy - a new life. The whole event from start to finish was just so uplifting. the Residents watching the crew set up, not knowing what was coming next and then Gavan starting to sing: you could hear a pin drop, just class. Festival in a Van was the topic of conversation at lunch times and for days afterwards with everyone. We, as staff spoke together about the event to try and describe feeling everyone came away with, and we said it was an energy, new beginning, new hope. After 12 months of Covid 19, that feeling that yes, we are going to be fine! It was a lovely feeling".
Frances @ Moorehall (Event: Gavan Ring, Co. Louth, April 2021)
"I just wanted to let you know how impressed everyone was by the Festival in a Van company and production. Everything happened so efficiently (thanks Anthony) without any hiccups and the students (sixth years in particular) were thrilled to see King Lear come alive on the school grounds, with real actors! It was great to see them ask so many questions afterwards! And the actors were very happy to oblige!"
Teacher at Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont (Event: King Lear (in a Van), May 2021)
"From the moment the van pulled up this morning you could feel the excitement grow at school today.
Some pupils were hanging out the window to see what was going on and how a normal van was supposed to transform into a magical stage - I nearly didn't know how they did it even though I watched the whole thing unfold in front of my eyes! Magic in itself.
Suddenly we were at a festival - with a stage, a secure area for around the stage - everything you would expect to see at any venue was there - no attention to detail spared.
We got the green light to start at 10am on the dot and by 10:01 there were 73 children and 40 Staff dancing together at a music festival! It was genuinely amazing. Joyce and Steve played together beautifully - his husky voice complemented by her powerful traditional singing. An incredible experience.
Our school community needed a lift like this - it was amazing. Thank you
Sarah McGinley, Principal, St. Josephs Special School, Galway
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us with any queries and to find out more about booking your very own Festival in a Van
Please fill in the contact form
or you can email directly
