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Laura Sheehan/Spike Cello Festival
family event guide
6 musical events for little ones around Ireland this month - from electric cellos to baby-friendly Bach
These activities are sure to hit a high note with your crew.
INTRODUCING YOUR CHILD to music and dance is a great way to boost their confidence and explore their creative side, all while having fun.
Whether they fancy themselves to be a violin virtuoso or they just love performing Baby Shark on repeat in the car, it’s important to nurture any creative interests.
We’ve rounded up six musical events for kids that are sure not to fall flat, including a selection from the Spike Cello Festival. The festival runs from February 8 to 10 in Dublin, with a full children’s programme at The Ark running in parallel to the adult events.
What’s the best rainy-day activity for young kids? We’re looking for your answers for a brand new feature in our Family Magazine! Join the conversation here or email your answer to family@thejournal.ie.
DUBLIN
The Curious Cello (Spike Cello Festival): Dublin’s alternative cello festival returns for its third year. The Curious Cello is an interactive music installation by composer Jonathan Nagle, whereby he reconstructed a broken cello so that it could conduct electricity. Attendees can make the cello play new, weird sounds using just their hands.
Suits: 4 years+. When: 8 and 9 February. Where: The Ark, Temple Bar. Costs: free. Find out more information here.
Creative Music-Making (Spike Cello Festival): At this workshop, Dutch cello virtuoso Ernst Reijseger will give attendees the chance to create their own music and show them how to improvise. Children of all music abilities and experience are welcome to participate, including beginners.
Suits: 8-12 years. When: 9 February. Where: The Ark, Temple Bar. Costs: €11.50. Find out more information here.
String Play (Spike Cello Festival): A non-verbal concert, String Play tells the story of three friends and all of the activities they do together using only music and sound.
Suits: 5 years+. When: 8 and 9 February. Where: The Ark, Temple Bar. Costs: €12.50. Find out more information here.
Perform at the RDS: Ireland’s performing arts and musical theatre festival, Perform is a three-day event with singing and dance competitions, workshops, dance studios, seminars and audition masterclasses.
Suits: all ages. When: 15-17 February. Where: RDS, Ballsbridge. Costs: €15 for a one-day ticket. Find out more information here.
Around the country
Gymboree Ireland: Music classes at Gymboree Ireland are designed to help children explore the power of rhythm and melody while nurturing their physical, social and intellectual skills.
Suits: 6 months+. When and where: various locations and dates every week. Costs: from €8. Find out more information here.
Music for Babies: Run by Classical Kids, Music for Babies is a relaxed classical music concert series for parents, kids, toddlers and babies in a local community setting. The upcoming series takes place in Dublin, but Classical Kids regularly runs concerts in other areas of Ireland, so keep an eye out.
Suits: Parents, babies, toddlers and under 3s. When and where: various dates and settings every week. Costs: €13. Find out more information here.
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