Culture
19 Mar 24

Celebrate Dublin's diversity and inclusivity at The Five Lamps Arts Festival

The festival is a community-based, regulated Charity arts festival located in the disadvantaged, demographically diverse North East Inner City providing affordable and accessible art experiences.

The North Inner City community once again celebrates local artistry, diversity and inclusion with the The Five Lamps Arts Festival – taking place from 11-20 April, 2024.

The spectacle will host over 200 artists across 30 events in 15 different venues – with a vibrant spotlight on LGBTQI+ performers.

Now entering its 17^th iteration, this year sees the Five Lamps Arts Festival make a splash with a water theme, crossing the Liffey for the very first time to host events in South Dublin.

Some top class music will be on display, with Hot Press Hot For 2024 act BIG LOVE and the soulful QOW TRIO each set to take over the iconic Windmill Lane Studios.

Big Love.

There’s an international flavour to proceedings with over 30 nationalities taking part. Attendees will have the chance to experience Japanese Origami craft, theatre workshops led by Queer Palestinian theatre maker Amir Abualrob, and (male-only) Brazilian dance lessons.

Dublin’s own rich cultural tapestry is also celebrated, with the ‘Inspiration and Legacy – A Retrospective’ exhibit at the Central Bank spotlighting eight acclaimed artists from the North Inner City.

Film lovers will be spoiled for choice, as local productions hit the big screen at the Odeon Cinema. On 17 April, there's Double Bill session with the Short Films Oscillation (directed by Adam O'Reilly) and In the Vicinity of the Sun, a film by John Scott (filmed and edited by award winning filmmaker Luca Truffarelli), while on 19 April (Friday), Making Dust, a film by Fiona Halling will be shown.

With child-friendly plays, puppets, storytelling and more, little ones will undoubtedly enjoy the array of all-ages events on offer. Wrapping up the Festival on Saturday, 20 April, Mud Island is set to welcome families for a lineup of of Live Music, Circus acts, engaging Children's Workshops - like "Ta Tum Tum!", an immersive samba drums experience - and, the Quirk Market, a vibrant space where the LGBTQIA+ community celebrate, trade, and showcase their creations.

In the lead up, punters can also check out the best traditional music the capital has to offer at the Ceol na Cathrach's (Music of the City): a series of 4 gigs, running 20 March – 10 April. On March 23rd music fans can hop on a Train to Sligo in a songwriting workshop, led by renowned songwriter Luan Parle.

Tickets for the Five Lamps Arts festival are available online. More information about the Festival, including program with events and participating artists at the official website www.fivelampsarts.ie.