The Ark has announced the programme for BIG BANG Dublin! 2023, Ireland's only international music festival for young audiences. The festival will run from 30 March to 2 April and will feature a range of music performances and installations from both Ireland and abroad, including France, Belgium, and Finland.

Highlights of the festival include a new music show by Lauren Kinsella titled Songs from the Soil, which explores the world of fungi, and a playful show from France for ages 3-6 that merges music and dance titled Love Song. Other events include guided trails of music rooms featuring mini performances by Davey Kelleher, Sharon Carty, Nuala Kennedy and Cathy Jordan, as well as quirky electronic sound installations by composer Jonathan Nangle.

The festival also features a special collaboration between body percussionist and guitarist Sophie Boucher and children to create a once-off concert of their music. Jiggy, a fun family gig blending Irish traditional music, hip hop dance grooves, and world music rhythms, will take place at Project Arts Centre. Catapluf's Musical Journey will explore rhythms and sounds of the world and will be presented by Adriano Adewale.

The festival includes several interactive installations such as Love Song, a never-ending love story initiated by composer Serge Verstock that features 200 heart-shaped recording devices on which Irish children have recorded their own "love songs". Other installations include Curious Cellos and Invisible Trumpets, Quintet, Sound Weaver, Trip the Light Fantastic, and The Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

Wires, Strings & Other Things, presented by The Ark and Music Network, will also be available for classrooms from 6-31 March. The festival is aimed at children between the ages of two and twelve.

For further details visit the link below.