Magazine a REVIEW of the ARTS in LAOIS, LONGFORD, OFFALY and WESTMEATH SPRING/SUMMER 2016 • ISSUE 25
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Issue 25 Midland Arts v3:Layout 1 7/3/16 09:46 Page 37 Midlands andCulture ArtsMagazine A REVIEW OF THE ARTS IN LAOIS, LONGFORD, OFFALY AND WESTMEATH SPRING/SUMMER 2016 • ISSUE 25 THE WRITTEN WORD MUSIC & DANCE THEATRE & FILM VISUAL ARTS FREE Issue 25 Midland Arts v3:Layout 1 7/3/16 09:27 Page 2 MidlandsArts andCultureMagazine Easter Camps in Laois ...........................................Page 2 Down Windmill Lane ..............................................Page 3 1916 at Dunamaise EASTER Longford Expressions.............................................Page 4 Book Launch Dunamaise ART CAMPS Westmeath 1916 • Industrial to Musical ............Page 5 Laois Youth Theatre • Longford Community TV...Page 6 presented by Faithful Rising.........................................................Page 7 Laois Arts Office A Word from Filmaker Calvin ......................................................Page 8 the Editor Sing Fest – the Choral Countdown Looking for some creative It’s been a dark, damp winter but Brave Giants • Music Generation Laois...............Page 9 finally there is a glimmer of light. The Caper Trail • Bealtaine/Culture Night 2016 .....Page 10 fun for children and young dawns are brighter and as they say High Street Move • Bressie’s Lust for Life ........Page 11 people over the Easter “there is a stretch in the evenings” … it is also a time to consider outdoor Ray Murphy ..........................................................Page 12 break…Places are filling activities and getting out and about Backstage returns to the All Ireland circuit .................13 up fast and enjoying all there is to see and John Ennis Midlandia experience in the midlands. Tullamore Academy Choir ..................................Page 14 Arts and Craft for Ages 6-9years. Artist, In this month’s issue our regular Paul Gurney • A Nation’s Voice Wendy Wright will host fun, creative contributor Manchán Magan waxes Luan Kingerlee.....................................................Page 15 arts and craft workshops. Imagination, lyrical about the beauty of the bogs Marguerite’s Moscow Connection .......................Page 16 colour and texture will all play their part throughout the four counties of Laois, Animations & Publications as the participants get to explore the Offaly, Longford and Westmeath and themes of Easter and Spring and create the major influence the peatlands have 1916 Terrible Beauty • Face Fest........................Page 16 their own imaginative pieces. had on all aspects of the arts. The Manchán Magan – Bogs...............................Page 18/19 Workshops take place in the Laois centenary of 1916 is also a common St. Mel’s Musical Society.....................................Page 20 Arthouse, Stradbally on Tues 22nd and theme in all four counties with many Wed 23rd March Fee: €5 per 2hr varied events being scheduled to mark Show Knowledge Myths • Offaly Observed ......Page 21 workshop running 11-1 and 2-4. this historic occasion. Laois Bealtaine The Comic Genius of Rabbit & Paul.....................Page22 Booking T: 057 8664033 As always there is a strong emphasis on youth activities in the arts while at the Making A Murderer • Respond 2… .....................Page23 or email [email protected] other end of the age spectrum Claire Aisling Hennessy • Didier ...................................Page 24 Spaces are limited, registration will take O’Brien paints a vivid picture of an Reprisal • Drumcullen High Cross......................Page 25 place 15minute prior to the start of each afternoon with artist Ray Murphy Trench Award • Athlone Castle Visitor Centre ...Page 26 workshop. who is retiring as caretaker at Emo Court.Numerous links with Laois Arthouse Hosts International Artists .......Page 27 international television and film Backstage 1916 Over the month of July the Laois Summer Arts Programme will run a companies are highlighted in this Longford School’s Photography Programme......Page 28 series of workshops for children and issue, once again highlighting the Lily Kettle..............................................................Page 29 young people over 3 days in venues wealth of talent in the spheres of music, acting, dance and the visual arts Athlone’s Poetry in the Park • Aislinn O’Keefe.....Page 30 around county Laois. Arts, Craft, in the midlands. Eimear Reynolds ..................................................Page 31 Pottery, and Creative Writing will be included. Finally, in this issue we welcome the The story of If • Foil, Arms & Hog .......................Page 32 news that Tullamore finally has a Plein Air • Hare on the March.............................Page 33 To register your interest contact home for the long-awaited arts centre. Dún na Sí • Mullingar’s First Musical ..............Page 34 E: [email protected] or call 057 866 4033. Vivienne Clarke of Acumen Media, Silk Road • DJ Clodagh. ......................................Page 35 Editor A look inside YOUR LOCAL ARTS OFFICERS County Offaly County Westmeath County Laois County Longford WHO: Sinead O'Reilly, WHO: Miriam Mulrennan WHO: Muireann Ní Chonaill WHO: Fergus Kennedy WHERE: Offaly County Council, WHERE: Westmeath County Council WHERE: Laois County Council, WHERE: Longford County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore County Buildings, Mullingar Portlaoise, Co Laois Great Water St. Longford. CONTACT: Telephone 057 9357400 CONTACT: Telephone 044 93 32016 CONTACT: Tel: 057 8664109 CONTACT: Tel: 086 8517595 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.offaly.ie/arts www.westmeathcoco.ie www.laois.ie/arts www.longfordcoco.ie/arts_office.html 2 Issue 25 Midland Arts v3:Layout 1 7/3/16 09:27 Page 3 DUNAMAISE BRINGS 1916 CENTENARY TO LIFE THROUGH THE ARTS Dunamaise Arts Centre Portlaoise is delighted to take part in and bring to life, the 1916 Centenary Celebrations with a unique programme of cultural events. Ranging from theatre, to film, music and visual art, on the speeches made by Countess Markievicz the experiences of women closely connected to the Dunamaise’s 1916 Centenary programme celebrates during this time. The play will be followed by a post conflict, including the wives of prominent rebel with involvement from indidivuals and groups from show Questions & Answers session. leaders; vocalist Michelle O’Rourke and composer all walks of life including professional theatre and curator Simon O’Connor’s suite of compostions companies, artists, musicians, schools and active On 12 and 13 April, a very special production by offer and emotional, human perspective on a retirement groups. Ballyfin’s own Frances Harney will take to the stage. narrative that is too often told in male heroic terms! The Casual Comedy, a new two act play with a cast With members of Irish rock band The Jimmy Cake, Following a sell out run of The Abbey Theatre’s Me of over 20 characters performed by members of this small ensemble brings a volatile, dramatic energy Mollser, by Ali White earlier this season, Dunamaise youth theatre, schools and amateur drama groups. to the retelling of the stories of Lillie Connolly, is proud to kick off its series of extraordinary events This play explores what really happened during The Grace and Muriel Gifford, Agnes Mallin and others. with this success. Commencing the proceedings is 1916 Rising, while interrogating its significance. A Portlaoise Active Retirement Group who have drama education pack has been developed by With Patrick Fitzpatrick’s exhibition A Slanting Sun joined forces with students of CBS and Gaelscoil Frances to be used in conjunction with the play. It at Dunamaise Gallery throughout March and April, Portlaoise for a unique collaboration in 1916: A includes activities to draw you deeper into life in and archival film screenings during national Terrible Beauty is Born, on Wednesday 9 March. Dublin during The 1916 Rising and has been Heritage Week in August, Dunamaise Arts Centre Presenting a celebration through words, music and successfully piloted in upper primary, secondary and offers many oppertunities to commemorate, dance, the daytime show will also feature Portlaoise third level education settings. Laois County Council interogate and reflect on the 1916 Rising through a based group Vocalese, MGL Harp Ensemble and and the Ireland 2016 Programme have generously various artforms. The full programme of events can other well known local personalities. supported these programmes. be picked up from the arts centre box office and local businesses. Call 057 8663355 or take a look at The New Theatre will present the play Madame de A unique new collection of songs marking the 1916 www.dunamaise.ie where tickets for all events are Markievicz on Thursday 7 April and depicts the fatal Centenary will be performed in Left Behind-Songs of now on sale. shooting of a policeman in 1916 and is largely based the 1916 Widows on Thursday 28 April. Drawing on DOWN WINDMILL LANE by Ciara Kelly Forty members of Moate Community School Choir recently had the opportunity to visit and record in Dublin’s Windmill Lane Recording Studios. Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin’s docklands Moate Community School Choir won the All- and consequently recording the song became the area, is often referred to as the “U2 studio” with Island Choir of the Year 2015 and to further build next exciting endeavour. Keep an eye on the the group having recorded much of their material on that achievement, Vincent Kennedy a Facebook page for Music Generation Offaly there and fittingly Music Generation’s national