SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE 2024
The Bealtaine Gathering 2023
Are you an individual, an artist or a member of a group that organises Bealtaine Festival events in your community? Age & Opportunity, producers of the Bealtaine Festival, invites you to join them in Dublin, at the National Gallery of Ireland on November 15th, for this year’s Bealtaine Gathering. This event will be a chance to connect with other organisers, hear about inspiring projects and reflect on a shared vision of creativity as we age, as well as planning for Bealtaine 2024!
The theme for the day is Community, Diversity and New Directions in our work and we have put together an exciting line up speakers to explore these topics. The Bealtaine Gathering will also be a key opportunity for attendees to network, share experiences and give feedback on their challenges and needs as we look ahead to 2024. Visit www.bealtaine.ie for tickets.
Kevin O'Shanahan is delighted to be part of the lineup for the Bealtaine Gathering 2023. Kevin will be participating on the artists panel: "Diversity in our work - how can we avoid tokenism?" speaking about the Creative Enquiry project, Cork.
Kevin O'Shanahan, a musician and Waterford Institute of Technology Business Studies graduate (1993), works on diverse, participatory music/arts and health projects. As the founder and Director of MusicAlive, Kevin has garnered Arts Council awards for impactful works such as "Egress," created with visual artist Marie Brett for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Awarded an MSc from University College Cork in 2013 for research on music making's benefits in mental health recovery, he shares insights through publications and conferences in Ireland and abroad. Alongside his nursing role specializing in recovery and the arts, he manages the 49 North Street mental health initiative in Skibbereen. Kevin will speak about Music Alive’s involvement in the Creative Enquiry project.
West Cork Feelgood Festival 2023 Updates:
October 11 FOOTSTEPS BY THE PIER -POSTPONED Due to weather warning
Unfortunately, a yellow weather warning has been issued forOctober 11th until 1pm.
For health and safety reasons we have been advised to postpone Footsteps by the Pier.
We understand some people would be travelling some distances and wanted to give adequate notice.
We are very disappointed to do this but understand the importance of everyone's safety and will arrange and advise a new date as soon as possible.
Thank you for your interest and understanding, we hope we will all meet for our walk soon.
Best regards,
The teams at Clonakilty Community Resource Centre and Rosscarbery Social Services Centre
(DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULED EVENT (Gamelan Spéacha Geala workshop)WILL NOT TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 4OCTOBER Please join us on any of the other Wednesdays in October)
Wednesday 4th October
Community & Family Resource Centre, North St, Gortnaclohy, P81 ND89
7-9pm
Gamelan Spréacha Geala
Gamelan is the rich and ancient musical traditional of Indonesia using bronze gongs, xylophones, metallophones and other tuned percussion to create a shimmering texture and powerful resonance. It is a mesmerising sonic experience and west Cork is lucky to house the only Irish gamelan outside of a university city. These unique (no two sets are alike) hand-forged instruments are equally impressive visually, as they are intricately carved and brightly coloured. Gamelan Spréacha Geala (Bright Sparks Gamelan) are a non-professional, community music group based in Skibbereen. New members are always welcome and no prior musical experience is necessary.
July 2023
MusicAlive is delighted to be partnering with 49 North St and Resonate as part of Skibbereen Arts Festival 2023.
A week of free events will take place at 49 North St from July 26-August 4.
For more information see https://www.skibbereenartsfestival.com/events-at-49-north-street-1
For more information: www.skibbereenartsfestival.com
Joy in the Park
Joy in the Park is an annual music and arts festival that takes place in Fitzgerald Park, Cork on July 23rd.
Returning for its second year on Sunday July 23rd, it is a free family event.
Joy In The Park is a celebration of life, whilst supporting mental health & well-being through the music and arts
It is an event proudly supported in partnership with one of the longest running mental health organisation in Ireland, Cork Mental Health Foundation.
Look out for performance by James O Flynn and The Claddagh Rogues at Joy in the Park!
For more information see www.joyinthepark.com
West Cork Feel Good Festival 2022
We are excited to welcome a two part programme featuring the work of Film Director, Aoise Tutty Jackson as part of our West Cork Feel Good Festival 2022.
Throughout these two events Aoise’s work over the past 5 years in collaboration with 49 North Street, MusicAlive, Cork County Council and Escape Pod Media will be showcased.
_________________
Aoise Tutty Jackson is an award winning Director, Visual Artist and Facilitator working in visual arts for over 12 years. She is passionately committed to using the art of storytelling to make films that deliver empowering and visceral messages. Her work explores themes of mental health, feminine identity and the mystical.
Part 1
Listening : Film Screenings
Location: Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre
Thursday 13 October
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Join us for an interactive evening at Uillinn to showcase the work of Film Director Aoise Tutty Jackson and her ongoing collaboration with Music Alive, and Skibbereen’s 49 North Street.
Three of Aoise’s short films will be screened: An Open Door (2018), Listen (2020), and Tune In with the Happiness Ensemble (2021) — the latter two being produced by Creative Producer Maggie Ryan. This evening will also encompass some sonic surprises and an invitation to more fully immerse in the practice of ‘listening'.
Nick Murphy and Kevin O'Shanahan, active contributors to her films, will join Aoise for a conversation around the importance of listening, mental health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, Nóirín Ní Riain will not be able to attend at this time but we are delighted to have Elizabeth Ewing with us for some chants and collective soundings.
This will be the first in person screening of Listen in West Cork following it's online premiere in CIFF in 2020.
This screening is suitable for ages 12+. Donations will be charitable with the chosen charity receiving 100% of all donations.
Booking on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/listening-film-screenings-tickets-404532626977
Presented in partnership with Music Alive, Cork County Council and Escape Pod Media
Trailer for An Open Door https://vimeo.com/292575511
Trailer for Listen https://vimeo.com/519127709
Trailer for Tune In with The Happiness Ensemble https://vimeo.com/534381591
Part 2
ANUA : Screening, Performance, Poetry, Photography Exhibition + more
Location : Myross Wood House - CECAS, Leap
Saturday 15th October
5:00pm - 8:00 pm
Featuring the premiere of director Aoise Tutty Jackson’s new film ‘Anua’ made in collaboration with Gamelan Spréacha Geala, Music Alive, Cork County Council and Creative Producer Maggie Ryan of Escape Pod Media.
The seed for the project was planted when Kevin McNally, director of the Gamelan Spréacha Geala, met with Kevin O’Shanahan of Music Alive, director/photographer Aoise Tutty Jackson and Creative Producer Maggie Ryan. Kevin had wanted to produce a series of images exploring the relationship between the Indonesian instruments and the Irish landscape and the idea evolved from here. These images will be exhibited here for the first time. The gamelan, like many west Cork residents, is a blow-in, trying to adapt and integrate with the locality without losing its distinguishing qualities. The images do not shy away from, but rather embrace the weirdness of the gamelan instruments to act as ritual objects that might change the way we look at the world around us. The masks, created by Mark Dougherty for Samhain celebrations, are also ceremonial, and cast doubt on the identity of the figures around the instruments. In this way the images invoke the idea of a threshold on a number of levels, as distinctions are blurred between human and animal, land and sea, living and dead.
This creative collaboration formed the basis for the film ‘ANUA’ (a new word drawn from the Irish ‘Nua’ (new) and ‘Anú’ (the Irish Earth Mother Goddess). ‘Anua’ is an experimental film and sonic journey exploring our relationship to land, language, sound, mythology and the ‘Otherworld’. It is narrated and inspired by the work of Manchán Magan and in particular his work around dinnseanchas (lore of place), placenames, the Irish language and the power of resonance.The film tells a new story following the meeting of Amergin (supposedly our oldest ancestor in Ireland) and the Cailleach (the hag or crone of Irish mythology) Sound, and particularly the sound of Irish words, acts as a portal into another way of experiencing everyday landscapes. The original soundtrack by Kevin McNally and Kevin O’Shanahan is alternately resonant and dissonant with the visual story, culminating in a joyous release of energy to celebrate the meeting of the two mythological figures.
Gamelan Spréacha Geala will perform a combination of traditional Javanese and newly composed music for the gamelan. Afterwards there will be a chance to play the instruments
Poet Paddy Bushe who has worked extensively in both Irish and English and who has explored Amergin’s poetic arrival in Ireland extensively will be our guest speaker also tieing the conversations around land, sound, environment and ecology together. Including a post film discussion with the creative team behind the film.
Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is Part 2 of 2 Screenings featuring Aoise Tutty Jackson's work.
Tickets via Eventbrite. Donations will be charitable with the chosen charity receiving 100% of all donations.
Including stills from An Open Door, Tune In with the Happiness Ensemble, Listen, Anua,
Older People exploring their Creativity this Summer
Music Alive is delighted to be a part of ….Older People exploring their Creativity this Summer
Older adults given an opportunity to develop their creative talents through a partnership programme between Age Friendly Ireland and Creative Ireland, delivering creative initiatives to support health and wellbeing in older age.
Over this summer and autumn, older people across the country will have the opportunity to take part in new creative initiatives that are being delivered by Age Friendly Ireland. Creative Ireland is funding the initiatives which respond to research on the value of creative engagement for older people’s health and wellbeing.
Director of Creative Ireland, Tania Banotti said:
“I am delighted that the Creative Ireland Programme is supporting Age Friendly Ireland to enable older people across Ireland develop and engage with creative initiatives at a regional level. The Creative Ireland Programme is founded in the principle that creativity is good for our well-being as individuals, as communities and nationally. Research findings published last year by TILDA (The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing) showed conclusively that creative activity positively impacts the lives of older adults by supporting their health and wellbeing.”
The regional initiatives were developed in consultation with Older People’s Councils, which are established citizen structures under the national Age Friendly Programme. The initiatives will be open to all older people in the community to take part allowing them sample diverse forms of creative engagement.
The six regional initiatives are being delivered by creative partners who were selected following an open call earlier this year: Music Network, Creative Lives, Music Alive, Age & Opportunity, Munster Academy of Dance and artist facilitator Rachel Lartey.
South East Region - A River Flows Through it: Creative Engagement with My Place
Arts Facilitator Rachel Lartey will will bring individuals and groups from the counties of the south east together in an exchange of creative responses to the natural and cultural environment of their immediate riverine or coastal neighbourhood. The project will respond to the impact of the Three Sisters rivers on the landscape and cultural heritage of the region. Older people who live near these historic waters will reflect on how their lives have been influenced by their riverine neighbourhood and to express this relationship in a creative way.
East Region – Creative Lives : A series of outdoor creative events in public parks
Creative Lives will deliver a series of events offering creative activities in outdoor settings tailored to suit older people. The programme will include a mix of creative activities provided by commissioned professional artists alongside showcase opportunities for local creative groups seeking new regular participants. Priority will be given to activities that are suitable and accessible for older people. Activities will include music, film, local history, and walking routes.
North Region – Age & Opportunity: Creative happenings celebrating cultural lore related to St Brigid
Age & Opportunity will facilitate a series of creative happenings celebrating cultural lore activity related to Brigit/St Brigid; collectively sharing older people’s knowledge and celebrating active customs and folkloric traditions associated with Brigit; particularly the cloak 'brat Bhríde', the cross and the Brideóg, though craft-making workshops. The regional initiative will explore Celtic wisdom through poetry and myth, linking the natural world learnings to the elements of fire, earth, air and water.
Midlands Region – Making Music in the Midlands: Music Network Teaching Residency
Music Network will deliver a music teaching residency for people in the midlands aged 55 and over. Through this residency series, Music Network will create a quality, interactive learning experience for older people. The series will support older learners’ musical participation and the broader community by engaging people with live music outside of the standard concert format. The focus of this initiative will be on returning to playing an instrument and sharing the joy of group music-making.
West Region – Music Alive: The Road of Life
The Road of Life is a travelling roadshow of workshops that will offer older people taster music & songwriting sessions. Musician Ger Wolfe will lead a mini tour of eight counties in the West region, incorporating literature and proverbs linked to older age. Older people will have an opportunity to input to the sessions through singing and sharing stories that stir people’s memories and imagination. The sessions will incorporate a taster song writing & composition section and aim to work on ‘sketches of songs’ that might be inspired by local proverbs, expressions or stories.
(see Older Age Creativity Page for more details on MusicAlive’s The Road of Life & how to book a place)
Dublin City Region – Dance train the trainer initiative with end of project public performance
Munster Academy of Dance will deliver a ‘train the trainer’ style initiative in Dublin City, training local older people in ceili dance over eight workshops. Dance leaders will be identified to take part, who will in turn train older people in their local groups. The initiative will include an end of project performance event with a panel discussion, animation and other creative elements.
Chief Officer of Age Friendly Ireland, Catherine McGuigan commented:
“These new regional initiatives are very timely given the context of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. Creativity in all its forms supports healthy ageing and these initiatives will encourage older people to explore all their latent talents across a wide range of creative engagement. As always with the Age Friendly Programme, we emphasise the inherent knowledge and skill base in our older population. The bespoke initiatives support a number of the World Health Organisation’s domains for age friendly communities, including Respect & Social Inclusion, Social Participation, Community Supports & Health.”
Ger Wolfe at Bealtaine
An Open Door for Bealtaine is an informal musical gathering presented by 49 North Street in association with MusicAlive and the Skibbereen Family Resource Centre.
The guest artist will be Ger Wolfe – the well-known singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been “creating carefully crafted vignettes of song” (Irish Times) for many years.
Ger has been leading bilingual music sessions at 49 North Street over the past year as part of the ‘Fite Fuaite’ pop-up Gaeltacht. The Bealtaine event will feature songs in English and Irish.
Ger’s own compositions such as The Curra Road, The Lark of Mayfield, Summer at my feet and In the Garden of Heaven have received national airplay and were covered by artists like Muireann nic Amhlaíobh, Karan Casey, Sharon Shannon, and Zoe Conway.
Ger will be joined by other local musicians for this event, which takes place at the Family Resource Centre, North Street, Marsh, Skibbereen P81 ND89 on Friday 20 May at 11am.
The event is free of charge and all are welcome. It is being organised as part of Bealtaine - Ireland’s national festival, which celebrates the arts and creativity as we age.
Advance booking is not necessary.
For further information contact Siobhan Dempsey 0871661366
POETRY DAY 28 April 2022
28 April is Poetry Day Ireland, with activities all over the country.
49, North Street will run an Open Mic event on the day to celebrate (the love of) poetry.
One of the offerings for visitors to the 49 event – apart from tea, coffee, nibbles – will be a small Menu of Poems to take home. Rita Ann Higgins (formerly the People’s Pandemic Poet Laureate) curated the poems.
She wrote, "Poetry can be the balm we need in challenging times. Poems can be unlikely allies, whether it’s a poem of the absurd or the commonplace or a poem about the joy of a newborn. Poetry takes time, give it the time it asks of you if you have the time to spare. You will be rewarded tenfold."
The Menu of Poems is a joint initiative of the Arts and Health Co - ordinators of Ireland (which includes Uillinn:West Cork Arts Centre and West Cork Mental Health Services) and has been distributed across Irish health and wellbeing facilities for a number of years. Imelda May and others have made recordings of the poems, which will be featured at the event.
A very special guest is Pol O'Colmain, poet and musician extraordinaire of the Working Artist Studios in Ballydehob. He is as fluent in Irish as he is in English. An excellent and charming entertainer in any language. Other poets, musicians, and even comedians have also been invited to join.
Regulars at 49's workshops and classes are of course very welcome but anyone who wants can get a slot of a few minutes at the Open Mic.
The event runs from 11am – 1pm (or maybe a little later) on Thursday, 28 April at 49, North Street, P81 Y433 Skibbereen.
It's free! No need to book, just turn up, engage & enjoy.
More information 087 1034610
IN OTHER NEWS..
Spring is in the air, with a busy programme of weekly events at 49 North Street.
Voice and well- being practitioner, Elizabeth Ewing will return to North Street on April 12 at 3pm for another ‘Sound Out’ session
The next ‘pop up Gaeltacht’ featuring songs in English and Irish with singer /songwriter Ger Wolfe is scheduled for May20.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XDH-pD7VYM
In the meantime, we are busy finalizing plans for events such as National Poetry Day on April 28, The Bealtaine Festival in May and the Skibbereen Arts Festival in July.
“Let the music keep your spirits high”
Create- Reflect -Evolve
MusicAlive are proud recipients of the Arts Council Capacity Building Support Scheme Award
Through this project we aim to:
Create the digital infrastructure to broadcast high quality performances & participatory arts and health programmes.
Reflect with mentor and partner organisations to build organistional capacity.
Strengthen alliances with artists and artist to enable artistic & strategic development
Broadcast 2 took place on May 28 at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre
As part of this award MusicAlive, have curated the West Cork Feelgood Festival 2021, in association with 49 North Street, The Well Being Network, Mental Health Engagement & associated partners. This support from the Arts Council, has also allowed us to collaborate with Levis Corner House, Ballydehob & deliver an exciting line up of events, including live performances with Lisa O Neill, Luka Bloom, Donal Dineen, Ger Wolfe, The Claddagh Rogues and Rubicon.
All events will be delivered in line with current public health guidelines and tickets must be booked in advance, due to limited capacity.
For information about events at 49 North Street & in Skibbereen visit:
https://thewellbeingnetwork.ie/westcork/upcoming-events/
For events at Levis Corner House in Ballydehob visit
https://leviscornerhouse.com/listings/
James O' Flynn and The Claddagh Rogues, will perform at the West Cork Feelgood Festival on the 8th and 9th of October
Image courtesy of Barbara Flynn
Broadcast 2 took place on May 28 at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre
‘Listen’ will have it’s UK PREMIERE as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2021.
The festival runs between 3-23 May. SMHAF is one of Scotland's most diverse cultural events, covering everything from music, film and visual art to theatre, dance, and literature. This year it will be exploring themes of ‘Normality?’.
‘Listen’ will be screened during the UK’s World Mental Health week 10-16th May.
Thanks to Cork County Council Arts Office for support.
