VEC announces expanded summer activity school programme
Co. Louth VEC Youth Officer, Ian Walker, has this week announced details of the VECs expanded week-long budget busting summer activity schools for 2012. The extremely positive feedback from parents, and from participants of previous activity schools, has prompted the youth service to expand its activity programme which this year will run all through the month of August.
Some firm favourites are to remain on the ticket including Hip-Hop Dance, Creative Writing and Cookery. However, a whole new range of schools are also being added including Hair and Beauty, Archaeology, Arts and Crafts, Soccer and Outdoor Adventure. The Youth Officer said, “there’s something for everybody this year and places are expected to fill up quite quickly”.
Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE) will host a make-up, skincare and hair school for 12-16 year olds which will be based in their dedicated beauty rooms at the college. The archaeology school is being aimed at 8 -13 year olds and will utilise facilities in the County Museum in Dundalk, and will incorporate a fact finding trip to Newgrange on its final day. The arts and crafts school plans to provide participants with a variety of experiences including puppet-making and 3-D wire and clay modelling, whilst plans are afoot to utilise the facilities of the Neptune Outdoor Education Centre in Clogherhead to run an outdoor adventure school which will take in activities such as raft building, kayaking, surf boarding, hill walking and mountain/wall-climbing. All schools will run for one week.
Ian Walker said, “most of the courses this August will run in both Dundalk and Drogheda and will take place in a number of the VECs schools in the towns. Our schools are kitted out to the highest of standards which make ideal bases for our summer schools”.
Application forms and programme details are now available on the Co. Louth VEC website at www.louthvec.ie. Places will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis. The VEC has indicated that it is open to suggestions for other innovative summer schools from members of the public.
For further information regarding the above please contact:
Mr. Ian Walker
Youth Officer
Co. Louth VEC
Chapel St.
Dundalk
Co. Louth
Email: ian.walker@louthvec.ie
Tel.: 042 9334047
- Published in Crafts, Dance, Drama, Drogheda Borough Council, Dundalk Town Council, Louth County Arts, News, Visual Arts, Youth Drama
Dance Kids celebrate 10th anniversary
Freda Hearty and the Dance Kids are back and ready to take over An Táin Theatre on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of June with their spectacular 10 year anniversary show ‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing yet’.
Never one’s to sit still, the Dance Kids have been rehearsing for ‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing yet’ since January, under the watchful eye of Freda, choreographers Karen Doherty and Amy Kerley and singing coaches Katie Halligan and Kathryn O’Hara. They are eagerly anticipating a big performance that is sure to make their tenth anniversary an unforgettable one.
“It’s hard to believe that this will be our tenth anniversary show”, said Freda Hearty, founder and director, Dance Kids Stage School. “We started off doing small shows and money raising events, notably our Danceathons which raised thousands for charities locally and abroad. The Dance Kids just kept growing and growing and before we knew it we were selling out the town hall. It feels amazing to have come so far.”
‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing yet’ is a perfect night out for all the family, with performances to suit all ages. The talented dancers aged from just 4 years of age to 24 years are promising to stage a “show-stopping performance” of the popular musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Their tenth anniversary line up also includes many favourites such as One Direction, excerpts from West Side Story, Toy Story and many more.
“We pride ourselves on giving many young people their first taste of show business”, said Freda. “Over the years we have seen many of our members enter the professional dance world, with a lot of our younger members aspiring to follow in their footsteps. Others have also progressed into television and modelling. One of our members, Lisa Rose McMahon recently won the all-Ireland under 14 singing competition, which is an amazing achievement.”
The night of entertainment will also include excerpts from the hit Broadway musical Sister Act. This will see the Dance Kids seniors and the famous Dance Kids Daddies and mummies take to the stage to showcase their singing, dancing and acting talents. If that wasn’t enough there will be a spectacular ‘Sound of Music’ performance, which is sure to bring the house down.
“We literally ‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing yet’,” laughed Freda. “After ten years, we’re still going strong and loving every minute of it. We have been so busy the last few months preparing for this show. All the Dance Kids and their families have been great and so supportive. All the hard work has really paid off and it’s going to be a fantastic show.”
Over the past number of years, Freda Hearty and the Dance Kids have raised an amazing €127,000 for charity both locally and abroad. This year, proceeds from ‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet’ will be going to local charities.
‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing yet’ takes place in An Táin Theatre, Dundalk, at 7:30pm on Friday 22nd of June, 3:00pm on Saturday 23rd of June and 7:30pm on Sunday 24th of June. Book your tickets today at An Táin Theatre’s box office on 042 9392919. After the huge success of last year’s ‘Can’t Stop Movin’, ‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet’ promises to be the show of the year and is not to be missed. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
- Published in Dance, Dundalk Town Council, News
Forthcoming events in An Tain Theatre Dundalk
May & June 2012
| May 3-5th |
Stacey Murnaghan & Funky Feet present |
7.30 pm |
€12.00
|
| June 18th |
Talisman Theatre presents |
10.30 am |
€13.50 Adult €12.50 Child €10.00 Group rate Booking: 087 6363075 |
| 20th
22nd |
Carrickmacross Dance Kids present Dance Kids present
|
7.30 pm
7.30 pm |
€12.00
€12.00 |
| 29th and 30th |
Elite Dance School presents |
7.30 pm |
€12.00 €10.00 concession |
- Published in Dance, Dundalk Town Council, Monthly Highlights, Music, News, Theatre
Drogheda Arts Festival 2012 Programme Online
- Published in Classical, Dance, Drama, Drogheda Borough Council, Film, Forthcoming Events, Heritage, Irish traditional, jazz, Literature, Louth County Arts, Music, News, Photography, Poetry, Theatre, Visual Arts, world
Set Dancing Weekend at An Grianan Termonfeckin
An Grianan is preparing for the 10th Anniversary of the Termonfeckin Set Dancing weekend. Programme is available here.
The weekend will run from Friday January 20th to Sunday January 22nd and is expected to attract Set Dancing enthusiasts from all over Ireland not to mention having a global appeal. Local councillor and Chairman of Louth County Council Oliver Tully will perform the official opening around 7pm and this will be followed the launch of a CD by local music group Triskell who will also provide the music for the Friday night Ceili.
On Saturday January 21st there will be a number of workshops covering Seannos Dancing, Tin Whistle, Flute and Singing. Mass will be celebrated in An Grianan at 5pm and Saturday evening will round off with another Ceili with music provided by the Abbey Ceili Band and there will be music sessions in the Front Room with local musicians.
The weekend will conclude with an afternoon Ceili on Sunday afternoon from 2-5pm with the Abbey Ceili Band again providing the music. I am told that bookings are full which shows how popular the event is but all are welcome to come along and join in what is a great weekend of ceoil, damhsa agus craic. Meanwhile the Sandpit Set Dancers have recommenced Dancing Classes on Thursday nights in Sandpit Hall. Again, all are welcome to join in the fun while at the
- Published in Dance, Drogheda Borough Council, Irish traditional, Louth County Arts, News
Crystal Ice Dance Academy presents Prodigy II
Crystal Ice Dance Academy presents
Prodigy II
on 25 and 26 August 2011 at 7.30 pm
in An Tain Theatre
Tickets: €12 and €10 (concession)
Available from the Box Office, 9392919
The Versatile Crystal Ice a dance crew From Dundalk Ireland founded by Emmanuella Salako has worked with the following artists:
-Niall Horan From One Direction
-Jls
-Clozure
-X Factor
-Mtv Super Sweet Sixteen Uk Dancers
This Is their 3rd Dundalk Show and will be one to Remember
Surprise Celebrity Appearance On The Night!!!!…Don’t Miss It
- Published in Dance, Dundalk Town Council, News
Romeo & Juliet in An Tain Theatre
Romeo & Juliet
5 Dec 2010 at 8pm in An Tain Theatre Dundalk
Tickets:
€18.00
€16.00 conc
Tickets available from the Box Office, An Tain Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth
T: 042 9392919
Irish Times Review
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/1022/1224281706209.html
- Published in Dance, Dundalk Town Council
Drogheda Arts Festival 2010
Exciting programme of events announced for 2010 Drogheda Arts Festival
May bank holiday weekend – Friday 30th April to 3rd May 2010.
The Drogheda Arts Festival has announced another exciting and varied programme for the 2010 Festival kicking off on Friday 30th April. The festival, which runs over the May bank holiday weekend, will host an exciting lineup of local, national, and international artists including the first visit to Ireland by acclaimed Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, a world premiere of a work by Conall Quinn from Upstate Live, music, visual art, family fun and outdoor celebration, and lots more. There is only one place to be this bank holiday weekend – Drogheda!
Friday 30th April will see the official opening of the Festival in the Highlanes Gallery. The Marienbad Palace, a visual art exhibition curated by Jacqui McIntosh is divided between two venues in the town, the Droichead Arts Centre and the Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery. ‘The Marienbad Palace’ brings together works by Laura Buckley, Diana Copperwhite, Jorge De La Garza, Alicja Kwade, Haroon Mirza and Ian Monroe. The exhibition, which includes collage, painting, sculpture, installation and video, takes its title from JG Ballard’s 1989 short story ‘The Enormous Space’ and Alain Resnais’ seminal 1961 film ‘Last Year in Marienbad’. The exhibition explores ideas of reality in a world where virtual reality is always competing with accepted notions of time and space. ‘The Marienbad Palace’ has been commissioned exclusively for Drogheda Arts Festival.
Over the past few years, Louth Contemporary Music Society has brought world renowned composers to Louth, including Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Valentyn Silvestrov. This year they are delighted to welcome Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina to the town as part of the Drogheda Arts Festival. One of the world’s greatest composers, Sofia Gubaidulina will visit Ireland for the first time to attend a concert celebrating her work. Entitled The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina, the concert which will take place in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda on May 1st, and will be preceded earlier in the day by the showing of a film on her life and work in the Droichead Arts Centre
Also Saturday 1st May West Street running through the heart of the town will become ‘West Street Wonderland’ for one day only! The Festival aims to revitalize for this day some of the empty spaces on the street, transforming Drogheda’s main artery with music, outdoor performances, and workshops. The emphasis will be on participation and fun, with opportunities for all ages to engage with artists and theatre practitioners.
The other side of the river on Saturday and Sunday will see the Drogheda Spring Food Festival, located on the Waterfront, Scotch Hall. Experience this two-day mini-festival of food offering the tastes and delights of the local food connoisseurs, a farmers market, craft butchers, restaurant tastings, ‘grow your own’ demonstrations and wine seminars.
Theatre and performance also feature strongly in this year’s programme.
– UPSTATE LIVE presents the world premiere of THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS A new play by Conall Quinn (winner of the Stewart Parker award), directed by Paul Hayes. This is a highly original entertaining and surreal tale of love and death set on a County Louth beach during World War II. Absurd, bleak and hilarious in equal measure, THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS is commissioned by Drogheda Arts Festival, and will undertake a short national tour after its festival performances.
– A double bill from award-winning dancer/choreographer Claire Cunningham showcasing her exceptional dance technique and impressive power. ME (Mobile/Evolution) is a show woven from humorous stories; about doctors and dancing, bikes and ballet; all threaded together and balanced upon, hanging from, spinning on and swinging on crutches. ***** The Herald
– Cirque de Légume will bring their award winning new show The Cirque de Légume to Drogheda. Marvel at the Veget- animal! Enthrall at the Leek of Power! Fantasize over the Onion Strip Tease! WINNER Bewley’s Theatre Award – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009 and NOMINATED Best Male Performer – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009.
– Community involvement is a key element of the Festival and this year Droichead Youth Theatre will bring the audience on a special journey through Secondary School in a site specific theatre piece in St Mary’s Diocesan School.
The Festival once again offers a very strong music element. As well as the much anticipated visit by Sofia Gubaidulina, the other music elements will include:
– Acclaimed South Korean born pianist YOUNG-CHOON PARK performing on the magnificent grand piano in St Peter’s Church Drogheda. Young- Choon Park will be introduced by sports commentator and Lyric fm presenter, George Hamilton. “…individually refreshing, while demonstrating real passion and style as well as outstanding technical proficiency…” Sunday Times
– Music Changes Lives – the young musicians from the acclaimed RTE factual series come to Drogheda to perform at the Barbican Centre. Accompanies by other young music ensembles, this concert promises to be an opportunity to hear great music, and act as an inspiration for all children to explore their musical talents
– Dervish, who will perform for one night only on Monday 3rd May as part of their 21st anniversary celebrations.
– Grammy Award-nominated musical duo, Zero 7 (also nominated for Best British newcomer at the 2002 Brit Awards) with support by Andrew K (External Sounds) & Rob Mullen (External Sounds).
– DJ Ashley Beedle with support by Keith Kelly (External Sounds).
Other events will include a poetry reading and conversation with Poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and the much loved traditional day at Millmount which will this year be held on Sunday 2nd May, with music, craft, Celtic warriors, the firing of cannons, boat-building, and the rapidly-developing Drogheda Fringe Festival.
Full programme details can be found at: www.droghedaartsfestival.ie
The Drogheda Arts Festival is supported by: Louth Local Authorities, The Arts Council, and Fáilte Ireland.
The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Drogheda Arts Festival. The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by the Drogheda Arts Festival with supported by Louth County Council .
Press information:
Gerry Lundberg Public Relations Tel: 01 679 8476 / 086 259 1070 / 087 259 1070 glundpr@iol.ie
View the Programme here.
- Published in Classical, Contemporary, Crafts, Dance, Drama, Drogheda Borough Council, Education, Heritage, Irish traditional, Literature, Local History, Louth County Arts, Music, News, Photography, Poetry, Readings, Rock, Theatre, Visual Arts
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