John O’Connor

“Ummeryroe”

September 3rd. – October 1st

My work is rooted in the town land of Ummeryroe-my Mothers birthplace in co. Sligo
I spent many summers there in childhood. I have revisited the place in recent years and made paintings and drawings.
Farm impliments, sickles, pitch forks, boglands, fields, my grandmother’s knitting, white enamel buckets have inspired my painting in the studio.
To go forward, I am looking back.
I found this piece by Michael McLaverty.written in 1952

“Be artists of the normal, it is the normal that survives, and it comes from exploring the resources of your own people and environment –no matter how small the latter is, if it is deeply pondered the resultant work will overleap its boundaries.”

John o’ Connor will speak about his work in the Basement Gallery on Thursday 9th. September at 1.10. pm

http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/clar/feilte/ca.asp

Bob Brozman is king of the Hawaiian slide-guitar and the world’s leading player of National steel guitars. He has spent a lifetime dedicated to playing, researching and recording music from numerous islands around the world, and on Six Days In Down, he collaborates with two up-and-coming Irish folk stars to bring his uniquely international sound to traditional melodies.

A composer, arranger and musician of world class renown, John McSherry was a founding member of top trad band Lúnasa and during his career, he has taken the art of uilleann piping to new heights. His critically acclaimed solo debut album Soma, was released earlier this year.

Dónal O’Connor is from a musical legacy of at least five generations of fiddle players and has toured extensively with bands such as At First Light, which also includes McSherry in its accomplished line-up. He is widely regarded as one of the best fiddle players of his generation.

This album features some wonderful traditional tunes that have been arranged by the three musicians such as ‘Cailleach A Shúsa’ (‘The Hag In The Blanket’), which dates to about 1850 and is about the Cailleach, a powerful hag in Irish mythology who rules the winter months between Samhain and Bealtaine. A well-known standard ‘Bean An Fhir Ruaidh’ (The Red Haired Man’s Wife’) is a story of unrequited love for a married woman and features two Kona Hawaiian guitars. ‘A Mháire Bruineall’ is a song from Co. Donegal that was originally composed by Tadgh O Tiománaidhe in the mid-1700s, in an effort to woo back his true love, and features the wonderfully haunting vocals of Stephanie Makem.

As well as beautifully arranged traditional pieces, this album also features several original compositions. ‘Beer Belly Dancing’ features Irish phrasing played in Arabic mode to create a funky mix and ‘Brelydian’ uses the Lydian mode typical to Malian music. ‘Róise Na bhFonn’ (‘Tuneful Rose’) is a slow air that was composed by Dónal in homage to his grandmother Rose, who was his first fiddle teacher.

Recorded in six days in Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, this album is bursting with fresh and passionate music that draws beautiful soundscapes of unusual timbres and rhythms that support the traditional melodies.

Six Days In Down Tour (presented by Moving on Music)
20th – 27th October 2010

Wednesday 20th October
Doors 8pm
BELFAST
Empire Music Hall (as part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s)

Thursday 21st October
8pm
ARMAGH
Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre

Friday 22nd October
8pm
BANGOR
North Down Museum

Saturday 23rd October
8pm
CASTLEWELLAN
The Lodge

Sunday 24th October
8pm
BRAY, CO. WICKLOW
Mermaid Arts Centre

Tuesday 26th October
8pm
LONDON
Café Oto (supported by Creative Industries Innovation Fund)

Wednesday 27th October
8pm
OMAGH
Strule Arts Centre

For further information please contact
Ailís Corey: Marketing Officer – Moving on Music
Email: ailis@movingonmusic.co.uk
Phone: +44 28 9024 8818

Finghin Collins is the pianist to hear in 2010 (and see – he is very dramatic) He has been playing magnificently, wowing the critics and thrilling audiences both in Ireland and abroad. The week prior to the recital at Anaverna Finghin will be a soloist with the BBC Philharmonic at the Proms in the Albert Hall. And the week after he will be performing the Anaverna programme at the New Ross Piano Festival where he is the musical director. You can find out more and hear some recordings (including a sample from Schumann – Fantasiestücke op. 12) at www.finghincollins.com/

For tickets (e20) ring Kate 042 9380836 or email verelc@gmail.com. You can pay at the door but please book in advance. As it is likely to be a sell out I suggest that, if you intend to come, you book straight away.

Directions to Anaverna and a list of future events can be found at www.anaverna.com/concerts/

Geraldine’s School of speech & drama offers students an opportunity to receive a well rounded education in performance. Students who attend the school develop a natural self confidence both on and off the stage. GSSD has an excellent first class honour exam rate through the Leinster School of Music & Drama.  The previous term has proven to be very successful for attending students with Dylan Mc Mahon, Daenna Mc Kenna & Ciaran Conway participating in the upcoming production of ‘Inherit the Wind’ and Sean Rooney made his first short film  in‘ The walk home’ with DKIT students. An Tain, veteran Shauna Kearney will be involved in the next Dundalk Musical.

On behalf of all the students Miss Kieran would like to wish Louth’s Junior Rose Bud & the schools voted ‘best behaved ‘student Sadbh Mc Court congratulations and the best of luck in Tralee.

Geraldine Kieran

A L S M D, L L S M D, BA (Hons)

M:086 1695670 e:geraldinesschoolofspeechanddrama.com

w: www.geraldinesschoolofspeechanddrama.com

This 30-strong mixed choir performs and records music from the 16^th century up to the present day including sacred, folk, classical, jazz and popular arrangements. The choir has won many awards at the Cork Choral and other International Festivals over the years. It travels to the Prague International Festival this coming October.

It’s useful if you can read music – but not essential…….line CDs are provided. What we want are singers who have a love of choral work and are prepared to commit to the group……and have a bit o’ fun along the way.

Rehearsals are at Dundalk Institute of Technology every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 pm

Contact Ronan Dennedy at ronan_dennedy@hotmail.com or 087 234 1455

This summer’s All Ireland Fleadh in Cavan will witness a friendly invasion on the night of the 21st of August, when the Town Hall will welcome a night of traditional music from Louth.  “Louth and Proud” will showcase the range and depth of talent in County Louth, and will see a host of musicians from the Wee County taking over the town centre venue for a rousing evening of music and song.  Traditional music in Louth has always boasted great players and teachers, and the health of the tradition from Carlingford to Drogheda will be confirmed by the impressive line-up of musicians who will perform in this special one-off concert as part of the Fleadh celebrations The concert will climax with Ravensdale fiddler Donal O’Connor taking to the stage as part of critically-acclaimed traditional band, At First Light.

According to Louth Arts Officer, Brian Harten, the concert will be a memorable one.  “Counties such as Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh share many things, including a rich tradition in music.  In the past, this music has sometimes been overlooked, but over the past few years, there has been a renaissance in the playing and re-discovering of tunes and songs native to this border region.  In Louth, we’re delighted to be working with Martin Donohue and Catriona O’Reilly, Cavan Arts Officer, in bringing a showcase of music and musicians from the Wee County to perform at the Fleadh Cheoil.”

One of the organisers of the concert is Gerry O’Connor, a proud Louth man, and one of Ireland’s foremost fiddlers.  As well as performing on the night, he’s looking forward to the concert himself.  “Louth and Proud” really sums it up.  We have something to be very proud of in Louth, and the concert will be a great opportunity to showcase brilliant individual musicians such as Zoe Conway, Áine McGeeney, and Kevin Shields, as well as highlighting the singing tradition of Drogheda and the south of the county.”

O’Connor, whose playing and teaching brings him all over the world, sees the Fleadh in Cavan in 2010 as a very special event.  “For musicians all along the south Ulster, north Leinster border, this is our Fleadh, and it’s a natural fit for a Louth night to take place at the town hall of a near neighbour.”

Gerry’s son, Donal O’Connor, plays fiddle and keyboards in At First Light, the traditional band who will bring the night to an end.  Described as “a fire breathing delight”, At First light will guarantee feet on the floor and dancing in the aisles.  And for the night of the 21^st of August only, all of the band will be honorary Louth men!

The full line-up for Louth and Proud will see Jim McArdle, Éilish Quinn, and Mick Dunne performing music and song from mid- and south Louth.  Their recently-launched cd, “Madame, I’d Like to be Ticklin’ Your Hay” has been warmly received.

John Joe Gardiner, after whom one of the Dundalk branches of Comhaltas is named, made a significant contribution to the development of traditional music in north Louth, and two of his grandsons, Kevin Shields on flute and Don O’Kane on guitar will perform music learnt “at the knee” over many years.

Also from Dundalk, Áine McGeeney has just returned home from a world-wide tour with Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance”, and is now performing with her own band, Goitse.

Zoe Conway and John McIntyre possess a rare facility to draw pieces into their repertoire from classical, jazz and world music, and express this material in way which not only displays the sheer range and knowledge of both instrumentalists but also exhibits the wonderful versatility of their instruments.  This married couple are sheer collective genius!

Seán Corcoran is a renowned traditional singer and bouzouki player whose long international career in Irish music has included everything from pioneering field recording to publishing, festival-directing, broadcasting, university teaching and documentary film-making.  He is also a member of traditional group, Cran.

Gerry O’Connor is one of the finest fiddlers in Ireland today.  “Sparkling”, “Dazzling”, and “Sublime” are just of the terms used to describe O’Connor’s music and style.  Joining Gerry on the night will be Nuala Kennedy on flute, who herself has been described as “Stunning” and “Peerless”.  Nuala’s new album “Tuned In” was met with wide critical acclaim.

The concert will be hosted by Dearbhla Lennon, World Championship dancer, Lord of the Dance and Riverdance soloist, television presenter – a seriously talented personality.

Irish Music Magazine described At First Light thus – “…surely one of those special pioneering acts who push the boundaries and redraw the map. And that can’t be a bad thing. For five very experienced and knowledgeable artists at the peak of their creativity, the future looks bright. And given that we are witnessing the birth of something special, something exciting and exceptionally vigorous, we would be wise to take heed.”

Tickets will be available on the door that night.  “Louth and Proud” is an initiative of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and the Arts Service of Louth County Council.  For further information, see www.createlouth.ie and www.fleadh2010.ie

Music Network’s Continuing Professional Development Training Programme aims to provide Irish and Ireland-based professional musicians and composers with the appropriate skills, resources and materials to deliver high-quality, interactive musical experiences in a range of outreach settings including:

• schools (primary and post-primary)
• community groups (e.g. active retirement groups or youth groups),
• healthcare settings (e.g. mental healthcare or older people in residential care)
• early years music (working with children from 18 months)

The Programme recognises each course participant as a resource and with the aid of skilled, specialised Facilitators, encourages course participants to share these valuable resources in order to develop the standard of music outreach practice in Ireland.

Course Details:

The 2010-2011 Programme will be delivered in a series of two, residential course weekends:

• Course Weekend 1

5 – 7 November 2010

Marino Conference Centre, Marino, Dublin 9

• Course Weekend 2

25 – 27 February 2011

Waterford Healing Arts Trust, Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford City

Each course weekend will focus on the importance of developing solid musicianship skills, in particular, in the areas of improvisation and vocal skills and how these skills can be adapted to a range of different aspects of community outreach work.  The course will also address :

• professional practice (e.g. putting a Child Protection Policy together and putting it into practice)
• reflection and evaluation (getting feedback from participants and the importance of reflection)
• accessing sources of funding (presentations by Arts Council staff and other relevant bodies)
• resources and supports
• cross-disciplinary work (e.g. dance, theatre, visual art)

Elaine Agnew, recognised as Ireland’s leading music educationalist, is the Artistic Advisor to this course and she will be joined by a team of specialists from Ireland and the UK to deliver this Programme. The course weekends are delivered in a workshop style, creating an interactive and engaging learning environment. The workshops will provide course participants with a range of skills, resources and materials to allow them to develop their own skills and the scope of their outreach work.

The 2010/11 Facilitation Team will include:

• Elaine Agnew (Artistic Advisor & Lead Facilitator formal and non-formal education scenarios, healthcare, prison and other institutions)
• Jenny Elliot (Healthcare: Using music & movement with clients with physical and learning disabilities)
• Lucy Champion (Song as Resource)
• Paul Roe (Reflection & Evaluative Practice)
• Naheed Cruickshank (Early Years Music – Working with very young children)
• Nico Brown (Working in schools and working with children)

Course participants are required to attend both course weekends in full, without condition.

Bursary Support:

Course participants must be supported by a bursary from their Local Authority Arts Office, a Professional Performing Organisation (e.g. the Irish Chamber Orchestra or the National Chamber Choir, RTÉ Performing Group) or other relevant body. Music Network  has, since 2007, offered Local Authority Arts Officers the facility to partner with Music Network by offering bursaries to local professional musicians that would benefit from this training.   Music Network would like to extend this offer to further Local Authorities in 2010/2011 as a means of assisting local Arts Officers to provide affordable, high quality, specialist professional development opportunities to musicians living and working in their locality.

The bursary for each course participant in this programme will be €500, payable by the Local Authority Arts Office or other supporting body in February 2011. This contribution to the costs involved in the Continuing Professional Development Training Programme will assist Music Network to provide:

• The highest standards of Facilitation
• Training in a comprehensive range of outreach scenarios
• Networking opportunities with musicians working in other counties and genres
• Support, resources and materials
• Appropriate standards of accommodation, meals etc to support the residential aspect of the course.

Supporting bodies may  like to consider including stipends for travel expenses for musicians participating in the programme.

Application Procedure:

Each applicant must complete the Music Network CPD Training Programme Application Form (Supporting bodies may wish to incorporate this or attach it to any standard application forms already in use). Click here for a copy.

All applications should be submitted to Music Network on or before Friday 8^th October at 5pm.

All applicants will be invited to participate in a course selection day in Dublin on Saturday 16^th October. The Selection Day will involve some taster sessions for the applicants as well as an opportunity to ascertain the expectations of the course and plans to put these new resources and skills into action once the course has been completed. Each applicant will be assessed by the Selection Panel on the following criteria:

• Ability to engage with a group
• Demonstrated musical ability
• Demonstrated commitment to outreach work
• Demonstrated commitment to this training programme
• Inter-personal and communication skills

If the panel feels that an applicant does not demonstrate one of the above criteria, they may not be selected to participate in the Programme, equally any applicant may decide to withdraw from the programme, if they feel that it will not provide the support that they require.

Music Network will inform all of the applicants of the outcome of the Selection Panel meetings directly and each Local Authority Arts Office or other sponsoring body of these successful candidates will be informed simultaneously.

Follow-Up:

Local Authority Arts Offices providing bursaries for this Programme are informed of the details of each upcoming course weekend and of the feedback from course weekends and Programme Evaluation Reports.

For further information, please contact:

Aisling Roche, Development Programmes Manager, Music Network,

The Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

Tel: 01 6719429 Fax: 01 6719430 Email: development@musicnetwork.ie

Blackrock based Artist Michael Duffy has announced details of his latest solo exhibition. The exhibition is entitled “Jazzy Blue etc” and will be officially launched on Friday 27^th August 2010. This new and exciting collection of works was born from Michael’s love of music and all things associated with all forms of entertainment. For this reason this collection has a diverse range of images from live music to iconic figures to sporting themes.

“I have been lucky enough to get the commission from The Warrenpoint Blues on the Bay Festival for the last two years which has ignited my interest in the theme of entertainment. Following on from that the Derry Jazz Festival committee has asked me to supply some ideas for next year’s event, so it’s all happening for me at the moment in the art world” states Michael. “And I’ve also been approached to design a couple of album covers, which is a dream come true believe it or not.”

The show will be staged in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre (upstairs gallery) and Michael says he is delighted to be back again in the venue for the fourth time in as many years. The show will run after the opening night until Thursday 23^rd September 2010. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 10pm and everybody is invited to the launch which incidentally kicks off at 7.30 pm sharp on Friday 27^th August.

“People sometimes are reluctant to go to an opening night without an invitation, but I’m breaking down all taboos and making it an open invite night, the more the merrier. It’s all about getting more people in to the gallery to view the latest art work” says Michael.

Following on from this show Michael hopes to stage another exhibition, this time in Dundalk before the year is out, so as they say watch this space.

If you want to check out Michael’s art just pop into the following website

www.mgduffy.nobullart.com