Terry Riley, Talvin Singh, George Brooks

California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath

An Tain Theatre Dundalk

29 Oct 2010 @8pm.

Tickets available from www.centralticketbureau.com

Terry Riley has been away from Europe for many years, and this is his 75th Birthday. Louth Contemporary Music Society , is honoured to present the world famous Terry Riley as he performs Indian ragas with arrangements on the saxophone played by the ever progressive saxophonist George Brooks and Mercury Music awarded tabla player Talvin Singh. Solos from each artist as well.

This show is not only to celebrate Terry Riley’s birthday and welcome return to Europe, but also to see how Indian Classical music so easily flows into Jazz and minimalism, as well as seeing the young maestro and experimentalist of tabla, Talvin Singh, to perform in a traditional context.

Music, like all living beings, must evolve to keep pace with a changing environment. The ancient arts of India struggle for survival in a world moving at an every increasing speed.Technology and desire for wealth move us forward and leave little time for the reflection and introspection necessary to evolve the high art known as raga. Pran Nath’s music was rooted in the masters of the late 19h and early 20th centuries. As a young man he survived a harrowing journey during partition from Lahore to the new nation of India and later to the US where his most dedicated students absorbed his teachings and continue to reflect on them in deeply personal forms of artistic expression.

Pran Nath took the ancient traditions of fierce dedication to craft and guru and handed them to a new generation of American disciples. Terry Riley, Talvin Singh and George Brooks will perform traditional ragas arranged for piano, voice, saxophone and tablas, focusing on some of Pran Nath’s favorite ragas from the Kirana tradition such as Darbari, Bageshri, Malkauns, Yemen and Bhimpolasi.

In addition they will perform works from the Riley-Brooks duo repertoire including movements from “Salome Dances for Peace“ and “Ebony Horns“. Each artist will also perform a solo work.

California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Create Louth. California Kirana – The West Coast Legacy of Pran Nath is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by Dundalk Town Council and Louth County Council.

Tickets for the performance priced €25 are available from www.centralticketbureau.com
Phone 0818 205 205( Ireland)
0870 850 2896 (UK)

California Composer Terry Riley launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement with his revolutionary classic IN C in 1964. This seminal work provided a new concept in musical form based on interlocking repetitive patterns. Its impact was to change the course of 20th Century music and its influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams.

Talvin Singh Producer, composer and tabla player.

The Mercury Music Prize 1999 winner is known for creating an innovative fusion of classical Indian music and drum and bass. He is generally considered as a central figure in the electronica sub genre called Asian Underground. Also, his traditional tabla playing has gained him world recognition and respect. He has worked with the likes of Bjork, Blondie, Madonna, Siouxsie & the Banshees, David Sylvian, Sun Ra, DJ Spooky, Massive Attack, Future Sound of London, Ryuchi Sakamoto, The Master Musicians of Jajouka, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

George Brooks Saxophonist

George Brooks has performed with such notable musicians as Etta James, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, Anthony Braxton, Zakir Hussain, and Terry Riley. His original compositions combine elegant melodies with the rich harmonies of modern jazz and the driving rhythms of North India to form a unique and wholly satisfying musical experience.

www.terryriley.net

www.georgebrooks.com

www.talvinsingh.com

ww.louthcms.org

www.jenskommnick.com

Workshop components include:

Ø   The accompaniment of Irish traditional music (Reels, Jigs, etc.)

Ø   Celtic Finger style arrangements. In this field the open “DADGAD“ tuning is particularly suitable.

Primary workshop objectives include:

Ø   What advantages accrue?

Ø   Which rhythmic colours can you create?

Ø   How can I develop lyrical atmospheres?

Ø   How can I use dynamics in my arrangements?

Ø   How can I use DADGAD tuning in other musical fields?

Those questions will be discussed by working with practical examples.

If you want to attend the workshop you should already have certain experience and abilities on the instrument (main chords, barre chords, basic rhythm patterns, basic picking patterns). However, special DADGAD “know how“ and music reading skills are not necessary.

Please bring: your instrument, a capo, a plectrum and – if you like – a recording device.

For further information and booking contact:

Patricia Duffy 0n 085-7213077

“Tír na nÓg”

July 2^nd – 30th

Basement Gallery Dundalk

Artist’s Statement.

“Tir na nOg” is based on a small Church of Ireland National School in Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. The school is home to one hundred and thirty pupils from forty four different nationalities.  “Tir na nOg” is Irish for “Land of Youth” in Irish mythology where Gods and fortunate mortals remained eternally young and lived in perfect harmony wanting for nothing.

Ireland during the “Celtic Tiger” period attracted a multicultural population to its shores expecting a better quality of life, the modern “Tir na nOg”. Ireland’s population grew enormously over that period and “Tir na nOg” lived up to its reputation until the advent of the global recession.

The photographs of pupils, shot in the deadpan aesthetic, captures the character and spirit within each child, taken in the environment of the school and its grounds. This environment may to us, born and raised in Ireland appear dull, normal, possibly even boring but to these pupils from other countries it is not. Ireland’s culture, mythology, sport and language adorn the walls and corridors of the school ready to be soaked up by these willing minds. I think we should celebrate the ordinary in life.

Initially I thought this series of pictures were applicable only to Dundalk but after reflection I think it is a true indication of life within the whole island of Ireland.

Ken Finegan

FÍS 2010 in the Carroll’s Building, Dundalk.

Wednesday June 2^nd 6 – 9 pm.  Thursday 3^rd June 12 noon – 8 p.m.

Creative Media at the Dundalk Institute of Technology returns with its end of year showcase, Fís 2010, in the stunning surroundings of the newly renovated Carroll’s Building.

Featuring completely new and original work ranging from film to interactive installations and games, Fís 2010 examines a wide range of ideas reflecting on the nature of art and technology.

The work on show will highlight the relevant and diverse skills that students of creative media, film and games development acquire over the course of their studies at DKIT. The students showcasing work are graduating from five programmes: the BA and BA (Hons) in Communications (Creative Multimedia), the BA and BA (Hons) in Video and Film Production and the Bsc Hons) in Computing in Games Development.

This is an historic occasion for the Dundalk campus as the launch of Fís 2010 will be the first time that the newly refurbished Carroll’s Building will be open to the public. The original P. J. Carroll’s Building was built between 1967 and 1970.  It is a fine example of an Irish take on Modernist architecture by Ronnie Tallon of the legendary firm Scott Tallon Walker.  Their architecture team has successfully faced the challenge of transforming a 20^th-century factory space into a 21^st-century environment for education in cutting-edge creative media and technology.

Housing the School of Informatics and Creative Arts, the building is arguably the finest facility of its kind in Ireland, including a state-of-the-art TV studio, audio and radio recording studios, photographic darkroom, performance spaces and screening room.

Fís 2010 marks the beginning of a celebration of a decade of Creative Media at the Dundalk Institute of Technology.   Further events will be scheduled in the Autumn.

Fís is open to all, and will be launched at 6 p.m. in the Carroll’s Building on Wednesday 2^nd June. It will close at 9 p.m. on 2^nd June and re-open from 12 noon – 8 p.m. on Thursday 3^rd June.

Wednesday & Thursday May 25 & 26 @8.00 PM

Admission …………………………………………………€5.00
Cast: Aine McMahon, Rachel Herlihy, Freda McGeough, Paula Soraghan, Niamh Gaskin, Christopher Byatt,
Andrew Linehan, Sam McKeague, Derbhla Reilly, Shaun Nelson, Grainne Loughran.

Group Facilitators:    Edwina Albrecht & Pat McKenna.

Dundalk Theatre Workshop
Will stage The Irish Premier of Inherit the Wind
By Jerome Laurence and Robert E. Lee

in November 2010

Open Auditions for the production will take place upstairs in Mc Geough’s Bar,Roden Place, Dundalk

On Tuesday the 1st June 2010 and Wednesday the 2nd June 2010 at 8.00.pm
Adults and young people over 13
Are invited to audition

No experience required, you should have a small piece or monologue of your choice prepared.
First staged in 1955, later becoming a classic film, based on 1925 trial of an American school teacher who dared to teach Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, Inherit the Wind is one of the great American dramas of the last century

Tour will visit the Oriel Centre, The Old Gaol, Dundalk, Co. Louth on  Saturday April 24th 2010

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann presents “In Session” with Danny O’Mahony and Michéal O’Raghallaigh
on Saturday  April 24^th 2010.

Download flyer here

March 26^th 2010 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann announce a significant new initiative to bring renowned traditional musicians to regional centres around the country on a regular basis, with

the first tour playing at Oriel Centre located in the Old Gaol Dundalk , on Saturday April 24^th. The “In Session” tour commencing in April, will feature acclaimed accordion player Danny O’Mahony and concertina player Micheál O’Raghallaigh.  These professional musicians will be supported by local Comhaltas musicians from the region, offering the audience a chance to enjoy not only established performers, but the best in up-and-coming talent from their very own doorstep.

Future  “In Session” tours will expand to include an increased number of regional venues around the country and will feature musicians of high-calibre, displaying the commitment of Comhaltas to providing performers of excellence to audiences countrywide, while at the same time providing a stage to lesser known and local young musicians.

Playing in the inagural “In Session” tour is Danny O’Mahony, an accordion player and music teacher of renown from Ballyduff in North-Kerry who is instantly recognised for his very distinctive and personal style on button accordion.  Danny has won both numerous junior and senior all-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann throughout the 90s, and has contributed to Comhaltas as a competition adjudicator, teacher and lecturer on the diploma course for traditional Irish music teachers (TTCT).  Danny, as well as currently teaching at the University of Limerick, is a presenter and producer of Traditional Irish Music and Song programs for Radio Kerry.

Micheál O’Raghallaigh is widely regarded as one of the finest concertina players of his generation.  He has recorded with many artistes and has produced two solo albums to critical acclaim.  He also recorded albums with the group ‘Providence’ and the three-in-a-row winning ‘Táin’ Céili Band.  He holds the distinction of being a member of two ‘three-in-a-row bands, the other being ‘Naomh Pádraig’ from his native county Meath.  He has toured Europe, Scandinavia and the USA, and is much sought after as a performer and tutor.

Tickets for the “In Session” Tour are now on sale from Oriel Centre The Old Gaol, on 042-9328887 . Tickets are priced at just €10 for adults.  There will also be €5 concession tickets and a limited number of €20 family tickets available.

This tour promises a feast of music with something to cater to everyone’s taste, be it connoisseurs or casual fans of traditional entertainment. So drop by your local Comhaltas Centre and enjoy the Ceoil agus Craic. Tickets will be in high demand so make sure to get yours early.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Èireann is the largest organisation involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.  It is a non-profit cultural movement which has been working for the cause of Irish music since 1951 with hundreds of local branches around the world.

ENDS

For further information contact Miriam Andersson at Limelight Communications on

(01) 668 0600 or email Miriam.Andersson@limelight.ie

Note to Editor

Concert Schedule

Date                                                                      Location                               Venue

Friday April 16^th Ennis                                     Cois na hAbhna, Ennis, Co.Clare

Saturday April 17^th Cashel                                   Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Friday April 23^rd Omagh                                 Dún Uladh, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Saturday April 24^th Dundalk                               Oriel Centre,The Old Gaol,  Dundalk

Sunday April 25^th Clontarf                                Clasac, Clontarf, Dublin 3

Friday, April 9, 2010 at 8:00pm

Location: In Ballymascanlon Hotel Dundalk.

Breaking News~!!!….Kevin Boyle and the London Gang are coming over; Liam Farrell, Paul Gallagher and Michael O’Connell and word has it that the Great Legendary Donegal fiddle player Danny Meehan will be with them…. (Description Featuring a host of Local and International artists the three hour concert will be presented by Singer songwriter Tommy Sands (Downtown Radio)

Breaking News~!!!….Kevin Boyle and the London Gang are coming over; Liam Farrell, Paul Gallagher and Michael O’Connell and word has it that the Great Legendary Donegal fiddle player Danny Meehan will be with them…. ( The Man who Built London……!)

Also performing is the great piper, Neillidh Mulligan, who was amongst the first to offer his support for this special occasion.

Night of Trad Music Poster2