Have a happy arty New Year
AS a new year dawns it looks like being a busy one on the local arts and music scene, with lots of enticing events lined-up for the coming months.
An Táin Arts Centre, the Oriel Centre at the Old Gaol, and The Spirit Store are all hosting events featuring top national and international names, as well as supporting up and coming and local acts.
An Táin’s Managing Director Paul Hayes says he is looking forward to the spring programme.
‘We have ten films, three exhibitions, three music gigs, a panto and host of other shows.’
‘ This season will see some of the biggest shows coming to An Táin Arts Centre, including Michael Harding, Opera Theatre Company’s Acis and Galatea by Handel and The Lyric’s Educating Rita.’
Other tempting offerings over the coming month’s sees An Táin’s theatre company in residence Quintessence returning for a three night run at the end of January with their hit show of last year ‘Cracks’ which looks at mental health and young people. Paul will be be chairing a post show discussion on mental health after each show. Quintessence will also be premiering their new show Dracula in April.
An Táin’s musicians in residence Ardú will start their schools outreach program and work will continue on the arts centre’s Men’s Shed film project.
The Armagh Rhymers will be bringing their tradition of ‘ the Wren Boys’ or mummers to An Táin as part of the St Brigid’s Festival at the beginning of February.
Other highlights include internet comedy stars The Dirt Birds, featuring Dundalk’s own Sinead Culbert and Sue Collins of The Nualas, Dundalk Theatre Workshop stage ‘ The Importance of Being Ernest’ as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, and there’s a screening of the film ‘Mad Mary’ which was shot in Drogheda and has been listed as among the top Irish films of 2016.
The Basement Gallery is the venue for exhibitions by local artists Dara Vallely and Patrick Conyngham as well as Dundalk Photographic Society’s annual show.
For those wishing to develop their own creativity, there are drama classes for children and ukulele workshops for adults.
There are big names aplenty line-up for the Oriel Centre, whose 2017 season gets underway with Simon Todd and Rosie Bell on January 27. The David Munnelly Trio featuring David Munnelly (accordion) Shane Mc Gowan (guitar) Joseph McNulty (fiddle) take to the stage on February 10, while Eleanor McEvoy, Mundy and Andy Irvine are booked for later in the year.
There’s a stellar line-up at The Spirit Store with head-lining acts including a host of musicians and comedians to suit all tastes.
While the comedy programme kicks off with a sell-out gig from Jason Byrne on January 22, tickets are still available for shows by Des Bishop, Kevin McAller and Neil Delamare.
Highlights of the live music programme includes performances by Wallis Bird, Lisa Hannigan, Frightened Rabbit and Luka Bloom.
There are plenty of other gigs by local acts and tribute bands, including a special Bowie weekend in aid of local cancer charities on January 13 and 14.
Creative Spark, Clontygora Drive, Muirhevnamor has a tempting programme of workshops in print making, ceramics, painting, letterpress, sewing, creative writing beginning at the end of January. For details log on to www. creativespark,ie