Lots to think, and sing, about at Other Voices

INTERNATIONAL and Irish artists as well as innovators and policy-makers will gather in Dingle this weekend for Other Voices.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on West Kerry where accommodation is heavily booked. The festival which started in 2001 as a televised music event with a small local audience has expanded to encompass over 70 free gigs and talks, as well as anciliary events.

With so much happening it can be hard to know where to make off for the best music but we’re told that Navá (a Persian/Irish outfit)and Malojian and Joshua Burnside from Northern Ireland shouldnt be missed. Both concerts are in An Díseart.

To ensure that limited size venues are kept within capacity, the Other Voices organisers have introduced a wrist band for people who wish to attend concerts or gigis in An Diseart, McCarthy’s, Nellie Fred’s and An Chonair and the Dingle Brewing Company. Ordering of wrist bands can only be done online.

Off the music trail, Clean Coasts is holding an event entitled ‘Our Coast Our Voices’ in Ventry Hall on December 2, starting at 11.30am. This is a family-oriented event with fun workshops and presentations designed to create awareness of our extensive coastline and measures that need to be taken to protect it.

While music is the focal point of the weekend for most people, the father of Other Voices Philip King continues to advocate the message he had on the first day – that artistic, creative people have an important role to play in the future of Ireland socially, culturally and economically.

This thinking will find expression at the Ireland’s Edge conference which will bring a vast array of academics and policy-makers to The Skellig Hotel on Friday and Saturday. A limited number of conference tickets are available via Eventbrite and the conference will also be streamed live on www.facebook.com/IrelandsEdgeHQ .