TAKE 2 SHINING A LIGHT IN THE DARK

So we mentioned last week how there was a campaign to get Spotify to pay musician a reasonable amount every time their music was played. Just 1 cent, that’s all artistes are asking. In return Spotify have devised a new scheme that tries to get the musicians to sign up for an algorithmic boost – in exchange for a lower “promotional recording royalty rate”. Yup, if you want your music heard by as many people as possible then take a pay cut. That’s the spirit.

Duncairn Arts Centre in Belfast tend not to let things stop them doing what they think is important – and coronavirus keeping patrons way is no exception.

They managed to raise more than £25,000 with its Cabaret Shows featuring artists such as Damien Dempsey and Lisa Hannigan – with the money going to struggling musicians and poets.

Now they’re launching another shot in the arm for arts with Take 2, a fortnightly online arts magazine. Tomorrow’s edition features stars of the trad scene

Joseph Mcnulty and Cillian Doheny, (inset) RTE Folk Award nominees Alfi, local singer-songwriter Kat Little and spoken word by Abby Oliveira.

Duncairn Arts’ Director Ray Giffen explained: “Everyone needs hope and some much needed light in these dark days and that is what Take 2 is all about.

“Virtual Cabaret was a tremendous success but the Duncairn is known for its desire to innovate and self educate and that is what Take 2 is doing.”

Thanks to funding from Arts Council NI and Belfast City Council, the Duncairn was able to acquire stateof-the art recording equipment to produce the magazine.

Ray added: “The centre’s whole ethos is to self-educate our staff and patrons and with this marvellous new equipment we now have an eager team of budding filmmakers to ensure Take 2 is yet another outstanding success. In the absence of live concerts, young musicians and poets are in most need of the exposure to help build their profiles, so we feel it is particularly important to support and nurture this future generation of emerging artists.

“When live concerts resume we’ll have the ability to welcome audiences back to the Duncairn, but we’ll also be able to live stream events for online audiences.

“We’re also already planning to provide arts and workshops online alongside our classes at the centre.

“Our newly appointed Writer in Residence, poet Colin Hassard, will soon launch the Duncairn’s first podcast series.

“We have also been overwhelmed by the response to our recent Open Call for Young Artists.

“We were astounded by the number of local talent that remain undiscovered and we are confident that Take 2 will give them the perfect platform to reach audiences not just at home but all over the world.”

You can tune in fortnightly on Saturdays from 8pm on Facebook (www. facebook.com/theduncairn) and Youtube (www.youtube. com/c/duncairnarts).

WELL SPOKEN Abby Olivera