Dunamaise Arts Centre Spring 2024 Brochure of Events

SPRING 2024

SEASON OF EVENTS

dunamaise.ie | Tel: 057 86 63355

Explore, Experience, Enjoy... at Dunamaise Arts Centre Our team have been as busy as Santa’s elves and are delighted to present a fantastic Spring season of events, as we ramp up for our 25th Anniversary in 2024!

Reaching this milestone is only possible with the collaboration & investment of our Funders and supporters across the cultural & business communities in Laois and beyond.

Your support - attending shows, hiring the venue, buying tickets, vouchers and artwork - is the bedrock we rely upon, to continue to serve our cultural community.

We want you to Explore, Experience and Enjoy the very best of theatre, music, dance, cinema, exhibitions and more! All right on your doorstep, long into the future.

As a registered charity, we also greatly value your generosity, such as Supporting our essential fundraisers, whether attending events, once-off or regular donations (did you know, we can increase a €250 donation by €110 through Revenue’s Charity Donation Scheme!)

Advertise your business with us - we’ve got thousands of culturally savvy patrons who could become your customers too!

Lots of exciting partnership opportunities in our 25th anniversary year – contact us to explore more!

Think of us as your Christmas Gift solution with so many fabulous events to choose from and beautifully presented vouchers available!

Sending warm wishes to all our artists, audiences and friends for a very Happy Christmas – we look forward to welcoming you back soon & often in Spring!

From Michelle & all the team at Dunamaise

With thanks to Laois County Council & The Arts Council for Support and Funding.

Dunamaise Arts Centre is a registered Charity (CHY Number: 13923). Your donations are vital & always appreciated.

dunamaise.ie

T: 057 866 3355

Our Cinema Programme is carefully selected in association with access:CINEMA. Accessible screenings with Open Captions available.

Dunamaise is proud to develop exciting community engagement projects over the coming months with various artists and groups, here in the Arts Centre and countywide, with thanks to support from Creative Ireland Laois!

Dunamaise Friends Membership

Lots of great benefits while supporting your local arts centre!

Benefits include: 2 for 1 on Films, 2 FREE tickets every season*(from selected shows), Discounts at local businesses including Croft Alley and Fruit n Nut Portlaoise, Your Name on our Friends Appreciation List

All of this & more for just €100 per year!

CINEMA CINEMA

By Ken Wardrop

MUSIC

WORKSHOP PANTOMIME

CHILDRENS EVENT

Laois Documentary

MUSIC

MUSIC

MUSICAL

Party Season is Here...

Tenor Dominic McGorian with Piano Man Tom

Stocking Filler Idea

PORTLAOISE PANTO GROUP presents CINDERELLA

Saturday 20 - Saturday 27 January, 7.30pm Matinee shows: Sat 20th, Sun 21st & Sat 27th at 2pm

The 38th Annual Panto! Full of song, dance, comedy and fun!

THE MIRACLE CLUB

Wed 10 Jan, 11am & 8pm, €8/€5 There's just one dream for the women of Ballygar: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes. A heartwarming, hilarious film about friendship.

CINEMA

Lá Fhéile Bride Shona Daoibh!

STOLEN

CINEMA

Wed 7 Feb, 11am, €8/€5 Stolen tells the story of how pregnant women 'out of wedlock' were treated in an Ireland dominated by the Church.

Followed by Q&A

JACK L - ECHO ON TOUR Fri 12 Jan, 8pm, €30.50 0

MUSIC

Jack Lukeman returns, following the smashing success of his latest album.

This tour guarantees an unforgettable performance, radiating with electrifying energy and raw passion that embodies Jack L’s music.

PAT AND FAYE SHORTT KNUCKLE DOWN

COMEDY

Sat 13 Jan, 8pm, €32 Fasten your seat belts for an evening of madcap fun and frolics. Pat and Faye Shortt are back with a brand-new comedy show. touring nationwide.

KIERAN CORRIGAN LIVE - UP AND AT IT!

COMEDY

Sat 3 Feb, 8pm, €35 Following on from recent hugely popular shows, KC is back with a bang!!

Get ready for a night of comedy, fun & laughter.

Up & At It, ye legends!

VIRTUAL REALITY - OPERA IRISH NATIONAL OPERA present

OUT OF THE ORDINARY AS AN NGNÁCH

Sat 10 Feb, hourly 11am-5pm , €10 Experienced through a virtual-reality headset, this is opera like you’ve never seen before. A virtual reality opera about survival. Your reactions decide what ending you see. This exciting project brings together experts from the arts, technology and academic sectors, using new technology to involve local communities in opera. www.irishnationalopera.ie Fedora Digital Prize Winner 2021 Sung in Irish and English with subtitles

THE LEGENDS OF AMERICAN COUNTRY Sat 17 Feb, 8pm, €27

TWO TICKETS TO GREECE Wed 14 Feb, 8pm, €8/€5

CINEMA

Childhood friends Magalie and Blandine reunite after years, and decide to take a dream vacation to Greece.

A wildly entertaining tale of female camaraderie.

French: English Subtitles

MUSIC ANDY IRVINE & DONAL LUNNY Thurs 15 Feb, 8pm, €30/€28 Two giants of the Irish trad scene unite for an evening of great music and mixture of traditional and original songs. Their unique style of accompaniment is an ongoing influence in Irish music, contributing to a veritable renaissance in traditional music. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see these two legends of Irish music on stage together.

ADVERTISE WITH US Reach thousands of culturally savvy patrons through our seasonal brochures, newsletters, website & social media, in-venue and event promotional opportunities abound!

Contact us to collaborate!

T: 057 8663355 | E: info@dunamaise.ie

MUSIC

Europe's No.1 awardwinning show returns for a fantastic night of toe tapping classics that pay tribute to Dolly, Johnny, Patsy and more!

THEATRE FOR SCHOOLS ~ AGES 6+ Ceol Connected present

THE LAND OF A HUNDRED LITTLE HILLS Tues 20 Feb, 10am & 12pm, €5 (Teachers Free) Live music, puppetry and animation.

A joyful, moving, musical tale about a young boy whose life was full of wonder and adventure.

However, growing up, he lost his wonder along the way. Can his childhood book of memories help him rediscover the magic of childhood again?

Inspired by Patrick Kavanagh’s A Christmas Childhood. Coproduced with the NCH & Draíocht. Commissioned

by Patrick Kavanagh Centre & Monaghan County Council, funded by the Arts Council.

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF KITSY RAINEY Written and Performed by Mikel Murfi Thurs 22 Feb, 8pm, €20 / €18 Following on from The Man In the Woman's Shoes and I Hear You and Rejoice, this new piece, the third in the series, takes us on a very unusual and otherworldly journey.

Having married Kitsy Rainey late in life, cobbler Pat Farnon finally decides to lift the lid on a life previously lived by his wife. And all the while, Pat faces down his own reckoning.

Tender, heartfelt and joyously funny The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey finishes out Pat Farnon's journey in a most unexpected way.

A miniature masterpiece - Times of London

THEATRE

THE PEASANTS Wed 21 Feb, 11am & 8pm, €8/€5

CINEMA

An adaptation of a Nobel Prize winning novel about a Polish peasant creating havoc by marrying an older rich man. A hand-painted, animated movie.

Polish/Latin: English Subtitles

CLOTHES SWAP

FASHION

Sat 24 Feb, 2- 5pm, €2 Sustainable Fashion Event with Clothes Swap, slow-fashion designers and makers, wearable art displays and more.

Tea/Coffee on arrival

TARRAC Wed 6 Mar, 11am & 8pm, €8/€5

CINEMA

Filmed against the spectacular backdrop of the Kerry Gaeltacht and celebrating the value of sports, female friendship, and family ties.

Irish: English Subtitles

THEATRE IN THE DARK

Presented by Sightless Cinema Thurs 14 Mar, 7pm, €12/€8 A live audio play By Ciarán Taylor & Sightless Cinema Members with music

by Roger Gregg.

Bringing to life dramatic turning points in the lives of five people who are blind or visually impaired, this is an immersive surround sound experience where the audience can wear blindfolds, and all the sound effects and music are performed live. They are stories of adversity, adventure and determination.

In the Dark Tour is supported by Rethink Ireland.

FLYING FEATHERS

by Derek Benfield OPEN DOOR DRAMA Fri 8 & Sat 9 Mar, 8pm, €18/€16 A hilarious farce about a Chief Constable & his sister arriving at the country house of their late brother... only to discover a “house of sin”!

THEATRE Hilarious coming & goings throw the house into chaos.

SALTBURN Wed 27 Mar, 8pm, €8/€5

CINEMA

DANCE FIRST Wed 20 Mar, 8pm, €8/€5

CINEMA

A beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire. student Oliver (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming Felix, who invites him to his eccentric family's estate, for an unforgettable Summer.

Patrick Feeney Fri 29 Mar, 8pm, €27

An insightful, playful exploration into the life, relationships and work of literary genius, Samuel Beckett. A bon vivant, WWII resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband and recluse, Beckett lived a life of many parts.

MUSIC

Patrick Feeney was born to sing! An unmissable night of Country and Gospel.

With legions of fans, and a regular guest on TV and Radio, the award winning singer is known nationally for his remarkable tenor voice.

UNDER PARIS SKIES WITH THE FAR FLUNG TRIO Katherine Hunka violin Dermot Dunne accordion Malachy Robinson double bass

Fri 22 Mar, 8pm, €20/ €18 A very special concert infused with Parisian charm and the Trio’s characteristic joyful rapport. Repertoire will include Romantic Opera, the Moulin Rouge and Hot Club Jazz, with music by Bizet, Satie and Michel Legrand among many others. A musical saunter to touch the heart and lift the spirits in celebration of the Trio’s 10th anniversary!

MUSIC

PAST LIVES Wed 3 Apr, 8pm, €8/€5

Artists

Join the Artist & Community Arts Groups database, supported by Creative Ireland Laois.

See more on

dunamaise.ie

CINEMA

Two deeply connected childhood friends, are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.

English/Korean: English Subtitles

MUSIC

Turning Pirate presents

Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes and Paul Noonan An evening of collaboration and song Sat 13 Apr, 8pm, €45/€40 Having individually danced between genres, collaboration is part of the makeup of each of these artists careers. While predominantly centre-stage, they have also experienced the other parts, spaces and instruments that populate a band.

Lisa, Gemma and Paul now come together to share their stage and songs in this very special show, as part of Dunamaise Turns 25 celebrations!

HOW TO GET THE MENOPAUSE AND ENJOY IT Fri 14th June, 8pm, €27

Declan Nerney Sat 20 Apr, 8pm, €27

MUSIC

Join Declan & his band with special guests John McNicholl & John Hogan for a nostalgic night of music, song & laughter on the 2024 Where’s the Party nationwide tour.

COMEDY

Anne Gildea returns to Dunamaise with her fabulous, informative, laugh-out-loud show. Join Anne on a trip through all things Menopause and find out what all the fuss has been about.

SHARON SHANNON

PORTLAOISE TRAD FEST FRI 3 MAY, 8PM, €32

Exciting Irish Traditional Music concerts, workshops, youth sessions and pub session trail throughout the May Bank Holiday Weekend 3 - 6 MAY | PORTLAOISETRADFEST.COM mountmellickdramafestival.ie

Tuesdays,7.30 - 9pm Ages 12 - 18 years Call Pauline 085 7887303

EDUCATION SCREENINGS!

9 & 15 April Time: 11am Contact Ger to book Tel: 083-1190024

TELL YOUR TEACHER!

Dates are available in January to book a schools screening for language students!

E:info@dunamaise.ie

GER CAREY: COMEDY FOR TY STUDENTS

ART CLASSES WITH CAROLINE KEANE

A creative environment for budding artists to develop their skills with classes for Adults and Children. More info from Caroline on: www.artclasseswithcarolinekeane.ie

Peatlands Open Submission

Jan - Feb

An Immersive Installation exploring the peatlands and wetlands of Ireland.

Group Show

Guest Selector, 2023 Blaise Smith RHA One of the most anticipated Exhibitions in the Dunamaise Calendar, showcasing the vibrant visual arts community in the Midlands and beyond.

Runs until 13th Jan

Soundscapes and field recordings by Lisa Dowling Scott Nature photographer Tina Claffey Visual Artist Kathrine Geoghegan Artist, Curator and Creative producer Charleen Hurtubise Creative Engineer Fergus O’Hagan Contributing Artist Paola Catizone Supported by Creative Ireland Laois.

A special event will be held in Feb in association with Abbeyleix Bog Project.

Mar - Apr Kevin Kavanagh Gallery presents

Cecilia Danell

Winner of numerous awards and a widely exhibited artist, with a process based practice coupled with a strong interest in materiality and making.

Cecilia regularly returns to her family farm in Sweden to gather research material and capture that feeling of being in the landscape, exploring the psychological impact of place on a person.

Artist Showcase by local artists

at Dunamaise Café Dec : Cuisle Centre Art Group Jan - Feb: Tina Claffey March - April: TBC* *To apply contact info@dunamaise.ie

Meet the Artists - Contact Michelle to arrange a talk or workshop!

DECEMBER - APRIL WHAT’S COMING UP...

December January - February March - April Tuesdays, All Season Tues & Weds, All Season

Visual Art Visual Art Visual Art Youth Theatre Art Classes

Open Submission Group Show Peatlands Exhibition Cecilia Danell Laois Youth Theatre Art Classes with Caroline Keane

Sat 18 - Sat 25 Nov

Musical

Tues 28 Nov, 7pm Wed 29 Nov, 8pm Thurs 30 Nov, 11am Thurs 30 Nov, 8pm Fri 1 Dec, 11am Thurs 7 Dec, 7pm Thurs 7 Dec, 7.30pm Fri 8 Dec, 8pm Sat 9 Dec, 8pm Tue 12 Dec, 8pm Wed 13 - Thurs 14, Dec Sat 16 Dec, 7pm Sun 17 Dec, 5.30pm Mon 18 - Tues 19 Dec Wed 20 Dec, 8pm

Theatre Music Cinema Music Cinema Dance Art Workshop Cinema Music Cinema Musical Musical Family Theatre School Theatre Cinema

Portlaoise Musical Society: Made In Dagenham Sightless Cinema - Blind Panic Abba Forever IFI Edu Screening - Sixteen Phil Coulter Exhibition on Screen - Klimt Laois Dance Academy Show Paint by Bubbles with Pauline Ken Wardrop: So This Is Christmas Piano Man Tom Christmas Classics Gaza - Fundraising Screening Dunamase College - Grease Richard Mansworth School Show Elfie Doolittle saves Christmas Elfie Doolittle saves Christmas It’s A Wonderful Life

Wed 10 Jan, 11am & 8pm Fri 12 Jan, 8pm Sat 13 Jan, 8pm Sat 20 - Sat 27 Jan Tues 30 Jan - Thurs 1 Feb

Cinema Music Comedy Panto Musical

The Miracle Club Jack L Pat & Faye Shortt: Knuckle Down Portlaoise Panto Group: Cinderella Scoil Chroist Ri: Beauty & The Beast

For more events

dunamaise.ie

Church Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois R32 W93P | 057 866 3355

DECEMBER - APRIL WHAT’S COMING UP...

Comedy Sat 3 Feb, 8pm Cinema Wed 7 Feb, 11am Sat 10 Feb, hourly 11am-5pm Music/VR Cinema Wed 14 Feb, 8pm Music Thurs 15 Feb, 8pm Music Sat 17 Feb, 8pm Tues 20 Feb, 10am & 12pm Theatre Wed 21 Feb, 8pm Thurs 22 Feb, 8pm

Cinema Theatre

Sat 24 Feb, 2-5pm Tues 27 - Thurs 29 Feb

Fashion Musical

Kieran Corrigan Live: Up and At It Stolen - Followed by Q&A Irish National Opera: As an nGnách Two Tickets to Greece Andy Irvine & Dónal Lunny Legends of American Country Show School’s show: Ceol Connected The Land of a Hundred Little Hills The Peasants Mikel Murfi: The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey Clothes Swap St Mary's CBS Musical: All Shook Up

Sat 2 - Sun 3 Mar Wed 6 Mar, 11am & 8pm Fri 8 - Sat 9 Mar Tues 12 -Wed 13 Mar Thurs 14 Mar, 7.30pm Wed 20 Mar, 8pm Fri 22 March, 8pm Sat 23 - Sun 24 Mar Mon 25 - Tues 26 Mar Wed 27 March, 8pm Fri 29 Mar, 8pm

Local Arts Cinema Theatre Musical Theatre Cinema Music Local Arts Dance Cinema Music

Curtain Call: Give My Regards To Broadway Tarrac Open Door Drama: Flying Feathers Portlaoise College Musical: Back to the 80's Sightless Cinema - In The Dark Dance First Far Flung Trio Speak Out Drama:The Land of Make Believe Espira Ballet & Dance: Movies & Musicals Saltburn Patrick Feeney

Wed 3 Apr, 8pm Tues 9 & Mon 15 Apr Sat 13 Apr, 8pm Sat 20 Apr, 8pm

Cinema Theatre Music Music

Past Lives Ger Carey: Comedy for TY’S Lisa Hannigan, Paul Noonan, & Gemma Hayes Declan Nerney

For more events

dunamaise.ie

Church Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois R32 W93P | 057 866 3355