Roscommon Arts Centre Events Brochure Summer 2023

SUMMER 2023

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Box Office: 0906 625 824

roscommonartscentre.ie

Box Office: 0906 625 824 | roscommonartscentre.ie

KALEIDOSCOPE: ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

ARTIST ON MY GREEn

Earlier this year, we put a callout to local Resident Associations and artists to participate in a new summer residency programme and this summer, we are thrilled to announce that 3 local communities of neighbours will engage with three artists on their local green/ communal spaces over a six-week period as together they learn, create and discover, with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland.

Further details on the artists and their residencies can be found at www.roscommonartscentre.ie Artist On My Green will take place during Summer 2023.

PULL UP A CHAIR & PLAY WITH JOHN WYNNE

Multi-instrumentalist John Wynne, continues the series of “Slow Sessions” for musicians starting off or picking back up an instrument. These sessions are for players of any instrument and at any level. A selection of easy and well known session tunes will be played slowly so that have the opportunity to play together in a friendly, supportive and informal context. Supported by the Creative Ireland Programme.

THURSDAY 15th JUNE & 17th AUGUST

6.15pm – 7.45pm | €10

KALEIDOSCOPE: ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

Presented as part of the Age & Opportunity Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age

WRITING WORKSHOPS WITH GERRY BOLAND

This new series of writing workshops, suitable for all writers including beginners, presented by poet and author, Gerry Boland, will explore poetry, short fiction and memoir.

In the final workshop, Gerry will present a formal reading from his latest book ALL THAT JAZZ.

FRANCES CROWE FORGOTTEN PHOTOS

Following on from the success of the “In Memory of Cloth” Project, Frances will now investigate how “Forgotten Photographs” can be manipulated by hand stitching directly onto these vintage images with colourful thread. These worn photographs carry enigmatic narratives which can be brought to life with a needle and thread.

SATURDAYS IN MAY | 11am – 1pm

€10 PER SESSION | LIMITED SPACES

FRIDAYS IN MAY | 10.30am - 12.30pm

€5 PER SESSION/€15 FOR FOUR | LIMITED SPACES

* Part of Bealtaine Festival Roots and Shoots Visual Arts programme.

KALEIDOSCOPE: ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

OLDER PEOPLE

ELDERBERRIES

The fabulous Catherine Donnelly invites anyone aged 50+ to getting moving in these gentle classes. Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes, no previous experience is necessary. Two sessions available on the day with a coffee break too!

SONGBIRDS

Over 50 and like to sing?

Then sign up for our free weekly choral sessions with the brilliant Cathy Jordan.

From folk songs to traditional Irish airs, these sessions accommodated both experienced singers and those just finding their voices.

TUESDAY AFTERNOONS IN MAY & JUNE

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS IN MAY

10.30am-11am €2 | 11.30-12.30pm €4

Elderberries in May is supported by Roscommon County Council’s Arts Office Bealtaine Programme.

2pm – 3.30pm | ADMISSION IS FREE

KALEIDOSCOPE: ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

FAMILIES & YOUNG PEOPLE: FOR EVERYONE:

GALLERY DAYS WITH MARIAN BALFE

Join us for some playful experimentation with materials, techniques and ideas and learn a little bit about the work on show in our gallery in a fun way with the brilliant Marian Balfe. It’s the perfect weekend family activity!

SUNDAY 18th JUNE | 12pm - 1.30pm

2pm - 3.30pm | ADM FREE

PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL

10 MINUTES OF ART

Have you ever stepped into our gallery?

Curator Naomi Draper, artists and educators will host 10 minute tours of exhibitions, specifically developed for non-visual art audiences on selected performance evenings to help you navigate your way around the shows.

FRIDAY 23rd JUNE | 7.30pm

Prior to IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY

KALEIDOSCOPE: ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

SCHOOLS:

Gallery X Ed

Our visual art education programme in secondary schools continues with artists and educators Maree Hensey and Andy Parsons. Register you interest at: boxoffice@roscommoncoco.ie

Primary Colours

Primary school students aged 7+ can enjoy free guided tours of our exhibitions, with artist Marian Balfe. Tours are complimented by on-site workshops. Book via artscentre@roscommoncoco.ie

ONLINE

Films of each exhibition in the curated visual art programme with contributions from participating artists can also be downloaded, along with supporting critical texts from our website. Essay booklets will be available at the gallery & films will also be screened in-house.

ART Writing Workshops

with Jennie Taylor

These art writing workshops cover a broad overview of key elements, histories, examples and approaches to art writing practices. Course participants will learn about examples of art writing.

MAY 27th 2pm – 4pm & JUNE 24th

11.30am-1.30pm | €6

AIR 2023

In summer 2023 Roscommon Arts Centre will offer further residency opportunities under the “AIR Programme” through an Open Call.

The residencies available are ‘New Voice’, ‘Start’ and ‘Middle’.

All Residencies will take place over a two-month period, commencing in Summer 2023 and include an artist fee and an allowance towards travel/ accommodation.

The successful artists will commence the residencies this summer and will be announced on our website roscommonartscentre.ie.

The AIR Programme is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

This summer we are once again opening up our spaces to professional artists and practitioners free of charge who wish avail of time and space with us. “Studio 23” residents can access our spaces for periods of between 2 & 4 weeks from June – August.

Register via email to: artscentre@roscommoncoco.ie

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES & SUPPORTS: RESIDENCIES

VISUAL ART WRITERS IN RESIDENCE

Jennie Taylor

Writer Jennie will respond to each show in the curated programme this year.

Responses will be available in both hard copy and online. Jennie Taylor is a fiction and arts writer. A graduate of Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology & National College of Art & Design. She has published her work in Critical Bastards Magazine, The Stinging Fly and Visual Arts Newsletter. Jennie lives and works in Dublin, Ireland.

hashtag WIP hashtag WIP

Anna Spearman, Kian Benson Bailes and Orla McHardy

Hashtag WIP employs a collaborative, process based, method of exhibition making where three regionally based artists will come together and use the gallery as a studio and test space. Following a series of visits to one another’s studios, the artists will present a range of works in progress_ the incomplete and ongoing, the trial, the error, the unfinished, pieces that do not hide all traces of creation, that reveal and display their processes of production. This exhibition offers the artists involved the opportunity to share work and work practices, and to develop and evolve works collectively.

EXHIBITION OPENS 6pm FRIDAY 14th APRIL.

EXHIBITION CONTINUES UNTIL JUNE 2nd

LEAVES GROUND

DARRAN MCGLYNN

Leaves Ground is a newly commissioned body of work which presents a careful use of text and craftsmanship to explore our relations with our surrounds. Bringing together materials as diverse as marble, neon, fossils and fabrics, Leaves Ground is an investigation into the nature of time, transience, and the balancing of opposing forces. Darran McGlynn is an artist and sculptor living and working in Galway where he is based at Artspace Studios. His multifaceted practice incorporates sculpture, installation, text and various printed media. Notable group shows include Horse, Void, Derry in 2015 curated by Mark Wallinger and Maoliosa Boyle. There is a notable sense of humour throughout his work that combines personal, social and political reflection.

EXHIBITION OPENS 6pm FRIDAY 16th JUNE | CONTINUES UNTIL AUGUST 11th

ARTIST TALK WITH DARRAN MCGLYNN & VALERIA CREGINI

Valeria Ceregini is an Italian art historian and visual arts curator based in Ireland.

FRIDAY 14th JULY | 6.30pm

Supported by the Creative Ireland Roscommon

FUTURE DISTANT MEMORY CALLS

LAURA SKEHAN

A Future Distant Memory Calls is an exhibition containing video, sound and sculpture, an installation suspending the viewer in a space with extracted moments of time, using a variety of media, motifs, and devices to analyse how agriculture, architecture, colonialism, extraction and the quest for knowledge have been elemental to climate breakdown. The audio will be made with contributions from with three international composers, reflecting on their experiences of migration, adapting, rooting and growing.

Laura Skehan is an artist from Dublin. Her practice focuses on the relationship between human and non-humans entities in the built environmental and natural landscape whilst working predominantly in moving image, sound and sculpture installation. Recent shows include IMMA ‘Earth Rising’ and ‘Internal Clocks’ at Culterim Gallery, Berlin (2022).

EXHIBITION OPENS ON FRIDAY 25th AUGUST | CONTINUES UNTIL OCTOBER 29th

ARTIST TALK WITH LAURA SKEHAN AND VALERIA CREGINI

Valeria Ceregini is an Italian art historian and visual arts curator based in Ireland.

Supported by the Creative Ireland Roscommon

FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER | 6.30pm

COUNTRY AND IRISH NEIL DELAMERE DELAMERIUM

FIGHT2FLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY AND SMOCK ALLEY THEATRE

Peter McGowen takes the lead in Patrick McCabe’s Beckett-esque one-man show. Meet Donie Burris, who overcomes his troubles (which include his girlfriend, his overbearing mum and the MidFord mafia) by imagining himself as “the star of his own gangster movie.” This is the story of a man at the end of his tether who sets out to tell a story like non you’ve ever heard before.

Neil Delamere is back with a brand new show, Delamerium. Expect the usual hilarious stories, wry observations and quick-witted improvisation as our comedy hero tries to makes sense of the world around him

THURSDAY 11th MAY | 8pm | €25

PLUS €1 BOOKING FEE

TUESDAY 9th MAY | 8pm | €18/16

No TV camera could accurately measure the lightning speed of Delamere’s wit” - The Irish Times

LIZ KNOWLES, NIWEL TSUMBU & NIALL VALLELY

Three musicians, multiple traditions and an abundance of talent would be one way to describe the specially curated powerhouse ensemble of Knowles (fiddle/hardanger fiddle), Tsumbu guitar/vocals) and Vallely (concertina). The trio will immerse listeners in the striking melodies, beautiful harmonies, and deep rhythmic grooves that result from their collaborative onstage joie de vivre.

SATURDAY 13th MAY | 8pm | €18/€16

ANNA NEWELL THEATRE ADVENTURES

A blissful immersive adventure performed offsite in Creggs N.S in a hydropool - with everyone in the water! Three performers take the audience on a magical journey of exquisite harmony singing and gentle water play designed especially for children with complex needs, embracing and celebrating the sensory dialogue that they have with the world around them.

MAY 16th, 17th, 18th OFF-SITE | SOLD OUT

Part of the 2023 programme from the Network for Extra Ordinary Audiences

FROM A LOW AND QUIET SEA

BY DONAL RYAN CROKEY PLAYERS

Four souls. Each searching for something they have lost. Each trying to make sense of the road they have chosen. The mother, the refugee, the penitent, the dreamer, searching for a version of home. From war–torn Syria to small–town Ireland, they are scarred by all they have loved and lost, drawn towards a powerful reckoning, one that will bring them together in the most unexpected of ways. Directed by Andrew Flynn

Written by Tommy Marren (The Real McCoy, Nobody’s Talking

To Me and 3 Hail Marys), CELEBRATION IRELAND captures our history, our culture and our music across ten decades through nostalgia, memories, comedy and song. Featuring live music and hilarious sketches to rekindle memories of Irish people and events you’ve probably completely forgotten about!

TUESDAY 16th MAY | 8pm | €20/18| AGE: 15+

FRIDAY 19th & SATURDAY 20th MAY | 8pm | €26 /€24

MAJELLA FLANAGAN THEATRE COMPANY

This heartwarming stage adaptation tells the coming-of-age tale of Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage as she learns to harness the power that lies within. Featuring songs such as “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.” Moana JR. is sure to awaken your inner hero!

SATURDAY 27th MAY 7.30pm |

SUNDAY 28th MAY 2.30pm | €15

LIVE

Join Cowboy Lavin, the biggest (and only) TikTok

star of his generation, as he shares his hilarious stories about Living through Lockdown and life on the road. Cowboy will be accompanied by fellow Hardy Bucks legend Frenchtoast O’Toole, who may or may not be back on the drink. Special Guest to be announced. Strictly Over 18s.

SATURDAY 3rd JUNE | 8pm €25 PLUS €1 BOOKING FEE

The Legends of

“The Legends of American Country” returns with tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Patsy Cline and Kenny Rogers and new tributes to icons Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell, Tammy Wynette, John Denver and Willie Nelson, with countless other well-known hit songs in this must see musical extravaganza!

FRIDAY 9th JUNE 2023 | 8pm | €25 + €1 BOOKING FEE

JUNE PERFORMANCES

“Simply

Stunning” – The BBC

THE ILLEGALS WITH NIAMH KAVANAGH

A tribute to the iconic music of The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.

Led by Niamh Kavanagh, The Illegals will take you on a journey of soulful harmonies, exciting riffs, blistering guitars and unforgettable songs. The best of two legendary bands in one night? It’s almost too good to be true.

SATURDAY 10th JUNE | 8pm | €24 + €1 BOOKING FEE

MUSIC FROM THESE PARTS

LEONARD BARRY, DECLAN FOLAN & SHANE MCGOWAN

The series continues with a performance by Leonard Barry (uilleann pipes), Declan Folan (fiddle) and Shane McGowan (guitarist). The Trio have shared the stage and recorded with many of music greats including Lunasa, Dervish, Sean Keane, Luka Bloom, and Lisa O’Neill amongst others and in 2019 they released “Hurry the Jug” to critical acclaim, an album that traces the various influences that have shaped their music over the course of many years.

SÉAN KEANE

Seán’s musical voice is unique and his songs “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears”, “Galway to Graceland” and “Home Away

From Home” encompass a mixture of traditional Irish folk music, blues, and country. While his roots are in old Ireland with the Keane family tradition of sean-nós singing, his voice lends itself beautifully to many different genres and his skill on the flute, whistles and pipes make his work unforgettable.

THURSDAY 15th JUNE | 8pm | €15

SATURDAY 17th JUNE | 8pm | €30

JUNE PERFORMANCES

LINDA MAY HAN OH & FABIAN ALMAZAN

MUSIC NETWORK

ROSCOMMON ARTS CENTRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH MUSIC GENERATION ROSCOMMON

We’re celebrating the next generation of Roscommon musicians. Young Music Generation players will join local musicians and music educators on stage for a series of informal performances of pop, classical, jazz, traditional and rock music throughout the year and we can’t wait! Pre-booking advisable.

This highly creative duo will perform mostly original works with Almazan drawing inspiration from his Cuban heritage and musical training in jazz and classical idioms and Oh showcasing the skills which have seen her collaborate with some of the biggest names in the industry.

OFFSITE | KING HOUSE, BOYLE

WEDNESDAY 21st JUNE 8pm | €20/18

SUNDAY 18th JUNE | 2.30pm | €5

In the MIDSTof PLENTY

ENCHANTED CROI THEATRE

A folk musical set during the height of Ireland’s Great Hunger which traces the stories of friendship, betrayal, eviction, and emigration among families living on the Strokestown estate with stories set amidst the real-life plot to murder Strokestown landlord Denis Mahon. Written by Amy Day and directed by Anne-Marie O’Sullivan.

FRIDAY 23rd & SATURDAY 24th JUNE 8pm | €25 / €23

Supported by the National Famine Way & Roscommon County Council Local Live Performance Scheme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

BABY LOVES MUSIC

BabyLovesMusic is a unique and informal concert for babies aged 0-12 months and their carers featuring four award-winning musicians. Tim Doyle, Kate Hearne, Anna Newell, and Eamon Sweeney – with musical arrangements by Malachy Robinson, of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. An eclectic musical journey with a distinctly Irish feel, BabyLovesMusic features a rich variety of instruments including guitar, cello, accordion, fiddle, uilleann pipes, treble recorder, and lots more.

MONDAY 26th JUNE | 12pm, 1.30pm & 3.30pm | €10

JUNE PERFORMANCES

THE PENSION PLAN

BEEZNEEZ THEATRE COMPANY

From the pen of John McDwyer

(Unforgiven, Turning Mammy, An Ordinary Man), comes a new comedy about the bachelor Flanagan brothers who live a life of peaceful contentment on their hillside farm, bothered only the persistent efforts of their spinster neighbour, Ann Catherine, to marry either or both of them.

A guaranteed Beezneez ‘Good Night Out’.

THURSDAY 29th JUNE | 8pm | €18/16

HEARTBREAK PRODUCTIONS

Reverend Judith is receiving the Citizen of the Year Award for her amazing work with the food bank! Gilbert is a bit of a local celebrity, driven to desperate measures in order to provide for his son. This warm-hearted adaptation of David Walliam’s book follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship. The perfect summer family entertainment.

SATURDAY 15th JULY | 3pm | €12 | 7+

TALL TALES & STORIES OF D’UNEXPECTED & OTHER LIES ...

JON KENNY

A show created from Jon’s memoir which he began to work on during lock down. Jon is well known and loved as being part of the comedic duo D’Unbelieveable’s and is also an accomplished actor and has toured the country with John B Keanes ‘The Matchmaker’ and ‘The Successful TD’ and also the one man show ‘Crowman”. His most recent big screen appearance was in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’.

“Tall Tales & Stories Of D’unexpected and Other Lies” is a look back through story, song and writing at all the weird and wonderful crazy times that were part of his life.

FRIDAY 21st JULY | 8pm | €20

MUSIC FROM THESE PARTS

DAVE SHERIDAN & PADRAIG McGOVERN

Closing out the summer session is Dave Sheridan (flute) and Padraig McGovern (uilleann pipes). Dave from Leitrim and Pádraig from Ballymagovern have recorded and performed with many artists such as Lunasa, Dervish, At The Racket and De Danann and Donal Lunny as well as performing on The Late Late Show, Geantrai, The Pipes, The Pipes, and Fleadh Live and a night of rousing music is guaranteed.

THURSDAY 17th AUGUST | 8pm | €15

Cultural Companions CALL OUT

Would you go to a lot more plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions or other events if you had someone to go with? There’s a thriving social and arts scene in County Roscommon to be enjoyed but maybe you need someone with a shared interest to get you going. That’s where Cultural Companions comes in. Cultural Companions is a new programme in County Roscommon which will create local networks of people aged 50+ interested in the arts and culture who accompany each other to plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions and other events.

The programme provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in a variety of events and cultural activities throughout the county while making new acquaintances along the way. Cultural Companions is an Age & Opportunity Arts Initiative supported by Roscommon County Council’s Arts Office & Age Friendly Programme, Roscommon Volunteer Centre and Roscommon Arts Centre.

If you would like to take part in or get involved with Cultural Companions, you can register your interest now with Shannette at 089-219-9930 or email manager@volunteerroscommon.ie Join us at the arts centre on May 3rd at 12.45 for a cuppa and to find out more about Cultural Companions.

ROSCOMMON ARTS CENTRE INFORMATION

Roscommon Arts Centre is located on Circular Road, Roscommon. Co Roscommon. Box Office: 090 6625824

Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5.00pm

Saturdays: 11am – 4pm. On performance evenings, box office hours: 7.15pm – 8.30pm.

The Gallery is open to the public during centre opening hours.

Please note tickets should be collected at least fifteen minutes before the advertised start time. Alternatively tickets can be collected from the box office during opening hours.

RESERVATIONS: Reservations will be held pending payment until 48 hours before a performance. Group reservations are held until one week before a performance. In order to comply with fire regulations, each person, even babies, must have a valid ticket for performances. Please check your reservation at time of booking as there is room for human error and mistakes cannot always be rectified at a later stage. There are no refunds or exchanges on tickets, unless events are cancelled/re-scheduled. If you are unable to attend an event please contact us and we will endeavour to assist you.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Roscommon Arts Centre is a fully accessible venue. The centre is a level access building with no steps. There are two front doors by which to access the building – the main door is automatic and brings you directly to the box office. The second door is located at the gallery/workshop side of the building, beside the disabled parking bays. This a manually operated door and is the access door to also use for the workshop space. There is lift access to our workshop space. There are two disabled parking bays located outside the gallery/workshop entrance.

Wheelchair spaces for performances in the auditorium must be allocated at the time of booking. They are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. We can accommodate up to 8 wheelchairs in the front row.

The number of wheelchair spaces available can vary depending on the technical specifications of each performance. Wheelchair users do not need to book spaces for gallery openings as this space is located on the ground floor and fully accessible. Patrons who identify as having a disability/visual/hearing impairment are entitled to discounted concession priced tickets and are welcome to bring an attending carer/complimentary guest free of charge to events. They will be accommodated where possible beside the person, when this is not possible due to limited availability, we will endeavour to accommodate the guest as close as possible.

Guide Dogs and Service Animals are welcome in the centre. To ensure that the needs of all our patrons can be met please tell us when booking if you have any special requirements and we will endeavour to facilitate you. Phone our Box Office on 0906 625824 or email artscentre@roscommoncoco.ie.

LATECOMERS:

We regret to inform you that latecomers are not admitted under any circumstances. This policy is stated clearly on the back of all tickets and as part of the online booking facility which you agree to, by clicking acceptance of the terms and conditions. Staff also inform patrons at time of booking.

Shows commence promptly at the advertised start time. Roscommon County Council’s Code of Conduct for Customers and members of the public, clearly states the harassment of staff and behaviour which is disruptive will not be accepted and in this instance you will be asked to leave the premises.

PAYMENT: Payment can be made by cash, debit card or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Roscommon County Council.

TICKET PRICES: Where an alternative price is advertised, this applies to children & young people, full time students, senior citizens (65+), the unwaged (with social welfare cards), the disabled and to those with restricted mobility. ID cards may be required. e1baby tickets are available for selected children’s performances.

PAYMENT: Payment can be made by cash, debit card or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Roscommon County Council.

TICKET PRICES:

Where an alternative price is advertised, this applies to children & young people, full time students, senior citizens (65+), the unwaged (with social welfare cards), the disabled and to those with restricted mobility. ID cards may be required. e1baby tickets are available for selected children’s performances.

COMEDY EVENTS:

Comedy Events are suitable for over 16’s unless otherwise advertised. ID cards my be required.

GET INVOLVED:

Roscommon Arts Centre invites you to become involved in what’s happening at the centre. You can sign up on our website at www.roscommonartscentre.ie or by contacting us at the box office on 090 66 25 824. Roscommon Arts Centre reserves the right to alter/cancel performances. Roscommon Arts Centre reserves the right to refuse admission.