Arts & Culture

POST-Christmas blues don’t last long in Sixmilebridge and the village is already abuzz with anticipation of the 11th annual Winter Music Weekend, which runs from January 14 to January 17. The programme features acoustic acts of all hues: Irish, bluegrass, blues, country, gypsy, classical and much more, making this intimate festival special to a dedicated regular crowd and a treat for the newcomer. It’s hard to say what sets it apart for so many visitors but the variety of music and locations, the close link between musicians and the audiences, and the welcome from the locals all help to make this festival unique. Twelve venues, including the atmospheric courthouse and the comforts of Bunratty Castle Hotel, will host 40 scheduled gigs, sessions and concerts with most of them free. Top all that off with set ­dancing in the GAA hall and a gospel choir at Sunday mass and the Sixmilebridge ­weekend provides something for music lovers of every taste. Kicking …

ARD Soilse Productions has opened a new theatre-sized production rehearsal studio in the county. The facility is located in the Stonehall Business Park in Shannon and is 6,000 sq ft in size. According to Ard Soilse director Joe Betts, the studio is still being developed, although it was used for the first time over the Christmas period.“It was used at Christmas by the Ennis Gospel Choir. We have various people who are supporting us as we get going. So far, I think we’ve spent about €50,000 to €60,000 on it although it could be more. I’m afraid to add it all up,” he told The Clare Champion.“The studio is designed to allow any event, show or tour to rehearse and perfect its performance and production in a full-scale venue, before it takes to the live stage. As productions become more complex, rehearsal becomes increasingly important and this is an ideal environment for them.”Joe, who is based in Ennis, runs the …

Bearly tolerable fluff

District 9

Flashing forward on the year to come

  2009 was some year for the Kilfenora Céilí Band. In their centenary year, they travelled to the US, France, Glastonbury, London, as well as cruising the Mediterranean. They sold out concerts in Glór, the National Concert Hall Dublin and attended a weekend in their honour in Kilfenora, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, performed on The Late Late Show, Céilíhouse as well as having a documentary, In the Blood, made in their honour.It’s been prosperous, if not a little hectic, for the members of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, all of whom work full-time outside of their céilí exploits. But John Lynch, leader of the Kilfenora Céilí Band for over 15 years, isn’t about to get carried away with success.   “They all have been highlights, they all have been honouring the band. But I say to the band, look it, we’ve had a great year but remember, it’s the music that counts,” he reflects. Last month, John received an honorary masters degree …

THE Arts Council is making 11 bursary awards available, with a closing date for applications of January 21. Deis is a relatively new scheme that has been established under the Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Initiative. It is aimed at encouraging and facilitating the traditional arts community to seek funding from the Arts Council for a range of projects. A total of €50,000 is available under this scheme. There is also funding available through a travel and training award, a visual artists in prison scheme, a writers in prison scheme, a writers in school scheme, an architecture bursary award, an arts participation bursary award, a dance bursary award, a film bursary award, a literature bursary award, a music bursary award, a theatre bursary award, a traditional arts bursary award, a visual arts bursary award and a young People, children and education bursary award.Further information is available online at www.artscouncil.ie.