Hiya! Fáilte chuig mo Bhlog!! Welcome to my Blog! For ages I've avoided writing a "Blog" - even the use of the word was anathema to me -it sounds so unlyrical, ugly, even - and so I (perhaps foolishly, perhaps, snobbishly) resisted until, finally, I realised it was akin to holding out, Canute-like, against the use of the word "cool" or the wearing of hugely baggy trousers by young people...And so, here I am, contrite, humbled, writing on my Blog page. Oh, how the mighty have fallen...
Skibbereen Arts Festival Launch |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jul 09 2009 |
God, we had a great night on Tuesday, 7th July, with the official launch of the Féile Ealaíne: Skibbereen Arts Festival 2009 . Have a look at the link - it's a wonderful festival, art, music, poetry, craic - just what we need.
A lot of mention was made to the opinion that, "in these Recessionary Times, we need the Arts" - and, sure, yes, we do, but I would like to propose that we always need the Arts, not just now. In fact, in some ways, when times are "good" (that is, money is being made - is that necessarily a good thing? And just who, exactly is making this money?) we need, even more, to remind ourselves that Creativety is the important thing. That the Arts are a true expression of who and where we are, or at least, an attempt to ascertain and articulate those questions, not the accumulating of money or shares (remember: their "value" can go down as well as up!).
Funnily enough, the Arts always do better when times are "bad" (that is, the conditions for some to accumulate wealth and power). Once again, Art is no longer a subject of investment, therefore it loses its hitherto perceived monetary value, so drops off the financial radar, leaving artists with no distractions: if you can't sell your Art, well, the least you can do is enjoy yourself and do what you want to do!
Ok, off the soapbox, Paul, and back to Tuesday night! The Launch took place on North St. (the new Centre of Skibbereen and the West Cork Arts World!) in the wonderful Riverside Café. All the Great and Good and Beautiful of Skibbereen were there (you know who you are!!) Congratulations and kudoes to the hard-working committee who organised it all.
That Cork treasure, John Spillane kicked it all off with a few songs (including, incidentally, a lovely version of that seldom-heard-sung classic, An Cúilin - maith thú, a bhuachaill!)
By the way, don't neglect to listen in to Johnny's excellent radio show, Rogha John Spillane at 9.00pm on Sunday nights on Raidió na Gaeltachta - great music.
But, you said it sarted with a bang? Why, so I did! During the final song of his all-too short set, Johnny declared the Festival officially open. At that very declaration, the large sign behind him, advertising the Festival, slipped off its fixings and landed, with a loud bang, perfectly upright, on the windowsill! "What are you laughing at, lads?" asked a worried Johnny, not having seen what happened, "you're freaking me out!" Brilliant!
Afterwards, we retreated, as is our wont, across North St. to Working Artist Studios for wine and chat and music. Until - as is our wont! - the wee, small hours.
An abstruse artistic point being made and received!
Impromptu music seisiún, in full swing. Breeda Murphy sang. JohnPaul Fahy joined us and sang some of his own songs - and even a Michael Jackson tribute!
Neighbours wandered over to sit in and passers-by lingered. A beautiful, balmy West Cork evening...perfect! We raised a glass to Barry: ciao!
Laetitia and Mona heading home the old-fashioned way! And very stylishly, too, may I add! On your bike! Slán abhaile!
Last changed: Nov 05 2009 at 4:49 PM
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