Red Kettle and Garter Lane are delighted to announce the revival of their co-production of Edna O’ Brien’s The Country Girls. The play was a runaway success in 2011, breaking box office records in Garter Lane, Waterford with a three-week sell-out run and playing to packed houses and rapturous applause in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre. Now The Country Girls comes to the Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo for two performances on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th of June at 8pm as part of its nationwide tour taking in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, Cork Opera House, Galway, Ennis and Athlone.

Sligo audiences will be particularly delighted to hear that this production is visiting Sligo as part of its national tour as this production is directed by renowned Sligo actor and director Mikel Murfi. It also features the Sligo based actor Bob Kelly. The cast also includes Holly Browne as Kate, Caoimhe O’Malley as Baba and J.D. Kelleher as Mr. Gentleman with Charlie Bonner, Rachael Dowling, Georgina Miller, Aileen Mythen and Michael Power.

The Country Girls thrilled audiences and critics alike last Autumn, when the Sunday Independent called the show “a real triumph for Red Kettle” and noted theatre critic Liam Murphy spoke of “a great play by a great writer”.

This wonderful, wild, funny and moving story that shocked the nation on its publication in 1960 has now been written for the stage by the author. This is a truly contemporary, highly theatrical, dramatic and free-flowing telling of this classic coming of age story.

It is the early sixties in a country village in Ireland. Kate and her attractive friend Baba are on the verge of womanhood and dreaming of spreading their wings in a wider world; of discovering love and luxury and liquor and, above all, fun.
With bawdy innocence, shrewd for all their inexperience, the girls romp their way through convent school to the bright lights of Dublin – where Kate finds that suave, idealised lovers rarely survive the real world.

“We are delighted to be able to bring back The Country Girls for another outing”, says Ben Hennessy, Artistic Director of Red Kettle, “the play has proven to be one of the most popular we have ever produced and one of the most creatively satisfying to work on. When we played at Garter Lane last year all tickets sold out with over a week left of the run and working with the great Edna O’ Brien and Director Mikel Murfi in bringing The Country Girls to life was one of those experiences that re-invigorated our enthusiasm for making theatre in the first place.”

Hennessy’s excitement at bringing this production on the road is clear, and his ambitious plans for Red Kettle continue unabated. “We are already making plans to do a more extensive tour next year! Edna’s amazing popularity and the quality of the production makes this one of those not-to-be-missed events…It is great too, in these economically tough times, to be able to offer our wonderful cast and crew another period of employment and of course provide our ever supportive audiences here at home, a great night at the theatre.”

The Country Girls comes to the Hawk’s Well Theatre on Friday 8th of June and Saturday 9th of June at 8pm. Tickets are €24/22 concession and €20 for Friends of the theatre. To book call the Box Office on 071 916 1518 or visit www.hawkswell.com

Just over three decades on from his untimely demise, the global popularity of reggae icon Bob Marley remains undimmed. While the rebel songs and dreadlocked image are part of our cultural consciousness however, the man’s life story is rather less familiar, which makes Kevin Macdonald’s expansive biographical portrait all the more valuable.

The Marley estate’s own treasure trove of family photos and home movies lends an unparalleled authenticity and intimacy to this in-depth traversal of Robert Nesta Marley’s journey from dirt-poor rural Jamaica to his ascendance as the third world’s first superstar. Shaped around interviews with those who knew him every step of the way, and boasting dynamic live footage, the result certainly isn’t some safe PR-job, delving into sensitive subject areas like his mixed-race parentage and the energetic womanising of a far from ideal husband and father.

Absorbing, entertaining and informative, this will appeal to rabid fan and neophyte alike. Marley is a defining account of a truly inspirational talent.

‘Kevin Macdonald’s detailed portrait of Bob Marley grapples with the last king of reggae’s philosophical and religious convictions.’ Andrew Pulver, The Guardian

Also there will be a special ‘Stroll-in Cinema’ for babies and parents or minders on 7th June at 12.30pm.

Screening times: 30 & 31 May at 8.15pm and Friday, 
01 June at 6.15pm. 
Sunday, 03 June at 3.15pm.
06 & 07 June at 8.15pm. 
08 June at 6.15pm.
 Sunday, 10 June at 3.15pm. 13, 14 June, 8.15pm and Sunday, 17 June, 6.15pm

Buy tickets online for this screening at the reduced price of €7.00 at www.themodel.ie/film

For the summer months of June and July, The Model will be inviting all the family to two magical days of cartoon filled fun at our Big Screen. Presenting the animated feature Surf’s Up on Sunday June 17and the riotous Muppets Take Manhattan on Sunday July 29, family tickets for these two events are just €15 for two adults and two children.

Surf’s Up kicks off the cartoon bonanza on Sunday, 17 June at 12.30pm and is a behind-the-scenes look at the annual Penguin World Surfing Championship, and its newest participant, up-and-comer Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf). The voice of Jeff Bridges is easily recognisable as Cody’scantankerous mentor and ex-surfing legend Big Z.  With some encouragement from the Island lifeguard, Lani (Zooey Deschanel), they give hope to this tuxedo-clad wave twister in snatching victory!

On Sunday, July 29 at 12.30pm, The Muppets Take Manhattan (94 mins) comes to The Model Cinema. With endearing musical numbers, involving a cast of hundreds and on-scene locations in New York City, this fabulous and fantastic show is one of the best Muppet films ever made! Join Miss Piggy and Kermit as they try to get a musical on to Broadway and to really get into the spirit of it and we invite you to come dressed up as your favourite muppet, with prizes for best costumes on the day.

Films that are funny, touching and great fun for all the family. Don’t miss out!

Sunday June 17 12.30pm
Surf’s Up

Children’s animation, USA, 85 mins

Sunday, July 29 at 12.30pm
The Muppets Take Manhattan

Puppet Feature, USA, 94 mins

For full information and booking Tel. The Model, 071 914 1405 or see www.themodel.ie.

Wednesday May. 30, 6pm

At The Model, Sligo

Free/ 1 hour

This month The Model welcomes Carsten Fock to engage with the public as part of our The Model Talks Series. Carsten Fock works at developing a processual, analytical style of painting, which evokes and comments on those forms of art that are associated with transcendence, ecstasy, and inner experience. His works are the result of pondering and thinking about painting, as well as of his own artistic development and socialisation.

It has been said that he paints with the dissecting eye of a draughtsman and draws with the soaring gestures of a painter, combining analytic thought with romantic sensibility. In his installations Fock wants to question and expand classic forms of representation of ‘modern’ painting: the integration of the space and the beholder, the deconstruction of the white cube, experimenting with proportions, perspectives, and scale.

This summer, The Model’s up and coming exhibition “Up The Walls” commencing July 1st, involves eight artists from around the world, including Irish artists, who are all exploring painting in new and innovative ways. As part of this exhibition, Berlin based Fock will put on show one of his famous full room installation paintings in his manner of combining different materials and painterly gestures based on his situation in Sligo.

Carsten Fock will also be The Model’s spring’s Artist in Residence, kindly supported by Goethe Institut Irlande.

The presentation is free and will be followed by a short Q+A session. For any more additional information please do not hesitate to contact The Model on 071 9141405 or see our website www.themodel.ie.

Directed by:
Padraic McIntyre

At: The Factory, Sligo
On: Thursday 7th June, Friday 8th June, Saturday 9th June
At: 8.00pm

Admission: €10
To book call: Sonia Norris, 087 213 40 04

As part of the Yeats Day event this year on June 13th in Sligo, award-winning illustrator Annie West examines W.B. Yeats’ obsession with Maud Gonne in a series of Limited Edition Fine Art prints. Prepare to be amused as Annie illustrates Yeats as hapless nerdy lovesick poet, annoying Maud Gonne and getting into sticky situations.

This is a small selection from the series which can be seen in full at www.anniewest.com/shop.php

If you take your Yeats seriously, this may not be for you, as Annie revisits the tortured lovelife of one of the worlds leading poets with the kind of irreverent eye only a local of the poet’s Sligo stomping ground could ensure. But if you like your Irish Literary Revival with a pinch of salt (and perhaps a side order of Tequila while you’re at it) this should tickle your metaphysical funnybone.

“I have always worked along a humorous theme”, says Annie. Every year I have to come up with a couple of dozen Illustrations that will amuse, and so far it`s working pretty well”.
“I have noticed there is a good strong market for art you can laugh at. This is definitely not to be taken seriously, but the client list is growing steadily and it seems that people who seriously collect don`t have any difficulty adding something funny to their art collection.
This Collector’s Edition of Giclée prints is limited to an edition of 50; the prints are made by Giclée specialists in Dublin and produced on 285 gsm museum grade archival paper and using the finest quality pigments.

The prints can be bought framed or unframed and, if you don’t have room in your suitcase, can be shipped worldwide free of charge : details from Jill at the Teahouse.

“I love Annie’s mischievous eye, her sense of humour, the exploding colour of her illustrations.  And a curious thing: her work manages to be both puckishly irreverent and mythologising at the same time.” Mike Scott , The Waterboys

“Annie West is taking on the cartoon world combining  wonderful artistic talent with an awesome, wry humor.  Her excellent and hilarious work ranks with Steinberg, Wilson, and Larson atop the world of the absurd.” U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley

“Annie West is a remarkable and individual artist with a sense of fun who
combines skill in draftsmanship and colouring  with a sly insight into
literature.” Senator David Norris

Gavin Pretor-Pinney, author of The Cloudspotter’s Guide, and founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society will once again speak at The Irish Cloud Appreciation Society Cloud Festival. This year the Festival will take place in the northwest of Ireland, in counties Sligo and Leitrim.

The Festival will bring together a collection of sky gazers, astronomers, meteorologists, artists and naturalists with an ambition to gain a better understanding of the world around us.

More info: http://www.ticas.ie/

Tara McGowan, Senator Michael Comiskey, Bernie Butler, Senator Susan O’Keeffe, Gerry Moore, Mayor Rosaleen O’Grady, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring Seamus Kealy, Martina Bromley, Failte Ireland, Tony McLoughlin TD, Cllr. Aoiffe McLoughlin Moire McTighe, Joe Cox and Chairperson of Sligo County Council Michael Fleming at the announcement of €200,000 funding for major Yeats Festival at The Model Arts Centre, Sligo. Photo: James Connolly / PicSell8

The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, today officially launched A Season of Yeats – a new exciting tourism initiative for Sligo which sets out to widen the local appeal and increase the tourism value of W. B. Yeats and the wider Yeats Family connection to Sligo. The Minister announced €200k in funding, via Fáilte Ireland, to support the initiative over the next three years.

The Season of Yeats is being led out by Fáilte Ireland and local interest groups and tourism businesses to once and for all cement the poet’s strong association with Sligo and through this connection, to deliver on a high quality literary and entertainments programme that will go from strength to strength.

Minister Ring today emphasised:
“A Season of Yeats is a clever and innovative way to fill a gap in Sligo’s cultural calendar. It presents a variety of cultural events and will deliver a unique visitor experience for national and international visitors to Sligo – especially those wishing to connect with all aspects of the Yeats Family’s cultural heritage and legacy.

“I know that the opening event, Yeats Day, was recently launched in both Dublin and Sligo but I want everyone to know that there will also be a further six weeks of Yeats-related activities. If you like culture, beautiful landscapes and friendly people, then Sligo should be firmly on your map this Summer.”

A SEASON OF YEATS – THE PROGRAMME
A Season of Yeats will begin on June 13th (the anniversary of the poet’s birthday) and will continue over a 6 week period initially growing to a longer season over the three year period. Events will be supported by community level activation and animation. Fáilte Ireland will engage with local businesses to ensure all stakeholders are involved in Yeats Season. Animations such as walking tours, pop-up shops and poetry recitals will bring Yeats and his works to life.

The programme will feature exhibitions of Jack and John Yeats’ work at The Model, readings and performances of W.B. Yeats’ work at Hawk’s Well and Blue Raincoat’s Theatre and at Drumcliff; a series of talks and films surrounding the Yeats Family; promoting an integrated inclusive Yeats programme in Sligo which will see a series of quality events around music performances and further exhibitions.

Fáilte Ireland in the North West will drive the Yeats initiative A Season of Yeats in close collaboration with all stakeholders, ensuring Sligo can deliver a quality programme of Yeats’ themed events, appealing to a wide audience at home and abroad.

Fáilte Ireland is also developing a dedicated website www.seasonofyeats.com which will contain information on all of the events and activities that are part of A Season of Yeats. The website will deliver on a strong social media forum, twitter, Facebook, and u tube, and will be launched on 25th May.
TOURISM BENEFITS
Fáilte Ireland’s Cultural Tourism Report (2008) highlighted the significant attraction of highly authentic cultural products to lure visitors from both home and abroad.
Martina Bromley, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations in the North west explained how this translated locally:

“We, in Fáilte Ireland in the North West and local tourism interests in Sligo, came to the conclusion that the development and promotion of a unified Yeats theme would be key to creating a distinctive selling point for Sligo, alongside the landscape, crafts, literary, music and arts appeal.

“Sligo is Yeats country and, given that the Yeats family are now almost a Global brand, it’s absolutely imperative that we use this perfect local asset to market ourselves to tourists and visitors”.

The Yeats International Summer School, now in its 53rd year, has long been a champion of the Yeats legacy in the region and has maintained the academic integrity and quality of Yeats work on offer to an international audience. This integrity is key to the growth of the festival and A Season of Yeats is working closely with the society and its president to maximise the potential of Yeats in the most appropriate way.

Fáilte Ireland intends to build on the international appeal of the Nobel Prize winner, by delivering a strong Yeats themed programme of events, located in Sligo and targeted at overseas visitors. To this end, Fáilte Ireland has allocated €200,000 to be distributed over a three year period to deliver on an engaging programme around Yeats.

via Failte Ireland 

Thursday June 7th – The Glass House, The View Bar, 8pm

Some of this year’s highlights include Yungchen Lhamo in concert with Liam O’Maonlai, Madu, Delicious O’Grady, The Cool Mules, Papagena Puppet Theatre and a whole lot more. Annual highlights include The Shelly River Boat Race and Park Fest – two massive outdoor celebrations for all the family and all for free!

To enable us to bring such a wonderful festival to the town, the Cairde committee is busy year round raising funds. The Big Auction is our main annual fundraiser and is also a great night out. Businesses and individuals in Sligo are extremely generous in donating a wide range of goods and services which we then auction off at a reduction of the original price.

It’s win win! Come to the auction – bag a bargain whilst raising funds and helping us to present an excellent week long festival.
Some of the items on auction this year include art and craft work by Rachel Quinn , Billie Moore, Barra Cassidy, and Lynda Gault; sailing, surfing , fishing and flying lessons; Cinemobile Hire; One night’s B & B and dinner B&B in Markree Castle; Festival and concert tickets, Jewellery, vintage clothes and lots more. Check out our facebook event for a more comprehensive listing.

The Cairde Arts Festival wishes to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have donated.

See you all at The Glass House on Thursday June 7th, 8pm

For more information contact info@cairdefestival.com or check out our website: www.cairdefestival.com

Celebrating the legacy of WB Yeats in Sligo – his spiritual home – is a wonderful event for Sligo and for Ireland. WB Yeats always made clear his love of Sligo and the role it played in his written work over many decades. The Yeats Day event will be on W.B. Yeats’ birthday – Wednesday June 13th 2012. On that day, Sligo will set the spirit of Yeats free in his spiritual home.

The schedule of events for the day will run from dawn to dusk and embrace places and spaces in Sligo that were dear to Yeats. The day will encourage the community – young and old – to come out on the streets – to enjoy music, poetry, readings and much more – in celebration of a unique poet in a unique place. Yeats Day is a collaborative event – locally with Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council, County Library, the Hawkswell, the Factory, the Model, the Western Development Commission.

It is funded by the Department of the Arts and Failte Ireland and is the first time that WB Yeats birthday will be celebrated in this way in Sligo. On the day the Abbey Theatre, the National Library and the National Gallery will all take part locally in Sligo and the Japanese ambassador Mr Atsumi will be in Sligo to celebrate also.

Minister Deenihan will officially inaugurate the day at Drumcliffe where WB Yeats is buried. The event is supported by the esteemed Yeats Society. Its president Joe Cox said today that he is “delighted to see Yeats shared in the wider community. He is a wonderful poet and we in Sligo are proud of him and want to share his work and raise his profile – especially among children.” Senator Susan O’Keeffe said “this is an idea I had many years ago – to bring the love of Yeats onto the streets and for the community to be able to share this wonderful poet in many different ways. I am delighted to be part of a collaboration that will allow everyone – young and old – to celebrate this man and the contribution he made to Sligo and internationally to English literature. “

Regional director of Failte Ireland Martina Bromley welcomed the launch and added that “it is part of a new Yeats season that will see Yeats in Sligo across the summer. There is wonderful work taking place that will offer theatre, music and poetry that everyone can enjoy. Yeats Day will kick off that season in style.”

Programme of Events
11:00am – The Yeats Society
A special birthday celebration at the venerabel Society on Hyde Bridge.

11:30am – The National Library Collection
Exhibiting for the first time. The National Library brings some of its precious Yeats collection to the Pollexfen Building in Wine Street, home of WB Yeats’ mother’s family shipping business. Sligo IT will also exhibit some of it Yeats collection.

12noon - The Japanese Connection
Ambassador Atsumi opens a Yeats-inspired art exhibition by Irish-based Yoko Akino at The Hamilton Gallery on Castle Street.

1pm – 7pm  The Abbey Theatre performs at the Hawkswell.

2pm  The National Gallery celebrates at The Model

4:30-6:30pm - Happy Birthday Mr Yeats
The people of Sligo and beyond, young and old, gather in O’Connell Street to meet the Fiddlers and Fairies of WB Yeats imagination, to share birthday cake and balloons enjoy poetry and music on this very special day. Youth drama and visual arts group Branching Out and musicians from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will join the festivities. Local school children will decorate shop windows with their birthday cards.

7:15pm – Party Piece 
Your chance to perform and enjoy – song, music, reading, poetry in Hargadons with Shaun Purcell.

8:45pm – No Crows at Dusk
No Crows end the birthday with beautiful music at Sligo Abbey, Abbey St.

Plus: The Living Statue, music, choral Yeats, competitions, birthday cards, ‘Poem in my Pocket’

Follow Yeats Day online at yeatsday.com | @YeatsDay2012 | #yeatsday |