"Blue" - 2nd weekend for Group Exhibition by Bridge House Artist Collective

"Blue", the 1st group show  by the Bridge House Artists was a resounding success with a packed gallery for the opening night last Friday. Due to public demand, the exhibition will be open to the public again on Saturday 15th from 11 to 6 and Sunday 16th December from 2 to 6.

The guests enjoyed a preview of contemporary art in Dungarvan. The response was overwhelmingly positive to this new venture. Paintings, ceramics, installations and sculpture were on display, all interpreting the theme of "blue" and inviting the viewers to engage with this theme. Performance art was interwoven with the show and the guests were treated to blue cocktails.

The artist collective thanked the people who came and supported the show making it a triumphant first night success. Over the weekend people came to view not only the exhibition but also the artist’s studios.

Building on this success the artists are planning another group show in Summer 2013. People will have another opportunity to view the current show this weekend.

Art Exhibitions At Bridge House, Dungarvan During December

After a very successful second edition of Storytelling Southeast it is now time to put the spotlight on Bridge House. During the festival, readings and storytelling sessions took place in the gallery overlooking Dungarvan Harbour. In 2011 - after the 1st Storytelling Southeast festival - a group of artists shared the ambition to find a home. A place where they could work individually while also explore their artistic expression as part of a group. This grass roots movement took residence in Bridge House, which is now the home of this artist collective and hosts 11 artists; Eileen Singleton, Eamon Gray, Manuela Madeira, Eilís O'Toole, Agnieszka Krym, Rayleen Clancy, Helen Rose Hayes, Eveleen Power, Sinéad Violet, Anne-Marie Le Flohic and Anthony Hayes.

Two exhibitions will now take centre stage in December. Both in the spirit of partnership and exploring through visual arts.

"Surface Tension " - An Exhibition of Irish applied arts
Surface Tension, is an exhibition of applied arts in the Bridge House gallery and is a not to be missed opportunity to see the work of ten of Ireland's most exciting artists. With a mixture of ceramics, textiles, wood turning, jewellery  metalwork and sculpture this is a chance to see and acquire, beautiful, collectable pieces by some award winning artists craftsmen. "Surface Tension" is the first exhibition to be hosted in this gallery since the official launch and opening.

A fitting place to show the rich and intriguing, or poignant and domestic works by textile artists Carol O'Sullivan, Sheila Jordan and Amanda Hogan which are in contrast to the very covetable, strong forms and textures of ceramics by Eileen Singleton and Freda Rupp. These are set against the witty or powerful work of sculptors Eithne Ring, Liam Lavery and Justin Laffin and the clean lines and stunning workmanship of wood turner and sculptor Brendon Hog, alongside the contemporary, elegant and eminently wearable and jewellery of Felix Faulkner.

• 29th November, 6.00 to 8.30 pm
• 30th 10.30 am to 7.00 pm
• 1st December 10.30 am to 6.00 pm

" Blue " - Group Exhibition - Bridge House Artist Collective
"Blue" is the first group show by the Bridge House Artists. This group of locally based artists in the Dungarvan area all have a working studio in Bridge House. This is a unique opportunity to view some of the recent work, visit their studios where the art is produced and meet with the artists. The exhibition opens on the Friday 7th December at 7.30pm. There will be further opportunities to see the show and the artists in residence studios on Saturday 8th December and Sunday 9th December. In 2011 - after the 1st Storytelling Southeast festival - a group of artists shared the ambition to find a home. A place where they could work individually while also explore their artistic expression as part of a group. This grass roots movement took residence in Bridge House, which is now the home of this artist collective and hosts 11
artists; Eileen Singleton, Eamon Gray, Manuela Madeira, Eilís O'Toole, Agnieszka Krym, Rayleen Clancy, Helen Rose Hayes, Eveleen Power, Sinéad Violet, Anne-Marie Le Flohic and Anthony Hayes.

On display are a selection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, installations and performance art all unified by the theme "Blue" in its broadest interpretation.

Exhibition and open studios:

• Friday 7th December at 7.30pm
• Saturday 8th December 11am - 6pm
• Sunday 9th December 2 - 6pm

Don't miss - days 1 and 2 of Storytelling Southeast

Wednesday 26 September

John Ennis

5 pm - Bridge House - Gallery - €5

Acclaimed poet will read from Suibhne Geilt

Documentary by Nemeton TV

6 pm - Bridge House - Blue Box Basement - €5

A selection of documentary films produced by award winning production company 

Nemeton TV, showcasing the narrative of non-fiction film.

Opening Night with Ryland Teifi & Róisín Clancy, Niall de Búrca, Anna Coogan & Daniele Fiaschi

8 pm - Town Hall Theatre - €16

Festival favourites Ryland & Róisín will bring folk songs and stories followed by the most prolific Irish contemporary storyteller Niall de Búrca.

Closing the opening night event; Anna Coogan - "Coogan's singing style ... that like a log fire on a winter's evening warms the heart of the listener." Maurice Hope - Americana UK - September 2012

Thursday 27 September

Melina Coogan

5 pm - Bridge House - Gallery - €3

"Tales From the Wild" with Melina; blogger - adventurer - storyteller - explorer 

Armand G Ruffo

on Norval Morrisseau 

7 pm - Old Market House - €6

Interactive talk interlaced with poetry on Canada’s most influential visual artist

Norval Morrisseau

"He's a true genius in the art world and left a mark that will forever be remembered."

Paul Robinson - Toronto, Canada

Mark Roper & Eric Sweeney

8 pm - St.Mary’s Church of Ireland - €5

Fascinating artistic collaboration - poetry and church organ

Storytelling by Candle Light

8 pm - The Moorings / An Seanachaí / Bridie Dee's - free

An evening celebrating the traditional folklore and how stories were told.

Experience the age old tradition of the seanachaí in atmospheric pubs.

For our young audiences.... meet your favourite writers.

Sarah Webb

All these events are free.

Next week some of the young audience writers will be at the festival and host readings, workshops and meetings.

Judi Curtin
Thursday 27th September 2012
- 11 am, Tramore Library
- 4 pm, Dungarvan Library
- 6 pm, Eason Dungarvan - ADDITIONAL EVENT
Judi has a delightfully light touch and writes with deceptive simplicity. Best-selling author of the "Alice and Megan" series.
(Note - on one of the pages in the brochure the time for the library in Dungarvan is incorrect - it is 4 pm - come early as it will be crowded)

Maura Byrne
Friday 28th September 2012
- 4 pm, Dungarvan Library
"Bridget in Werewolf Rehab" is an absolute gem. Funny and clever. Maura returns to her home town to meet her readers.

Sarah Webb
Saturday 29th September 2012
- 11 am, Dungarvan Library
Sarah is a true storyteller and connects brilliantly with her audience. Her new book "Ask Amy Green; Dancing Daze" is just out.

Annabel Pitcher
Saturday 29th September 2012
- 2 pm, Dungarvan Library
Award winning author of "My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece" Annabel Pitcher will be visiting some schools on Friday and next host a reading and talk on Saturday. The Guardian referred to the book as "honesty you can cut with a knife".

Storytelling Southeast at the Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre

Susan McKeown

4 gigs that surely will become memorable ... The Town Hall Theatre will again be Storytelling Southeast's intimate and atmospheric venue. Showcasing some of the most amazing talent and exploring the stories. Folk music, Americana, Poetry interpreted, Stories ...  This flagship venue offers the comfort of a studio theatre and invites people to immerse themselves in the narrative. "let the music take you"

Opening Night - Wednesday 26th September 2012 at 8 pm - Town Hall Theatre
Ryland Teifi & Róisín Clancy - Niall de Búrca - Anna Coogan & Daniele Fiaschi
"His (Niall de Búrca) ability to evoke a wide range of emotions from his rapt audience enables him to bewitch people with his stories and makes listening to him as well as watching him an unforgettable experience" VIENNA BOOK REVIEW

Celtic Connections - Friday 28th September 2012 at 8.30 pm - Town Hall Theatre
Gilles Servat with special guest Donnchadh Gough
Gilles Servat, singer-songwriter, extraordinary poet, one of the leaders of the Breton folk music movement, author, internationalist, .... Gifted with a rich, resonant, expressive voice, and an equally compelling gift for associating himself with the best in celtic music over the last thirty years... A unique show with Gilles as storyteller accompanied by Donnchadh Gough.

Celtic Connections - Sunday 30th September 2012 at 7 pm - Town Hall Theatre
Cécile Corbel - wonderful harpist and songwriter from Brittany. She wrote the critically acclaimed soundtrack for "Arrietty"

Closing Night - Sunday 30th September 2012 at 9 pm - Town Hall Theatre
Susan McKeown will be performing with Aidan Brennan, Seamie O'Dowd and Trevor Hutchinson.
Grammy Award Winner McKeown will perform songs from "Singing in the Dark" some sample reviews:
"She walks on the wild side of Gaelic melody." - BOSTON GLOBE
"If there’s some dividing line between Celtic traditionalism and eclectic contemporary songwriting, McKeown refuses to acknowledge it. And with a voice as warm, resonant and versatile as hers, why should she?" - THE OREGONIAN
"McKeown grabbed both song and audience by the throat, dragged them through heaven and hell and back again, and left the stage to the loudest applause heard all evening." - ROLLING STONE

Festival Newsletter September 2012

Download: Festival Newsletter September 2012 (.pdf file)

Due to some minor technical problems, this issue has been somewhat delayed.

The pocket size festival brochure will be available this week. It's the ideal way to get a summary and a full overview. Browse events, plan a visit and share with friends.

Check online for more detailed information and all the background on artists and performers. Our website www.storytellingsoutheast.com has some new features and a lot of additional content.

You can download a schedule from our programme page (pdf version). More details and handy tips will be posted as news items in the coming weeks.

Bridge House is now a vibrant artists community; we have 11 resident artists who have setup studio and are using this as there work place. During the festival studios will be open (at specific times) to the public and a selection of work will be exhibited in the gallery. Of course, Bridge House is also the festival's new home. Our information office opens on Wednesday 5 September. Daily from 10 to 1 and again from 3 to 6. On Saturdays from 1 to 5 and closed on Sunday.
Bo Mandeville, director

Festival Events

Annabel Pitcher will coach teens in a creative writing workshop

Liam Ó'Maonlaí; headline of the new Saturday Music Event by the stunning Lookout

Toireasa Rock will be our "resident coach" and help people to "speak to inspire" in the workshops

Gilles Servat; unique performance with storytelling and some of his best songs.

Judi Curtin will sign books in Eason's on Thursday 27 September at 5.30 pm

Become a Patron of Storytelling Southeast 2012

Are you passionate about supporting the arts and supporting this exciting venture? Talk to us about becoming a patron or friend of the festival.

Our patrons will enjoy a 20% discount on festival tickets, be invited to a unique post-festival celebration and enter the draw for a free crossing to France with Brittany Ferries.

Patrons and friends of the festival will be acknowledged online, on a poster at the key venues and in the regional press.

• Business Patrons: €200
• Individual Patrons: €100
• Friends of the Festival: €50

Storytelling Southeast continues to develop and is becoming a key event on the annual cultural calendar.

This event needs the support of the local business community, of all people who are passionate about the arts and the cultural sector and all who want to promote the Southeast.

Pledge your support by contacting us at info@storytellingsoutheast.com or call into the information office at Bridge House (Mon-Fri: 10 am - 1 pm and 3 pm - 6 pm / Sat: 1 pm - 5 pm)

We expect the 2nd edition to be even more successful than the inaugural event and have started planning for subsequent editions with the view to deliver to the highest artistic and production quality standards.