The spotlight is on Kerry’s Arts scene and its future artists this March. The second in a series of five free public arts events throughout the country will take place on Saturday March 2nd, Youth Mental Health Awareness Day, at the Island of Geese, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
The purpose of the POP Events series, which has been organised by local authorities throughout the country to facilitate the Planning for Outdoor Performances (POP).is to promote the arts, unlock creativity and encourage more arts based outdoor performances.
The Kerry event on March 2nd, Illuminate: Empowering Youth through Art, is facilitated by Kerry County Council’s Arts Office and local partners Munster Technological University and Music Generation Kerry. It will offer young people the opportunity to try various artforms throughout the day while enjoying entertainment by local Kerry artists
Taking place in the town centre civic and cultural space, Island of Geese in Tralee. This outdoor performance will have a strong focus on highlighting the power of art and creativity to youths to improve health and wellbeing with a mixture of performances and workshops engaging people throughout the day.
A Tightwire & Mixed Circus Skills Workshop will be hosted by Galway Community Circus, Ireland’s flagship organisation for youth and social circus. Come along to try out some exciting circus skills including juggling, hula hoop, and tightwire and discover skills you never knew you had! These workshops are suitable for all abilities and fitness levels. This style of creative movement is not only great exercise, but has positive benefits for mood.
You can also enjoy a Street Theatre Show from the Spailpins of Fanzini Productions, a contemporary circus company founded and run by Con Horgan from Tralee. This new work is an indoors-outdoors experience that brings people on a brief but glorious journey of life’s most exquisite moments – a non-verbal 5 minute show for 5 people at a time. Suitable for ages 5+.
A Printmaking Workshop by Kate O’Shea and Enya Moore from Kenmare will demonstrate techniques of art, while participants get hands-on experience of making their own print to take home. The musically inclined will really enjoy an Unusual Instruments Workshop presented by Music Generation Kerry and hosted by Vairis Burcaks featuring Chime bars, Talking drums, Gongs and more. And there will also be a DJ Workshop from Adam Driver. There really is something for all ages, interests and abilities on the day!
Commenting ahead of Illuminate, Arts Officer for Kerry County Council, Kate Kennelly said:
“We are thrilled and excited to host this free celebration of arts and creativity in the fabulous outdoor setting of the Isle of Geese, led by Kerry County Council in partnership with local partners Munster Technological University and Music Generation Kerry as part of the Planning for Outdoor Performances Event Series.”
All of the events in this project will endeavour to reduce the impact on the environment. Everyone attending is encouraged to be conscious of this by bringing along their own keep cups, picnics and are asked to recycle their waste in a sustainable and responsible way. The events team aim to further minimise waste by working with eco-friendly suppliers and vendors.
The Illuminate event is part of the partnership initiative, Planning for Outdoor Performance (POP). POP, delivered by 5 Local Authority Arts Offices (including Roscommon – lead partner, Cork City, Kerry, Laois and Tipperary), in partnership with the National Resource Organisations ISACS, Poetry Ireland, Music Network and Theatre Forum. It is supported by Promenade, who help artists and communities to create incredible new arts experiences in Ireland’s public places and unusual spaces. The initiative is funded by the Arts Council’s Invitation to Collaboration Scheme with additional local authority support. For more information see here: https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/services/community/arts-office/pop-planning-for-outdoor-performance.html
The POP Arts Events series includes:
- Market Square, Portarlington, Co. Laois, Thursday 1 February 2024 – St Brigid’s Day (Complete)
- Island of Geese, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Saturday 2 March 2024 – Youth Mental Health Awareness Day
- Somers Park, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Saturday 20 April 2024 – World Circus Day
- Elizabeth Fort, Cork City, Sunday 28 April 2024 – Cork World Book Festival
- Market Yard, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary, Saturday 18 May 2024 – National Drawing Day