DREAMWEAVER's STORYHOOPS is a project about life stories told through the use of a hula hoop and weaving fabric.

Draíocht has worked with 71, 6th class students from 3 local schools in Dublin 15; Ladyswell National School, Castleknock Educate Together & St. Philip Senior National School. This innovative project facilitated by textile artist Gina Faustino, focused on showing/telling each child's individual story in a very unique visual manner - with the use of a hula hoop and fabric!

The Story Hoops were created using, a hula-hoop, wool fibre, a variety colourful fabrics and a meaningful/symbolic fabric/ribbon/yarn belonging to each participant. The wool fibre was used to create hand-felted ropes which is the backbone of the Storyhoop. Each 'Dreamweaver' then wove their life story, or a story they would like to tell, in coloured fabric (ie. each year of their life might be a different colour; an important event might be marked with a change of fabric, ribbon, a button, a stitch). Dreams and aspirations are woven intermittently or at the end.

The work has been installed in Draíocht's Ground Flour Gallery space for a short period. The exhibition will have an opening and celebration evening on Friday 1st of March at 6.30pm.

VIDEO: See the finished work installed in our Gallery ... here ... 

Weekly Rehearsals begin MON 18 FEB 2013 - 7-10 PM 
UPDATE: WE ARE NOW AT FULL CAPACITY FOR OUR CLOWN CHOIR BUT YOU CAN GO ON A WAITING LIST!

Are you sociable? Do you like to sing? Do you like to laugh? Are you the type of person who is open to trying new things? If so, then WE WANT YOU!

A Clown Choir is a group of people who gather together to sing and laugh – to sing in celebration of what it is to be human and to laugh at the ridiculousness of the world we live in.

Hallelujah! will be a choir like no other. Weekly rehearsals will be one part play to two parts song. Performances will be one part concert to two parts clown theatre. Nobody will be asked to do anything that s/he is not comfortable with but for those who are interested in stepping into the spotlight then there will be ample opportunity for them to do so.

Hallelujah! ran a taster workshop on 03 November 2012 to give people an opportunity to see what it’s all about. 55 people ranging in age from 18 to 72 turned up on the day and had a great time. The day was a mixture of hard work and good fun. Everyone learned a little bit about how to be a clown and everyone learned the first section of Hallelujah!’s signature tune - Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile’.

Hallelujah! starts rehearsing in earnest on 18 Feb 2013. Rehearsals are every Monday night, Tuesday nights when the Monday is a Bank Holiday, with the choir working towards a year long performance programme that kicks off with ‘The M50 Symphony - A Symphony For Human Voice & Car Horn’ in July 2013. You don’t have to be a good singer to join Hallelujah! You don’t have to be a performer to join Hallelujah! You just have to be interested and willing. The ethos of Hallelujah! is accessibility, inclusivity and artistic excellence.

To register your interest and get further details please email emer@draiocht.ie or write to Emer McGowan, Director, Draíocht, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15.

GROUP A // 6-8 YRS // 3.30PM-4.30PM
GROUP B // 9-12 YRS // 4.45PM-5.45PM

During these workshops we will work with different art mediums and learn about different crafts in a fun and creative environment. Over the 7 weeks participants will print, paint, create with clay and lots more. If you want to find out more contact sarah@draiocht.ie or tel 01-8098029.

Please respect age limits, dress for mess and don’t worry about colouring outside the lines! Bookable through Draíocht’s Box Office, tel 01-8852622.

Dates:
Wed 23 Jan / Wed 30 Jan / Wed 6 Feb / no class on 13 Feb / Wed 20 Feb / Wed 27 Feb / Wed 6 Mar / Wed 13 Mar

JANUARY TO MARCH 2013 // MAY TO JUNE 2013
COST: €25 per class / DUR: 50 MINS

This section of the Leaving Certificate exam paper often includes a question on visiting an exhibition. This tour gives students an opportunity to ask questions and find out further information about Draíocht’s exhibitions, focus on how we layout, install, display and light work. They will also have an opportunity to make notes, sketches and diagrams.

Contact Sarah on tel: 01 809 8029 to arrange these tours. Please give at least two weeks notice and consult our visual arts section to find about current exhibitions. All material will be provided.

Visit Draíocht’s two exhibitions spaces, encourage students to examine and voice their opinion about the artist and their work and explore the rest of the building including our two theatre spaces, backstage and dressing rooms. Please book with Sarah, e: sarah@draiocht.ie or phone 01-809 8029. Tours will take approx 45 minutes, are free, but are subject to availability. Class numbers are restricted to 30 students with accompanying teacher. 

Already in our 2nd year, keep an eye out for our debut show in next season’s brochure. Log on to our D15 Youth Theatre Facebook Page for up to date details and audition dates.

This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the StubHub Foundation, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Fridays
Stagezone Dance & Drama Classes (Children)
3.00pm-9.00pm

Saturdays
Stagezone Dance & Drama Classes (Children) 
10am-12am

Contact information for Stagezone:

Stage Zone
Gladys Coyle (01) 821 2280  /  Marie Barber (01) 820 7201

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Would you like to run a class or workshop at Draíocht?
Draíocht has spaces available for hire which are suitable for most functions including conferences, presentations, meetings, auditions, rehearsals, classes and workshops.

Please call Aidan Gately on 01-8098024 for more information and hire fees or email aidan@draiocht.ie or go to our Room Hires Section  http://www.draiocht.ie/about/room_hire/