Events

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
Registration on Sat 17 Sep 2011, 10am - 1pm
New term starts Fri 23 Sep 2011

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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/

After a very successful Youth Theatre Summer Project that approximately 60 young talented people took part in, Draíocht will again hold auditions to form a new Youth Theatre for Dublin 15. Auditions will take place in early October with the first term running on Tuesday evenings from October to December 2011. If you are aged between 13 and 18 years, with a love for theatre and trying new things, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Sarah on 01-8098029 or sarah@draiocht.ie or log onto the D15 Youth Theatre Facebook page for up to date details and audition dates.  
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FORMS: FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2011, 5PM

The term Unknown Knowns which constitutes the title of this exhibition, is the description used by the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek when he refers to the “unconscious beliefs and prejudices that determine how we perceive reality and intervene in it.” Things we know, but don’t know we know, dictate how we address situations we encounter. Obviously it is impossible to know what the unknown known is because if we did it would become the known known, but the work in this exhibition addresses the theme of unconscious knowledge. 

The three artists have explored and represented specific elements of this through their work. Shown through a diverse range of works, from the manipulation of materials that we know on some level are familiar to us, to the investigation into the possibility of another self and how this can determine our lives, to the idea of the second life and the attempt to survive for eternity, all three artists’ work delve into certain aspects of the unknown known.

With his latest work in the on-going series inspired by the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Andrew Carson explores notions of “online realities and virtual immortality”. This series derives from a particular chapter of the book which was written as a guide on how to survive the afterlife. It was written in order to prevent the deceased from “dying a second time”. The work draws parallels between contemporary social media interaction and ancient concepts of the soul; an idea which many people trust is known to them, yet, it is something which remains ephemeral and unknown.

Through her current work Sally-Anne Kelly is “exploring ideas about who we are, who we think we are, who we become, who others think we are, and who we present ourselves as being.” Her new series of photographs ‘The Hunted Self’ examines what we do not or cannot know about the self. She investigates the internal power struggle of the hidden and unknown self or double and how that can be realised as another or separate identity.

Lisa Shaughnessy’s practice is concerned with the physicality of the materials used and alludes to the processes used by the artist. The work presents ideas of construction and deconstruction. There is a blurring between the boundaries of painting and sculpture and what the viewer felt they knew about these materials becomes a little less certain but the fundamental qualities of the materials are still apparent. These known and familiar materials have been manipulated in such a way as to render them initially unknown.

The examination of this unknown known, equated by Žižek to the Freudian unconscious which recognises the importance of the unconscious in comprehending conscious thought and behaviour, creates a platform for this exhibition to reflect on the convictions of our knowledge and to propose that it is not vital for our existence to know that we have all the answers …

Fingal Arts Office is delighted to showcase recent local art college graduates with its annual exhibition opportunity Amharc Fhine Gall. The show seeks to increase the profile of emerging Fingal artists by giving them the chance to show in a professional, contemporary art space. It may be their first major show but with the professional presentation of their work and accompanying catalogue we hope it is the first of many. The opportunity also extends to the emerging curator who will work with the graduate(s) to create a suitable context to show this work to a wider local and contemporary art audience.

Curated by Ailve McCormack

Read Andrew Carson's Blog Interview here

Read Sally-Anne Kelly's Blog Interview here

Read Lisa Shaughnessy's Blog Interview here

“This body of work has been inspired by my ongoing exploration of physical, psychological and poetic space. I am interested in the delicate point where man and the natural world co-exist or in some cases collide. I strive to create places for poetic possibility, a space where time can be suspended, I extend to the onlooker a glimpse of intricate private worlds. Each narrative creates a dialogue between these internal and external conflicting worlds, thus providing a place to dream.” Caroline Donohue

Caroline Donohue (b1977) graduated in 2005 with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Fine Art Printmaking at the National College of Art and Design. That same year she was the recipient of the RDS Freyer Print Award and winner of the Graphic Studio Dublin's Graduate Student Award where she is currently a member. Donohue's work has been exhibited in Ireland and internationally. Recent exhibitions include - 'Where Boarders Meet' at the Graphic Studio Gallery, Dublin (2010), 'On Reflection', curated by Caroline Cowley/Cleo Fagan, Dublin (2007), 'Precaution' at IMMA, Dublin (2005), 'Triennale de Chamalières' in Lyon, France (2010) and 'Artist in Response' in Muzuem Drowy, Gorlice, Poland (2008-2010). Her work is included in public collections such as AXA Insurance Ireland, the Office of Public Works and Fingal County Council. She works mainly in the medium of etching, as well as drawing and assemblage.

Inspired by First Thursdays carried out in London, First Thursdays Dublin is the name given to cultural spaces opening their doors after hours and offering an extra chance to see art, culture and events in a number of venues between 6–8pm on the first Thursday of every month across Dublin City.

Draíocht will be keeping our Ground Floor & First Floor Gallery doors open until 8pm on Thursday December 1st as part of First Thursdays Dublin. We hope to see you there!

First Floor Gallery / Caroline Donohue
Ground Floor Gallery / Amharc Fhine Gall VIII - Recent Art Graduates from Fingal

‘Like snowflakes my Christmas memories gather and dance’.
Anthony O’Boyle returns to the great tradition of storytelling with this nostalgic show, looking back at Christmas in a small rural village in the west of Ireland. Comedy sparkles and illuminates a collection of stories that are rich in humour and pathos in this unique show with a homely heartwarming collection of tales and the occasional song. Come along and enjoy a trip down memory lane!

Proceeds from Saturday night’s performance will go to St. Francis Hospice Blanchardstown.

FREE DICKIE ROCK AUTOBIOGRAPHY WITH EACH TICKET PURCHASED

One of Ireland’s most famous sons, Dickie Rock is still as popular as ever after a career spanning over 40 years. From 1963 to 1983, Dickie had 25 Irish hits, surpassed only by the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. During his time with the Miami Showband, Dickie attracted the kind of mass hysteria normally reserved for boybands like Westlife. With his albums and autobiography flying off the shelf, these are exciting times for Dickie, who has already secured a well-earned place in Irish entertainment history.

Five Star Fun invites you to a fun and entertaining evening. ‘The Lithuanian Christmas Concert’ promises a huge dose of fun and humour with ‘Parody Maestro’, exciting songs from ‘Kastytis Kerbedis’, Santa Claus will be there with gifts and there will be many more surprises.

Betrayed by his former wife, King Shahriyar vows to marry, love and then behead a new bride each night, never to be betrayed again. Having murdered thousands of women, he encounters the beautiful and wise Scheherazade, who pleads to tell a story before her impending execution. For 1001 nights, he postpones her execution enthralled, as he awaits her next tale of love, lust, hilarity or sorrow. Her enchanting stories bewitch him and he makes her his Queen. Choreography, Morgann Runacre-Temple, Music, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Last season Ballet Ireland scored huge success with Runacre-Temple’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Described in the Irish Times as “Ireland’s finest full-length production to date … heart-stopping interpretations of the final scene. Runacre-Temple taps into a zeitgeist that so many other ballet companies desperately want to access right now … Ballet Ireland has fortuitously gotten a head start on discovering and nurturing her talent”.