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Vol 9 Iss 4

Space Inside Arts

Magazine

1st Tuesday October to June

Wicklow Sailing Club, Wicklow Town

FREE ADMISSION

Great Music, Poetry and Dance

Summer ’13

Space Inside LIVE NIGHTS

Lin

de F

idorra

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Editorial

Hi all, Welcome to our Summer issue of the Space Inside magazine with topical articles and information about the arts. I would firstly like to introduce myself as the new editor of The Space Inside. I have worked alongside Carol the past few years on the journal and so understand what is required to make an issue that is unique in content yet accessible to our audience. Carol’s dynamism will be a hard act to follow but she has certainly left me with plenty of great material to work on and develop. In our main feature we talk to Carol about her Space Inside legacy and what the future holds. The Space Inside team would like to take this opportunity to thank Carol for all her hard work through the years on both the journal and the live nights. We wish her every success in her endeavours to become a full-time Poetry Therapist. To further celebrate her tenure, some of her poetry has been added to the journal poetry section. Here’s a quick look at what else is in the journal 4 Music and Book Reviews 7 Americana and Roots Festival 9 Twitters I look forward to working on creating the best journal possible for readers.

Anne Graham

Cover Art

by Linde Fidorra As part of the ‘Elements’ exhibition by staff artists at Signal Artists, Bray

Exhibiting From Tuesday 10th September – Sunday 22nd September 2013 Opening Reception: 13th September 2013, 7-9pm

New Singer-Songwriter Open Mic Night Comes to Wicklow

An exciting new singer-songwriter night was recently

launched in Wicklow town. The Stablesessions aims to

showcase in a welcoming environment up and coming

songwriters as well as those who have been on the scene

for a while. The night is held once a month in the

downstairs of Ernie’s Bar. If you wish to perform, you can

get in touch with Eugene through their Facebook page or

email stablesessions@gmail.com. The next one will be

held on Monday 5 August (Bank Holiday weekend) at

9pm. Entry is free.

Space Inside Arts

AGM

Are you interested in helping to maintain and grow a unique vibrant arts night and journal that is accessible to all in the community? Are you a great organiser or an ideas person? We need both! A dedicated team to ensure we deliver the best live nights and journal possible. If you’d like to get involved, please email spaceinside@hotmail.com to get details on our next AGM.

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Inside the Space

Anne Graham talks to Carol Boland,

founding member of the Space Inside

about moving on to newer artistic

spaces and how much she’ll miss

working on the live nights and the

journal.

“It came off the top of my head!”

says Carol Boland in response to

being asked where the name ‘Space

Inside’ came from. At first I was

disappointed, expecting it to be

taken from some famous essayist or

philosopher about the cerebral

process that goes into creativity.

Then I laughed to myself and realised

that a title referring to the

mysterious mass that births the

greatest ideas should ideally come

into being from the dark -

spontaneous and raw.

This ‘light bulb’ title came a few

years after Carol moved to Wicklow

Town from London. Having already

dipped her toe in arts-related waters

as a founding member of both the

Wicklow Arts Festival and Wicklow

Writers, Carol felt there was a need

for something more regular in

occurrence. True, there were bands a

plenty playing the local pub scene

but these gigs could be few and far

between. And of course the noise

levels of an average weekend night

in a pub didn’t really give acts a

chance to engage with their audience

and get the proper listen they

deserved.

“The idea was to showcase emerging

artists as well as those already well

established in the areas of music,

writing/poetry, dance, film and art

and to provide them with an

interested, respectful audience.” The

night was set up not only for these

acts but to give people in the area

with an interest in the arts a night of

entertainment they could enjoy

without any distraction. In particular,

Carol wanted to help create an

encouraging atmosphere for young

performers starting out. “And”, she

adds, “It was important that it be

free to ensure access to all in the

community.” With the help of an

enthusiastic team, a relaxed non-

judgemental arts night was created

that soon gained a loyal following.

As the live nights progressed over

the years to showcase many exciting

acts (from rock bands, to drama to

Flamenco dancing) the Space Inside

journal also grew, from very modest

beginnings. “It started out merely as

a newsletter to inform the public of

the upcoming live nights and then

slowly but surely we started adding

more content to it and people really

welcomed that which encouraged us

to make it as professional and as

enjoyable as possible.” With

contributions from various members

of the community, the journal

expanded to 12 pages of arts-related

topics with a focus on the Wicklow

area. “I have to say I enjoyed doing

the journal more than the live

nights!” laughs Carol, “But I think it’s

great how the two fed into each

other and augmented each other. I

think the audiences really

appreciated that dynamic.”

But as much as she enjoyed and will

miss the experience, it was finally

time to move on. Carol will be

starting her first year of a

psychotherapy degree in September.

Her ultimate goal is to practice

Poetry Therapy - using dialogue

about poetry to help people express

themselves and hopefully open up to

deeper insights about themselves.

She currently runs Self Discovery

Through Poetry workshops (see

carolboland.blogspot.ie for more

info). It is yet another determined

metamorphosis for a woman who

started her career as a reinsurance

writer before moving on to the roles

of novelist, poet, arts event co-

ordinator, publisher and now

therapist. “I suppose I have a lot of

willpower, that’s why I’ve always

kept going and been able to try new

things career and lifestyle-wise. I

never take ‘no’ for an answer!”

Before we finish our interview, I ask

Carol what her favourite moments

have been at the Space Inside. “Well

obviously it’s great to look back on all

the great talent we’ve had such as

(guitarist) Eamon Sweeney, (singer)

Leslie Dowdall, (actor) Pat Nolan and

others, as well as seeing many acts

start and grow with us over the

years. But for me the best moments

were when we had a full house; it

was so crowded I couldn’t even find

a seat for myself! It was like a

validation of our years’ of work - to

reach out and give the community a

decent arts outlet they could enjoy

for free.”

Carol would like to thank all Space

Inside team members throughout the

years for their dedication and ideas.

She would also like to thank

audiences and the positive response

that has helped make The Space

Inside a truly enlightening and

entertaining experience.

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Book Review Jacob’s Folly by Rebecca Miller

In eighteenth-century Paris, Jacob Cerf is a Jew, a peddler of knives, saltcellars, and snuffboxes. Despite a disastrous teenage marriage, he is determined to raise himself up in life, by whatever means he can.

More than two hundred years later, Jacob is amazed to find himself reincarnated and in the Long Island suburbs of twenty-first-century America, his new life twisted in ways he could never have imagined: he is now a common house fly! But even the tiniest of insects can influence the turning of the world, and thanks to his arrival, the lives of reliable volunteer fireman, Leslie Senzatimore and a young Orthodox Jewish woman Masha, nursing a secret ambition, will never be the same.

‘Jacob’s Folly’ is a fantastically original novel which comes brilliantly to life with the skilled writing of Rebecca Miller. Thoroughly compelling, this is a must read for the summer and a great read for any book club.

Joanna Bridge Street Books, Bridge Street, Wicklow. T: +353(0)404 62240 www.bridgestreetbooks.ie

Music Review

Olympia

Austra

(Domino Records)

Michael Tinsley reviews ‘Olympia’ the sophomore album

of Canadian electronic outfit Austra.

Austra’s debut album Feel It Break was probably my favourite album of 2011, so it is not an over statement that I was excited at the prospect of the arrival of the follow up Olympia. Now in my experience when you are that anxious to hear new material it can often disappoint or underwhelm. Thankfully ‘Olympia’ is fantastic, retaining all the strengths from their debut - the synth driven sound, Katie Stelmanis’ unusual but spectacular operatic styled vocals - but also adding new elements that come from Austra being a full six-piece band with a couple of years touring under their collective belts. For example backing vocalist twins Sari and Romy Lightman, who also record under the name Tasseomancy, contribute hugely to the harmonies and even the song writing. For me the stand out track is ‘Painful Like’ with its arpeggiated undertow and heart-aching lyrics about the disillusionment of growing up gay in a small town and finding solace in the arms of a love. That said there isn’t a duff track across the 45 minutes here. Destined to be another long-time favourite in my house. And if a new album wasn’t good enough it was announced on Friday that Austra will be returning to Dublin on 22nd November to play the Button Factory. I didn’t get to see their recent Forbidden Fruit appearance. However, I did see them in the intimate Crawdaddy back in 2011 and they were excellent. Tickets are on sale now so snap one up to avoid disappointment.

http://www.austramusic.com/

Michael Tinsley is one-half of Wicklow based band

Aphrodite Lion. For more music news and reviews check

out their regularly updated blog ‘The Lions Share’ at

http://aphroditelion.tumblr.com.

Space Inside

Arts

Live Nights On the first Tuesday in the month, from October to June, the Space Inside runs a FREE evening of music, dance and poetry in Wicklow Sailing Club, Wicklow Town. Doors open 8pm. For upcoming performers, or if you or your band want to perform, check out our blog at www.thespaceinside.blogspot.com

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Sleepwalkers Exhibition at Hugh Lane Gallery

Sleepwalkers Exhibition at Hugh Lane Gallery

Sleepwalkers is an ongoing project

where six artists have collectively

used the gallery as a space for

research. The first phase was an

attempt to reveal the process of

conceiving an exhibition by the

display in gallery of work and ideas

in progress. This process results in

each artist developing a solo

exhibition at The Hugh Lane. The

next in the series are two

exhibitions running simultaneously

– Two exercises in awareness and

observation by Lee Welch and A

blow-by-blow account of stone

carving in Oxford by Sean Lynch.

Exhibiting from 10 July to 29

September.

Through Streets Broad and Narrow: Benedict Kiely's Dubliners

30 July, Irish

Writers’

Centre

A lecture on

the work of

Benedict Kiely

by Director of Irish Studies at

University of Massachusetts,

Boston, Dr. Thomas O'Grady. Dr.

O'Grady will be introduced by

author, screenwriter and musician

Ferdia MacAnna.

O'Eir Stoneage Art As part of Heritage Week, Erik O'Eir

Dendro-lithic artworks has

recreated

Neolithic

Megalith Art

as from our

stoneage

ancestors -

similar to

carvings at

Newgrange. The free entry

exhibition will be held in The

Riverside Gallery in The

Bridgewater Shopping Centre in

Arklow from 19-25 August. For

times see www.heritageweek.ie

Leonora Carrington

Exhibition

The first major retrospective of

Leonora Carrington's work in

Ireland, this iconic exhibition is a

timely rediscovery of this painter

and her role in the Surrealist art

movement. Carrington is known

for her figurative dreamscapes

filled with extraordinary and

complex narratives informed by

her rich interest in mythology,

alchemy, fairy tales and the

occult. Leonora

Carrington comprises some 50

paintings, eight sculptures, eight

tapestries, and 20 works on paper

from the 1940s onwards, holds a

particular focus on the imagery

that enchanted her as a child and

on the cultural influences of

Mexico. The works in this

exhibition will be organised

thematically rather than

chronologically. Metamorphosis

and transformation, themes

constant in the artist’s work, will

draw on Carrington’s hybrid world

full of the strange figures -

creatures half-human-half-horse,

elongated women, people

changing into birds - and will

include works such as The Giantess

(The Guardian of the Egg)

and Edwardian Hunt Breakfast.

Free Public Tour of The

National Print Museum

During an interactive guided

tour of the Museum, one of the

guides accompanies you on a

journey of discovery, with both

technical descriptions and

anecdotal tales, through the three

core areas of the exhibition – the

Compositing Area, the Printing

Area and the Finishing Area. Each

visitor is offered the opportunity to

hand compose and print a poster

during the tour! The Museum also

houses a new Education Area for

families on the mezzanine of the

Museum. This interactive area is

full of fun self-guided art and craft

activities and includes a mini

printers’ library. The use of this

space is free every day! On every

Sunday (excluding Bank Holiday

Weekends) at 3pm.

www.nationalprintmuseum.ie

Some Things Are Free!

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LANDFALL Circus Theatre Project Arts Centre 7 – 10 Aug 2013

MUSIC The Henry Girls Sat 24 Aug 2013 8 pm

The Henry Girls are the latest talent from Inishowen,

Donegal to cast their musical spell over audiences in

Ireland and beyond. Subtle and enchanting, their

haunting and melodious harmonies are transporting and

this first visit to Mermaid Arts Centre promises to be

something very special.

For children and adults

€16/14 conc Mermaid Box Office T: 01 272 4030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie

THEATRE

Four characters find themselves in an impossible

situation - they have nothing to stand on. Suspended in a

post-apocalyptic landscape, a wild girl, a wistful opera

singer, a forlorn gardener and an errant business man

find themselves at close quarters. Hoop, rope, silks,

chains help to weave wonder in this breathtaking aerial

performance.

€16/14 conc

39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland

t: +353 (0)1 881 9613

www.projectartscentre.ie

FESTIVAL Dublin Fringe Fest

5-22 September 2013

Various venues, Dublin City

For 18 days this festival transforms Dublin into an exposé

of great creative talent from around the globe. It is a

platform for the best new, emerging Irish arts companies

and a showcase for the best contemporary theatre and

dance shows touring internationally. For artists, the

Fringe facilitates an opportunity to innovate, to cross

disciplines and boundaries and to find new ways and

places to create work.

For listings see fringefest.com

FILM I Am Breathing

Centre for Creative Practices

Thurs 08 Aug 2013

I AM BREATHING is the hard-hitting story of Neil Platt – a

33-year-old man who contracted Motor Neurone

Disease. Paralysed from the neck down with only

months to live, he tells his story to help raise awareness

around his devastating disease and dedicates the film to

his one-year-old son Oscar. EMPIRE Magazine calls it

“touching, humbling and inspirational”

€6

15 Pembroke Street Lower, Dublin 2

t: +353 (0)1 7995416

cfcp.ie

What’s On – Events that caught the Space Inside’s eye

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Anne Graham chats to Conor

O’Donnell about the upcoming

Americana and Roots Festival in

Greystones

Conor O’Donnell is a bundle of energy. You rarely see him sit still for more than two minutes. And when he talks, words spill over each other in abundant enthusiasm; an enthusiasm that is infectious. So not only is he the perfect candidate to organise a festival, but an Americana one at that. Brimming with positivity, but also possessing a dry rock ‘n’ roll sensibility, he is the perfect poster boy to champion the bustling, drawl of The American Dream’s soundtrack: consisting of Blues, Rockabilly, Bluegrass, Folk and a touch of Country (but no Garth Brooks or Daniel O’ ‘you-know-who’). For four years, Conor has been at the helm of the Americana and Roots weekend held each summer in Greystones. It is not your highly regimented arts festival; rather the ethos is more informal - “Let musicians play, chat and play some more,” says Conor “It’s a small music festival where everyone is welcome and all music is free.”

Conor’s Roots It’s really not surprising that Conor, who is a musician himself playing in The Big Muddy and The New Peasants, would end up organising a festival like this. His father Al O’ Donnell, an Irish ballad singer who has performed with the likes of The

Dubliners, was a major influence on Conor growing up. “I was happily

brain washed listening to great live folk acts at Lisdoonvarna and such!” The spirit of camaraderie and revolving players from one band to another at these festivals has definitely inspired how the Americana Festival has developed since its inception.

This Year And the festival gets bigger and better each year. “We have a fantastic Line-up this year with Kory Quinn from Portland Oregon, Ben Jordan from

Denver, The Cujo Family, Gypsy Rebel

Rabble and so many more. I think

that’s about twenty acts but it always

ends up being more than that. We

always support local bands and bring

in new acts too.” There will also be a

new stage in addition to the three

established ones, called The Swamp

Shack. “There will be hay bales and

mics hanging from the ceiling to give it

that authentic hillbilly feel.

Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to

have live frogs and crickets as

background noise but I think our acts

will more than help with the

authenticity we’re looking for!”

The Future

So what does Conor envision for the festival in the future? “In years to come I would like to be able to extend to maybe a week long festival with more stages, bigger stages. We basically want more music. And keep giving new artists a start and the old ones somewhere they can come to vent!

The Americana and Roots Festival runs from 2-5 August in Dann’s Bar/The Beach House in Greystones. rootsweekend.ie or find them on Facebook.

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In Profile

Lemon Kush

Anne Graham profiles Wicklow band Lemon Kush

The band Lemon Kush was formed in the summer of 2013

due to the addition of a new band member to an acoustic

two piece cover band. Guitarist/vocalist Rachel Moore

and keyboardist/vocalist/ukulele player Megan Evans

formed the band in 2012. Their peculiar harmonies

reached the ears of one Nicky Lumsden who proceeded to

join the band on the electric and bass guitar.

Their live output is very eclectic including covers of Justin

Timberlake, Bob Marley, MGMT and The Civil Wars with

the girls’ unique harmony blend giving the songs a fresh

perspective. They also write their own music, utilising

different genres such as techno and folk as well as adding

instruments such as rain makers to create vibrant

atmospherics.

Although a relatively new band in the music scene in Co.

Wicklow Lemon Kush have quite a few gigs lined up for

August 2013. They will be playing at The Americana and

Roots festival in Greystones on Saturday the 3rd and in the

Wicklow Regatta the following afternoon, debuting some

of their original material. They are also currently working

on their first EP which is due to be released by the end of

the year.

Arts in Focus: History

John Graham reviews the

historical and fictional weavings

of ‘Dublin: Foundation’ by Edward

Rutherfurd.

This is a historical fiction of some finesse. Rutherfurd (real

name Francis Edward Wintle) has written a number of

books using this interesting style of mixing history with

the fictional people he creates. He even outlines family

trees to show the relationship of people over a very long

period. What I find so interesting is his ability to weave

together the different groups, such as Celts, Vikings,

Normans and the development of Irish society in the

present day; the intricate process that made us who we

are today.

The full title of this book is Dublin: Foundation and it

covers the period from pre-history to the 16th Century. It

traces this history through fictional characters and shows

the impact major changes occurring in Dublin and Ireland

overall have on their lives: the coming of Christianity, the

arrival of the Vikings, the Norman invasion and the start

of the Reformation in Ireland. The result is a very

enjoyable read and an interesting story that helps us

understand who we are. In particular, anybody living in or

from the Dublin/Wicklow area will find this book both

informative and very familiar in many ways.

I will not spoil the story by going into any more detail,

except to say this book is highly recommended, go get a

copy and have a really good read.

Rutherfurd has written a follow up to this book, called

Ireland: Awakening (2006) and I will return to this later.

Also, he has just published a new book titled Paris (April

2013). If they are any way as good as Dublin, then I am

looking forward to some further great reads.

CONTRIBUTORS WANTED FOR

SPACE INSIDE MAGAZINE If you have love the arts and have

something interesting to write about, get in touch!

email: spaceinside@hotmail.com

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Mentoring Support from Voluntary Arts

Ireland

Whether you are looking for advice on starting a festival

or taking your group to the next level, Voluntary Arts

Ireland can help. Their field officer Emma Whitehead can

talk you through the range of services they offer and help

you find what it is you need.

To make an appointment to see her email

emma@vaireland.org

Wicklow Reminiscences: Exhibition and Community Project

Heritage Week 17-25 August

A display on the lesser-known characters of Wicklow

where viewers are encouraged to contribute their

own anecdotes and memories. The exhibition will

run in all Wicklow Branch Libraries and entry is free.

All stories submitted by the public will be added to

the Wicklow Heritage archive on their website. If you

have a story of your own to tell, contact Ciara

O’Brien in Wicklow County Council Library Services.

Tel: 01-2866566

caobrien@wicklowcoco.ie

Connecting Creativity - Breakaway Project This project works towards creating links between

Irish and American artists, showcasing work by

American artists here in Ireland and developing

showcase opportunities for Irish artists in America.

They are developing this project to test the

boundaries of technology, using Skype for artistic

collaborations that would otherwise not be feasible.

Each Irish actor will be paired with an American-

based writer, and each American-based actor will be

paired with an Irish writer. Actors will have a Skype

call with their writer, who will then write a five

minute monologue for the actor on the spot. The

result of their work can be seen at the Centre for

Creative Practices on Fri 16 August at 8pm.

Admission €8.

TWITTERS

Creative Writing Comps

Novel Fair 2013/14

Deadline: 16th Oct 13

Wow! Award 2013

Deadline: 31st Nov 13

The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Prize 2013

Deadline: 30th Apr 13

Japan-EU English Haiku Contest

Deadline: 1st Aug 13

Irish Children’s Prize

Deadline: 17th Oct 13

Source: creativewriting.ie

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The final battle

I am tired of the battle

with dragons and dragoons

of laying out my armour

at each sunrise and sunset

Did Cúchulainn fear the next

smear of blood on his axe

Lir’s silver chained swans

the next sip of green water

When did breathing

become so important

Memories in a Mattress

I wrestle the writhing beast

through the door

heave and pull

at dip and lip

until sullen and withdrawn

winded on its back

it submits in the back garden

I stand at the foot

of this double-sided slice of my life

so, it has come to this -

twenty years of seeping

blood, milk and tears.

I press the unseen knife to its belly

where each blemish is an act of love,

or a tainted stain

like a birthmark on a pelt

a storyboard

a hide for acts of treason.

Murder on my mind,

I stab the sagging skin

rip open its lumpy recess

spill its guts

discolour the soil

black and white.

And up to my elbow in pleasure

I feel it squeal under my hand

as I reach for its backbone

dislodge curls of coiled springs

condemn our shared memories

to the grave.

Businesses: National Fire Museum of Power (Wales), Healthy Habits Café, Wicklow, Maltfield Riding School, Redcross,, Bridge Street Books and Track One (Wicklow) and Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray. Groups: Wicklow Writers and Shed Poets Individuals: Anne Ferris (TD), Helen Duffy, Avril Young, Charlie Burke, Conal Kavanagh (Councillor), Mary Boland, Anne Graham, John Graham, Joy Whittaker, George and Meta Whittaker, Liam Walsh, Edward Ryan, James Boland, Edward Ryan, Andy Boland, Cora Boland, Marie O’Brien, Philip Lynch, Michael Tinsley, Shirley McClure, Marin O’Donovan, Carol Boland, Margaret Kennedy, Tommy Dickenson, Bernie Walsh, Pat Moore, Peter Kelly, Philip Galvin, Pascal Moran, Liam Walsh, Catherine Graham, Helen Graham, Kevin Graham, Charlie Kavanagh, Angela Nolan, Kerri Gill, Patricia Gill. Space Inside Arts Magazine is published quarterly by volunteers: Carol Boland and Anne Graham. Distribution: Evert Beerda, Tess Doyle and others. Live Nights: Carol Boland, Pascal Moran, Kerri Gill, Anne Graham, Cait Breathnach, John Graham, Maureen O’Donovan

http://thespaceinside.blogspot.com E:spaceinside@hotmail.com

FRIENDS of The Space Inside 2012/13

Help us to keep afloat by becoming a Friend for only €35. You can also donate €3 (or more) online at thespaceinside.blogspot.com. The Space Inside is grateful to Wicklow Town Council and Friends for making the journal and Live Nights a reality. This project was initially assisted by Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd under the European Union LEADER +/National

Development Plan 2000-2006.

Space Inside Arts

Live Nights

First Tuesday in the month, from October to June, the Space Inside Arts runs a free evening of music, dance and poetry in Wicklow Sailing Club, South Quay, Wicklow Town. Doors opens 8pm

Carol Boland was

born in Dublin and,

after many years

abroad, now resides

outside a small village

in Co. Wexford. A

poet, journalist and

author of the teen

novel Hostage, she

also recently finished

her tenure as editor of

the Space Inside arts

magazine.