Laois County Council Arts Office

Laois BeaLtaine Programme

May 2018

Knitting/Crochet groups at Laois Libraries

Bring your own work and join a Knitting Group. Meet new people and chat about the craft.

Tuesdays• Stradbally Library 6.45pm-8pmTuesdays&Thursdays• Mountmellick Library 10.30amWednesdays• Portlaoise Library 11am Wednesdays• Abbeyleix Library 11amFridays• Portarlington Library 10.30amFridays• Mountrath Library 10.30am-1pm

Shakespearean Movies at the Library

Wednesday 9th May & Thursday 10th May Portlaoise Library 4.30pm

Literature Aloud at the Library, 11am

Thursday10thMay&24thMayPortlaoiseLibrary. Short story and poem read and discussed. Booking recommended. T: 057 8622333

Getting Started with Oil Painting at Laois Libraries

Atalk&demonstration by artist Tom Joyce, Have you ever thought that you would like to give oil painting a try but you don’t know where to start? Laois artist Tom Joyce will show how to get started, for example the costs involved, how to choose & mix paints, what to buy, what not to buy – the first steps in creating your own masterpiece. Bookingisessential

Tuesday22ndMay• Mountmellick Library 10.30am – 12.30pmWednesday23rdMay• Portlaoise Library 10.30am – 12.30pmThursday24thMay• Portarlington Library 10.30am – 12.30pm

Tuesday 8th May, Portarlington Library 3pm – 5pm

SilkFibreCraftWorkshop with artist Caroline Keane. Participants will learn to make silk fibre sheets and 3D pieces using silk fibres, threads and found objects. Booking Required. T: 057 8643751

Wednesday 9th May, Mountrath Library 10am – 1pm, €10 Fee for materials

TraditionalStrawCraftingWorkshop with Melanie Lorien, includes an introduction to the customs and folklore of the craft and a display of St. Brigid Crosses, Brigid’s Girdle, Cailleach’s, Crosses, Hen Houses and Harvest Knots. Learn how to plait with golden stalks of straw and create something unique and traditional. Booking essential, only 10 places. T: 057 8756378. Refreshments provided.

Friday 11th May, Portlaoise Library 3pm – 5pm

MosaicsWorkshop with artist Caroline Keane. This workshop will show participants how to craft and design mosaic artwork. Booking Required. T: 057 8622333

Tuesday 15th May, Mountmellick Library, 3pm – 5pm

Papermaking Craft Workshop with artist Caroline Keane. Learn how to make paper and how to use everyday items to make the design unique. Booking required. T: 057 8644572

Thursday 17th May, Mountrath Library, 6.15pm – 7.30pm

Join a local HistoryGroup and become active in exploring the built, written, oral and rich cultural heritage that surrounds us.

Thursday 17th May, Portlaoise Library, 6.30pm

ATalk on The Interpretation of ‘Place’ in Modern and Contemporary Irish Art. Artist and art historian Paula Lynch will give a talk with particular focus on artists from County Laois. Booking required.T: 057 8622333

Friday 18th May, Abbeyleix Library, 3pm – 5pm

WatercolourCardsWorkshop with artist Caroline Keane. Participants will learn some simple watercolour techniques to create simple and elegant cards or postcards. Booking required. T: 057 8730020

Friday 25th May, Rathdowney Library, 3pm – 5pm

MosaicsWorkshop with artist Caroline Keane This workshop will show participants how to craft and design mosaic artwork. Booking required. T: 0505 46852

LIfeSTyLe AnD WeLLBeInG evenTSFridays in May, Mountmellick Library, 11am – 12noon, Free

PlayCards, all levels and games or come and learn a new card game.

Wednesday 2nd May, Portlaoise Library, 11am, Free

GardeningTips with Bridie Teehan. Booking Recommended. T: 057 8622333

Wednesday 2nd May St. Mary’s Sports Hall, Portlaoise, 10am – 3pm, Free

PALsDanceWorkshop open to Physical Activity Leaders from ICA & Active Retirement Groups in the county. Pre-booking essential.T: 057 8671248 to register.

Sunday 6th May, Ridge of Capard car park, 2pm - Free

WalktoCones/LostVillagedeparting from the car park.

Wednesday 9th May, Lacca Millennium Car Park Mountrath, 2.30pm - Free

Join members of Camross Active Retirement Group on a StrollthroughtheMillenniumPark. - Meet at the Car Park.

Friday 18th May, The Gandon Inn, Emo, 11am – 1pm, Free

ActivatorWorkshopwithFrankFahey Join us for a fun introduction to nordic Walking. Walking poles will be provided. All welcome! T: 057 8671248 to register.

Acknowledgements foR MoRe InfoRMATIon ConTACT:

Muireann ní Chonaill, Arts officer Bridie Keenan, Assistant Arts officer T: 057 8664033 e: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

The Arts office acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council. Thanks to the Manager and Staff of the Dunamaise Arts Centre and the community groups and individuals throughout the county who are supporting or taking part in the Laois Bealtaine festival 2018. Q

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LAoIS ARTHoUSe evenTS Tuesday 1st May, Laois Arthouse Stradbally, normal opening hrs – Free

‘WelcometoMay’ an exhibition by the StradballyActiveRetirementGroup, open throughout the month of May. A selection of paintings, including still life and landscapes the group have developed over the year.

Thursday 10th May, Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, 4pm-6pm – Free

‘Thestoryofyourlife’Awritingworkshop with Pauline Clooney. often when you tell a real story from your life, people’s reactions can be one or the other of the following; ‘you should write that down,’ —and/or— ‘you couldn’t make that up.’ Participants will be encouraged, through guided exercises and sharing of ideas, to unlock the door into their memories and imaginations to reveal the story they want to tell. Limited places, booking required. T: 057 8664033.

Wednesday 16th May, Laois Arthouse Stradbally, 11am-1pm - Free

Art workshop to celebrate national Drawing Day led by artist Mary Burke to encourage you to try drawing with colour using the medium of oil Pastels. Suitable for adults. no experience is necessary. Materials provided. Limited numbers booking required. T: 057 8664033.

MUSIC, DAnCe, DRAMA & LITeRATURe Monday 30th April Community Centre Rosenallis, 2.30pm – Free

Decorate the May bush, talk on Irish folklore, music, refreshments & face-painting.

Wednesday 2nd May, Mountmellick Library - 10.30am

IntergenerationalSpokenWordEvent with Laois Spoken Word Artist in Resident Stephen James Smith. Stephen will be joined by local poet Sheelagh Coyle and students from Transition year at Mountmellick College to entertain members of the Mountmellick Active Age Group. entertainment by young local talent.

Monday 14th May, St. Mary’s Sports Hall Portlaoise, 10pm-1pm- Free

DanceforFunwithMaureenCulleton. A fun filled morning of dance, games and chat. All Welcome! T: 057 8671248 to register your interest.

Monday 14th May, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick, 2pm - invite only

PerformancebyAgeFactor a music trio who will take a trip down memory lane in music, song and story for residents and out-patients.

Wednesday 16th May, The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, 3pm. Admission €5 (includes entry into Draw)

Portlaoise Active Retirement Group present a VarietyShow performed by members of the club, the show will include choir performances, dancing, solos, recitation and comedy sketches. All are welcome and encouraged to join in.

Thursday 17th May, St. Brigid’s Hospital, Shaen, Portlaoise, 2pm - invite only

PerformancebyAgeFactor - music trio will take a trip down memory lane in music, song and story for residents and out-patients.

Saturday 19th May, St Canices Hall, Borris-in-Ossory, 2pm-5pm Admission €2

Afternoon of entertainment including Bingo,Music,SongandDance. Refreshments - finger food, sandwiches, tea and cakes. organised by the Borris-in-ossory Social Services Committee.

Monday 21st May, St. Vincent’s Hospital Mountmellick, 2pm - invite only

“MusicalMoments” musicians from Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois will give a performance of enjoyable musical moments from their repertoire of classical, trad and modern music. Denise Boyle (fiddle), Siobhan Buckley (Harp), nuala Kelly (vocals/Guitar) and Mary Wisely (Piano Accordian). Audience participation welcomed. (for residents and out-patients).

Tuesday 22nd May, Abbeyleix Hospital, 1.30pm - invite only

PerformancebyAgeFactor – A music trio will take a trip down memory lane in music, song and story. (for residents and out-patients).

DUnAMAISe ARTS CenTRe evenTS All events can be booked online www.dunamaise.ie; over the phone on 057-8663355 or in person at our Box office, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Church Street, Portlaoise. Discounted rates for groups on request where possible.

Wednesday 2nd May, 11am AND 8pm, €7/€6/€5

Cinema: Loving vincent – film explores the life and unusual death of vincent van Gogh via depictions of his artworks.

Wednesday 16th May, 8pm, €7/€5 Thursday 17th May, 11am** AND 8pm**, €7/€6/€5

Cinema: Making The Grade by Ken Wardrop - Both Thursday screenings will be followed by Q&A with the director, Ken Wardrop. An endearing and uplifting documentary exploring the bond between piano teachers and their pupils and the transformative power of music.

Saturday 12th May, 8pm, €20/€18

Music: Route66BigBand. A magical musical journey with this fabulous big brass, 16-member-band!

Friday 18th May, 8pm, €22/€20

Music: Mick Hanly & Donal Lunny. The combination of songwriter MickHanly and multi-instrumentalist and composer DonalLunny is a marriage made in musical heaven, playing with a freshness and enthusiasm that belies their years on the road.

Tuesday 22th May, 8pm, €16/€14

Theatre: TakeoffYourCornflakes-RoseHenderson and PatNolan star in this heartbreaking yet joyful comedy, full of love and laughter. An honest and heartfelt portrayal of living with Alzheimer’s.

Friday 25th & Saturday 26th May, 8pm, €16/€14

Theatre: LaoisFourthWallTheatreGroup present Da by HughLeonard. A comedy laced with pathos and peppered with memorable one-liners. Directed by David Corri and featuring many of the cast from recent successful run of ‘Big Maggie’.

Tuesday 29 May, 11am, Free

Cinema: Bealtaine film Screening: GuessWho’sComingToDinnerThis will be a relaxed screening (with lower volume & raised lighting to encourage a more comfortable viewing experience for people with Alzheimer’s or any sensory issues).

LIBRARy evenTSnote: Library events are free of charge, all are welcome. Booking is essential as places are limited - contact individual library to book.

History Lectures at Portlaoise Library, 7.30pm

every Tuesday – A series of history lectures on a number of topics with reference to Laois with guest lecturers. Booking recommended. T: 057 8622333

Group Colouring at Mountmellick Library, 11am – 12.30pm

every Thursday - Join a group of Colouring enthusiasts. All welcome.

Book Clubs at Laois Libraries

Wednesday 2nd May, Portlaoise Library, 6.30pm Thursday 3rd May, Mountrath Library from 6.15pm – 7.30pm

Ciorcal Comhrá, at Laois Libraries

Join in Irish conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.Mondays in Durrow Library 8pm• Wednesdays in Portlaoise Library 5.15pm• Thursday 17th May in Mountrath Library • 6.15 – 7.30pm

The Arts office, Laois County Council invite people of an older age to join in some of the wonderful events that are happening in Laois for the Bealtaine festival 2018. In celebration of Creativity the theme for 2018 is “Hospitality” to signal the warm welcome offered by the festival.

Come and join in the Celebrations!