Comhcheol brings First Fortnight to Co. Donegal
I had a dream ....bring First Fortnight arts and mental health festival to Co. Donegal... Once I made the call and the woman 'from Delmonte said Yes', I got audacious and started dreaming more dreams and making more calls. Here is what has come together. Hold the dates.
Ar an gCéad Dul Síos - The Balor Theatre, Ballybofey Jan 11th @8pm
This event, hosted by the Balor Theatre will be the First Fortnight festival's debut outing in Co. Donegal. Blending local and national acts it will feature music, song, dramaíocht and comedy with short talks from local mental health advocates and video inserts from household names.
The show is headlined by our wellbeing 'Banarama' guru Kevin McAleer, whose deadpan genius and anarchic Irish wit has deservedly earned him a cult following. The evening will weave together snappy, thought-provoking talks with acts who intentionally use the arts to boost their metal wellbeing. The line-up includes the Beyond Blue Choir from Work-link, Dungloe who formed their choir to harness the wellbeing benefits of singing, Mo Bhagáiste', an original bilingual re-reading of Seosamh Mac Grianna by Pól Ó Gallachóir and Wee Small Gods and friends, who will lift spirits with their reggae infused set of original music.
Speakers will include Bill Vaughan of Mental
Health Ireland & Donegal Mind Wellness, Maria Coleman & Linda
Uí Ghallachóir of LÁMHA (Life Affirming Mental Health Action), Angeline Driver
of Cycle for Suicide and Peadar McDaid of Create-a-Link. This unique evening
will also have a special visit from your favourite childhood superstar, Bosco!
Coordinated by Comhcheol Arts and Wellness.
First Fortnight & Healthy Ireland @ Leabharlann Ghaoth Dobhair
9u Eanair, 6.00 i.n.
'Mo Bhagáiste' by Pól Ó Gallachóir (Aisteoirí
Ghaoth Dobhair).
This short original bilingual work is a re-reading of Seosamh
Mac Grianna's 'Mo Bhealach Fhéin' and explores the themes of mental health and
the difficulties of a Gealgóir in an english speaking world.
'Percussion, Play, Positivity' by Maria Coleman (Comhcheol Arts and Wellness). This workshop will guide its participants through a playful creative session, where percussion, plasticine and interactive multimedia will create accessible art-making opportunities while an accompanying talk explains the wellbeing benefits of 'flow states' where arts and play activities flood the brain with happy chemicals.
'Men's Shed Musical Meitheal'
This short musical performance will give a flavour of the activities of men's shed members who share songs and use music as a means to socialise and boost their wellbeing.
Click images to view