April Literary event: “Homage to Heaney”

April Literary event: “Homage to Heaney”

An enjoyable morning with new and old friends was had by all during the Saturday morning event, held in Sankofa Espai Intercultural. Chris Dove opened with a few words of welcome, and Dermot Hurley was the first reader on stage. His choices were “Blackberry Picking’ and ‘Scaffolding’, short poems featuring some of Heaney’s typical themes of nature, childhood, memory and relationships. These themes were continued in Grania Flanagan’s choices, ‘Death of a Naturalist’ and ‘While the Others were away at Mass’. Gavin Reid, VICA’s resident English lit teacher, then followed, regaling the crowd with some anecdotes of his own before reading ‘The Barn’ and ‘Digging’, both of which poems can be seen to follow the thematic line from the others. Chris Dove then took a darker turn, reading an extract from ‘Beowulf’ and another extract from ‘Station Island’, with themes of violence added to the mix. When the floor was opened to guests, Seán from Co. Derry, a close neighbour to Heaney’s homeplace, read ‘Whatever you say, say nothing’, a poem in which he said he could see the northern persona, and again referenced the Troubles Heaney lived through and documented. This theme of the Troubles, portrayed through the people who lived them, was continued in Dermot’s next reading, ‘Casualty’, and Gavin’s ‘Two Lorries’. To finish off the programme, Chris Dove sidestepped completely, to ‘The Given Note’ – an origin tale for the ethereal ‘Port na bPúcaí’, which he went on to perform on the whistle.

As always we thank Pep at Sankofa for hosting us for this event, and thanks to all who came.

man on a high stool in front of a window reading a book

Singer’s Circle returns in person!

Our Singer’s Circle has spent over a year meeting online and finally we are able to meet in person once again! We return to Sankofa Cultural Centre in Patraix, with our amiable host Pep and our small group of dedicated singers. All are welcome to attend, and we will continue to have our Zoom link open for those who are not able to attend in person! As before the pandemic, we will meet every second Monday from 9pm. However, for the die-hard core of singers the weekly Zoom meeting will continue every other Tuesday. If you’re interested in joining online, please email us for more details.

Hemos pasado más de un año cantando online cada semana, y por fin podemos estar presencial otra vez! Volvemos a Patraix, al acogedor Espai Cultural Sankofa con el anfitrión genial Pep, y con el grupo dedicado de cantantes. Abierto a todo público, y con enlace Zoom para los que no pueden asistir en vivo! Como hicimos antes, quedamos cada 15 días los lunes a las 21.00h. Sin embargo, no paramos los semanales online, y seguimos en Zoom cada dos martes. Contáctanos por email para más información.

THE LAST PINT in concert at MAX MAX

Next Saturday 23 November at 11 p.m “The Last Pint” musicians together with “Mediterrània dancers” will be playing, singing and dancing some traditional tunes at Max Max Celtic Pub. Nothing better than some Irish music and beers for these cold evenings. Come and join us!

El próximo sábado 23 de noviembre a las 23 h, los músicos de “The Last Pint” junto con las bailarinas de “Mediterrània” interpretarán, cantarán y bailarán temas tradicionales en el Pub Celta Max Max. Nada mejor que algo de música irlandesa y unas cervezas para estas noches frías. Os esperamos!

St. Patrick´s Day Guide

This list is incomplete – email us your event! Este lista no es completa – si tienes evento, envíanoslo!

Bar Rock ´n Rolla, Av. Blasco Ibañez – trad music session from 19.00 until late,

St. Patrick´s Irish Pub, Gran Via Marques del Turia – Open Mic Jam Sunday 17th from 19.30

Max Max Pub Celta – C. Vinalopó – Live Karaoke Saturday 16th, Live music all day Sunday 17th. 16.00 Jam session 23.00 concert – PET PIPERS LIVE

Mulligan´s Irish Tavern, C. Yecla –

Finnegan´s Irish Pub, Pl. de la Reina –