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

VICA Singer’s Circle

Our in-person singing sessions continue every second Monday at 9pm in Sankofa Espai Cultural, C/ Beata Inés 10, Patraix. Hosted by Chris and Pep, the event welcomes all visitors to sing or simply listen in. Songs in all languages and styles can be heard, from Irish sean-nós and folk songs, to Valencian batres and American old-time ballads. Come and enjoy an intimate evening of song!

Siguen las sessions de canciones presenciales cada dos lunes a las 21.00 en Sankofa Espai Cultural. Con los anfitriones Chris y Pep, también hay bienvenida ante todo idioma y estilo de canción, sea irlandés, Valenciá u otra. Todos bienvenidos a cantar o simplemente escuchar. Ven y disfruta una tarde cálida de canciones.

International Uilleann Piping Day events.

International Uilleann Piping Day events.

Following the success of our 2019 event, we here at VICA are once again promoting International Uilleann Piping Day, the annual celebration of Ireland’s native instrument which is organised by Na Píobairí Uilleann in Dublin.

Uilleann piper and flute player Ciarán Ó Donghaile from Co. Derry will give a concert for International Uilleann Piping Day in St. Patrick’s Scholars Irish Pub, C. Ramon Llull On Friday November 5th from 20.00-21.00.

Accompanied by VICA director Dermot Hurley, Ciarán will bring the iconic sound of Ireland to Valencia’s newest Irish bar. Local VICA musicians will join afterwards for an open trad session until the small hours! Admission is €5 or €3 for VICA members. Come along for what is sure to be a fantastic night of music!

On Saturday 6th of November, between 11-14h, Ciarán will lead a workshop for the Colla de Uilleann Valencia in Espai Sankofa, C. Beata Inés 10, Patraix. For more information, contact us!

We hope to welcome you to one of these exciting events!

Sunday River Sessions

Sunday River Sessions

Traditional music session every Sunday from 11.00 – 13.00(ish) in the Jardín del Turia (dry riverbed park). Find us below the Botánic Gardens, close to Túria metro stop. We play a slow set from 11.00-11.50, allowing learners to join the session and practice in a fun social setting. The rest of the session is at medium tempo. Songs, slow airs and impromptu dancing are also welcome. 🙂 Bring a folding chair or stool, or if you prefer, a picnic blanket! See you there!

Session (encuentro) de música tradicional todos los domingos de 11.00-13.00 en el Jardín del Túria. Estamos a la altura del Jardín Botánico, cerca de Metro Túria. La primera 50 minutos son lentos, para que aprendedores se acoplan y practiquen de una manera social y divertida. Después tocamos a ritmo medio. También hay canciones y baile (si se inspira..). Tráete silla plegable o bien una manta de picnic! Os Esperamos!

Farem sessió de música tradicional cada diumenge de 11.00-13.00 al Jardí del Túria. Estem a l’altura del Botánic, prop a metro Turia. Fins a 11.50, toquem lents, perqué els aprenents es pot practicar d’una manera divertit i social. Després toquem a ritme mediana. També hi ha cançons i balls (a vegades). Porta’t cadira plegable o bé una manta! Us esperem!

Sunday River Sessions

Sunday River Sessions

Traditional music session every Sunday from 11.00 – 13.00(ish) in the Jardín del Turia (dry riverbed park). Find us below the Botánic Gardens, close to Túria metro stop. We play a slow set from 11.00-11.50, allowing learners to join the session and practice in a fun social setting. The rest of the session is at medium tempo. Songs, slow airs and impromptu dancing are also welcome. 🙂 Bring a folding chair or stool, or if you prefer, a picnic blanket! See you there!

Session (encuentro) de música tradicional todos los domingos de 11.00-13.00 en el Jardín del Túria. Estamos a la altura del Jardín Botánico, cerca de Metro Túria. La primera 50 minutos son lentos, para que aprendedores se acoplan y practiquen de una manera social y divertida. Después tocamos a ritmo medio. También hay canciones y baile (si se inspira..). Tráete silla plegable o bien una manta de picnic! Os Esperamos!

Farem sessió de música tradicional cada diumenge de 11.00-13.00 al Jardí del Túria. Estem a l’altura del Botánic, prop a metro Turia. Fins a 11.50, toquem lents, perqué els aprenents es pot practicar d’una manera divertit i social. Després toquem a ritme mediana. També hi ha cançons i balls (a vegades). Porta’t cadira plegable o bé una manta! Us esperem!

Sunday River Sessions

Traditional music session every Sunday from 11.00 – 13.00(ish) in the Jardín del Turia (dry riverbed park). Find us below the Botánic Gardens, close to Túria metro stop. We play a slow set from 11.00-11.50, allowing learners to join the session and practice in a fun social setting. The rest of the session is at medium tempo. Songs, slow airs and impromptu dancing are also welcome. 🙂 Bring a folding chair or stool, or if you prefer, a picnic blanket! See you there!

Session (encuentro) de música tradicional todos los domingos de 11.00-13.00 en el Jardín del Túria. Estamos a la altura del Jardín Botánico, cerca de Metro Túria. La primera 50 minutos son lentos, para que aprendedores se acoplan y practiquen de una manera social y divertida. Después tocamos a ritmo medio. También hay canciones y baile (si se inspira..). Tráete silla plegable o bien una manta de picnic! Os Esperamos!

Farem sessió de música tradicional cada diumenge de 11.00-13.00 al Jardí del Túria. Estem a l’altura del Botánic, prop a metro Turia. Fins a 11.50, toquem lents, perqué els aprenents es pot practicar d’una manera divertit i social. Després toquem a ritme mediana. També hi ha cançons i balls (a vegades). Porta’t cadira plegable o bé una manta! Us esperem!

Trad Session and street paella!

Volvemos a El Volander viernes 15 marzo desde las 21.00 para tocar y disfrutar el ambiente de Fallas en la ciudad. Durante la sesión se prepararán una paella callejero para todos los asistentes. Es la mezcla perfecta de las culturas Irlandesa y Valenciana!

We return to El Volander for our March Monthly session on Friday the 15th from 9pm. While we´re playing, there´ll be a street paella prepared for all comers! It´s the perfect mix of Irish and Valencian cultures!

Traditional Irish Music Session

Aidan and Javier return to Monterey Pub with their unique blend of fiddle and flute, playing traditional melodies with life and vigour. Always a pleasure to hear these two.