Mermaid Arts Centre Presents
11 - 19 November 2017
Tel: 01 272 4030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie
Len Cabral at Frank Duff's Lounge
WEDNESDAY 15 November | 8pm | See page 10 for further details
11 - 19 November 2017 Welcome to YARN Storytelling Festival Bray 2017. Now in its eighth year,YARN brings together our community to share and hear stories. Presented by Mermaid Arts Centre, these storytelling events take place throughout the town in classrooms, community groups, libraries, cafÊs and bars, in Mermaid itself and at lots of other venues.This year we are delighted to have the use of the Town Hall chambers for events – a wonderful atmospheric space guaranteed to add to the spirit of the tales. So come one, come all and let a story weave its magic on you! Age Suitability: Storytelling is a wonderful art form that is enjoyed by all ages. At YARN we try to ensure our programme includes events for all age groups from adults down to toddlers. It is important, however, to note the age suitability of each event. We have tried to advise where relevant. If a session is marked 7+, then the stories will be more complex and your toddlers and tots will most likely not follow. Booking: Mermaid Arts Centre invests in this community based festival, along with the support of our partners.This allows us to hold a lot of events free of charge. Some venues have a limited capacity and so first come, first served applies.We do not take bookings for free events. For more information please phone Mermaid or visit our website:
Tel: 01 272 4030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie
The legends of Wicklow
- Createschool Film
Opening THURSDAY 9 November 2017 | 6pm Free | Open FRI 10 − SAT 18 November | 10am − 6pm & SUN 19 1pm − 4pm Wicklow’s shores have known many visitors over the centuries. They all brought their fair share of myths and legends. Createschool have taken these stories and created a series of 5 short films and boldly titled it (…drum roll…) - “The Legends of Wicklow” The exhibition will feature three of these films: A Tale To Tell - (The History of Storytelling in Wicklow) The Quiet Pilgrim - (St. Kevin) Snakes & Sermons - (St. Mhantáin Featuring St. Patrick) Be sure to check out some of the stars of the film (specially created customised Lego mini-figures), a selection of the hand-made sets and several behind the scenes shots. Createschool are grateful for the financial support of Wicklow County Council and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta that made these films possible.
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Imagine the Magic Moustaches MONDAY 13 November 2017 | 11am Free | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre
Mermaid Arts Centre’s storyteller in residence Paul Timoney has been very busy over the past few weeks facilitating a collaborative project with New Court School and Saint Andrew’s Primary School in Bray. Together they have been creating something amazing … a story called “Imagine the Magic Moustaches.” All of the ideas and the title have come from the kids and the story will be presented as an animated movie on the big screen in Mermaid as part of YARN. Come down and join us! For further information on the residency visit: www.paultimoney.com
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Family Storytelling at Killruddery with Liz Weir
SATURDAY 11 November | 2pm Free | Venue: Killruddery Farm Market, Shoot Room | Age Suitability: 4+ A great opportunity to hear one of Ireland’s finest and awardwinning storytellers. Liz Weir travels to Bray from the glens of Co. Antrim with tales galore that will captivate children and adults alike. With decades of experience this is one storytelling session that kids will treasure for life. Come early to get a seat as capacity is limited. No Booking Required. Limited Capacity. First Come, First Served.
Eddie Lenihan: Scary Tales at the Town Hall SATURDAY 11 November | 4pm Free | Venue: Upstairs in the Town Hall | Age Suitability: 7+
One of Ireland’s most loved storytellers, travelling to us from Co. Clare, Eddie Lenihan has been collecting and recording tales from all over the country for decades. Haunted places, fairy paths, holy wells, giants, ghosts and ogres…Eddie has tales about them all. In the apt setting of the Town Hall Eddie will share his tales of strange creatures. A unique opportunity to hear a true master seanchaí. No Booking Required. Limited Capacity. First Come, First Served.
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All For the Dead Man's Penny
SATURDAY 11 November | 4pm Free | Venue: Christ Church, Church Road, Bray | Age Suitability: Adults (16+) Liz Weir & Ciarán Mulholland - Renowned storyteller Liz Weir is joined by violin player Ciarán Mulholland to tell a poignant tale in words and music of one young Irish soldier’s experiences in World War One.The piece interweaves an Irish wonder tale with the First World War story, each tale reflecting the themes of loss and betrayal of the other. Ciarán’s specially composed music leads listeners seamlessly between the two worlds. Highly recommended. Kindly sponsored by Christ Church. No Booking Required.
Eddie Lenihan Master Seanchaí
SATURDAY 11 November | 8pm €5 | Venue: Upstairs in the Town Hall | Age Suitability: Adults (16+) Eddie Lenihan, is an Irish author, storyteller, lecturer and broadcaster. He is one of the few practising seanchaithe (traditional Irish lore-keepers and tale-spinners) remaining in Ireland. He has been called “one of the greatest of Irish story-tellers” and “a national treasure”. Don’t miss your chance to join him in the unique setting of Bray’s Town Hall chambers – what better place for him to weave his magic. Prepare to be spooked. “Eddie’s stories are not for the faint-hearted, but then good stories never are.” - RTE Guide Last Few Tickets Available - Booking Advised:Tel: 01 272 4030.
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Poetry in the Park
SUNDAY 12 November | 12pm Free | Venue: The Bandstand in the People’s Park, Bray Poetry in the Park is a local community event organised by Susan Lynch, where people come together to read poems - either their own or a poem written by someone else that they would like to share.The event takes place on the bandstand in the People’s Park at 12pm on the 1st Sunday each month, whatever the weather and everyone is welcome, including children.There is no pressure to read as listeners are most welcome. In addition to the regular monthly meet-up on Sunday 5 November, a second gathering will take place on Sunday 12 November as part of YARN Storytelling Festival Bray. Join us for some poems and perhaps a story or two from special YARN guest author and storyteller Liz Weir.
Betelnut Family Fun Day
SUNDAY 12 November | 3 – 5pm Free | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 2 – 12 Years The Betelnut Café at Mermaid Arts Centre invite you to a free fun day as a massive thank you for all of your support over the past year. Families will be entertained with cupcake decorating and two wonderful puppet shows by Julie Rose McCormick Puppeteer. 3.30pm | The Dragon & The Princess (Duration approx. 35 minutes) 4.30pm | Punch & Judy (Duration approx. 35 minutes) No Booking Required.
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Carmen Cullen Book Launch: Hello Love TUESDAY 14 November | 7pm Free | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre, Gallery
Join us as we welcome Carmen Cullen to launch her new book Hello Love in Mermaid’s Gallery. Love persists and in Hello Love, nobody can tell Jacqueline what to do, especially her Auntie Mina who comes to live with the family in their Avalon Hotel. The little girl will only take orders from her mother and Imelda has disappeared… Hello Love is Carmen’s second novel and is published by Liberties Press.There will be a donation per book to The Peter Mc.Verry Trust. Refreshments and music.
Mary Duffy AND Donald Teskey: Artists Talk WEDNESDAY 15 November | 7pm Free | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre
In 2016 painter Mary Duffy received an Arts + Disability Connect Bursary with support from Dublin City Council and Mermaid Arts Centre. Over a year, Mary worked with artist and mentor, Donald Teskey (RHA) as she negotiated a move from being an artist who primarily worked outdoors to one who is now at ease in her studio. Come join us, meet the artists and see a selection of their work as they discuss the past year working together. To Book A Seat Please Call Box Office - Tel: 01 272 4030. 9
Len Cabral at Frank Duff's Lounge WEDNESDAY 15 November | 8pm Free | Venue: Frank Duff’s Lounge | Age Suitability: Adults
We are delighted to welcome Len Cabral to Ireland as part of YARN. Len is an award-winning internationally acclaimed storyteller who has been enchanting audiences for decades. A great grandson of a Cape Verdean whaler whose grandparents emigrated to America from the islands off the coast of West Africa, Len’s strong Cape Verdean ancestry comes alive in his exuberant retelling of African, Cape Verdean, and Caribbean folktales as well as original stories and tales from around the world. A captivating evening of tales awaits with one of Storytelling’s finest. No Booking Required.
Peter Sheridan - Made in Dublin THURSDAY 16 November | 8pm €16/14 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: Adults
The new one man show from writer, director and performer Peter Sheridan. Starting in the 1960s, Made in Dublin is his funny, warm and poignant account of a fabulous and heart-breaking childhood in a Dublin working-class family and how this led to a career experiencing every aspect of the Irish Theatre world.Through the journey of young Peter, it shows us an individual and a society on the cusp of profound change. ‘Dublin has rarely come to life as it does in Peter Sheridan’s memoir….his prose is as rich as his characters, ordinary and fabulous, tragic and hilarious.’ - Neil Jordan 10
Harbour Bar Tales with
Jack Lynch
THURSDAY 16 November | 8pm €5 on the door | Venue: Upstairs Harbour Bar | Age Suitabilty: Adults Jack Lynch is one of Ireland’s most experienced and well-loved storytellers. He has been a regular teller throughout Ireland and in far-flung places around this bockety globe. A founder member of the Dublin Yarnspinners and of Storytellers of Ireland / Aos Scéal Éireann, Jack was guest-curator of Yarn in 2014. Join him upstairs in The Harbour Bar in support of the RNLI Lifeboats Dun Laoghaire for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of tales of travel to exotic climes, wonder how you can cross the ocean and still be at home, and talking about ‘far-flung’, ponder on his new story of A Message in a Bottle. €5 on the door in aid of RNLI Lifeboats Dun Laoghaire.
Granuaile Pirate Queen
FRIDAY 17 November | 11am & 12:30pm €10/8 | Venue: Upstairs in the Town Hall | Age Suitability: 7-10 Years Interactive storytelling at its best. Granuaile is a dynamic, exciting retelling of the infamous Irish story about Grace O’Malley, pirate queen.This highly interactive piece weaves historical fact with an engaging family narrative that invites audience opinion on themes such as gender roles, ambition, relationships and self-confidence. The backdrop of the female Irish pirate’s heroic life story is brought fantastically to life through maps, sword fighting, audience costumes, and ‘All-Aboard!’ to row up the Thames! Written by Veronica Coburn and Gabrielle Breathnach. Performed by Damien Devaney and Gabrielle Breathnach. Last Few Tickets Available - Tel: 01 272 4030.
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Ammazzacaffe play Fabrizio De Andre` FRIDAY 17 November | 6pm Free | Venue: Caffe Letterario GattaNera (6, Albert Walk)
Join Ammazzacaffe as they celebrate YARN Italian style in the Caffé Letterario GattaNera. Fabrizio de André is widely acknowledged as the finest Italian lyricist and musician of the 20th century. His songs celebrated the marginal lives of prostitutes and gypsies and attacked the hypocrisies of the Catholic Church. Renowned for the quality of his lyrics and often considered a poet, he contributed greatly to the promotion of the languages of Italy, most notably Liqurian. With a contribution from the film clip by Wim Wenders, this unique event will be the perfect start to your weekend. Booking Advised. Call Caffe Letterario GattaNera: 01 211 6861
Stolen - The Devil's Violin
FRIDAY 17 November | 8pm €12/10 | Venue: Upstairs in the Town Hall | Age Suitability: 10+ Travelling to YARN from Wales for one event only, Daniel Morden, one of Britain’s most celebrated storytellers, weaves traditional stories into an epic narrative - accompanied by powerful live music that draws on folk, world and classical styles. Brimming with dreamlike images that will haunt you long after the performance ends,The Devil’s Violin will take you on a journey to the end of the world -and into the next one! Daniel Morden - story, Sarah Moody - cello, Oliver Wilson-Dickson violin / viola. Booking Advised - Tel: 01 272 4030. 12
Original Photo:Viktor Cibulka
The Restoration of Hope
FRIDAY 17 November | 8pm €16/14 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Friends Selected Show Hope Whyte is having a diabolical Christmas. In a Dublin office painted with mysterious, sinister symbols, she wakes up: has she been restored to life, or is her memory of being murdered a nightmare? And what is she to make of her self-declared Mentor, Larry McGrath, and his insistence that she must honour the terms of a blood-chilling contract? Like the acclaimed Temptress — which debuted at Mermaid — Philip St John’s new play is a darkly funny, atmospheric drama that explores lives lived in the perilous zone between this world and the next. Director: Matthew Ralli A co-production by High Seas/Speckintime.
Me and the Moon Art Workhops for Children
SATURDAY 18 November | 12pm & 2pm €8 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 4+ David Fortune is The Speks’ illustrator and in these magical workshops he’ll teach children how to illustrate colourful characters and spektacular scenery from Glasses Island. An image of each child’s artwork will form part of The Speks’ performance in Mermaid Arts Centre. Please note The Speks performance on Sunday 19 November is now sold out.
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Family Storytelling at Killruddery with Joe Brennan
SATURDAY 18 November | 2pm Free | Venue: Killruddery Farm Market, Shoot Room | Age Suitabilty: 5+ Hip Hop Hippity Hop! Come and meet a dragon, a man who turned into a wolf and other strange happenings. Laugh, jump and be entranced.Take hold of your seat as you journey through wonders with storyteller Joe Brennan. Fun and delights for all the family. No Booking Required. Limited Capacity. First Come, First Served.
TALK: Tour of the Stained Glass Windows at Christ Church
SATURDAY 18 November | 2pm Free | Venue: Christ Church, Church Road, Bray | Age Suitability: Adults Have you ever wondered about the story behind stained glass windows? Well here is your chance to join Sarah Greene as she brings us on a guided tour. The seventeen windows in Christ Church Bray reflect the changing fashions in stained glass over seven decades. Many of the windows are memorials to people connected with Bray. Come to Christ Church to hear their stories and see for yourself the beauty of the windows, from the romantic style of Lavers & Barraud to the Celtic imagery of A.E. Child. No Booking Required. 14
Youth Orchard Tales
SATURDAY 18 November | 4pm Free | Venue: Fassaroe Community Centre | Age Suitability: 5+ Taking inspiration from the heritage garden Joe will take you on a journey through stories whose seeds were planted a long time ago, in far off places, when the world was a stranger place and the wild spirits still roamed freely.The stories planted then are still growing and searching for a listener. Will you be one? No Booking Required.
Songs of a Storyteller
- Colum Sands
SATURDAY 18 November | 8pm €12/10 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: Adults
“A poet disguised as a songwriter and a singer disguised as a storyteller”, Colum Sands has been acclaimed on stages from Aughnacloy to Auckland, Belfast to Berlin, Carlingford to Capetown, and countless places in between! The County Down songwriter has won awards for radio and studio production but his real passion lies in live performance. “Building bridges rather than borders” he continues his wondrous journey, weaving songs and stories that are often humorous and always thought provoking. A highlight of YARN. 15
Bray Singers' Circle
SATURDAY 18 November | 9pm Free | Venue: Co. Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club, Vevay Road Sometimes the most interesting things happen when space is left for spontaneity. Bray Singers’ Circle promotes the ancient traditional art of impromptu singing similar to that of the sean-nós tradition. So experience for yourself an evening of laid-back, organic storytelling through song.There’s no set menu of songs on offer, just an opportunity to turn up and see where the night takes you. Pull up a chair close to the fire in County Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club and enjoy this wonderful evening of song. Acoustic self-accompaniment welcome.
The Speks
SUNDAY 19 November | 2pm €8 | Venue: Mermaid Arts Centre | Age Suitability: 2 – 99 years! The Speks present a lively show of nursery rhymes and sing-along songs set to acoustic Irish music which will have adults and kids jumping in their seats! Their hand-clapping, toe-tapping, heartylaughing show is all about life on Glasses Island – a magical island off the coast of Co. Clare where everybody wears glasses! Winners of a Parents’ Choice music award in the US where their music has been described as “Riverdance for kids”, they encourage everyone to sing, scream, clap and dance along during their performances. “The Speks...they’re really great!” - Derek Mooney, RTE Radio 1 16
Town Hall Tales -
Whispering Waves
SUNDAY 19 November | 2pm Free | Venue: Upstairs in the Town Hall | Age Suitability: 6+
Whispering Waves - Stories of the Sea. ‘Listen! Can you hear it? Listen carefully.That’s the sound of the waves whispering…..’ So Joe invites his audience into the magical world of stories from the sea. Stories from above and below the waves, enchanted waves and strange creatures. No Booking Required. Limited Capacity. First Come, First Served.
Wicklow Love Stories with Talepipe SUNDAY 19 November | 4pm €5 | Venue: Upstairs in the Town Hall | Age Suitability: Adults
Storyteller Brendan Nolan and piper Martin Nolan take you to secret places only your heart will recognise. Brendan recalls great love stories of Wicklow. Martin envelops the words with enchanting pipe music.Hear of the lovestruck girl who goes to fetch a pail of water and meets the fairies as they dance around the November fire. Wonder at the greatest love Wicklow has ever known when a powerful man loses all for the love of his life. And lots more. Booking Advised - Tel: 01 2724030 17
Thank You!
A huge thanks to all of our partners and supporters. Not all events that take place in YARN are open to the public.There is lots going on behind the scenes too. Without the help and support of the following,YARN would not be possible.Thanks especially to: Ballywaltrim Youth Group Belenut Café Bray Credit Union Bray Municipal District Bray Singer’s Circle Caffé Letterario Gatta Nera Carlton Clinic Christ Church Bray Frank Duff’s Lounge Killruddery House & Gardens Kinvara House Nursing Home Little Bray Family Resource Centre Little Bray Youth Heritage Orchard Loreto Secondary School Newcourt School Sarah Greene Susan Lynch St. Andrew’s School St. Cronan’s Boys N.S. St. Patrick’s N.S. Phoenix Youth Project Poetry Ireland The Harbour Bar Wicklow County Council Library Services If you are interested in holding a storytelling session in 2018 for a community group you are involved with, please let us know at Mermaid Arts Centre (e-mail: pr@mermaidartscentre.ie)
Stolen - The Devil's Violin
FRIDAY 17 November | 8pm | See page 12 for further details
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Tel: 01 272 4030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie