ARTS ROUND-UP

URGENCIES

URGENCIES (2021) is the second iteration of CCA Derry~Londonderry’s biennial group exhibition. The artwork selected for the exhibition comes from an open call that seeks to take the temperature of what emerging artists working today with a connection to our region consider to be urgent.

Two key themes of identity and environment thread throughout the off-site exhibition as well as many other topics encompassing both deeply personal experiences and global political events. The artists explore questions of care and labour (Siobhán Kelly), mental health (Brian Farrell, Lucie McLaughlin), borders, technology and nature (Bryony Dunne, Christopher Steenson), home and self-expression (Kathryn Graham, Michael Hanna, Patrick Hickey), pollution and the effects of global crises (Martin Boyle, Edy Fung) and the role of the artist and communication (Frank Wasser).

URGENCIES (2021) was selected by artist Locky Morris and CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk and features new and recent work ranging in media from print, film, photography, sound, painting, manifestations online and in daily life.

URGENCIES (2021) would usually be held within CCA’s galleries at 10–12 Artillery Street, however due to the ongoing pandemic, the project is taking place offsite and online. Artworks are visible across Derry~Londonderry through the windows of landmark buildings, commercial spaces, homes and arts organisations also currently closed to the public.

URGENCIES (2021) runs until 22 May 2021. To download the interactive map for locations of the URGENCIES (2021) sites, visit, cca-derry-londonderry.org

Christopher Steenson, ‘Electricity (Annascaul)’, 2019, 35mm negative scanned to digital

HOME - NOLI TIMERE

The MAC presents, HOME - Noli Timere, a series of short films as a collective artistic response to our lives in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As announced in the summer, HOME - Noli Timere, has worked to collate the photos, videos, lyrics and literature which have inspired hope in lockdown life. Translated as, ‘don’t be afraid’, Noli Timere was the final text sent by Seamus Heaney to his wife, Marie. The sentiment is equally powerful and appropriate in the context of the current pandemic.

Submitted to the project by members of the public and artists alike, these artistic responses to the ongoing pandemic have been transformed into a series of short films that have been released as Facebook and YouTube premieres.

Films include ‘A Belfast Prayer’ by Carol Rumens; ‘It Will Pass’ a film inspired by the notion of escape, both physically and mentally; ‘Blue is the Hour’ which marries words from Abby Oliveira with photography by Carrie Davenport; ‘Illustrations’ which has been created using photographic submissions from the MAC audience; ‘A Time Comes’ featuring a poem from Damian Gorman wonderfully performed by Suzanne Savage; and ‘Modern Myths’, written and voiced by Clare Dwyer Hogg and directed by Emma Jordan.

Speaking of HOME - Noli Timere, Simon Magill, MAC Creative Director, said: “We are grateful to ALL the artists that contributed to the making of these films. Whilst we find our own paths through the pandemic, I think that it is vital to remember that creative expression, in whatever form, is not just essential, it is the very essence of human existence.”

HOME - Noli Timere runs until 30 June 2021. For links to the films visit www. themaclive.com

LAUNCH OF NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK, WEIRDO

Poet and Seamus Heaney Centre Chair of Creative Writing Nick Laird and his novelist wife Zadie Smith, have teamed up with illustrator Magenta Fox to produce their debut children’s picture book. Published by Puffin, Weirdo tells the story of Maud the guinea pig who inexplicably wears a judo suit - and not everyone understands or approves.

When Maud is thrown into a new and confusing situation, it takes brave decisions and serendipitous encounters for her to find her place and embrace her individuality.

Weirdo is an endearing story about the quiet power of being different by two veteran writers, and an exciting new illustrator. Together they have created a picture book that adults and children alike will treasure.

For more information, visit: www.penguin.co.uk

Robb Murphy

AN ACCIDENTAL AWAKENING

Over the last three years, as Accidental Theatre has built their Shaftesbury Square Venue, the creative team has built it with live streaming as a core part of future plans. Accidental regularly go live with performances and concerts. However this year the team, like all arts venues, has been put to the ultimate test. With lockdown and the theatre closed, arts festivals, gigs and performances all went online. Accidental has taken on this big challenge with aplomb and has maintained the quality of artist support and output. Entertaining audiences at home, in care homes and all over the world.

The theatre has been working with a range of theatre companies, with students, with musicians, creatives and even with Noam Chomsky and Daniel O’Donnell. In total, they have worked on over 160 livestreamed shows and have provided covid-safe rehearsal and performance space.

It was therefore exciting news when Accidental Theatre recently launched their new Spring programming, an #AccidentalAwakening. They may still be waiting patiently for the news on theatres reopening, (after they were the fi rst to close over a year ago) but that has not stopped the team from bringing some fantastic new gigs, workshops and theatre to audiences far and wide.

Duke Special & Temperance Society

Chip Bailey will return for another online edition of Duke Special’s Gramophone Club, a night of unmissable entertainment.

Sole Purpose Productions are bringing their sell-out production of She Wants to be a What? to Accidental Theatre on Saturday 8th May. First performed in 2019 as part of the Stonewall celebrations for Foyle Pride this remount has been updated for a 2021 live streaming audience. The drama explores the journey of a transgender man from a mother’s perspective. It charts with empathy and dark humour the impact on their friends and family circle.

Since April 2020 Commedia of Errors have brought Plays Aloud At Home to 932 isolated older people across Northern Ireland a production of theatre, poetry and live music. Plays Aloud At Home is the brainchild of local theatre makers Clare McMahon and Benjamin Gould in partnership with Radius Housing and in association with Accidental Theatre, and will continue to bring a smile to the elderly this Spring.

Sixpenny Productions present Stray, a one-man show by acclaimed actor and playwright Cathal Ferris, who has recently swapped the bright lights of London to return to his Belfast home. Stray is one man’s tall tale full of fantasy, voyage of personal growth, friendship and humanity. It will be streamed from Accidental Theatre on the 14th of May and is not to be missed.

More acts to be announced but you can fi nd out more about the Accidental Awakening at accidentaltheatre.co.uk.

CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE

In a project led by Beyond Skin, young musicians in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland have united to produce a music video based on a popular Afghan song ‘In Gham-e-be Haya’, meaning, Audacious Sorrow, composed by Ustad Salim Sarmast. This collaboration focuses on the International Women’s Day 2021 theme ‘Choose to Challenge’, and uses music to challenge the recent statement issued in Afghanistan banning girls from singing in school from age 12 years upwards. Watch the music video at https://youtu.be/iFQIuGsDu4c