As part of the Creative Communities on a Shared Island initiative, two of Ireland’s most best known intimate venues from opposite corners of the island have teamed up to explore their mutual creative links in a project called ‘The Ties that Bind’. Over the past 6 months, local artists from each community have taken part in residential exchanges, swapping the rural picturesque village of Ballydehob for the Inner City hustle and bustle of North Belfast, and vice versa. Already, the artists have formed lifelong friendships, collaborating together on new work and impacting on the local communities through outreach, performances and workshops.
The highlight of this Shared Island project will be two ‘takeover weekends’; the first of which will see The Duncairn curate a mini-festival at Levis’ Corner House in Ballydehob from 11th- 14th July. Over 20 artists from the North will travel 500km to take part in an action-packed programme showcasing the work that the Duncairn does and the creative community that it serves.
Among the events planned, on Friday 12th July (traditionally a significant date in the North), the Duncairn’s famous ‘Club Fifty’ will feature a cabaret of music, poetry and cinema from artists of both traditions in Belfast. At communal tables, tapas-style sharing food will be provided; friendly discussion is encouraged between artists and audience about the diverse backgrounds, reconciliation and the common grounds that exist.
On Saturday 13th July, the main evening concert will showcase The Duncairn’s Creative Collective. Half of The Duncairn’s pioneering, 30-strong group of young artists from across Ireland will perform original music that they have composed together. Artists from Cork will take part as well; a demonstration of exactly what can happen when young people are given the time, resources and a framework to develop cultural and creative connections.
The weekend will round off with a re-creation of one of Duncairn’s biggest successes, ‘The Super Sunday Session’. A free, family-friendly arts event featuring a concert, kids crafts and storytelling for everyone aged 1-100, it will be an afternoon focused on community, creativity and connection.
Across the weekend, there will be a variety of smaller events by Belfast-based artists including poetry, cinema, trad sessions, visual arts and pop-up musical performances taking place throughout Ballydehob and surrounding areas. It will be a showcase of Belfast’s creative scene in the heart of West Cork, with a large turnout expected to join in the celebrations. Tickets are available from http://theduncairn.com/levistakeover and www.leviscornerhouse.com
“Creative Communities on Shared Island” is part of the Shared Island dimension to the Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027, supporting cross-border creative projects to inspire connections between people, communities and places. “The Ties that Bind” project between Levis’ Corner House and The Duncairn is facilitated by Cork County Council and Belfast City Council.
