Creative Conversations

With Monday Players, Open Arts Community Choir, Luminous Soul, Open Arts Creative Writers, Open Arts Visual Art Groups, Mae Murray Foundation.

Step into the world of Open Arts as they take over the Crescent Arts Centre!

During each event the audience will experience performances from Monday Players, Open Arts Community Choir, Luminous Soul dancers; hear readings from the creative writing group and participate in a workshop with visual art participants.

Inspired by the idea of a ‘Living Library’ you will also have the opportunity to chat with the participants, learn about the diverse perspectives and life experiences of disabled people.

There will be 3 events during the day. Each will last a maximum 1 hour 45 minutes including the dance performances below (which can also be booked separately).

3 groups will be guided through the building each time. One group will have an audio describer and another will have a BSL interpreter available for each event. You can book your ticket here

Event times:

12pm – 2pm – 4pm

1.15pm Mae Murray Foundation

Members from Mae Murray’s Teen Hubs took part in a summer dance intensive facilitated by Helen Hall & Linda Fearon with mentoring visits from members of Luminous Soul. They have continued to work and rehearse together to present this performance. The young people are also working toward achieving Arts Awards.

The work is supported by The Arts Council NI’s Young People & Wellbeing Arts Programme and BT Telecommunity Fund, distributed by Community Foundation NI.

3.15pm Fully Charged

Formed in 2022, Fully Charged is a duet of powerchair dancers, Cinzia Savonitti and Marylou McCord. Both are also members of Luminous Soul. Marylou McCord has been supported by University of Atypical through an iDA grant award to develop her music composition skills alongside her choreography.

Fully Charged was born because the dancers wanted to explore how movement and dance could be enhanced, not limited, by their powerchairs!

This piece explores the relationship between the dancers, their own powerchairs and each other.

5.15pm Communication

‘Communication’ is an innovative dance piece choreographed by Andy Paton, Julie Anna Richmond and Talia McDowell. All three are members of Luminous Soul and have travelled to Cork over the last year to participate in Ireland’s first accredited inclusive dance training programme – Inclusive Dance Cork – a partnership between University College Cork and others. Talia has been supported by University of Atypical through an iDA grant award.

This piece explores the theme of how we all communicate differently and the barriers which may be encountered. The choreography challenges the audience to be mindful of and to embrace diversity.