Home Lifestyle In Pictures: Final ‘re-centring’ event of 2022 takes Portlaoise by storm

In Pictures: Final ‘re-centring’ event of 2022 takes Portlaoise by storm

Dunamaise Arts Centre presented the finale of re:CENTRING Laois on Sunday May 29 in Portlaoise.

Taking place between 2pm and 5pm, Fitzmaurice Place was transformed into a haven for the arts that will feature an extravaganza of free entertaining activities and performances for all to enjoy.

The Bandwagon House Band, fronted by well-known Laois Singers James O’Connor and Nuala Kelly, kicked off the afternoon’s entertainment.

The Bandwagon House Band is made up of Ros O’Meara on drums, Denise Boyle on fiddle, Siobhan Buckley on harp, David Harte on bass and Tommy Fitzharris on flute and concertina.

These musicians are well-known in music circles in the midlands, and as Musician Educators with Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music.

The Bandwagon, a mobile music venue, first shot to prominence when it appeared in Trailer Park in Electric Picnic in 2019, to festival-goers delight.

Since then, the musician collective known as The Bandwagon House Band have performed at events all over County Laois.

The programme on the day included music workshops in ukulele led by professional musicians from Music Generation Laois – all instruments provided and a drumming circle, led by world percussionist Eddie O’Neill.

A very special performance by Dublin-based Afro-Brazilian Dance group, Criola Dance, was a highlight of the day.

Criola Dance is the expression of afro-Brazilian culture through music and dance, celebrating the joy, spirit and resilience of an underrepresented community.

Criola Dance has performed at All Together Now, Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Culture night, Five Lamps Festival and more.

Sásta, a trad three-piece made up of Ruaidhrí Tierney (box), Dale McKay (bodhrán, guitar) and David Harte (double bass) also performed as part of this family-friendly event.

Sásta are a new Portlaoise band, who have received great public response since they starting performing together in 2021.

Maria Corcoran and guests encouraged audience members of all ages to try out various circus skills throughout the afternoon and families also enjoyed a fun-filled performance by Circo Corcano.

Artworks created throughout the re:CENTRING Laois programme were on display and attendees of all ages tried their hand at Pavement Chalk Art and Paint a Plant Pot fun.

re:CENTRING Laois has brought a range of free arts events across seven months, to open spaces and venues in seven towns across Laois including Stradbally, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Portarlington, Mountrath, Mountmellick and Portlaoise.

Photographer Alf Harvey went along on Sunday and you can check out his pictures below:

Photo: Alf Harvey.
The Criola Dance Group
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Hoopla time 
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Aoife Reilly and Maria Corcoran of Circo Corcano 
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The Criola Dancers
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Maria Corcoran of Circo Corcano
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Caroline and Tadhg Keogh; Caroline Fitzpartrick, Niall Keogh and Pauline Keogh 
Photo: Alf Harvey.
PJ, Niamh, Noah and Suzie Kavanagh
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Adam, Linda, Patrick and Layla Reilly with Harley 
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The Drumming Circle 
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Andrew Winters-Lacey
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Alison and James Farrell
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Mia McGrath, Lily Bennett and Holly McGrath
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The Tynan crew
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Rosemary and Sophia Samson
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Cassie Lawless
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Robyn Kinsella joining in 
Photo: Alf Harvey.

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