 | | Brothers O'Suilleabhain (wearing sun-glasses), Tina Mulhearne (President Clonmel Chamber of Commerce), Nollaig Healy and Bernard Lennon (Green Party candidate) out in Raheen House. | |
On Thursday 28th May Artistic Director David Teevan extended an invitation to all to visit Clonmel this summer as he announced the programme for the 2009 Clonmel Junction Festival. Junction Festival is a meeting of different styles, cultures, passions and talent and offers an exciting 2009 programme featuring a mix of performance, art, music, theatre, aerial dance, and many family and children’s events. One aspect which is very special to the Junction Festival is the level and quality of their local participation programme, which this year will be on the theme of Homes & Habitats and encourages children in the local schools to be an active part of their festival. There is a strong focus this year on family oriented events.
“Cafés Carte Blanche” aims to animate spaces in the town as the number of empty shop units in Clonmel town has been growing over the years. In this year’s festival five empty units will be taken over by five different artists, converting them into artistic cafés with a range of activities, workshops and talks. Several artforms will be represented in these cafés which will include a Hip-hop and dance café, a canine and video café, a jewelry and photography café, a story and conversation café and a writing and reading café. | |  | | | David Teevan, Artistic Director |
Once again the festival has a very strong world music programme. The continuing exchange between the festival and the Music Crossroads Interregional Festival (IRF) 2008 made possible by Culture Ireland funding, sees the Zimbabwean band, winners of the IRF, Mokoomba bring an electrified blend of Afro-fusion and tantalizin g traditional Zimbabwean music to Junction. Mocoomba (a six piece band) come to Ireland after the very successful exchange last summer with the Music Crossroads winner, Body Mind & Soul with one of Clonmel’s Youth Rock Bands. Fawzy Al-Aiedy, an Iraqi composer and oud player, is making his Irish debut at the festival. The rising London based reggae star, Natty, will also play the festival. Other world music performances include, Malian musician and composer Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, and multicultural six-piece Armada Latina. | | |  | | | Byrne's son probably interested in our family events... | | | | |
Family events include the theatre show One Small Step. Two extraordinary actors will bring dozens of key characters from the years of the 50s and 60s space race to life in One Small Step, an action packed play for families. ‘It’s hard to imagine a play fuelled by more profound and spelling binding sense of sheer wonder’ Malcom Jack, The Scotsman. Cups and Crowns Theatre Company will perform two separate pieces, Maimie’s Cart and A Hedge Called Hog; and six lucky children will be welcomed to climb into a curious bed in a highly interactive show for 3-5 yrs in The Bedmaker (Monkeyshine Theatre in Partnership with Tallaght Community Arts Centre). The family music programme includes a performance by Size 2 Shoes (the Ó Suilleabhain brothers Eoin and Moley); an interactive children and parents’ lounging space; Iraqi composer, musician and storyteller Fawy Al-Aiedy performs a musical journey through Arabic and Middle Eastern culture for a family audience. On the theatre front, the Festival welcomes Cho-In Theatre who will present the Korean folk tale of "The Angel and The Woodcutter". This story of strength and endurance of human love is stage entirely without words to haunting music and is a critically acclaimed piece of movement theatre. ***** The Sunday Times, UK. Junction is delighted to announce that Eamon Morrissey will recreate his legendary role in “The Brother” at the festival. Eamon Morrissey’s relationship with "The Brother" began when his solo show opened in the Peacock Theatre thirty-five years ago. The hilarious writing of Myles na Gopaleen and the comic talents of Eamon Morrissey combine to provide a piece of entertainment that has endured through the years. In these difficult days it is time for a fresh look at "The Brother". The festival continues its dialogue with the evolving Aerial dance community in Ireland, welcoming to Clonmel a thrilling double bill, featuring the world premiere of "Edge" by Cork based Croí Glan and the Irish Debut of "Loved Up" by London Company Upswing Aerial. Ever wondered what it would be like to dine at Fawlty Towers? Well now you can find out – at "Faulty Towers … The Dining Experience". Enter the snobbish world of manic Basil; his domineering wife, Sybil; and their hopeless language challenged waiter, Manuel. Enjoy a three course meal as one of the guests trying to make Manuel understand what it is you want. This interactive comedy experience is a must–see for fans of all ages. The Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of their sponsor in bringing Bulmers Original Artists strand to the Festival. Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club will perform at the opening night of the festival and other music performances will include Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill, Rattle The Boards, Gerry ‘Banjo’ O’Connor,The Stunning, Lisa Hannigan, Duke Special, Delorentos, Fight like Apes, The Van Diemens, The Deans, Malpractice, Precise, Gavin Ryan, Saving J, American Soul Man Buck Taylor, Dublin Gospel Choir, Youth Ban | | | | |  | | | David Teevan, Vicky Amedume, Mayor of Clonmel Martin O'Brian, Chairman of the Festival Damien Martin |
d Night and the Festival Finale Concert. Comedy fans can look forward to evenings of laughter with Karl Spain & Paddy Courtney, David O’Doherty, and the Dublin Comedy Improv Team back with their new show – "Whose Junction Is It Anyway?"! With a Food & Craft Fair, Hot Air Balloon display, the Junction Festival Rubber Ring Race and the Clonmel Show with a multitude of events for all the family to enjoy there is s omething for everyone in this year’s Clonmel Junction Festival. |
