Event
On June 21 each year, music making is celebrated all around the world. Under the names Fête de la Musique, Love Live Music or World Music Day, this tradition has been going on since 1982, with celebrations taking place on the streets and in public spaces in cities, towns and villages across Europe. Since 2011, ‘The Open Door’ music sessions have been taking place at West Cork Arts Centre with a focus on accessible music making and community participation. In celebration of World Music Day a special ‘Open Door’ music session will take place at West Cork Arts Centre on North Street on Saturday 21 June from 1.00pm to 4.00pm in partnership with West Cork Mental Health.
This special event will also celebrate the legacy of the late Pete Seeger; the singer, folk-song collector and songwriter who spearheaded an American folk revival and who spent a long career championing folk music as both a vital heritage and a catalyst for social change. For Seeger, folk music and a sense of community were inseparable. His performances typically featured topical songs, children’s songs, humorous tunes and earnest anthems, and he always encouraged listeners to join in. Pete Seeger died in New York on January 27, 2014 aged 94.
Baltimore-based, American singer-songwriter Liz Clark, will perform a number of Pete Seeger’s best-known songs on June 21 and in typical Seeger style, the audience will be encouraged to join in. Other featured acts include Clon Drums, Bantry Community Choir and traditional music with Ann Coughlan and friends. There will also be a guest appearance by The Independent Scouts, a young band formed as part of the ‘Skibb Smiles’ initiative which was formed to create awareness and tackle issues around youth mental health.
The event will conclude with an open music session, to which all musicians and singers are welcome to contribute.
The event is free to attend and all ages are very welcome to drop in, to listen or to perform.
For further information contact Kevin O’ Shanahan, Arts and Health Coordinator with West Cork Mental Health Services: Kevin.oshanahan@hse.ie or 086 7872481
