Cross border Open Mic event
Across the lines!
12th October. 7pm. Mulhern’s Bar. Belmore Street, Enniskillen
Borders, crossing physical geographical political borders, navigating cultural boundaries have inspired an abundance of work in word and music, and often speak of identity and attachment to place as well as love, loss, and hope. In keeping with The Glens Centre’s cross community and cross border Across the Lines programme, individuals of all backgrounds are invited to come along and perform. Contributions which connect to our own border and crossing borders or boundaries, in a wider sense, and in connecting beyond or in spite of borders are especially encouraged. The Across the Lines Coordinator Ruth Gonsalves Moore explained “we look forward to hearing recitals, performances, readings which have been born out of our own borderlands, and material reflecting interpretations of the particular and universal experiences of borders and boundaries.” The theme gives the event a focus and “is an opportunity to bring work into the limelight and it is an opportunity in a democratic, open and friendly space for local artists, performers, musicians, poets, and individuals from across the Fermanagh and the north Leitrim border region, who do not necessarily know of each other or of each other’s work, to come together, perform, share and listen to each other”.
There is no pressure to perform and individuals are invited to come along and listen. This is the first of three Open Mic’s happening as part of the “Across The Lines” programme, and it is the first collaboration between Enniskillen’s The Thing Itself and Manorhamilton’s Open Mic Manor. Two further Open Mic events will happen as part of the “Across the Lines” programme in Belcoo/Blacklion area and Manorhamilton between now and April 2019. The project hopes to creatively engage as many local people and voices as possible with the ‘across the border-lines’ theme.
Open Mic Manor founder Phoebe Dick expressed about the event, “Without them having happened yet, somehow these Open Mics have already worked for me. Making connections in Blacklion and getting to know Ruth from the Glens and Kate and the crew from The Thing Itself has been great fun. I’ve been writing a new song for it and it’s been interesting forcing myself to assess how I really feel about this border we share or what I feel I have to say. It’s still not quite finished but I’m hoping to have it rounded off in some way for tomorrow. Open Mic is always great craic and I’m excited about this collaboration with The Thing Itself and what we might see on the stage”.
The “Across the Lines” IFI funded programme fosters connections and community spirit in the Fermanagh, Leitrim (and Cavan) borderlands, an area rich with culture, community spirit and creativity. We are delighted to run this event as a fringe event to Fermanagh Live Arts Festival. The event is open to very aged 18+. All Welcome.
