ARTS The Linenhall’s Bealtaine menu

Celebrate vintage creativity at the Linenhall


It’s the month of May, and Bealtaine, the national arts festival celebrating creativity in older age is here again. As usual the Linenhall Arts Centre will be staging a number of events as part of the national programme of activities over the month. And remember, you can be any age to celebrate older age!
First up in the Linenhall’s Bealtaine programme is a free matinee screening of the comedy drama ‘Dean Spanley’ on Tuesday, May 18 at 3pm. A real charmer of a movie, it  stars the wonderful Peter O’Toole alongside Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam and Bryan Brown. The screening is free to all, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy an old-style matinee film.
Following on is what is becoming an annual highlight in the Linenhall’s calendar, the Castlebar Active Retired Group Variety Concert, on Wednesday, May 19 at 8pm. The group, with members as young as 92, has been on the go for ten years, and currently has over 30 members.
Chairperson Ann Bourke says: “We have been doing all sorts of things over the years, writing, dancing, singing and reminiscing, as well as going on outings. In fact we’re currently working on a booklet with Bettina Peterseil about all the things we’ve been up to, which should be out in September.” As for the concert, Ann says: “Everybody is looking forward to the night. We’ll have music, songs, dancing, poems and storytelling, and I’ll be talking to the performers during the concert - it’ll be a bit like the Rose of Tralee,” she says, laughing. How could you resist?
And not least, there’s Vintage Plus One, an innovative workshop that brings together the old and the young in an ‘intergenerational creative movement and dance’ session at the Linenhall on Saturday, May 22, from 11.30am to 1pm. Grandparents are invited to bring a grandchild to share a fun, interactive movement and dance workshop to be enjoyed by both age groups, led by independent dance artist Catherine Donnelly.

For more information contact the Linenhall on 094 9023733. While the Bealtaine film and variety concert are free, booking is advised, and booking is essential for the The Vintage Plus One workshop.