Latest news with #BeyondthePale
Boston Globe
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Anderson Yezerski's new exhibit invites viewers to ‘fall apart'
The South End gallery's exhibit runs through July 26. The show features eight contemporary artists whose work range in both size and medium, including paintings, fabric work, photography, and printmaking. Anderson said she wanted the show to be fairly open-ended so people could apply their own narratives and make connections for themselves, noting that generally, in art, 'with each person that looks at a piece, that piece starts evolving.' 'That is what brings me joy, as a gallerist, talking to people and just seeing what they're extracting from this show,' Anderson said. Advertisement Megan Weeda, "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit" flanked by Tim McCool, 'Little Truck Painting,' left, and Hannah Altman, 'Beyond the Pale.' Renee Anderson Megan Weeda, a recent master's graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Art at Tufts University, agreed. She said as an artist, her favorite part of an exhibit is watching people interact with her work and having conversations about it. One of Weeda's pieces, 'Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit,' an oil painting of her family dog, Molly, served as a catalyst for Anderson's initial conversations about the exhibit's theme. The painting, along with 'What She Doesn't Know Can't Kill Her,' a three-piece oil painting, are part of Weeda's thesis collection. Within the collection, she grapples with memory as a person with aphantasia, the inability to form mental images. Both paintings are vibrant reiterations of found photos from her childhood, featuring three partial or full duplicates of the subject to symbolize Weeda and her two sisters' experiences of the same memory. These duplicates add an almost absurdist or unsettling nature to the art that Weeda wants to lean into in the future. With each piece, she invites viewers to take long looks while contemplating the work and their personal relationships with memory. 'There's nothing like having that physical interaction with a body of work that's integral to the understanding and kind of dissecting what's being said,' Weeda noted. For Tynan Byrne, a second-year master's student at Lesley University, the viewer plays a nuanced role in his pieces, 'Bolero' and 'Dan in 5.' The two plexiglass laser-etched prints are continuations of his project 'Fraternity Sought,' which explores male intimacy and challenges notions about nudity's confinement to sexual situations. 'Bolero,' a black-and-white miniature replica of a larger photo collage, was born of falling apart, Byrne said. The piece features a cyclical arrangement of fragmented images that don't allow the eye to rest, borrowing its looping nature from the orchestral Advertisement Byrne described the piece as gazing into an 'infinite loop' that wrestles with the male form, affection, and platonic and romantic relationships; topics he has himself wrestled with. While 'Dan in 5,' is a 'pale mint-green etching of Byrne's friend looking into a closet while his reflection sits off to the left, plays with depth of focus. The etching prompts viewers to ruminate on the platonic or romantic nature of the image and question where they place their focus. Tynan Byrne, "Dan in 5." Tynan Byrne Byrne said he likes it when 'a little spinach' gets stuck in viewers' teeth and they 'kind of fish around all day long afterward and be like, 'Huh? Something's caught in my craw about that and I feel unresolved about it. It's a feedback loop, and I want that feedback loop to include viewership.' After the show had been open for a week, Anderson said 'Falling Apart Conceptually' has been met with much curiosity, with some people describing it as 'trippy.' 'One thing that always surprises me is how people can react to the same piece so differently,' Anderson said. 'There is a lot of room for interpretation here, and I am seeing people feel that agency.' FALLING APART CONCEPTUALLY At Anderson Yezerski Gallery, 460 Harrison Ave. A16, through July 26. 617-262-0550,
The Journal
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
The family-friendly wild bee festival run by two 'citizen scientists' in Co Dublin
IT'S SUMMERTIME, WHICH means it's festival season: we've seen festivals like AVA, Forbidden Fruit, ATN, and Beyond the Pale come and go. But today marks the beginning of a slightly different type of festival – the Skerries Annual Wild Bee Festival. Kicking off this evening with the screening of ' Plight of the Bumblebee ', a new documentary concerning the world of bees and their connection to Irish religion, folklore, and biodiversity, the festival will run until Sunday evening. This year marks the fourth occurrence of the festival, which began in 2022. Described as 'a family-friendly event with bee themed crafts and activities for children as well as educational events and lectures suited to serious nature lovers both amateurs and experts', it was originally put on by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) in collaboration with Fingal County Council. After its first successful outing, however, the centre had to move on from Skerries to spread the message to other parts of the country. Charles and Marion Heasman, a retired couple involved with the NBDC who describe themselves as 'keen amateur naturalists and citizen scientists', decided that although the NBDC had to 'spread the love around the countryside', they wanted the festival to continue in Skerries. 'So we formed a group, and we've run the festival for the last three years, including this one, which is the fourth,' Charles told The Journal . The festival is run 'on a shoestring', but between small grants from the council and some local fundraising, the couple have been successful in making it free to attend – although this evening's screening requires the purchase of a ticket due to the cost to put the documentary on. Advertisement Charles Heasman Charles Heasman Both 2023 and 2024 were slightly less well-attended than it had been hoped due to inclement weather, but with a brighter forecast for this weekend, the Heasmans are hoping for a turnout of a couple of thousand people. 'When the NBDC organised the first one, it was fairly academically inclined for people that were already in the conservation field, as it were, and interested,' Charles said. 'We make our festival much more family friendly.' The couple described some of the activities aimed at children on offer, including face painting, fancy dress, arts and crafts, among others. Marion said that they hope that their festival allows people to become more engaged in the ongoing climate crisis – but also to provide a lighter view. 'A lot of people get anxious about climate change and biodiversity,' she said, 'and just having talks and being able to say, 'well, hold on a minute. We can all do something little to help – don't get too anxious'.' Charles Heasman Charles Heasman The weekend event, which is to be held at Skerries Mills, will feature activities for children, bird watching, talks from ecologists and botanists, walks around certain parts of the area to explore the local ecology, as well workshops. The local community garden, which the Heasmans are also involved in, is at the same site, which has 'lots of bees' – including a threatened species of bumblebee that those involved in the NBDC's work are trying to conserve. The Large Carder Bee located in the Skerries garden just prior to the festival in 2022 after efforts were made over a number of years to lure it in with the pollinator friendly garden. The NBDC has described Skerries as 'leading the way in demonstrating how a local community can work together and take action'. You can find out more about the festivities here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Beyond The Pale festival: Talking points from a fine weekend that almost didn't happen
The fourth edition of Beyond the Pale took place in Glendalough Estate, Co Wicklow, over the weekend. The week preceding it was full of drama rather than excitement though as organisers were forced to come out with a detailed statement that it was not cancelled. 'A festival needs significant cashflow over the festival month. It's a huge challenge for all festivals in their first few years, and this week, an essential piece of expected finance that would have helped us through the period fell through,' said the organisers. The Currency reported on the morning of Beyond the Pale that it had entered the Small Companies Administrative Rescue Process (Scarp) in an attempt to restructure its balance sheet and ensure its survival in the long term. Nearly 10,000 tickets were sold for the event and amid rumours and trepidation, things went off without a hitch (mostly), much to the relief of organisers. It draws an interesting crowd, a healthy mix of young and old, for a lineup that, like an increasing amount of festivals, is leaning heavier on the dance side. Headliners include Mercury Prize-winning London jazz act Ezra Collective, Wicklow's own Roisin Murphy, and US indie rock royalty TV on the Radio, but below them you had house producer Berlioz, the Saturday night b2b (back to back) of Dave Clarke, Jeff Mills, and Al Gibbs, and rounding things out on Sunday night was Gen-Z fave Marc Rebillet. A general view of Beyond the Pale 2025. Added to that was the Cirrus Gardens stage with DJs from open to close (Todd Terje, Krystal Klear, and Zero 7 all starred there over the weekend), and the picturesque Cupra Pulse area, where an incessant techno 'thwomp thwomp thwomp' could be heard throughout the day. There's a verité aspect to the third stage, Strawberry Fields, which featured a DJ set from Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, cabaret, a Church of Brat (Charli XCX plays a long-sold-out Malahide Castle on Tuesday), and Irish comedy duo the Wild Geeze. On Sunday evening, Irish dance act HousePlants, led by Bell X1's Paul Noonan, pay tribute to the site workers, for their hard work dealing with the rain over the weekend. The forecast was bad, there was a lot of mud, but Irish punters are accustomed to such conditions. Wellies and hiking boots did the job, though kudos to the barefoot hippies and groups playing dress up who just got on with things. Things are tough in 2025 for independent festivals - hopefully Beyond the Pale continues into next year and beyond. Beyond the Pale highlights Ezra Collective Ezra Collective bassist TJ Koleoso surprises punters at Beyond The Pale by heading into the crowd. Mercury Prize-winning London jazz quintet Ezra Collective get the party vibes going on Friday evening, with an intro video featuring a football-style team talk led by Arsenal legend Ian Wright (bandleader Femi Koleoso is a big Gunners fan). Things don't let up for the next 80 minutes as even though they're instrumental, they leave fans giddy and pulsing. After the second song, Koleoso grabs the mic and implores everyone to turn around, say hello to a complete stranger, and give them a hug. It's oddly affecting and sets the tone for the rest of the weekend - good vibes only. It's their fourth time in Ireland and as usual, the two horn players, Ife Ogunjobi and James Mollison, who look like they're having as much fun as anyone, make their way into the crowd, soon joined by bassist TJ Koleoso. We're all part of Ezra Collective now. Sofia Kourtesis Peruvian producer Sofia Kourtesis has a lot more fun onstage than her records might suggest. She offers dance instructions, tells us she's going to college and working on her English, and throws some of her merch into the crowd. The only pity is it's all taking place in mid-afternoon; she'd be incredible in a dark tent after midnight. It feels like an inspired decision, though, as the sun makes its first appearance of the weekend halfway through her set. So much so that we're worried about not packing suncream. But by the last track, the worst deluge of the festival hits. As Kourtesis exits, so does the main stage crowd, in search of any bit of cover. Halina Rice The unexpected winner of the weekend - and from the rain - is London producer Halina Rice, who plays shortly after the aforementioned deluge on Saturday afternoon. The tent is packed early and ready to party and Rice delivers, with a heavy techno set with mesmerising visuals. She says she creates AV shows and installations in which to envelop her audience, frequently incorporating immersive technologies such as spatial audio, 360 visuals, and metaverse environments. Despite a technical hiccup, the crowd are on her side and having the time of their lives. Broken Social Scene Canadian indie rock royalty Broken Social Scene are playing their first Irish show in seven years. The definition of a democratic band, nominal frontman Kevin Drew begins proceedings by announcing he got engaged in Ireland earlier in the week. He acknowledges Beyond the Pale's financial troubles, saying that even if the gig wasn't going to happen, they would be here playing someone's back garden. 'We're not here to let you down, we're here to pick you up,' he adds, before Broken Social Scene play an hour of beloved greatest hits spanning their 25-year career. They open with Cause = Time and 7/4 Shoreline, tracks from the early to mid Noughties that have lost none of their collective power. The band mutates from four members to six to double figures, with Drew running offstage for one track, and it looks like they're loving every minute of it. Drew introduces their most enigmatic song, Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl, by dedicating it to the trans community, who he says took the track and made it into their own anthem. They bring on two women to add vocals to one of the most beautiful moments of the festival. TV on the Radio TV on the Radio during their headline slot at Beyond the Pale 2025. beyond the pale des Brooklyn's TV on the Radio came up in similar blog-rock circles (er, ask your dad) to Broken Social Scene and their Sunday headline slot at Beyond the Pale is their first appearance in Ireland in 17 years. That period includes a hiatus, and though Dave Sitek is still a member of the band, he's not touring with them currently. A six piece led by core members Tunde Adebimpi (who put out a great solo album, Thee Black Boltz, earlier this year - Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton, the likes of Golden Age and Happy Idiot sound triumphant, while they dedicate Love Dog to the people of Palestine, saying it's a fuck you to global fascism; it's notable that Malone wears a keffiyeh and has a Palestinian sticker on his guitar. TV on the Radio wear their heart on their sleeve and are all the better for it. Moment of the weekend Samantha Mumba on the main stage at Beyond the Pale, her very first festival performance. Samantha Mumba announces during her Sunday afternoon set that Beyond the Pale is her very first festival. She's down on the bill as playing an hour-long set, though it's only about half that, and with a cover of Lykke Li's I Follow Rivers ('what song do I wish I had written') thrown in for good measure, it's a mixed bag. Her hits date to the late 90s, early noughties, and she was in the news earlier this year as she sought a slot at Eurovision. It's all a bit karaoke, but during Always Come Back to your Love, she brings out her daughter who throws some great dance moves. It's such a lovely moment - enough to melt the heart of even the most cynical of music critics.
Irish Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
A look at history of Irish festivals since Féile
Summer festival season has arrived and the near-miss of Beyond the Pale has highlighted the rollercoaster history of large outdoor Irish music events. Beyond the Pale was under threat until a last-minute emergency lifeline means it continues today in the luscious setting of Glendalough in Wicklow. Around 12,000 fans feared the worst when a company behind the three-day gig was liquidated with just a week to go – but organisers revealed it all was saved by a 'highly regarded operator who sympathised with the struggles'. Irish singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy headlines tonight and on goes the comedic, often turbulent, sometimes tragic tale of Ireland's music festivals. For nearly 45 years, since Slane Castle in 1981, the Irish love of a rock 'n' roll extravaganza has resulted in the good, the bad, the happy, and the sad. Fans remember the infamy of Ireland's first true music festival Feile that was launched as the Trip to Tipp at Semple Stadium in Thurles in 1991. Some veterans of the mayhem say Feile, as the first, was the maddest, while Slane in Meath had tragedy, and Witnness and Oxegen had great years. Feile was truly like nothing Ireland had ever seen before as it was the county's first multi-day music event. Its magnitude and scale were all new to the organisers, the guards, the fans, the towns, the pubs, and the local families of Thurles, which was besieged by thousands of people dancing and drinking on the streets. The very fact that it was completely unprecedented created a space for mayhem to reign but in a controlled environment of an agreed setting. The road to Tipp in 1991 started in Slane, Co Meath, a decade earlier when the inaugural Slane Castle concert was held on a hot August night. Some 18,000 fans helped Thin Lizzy and support act U2 make history on August 16, 1981, as the first gig at the famous venue. The Rolling Stones headlined in 1982, Bob Dylan came in 1984, and Bruce Springsteen was the boss in 1985 – at which some fans, who remember it as the warmest day of the year, were drenched by water cannon. As thousands of Dylan fans gathered in 1984, gardai arrested some for being drunk – a move that sparked a riot with an estimated 1,000 revellers surrounding the town's Garda station. Eight guards and 11 civilians were injured – and all of this was the night before the concert, so reinforcements were drafted in. On the day of the concert, which was another hot summer's day, two young men tragically drowned in the River Boyne. Such was the fallout that Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mountcharles said there might never be another concert again. However, the castle rocked to Queen (1986), David Bowie (1987), Guns n' Roses (1992), Pearl Jam and Neil Young (1993), REM (1995), The Verve (1998), U2 (2001), Oasis (2009), and Metallica (2019). When the Foo Fighters played Slane in 2015 it rained so heavily fans were mud-sliding down the famous hill. Slane and the Lisdoonvarna festival, which included tragedy like eight drownings in 1983, were helped to inspire groundbreaking Feile, meaning festival. It ran from 1991 to 1994 in Semple Stadium, moved to Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork for 1995, the 1996 edition was indoors at the Point Depot in Dublin, and it bowed out in 1997 as a one-day event in Thurles. In 1992 with Christy Moore on stage, Semple Stadium witnessed a truly phenomenal spectacle as the long weekend drew to a heady climax. Hundreds of fans joined in a Mexican wave, while human pyramids and impromptu trampolines sprung up as the black tarpaulin that protected the pitch was ripped up. The Stone Roses attracted the biggest crowd at Feile 95 and were criticised for an awful sound but adoring fans had a religious experience. In 1996, a Cork teen died during a Smashing Pumpkins concert at the Point Theatre in Dublin with fans later alleging a crush. In 1999, fans again claimed there was a crush, this time at an REM gig in Lansdowne Road. One said: 'REM took to the stage and there was a huge surge from behind. 'We were slammed back and forth, completely helpless against the tidal waves dragging us back and forth. I've been to a lot of gigs in a lot of countries. 'This was the only show that I was genuinely afraid; I thought I could die.' When the curtain came down on Feile in 1997, a new festival called Witnness got the bands back together. Witnness, which had an unusual spelling thanks to its sponsorship by Guinness, was the country's first major outdoor festival since Feile's demise. It ran from 2000 to 2002 at Fairyhouse Racecourse in Meath, moved in 2003 to Punchestown Racecourse in Kildare, and was held there as Oxegen until 2013. Electric Picnic in Laois remodelled the festival experience from 2004 and is set to deliver more iconic moments this August. EP is remembered for singer Nial 'Bessie' Breslin slamming the Government's mental health policies in 2015 and the Wolfe Tones singing controversial Celtic Symphony last August. In 2012, Phoenix Park in Dublin held a festival series of gigs but it was only at the concert by dance act Swedish House Mafia that nine people were injured amid stabbing allegations. The country has seen new festivals throughout the summer with Body and Soul at Ballinlough Castle in Westmeath launching in 2010, followed by Forbidden Fruit in Dublin in 2011. Rivalling Electric Picnic is Waterford's All Together Now Festival which has acts like Michel Kiwanuka, Wet Leg, and Spanish band Hinds this year.
Irish Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Fest your eyes on this: Our guide to the biggest events this summer
Summer has arrived and no matter what you're into, there's something for everyone happening all over the country. Bloom arrived in Dublin's Phoenix Park two weeks ago to kick off the festival season, with Taste of Dublin, Beyond the Pale, the Clifden Summerfest and All Together Now all taking place this summer. As our evenings get longer and sunnier, here's a handy guide to some of the best events happening in Ireland this summer. Taste of Dublin – June 12–15th, Merrion Square, County Dublin Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Taste of Dublin is back in the familiar surroundings of Merrion Square for a celebration of Dublin's vibrant culinary scene, with a broad mix of top chefs, local restaurants, and artisan food producers. Ticket prices vary depending on the day and time – early entry tickets start at €18 on the 12th and 13th of June, before rising to €32.50 after 6pm. Weekend tickets start at €26, while children under 10 go free. Dalkey Book Festival – June 12-15th, Dalkey, Co. Dublin Dalkey's annual book festival encompasses the entire town, as the event operates through many different locations and businesses on the peninsula – and this year's star guests include David McWilliams, David O'Doherty and Andrea Catherwood as speakers. Attendees are also encouraged to explore the town in between events, with the Walkie Dalkey guide and the Dalkey Island Ferry the area's key attractions. Beyond the Pale Festival – June 13–15th, Glendalough Estate, County Wicklow Set in Wicklow's scenic Glendalough Estate, Beyond the Pale offers an eclectic lineup of acts this year, with Jon Hopkins, Róisín Murphy and TV on the Radio headlining each day. Tickets for the Tier 2 area are priced at €109, with child tickets starting at €39. Clifden Summer Fest – June 13–15th, Clifden, County Galway Billed as the 'Best Festival in the West', Clifden's annual Summer Fest is set in the picturesque surroundings of Connemara. Derek Ryan, Paddy Casey, Mundy and the Whistlin' Donkeys are set to headline across the three-day event. Tickets start at €27.59 and go up to €81.35. West Cork Chamber Music Festival – June 27–July 6th, Bantry, County Cork For more classically-minded festival goers, the West Cork Chamber Music festivals offers a tasteful, eclectic lineup, with classical music discussion and candlelit concerts sprinkled throughout. Ticket prices vary from event to event, but are typically within the €10 range. Night and Day Festival – June 27–29th, Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, County Roscommon Though a newer festival, Night and Day offers a balance of music, art, and nature to be envied. Internationally renowned acts such as KT Tunstall and the Wailers are joined by local legends like Paul Brady and Something Happens. Families are also well-catered for, with plenty of activities for younger patrons. Kaleidoscope Festival – July 4–6, Blessington, County Wicklow Proclaiming itself as Ireland's favourite family festival, Kaleidoscope counts Ocean Colour Scene, Texas and the Coronas among its most prominent acts for this year. Weekend tickets cost €97.55 for adults and €72.55 for children – although single-day tickets present a cheaper option. Cairde Sligo – July 6-12th, County Sligo Sligo's arts festival brings the town to a standstill for six days in July, with a variety of theatre, performance art and written word features. Ticket prices vary based on event, but some are free, including the popular clothes swap. Galway Film Fleadh – July 8–13th, Galway City, Co. Wicklow Held in the city since 1989, the Galway Film Fleadh has become an important rite of passage for all budding Irish filmmakers. As well as being an opportunity for unknown Irish filmmakers to gain exposure, the Fleadh is famed for its pitching competition – where aspiring filmmakers submit their written ideas to a panel of judges and a live audience. All Together Now Festival – July 31–August 3rd, Curraghmore Estate, Co. Waterford With a wealth of music, art, food, wellness, and comedy, All Together Now Festival offers a diverse lineup for its sixth edition, mixing Irish stalwarts Fontaines D.C and CMAT with established acts such as Nelly Furtado and Groove Armada. Set in the storied Curraghmore Estate, it's a festival that celebrates multiple forms of creativity. Dublin Horse Show – August 6–10th, RDS, Dublin One of Ireland's premier equestrian events, the Dublin Horse Show showcases the best in show jumping and renowned Irish horse breeding. As is the case with many showjumping events, the social aspect is as important as the action itself, with prizes for the best dressed attendees to close out the event. Puck Fair – August 10–12th, Killorglin, Co. Kerry Dating back to at least 1603, Puck Fair is one of Ireland's oldest festivals that includes the crowning of one lucky local goat as King Puck. Set to the music of street performers and bookended by firework shows, it's a unique festival, and one well worth a visit. Body & Soul – August 16-18th, County Meath After a sabbatical in 2024, Body and Soul returns this summer – but not as we know it. The festival's website has been updated and rebranded as with organisers promising a 'ceremonial farewell' to the event. Attendees can register their interest by the 11th of June on the festival's website – tickets are set to start at €250. Ukulele Hooley – August 23-24th, People's Park, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin Europe's longest-running ukulele festival, Dún Laoghaire's Hooley offers a unique four-stringed take on a typical park festival. A wide range of performers will take to the stage in the People's Park over the weekend, including Victoria Vox and the Dublin Ukulele Collective. Electric Picnic – August 29–31st, Stradbally, Co. Laois The spiritual successor to the likes of Féile and Oxegen, Electric Picnic has sat at the top of the Irish festival heap for the past decade. Headliners this year include Hozier, Chappell Roan and Sam Fender, though the festival – held by Stradbally Hall since 2004 - has also leaned into comedy, art and food more in recent years – making for a more all-encompassing experience.
