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Limerick City of Culture 2014
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Insect Overlord wrote: »Honourable mentions also to the Limerick Writers' Centre, the White House's Poetry Revival and Riddlers for hosting the monthly On The Nail literary gatherings.
Spot on IO.
Cobblestone Joe's just started a film night. Think they were showing original short films last week. That has great potential.
Out of little acorns do great oaks grow.
People criticising things for being 'not interesting' or 'not supported' and using it as a reason not to attend - do you think Electric Picnic just sprung up out of the ground with thousands of people attending? Or Body & Soul? Or the Rory Gallagher Festival?
It can take years for any festival of any kind to get established and get a good rep, good crowds, sponsorship.
There are plenty of people doing plenty of good things around the city and it's not as if you've to do massive amounts of digging to find out about it0 -
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leakyboots wrote: »
thanks for that link leaky, lots of stuff on there, plenty in the kids section to keep the young lad amused for the summer!
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what they forgot to say is if you build it, you have to market it, promote it, make it accessible to the masses, make it affordable... take the upcoming 4th of july festival for example, i've heard nothing about that around town, except for a few mentions here on boards. the people behind it have done little or nothing to promote the event, so how are people supposed to know its even taking place?
the recent africa day celebrations down in the park, i only happened upon them by chance! you cant run an event, expect to keep it all to yourself, and then bemoan the people that didnt turn up!
i see very little promotion of the belltable, the hunt museum is just 'there', and i dont recognise half the places in pigtowns post, simply because i've never heard of them before now!
I will only speak about those events of which I have direct experience. And I can give plenty examples of shockingly poor support.
John O'Connor performed the 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas over a 3 month period at the LIT about 4/5 years ago. The price was about 20 euro per night. The first night there were 100 to 150 at it , by the time of the final concert that atendance had dwindled to about 50.
To put this into perspective ,I know people who have being going to classical music events all over the world and have never had the opportunity to hear the whole cycle in a order of composition performed by a world renowned pianist , at 20e a pop. The greatest music going experience of my life and as ''I have seen thing you would'nt believe'' that is saying something.
I can give other examples - Biber sonatas cancelled lack of interest/Honegger- King David -attendance 12 ( there were more people on the stage than in the audience. I could go on but it is too depressing.
As for not promoting these events , ah c'mon we live in the information age and every single one of these venues have a listings/newsletter thingy which is available via e-mail on a continuous basis, how much spoon feeding do we need ?
And come Christmas we will have about five performance of Handel's Messiah for the 20th year running and all the great and the good will turn up and why ? Because it has a tenuous connection to Ireland and it is a christmas tradition !
City of culture me arse0 -
I will only speak about those events of which I have direct experience. And I can give plenty examples of shockingly poor support.
John O'Connor performed the 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas over a 3 month period at the LIT about 4/5 years ago. The price was about 20 euro per night. The first night there were 100 to 150 at it , by the time of the final concert that atendance had dwindled to about 50.
To put this into perspective ,I know people who have being going to classical music events all over the world and have never had the opportunity to hear the whole cycle in a order of composition performed by a world renowned pianist , at 20e a pop. The greatest music going experience of my life and as ''I have seen thing you would'nt believe'' that is saying something.
I can give other examples - Biber sonatas cancelled lack of interest/Honegger- King David -attendance 12 ( there were more people on the stage than in the audience. I could go on but it is too depressing.
As for not promoting these events , ah c'mon we live in the information age and every single one of these venues have a listings/newsletter thingy which is available via e-mail on a continuous basis, how much spoon feeding do we need ?
And come Christmas we will have about five performance of Handel's Messiah for the 20th year running and all the great and the good will turn up and why ? Because it has a tenuous connection to Ireland and it is a christmas tradition !
City of culture me arse
Seriously, Marienbad, you've written off Limerick as a city of culture because crowds didn't flock to see attend a Beethoven recital. And actually the numbers you've mentioned above aren't bad at all for classical music in a town the size of Limerick. I went to a recital of Verdi's 'Four Seasons' in Prague and few years ago, and there were about 20 people there. It was great. Did it diminish my impression of Prague as a city steeped in culture. Of course not.
Limerick, being a medieval city and a city with a strong literary and musical tradition, is oozing culture. You just have to seek it out. I'd go as far to say that the 'culture' that we have in Limerick is far more genuine than what you'll ever experience in Galway, which is synonymous with the word. That's not to say that Galway isn't a great town in it's own right. It is. And so is Limerick.0 -
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No offense to anyone but this is not the type of event Limerick should be angling for. There is little to no proper or interesting cultural events going on in the city and the ones that are happening as has been said are practically empty for lack of interest.
First off, as a blow-in to living in Limerick City centre, I'm always struck as to how kickin the city seems to be a local sport for some people. Limerick as a city seems to suffer from the fact that it's a little low-key.
There's plenty going on the city if you are interested. If a person can't find cultural variety here to entertain themselves, then maybe it's the individuals cultural tastes which need to be questioned?
Muck.I think the point is that Culture just is not Limerick's strong point but you can't be good at everything! Like the way sport is not Galway's strong poinht for example.
Cities are a sum of the people who live within them. Do Galway people not play sports? Do limerick people not enjoy music?
Are we actually living in some form communist state where large populations of people are designated activites to specialise in?0 -
Seriously, Marienbad, you've written off Limerick as a city of culture because crowds didn't flock to see attend a Beethoven recital. And actually the numbers you've mentioned above aren't bad at all for classical music in a town the size of Limerick. I went to a recital of Verdi's 'Four Seasons' in Prague and few years ago, and there were about 20 people there. It was great. Did it diminish my impression of Prague as a city steeped in culture. Of course not.
Limerick, being a medieval city and a city with a strong literary and musical tradition, is oozing culture. You just have to seek it out. I'd go as far to say that the 'culture' that we have in Limerick is far more genuine than what you'll ever experience in Galway, which is synonymous with the word. That's not to say that Galway isn't a great town in it's own right. It is. And so is Limerick.
No zulutango I have'nt written off Limerick because of a Beethoven recital, it was a unique cycle of 10 recitals and a free lecture each time thrown in , plus a Hoenegger concert and a Biber recital and I could give 1o more examples . As far as I am aware Ul have stopped scheduling anything even slightly off the mainstream due to lack of support . And a great pity it is as for a while there they were really doing some adventurous programming
As for comparing it to Prague - you can't be serious ! Not being pedantic now but I am sure it was Vivaldi's four season's and not Verdi . The only reason I mention that is because The Four Seasons along with Ravel's Bolero and Handels Messiah are probably the most overplayed pieces in the classical repetoire and the opportunities to hear it in Prague are innumerable - that is why there were only 20 people at it . As a matter of fact you can hear it in any one of a dozen churches in Prague on a Sunday morning and usually for free.
As for your point on the size of Limerick - I can't agree with you , we have a population of 120k minimum within 30 min of the city - more than enough to support a classical music- dance- theatre -art culture. But alas we just don't turn up and believe me it is not for want of ''seeking it out '' as you put it. I have been to just one too many events in this city where the performers/artists/orchestra outnumbered the audience.
It seems if we can't have a drink with our music we don't turn up- or would that be have some music with our drink perhaps ?
Out of interest I would be interested in what posters regard as culture ?
To me it is not just classical music/theatre/ art , or even mainly those things - it is what we are and how we see ourselves - our food,our music our sport, pride in our city as well as those other things usually regarded as culture . And to be honest I just don't see it .
But it is not just Limerick , you could say the same for most cities in Ireland in comparision to any similar sized town or city in Europe .
Kilkenny may be the one exception and Cork a bit further behind.0 -
Hi marienbad,
Your post is self-contradictory.
You begin by using classical recitals as a barometer of cultural activity in the city centre but then recognise its probably not the best measure.
Whilst it may be your passion, nobody gives a fiddlers about classical these days, especially in a working class city, such as limerick.we have a population of 120k minimum within 30 min of the city - more than enough to support a classical music- dance- theatre -art culture.
Handel himself would struggle to fill a 3month run in LIT @ 20quid a pop.
But Micronite is packed out the door once a month to the sounds of world class DJ's taking the roof off dolans. There also regularly a hugh metal night called the Siege of Limerick which packs em in.
The best of Irish alternative acts play Bourkes bar for free every Thursday night & it's standing room only.
I've seen some great acts playing to full crowds downstairs in the Blind Pig.
The Wicked Chicken/Bakers has being running regular nights in which they have 4-5 Dj's playing from early until late mixing the best of Limerick/Irish/International acts.
There's a glut of properly talented original Irish bands playing all over the city regularly.
There's always some kind of art project/installation going on throughout the city. Movie nights here & there.
There's a regular comedy night Friday nights in Fiddlers for a fiver, I've been to open mic nights, signer-songwriter performances & trad sessiúns which have been excellent, . .etc ...
..........etc etc
Refer to Pigtown & Leakboots posts above.
What's this got to do with the price of chips?It seems if we can't have a drink with our music we don't turn up- or would that be have some music with our drink perhaps ?
In fact, is it that you find little comparability between your own personal experience of limerick/Irish culture and sometime spend hobnobbing around the Italian/German/French upper class classical/arts circuit.And to be honest I just don't see it .
But it is not just Limerick , you could say the same for most cities in Ireland in comparison to any similar sized town or city in Europe .
IMO you have your eyes closed to Irish culture in favour of European
Again, Limerick is low key, but there is a vibrant arts/music/cultural scene here.0 -
Johnny_BravoIII wrote: »Hi marienbad,
Your post is self-contradictory.
You being by using classical recitals as a barometer of cultural activity in the city centre but then recognise its probably not the best measure.
Whilst it may be your passion, nobody gives a fiddlers about classical these days, especially in a working class city, such as limerick.
Handel himself would struggle to fill a 3month run in LIT @ 20quid a pop.
But Micronite is packed out the door once a month to the sounds of world class DJ's taking the roof off dolans. There also regularly a hugh metal night called the Siege of Limerick which packs em in.
The best of Irish alternative acts play Bourkes bar for free every Thursday night & it's standing room only. In fact, if you are late, forget about it. On that note, I've seen some great acts playing to full crowds downstairs in the Blind Pig.
The Wicked Chicken/Bakers has being running regular nights in which they have 4-5 Dj's playing from early until late mixing the best of Limerick/Irish/International acts.
There's a glut of properly talented original Irish bands playing all over the city regularly.
There's always some kind of art project/installation going on throughout the city. Movie nights here & there.
There's a regular comedy night Friday nights in Fiddlers for a fiver, I've been to open mic nights, signer-songwriter performances & trad sessiúns which have been excellent, . .etc ...
..........etc etc
Refer to Pigtown & Leakboots posts above.
What's this got to do with the price of chips?
In fact, is it that you find little comparability between your own personal experience of limerick/Irish culture and sometime spend hobnobbing around the Italian/German/French upper class classical/arts circuit.
IMO you have your eyes closed to Irish culture in favour of European
Again, Limerick is low key, but there is a vibrant arts/music/cultural scene here.
Sorry johnnybravo ,my post is not contradictoraty in the slightest- I just choose classical music to give examples - I could just as easily give dance art or theatre -film as I am equally interested in all those as well
If anything it is yours that is a bit mixed up as 90% of you examples are drawn from modern/pop music and of interest to the mainly under 30's.
Culture is from everywhere and embraces everyone , when is that last time you saw your mother or you granny at any of those events ?
The following quote from your post is even more confusing
'' Whilst it may be your passion, nobody gives a fiddlers about classical these days, especially in a working class city, such as limerick.
Handel himself would struggle to fill a 3month run in LIT @ 20quid a pop''
I come from a decidedly working class background. Can working class people not be interested in culture ? What a sterotype ? As for Handel -he would struggle to fill a venue for 3 months in London or Paris so I dont get your point there. Funnily enough Handel is better supported in Ireland than elsewhere as I pointed out earlier.
Just a couple of more quotes from you ( sorry I hav'nt masterd the quote fuction)
''In fact, is it that you find little comparability between your own personal experience of limerick/Irish culture and sometime spend hobnobbing around the Italian/German/French upper class classical/arts circuit.''
This just shows a complete chip on the shoulder reverse snobbery which just holds us back and stops us realizing our true potential- but lets walk brfore we can run.
''IMO you have your eyes closed to Irish culture in favour of European''
I can't even begin to comprehend such a statement and why you you would present such a false dichotomy.Irish culture is European ! And it is also Czech French German Polish -how can anyone even think otherwise !
And to recognise and embrace all that is a basic requirement of a City Of Culture.0 -
Ok, let's boil this down. You argue...City of culture me arse
I say limerick actually has a vibrant "culture" scene.
100% of my examples are drawn from what is happening in the city.90% of you examples are drawn from modern/pop music and of interest to the mainly under 30's.
100% of your examples are drawn from what you would like to see happening in the city.
You hold classical arts, music and dance upon a pedestal as examples of culture. Your taste is extremely niche & irrelevent to most people across all classes in modern day Ireland.I come from a decidedly working class background. Can working class people not be interested in culture ?
For example, there's a huge growth in the influence of hip-hop in working class areas across limerick & Ireland.There's street kids "battling" each other with frickin poetry across Ireland.Would you recognise street art/graffiti as examples of culture (not taggin)?
The ironyThis just shows a complete chip on the shoulder reverse snobbery
Local culture is local and it's everywhere around us.Irish culture is European ! And it is also Czech French German Polish -how can anyone even think otherwise !
Again the irony.....And to recognise and embrace all that is a basic requirement of a City Of Culture.
ps
The quote button is 7th from the right. Press it & insert your text between the brackets.0 -
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Johnny_BravoIII wrote: »Hi marienbad,
Your post is self-contradictory.
You begin by using classical recitals as a barometer of cultural activity in the city centre but then recognise its probably not the best measure.
Whilst it may be your passion, nobody gives a fiddlers about classical these days, especially in a working class city, such as limerick.
Handel himself would struggle to fill a 3month run in LIT @ 20quid a pop.
But Micronite is packed out the door once a month to the sounds of world class DJ's taking the roof off dolans. There also regularly a hugh metal night called the Siege of Limerick which packs em in.
The best of Irish alternative acts play Bourkes bar for free every Thursday night & it's standing room only.
I've seen some great acts playing to full crowds downstairs in the Blind Pig.
The Wicked Chicken/Bakers has being running regular nights in which they have 4-5 Dj's playing from early until late mixing the best of Limerick/Irish/International acts.
There's a glut of properly talented original Irish bands playing all over the city regularly.
There's always some kind of art project/installation going on throughout the city. Movie nights here & there.
There's a regular comedy night Friday nights in Fiddlers for a fiver, I've been to open mic nights, signer-songwriter performances & trad sessiúns which have been excellent, . .etc ...
..........etc etc
Refer to Pigtown & Leakboots posts above.
What's this got to do with the price of chips?
In fact, is it that you find little comparability between your own personal experience of limerick/Irish culture and sometime spend hobnobbing around the Italian/German/French upper class classical/arts circuit.
IMO you have your eyes closed to Irish culture in favour of European
Again, Limerick is low key, but there is a vibrant arts/music/cultural scene here.
The Siege Of Limerick is a once a year metal event, your comment makes it sound like it is on weekly or monthly.
I don't think anyone is saying that Limerick does not have cultural events/activities, but that the attendence of such events/activities in Limerick is pretty poor over the course of a year. For me, Limerick is not a cultural city in that many many fantastic and varied events/activities get pretty much shunned by the majority of the local population week in week out save for a small number of events.
I guess what I am trying to say is that Limerick is not, imho of course, a cutural city in terms of the general public attending/participating in events, rather than Limerick not being a cultural city in terms of events/attractions/history.
I would love to see events celebrating culture similar to the fantastic Mid Summer Festival which starts tomorrow in Cork and runs for 16 days. I would love to be able to see and experience some of the attractions at it here in Limerick instead of going down to Cork for it. The Sinking of the Titanic is a must see for me, to name but one attraction from the 16 days, and I will be in Cork come Saturday night spending my money down there, when I would prefer if I was spending the same money and enjoying the same experience here in Limerick, but the numbers game comes into play as Limerick often gets bypassed time after time becuase many organisers know that it would not be cost effective to come to Limerick.
Limerick has, a wealth of culture that folk could experience. Culture that is mordern, old, Irish, European, New world, old world etc etc., it just does not have a population that wants to, in any great numbers, discover it or experience it.0 -
Great post Kess - nobody is saying that people in Limerick are not cultural or that there is not great stuff going on, but to designate any city as a city of X - it should be a national leader and a real beacon of excellence - I just don't think Limerick is when it comes to culture. However it is at other things, sport, food & dining, fashion is doing really well here. I think Dublin would have a far better shout as the best city for culture in Ireland for example, but no way when it comes to sport - that doesn't mean Dublin people can't enjoy and play sport and that there is not sport going on in Dublin. That's the point I was making - The issue is not whether limerick is cultural or not - clearly it is, but is it a "City of culture" for all to aspire to??0
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Johnny_BravoIII wrote: »Ok, let's boil this down. You argue...
I say limerick actually has a vibrant "culture" scene.
100% of my examples are drawn from what is happening in the city.
100% of your examples are drawn from what you would like to see happening in the city.
You hold classical arts, music and dance upon a pedestal as examples of culture. Your taste is extremely niche & irrelevent to most people across all classes in modern day Ireland.
For example, there's a huge growth in the influence of hip-hop in working class areas across limerick & Ireland.There's street kids "battling" each other with frickin poetry across Ireland.Would you recognise street art/graffiti as examples of culture (not taggin)?
The irony
Local culture is local and it's everywhere around us.
Again the irony.....
ps
The quote button is 7th from the right. Press it & insert your text between the brackets.
johnny we are at cross purposes here. All of the examples I have given were from the city exactly as yours were . my examples just wer'nt attended - that is all the point I am making.
And I keep repeating even though I have given examples from classical music - I could have just as easily given Art -Film- Dance instead.
Of course there is a vibrant modern music music scene in limerick , I am not disputing that . But that is not sufficient to earn the title of City Of Culture . If that is one of our strengths then lets go with that but call it what it is -a modern/hip-hop music festival . In the same way if it was just classical music and nothing else it would not qualify as a City Of Culture - it is just a classical music festival.
Have a look at the programme for the Kilkenny Arts Festival and see what can be done ( population 22,000)
Of course I recognise street art/graffitti as culture and speaking of street art/art - just have a read of the derisory comments that invariably greet the EV+A exhibitions with every councillor and would be cultural critic vying to be first to the press with their '' I don't know much about art but I know it when I see it'' or ''is this what our taxes are going on'' - just a constant race for the lowest common denominator . And these are the same people floating the city of culture notion - how about the irony of that.
This thread was only 3 or 4 posts old before the disparaging comment on the containers was in . At least these people are trying .
Local culture - what do you mean by that ? and how does it differenciate us from anywhere else ?
Culture is for everybody - what is the age range attending the events you have listed ?0 -
I would love to see events celebrating culture similar to the fantastic Mid Summer Festival which starts tomorrow in Cork and runs for 16 days. I would love to be able to see and experience some of the attractions at it here in Limerick instead of going down to Cork for it. The Sinking of the Titanic is a must see for me, to name but one attraction from the 16 days, and I will be in Cork come Saturday night spending my money down there, when I would prefer if I was spending the same money and enjoying the same experience here in Limerick, but the numbers game comes into play as Limerick often gets bypassed time after time becuase many organisers know that it would not be cost effective to come to Limerick.
Then what's the problem with what's being suggested? Again I should say that nothing has been planned yet but designating Limerick as a City of Culture in 2014 will surely mean that some major events will be held in the city. The government will direct the various arts companies to hold events in Limerick, meaning that you may well get a chance to see a version of Sinking of the Titanic in Limerick, sponsored by the government (not really sure what it is, is it a play?). The problem with saying that we'd be better off with a major sports festival is funding. As far as I understand it the funds for the city of culture will come from existing funds with a coordinated effort in the city. (Still can't find the article online but has anyone else seen it? Maybe they could verify that I'm not getting this wrong).
Also to the person who suggested that Dublin would be a better candidate for a city of culture tag, the whole idea was to rejuvinate Limericks image nationally and internationally so maybe Dublin would be better suited to the title but I guess those in power see this as a good chance to boost the city using limited funding in an imaginative way.0 -
Then what's the problem with what's being suggested? Again I should say that nothing has been planned yet but designating Limerick as a City of Culture in 2014 will surely mean that some major events will be held in the city. The government will direct the various arts companies to hold events in Limerick, meaning that you may well get a chance to see a version of Sinking of the Titanic in Limerick, sponsored by the government (not really sure what it is, is it a play?). The problem with saying that we'd be better off with a major sports festival is funding. As far as I understand it the funds for the city of culture will come from existing funds with a coordinated effort in the city. (Still can't find the article online but has anyone else seen it? Maybe they could verify that I'm not getting this wrong).
Also to the person who suggested that Dublin would be a better candidate for a city of culture tag, the whole idea was to rejuvinate Limericks image nationally and internationally so maybe Dublin would be better suited to the title but I guess those in power see this as a good chance to boost the city using limited funding in an imaginative way.
There are loads of things we could do with the money we already have to make the city more attractive .After than the culture might follow, but until then this is just more image over substance , nothing imaginative about it at all. .0 -
There are loads of things we could do with the money we already have to make the city more attractive .After than the culture might follow, but until then this is just more image over substance , nothing imaginative about it at all. .
Marienbad, you're very negative
Here's some positivity - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0117/1224310362602.html0 -
Marienbad, you're very negative
Here's some positivity - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0117/1224310362602.html
Anything but negative zulutango , and while others talk about it I turn up year after year to every event I can and am now bringing the grandkids when I can ( get them young I say) ,so far this year , just off the top of my head - Hunt museum (twice) attendance about 6 people , Ranks exhibition at the Hunt museum- attandance -4 people , Kings Johns Castle twice - attendance about 10 people ,all the Met Opera Broadcasts at the Omniplex ( small screen about 33% full - but growing) as well as going to the Bunratty Folk Park , Cragganowen etc and innumerable cinema outings. And I have enjoyed every minute of it .
Plus every match at Thomond park and a rake of AIL matches.
So mr positivity what have you attended 0 -
Attendance of events seems to be your barometer of how cultured the city is. It isn't a fair measure though. Limerick has a small and widely dispersed population. Most live in the suburbs and surrounding hinterland. We don't have a critical mass in or near the city centre that would facilitate large attendances to the regular cultural events on offer. But that's not to say that we're not a city of culture. There really is so much going on, as others have aluded to. Does it really matter what I've attended?0
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Attendance of events seems to be your barometer of how cultured the city is. It isn't a fair measure though. Limerick has a small and widely dispersed population. Most live in the suburbs and surrounding hinterland. We don't have a critical mass in or near the city centre that would facilitate large attendances to the regular cultural events on offer. But that's not to say that we're not a city of culture. There really is so much going on, as others have aluded to. Does it really matter what I've attended?
No it dos'nt matter what you have attended , I was getting a rise out of you .
But attendance is one of the only realistic measures of any event - be it sporting cultural political etc. How else would you measure it ?
The only better measurement is participation - but the higher the standard the less participation and so attendance is a more realistic barometer.
As for the dispersed population - not at all - raheen/cahirdavin/ennis road corbally all within 20 minutes of the city centre of an evening . How near do you want to be ? As for the critical mass - how does Kilkenny (pop.22,000) manage it ?
Everyone keeps saying there are loads of things going on but other than loads of modern/pop/hip-hop music gigs -what are they ? This is all aimed at the under 30's- 35 at a stretch market . This just shows we have a vibrant music culture of a specific type. As I asked another poster when is the last time you saw your mother or your granny at any one of those gigs ? Culture is for everyone and not just the young.
There are loads of things we must do first (imho) before we start claiming to be a city of culture0 -
You're just not down with the kids marienbad0
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Then what's the problem with what's being suggested? Again I should say that nothing has been planned yet but designating Limerick as a City of Culture in 2014 will surely mean that some major events will be held in the city. The government will direct the various arts companies to hold events in Limerick, meaning that you may well get a chance to see a version of Sinking of the Titanic in Limerick, sponsored by the government (not really sure what it is, is it a play?). The problem with saying that we'd be better off with a major sports festival is funding. As far as I understand it the funds for the city of culture will come from existing funds with a coordinated effort in the city. (Still can't find the article online but has anyone else seen it? Maybe they could verify that I'm not getting this wrong).
Also to the person who suggested that Dublin would be a better candidate for a city of culture tag, the whole idea was to rejuvinate Limericks image nationally and internationally so maybe Dublin would be better suited to the title but I guess those in power see this as a good chance to boost the city using limited funding in an imaginative way.
As I have already said to you earlier in the thread, I have no problem with that if it was followed up on with genuine funding and genuine expertise, but ,and it is a big but, Limerick simply does not have a reputation of having decent numbers going to what many would regard as cultural events/activities etc.
I would love to be proven wrong in a big way, but there is a track record in this city of certain groups getting their faces into the papers proclaiming massive events/changes etc etc., but when substance is sought there is usually very little there bar the self praise. As with a number of other comments made by people in this forum, on differing topics, I really hope that it pans out as you hope rather than how I think it will.
Sinking of the Titanic is a musical piece with images of the ship and it's sinking being projected in the background. It is loosely based on how the string ensemble continued to play as the ship sank. My words do not do it justice, but it is a very powerful piece that cannot help but to leave one with a heck of an emotional scar one way of another. I cannot recommend it enough, and it alone is well worth the trip to Cork.
http://www.corkmidsummer.com/programme/event/the-sinking-of-the-titanic0 -
Attendance of events seems to be your barometer of how cultured the city is. It isn't a fair measure though. Limerick has a small and widely dispersed population. Most live in the suburbs and surrounding hinterland. We don't have a critical mass in or near the city centre that would facilitate large attendances to the regular cultural events on offer. But that's not to say that we're not a city of culture. There really is so much going on, as others have aluded to. Does it really matter what I've attended?
Attendence is not the barometer of how cultured a city, or area is. But it can be a barometer of how much comes to the city or gets performed in the city and surrounding areas.
I think to be a genuine city of culture, a city needs to have a rich and wide variety of it's own, the potential for just as rich and varied exposure to outside influences, and a sustained number of people who would keep events/activities alive by attending and who would encourage outside acts/activies/exibitions etc to come.
I think Limerick scores very high in terms of having a rich and varied cultural base, I think it scores just as highly in terms of the potential for varied and rich cultural influences from elsewhere, but where it falls down, imho, is in the interest, or maybe lack of it, from the general public to support and sustain such a rick and varied tapestry.0 -
Attendence is not the barometer of how cultured a city, or area is. But it can be a barometer of how much comes to the city or gets performed in the city and surrounding areas.
I think to be a genuine city of culture, a city needs to have a rich and wide variety of it's own, the potential for just as rich and varied exposure to outside influences, and a sustained number of people who would keep events/activities alive by attending and who would encourage outside acts/activies/exibitions etc to come.
I think Limerick scores very high in terms of having a rich and varied cultural base, I think it scores just as highly in terms of the potential for varied and rich cultural influences from elsewhere, but where it falls down, imho, is in the interest, or maybe lack of it, from the general public to support and sustain such a rick and varied tapestry.
This is really the whole nub of the matter, I have no doubt there is massive talent out there and great interest and knowledge of ''cultural'' matters in all their variety.
But forget politicians bringing about a cultural revolution - never happens . It is a bit like jobs - government don't create jobs , business and people do . But government can improve the climate to enable people to create jobs.
It is the exact same with culture , local government can only create the climate for others to flourish .
And the best thing local government can do is to do what we already pay for ,
Make the city and particular the city centre safe and welcoming at night, get the Garda out in numbers ,particularly in the evenings.
Keep it clean all the time .Enforce the litter laws if needed
Run bus services at the times people need them and consider using minibuses to hop in and out to the suburbs.
Use the amenities we already have , The Milk Market, King Johns , The People's Park. Use them in the evening - It is amazing the use of public space in other countries . Give them a chance to grow a market.
Do something about all the derelict buildings about the place , in the USA all these sites are taxed and very quickly people use them or lose them .
Make the city attractive instead of talking about it0 -
What are some of yee like? No Culture and boarded up shops?
Limerick has been hosting EVA since 1977. It is Ireland's answer to any International art biennial.
Limerick city council has the led the way nationally with the Creative Limerick initiative. All the other councils are copying them. Many galleries and studios have popped up because of this scheme.
Yes there are empty shops, where are there not? At least the council are active on top of the situation. Alot of the property in Limerick is owned by what is referred to as Absent Landlords(as in the aint in the country and basically dont give 2 f**ks). So it proves difficult.0 -
Clearly lots of people don't think this is a good idea but it's going ahead anyway.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/limerick-to-be-first-national-city-of-culture-in-2014-1-4015095
So what would you like to see as part of the programme? Personally I'd like to see more major plays staged in Limerick, such as Glengarry Glen Ross or Juno and the Paycock. Or maybe some travelling exhibitions from the likes of the National Archaeology Museum.0 -
Limerick city council has the led the way nationally with the Creative Limerick initiative. All the other councils are copying them. Many galleries and studios have popped up because of this scheme.
Creative Limerick seems to be falling apart though. What's become of it since the building at the corner of Catherine Street and Thomas Street has changed hands. It was great for about two years as artists were coming and going. Now, it's as dead as it was before. The City Council should really re-ignite Creative Limerick because it was doing a huge amount in terms of bringing footfall into the city. And the Chamber of Commerce should really get behind the initiative because the benefits clearly rub off on the retailers.0 -
What are some of yee like? No Culture and boarded up shops?
Limerick has been hosting EVA since 1977. It is Ireland's answer to any International art biennial.
Limerick city council has the led the way nationally with the Creative Limerick initiative. All the other councils are copying them. Many galleries and studios have popped up because of this scheme.
Yes there are empty shops, where are there not? At least the council are active on top of the situation. Alot of the property in Limerick is owned by what is referred to as Absent Landlords(as in the aint in the country and basically dont give 2 f**ks). So it proves difficult.
dear god we can't have this type of positivity on this thread.:D0 -
Positivity is fine, but it should be rooted in solid plans and schemes. Positivity for the sake of it is pointless. As it stands today, Limerick is not a good city for culture. Maybe this could change, but the general interest from people is slim to none. Sport, food and music seem to get the crowds in the city out. This is what they should be concentrating on.0
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I went to a few of ev+a events which were a great effort etc. but I was surprised how small it was and the lack of other people at hit. That's my point really - there is great stuff going on but not really on the scale to be a national city of culture imo.0
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Taco Chips wrote: »Positivity is fine, but it should be rooted in solid plans and schemes. Positivity for the sake of it is pointless. As it stands today, Limerick is not a good city for culture. Maybe this could change, but the general interest from people is slim to none. Sport, food and music seem to get the crowds in the city out. This is what they should be concentrating on.
u try to do something positive and everyone seems to knock/suggest it wont work/throw stones. ffs give it a bit of support.we irish are a bunch of knockers and im fed up wit that attidude:mad:0
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