Delighted that my solo exhibition A Desire for Closeness is promoted in this review of the First Fortnight Festivals events.

Words by Ali Condon

Published on 04/01/2020

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Beat the January Blues — This is the perfect festival to start your 2020

by Ali Condon 04/01/2020

January is a difficult month for many of us.

It can be difficult to get into the ‘New Year New Me’ spirit when we need to adjust to changed sleep patterns, increased debts, and friends and family going separate ways.

Commencing on January 2, First Fortnight features more than 100 events, in 67 venues across 17 counties.

The mental health arts and culture festival challenges a different stigma every year. This year the focus is loneliness, isolation, and community.

Through music, sports, comedy, theatre, film, panel discussions, and workshops, people of all ages across the country will come together for the month of January to take part.

To help combat the rough start to the new year, arts-based mental health charity, First Fortnight, has launched their tenth annual festival to put Ireland in the best mindset going in to 2020.

‘It is no accident the festival, since its inception, has been held annually during the month of January’ said Jim Daly, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People.

Daly recognised January as ‘the time of year when sadly, statistics show loneliness at its most prevalent’.

Here are just a few choice events to keep an eye out for during First Fortnight‘s Mental Health Arts and Culture Festival 2020.

Mind-Reading

For book lovers, Mind-Reading is for you. In January 2020, libraries across the country are joining First Fortnight to shine a spotlight on mental health-related books.

From factual texts to brilliant works of fiction and helpful information books, libraries will be highlighting texts that open up discussion around mental health.

Dance Ireland

Among its many partners, First Fortnight has teamed up with Dance Ireland for three workshops focusing on dance and well-being.

These take place at Dance House Dublin on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January at 1pm.

A third will be held at St. Nicholas School, Waterside, Galway on Saturday 11 January at 11am.

Ireland’s Call

John Connors, best known for his role as Patrick Ward in Love/Hate makes his playwright debut.

Written and developed in association with Dublin Fringe Festival, Ireland’s Call follows the lives of three youths growing up in Coolock. It examines issues of mental health, suicide, class, religion and identity.

Connors won the IFTA for best actor in 2017 and his acceptance speech went viral: ‘seven and a half years ago I was sitting in my house […] contemplating suicide. Creativity […] saved my life. It really did. Creativity can definitely be the mode to heal people.’

The play, including a post-show discussion, takes place on 9 January at Balor Arts Centre, Donegal.

Batman Needs a Break

The Ark Partnership in Temple Bar presents Batman Needs A Break!

Held on January 18 at Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare, this workshop is for children from five to twelve years and focuses on relaxation and de-stressing techniques.

During this workshop, hosted by Batman himself, children will help The Dark Knight find ways to de-stress. Learn to create utility belts crammed with calming contraptions, and make colourful capes to help unleash Inner Heroes of Happiness.

Therapy Sessions

Therapy Sessions is one of First Fortnight‘s most popular events.

The music and spoken word gigs will be curated this year by The Academic, Ham Sandwich, Saint Sister, Mango X Mathman, and Mongoose.

This year, Therapy Sessions will take place at Workman’s Club, Dublin on January 4, 10, 11 and 17 and at Kino in Cork on January 11.

In Cork, expect to see artists like John Spillane, James Crickard, and Matilda O’Mahoney.

Across the sessions in Dublin, catch Natalya O’Flaherty, Pillow Queens, Laurie Shaw and Tebi Rex to name a few.

Tickets are no longer available online, but can be purchased at the door on the night.

A Desire For Closeness

International artist Nicola Anthony worked with individuals in Wexford who feel isolated, displaced, or lonely.

From the stories they told her about their lives, she has created an immersive installation of interwoven text sculptures. The exhibition will wrap you up in stories about the experience of loneliness, and help you to reconnect.

The display will be available at the Presentation Centre, Wexford from January 11 until January 24. Admission is free.

One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest – 45th Anniversary Screening

The legendary One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) celebrates its 45th anniversary this year.

The film follows McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) who finds himself in a ward for the mentally unstable and rebels against the system.

The film will play in Amharclann Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal, The Dock, Leitrim, and Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare on various dates in January.

For a full programme of cross-country events, and to see what events will be on in your county, check out the First Fortnight website.