The first of its kind in Irish traditional music, grassroots coalition of musicians FairPlé holds its first festival of music & ideas over Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September was founded to address gender balance in Irish traditional and folk music, and has been expanding and rolling out an increasing number of important events across the island.
A series of panel discussions are set to take place at Liberty Hall on September 8 to address the issue of sexual harassment in the arts and Irish music, with a focus on the self-employed status of musicians. Participants will explore the rights and responsibilities of employers, promoters, agents, sound engineers, teachers, producers and performers of all genders, and provide insight into their own experiences within their respective disciplines.
September 8
Admission to the following talks are completely free – you only need to register through the links given.
11.45am-1pm – She Means Business: Making Music Work
Evaluate the role of women in the business of Irish traditional and folk music with our panel of key industry professionals. What are the big issues? What kind of challenges face women in the business? How do musicians and performers negotiate the politics and practicalities of making their art work for them? Panellists are Eleanor McEvoy, Peter Cosgrove, Liz Doherty & Dermot McLaughlin. Chaired by Lynette Fay.
Register here.
2pm-3.15pm – Playing With Power: Sexual Harrassment & Workplace Policy
Chairing the discussion is Irish harpist, composer, sound engineer & Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, Úna Monaghan. Panellists are West Kerry folk singer & FairPlé founding member Pauline Scanlon, Ellen O’Malley Dunlop – chairperson of the National Women’s Council of Ireland – and Trade Union official Paul Henry.
Register here.
3:30pm-4.15pm – Emerging Artists: Shaping the Future
Is there a career in music for you? A session focussing on a blend of career advice and open floor discussion. Are there equal numbers of boys and girls learning and playing Irish music? Are men and women equally represented on our big stages? Identify the pitfalls and listen to advice from an expert panel.
Panellists are Eamon Murray, Shane Gillen, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ciara O’Leary Fitzpatrick, Tola Custy & Nuala O’Connor. The panel will be facilitated by Joanne Cusack.
Register here for access.
5.30pm – close
A music session will run in the bar for the evening.
September 9
The concert – also held at Liberty Hall – will feature some of the most important names in contemporary traditional music working today. Performing are Glasgow-based Irish trio The Friel Sisters, John Spillane, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Síle Denvir, Barry Kerr with Planxty legend Dónal Lunny, Limerick duo ATLAS, Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne, Emma Langford, Úna Monaghan, Jane Walls and Séan McKeon.
Tickets cost €22.20, available from Eventbrite. Doors open at 7.30pm.
