If you are looking for events to keep children entertained over the coming months, then the Arts Office of Laois County Council may have the answers.
The Arts Office of Laois County Council has an array of workshops available for young people to enjoy over the month of July.
It starts off with this innovative workshop titled Cog and Axle with Colm O’Hanluain running in Portlaoise from Tues 4th to Thurs 6th July from 11-1 for ages 10-12.
The workshops will involve learning about simple machines through story and play.
Participants will create complex hanging mobiles based on the story of Henry’s Piano and learn about, and engage in, paper engineering (pop-up cards) using their understanding of levers and inclined planes.
Cog & Axle has participated at the Festival of Education in Learning and Teaching Excellence (FÉILTE) at the RDS, The Dublin Maker Fair 2016 and at Cork City Science Fair at UCC 2016 where hundreds of children and adults enjoyed exploring simple machine through the story of Henry’s Piano.
At the Laois Arthouse in Stradbally well-known artist Caroline Conway will be exploring pattern and texture through print and collage. These workshops will run over 3 days from Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th July in the mornings from 11-1 and a second workshop in the afternoon from 2 to 4, for children aged 6-12.
Caroline has been working in schools and with community groups for many years. Having trained at Edinburgh College of Art in print and fabric, she has exhibited widely and been awarded a number of Public Art Commissions, working in the mediums of printmaking and animation.
Pottery
Young people interested in pottery can join Fins Pottery Tuition from Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th July from 2-4 in the MDA building in Mountmellick for some fun working with clay. Over the three days participants can explore the many different techniques of creating with clay.
The Youth Café, Rathdowney will host a three day introduction to drama for young people, led by drama tutor Mirjana Rendulic. They will learn new skills, gain confidence and meet other young people who are interested in learning about acting and performing with an emphasis on having fun.
For ages 10-16 these workshops run from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th July from 10.30-12.30 and a second group in the afternoon from 1-3.
Mirjana is currently working with Laois Youth Theatre in Portlaoise. She is a qualified Drama Facilitator, Actress and Writer and holds L.A.M.D.A Gold medal in Acting, HND in Performing Arts and Fetac (Level 6) in Drama Facilitation.
The Arts Office will also facilitate workshops in July as part of Laois County Councils’ social inclusion policy with art workshops in the MDA Mountmellick, in association with the Youth Development Centre.
For adults we have a painting course titled “Painting and Drawing in Light, Mood and Movement”, running in the Laois Arthouse, Stradbally from the 7th to the 9th June, directed by acclaimed artist John Keating. More details on all of the above workshops from the Arts Office T: 057 8664033/13 or E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie.
The Music Generation Laois Summer Programme 2017 also includes a busy line up with a School of Rock and Pop, running from 3-7 July, a Trad Summer School, from 21-23 July.
The Trad Summer School includes some very exciting concerts including: Opening Gala Concert featuring tutors from the Summer School and the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra on Friday 21 July, at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, at 8pm.
Beoga on Saturday 22 July, at The Courtyard @ Kavanaghs, Main St, Portlaoise at 7pm. Beoga are a brilliant Irish Trad band who have shot to international fame since recording with Ed Sheeran. Admission €15, book tickets in person or online through Kavanaghs Live Music Venue.
Concert
Student & Tutor Concert on Sunday 23 July in the Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, Tower Hill, at 3pm. This finale concert will showcase students from the Summer School. Free admission, donations welcome.
Booking: musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie or call 057 866 4176
For more information visit: musicgenerationlaois.ie
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