As most of you should know by this stage, the First Fortnight Festival is now in full swing, with odd and fun happenings all over Dublin and beyond. There is a focus on Dance this year, with some interesting looking events. Check out the full details below…

Dance With First Fortnight – January 2016

First Fortnight is Ireland’s unique festival of events aimed at challenging mental health stigma, running from 1st January across Dublin and nationwide.

Now in its seventh year, the 2016 First Fortnight mental health arts festival will see live music, spoken word, film, theatre, discussion, dance  and other arts events staged to create open discussion and understanding of mental health problems, and challenge prejudice and discrimination.

This year’s programme features a diverse range of dance events, from an evening of contemporary dance performance exploring relationships and healing (a sell-out element of the 2015 programme) to an early morning dance party.
DANCE EVENTS

MORNING GLORYVILLE

6.30am Wednesday 6th January, The Hangar, Andrew’s Lane

Rave your way into the day with Morning Gloryville, a morning dance party. This sober morning rave runs from 6.30am to 10.30am and offers inspirational, energising music and mesmerising visual entertainment as well as free massage, organic coffee and smoothie bars, yoga and personal motivation from trained and costumed performers. This First Fortnight Morning Gloryville promises to be truly unique.

Tickets are €10 euro and available via www.firstfortnight.ie.
LOOSE TIES – WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE PRESENTED BY COMMON GROUND

6.30pm Tuesday 12th January, Church Terrace, Bray

A comedy, dance and juggling workshop bringing young people together in an atmosphere of fun facilitated for ‘Be Well Bray’ members and anyone else 14-19 years on Tuesday 12th January at 6:30pm. Lead by Nick Bryson, Damian Punch and Jack Healy.

Tickets are €5 euro and are available via www.mermaidartscentre.ie / Tel: 01 272 4030.
MEDICATED MILK

12 noon Saturday 9th January, Irish Film Institute

Lucia Joyce was a talented dancer, writer and musician. She spent her life under the control of her father, Ulysses author James, mother Nora and multiple doctors. Lucia was incarcerated by her brother Giorgio and forced to remain in psychiatric hospitals for 47 years until her death in 1982. Working from Lucia’s writings, Medicated Milk is created by Áine Stapleton, made in collaboration with José Miguel Jiménez, and features original music by Somadrone.

Over 16’s only. Contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing.

Tickets are €8.60 and available via www.firstfortnight.ie or www.ifi.ie.
SHARED REMEDIES

8pm Thursday 14th January, Mermaid Arts Centre

Shared Remedies is a dance evening exploring relationships, aesthetic ideals and healing.

In Fist Pump, Karen Gleeson with Rebecca Warner and Aine Stapleton ask how often does their sense of self change throughout the day?

In The Third Chair, Nick Bryson and Damian Punch try to get on a wavelength meaning that they have to rely on each other…but at what cost?

In a work in progress, Aisling O’Coineen goes on a voyage of rediscovery in Navigating The Nine Worlds.

Not suitable for children

Tickets are €12/10 and available via www.mermaidartscentre.ie / Tel: 01 272 4030.