Situated in the North West but with an eye on (seemingly) everything happening everywhere, ODDesign provides the picks for August. For things to listen to, visit, enjoy and discover all over Ireland and beyond, read on...
FESTIVALS
Beatyard – Just a great mix of music, something for everyone.
3—5 August, Dún Laoghaire
Slow Place Like Home – Donegal producer with a growing reputation playing Stendhal Festival Derry as part of the Distorted Perspectives showcase.
11 August, Derry
Lughnasa International Friel Festival, 1—19 August, Derry and Donegal
Friel is one of several literary giants celebrated in the North West - Yeats in Sligo, Yeats 'A Portrait of a Family’, Beckett in Enniskillen with the Happy Days International Beckett Festival (1—6 August) and Seamus Heaney in his home place of Bellaghy.
51st State Festival – for anyone with an appreciation for classic house.
4 August
Massive Attack – Say no more!
31 August—2 September, Electric Picnic
LISTEN
Bonobo Essential Mix – Absolute Genius
Nicolas Jaar - enjoy
Hacienda Mixes – For anyone who fancies an electronic flash back
NTS John Peel Tribute – A legend and a gentleman, similarly to Massimo Vignelli a voice I will never tire of.
DISCOVER
Music Map, if you need something new to listen to or simply fancy a musical education
EXHIBITIONS
Regional Cultural Centre in association with Earagail Arts Festival presents ‘The Lost Moment’ – Using photography, film, ephemera (posters, badges, pamphlets, periodicals), and recorded interviews, the exhibition shows the often over looked Civil Rights struggle as a time of collective hope, optimism and even innocence before the onset of the Troubles.
10 July—25 August, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
Colin Davidson 'Silent Testimony' – ‘Silent Testimony’, an exhibition of portrait paintings by Colin Davidson, reveals the stories of eighteen people who are connected by their individual experiences of loss through the Troubles – a turbulent 30-year period in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s onwards.
23 June—16 September Nerve Visual Gallery, Ebrington, Derry
Royal Academy Annual Shows – The exposure of annual shows is a fantastic opportunity for the exhibitors, experienced and fledging and for buyers, and is an interesting way to get a snapshot of the slightly more traditional scene in both cities.
Dublin - RHA Charles Gallagher Gallery, 22 May—11 August
London - Royal Academy Of Arts, 12 June—19 August
Whitechapel Gallery London Open 2018 – For a more contemporary, edgy and more urban hit, 8 June—26 August
Frieze Sculpture Exhibition
4 July—7 October, Regents Park, London
Design Museum ’Hope To Nope Graphics and Politics 2008 – 2018’ – The very first standalone graphic design exhibition at the Design Museum (so we are told!)
Until 12 August, Design Museum, London
Print Tearing It Up – Another exhibition showcasing the power of graphic design, this time ‘Independent British magazines changing the world’
Until 22 August, Somerset House, London
For us no trip to Somerset House is complete without a quick scoot (20 minutes will suffice) around the beautiful Courtauld Gallery, it feels like the very best of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, alongside many others, have been distilled into the three spacious and light rooms, its closing in September for a major refurb and we really hope it doesn’t lose its charm in the process.
John Vernon Lord: Illustrating Carroll and Joyce – Another nod to Irish literature, but the main reason for visiting has to be an exhibition of Quentin Blake’s illustrations ‘Voyages to the Moon and the Sun’
Until 4 November, House of Illustration, London
THEATRE
FrielFest events showcased by An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny:
Coskun Karademir Quartet
Living Quarters, rehearsed reading
Jez Butterworth in conversation
CINEMA
Secret Cinema ‘Romeo + Juliet' – Undisclosed location (leaving from London), cinema with a twist
8—25 August
PIXAR Season – What more is there to say!
10—25 August, Light House Cinema, Dublin
FOOD
Taste of Donegal Food Festival – Not quite in the Taste of Dublin league, it is nevertheless a great way to sample many of the fantastic restaurant and local producers’ wares. Nevin Maguire even makes an appearance each year!
24—26 August, Donegal
The only questions left to be answered are - will Pep rule the roost once more or is that the klippity klop of success, will Jose last the season, will Pochettino buy anyone this year and do Chelsea and Arsenal have a chance to force their way back to the top table any time soon, all these questions and many more will start to be answered on 10 August, I can’t wait.
And if none of the above tickles your fancy, you could just walk the dog.