Si's Sights And Sounds recently experienced something a little different at Derry's only purpose built Irish language arts and cultural centre
In a small but beautiful building in Derry (or should that be "Doire"?), an acoustic guitar and accordion are strumming away right beside the stage in the auditorium. I don't quite know what the sound is, but it's undeniably reminiscent of the sort of thing we should be Riverdancing to. All around Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, couples chat, teachers confer, and young people knock down a drink (or two), but the youngest people of all - in fact, they're as young as the age of two - are dancing and buzzing around. They cannot wait for the occasion to start, and rightly so. Because, more than anyone else, this is their moment.
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This sort of assurance and vocal strength comes naturally to McGlinchey herself, who delivers three traditional pieces with what's becoming her usual panache. Of course, these are the kind of pieces that suit her operatic range best, but what's especially notable here is that the manner of her delivery does not overshadow the efforts of her "children". This is very much a "we're all in this together" occasion, and what we've seen so far exemplifies this.
And even after that, there's still time for more dancing, drama, instrumentals and solos. Forget The "X" Factor... a staggering, youthful rendition of another Les Miserables* tune, "Bring Him Home", has the "wow" factor about it. It is the sound of the tin whistle, however, that really gets the feet tapping in the crowd, leaving everyone in the Cultúrlann with a feeling of communal warmth.
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*Songs from "Les Mis" are becoming pretty common nowadays… maybe that's no surprise with the film version of the musical set for release very soon.
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