The legacy of Mike Diskin will be honoured at a major commemorative concert in the Town Hall Theatre this month, as well as the launch of an artist’s bursary for new and innovative arts projects in the city.
Mike Diskin, the former Town Hall Theatre manager, one of the key figures in the Galway arts scene for more than 20 years, and a champion of original ideas and young talent, passed away in March 2012, after a battle with cancer.
To honour his life and achievement, an independent committee of family and friends have organised the Concert For Mike, which takes place in the Town Hall on Sunday March 30, with all proceeds going towards forming a bursary for new arts projects.
The line-up for the concert is The Cabin Collective (featuring The Saw Doctors’ Leo Moran, The Waterboys’ Anthony Thistlewaite, and singer-songwriter Noelie McDonnell ); actor/writer Little John Nee with his band The Caledonia Highly Strung Orchestra; Mephisto Theatre Company; actor Rod Goodhall; performing arts group, Macnas; trad group We Banjo 3, whose debut album, Roots Of The Banjo Tree, was The Irish Times Traditional Album of the Year in 2012; indie band My Fellow Sponges; and folk-rock/Americana band The Amazing Apples; and the high energy folk band Mikey and The Scallywags. Traditional music supergroup, The Birthday Band, featuring Alan Kelly, Seán Smyth, Kevin Hough and Charlie Lennon, complete the line-up.
Proceeds from the Concert For Mike will go towards the awarding of a bursary to an artist or art’s group to help develop work of an innovative or original nature. Applications for the bursary will be sought in the coming months and the Michael Diskin Bursary Committee will appoint independent adjudicators to select the winning entry. It is hoped the awarding of this bursary can become an annual event.
Tickets are available from the Town Hall on 091 - 569777 or www.tht.ie
