Film Club
Ballina Film Club’s autumn/winter programme continues next Tuesday December 2 at 8pm, with 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days in Ballina Arts Centre. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days takes place over a single day and night as one student, Otilia (Anamaria Marinca ), helps another, her roommate Gabita (Laura Vasilu ), to prepare for an illegal abortion. If discovered, Gabita and the abortionist would be imprisoned on a murder charge. Gabita is timid, fearful and confused, whereas her friend is stronger and pragmatic, but no match for the gruff, immoral abortionist, Mr Bebe (Vlad Ivanov ). Grey is the predominant colour in Cristian Mungiu's unflinching picture of life in late-1980s Romania, reflecting the grim drabness of that era before the fall of the Ceausescu regime. Admission: €7
Derelict: Silent and Still at Ballina Arts Centre
Killala-based artist Niall Kerrigan’s Derelict: Silent and Still is a study of dereliction and decay. During urban renewal, many houses are left derelict and these half-houses are the decay left behind as humans move on. They have been stripped of all but the barest evidence that they were once inhabited by humans: a broken plate, a discarded shoe,- they exude a sense of abandonment and loss. They have been left as, quite literally, a waste of space. Each of them found rotting in silence. “I endeavoured to give them a voice using only framing and natural light,”the artist explains. “These pictures are not about the people who abandoned them, but about the places themselves. They illustrate the architecture of abandonment, finding structure in the chaos and respecting the dignified silence that pervades these often abused, abandoned structures. Nothing was moved or touched in these buildings, none of the pictures were set up.” The exhibition will be officially opened by Patrick T Murphy, Director, RHA on Friday December 5 at 8pm. Free admission. All are welcome to attend, exhibition runs until December 23.
Christmas craft workshops at Ballina Arts Centre
Get into the Christmas spirit with these exciting workshops in a relaxed and enjoyable festive atmosphere at Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday December 6 and 13. Under the guidance of artist Jane Dunn, participants will create their own unique hand-made Christmas cards using winter spices, collage, fabric, paper, paint and print. The second week will focus on making unusual, effective decorations (hearts and angels, twigs and ribbons etc. ), and beautiful personal gifts (sachets of mulled wine spices and scented bags from exotic fabrics and trimmings ). Artist Jane Dunn has many years experience running workshops and is full of ideas and enthusiasm. All materials provided. Times: 10.30am to 3.30pm. Ticket price €30 for two sessions. Pre-booking for all workshops is essential.
Mayo Youth Theatre presents The Nightmare Before Christmas
Mayo Youth Theatre will present Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas at Ballina Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday December 12 and 13 at 8pm. Under the direction of Niamh McGrath, the group will tackle an adaptation of Tim Burton’s acclaimed Christmas tale, originally an animated film. Don’t miss this great opportunity to see this high-energy talented group take on a festive masterpiece. “Jack the Pumpkin King takes a journey / To find something different / He finds a snowy utopia and / Wishes to bring it to Hallowe’en town- / But all’s not well this Christmas…” Mayo Youth Theatre is a Mayo County Council initiative. Admission €5. Booking essential.
Ballina Arts Centre is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. For information / booking, contact Ballina Arts Centre, Barrett Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Tel: 096 73593, email: [email protected]. www.ballinaartscentre.com
