The Gathering is the annual networking event for the community of event organisers, artists, partners and supporters of Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival.
Bealtaine Festival takes place throughout the month of May each year, and celebrates the arts and creativity as we age.
“Moving into 2022, despite the difficult circumstances that still prevail, there is a great sense of new beginnings and a renewed sense of hope and optimism around opportunities the year may bring,” said Dr Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager and Bealtaine Festival Artistic Director. “We also look to re-connecting with others and being creative together, reaffirming our interdependence which we celebrate once again as our theme for 2022.”
This year, The Gathering will take place online on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th of February from 10am – 12.30pm. On Thursday 10th of February there will be 1:1 clinics with industry professionals. Booking is now open so make sure to secure your place.
As a community, Bealtaine organisers and programmers have had to adapt and regroup over the last 18 months. At this year’s Bealtaine Gathering, over two mornings, the lineup of speakers will share the collective learnings with a view to a brighter 2022 .
There is an inspiring line up of speakers who will share their experiences over the past year, and how best to take these new experiences into planning for the future.
The keynote speaker, Ann Ingle, author of memoir ‘openhearted’, will be in conversation with her daughter, writer Róisín Ingle, talking about how the arts can give us valuable perspectives on life and help us stay connected.
The Age & Opportunity team are equally delighted to have theatre artist Michelle Read speak about her Creative Ageing essay commissioned by Age & Opportunity. Joining The Gathering to open and close the sessions are poet Colm Keegan and writer, performer, and comedian Anne Gildea.
There are a very limited number of 20 minute 1:1 clinics available with industry professionals on a range of topics on Thursday 10th February so people are being encouraged to sign up soon. They are free but only bookable if attending The Gathering. Please choose the relevant add on ticket when booking to express your interest. If there is strong demand a selection process may take place.
For full details and to book your ticket for The Gathering visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/227573948807
Event registration for the Bealtaine Festival 2022 will open on Monday 7th February and attending The Gathering is a great way to kick start your event planning. The general public are encouraged to consider new and creative ways to organise events and register them on the Bealtaine Festival website. Visit the Bealtaine Festival website for tips and information on organising events and to register your event for May 2022 https://bealtaine.ie/.
*Main image taken pre covid 19.
