Laois Le Chéile returns to Laois Music Centre on Saturday 15th June

Laois Le Chéile is returning to Laois Music Centre on Saturday the 15th of June from 1-4pm.

The event will take place at Laois Music Centre on Church Avenue, Portlaoise.

The community arts festival is presented by Music Generation Laois, in collaboration with Laois Integration Network and Laois Partnership.

Entry is free of charge and open to all communities across Laois. 

Ukelele players from Scoil Bhríde Knockmay at the launch of Criunniú na nÓg. Photo- Alf Harvey.

The festival will feature live music, music workshops, craft workshops, Open Mic sessions, and food trucks. Highlights include the launch of original songs written with young asylum seekers living in direct provision in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix – Kids Boom Rap Song Launch, as well as performances by the Belles Ukrainian Children’s Choir.

Music Generation Laois are reaching out to musicians and singers in the county to take part in their Open Mic, and ask interested parties to 'just arrive on the day!'.

Malva Ukrainian Choir will also perform as part of this year’s Laois Le Chéile. Well-known Percussionist Eddie O’Neill will facitlitate drum circles, while Musician Educators from Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music will deliver early years music and ukulele workshops. Craft workshops include a polymer clay workshop, slime workshop and crafts using recycled materials.

John Davidson performing with The Bandwagon at Laois Le Chéile 2023. Photo- Renata Metelicka.

Speaking ahead of the event, Rosa Flannery Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois said, "Laois will be brimming with creativity on Saturday 15 June, to celebrate Criunniú na nÓg. We are calling out to families and all members of our communities to visit Laois Music Centre, where there is a jam-packed line-up of live music, and a range of music and craft workshop opportunities – all free of charge!".

Belles Ukrainian Childrens Choir- photo by Renata Metelicka.

Criunniú na nÓg is supported by Creative Ireland Laois/Laois County Council. See facebook and Instagram for full schedule details closer to the event.

Music Generation Laois works across the community in County Laois, including working weekly in Direct Provision Centres, supported by Children and Young People Services Committees in Laois Offaly (CYPSC), and with Malva Ukrainian Choir supported by LOETB Community Education.

Music Generation Laois recently launched a new Community Choir, made up of over 150 singers from all over Laois.

They are now enrolling for their QQI Level 5 and Level 6 Music Studies courses, commencing in September in Laois Music Centre and delivered in partnership with Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre. See musicgenerationlaois.ie for more details.

Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation – Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds together with, The Department of Education and Local Music Education Partnerships.

Locally, Music Generation Laois is part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (lead partner) and supported by Laois County Council.