Connolly Books Live Screening - West Indies (1979) by Med Hondo

Film Screening of West Indies (1979) with introduction by artist and curator Clodagh Boyce

West Indies. 1979. Directed by Med Hondo. 116 mins.

Aboard a giant slave ship in an abandoned Citroën factory, the history of the West Indies is traced through several centuries of French oppression. The ship becomes a stage for the people to tell stories via song and dance—from their enslavement to their displacement in Metropolitan France.

Connolly Live:

Music, poetry, comedy and theatre performances at Connolly Books during December.

Leading musicians, comedians and actors will perform live shows in Connolly Books, and its associated New Theatre, every Thurs, Fri & Sat in December. Launching on the 4th, its a celebration of the youth-driven renaissance in Irish culture that Dublin is currently experiencing.

The venue at East Essex Street, Dublin 2, in the heart of the city, will host the ‘Connolly Books Live’ calendar of events which includes performances by musician Sean McKenna, comedians Eric Lalor & Síomha Hennessy and a new play as Gaeilge.

Connolly Books Live co-ordinator, Aaron Nolan, said: “It is an exciting time culturally in Dublin. The city is experiencing a renewed interest in traditional Irish culture as part of the embracing of the wider reality of Dublin’s working people.

“The Connolly Books Live programme of events recognises the current political & social moment, evoking the new collective spirit which is rising in our city as young people demand that it lives up to its possibilities and the necessary political change so it can be a home to us all.”

He added: “The programme sees events taking place every weekend. It will take in comedy, film screenings, music, spoken word, Irish language theatre, political panel discussions and workshops, all taking place under the banner of ‘Community. Culture. Solidarity.’”

The festive programme opens with a comedy show featuring Eric Lalor, Willa White and Síomha Hennessy. Weekly film screenings will be curated by Frank Sweeney & include West Indies and La Commune. Films introduced by critics & artists.

The shop floor of Connolly Books will be transformed into an intimate music venue hosting nights of trad, folk, punk, rock, house and techno with acts including Molly Vulpynes, Tony St Ledger, Giles Armstrong & Maeve O’Neill.

A new play, Muinín, by Pádraig Mac Oscair, exploring family conflict in post-Celtic Tiger Ireland, will run in The New Theatre. Closing the month is a Palestine solidarity event with Gazelleband on 27th