09/03/06
Great night at the Cactus Cafe and a wonderful afternoon at the Walsh Ranch on Sunday. Thanks to everyone who made the Irish Summer Night at the Cactus Cafe a big hit. Here is video of Jeff Moore singing Patsy McCann for those of you who missed the show. Jeff found this song in a collection of songs sung by Joe Heaney.
Here Jeff is joined by James Hamilton for the song, the Death of Queen Jane.
04/11/06 The CCC Encourages Support for Scottish Theatre Group 7:84
The CCC and RenATC sent a letter of support for 7:84 Theatre group in Scotland.
While considering the 2007 Season for RenATC, we looked at works by renowned Scottish playwright John McGrath.
"In 1971 McGrath set up 7:84 and so began a company that was to become something of a legend. Scottish history and life was to be its mainstay and, although it shortly split into two companies, one in England and one in Scotland, it was the Scottish company that made the greatest impact. Its subjects were history (The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil), politics ( the Scottish National Party) and social problems (alcoholism). 7:84 England folded in 1984, having lost its grant from the Arts Council (too political!), and McGrath left the Scottish company in 1988 because of fundmental disagreements with the Scottish Arts Council."
After writing to 7:84 in the hope of finding a rare McGrath screenplay, the CCC was informed that the Scottish company had just had its funding cut by the Scottish Arts Council and 7:84 seemed doomed.
From the 7:84 website:
"The Scottish Arts Council confirmed on Wed 1st March they are cutting all funding for 7:84 Theatre Company. 33 years old and after having produced dozens of plays and employing hundreds of Scottish actors, 7:84 is now facing closure in August 2006."
Lorella Loftus, Director of RenATC, sent the following letter of support to the Scottish Arts Council Director, Graham Berry, and his response is below. Attached is my letter to the Scottish Parliament. To join the support and sign the petition visit the 7:84 webpage at www.784theatre.com
Dear Mr. Berry:
I am writing to you in response to the cutting of
funding for 7:84 Theatre Company by the Scottish
Arts Council.
I am very saddened by this and would like to state
my support for 7:84 Theatre Company.
Although I have been living in Texas for the past
seven years (I am originally from Glasgow), I have
seen many 7:84 productions in Scotland.
These productions have been consistently stimulating
and entertaining as well as unerringly reflecting the
society that we live in.
By cutting funding to this vital organization, the
Scottish Arts Council is destroying a long standing
Scottish institution.
I strongly urge the Scottish Arts Council to
reconsider the case of funding for 7:84 Theatre Company.
Yours sincerely,
Lorella Loftus
Producing Artistic Director
Renaissance Theatre Company
at the Celtic Cultural Center of Texas
Dear lorella loftus,
Many thanks for your interest in our work.
There are many exciting touring theatre companies in
Scotland just now.
Our resources are limited and unable to stretch to
supporting all of them. Our belief is that the work of 7/84 in recent
years has not been as high quality as some other companies and we have to make the best use of what money we have.
It is always difficult to reduce or remove funding
from a long standing organisation, however, I believe that 7/84 does have
a future.
Graham
Graham Berry | Chief Executive
Scottish Arts Council
12 Manor Place Edinburgh EH3 7DD Scotland UK
To Whom it May Concern
As Director of the Celtic Cultural Center of Texas we want to share our concern for the removal of funding from the 7:84 Theatre Company.
We understand how very difficult it is to juggle the worlds of art and politics. For organizations like the CCC of Texas we are just now reaching out beyond the world of "safe" cultural elements like music and dance and beginning to expose US audiences to the forms of Scottish or Irish culture that are much more relevant: politics and religion.
The 7:84 Theatre Company and the works of playwrights like John McGrath are instrumental in guiding organizations such as ours out of the fog of Tartan Parades, Bagpipes and the Tin Box view of Scotland and her people.
Please consider the great influence this company has had around the world and its earnest pledge to reflect the voices and lives of the Scottish people.
If you cannot restore all funding to the 7:84, please consider some funding so that time can be given for the company to seek other avenues of support.
Respectfully,
Donnelle McKaskle
Celtic Cultural Center of Texs
03/09/06
St. Patrick's Day Throwdown 2006
It's back for its fourth year. We are so very excited to be able to bring James Keane to Austin to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us. We never expected to be able to land such a notable leader of Irish traditional music, but I guess it is "the luck of the Irish." Get the full schedule on our events page and look for more notables like Uncle Earl, Beausoleil and The Weary Boys. This is our biggest fundraiser every year for the Celtic Cultural Center so please come out and support a "real Irish celebration!" No leprechauns or green beer at this party. Just the best Irish traditional music and dance in town!
