Living tradition

THE Cork Midsummer Festival opens at the Cork Opera House on June 21 with the critically acclaimed show, ‘Rian,’ created by musician Liam Ó Maonlaí of ‘The Hothouse Flowers’ fame and innovative choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan of ‘Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre Company.’

‘Rian’ is inspired by Ó Maonlaí’s 2005 debut solo album of the same name which means ‘mark’ or ‘trace’ in Irish.

The album is inspired by Sean Ó Riada’s 1969 concert which was recorded and released posthumously as ‘Ó Riada sa Gaiety.’ The show explores the tension and harmony between Irish traditional music and modern dance. Celtic sounds combine with elements of world music and influences from all over the globe. Eight dancers from multi-ethnic backgrounds and five musicians (including Ó Maonlaí) perform the show which received standing ovations at London’s Sadler’s Wells (a co-producer) last year.