<img src='' title='Event Category: Festival' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Festival

SFSH – 37d03d MixTape x Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra

A very unique evening in store as Sounds from a Safe Harbour welcomes special guests from the 37d artist residency, to perform a specially-curated night of song with the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra.

The Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra was founded in November 2015 to enhance the musical offering of Cork Opera House. The Orchestra has since played a very significant role in the music industry in Cork, and has formed a significant part of Cork Opera House’s artistic programme.

Since its foundation, the orchestra has undertaken numerous concert performances of classic operas with great Irish and international opera talent, as well as large-scale in-house productions such as the Right Here Right Now Festival, The Cork Proms, and our annual Christmas Concerts. This has allowed the Orchestra to work with many great Irish artists across a multitude of genres, often with original orchestrations by some of the most exciting orchestrators and arrangers in Ireland today.

Special guests for this concert will be announced soon .

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

SFSH – Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi

Rhiannon Giddens has made a singular, iconic career out of stretching her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into just about every field imaginable.

A two-time GRAMMY Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and composer of opera, ballet, and film, Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art.

As Pitchfork once said, “few artists are so fearless and so ravenous in their exploration”—a journey that has led to NPR naming her one of its 25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century and to American Songwriter calling.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

SFSH – Festival Finale hosted by Efterklang

We all have witnesses to our journey through life. Family, friends, partners or colleagues who have followed us on our way. Many of them don’t want us to change. They want us to stay the same forever, to maintain the same old position that we have always had in our community. That’s not the case for Efterklang. The Danish trio has always been an open family, with room for new ideas, radical shifts and changing collaborators. A band in flux.

With their new, seventh studio album Things We Have In Common, a circle closes. The process began with Altid Sammen, the band’s fifth album, and continued with their sixth, 2021’s Windflowers. For Efterklang, these albums represented an opening up towards a simpler, more inclusive, means of expression. It feels like the band has let go: harmonic tensions are gentler, the tonal language more straightforward. Altid Sammen explored the human community; Windflowers examined the relationship between human beings and nature. And Things We Have In Common is about collective spirituality and belonging.

There is a generosity at play on this record. This is music open to longing souls and aching beings, offering the possibility of both enlightenment and relief. This is music of arms reaching out and healing hands. The sound of giving, receiving and accepting that everything changes.

“We took part in the People/37d03d residency in Berlin 2018 and we’ve played SFSH in 2019 – both times feeling we were part of something very special and life changing in fact! We are humbled and excited to be hosting the finale this year!”

Efterklang has become an open community with three permanent members: Mads Brauer, Casper Clausen and Rasmus Stolberg. Pianist and composer Rune Mølgaard left Efterklang after the Parades album in 2007 but he has circled around the band, to varying degrees, since then. On the new album, he has co-written seven of the nine songs.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

SFSH – Remembering Talos

‘Remembering Talos’ – a deeply personal opening night tribute to the late Eoin French, a beloved artist and friend—created with many of Eoin’s friends and collaborators.

Alex Sampson / Atli Örvarsson / Ben Bix / Brian Dillon / Brían French / Christof Van Der Ven / Cian Hanley / Gemma Doherty / Jon Hopkins / Kate Ellis / La Force / Laoise Leahy / Lisa Hannigan / Loah / Memorial / Niamh Regan / Nick Rayner / Rosie Carney / S. Carey / Sam McNicholl / Sonny Sampson / Steph French / The Staves / Ye Vagabonds performing live with Ólafur Arnalds and Sandrayati Fay appearing remotely.

Eoin French, known professionally as Talos, was an Irish musician celebrated for his evocative voice and genre-defying sound. With influences ranging from electronic to orchestral music, Talos built a loyal following through his deeply personal and atmospheric compositions.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

In The Making – Music Production Workshop

Experience digital music production at In the Making’s step-by-step digital music-making workshop! Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, the Music Production Workshop will guide you through the process of creating and sharing your own unique sound.

Hosted on the Cork Opera House main stage – one of the city’s vital music venues – this hands-on session, delivered by talented music producer Viva Dean, empowers participants to experiment, explore, and unlock their creative potential using insider knowledge and industry-specific technology.

Emphasising the limitless potential for creativity and personal expression digital music-making offers, this event invites you to discover and flex your digital music production skills in an energetic, interactive and encouraging environment.

In The Making – Perspectives On Interdisciplinary Arts Panel

Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Arts is a discussion panel taking place in the Green Room at Cork Opera House, as part of In the Making – a festival of participation, exploration, and discovery through the arts.

Exploring the meaning of the prefix ‘inter’ in the sector, this panel brings together some of Ireland’s innovative artists and arts workers to examine interdisciplinarity through the lens of their own creative practices.

Encouraging ongoing reflection through conversation, this panel hopes to present perspectives behind this blended approach to creative expression. Panelists will share personal insights, engage in open dialogue, answer questions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of what it means to work and create at the intersection of multiple art forms.

This is a free event however registration is required.

In The Making – Behind The Drag

Behind the Drag invites audiences on a theatrical journey of discovery, revealing the artistry and personality behind three of Cork’s most popular drag artists; Lucina Shynning, Abrakedavre, and Mystery.

Taking place in Cork Opera House’s Blue Angel at night, artists will demonstrate in real time the creative skills and decisions behind their iconic make-up looks and costumes, sharing character development insights for each of their personas along the way. Witnessing the steps and stages behind the drag process, audiences will gain a nuanced perspective on the craft, with artists breaking down their hows and whys, do’s and don’ts, and the power behind drag as an expressive and personal art form.

Richly layered and special, Behind the Drag will leave audiences with a lasting understanding and appreciation for the talent, dedication, and creativity that make this performance style so enjoyable and unforgettable.

Spaces for this event are limited.

In The Making – New Work Musical Theatre Showcase

Welcome to a night of original musical theatre in the making, featuring some of Cork’s finest musical talents.

Set in Cork Opera House’s intimate and atmospheric Green Room, this pared-back showcase shines a spotlight on new, Irish-made musical theatre in its infancy. Written by local composers, acts will be followed by talks that reveal the stories and inspirations behind the music, with a distinguished panel of industry professionals providing feedback and guidance about the pieces presented, contributing to the future progress of the work.

Unfolding in two parts, the New Work Musical Theatre Showcase promises to be a memorable night full of conversation, music, and storytelling. Highlighting the imagination and skill behind the craft, this event celebrates Cork’s thriving musical theatre scene – and the incredible talent driving it forward.

This event includes a fifteen-minute interval.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival presents The Nasty Sessions with Khakikid, Shiv, Curtisy, F3miii

Bricknasty, led by the masked Fatboy, evolved from a Soundcloud collaboration to a full band with Dara Abdurahman, Korey Thomas, and Louis Younge. Their debut album, INA CRUELER, blended punk-folk, jazz, and RnB, earning critical acclaim and a loyal following. Their upcoming mixtape, XONGZ, marks a shift from introspection to a more experimental and cathartic sound; the mixtape reflects Fatboy’s personal struggles and recovery, incorporating new influences and collaborations while maintaining their signature style.

Curtisy – Tallaght based rapper Curtisy is quickly solidifying his position as one of the leaders of a new wave in Irish hip-hop alongside his collaborators Ahmed, with Love, Rory Sweeney, hiki and more. With inspirations including the likes of Wiki and Earl Sweatshirt, he has carved a niche for himself as an expropriator of vibrant and lush abstract hip hop, with live shows carrying a DIY punk charisma and energy. His debut album WHAT WAS THE QUESTION debuted at #3 on the Official Independent Irish Album Charts. Curtisy takes his debut project on tour this November.

F3miii – F3miii began his journey in a gospel choir and gained recognition with his debut track “Beautiful” on SoundCloud, amassing over 2 million streams on his last three singles; he performed at major festivals like Electric Picnic and Forbidden Fruit and was named a District Magazine Alumni for 2024 and showcased at Ireland Music Week in 2022. He has appeared on over 15 Spotify editorial playlists and was featured on a billboard in Leicester Square, London.

Shiv – Shiv, a Zimbabwean born, Mayo based artist,  transitioned from DJing to becoming a singer-songwriter and producer. Her distinctive sound blends alternative R&B and Lo-Fi Hip Hop, and is influenced by her diverse musical background and early relocation to Ireland. After a viral YouTube video caught Dublin managers’ attention, Shiv’s career took off, leading to over 20 million Spotify streams and collaborations with notable artists. She’s performed with Lana Del Rey, contributed to the *Your Christmas or Mine 2* soundtrack, and played major Irish festivals like Electric Picnic. With her debut album on the horizon, Shiv is set to make a significant mark on the music scene.

KhakiKid – the Irish alt-rapper Abdu Huss, has had an interesting life but only recently realized his story is worth sharing. Growing up in Crumlin council estate, Dublin, he shared a room with three brothers while his two sisters and single mother were in another room. At 12, he began writing raps inspired by Chief Keef. His 2020 debut single “Late” showcased his jazz-infused hip-hop style, and by 2021, he had built a cult following in Ireland and abroad. His debut EP, Elevator Music, released in September 2022, received critical acclaim for its mix of self-deprecating lyrics and energetic rapping. His upcoming music shifts to a more honest and personal approach, reflecting on significant moments he now believes are worth sharing. Abdu also aims to represent minority groups in Ireland, particularly since he only discovered his Arab-Irish heritage and refugee father’s story in adulthood. “Many minority groups aren’t spoken about, and I want to show that we have a place to exist.”

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lightning, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Strictly 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival presents De La Soul

De La Soul is back in the spotlight, though they never truly vanished. After their influential 1989 debut 3 Feet High and Rising, they  went on to further impact Hip Hop culture with five more groundbreaking albums: De La Soul Is Dead (1991), Buhloone Mindstate (1993), Stakes Is High (1996), Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000) and AOI: Bionix (2001).  Even though their catalogue went missing from streaming services with the rise of the digital age, the trio continued to tour and create music, releasing the Grammy Award-nominated …And The Anonymous Nobody in 2016. With Tommy Boy Music’s acquisition by Reservoir in 2021, De La Soul’s six classic albums have been  available for streaming since March 3, 2023, the 34th anniversary of their debut.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lightning, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Strictly 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.