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

Yoga with Naomi Kumar

In Naomi’s teaching practice, they view each person as a whole individual, recognising that every learner brings a unique way of engaging with the world. This includes meeting the needs of neurodivergent participants, those with physical disabilities, sensory sensitivities, and anyone who may benefit from alternative approaches.

This class will have demonstrations throughout, gentle music through a speaker, options for physical adjustment, and no scents or essential oils, room temperature practice. You can bring your own mat and blocks or use ones provided. You might want some water throughout the practice.

Naomi Kumar is an artist and teacher living with a disability acquired through injury. They have experienced first-hand the barriers that can exist when trying to take part in group activities. These challenges fuel her commitment to creating welcoming, safe spaces where everyone – regardless of ability, background, or neurotype – can participate fully and comfortably.

In Conversation with Aideen Barry and Sean Ronayne

Renowned visual artist, Aideen Barry and ornithologist, wildlife sound-recordists and environmental activist, Seán Ronayne come together for this unique event, which will feature presentations on their work and an informal conversation about their practices and experiences as neurodivergent artists.

Part of Neurofestivity 2026

Neurofestivity ‘26 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent art and the artists who make it. Produced by Cork Opera House in collaboration with lead artist, Jody O’Neill and partners Cork City Council and UCC, the festival will take place on UCC Campus on 24th & 25th April 2026.

Neurofestivity Welcome Meeting

A welcome meeting hosted by Eibhlin Gleeson (CEO, Cork Opera House), Michelle Carew (Cork City Arts Officer), Jody O’Neill (Playwright and lead artist – Neurofestivity) and Seán Kelly (UCC Arts and Culture Officer). This event will open the festival, welcoming neurodivergent artists and arts workers to share their experiences and challenges in making and presenting work today. We will examine themes of accessibility, understanding and practice. We will also be delighted to welcome poet Paula Hynes for a special performance to open the festival.

Part of Neurofestivity 2026
Neurofestivity ‘26 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent art and the artists who make it. Produced by Cork Opera House in collaboration with lead artist, Jody O’Neill and partners Cork City Council and UCC, the festival will take place on UCC Campus on 24th & 25th April 2026.

Reading and Conversation with Fiacre Ryan – Speechless.

Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking in-conversation event with non-speaking writer Fiacre Ryan, whose work challenges assumptions about communication, creativity, and voice. For this event, Fiacre has selected excerpts of his work, which will be read by Carmel Ryan and Jody O’Neill. The conversation will explore the intersections of language, access, and artistic expression.

Part of Neurofestivity 2026
Neurofestivity ‘26 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent art and the artists who make it. Produced by Cork Opera House in collaboration with lead artist, Jody O’Neill and partners Cork City Council and UCC, the festival will take place on UCC Campus on 24th & 25th April 2026.

Red Ink – Show and Tell

Red Ink – a collective of neurodivergent artists – will present their work informally at this lunchtime event with Lunch provided. The artists will have their work set up for viewing and will be on hand to answer questions about their work and their practice.

Part of Neurofestivity 2026

Neurofestivity ‘26 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent art and the artists who make it. Produced by Cork Opera House in collaboration with lead artist, Jody O’Neill and partners Cork City Council and UCC, the festival will take place on UCC Campus on 24th & 25th April 2026.

It Starts Here

This inspiring gathering shines a spotlight on neurodivergent artists, thinkers, and performers whose unique perspectives shape the future of the arts. Expect an evening fuelled by bold ideas, powerful stories, and vibrant performances. Every great piece of work begins somewhere, and this one starts here.

Part of Neurofestivity 2026

Neurofestivity ‘26 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent art and the artists who make it. Produced by Cork Opera House in collaboration with lead artist, Jody O’Neill and partners Cork City Council and UCC, the festival will take place on UCC Campus on 24th & 25th April 2026.

Unveiled – Max Whelan

Soul is desperate. Trapped in a body that won’t cooperate; that wants to, but can’t listen, Soul feels lost, alone and misunderstood. Knowing the only way to be heard is for them to work together, Soul issues a desperate plea to Body.

Based on his own experiences as a non-speaker, Max Whelan’s brilliant, searing debut play brims with humour and heart. Unveiled is unapologetically political, challenging assumptions and demanding a new approach to communication and education. Unveiled will be followed with a performance by David Punch and Kevin Walsh of Max Whelan’s song ‘Always Been In Here’ as performed on The Assembly, Virgin Media.

Accessibility: Unveiled is a relaxed performance, audio described and ISL interpreted.

Part of Neurofestivity 2026

Neurofestivity ‘26 will be a vibrant celebration of neurodivergent art and the artists who make it. Produced by Cork Opera House in collaboration with lead artist, Jody O’Neill and partners Cork City Council and UCC, the festival will take place on UCC Campus on 24th & 25th April 2026.

SFSH – Jon Hopkins presents Embodiment Breathwork

Jon Hopkins presents Embodiment Breathwork, an immersive playback with Fearne Cotton.

Followed by an improvisation with Shahzad Ismaily, Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh and La Force.

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.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2025 – The Pharcyde : 30 Years of Labcabincalifornia

An influential alternative rap quartet from South Central Los Angeles, the Pharcyde was formed by MCs/producers Tre ‘Slimkid’ Hardson, Derrick ‘Fatlip’ Stewart, Imani Wilcox, and Romye ‘Booty Brown’ Robinson. Hardson, Wilcox, and Robinson were all dancers and choreographers who met on the L.A. underground club circuit in the late ’80s, worked together for a while, and served a stint as dancers on In Living Color. Stewart, meanwhile, performed at local clubs and eventually hooked up with the others in 1990.

Under the tutelage of Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher, the group learned about the music industry and the process of recording an album. They landed a deal with Delicious Vinyl in 1991, and a year later released their eccentric debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, which went gold. After support slots for De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest as well as a successful spot on Lollapalooza’s second stage in 1994, the group released its second album, Labcabincalifornia, which was calmer than their first but no less warped.

After a five-year break which saw little action except for the debut of Stewart as a solo rapper (his single ‘What’s Up Fatlip’ became an underground hit), the Pharcyde returned in late 2000 with their third album, Plain Rap.

Band members: Imani, Fatlip & Slimkid3.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, 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 2025 – Orchestra Baobab | Annie & The Caldwells

Orchestra Baobab

Founded in 1970 in Dakar, Orchestra Baobab is more than just a band—it is an institution, a cornerstone of African music. Initially a club formation inspired by the Afro-Cuban fever that swept through West Africa, Baobab quickly forged a unique style, blending Mandinka, Wolof, and Serer sounds with Latin rhythms and timeless elegance. From their first golden era to their remarkable resurgence in the early 2000s, led by Nick Gold (Buena Vista Social Club), the band has continuously reinvented its legacy, captivating each generation with its hypnotic groove.

Seven years of waiting—an eternity. But Orchestra Baobab never returns without reason. Made In Sénégal, set for release in October 2025, is more than just an album; it is a love letter to Senegal, to its roots, and its musical future.

Always balancing tradition and modernity, Baobab’s strings and brass resonate with the rhythms of an entire nation. From Casamance to Fouta, from Dakar to Saint-Louis, each track explores a different facet of Senegalese musical heritage. From the intimate clubs of Dakar to the world’s biggest stages, Orchestra Baobab has seen and lived it all. But this new album—blending swaying rumba, Mandinka sounds, and Afro-Cuban echoes—reminds us of one essential truth: their music is eternal.

Annie & The Caldwells

Annie & The Caldwells are a family from Mississippi that plays a powerful disco soul, led by mother Ms. Annie Caldwell. Their music won’t only move you spiritually but emotionally as well—with songs that are as much at home in a church of God as in the church of the dance floor.

Their incredible first single, Wrong, was released on January 15—and a new remix by disco legend Nicky Siano was released on February 25. Their new album Can’t Lose My (Soul) [Luaka Bop, 2025] is 40 years in the making and has already gotten rave reviews in MOJO and The Guardian.

Ms. Annie is backed by daughters Deborah and Anjessica, and goddaughter Toni Rivers; their eldest son Willie Jr. is on the bass and youngest son Abel Aquirius is on the drums. Their father and Annie’s husband of the last fifty years, Willie Joe Caldwell, Sr, is on guitar.

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, 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.