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The Circle Sessions

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The Circle Sessions

A night of Spoken Word Poetry, Storytelling, Music and Performance in the International Bar, Dublin THIS SOUNDS TERRIFYING

It's really not. WHAT ELSE?
(47)

The Circle Sessions is an open-stage event held every Monday, 8pm, at The International Bar, Wicklow Street, Dublin, Ireland. (Like an open-mic but we don't use a mic or any amplification)

The event is free to attend and all are welcome. SIGN UP:

Sign-up to perform starts about 15 minutes before each show. Each open-stage performer gets a max of 5 minutes to do whatever they want to do, within t

he bounds of human decency, as defined on the spot by the event organisers. This gives you time for one song, a few short poems or one long one, your tight five of comedy, anything you can do on a small stage in five minutes! We endeavour to get everyone who signs up on stage throughout the night but if we run out of time, you are guaranteed a slot at the next event. BOOKING A SLOT:

If you've performed before, or if you are travelling, and want to book a longer slot, we have a few 20 minute performances during each event. Sign-up for these is via mail ([email protected]) or socials and are booked up a few months in advance. RULES:

Apart from making best-efforts to keep to your allocated time as a performer, the golden rule as an audience member is to be respectful and more-or-less quiet while someone else is performing. Moderation is carried out by the event organisers and venue management. The event organisers are visible on the night and open to any queries or concerns about the nature and content of the performances. We make every effort to make everyone feel welcome and safe in the space while also allowing freedom of expression for all performers. We pride ourselves on being the first place a lot of people ever perform in front of a crowd and we have the best little listening audience in the world that make everyone feel welcome. We are impressed by the very idea that you have something you'd like perform. If you're nervous, we'd encourage you to come along as an audience member and check out the vibe - you'll almost certainly be back and raring to take part. Occasionally, the format of the night will be altered slightly and sometimes we organise or take part in larger events around Dublin and around the country. Check in with our socials for details on any upcoming shenanigans.

22/04/2024

Join us tonight for a featured performance from Harbour Violet!

Monday 22nd April from 8pm at the International Bar

Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7:45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

15/04/2024

Join us tonight for featured performances from OSHONE & Ben Pantrey!

Monday 15th April from 8pm at The International Bar

Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7:45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

08/04/2024

Join us tonight for featured performances from Anam McCann & Dan K. Sigurd!

Monday 8th April from 8pm at the International Bar
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7:45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

01/04/2024

Happy Fools' Monday or something like that...

Join us tonight for featured performances from The Vagabond Queen and Dylan Savage!

Monday 1st April from 8pm at The International Bar
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7:45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

25/03/2024

Join us tonight for featured performances from Arn. & Fiona

Monday 25th March from 8pm at the International Bar
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7:45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

18/03/2024

Happy second Sunday!

Join us tonight for featured performances from Grant Charles and Darragh Coady!

Monday 18th March from 8pm at The International Bar.
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7:45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

10/03/2024

Join us tomorrow for a feature from Hook!

Monday 11th March from 8pm at the International Bar
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7.45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

29/02/2024

So with our theme of tales and legends, we thought it was about time that we told you a bit about the people behind The Circle Sessions! 📖 🧚‍♀️

Róisín Whelan - is our Production Manager. She started out joining the Circles' committee to give an audience perspective, and that led to a career producing some of the biggest concerts and festivals in the country. Our fearless leader has taken those skills back to her roots to curate The Circle Sessions: LEGENDS.
Catch her running around with a clipboard 📋

Seamus Bradley - is our MC, and Circles second-in-command. Seamus is a multidisciplinary artist, and has won Circles awards for Storyteller of the year and Visual Performance of the Year, before taking over as host. When he's not corralling our performers, he's performing himself with his bands: Annie ^ the witness and Trope.
Catch Seamus hosting the upstairs, LEGENDS stage. 🎤

Fiona Reusrath - is our Campaign Manager, coming on recently to help us promote our 10 Year Anniversary to the lengths it deserves. Fiona is beginning to make a name for herself around the open mic circuit, having only performed in public for the first time a mere few months ago. Circles wouldn't have been able to pull this off without her.
Catch her capturing content 🤳

David Halpin - was our longterm leader, stepping down from Circles in 2019. David brought Circles to new heights over his 5 years involved, being the brain behind Circles' tours, showcases and not one, but two albums!
Catch him hosting the basement stage: Hits from Now and Then. 💿

Brian James Kingston - was the founder of Circle Sessions. Brian started the night in the Harbour bar in Bray, in a famously circular room. He then passed the night on to David, who made the move to the International Bar.
Catch Brian doing a very special performance on the Hits from Now and Then stage. 👏

P.S. None of these people can tell you where our logo came from...

Join us Monday 4th March 2024 at The International Bar, Dublin!

28/02/2024

➡ Circles is back for one night only in the
basement! We are excited to announce the next few
artists who will join us on the 'Hits From Now and Then'
stage 🎤🥳:

#1: Justin McCann - is a Bray-based singer-songwriter, composer, session pianist and bandleader. He plays his own songs with Mekkan Ju and tackles Bowie and Talking Heads projects with his "album tribute" act Playback. He has scored several films and radio dramas, collaborated with poets, rappers and artists, and written dozens of songs, and is currently working on mixing Mekkan Ju's debut album. Expect new solo tracks "Julie" and "Long Summer Days" soon.

#2: Phil Lynch - is a Dublin based poet and regular performer (sometimes organiser) at poetry and spoken word events and festivals in Ireland and further afield. His work has been featured widely across a range of different media. He was the winner of the 2018 Intercompetitive (live performance) Poetry Competition. He took part in the very first Circle Sessions (2014) and has performed at the event numerous times since then. His poetry collection, In a Changing Light, was published by Salmon Poetry in 2016 and a new collection is scheduled for 2024. If you want to know more about him - check out his poetry!

#3: Hugh Hick - is a writer and performer from Dublin known in Circle Sessions lore for his monologue collection, developed as a way to exorcise his personal demons without the prohibitive cost of therapy, he has also produced multiple works for theatre and currently makes audio dramas for national stations in Ireland and Britain.

#4: Matthew Tallon - is a comedian and writer from Dublin. He began performing at the Circle Sessions in 2018, where he became known for throwing Penguin bars at audience members. They interpreted this as "alternative comedy" instead of "unresolved anger issues" and the rest is history. Since then Matthew has had 2 sold-out Dublin Fringe shows and seen 3 therapists and moved country twice. But now he's back to terrorise the Circle Sessions crowd once more, for old times sake.

Sponsored by IMRO.

25/02/2024

Join us tomorrow for features from Rory Nellis and Emma Pearson!

Monday 26th February from 8pm at The International Bar, Dublin
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7.45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

22/02/2024

➡ Circles is back for one night only in the basement! We are excited to announce the next five artists who will join us on the 'Hits From Now and Then' stage 🎤🥳:

#1: Christian Duffy - is a local Circles hero. As well as being a talented musician in his own right, he also runs the Cheeky Monkeys Comedy Club in the International.

#2: Dylan Savage - is a rapper and writer who is both: Savage by name, Savage by nature.

#3: Eva Mary Lucy - Eva’s poetry explores all sides of life, from saucy stories to family legends, but most of all, what it means to be human in today’s context.

#4: Ciaran Callan - is an OG Circler who dabbles in spoken word, musical comedy and improvised theatre. He has performed at festivals with The Circle Sessions at The Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Scrobornach and many more over 10 years. You never know what you'll get during a CC performance but expect singalongs, crazy made-up stories and whatever you're having yourself!

#5: Natasha Helen Crudden - is a punk-influenced performance poet and author of novel Empire Evolution and poetry collections Barbed-Wire Cage, Detonation Day, Ctrl/Alt/Delete and Press Any Key to Continue (Scumbag Press). Her work has been published in several literary publications and she has performed across several national platforms including Electric Picnic in 2015, 2016 and 2022.

Sponsored by IMRO.

20/02/2024

➡ Circles is back in the basement for one night only! Get ready to reminisce as we bring back some Circle anthems. This week, we are thrilled to unveil the amazing lineup of regulars, new and old, on our 'Hits from Now and Then" stage at our Circle Sessions Anniversary! 🎤🥳:

#1: The Vagabond Queen - is a Spoken Word Artist, Writer and Poet currently based in Dublin. With themes of spirituality, mysticism and human consciousness, she has performed her work across many events in Dublin (including a headline show in the International), Galway, Cork and Paris, and festivals such as Electric Picnic, Dublin Fringe and The Works. She also single-handedly runs The Queen's Cauldron, a seasonal event showcasing fresh talent in Ireland.

#2: Phil Kenny - is a Dublin-based artist and freelance autistic advocate. The arts having played a key role for Philip in overcoming the challenges of autism as a youth, he has gone on to become a fixture of the Dublin arts scene. A veteran of KnockanStockan and Electric Picnic, among other festivals he has also produced performance, writing and video works for Lab Studio, Arts Disability Ireland, and Outstraight Magazine, as well as involvement in Exchange Dublin Arts Space.

#3: The Accidental Rapper - A true lyricist, “The Accidental Rapper” tackles some of society’s biggest issues in an engaging and entertaining way. With hard-hitting messages and a story-telling style, the Cork native engages audiences on topics from Climate Change & Housing to Mental Health, Economics & Human Rights. Having gotten his start in Circles, he's gone on to perform at a number of festivals around the country including Electric Picnic and All Together Now as well as having several TV & Radio appearances on both RTÉ and Virgin Media.

#4: Caoimhe Weakliam - Caoimhe Weakliam is a Dublin-based spoken word poet. With a voice held firmly on the pulse of modern society, her storytelling narratives wind through such topics as cultural decline, women’s experiences and contemporary inequalities. She recently performed as part of Dublin Fringe Festival, Culture Night and two sets at this year’s Electric Picnic.

#5: Lizzy Byrne - doesn’t speak about herself in third person very often but when she does she likes to keep it short and sweet!

Sponsored by IMRO.

18/02/2024

Join us this Monday for featured acts from Navya & Azerty, and five minute slots from you, you & YOU!!!!

Monday 19th March from 8pm at The International Bar, Dublin
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7.45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

17/02/2024

➡ We're excited to reveal "Who's In The Bar?" taking place on the ground floor of The International Bar. Featuring usual Monday night Stalworth Mark Flynn leading the bar in a sing-a-long. Adding some Circle Sessions flavour, as we invite those from our 10 year history who have gone on to make the barside session their speciality. Joining Mark on the night will be 🎤🥳:

Kate Field, a dreamy singer-songwriter from South Dublin.
Dylan Harcourt, who has been described as "not bad” by his grandmother.
And Kenan Flannery, a folk singer from Dublin, praised for writing "bone-breakingly beautiful" music.

Sponsored by IMRO.

11/02/2024

Join us tomorrow for features from Bríd Lyons Music & Sam Segurado!

Monday 12th February from 8pm at The International Bar, Dublin
Sign up for a 5 minute slot from 7.45pm

Slots fill up quickly so please arrive on time to avoid disappointment. We do our best to accommodate as many acts as possible.

10/02/2024

➡️ Get ready for more talent! We're thrilled to introduce another set of five performers who will be lighting up the 'Legends Stage' at the International Bar on March 4th 🥳🎤

#1: Azerty - dubbed "Circler of the year" of 2023, rapper and singer-songwriter Azerty is one of Dublin's most exciting up-and-coming acts. She is striving to use hip-hop to encourage female empowerment. Azerty's unique style revolves around her adaptation of rap to a wide array of genres, including pop, rock, indie, folk, and, most popularly, the Thomas the Tank Engine theme.

#2: Robbie Raidan - is an indie-folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Dublin. In 2022, he earned the Circle Sessions 'Project of the Year' award for his 2 EPs, and a demo album; all of which were self-written, performed, recorded and produced. While in 2023, he was awarded Circles 'Songwriter of the Year' award. His songwriting skills are non-transferrable to bio writing however. Alongside his solo work, Robbie is the singer, guitarist and keyboard player in the existential-dread, pop band Trope.

#3: RVE - is a Dublin based, pixie indie singer-songwriter from Galway, Ireland.

#4: Kaycii - is an underground hip hop recording artist hailing from Crumlin, Dublin 12. With a gritty, vulgar but truthful approach to his art, Kaycii highlights mental health and the issues that flood the streets and community of Crumlin in vivid detail with an aggressive vocal tone and flow. After recently releasing his debut EP, " Hell's Messenger... " first half of a 2 parter project, Kaycii is currently working on his next 2 upcoming projects. " Heaven's Servant... " And " Only Built 4 Air Max 90's ".

#5: Eddie Mullarkey - Laughter is the best medicine and Mullarkey’s cheeky and seductive wit will heal all your ailments. Eddie has toured internationally and is a regular at all of Ireland’s major comedy clubs. He has hosted two seasons of the Craic Den Comedy Club TV show on Virgin Media Television. In 2021 and 2022 Eddie had a sold out run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Eddie has brought his shows to festivals across Ireland and the UK.

Sponsored by IMRO

08/02/2024

➡ Kicking off our March 4th celebration, here are the first five talents set to play on the Legends Stage, located upstairs in the International Bar 🥳🎤

#1: Bríd Lyons - is a Kilkenny born singer, songwriter, and folk musician who combines soaring vocals and rhythmically complex acoustic arrangments with honest, poetic lyrics taht conjure images of nature and the human experience. Check out her recent EP From The Turf for a taste

#2: Barry Currivan - is a Spoken Word Artist who sometimes channels a bit of real poetry. He has qualified to represent Leinster at the All Ireland Poetry Slam for the last two years and finished third in last years All Ireland Final.

#3: Luke Clerkin - Known for his euphoric live performances, deep and infectious music, and his extraordinary work ethic, Luke Clerkin has gained recognition at home for feats such as playing 250 shows in a year, internationally through multiple tours, festival appearances and chart topping singles. Look out for his upcoming album Orpheus, due in 2024.

#4: Allie O'Rourke - has performed across Ireland, the UK and the USA, pedalling her unique brand of Girl Dick Energy, from venues like Bord Gáis Theatre and Liberty Hall to festivals like Electric Picnic and Edinburgh Fringe. Allie is a hilarious and eye opening middle finger to a world that doesn't want trans people to exist. Check her out as resident MC at Token Straight, part of the Hysteria Comedy family of shows.

#5: Annie Peter - is a Dublin-based spoken word artist known for blending poetry with music who has performed venues and festivals all over Ireland since emerging in 2022. Annie is the lyricist and vocalist of post-punk poetry band Annie & The Witness, whose debut single My Love Is A Well releases 16th February 2024, followed by a headline show on 29th February in BelloBar.

Sponsored by IMRO.

06/02/2024

🎙The Circle Sessions: LEGENDS 10-Year Anniversary🎙
A decade has flown by, and it's time to toast to ten years of unparalleled creativity, passion, and community. 'The Circle Sessions' is a gathering of the most vibrant community of artists, poets, musicians, and storytellers. And what better way to celebrate this milestone than with the very community that built it? 🍻
Join us at the iconic International Bar for an evening brimming with talent, laughter, and memories. Whether you're a long-time member of our community or just looking to soak in Dublin's rich artistic vibe, this night is for you! 🍾🎉

Sponsored by IMRO.

Address

The International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
Dublin
D02VH59

Opening Hours

Monday

8pm - 11pm

Website

facebook.com

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