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ROADMAP MUSICAL YOUTH FOUNDATION APPEAL “Few occu
pations pass the solitary hours more fruitfully than the playing of a musical instrument.” – composer Stephen Hough. It is a wonderful thing to play an instrument. A gift, a blessing, and a road to joy that I would consider without equal in the world that we inhabit. Music communicates across barriers both linguistic and cultural, and allows us to speak in an almost universal tongue. The Musical Youth Foundation has been providing thousands of vulnerable children with access to instruments and lifechanging music education since its founding in 2007. After the swathe of challenges resulting from the pandemic, grant restrictions and of course, the global conflicts that are never far from our screens, this wonderful charity has seen funding dwindle. Chris Maher, founder of the Musical Youth Foundation recently appealed for help in keeping this important charity operating: “We’ve always tried to be an organisation that people can admire and respect. Our work has positively impacted thousands of children across the country. Children who learn to play a musical instrument enjoy multiple benefits including improving confidence, academic performance, mental health and social skills, keeping early leavers in school, and broadening their horizons. We like to believe, the future is bright, indeed a positive mindset has always been part of our core ethos but today we need your help… we know people are under pressure, we know there are many valuable causes but we also know that for the best part of two decades we have made a meaningful impression on the lives of thousands of children in Ireland. Please help us to continue.” With 9 million euro being spent on useless phone pouches, it beggars belief that causes like this cannot find some sort of state support. One €335,000 bike shelter would fund this project for the next ten years. Food for thought, with our own elections ever closer. To help the Musical Youth Foundation, you can donate an instrument, while cash donations can be made at MusicalYouthFoundation.org/donate Readers are advised to follow The Little Cactus Sunday Sessions, a new concert series, taking place in the wonderful Stoneybatter cafe of the same name. Unique and intimate performances with luminaries like Brigid Mae Power, Seamas Hyand, Meabh McKenna and Phil Christie of the Bonk, taking place in one of the city’s finest independent coffee houses. A splendid way to while away a Sunday afternoon. 6 DUBLIN ART BOOK FAIR This year’s Dublin Art Book Fair is hosted by noted writer Adrian Duncan, pictured, who named the theme for the event: Fictions: The Makings of Other Worlds. The theme considers the different ways stories might be told, and the images, figures and feelings that might emerge while doing so, and the sorts of truths they suggest. These will be explored through a selection of curated book titles alongside an accompanying event programme of talks, readings and screenings with practitioners from visual arts, literature and journalism, invited to share their perspectives. Some speakers will include Peter Geoghegan, Sean Lynch and Susan McKay. The Dublin Art Book fair is set to take place in the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, between the 21st of November and first of December 2024, and while the events are free, booking is essential, and the full programme as well as reservations can be found at the Temple Bar Gallery website. templebargallery.com