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Press Release

Meredith Monk at CMC

Dublin, 1 October 2001

International performing artist Meredith Monk visits the Contemporary Music Centre on 31 October to give a talk about her music. The event takes place as part of a series of concerts, workshops and film screenings focusing on Monk's work hosted by Irish Modern Dance Theatre in the Arts Council's Critical Voices programme.

The talk takes place at the Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Dublin 8 on Wednesday, 31 October at 6.15pm. Admission is free but places are limited: please contact Karen Hennessy at CMC on 01-673 1922 for reservations. Further information on the other events during Monk's visit to Ireland can be had from Irish Modern Dance Theatre, 01 874 9616 or email imdt@iol.ie

Meredith Monk is an extraordinarily versatile artist, at once a composer, singer, choreographer, director, filmmaker, and dancer. Her work spans three decades that have made her an extremely influential voice in music, dance and theatre. A recipient of numerous awards during her long and varied career, including the MacArthur "Genius" Award in 1995, two Guggenheim Fellowships, three "Obies", a "Bessie" for Sustained Creative Achievement, she holds Honorary Doctor of Arts degrees from Bard College, the University of the Arts, The Juilliard School, the San Francisco Art Institute and the Boston Conservatory. Her music has been heard in several films, including La Nouvelle Vague by Jean-Luc Godard and The Big Lebowski by the Coen brothers. In July 2000 her music was honoured by a three concert retrospective entitled Voice Travel as part of the Lincoln Center Festival in New York.

In Monk's work, bodies sing and voices dance to the beat of wild wordless songs. Visionary yet simple -- and simply delightful -- Monk makes music for the voice as a multifaceted instrument, shattering traditional musical boundaries.

"When the time comes, perhaps a hundred years from now, to tally up achievements in the performing arts during the last third of the present century, one name that seems sure to loom large is that of Meredith Monk. In originality, in scope, in depth, there are few to rival her." (Alan M. Kriegsman, Washington Post).

This event is made possible by the continued support of The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

The Contemporary Music Centre is based in Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, Temple Bar. Located in the heart of the capital city, Temple Bar is home to more than fifty arts and cultural organizations. To find out more, check out the Temple Bar Cultural Calendar www.templebar.ie.