"The Journey Unfolds: A Night of Art, Music, and Community"

​Video made by Lobo

​6pm. February 23rd. At the corner of a busy intersection on the North Inner City, La Mansarda founder, Ligia, is getting equipment set up for her first event of the year.
​La Mansarda’s characteristically homey ambiance has already settled in La Pausa Caffé, with croissants on the table, mingling performers, and (inexplicably) a small white dog sniffing at our feet.

7:30pm. The event begins with a brief opening Hip-Hop performance by up&coming rapper Azerty. Following this, we watch a video clip displayed on a projector at the back of the cafe. We learn about the NGO that La Mansarda is supporting this year, Emergency, which provides medical assistance to victims of war, poverty and discrimination. 

Ligia introduces the event, bringing to light the theme of the night, “The Journey”, specifically focusing on the difficult journeys migrants are often forced to make, only to meet with unwelcoming new homes. In a country with rising right-wing sentiments, it is nice to hear a public celebration of inclusivity. At La Mansarda, humanitarian values with are inextricably linked with art… and so the art begins.

First up is Luisa Annibali, a jazzy, neo-soul singer-songwriter from Rome. Originally intending to perform with a guitarist, Luisa has sourced a local musician from nearby to sight-read, after her guitarist unfortunately became stuck in a traffic jam on the M50. “He has saved my life” she announces to the room, laughing. Just back from Brazil, Luisa starts her set with a Brazilian love song. Her rich, smooth vocals mixed with some very impressive sight reading enchant the room. Luisa sings a mixture of originals and classics in Portuguese, Italian and English, showcasing her linguistic versatility as well as her musical talent. (Note: check out her new single “My Own Paradise” on Spotify.)

Next up is one of my favourite comedians on the Dublin scene. Fresh off the boat from Calgary, Canada, Miles Greenway captures the room with stories ranging from taking acid at an art gallery to how big his grandfather’s appendage is (big, apparently). The audience is  unusually conversational, Miles is bemusedly conversational back, using his characteristically witty and self-deprecating sense of humour to combat one of comedy’s biggest challenges: a proactive crowd.

Then come Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin and her sister Éabha Ní Mhaolagáin playing what this author thinks were an accordion amd a violin? This author does not know the difference between a violin and a fiddle. They tickle the patriotic heartstrings of the room with traditional Irish reels and jigs. Caoimhe intermittently lays her instrument down to perform sean-nós dancing. There is an air of excitement in the room to witness an act so authentically, traditionally Irish in the heart of Dublin.

The final act. Luke Clerkin. A political activist and mental health advocate, his songs address love, self-worth and the housing crisis, and often have a call and response element. He has the audience delighted shrieking along to his sweet yet powerful melodies (WHOSE HOMES? OUR HOMES!!). There is a surprise guest appearance from Bríd Lyons and the pair captivate the room with their harmonies.

11pm: Azerty finishes the night with a song backed by the Thomas the Tank engine theme, followed by La Mansarda’s traditional free slice of tiramisu. The room is hyped on BYOB. Pringles and slices of Colin the Caterpillar are handed around. A happy audience filter out into the streets of Dublin, ready for their next endeavour.

Azerty

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About the Author:

​​Dubbed “Circler of the year” by Dublin’s most popular open-mic night, rapper and singer-songwriter Azerty is one of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming acts. Striving to use Hip-Hop to encourage female empowerment, she has been invited to perform at many local events, most notably 2023’s electric picnic. With her most popular track backed by the Thomas the Tank Engine theme tune, Azerty’s unique style revolves around her adaptation of rap to a wide array of genres, including pop, rock, indie, and folk, establishing her as a prolific collaborator.