Morning Rhythms at MVP: A Warm Welcome to La Mansarda's Unique Showcase

La Mansarda’s morning routine event was one of the most welcoming and fun nights I have been a part of in my five years of performing. For many people, myself included, performing is a hobby; an itch to be scratched. It definitely isn’t part of an everyday routine. Getting a platform to show your work can be difficult. Not many Dublin events offer that space easily, and if they do, then it is often limited to 5 or 10-minute sets amongst a large cohort of other acts. It was refreshing to be involved with La Mansarda as they offered you space and time to show your work.

When I arrived at MVP, a brilliant dog-friendly bar on Clanbrassil street, for sound check, I was met by founder and host Ligia. She was super energetic and personable, putting me at ease immediately. She introduced me to the other wonderful acts, and to the tech and media staff. I instantly felt part of the La Mansarda family, willing to help in any way that I could. Andy, on sound, was ready to help us both pre-show and during the performance, bringing some groundedness to proceedings; quick with a joke to lighten the mood. I saw that this energy was embraced by all the other artists performing that night: Palomi, Dermot (of Owl Fella’s on Bikes), and Banba, who all laid out mesmerizingly unique performances which had myself and the crowd dancing till closing.
 
All the ground work done by Ligia and the team was passed onto the crowd that came to watch. They were incredibly responsive, allowing us to gain energy and confidence from them. They listened when they needed to listen, they laughed when they needed to laugh, and they even danced for long after it was time to go home. It was the sincerity of the audience which showed me that La Mansarda was a community more than a monthly event. It was created by gig-lovers for the entertainment of other gig-lovers. Not just a show by artists for artists, which can sometimes feel stale and self-indulgent. This was a show which attracts regular people who just want to see new acts, and who’re willing to go along with your performance, if you are willing to give it to them.
 
I couldn’t rate La Mansarda any higher for both my enjoyment as an artist, and my enjoyment as an audience member. If you can, go and experience a night with Ligia and all the La Mansarda team, you’ll not be disappointed.

Ross McCarrick

Artists Performing:

1. Palomi

2. ​Owl Fellas on Bike

3. ​Ross McCarrick

4. Banba

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About the author:
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​Ross McCarrick is a Dublin-based spoken word artist from Sligo.

Having performed in Vietnam and Dublin, his style of poetry deals with mid-20 insecurities and has been described as "the hallucinogenic everyday".


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