FOUR acclaimed artists will take to the stage of Skibbereen Town Hall on October 17th to raise funds for a new youth arts initiative in the town.

Meath’s Lisa Hannigan and Tipp girl Gemma Hayes, both of whom now live locally, will join Liz Clark (The Kates) and Tessa Perry for one night only in support of Sightline Arts Company, a community-oriented initiative connecting young people to professional expertise and opportunity in the performing and creative arts in West Cork.

Speaking to The Southern Star Liz, who is also one of the co-facilitators at Sightline Arts Company, said the four have previously played other fundraising gigs in the Baltimore area.

‘Both my children and Gemma’s children are in Sightline, and so I asked if she and Lisa would be interested in helping kickstarting the company, which was set up in August,’ said Liz.

Liz’s sister-in-law Mia Perry founded Sightlight as she had been looking to find something for her teenage son that is production-oriented.

‘At the same time we were wrapping up the Spongebob Musical as part of Baltimore Drama Group. We had about 35 people involved in the production, including children and adults, and the children really enjoyed being part of it’.

When asked to become a co-facilitator, Liz said she couldn’t refuse. As part of the West Cork Feel Good Festival the young creators, aged between eight and 18, wrote their own play Shadows which was performed in Skibb. They also have a Christmas cabaret lined up.

‘We just want to try and keep the performances going. We meet once a week at the Riverside Café and we split it up into two separate groups. We gave them one idea for the play, but they developed that into a script.’

Liz added that with so much talent across West Cork, it’s so important to tap into these resources.

‘We can always bring in professional artists or even someone from the West Cork Film Studios, for example, to give these young people every opportunity to thrive.’

For the upcoming concert, the public can expect Lisa and Gemma to sing some of their favourite songs, while Liz and Tessa will join in with harmonies.

‘I will also perform a couple of The Kates songs, while Tessa will also play some of her earlier material’.

The fundraising concert takes place at Skibbereen Town Hall on Friday October 17th. Tickets are €25, with all proceeds going to Sightline Arts Company.