First night of the Spotlight Sessions was a roaring success in Dunamaise Art Centre 

THE first of the Portlaoise Spotlight Sessions took place in Dunamaise Arts Centre recently.

Singers, songwriters, poets and creatives travelled from all corners of Laois and beyond to attend an evening dedicated to sharing original music and spoken word.

Turning the concept of the traditional open mic on its head, the event focused on celebrating original work, with pieces performed for the very first time, tunes created on the spot and original music and voice filling the room.

Delighted with the success of the event, organiser Paul Dermody said: “We had a fantastic first night in our Spotlight Sessions open mic for original work in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, where songwriters and poets from as far away as Tipperary gathered to share ideas and meet other artists.

“The Spotlight Sessions are a celebration of creativity and individuality. It is open and welcoming to all artists, regardless of experience. Your words. Your music. Your stage.” Dagogo Hart, co-founder of Portlaoise Spotlight Sessions, said: “It is more than just an open-mic night; it’s a celebration of voices, a platform where stories are shared with music and poetry – that's the reason we want to hear original work. It's where artists from all walks of life connect, express their truths and ignite conversations that matter. Every performance, whether by seasoned poets or first-timers, adds a unique layer to our growing artistic community here in Portlaoise.” The next open-mic session takes place in the Dunamaise Arts Centre at 7pm on Thursday 29 May. All are welcome and admission is free.