Dublin City Council is proud to present The Smithfield Sessions in Smithfield Square for people of all ages to discover emerging musicians from the popular, jazz, classical and contemporary music genres on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November from 12 noon to 6pm.

The event will showcase eight emerging acts and give people an opportunity to attend free masterclasses in drumming, composition, group music-making and an introduction to improvisation workshop. The Smithfield Sessions is curated by First Music Contact, in partnership with Improvised Music Company, The Contemporary Music Centre and Music Network. Running for two days over the weekend of November 12th and 13th 2022, The Smithfield Sessions is an opportunity to enjoy the sounds of Dublin and to support artists as they grow their careers.

Workshops and masterclasses run from 12noon to 2pm each day and are free to attend on a walk up first come first served basis. On Saturday, masterclasses include a composition workshop by composer Aine Mallon followed by a drumming workshop with Micháel Quinn (Dermot Kennedy’s drummer). Sunday’s masterclasses include an introduction to Improvisation workshop with Lina Andonovoska followed by a workshop in Group Music-Making led by fiddle player Zoë Conway.

Showcase performances will run from 2pm to 6pm each day and are also free to attend. Saturday performances will feature ‘Sound Out' new music with composers Aoife Kavanagh & Paul Scully, Woven Kin with Aisling Urwin on harp and vocals, Siobhán Moore on guitar, vocals & bodhrán and a traditional ensemble led by TG4 Young Musician of the Year 2022, Diarmuid Ó Meachair. On Sunday afternoon enjoy showcase performances from Aleka and The Matthew Halpin Group in collaboration with Improvised Music Company and Aoife Wolf and Bricknasty in collaboration with First Music Contact.