Create! Cork music and poetry event.

A series of workshops that will explore the art of creative writing and self-expression through songwriting, poetry, lyric writing and fiction.

These workshops are for practicing songwriters, poets, musicians and writers and for anyone interested in learning about these creative processes, even if they have no experience.

We will explore different methods for tapping into creativity and self-expression that bring into focus the healing power of creativity, its ability to forge deeper bonds between people, and its role in helping us to understand ourselves. The workshops will be a space free from judgement and criticism where we will encourage the life-giving force of creativity to thrive. There will be no audio or video recording during the workshops.

During the workshops we will focus on a different work by an established artist each week, and we will explore what inspired the artist to bring the piece into being. We will then spend some time connecting to our creative selves through guided meditation. Space will then be given to creative free flow of ideas. These ideas will form the basis of a piece of work that can be developed during the coming week. We will end each session by sharing reflections, insights, or fragments of work.

The workshops will take place on Saturdays from 1:30 - 3:30PM at the Longyard Studios in Cork City starting on September the 28th.

I am a guitarist, singer, songwriter and lyricist who has performed and recorded in South Africa, the Netherlands and Ireland. My latest release is an album of ten original songs called The Open Sky (available to stream on all platforms).

More information about me is available here:

https://alastairmsdouglas.wixsite.com/website

Here are some of the testimonials I received from the workshops and classes I have given so far:

“A very inspiring and laid-back workshop allowing creativity to come to the fore. Meditation proved a useful tool in accessing ideas. Sharing and hearing work from other participants was really nice. Alastair created a lovely rapport and encouraged everyone to leave that inner critic behind and explore their creative process. A wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon!”

“The workshops helped me to make a start on song writing and was a safe creative space with like-minded people.”

“This is an excellent songwriting workshop. I have done a number of workshops in the past but the approach Alastair takes is totally different, much more interesting and very beneficial to mysongwriting. I would recommend the course to anyone interested in songwriting. It is also great fun.”

“A unique and moving experience. Alastair was excellent. I found the meditations were a great way finding words and expressions.”

“Alastair is a fantastic teacher.”

“A giving a very generous instructor, so glad to have learned from him.”

“Alastair is extremely patient and makes you feel confident.”

“Alastair brought his passion for music to every session, as well patience, encouragement and motivation.”

“Alastair is friendly knowledgeable and inclusive. I feel he allowed us to progress as a group but also individually.”

“As this was my first time taking guitar lessons I was pretty nervous and I was not sure if I would be able to learn quick enough to keep up with the rest of the class, but Alastair being the great teacher that he is soon had me and the class playing along nicely.”

“Excellent class, Alastair was so patient with us. I never had the confidence to play in front of anyone before but I feel that is now changing. I’ve signed up for another set of classes with Alastair”

“I learnt a lot during the lessons. I always felt encouraged to keep going.”

“I look forward to the guitar class to learn the guitar at a very suitable relaxed pace with an abundance of support and encouragement from Alastair. The warm-ups, advice on practicing and posture have given me the courage to continue on this music journey.”

“The progression through the course is very encouraging. I’m playing songs now and before I never thought that would be possible. Alastair is very calm and encouraging in a quiet way and makes learning the guitar a pleasure. I cannot recommend Alastair enough!”

Host or Publisher Alastair Douglas