Secret Sonic Cinematheque: Spring Edition

Secret Sonic Cinematheque are delighted to return to Phase Arts in Rathgar to present a special selection of live scores for silent film, for our first event of 2024.

Bandleaders Andy Mooney and Diarmuid MacDiarmada, joined as usual by special guests, will play experimental semi-improvised scores for specially chosen excerpts from the vaults of silent cinema and beyond, with filmic reels of yesteryear reimagined and soundtracked live before your ears and eyes.

The show will feature a variety of video material, from fantastic tales to gripping actualities. Some surprise screenings will close and open the show, where completely extempore live scorings of some unseen film pieces, chosen with the help of audience votes, will be performed.

Secret Sonic Cinémathèque is an events series, running since 2016, where an ensemble of musicians create rolling live scores for short silent films or excerpted film edits, playing a live and semi-improvised soundtrack that interprets the narrative and visual elements of the film material. The format is eclectic and experimental by nature, inviting both the performers and audience members to engage in a highwire creative act that is unique to the moment.

Earlier iterations of Secret Sonic Cinematheque have taken place in various venues, from independent arts centres, to barns in Wicklow, including a recent slot at Spilt Milk Festival in Sligo last year. Previous guest musician collaborators have included Robyn Bromfield, Tara Baoth-Mooney, Brian Conniffe, Paul Deegan, Owen Kilfeather, Lucie O'Flynn, Gavin Prior and Rían Trench.

An improvised soundtrack to "Coney Island at Night" (1905) is performed by Andy Mooney, Rían Trench and Fionn Wallace, at Unit 44 in Dublin, October 2022

Tara Baoth-Mooney, Owen Kilfeather and Andy Mooney performing at a Secret Sonic Cinematheque event in Ard Voltas art space in Ballisadare, Co. Sligo, Culture Night 2023

For a glimpse at previous Secret Sonic Cinematheque shenanigans, check out some videos at YouTube or Vimeo and of course give us the obligatory follow over on Instagram or Facebook to hear about upcoming events.

Host or Publisher Secret Sonic Cinematheque