ÉALÚ
A multidisciplinary series of Irish arts and culture in Los Angeles County during 2024.
CIACLA is thrilled to unveil 'Éalú' (Escape), the overarching theme for our multidisciplinary program in 2024. This celebration of contemporary art and culture bridges the visionary talents of Irish and Los Angeles-based artists across a myriad of mediums, including visual arts, film, theatre, music, and literature. 'Éalú' promises to unfold through an eclectic mix of experiences: Live Theatrical Performances, Exhibitions and Music Events, the third annual Irish Film Festival, Literary Events, the continuation of our successful CIACLA Creative Network monthly gatherings, and more! Showcasing Ireland's distinguished and emerging contemporary artists, 'Éalú' aims to weave a connection between vibrant artistic communities in Los Angeles County and Ireland. The program of contemporary cultural expressions will be accessible through a series of thoughtfully curated events and experiences.
'Éalú', the Irish/Gaeilge word for 'escape', encapsulates our vision for this series: it's an invitation to break away from the ordinary and immerse yourself in the extraordinary realms of Irish creativity and artistic brilliance.
CIACLA's Board of Directors are excited to extend an invitation to join us in 2024, promising that 'Éalú' will be an exciting odyssey of innovation, diversity, and creative enchantment, setting a new benchmark for Irish cultural engagements in Los Angeles County.
Creative Network
Monthly Meet Ups
SHARD
Theatre - February
Creative Network
Monthly Meet Ups
IRISH FILM FESTIVAL LA 2024
Film - March
RENEWAL: HARMONIZING OUR TOMORROW
Music - April
KING
Theatre - April / May
Triona O'Neill at Irelandweek
Music - May 2024
Nora and Jim
Theatre - June 2024
Cinemagic Showcase 2024
Film - June 2024
Family Arts & Crafts Meet Up
Visual Arts - July 2024
Irish Contemporaries 3
Visual Arts - Summer 2024
Under the Feet of Shadows
Visual Arts - 2024-2025
A Night In November
Theatre - Sept 2024
Irish Cinema Screenings
Film - 2024
MONTHLY GET TOGETHERS - monthly
The CIACLA Creative Network returns with its monthly in-person networking opportunity for Irish & Irish American Artists, Actors, Filmmakers, Dancers, Writers, and Creatives living in California. This new network aims to support the Irish Creative community in Los Angeles and throughout California through community events, opportunities for showcasing their work, and connections to industry professionals living and working in LA and across California. The monthly meet ups include live talks and webinars.
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE | FEB 22-24TH 2024
"One man seeks a fresh start, yearning to reconnect with the primal embrace of nature. Yet, when nature spurns us, when it hungers for our life's essence, what unfolds then?"
Irish playwright Stewart Roche's gripping psychological thriller, SHARD, will get its live theatrical premiere in February 2024 with a unique three-day engagement in a private Irish shebeen (speakeasy) hidden in the heart of Hollywood.
A CELEBRATION OF IRISH CINEMATIC FILM | MARCH 16 & 17TH 2024
The fifth year of CIACLA's celebration of Irish Film, a two day festival held in Santa Monica, showcasing the best of Irish film featuring some of Ireland's most exciting filmmakers!
The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles 2024 featured a two day curated selection of contemporary Irish cinematic brilliance, showcasing a series of films from riveting feature-length films to compelling shorts, experimental film, whimsical animations, and poignant Irish Language film.
A Live immersive concert on the Culver Steps | 24th & 25th April 2024
CIACLA is proud to be a producing partner of Reconstruction: Harmonizing Our Tomorrow an immersive concert experience by visionary creator Emer Kinsella of Emersion Music.
A new play written and performed by Pat Kinevane | 18 April - 5 May 2024
KING tells the story of Luther, a man from Cork named in honour of his Granny Bee Baw’s hero, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Luther only leaves his apartment for essential journeys, and to perform as an Elvis impersonator. The play explores prejudice, privilege, and resilience, as Luther struggles to live life to the full.
THE LIBERTIES OF DUBLIN | 11 MAY 2024
The CIACLA Creative Network is a monthly in-person networking opportunity for Irish & Irish American & Friends who work as Artists, Actors, Filmmakers, Musicians, Dancers, Writers, and anyone working in the Creative Industries living in California.
Broadwater & Glendale room | June 2024
Relive the love story that inspired a literary legend."Nora and Jim" takes you on a poignant journey through the lives of Irish writer James Joyce and his muse Nora Barnacle. Witness their enduring love as they reminisce on years of passion, laughter, and the birth of literary genius. Don't miss this enchanting Irish play.
santa monica | June 2024
The award-winning Cinemagic Film and Television Festival for Young People return to Los Angeles 24th-28th June with its annual showcase being held on 28th June in The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, for 500 invited guests from the world of film, tv, entertainment and business. Cinemagic will premiere its latest short film productions made both in Los Angeles and Northern Ireland, empowering young people to unlock their creativity and build industry connections.
SUMMER 2024 - SANTA MONICA
The third annual CIACLA Irish Contemporaries Visual Art exhibition will return this summer at Building Bridges Art Exchange, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, Los Angeles.
Featured Artist: Bobby Zithelo | Spotlight Artists: Riley Waite | Sionnan Wood | Brenda Welsh | Jerry McGrath
CIACLA - The Contemporary Irish Center Los Angeles, in partnership with Building Bridges Art Exchange and The MART Gallery & Studios Dublin, are proud to announce the visual arts group exhibition The Irish Contemporaries {3}, curated by Ciara Scanlan and Matthew Nevin.
13 July 2024 - SANTA MONICA
A fun afternoon of creativity and chats at our Family Arts & Crafts Meet Up was held on July 13th. We invite families to come along to meet, chat and casually engage with our Irish Contemporaries Exhibition in a fun creative environment.
September - Pico Theater
The multi-award winning one-person play, set in Northern Ireland, featuring Alan Smyth is back! Directed by Tim Redmond and Written by Marie Jones
2024 - 2025
CIACLA is a proud presenting partner of Under The Feet of Shadows which will open in MART Gallery Dublin on 14th September 2024, following this an iteration of the exhibition will come to Los Angeles in 2025 with the support of CIACLA.
Screenings across LA in 2024
Discover the best of Irish cinema in Los Angeles! We're thrilled to spotlight an exceptional array of Irish film on show in Los Angeles. These films are celebrations of Ireland's rich storytelling tradition and cinematic excellence. From gripping dramas to inspiring tales, each film is a testament to the creativity and talent of Irish filmmakers. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the very best of Ireland's contribution to the world of film!
CIACLA’s Creative Support Platform
APPLY NOW!
CIACLA is delighted to announce a new call out for CIACLA’s Creative Support Platform - a call out for applications of support to the Los Angeles community of artists, curators, actors, musicians, filmmakers and all Irish & Irish American creatives working in LA or California.
Throughout the year, CIACLA will collaborate with a collection of local and visiting partner artists, organisations and community groups who will be showcasing contemporary Irish arts programming in Los Angeles.
This call for partnership allows prospective applicants to apply to CIACLA for support through financial, curatorial or marketing support.
“The CIACLA team have curated this exciting program full of engaging work to bring communities together, while also creating opportunities for artists to showcase their work and provide our audience with exciting new ways to engage with Contemporary Irish Culture.” ~ Matthew Nevin CIACLA’s Executive Director
This program has been kindly supported by Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, California Arts Council, LA County Arts Commission, CIACLA, MART Gallery & Studios and Building Bridges Art Exchange.
This programme is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.