My Weekend: I'm preparing for a full season of performances in Cork

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

My name is Carlene Lyndsey, and
although I was born in the UK, my mother was a proud Cork woman and it’s the home my heart chose years ago. I always knew I was meant to live in this city, and I was right.

I am the lucky accompanist of not one but two choirs, The Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir and the White Horse Gospel Choir, both of which are under the leadership of Aoibheann Carey Philpott. We are always so busy at this time of year and right now I’m preparing for a full season of performances.

Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir will be performing at the new Solas stage for Corkmas on December 9 which we are really excited for. And after a rousing Harvest Festival Service, we’re also thrilled to have been asked back to St Anne’s in Shandon for their carol service on December 14.

The White Horse Gospel Choir are equally as busy having given a concert for the Cork Simon Community at The Sacred Heart Church, and we are all very much looking forward to the Farran Woods Christmas Market on December 10 where we will be infecting everyone with our own brand of Christmas cheer.

If just one person smiles, or one child dances, or there is one nostalgic cheer, I consider my work done and done well, because that’s what it is all about for me.

Being a musician is about reaching out to people and helping them to
release the feelings they might not express otherwise. Each and every note can be part of someone’s life journey in some small way.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I am very much a home bird, and
nothing makes me happier than
curling up on the sofa with a
takeaway and something to binge, currently it’s Stargate Atlantis that has me and my partner glued.

Lie ins or up with the lark... which is it for you?

Ha! I used to be an up with the lark and full of the joys of spring type, but when you’re involved in music most of your activity is in the evening and that can skew your whole sleep phase. During Christmas time, it’s often hard to know which end of the week it is.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes, always. A lot of what I do happens at the weekend.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Ah now this one is very easy. Prague in a heartbeat. I was there with the Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir for the Autumn Choral Festival some years back and fell in love with the rich architecture and their love for culture. 

There is always music happening in that place and it’s magical. 

I would take my partner, as it’s one place he’s never been to and he loves architecture every bit as much as me. I just know it would capture his artist’s imagination.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

There are two places that always leave me energised and peaceful at the same time. Glenbower Woods and lnchydoney. Different sides of the county, true, but each has their own splendour.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

My partner and I sometimes spend some time with his parents or extended family, and I always enjoy those times. My own parents have both passed and with no siblings, I feel in many ways I’ve been given a second chance at that kind of encouragement, love, and sense of belonging.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I love all things crafty, knitting, painting, sketching, writing and, of course, music.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

I love entertaining!! There is a ritual to it, whether I’m going all in formal with linens and candles, or it’s a one-pot in the middle of the coffee table with everyone helping themselves. I would be hard pushed to pick a signature dish though, as more often than not I’m cooking something that is specific to the company I’m having.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

Coffee or brunch for me is always Perry Street. I’m such a coffee snob, and their’s is perfect. For lunch I like Luigi Malone’s for their excellent lunch time deal, the fried cauliflower starter is a must. If I want the all-out celebratory dinner, I would pick Four Liars. The service is always so good, and the menu is a list of culinary revelations that have never disappointed me yet. Special mention to the Baklava, it’s worth going just for that.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Sunday night is me and the piano. I like to look over what is coming up for me in the week to come and this is often when the muse strikes and a snatch of a melody or a lyric phrase will jump from the ether into my head. This Christmas season has seen the premiere of my own original Christmas song, which came to me in just this way. 

The act of sitting at the piano and playing through songs and coming up with arrangements opens my mind to the universe and the inspiration I believe is waiting for me.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

It goes off at around 8.15, my partner’s will have gone off an hour before, so I’ve already had an hour of smug coziness before I have to get up.

Presented by Cork City Council as part of Corkmas, SOLAS, an interactive lighting and sound experience, is open each day from 4pm to 11pm and this weekend there is live music, festive entertainment, and choral performances on the Corkmas Stage at Emmet Place.