The Helix (Side View)

The Helix is a building on the Dublin City University campus at Whitehall on Dublin's Northside originally to be called the Aula Maxima. Recently completed, in 2002, it is described as a "performance space" and holds university conferring and national arts shows. In fact the Helix has three areas for live performances: Download high resolution version (2448x1632, 532 KB)The Helix File links The following pages link to this file: Dublin City University ... Download high resolution version (2448x1632, 532 KB)The Helix File links The following pages link to this file: Dublin City University ... Dublin City University (DCU) is a university situated in Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland. ... Whitehall, London, looking south towards the Houses of Parliament. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ... Traffic passing the Independent Bridge at Drumcondra The harbour at Howth The Northside is the area in Dublin City, Ireland bounded to the south by the River Liffey, to the east by Dublin Bay and to the north and west by the M50 motorway. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

• The Mahony Hall (1260 seats),
• The Theatre (450 seats), and
• The Space (150 seats).

Introduction

At a cost of €36.5 million, The Helix is an Arts Centre comprising Concert Hall, Theatre, Studio Theatre, Exhibition Area, Artists in Residence Studios and full support spaces; the building is three storey over basement (undeveloped space). The gross floor area of the building is 11,650m2. ISO 4217 Code EUR User(s) Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Vatican City Inflation 1. ...

It was designed by Polish-born architects A & D Wejchert (Andrzej Wejchert & Danuta Kornaus-Wejchert) and is a stunning building containing elevations of contrasting glass and granite. Inside, the foyer – featuring inclined columns – is the main organising focal point in the building and is arranged over three levels with an interconnecting open void through which light spills from the roof. The void has a series of sweeping stairways, which twist, helix-like, to entice patrons towards the upper levels.

Aside from the breathtaking vista of The Helix building inside and out, the venue prides itself on the range of performing arts that it can stage. The seating layouts in each of the three venues and the ratio of audience to performance can be changed to allow alternative uses ranging from theatre, cinema, concerts, musicals, drama, dance, operatic performances and pop concerts to exhibitions, banquets, seminars, examinations, graduations, conferences and corporate hospitality.

For major events the foyer space can be linked with the atrium street in the adjoining Henry Grattan Building by means of a direct passage. The facility could potentially be used for separate entertainment use prior to major events. Henry Grattan (July 3, 1746 - June 6, 1820) was a member of the Irish House of Commons and a campaigner for legislative freedom for the Irish Parliament in the late 18th century. ...

About

Foyer, Ground floor

Foyer, Top floor

The Helix has been host to world-class performances ranging from the Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra, The St. Petersburg Ballet, International Theatre and World Singers to hit west End Shows. The artistic programme at The Helix is bringing the very best in the world of performing arts, from the Irish Chamber Orchestra to the Russian State Opera and from Ireland’s national theatre companies to world touring companies. Image File history File links Irelandscape_helix_reception. ... Image File history File links Irelandscape_helix_reception. ... Image File history File links Irelandscape_helix. ... Image File history File links Irelandscape_helix. ... The Russian National Orchestra is an orchestra based in Moscow, Russia. ... The Mariinsky Ballet is one of the most famous ballet schools in history (formerly the Kirov Ballet, and also the Academic State Theatre), located in St. ... The Irish Chamber Orchestra, or ICO, is a small string orchestra based in the University of Limerick. ...

The Helix has generated an impressive reputation for staging cutting edge and diverse theatre and music. It has welcomed some of the greatest orchestras from around the world, Opera singers such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett and Bryn Terfel, theatre from the US, UK, South Africa, Vietnam and of course Ireland, (most notably the world premier of Roddy Doyle's 'The Woman Who Walked Into Doors'). Rock music has not been neglected and two legends tread the Helix boards in the forms of Van Morrison and Lou Reed. Jazz musicians such as the Wayne Shorter Group (with pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade) and Jan Garbarek Group (with Manu Katché), the Charles Lloyd quartet (with pianist Keith Jarrett, drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Cecil McBee) and Thimar (Anouar Brahem, John Surman and Dave Holland) also play in the venue. The Helix has also hosted concerts by bands, singers and musicians such as The Corrs, Aslan, Sinéad O'Connor, Chumbawamba, Suzanne Vega, Vonda Shepard, Deacon Blue, The Drifters, Declan O'Rourke, Brian Kennedy, James Galway, Ludovico Einaudi, Nigel Kennedy, Smokie, Juliet Turner, Crystal Gayle, Dana, Lorna Luft, Ani DiFranco, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Errol Brown, Dean Friedman, Eleanor McEvoy, Daniel O'Donnell, Foster & Allen, Don Baker, Jane McDonald, Lulu, Luka Bloom, Nick Lowe, Roger Whittaker, Tom Paxton, Tommy Emmanuel, Tommy Makem, Christie Hennessy and Jack L. Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ DBE AO (March 6, 1944), is a well-known New Zealander opera singer of Maori ancestry. ... Lesley Garrett, CBE (April 10, 1955 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire) is an internationally renowned English soprano singer. ... Bryn Terfel The Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel, CBE (born November 9, 1965) is one of the best-known contemporary opera and concert singers. ... Roddy Doyle (born May 1958 in Dublin) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. ... The Woman Who Walked Into Doors (1996) is a novel by Irish writer Roddy Doyle. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... Lewis Allan Lou Reed[1] (born March 2, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter in the 1960s quintet Wayne Shorter (born August 25, 1933) is an American jazz composer and saxophonist. ... Danilo Pérez Panamanian pianist and composer Danilo Pérez. ... John Patitucci (born 1959) is an American jazz double bass player, specializing in hard bop, contemporary and Brazilian jazz. ... Brian Blade (born 1970 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American jazz drummer and composer. ... Jan Garbarek (born March 4, 1947 in Mysen, Norway) is a Norwegian tenor and soprano saxophonist, active in the jazz, classical, and world music genres. ... Manu Katché. Manu Katché is a French musician, born in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés on October 27th 1957. ... Charles Lloyd on stage with Billy Higgins Charles Lloyd (March 15, 1938-) is an American jazz musician. ... Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is an American pianist and composer. ... Jack DeJohnette (b. ... Cecil McBee (born May 19, 1935) is an American post-bop jazz bassist. ... Anouar Brahem (أنور ابراهم) (born October 20, 1957) is a Tunisian oud player and composer who is widely regarded as an innovator in his field. ... John Douglas Surman (born on 30 August 1944 in Tavistock, England), is a jazz saxophone, clarinet and synthesizer player. ... Dave Holland (born October 1, 1946) is a jazz bassist and composer. ... The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop rock group from Dundalk, Republic of Ireland. ... Aslan are an Irish rock band from Dublin, well-known for their rock melodies and introspective lyrics. ... Sinéad Marie Bernadette OConnor (born December 8, 1966) is a Grammy Award winning Irish singer and songwriter. ... Chumbawamba are an English band who started out playing punk rock but over a 25-year career have gone on to play music in a wide range of styles, including pop influenced by dance music and world music, and now play acoustic folk music. ... Suzanne Vega in 2006 Suzanne Nadine Vega (born July 11, 1959) is an American songwriter and singer known for her highly literate lyrics and eclectic folk-inspired music. ... Vonda Shepard (born July 7, 1963) is a rock singer who gained popularity in the 1990s. ... Deacon Blue are one of Scotlands most popular pop bands. ... The Drifters are a long-lived American doo wop/R&B band, originally formed by Clyde McPhatter (of Billy Ward & the Dominoes) in 1953. ... Declan ORourke is a singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland. ... Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy (born 12 October 1966) is an Irish singer-songwriter and author. ... James Galway and his golden flute Sir James Galway (born December 8, 1939) is a Northern Ireland-born virtuoso flutist from Belfast, often called The Man With the Golden Flute. ... Ludovico Einaudi Ludovico Einaudi (Born in Turin, 1955) is a modern-day italian composer and pianist particularly noted for the use of developing melodious phrases in his piano compositions. ... Nigel Kennedy (born December 28, 1956 in Brighton, England) is a violinist and violist. ... Smokie is an English glam rock band from Bradford who found success in Europe in the 1970s. ... Juliet Turner is an Irish singer/songwriter. ... Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb January 9, 1951) is an American Country Music/Pop Music Singer. ... Dana Rosemary Scallon, also known as Dana (born August 30, 1951), is a successful Contemporary Christian singer turned Irish politician. ... Lorna Luft (born November 21, 1952 in Santa Monica, California) is the daughter of the legendary singer/actress, Judy Garland and Judys third husband and manager, Sidney Luft. ... Ani DiFranco (IPA: ) (born Angela Marie Difranco on September 23, 1970) is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. ... The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel music group from Alabama that first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939. ... Errol Brown MBE (born November 12, 1948, Kingston, Jamaica) is the singer, songwriter, and front man of the successful British band Hot Chocolate. ... Dean Friedman (1977) album cover Dean Friedman is an American singer-songwriter who plays piano, keyboard, guitar, and other instruments including the harmonica. ... Eleanor McEvoy is an Irish singer songwriter who came to prominence through her song Only A Womans Heart, which inspired the A Womans Heart anthology album. ... Daniel Francis Noel ODonnell MBE (born December 12, 1961) is an Irish singer from County Donegal. ... Foster & Allen is an Irish duo formed in 1975 by Tony Allen and Mick Foster, performing a blend of easy listening and folk music. ... Don Baker (born January 1, 1950 in Whitehall, Dublin) is an Irish blues musician. ... Jane McDonald (born 4 April 1963 and raised on the Peacock Estate in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England) is an English singer and television presenter, who first became famous after appearing in the 1998 television series, The Cruise. ... Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, OBE, (born 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire), best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, actor, model, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through the 2000s. ... Luka Bloom, born Barry Moore, is an accomplished Irish folk-rock singer-songwriter. ... Bowi EP sleeve (1977). ... Roger Whittaker (born March 22, 1936 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a British singer/songwriter and musician with worldwide record sales of more than 55 million. ... Thomas R. Paxton was born October 31, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest child of Burton and Esther Paxton. ... Tommy Emmanuel, CGP (born May 31, 1955) is an Australian guitarist, best known for his fingerpicking style. ... Tommy Makem (born 4 November 1932) is an internationally celebrated folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller from Ireland, most known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Jack Lukeman ...an artist as unique as Ireland has ever produced- John Walshe Jack Lukeman (born Jack Loughman in 1973), usually simply known as Jack L, is an Irish singer/songwriter and a native of Athy Co. ...

Amongst other things, in the past it was home to “The Dunphy Show” (TV3), the comedy TV show “The Panel” (RTÉ), “Rip Off Republic” (RTÉ) and the infamous “You're A Star” (RTÉ). The show Celtic Woman (PBS) was shot there in September 2004. Daniel O'Donnell's "Songs of Faith" was shot there in 2003. "The Des Bishop Work Experience" (2004) was also shot there. It is currently home to the National Chamber Choir of Ireland. The Helix has also hosted RTÉ Radio 1's leading arts programme, “Rattlebag”. Public audiences with controversial political figures such as George Galloway, film critics such as Barry Norman, broadcasting figures such as John Sergeant and Clive James and spiritual masters such as Sogyal Rinpoche have also been held in the venue. The Gallery has been used for art exhibitions and photojournalism exhibitions such as ‘The Devil Within Us’ by Jan Šibík. Other large national and international events have been held in the helix, such as the NABBA world bodybuilding championships, the FÍS National Film Awards and the Labour Party Conferences in 2006 and 2007. The Dunphy Show, presented by Eamon Dunphy, has been cancelled by TV3 (Ireland) from 12 December 2003. ... TV3 Ireland is the sole commercial terrestrial television channel in the Republic of Ireland. ... The show logo The Panel was a humorous weekly chat show aimed at young people that was aired on Monday evenings on the Irish television network RTÉ Two. ... Radio Telefís Éireann[1] (RTÉ; IPA: ,  ) is the Public Service Broadcaster of the Republic of Ireland. ... Rip-Off Republic was a RTÉ television show highlighting the cost of living and working in Ireland. ... Radio Telefís Éireann[1] (RTÉ; IPA: ,  ) is the Public Service Broadcaster of the Republic of Ireland. ... Youre A Star is a singing contest in Ireland, created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. ... Radio Telefís Éireann[1] (RTÉ; IPA: ,  ) is the Public Service Broadcaster of the Republic of Ireland. ... Celtic Woman is a musical ensemble comprised of five Irish and one New Zealand female artists: vocalists Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha and Hayley Westenra, and violinist Máiréad Nesbitt. ... Not to be confused with Public Broadcasting Services in Malta. ... Daniel Francis Noel ODonnell MBE (born December 12, 1961) is an Irish singer from County Donegal. ... Des Bishop is a New York City born comedian based in Ireland. ... The National Chamber Choir (NCC) of Ireland was founded in 1991 by composer and conductor Colin Mawby. ... RTÉ Radio 1 dates back to January 1st 1926, when the Dublin radio station 2RN began broadcasting on a regular basis. ... Rattlebag is a live, daily, magazine style radio programme dedicated to the arts and entertainment. ... George Galloway (born 16 August 1954) is a Scottish politician noted for his far left and socialist views, confrontational style, and rhetorical skill. ... Barry Norman (b. ... John Sergeant (born 14 April 1944, Oxford) is a journalist and broadcaster. ... Clive James in 1976 Clive James AM (born Vivian James October 10, 1939) in Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is an expatriate Australian writer, poet, essayist, critic, and commentator on popular culture. ... Sogyal Rinpoche (Tibetan: བསོད་རྒྱལ་; Wylie: Bsod-rgyal) is a Tibetan Dzogchen lama of the Nyingma tradition. ... The National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA) is an organisation founded in 1950 to promote bodybuilding in the United Kingdom. ... The Labour Party (Irish: Páirtí an Lucht Oibre) is a social democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. ...

The Helix is the natural choice for national and international conferences as it is within a 15 minute proximity to the Dublin Airport and only minutes from the M50 motorway and the city centre.

"As the newest and most outstanding platform for the Arts in Ireland it is an international example of how Architecture can best serve the artistic aesthetic and cultural needs of a city and country." - Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Artistic Director and manager of The Space at The Helix.

The Helix was awarded the Opus Building of the Year Award in 2003.

Venues

• The Mahony Hall:
  • Orchestral concert hall with rear choir stalls.

The main auditorium, The Mahony Hall, can seat 1,260 over two floors. The Hall is named after Dr Mahony who is a long time supporter of the arts in Ireland. A Concert hall is a cultural building, which serves as performance venue, chiefly for classical instrumental music. ...

It was designed for acoustic excellence and to accommodate a variety of functions such as orchestral performances, ballet, contemporary music, business conferences, exhibitions, gala banquets and awards ceremonies. The ground floor seating is retractable or can be removed to give a large flat floor. The hall was designed to be television camera friendly and sound reflective baffles over the stage incorporate all the required light and sound adjustable technology. The most important characteristics of The Mahony Hall are its TV, video, audio and projection facilities, infra-red hearing reinforcement systems, dedicated TV camera positions, sound reinforcement system, comfort and wonderful sight lines. In the past the programme in Mahony Hall has included musicals, ballet, orchestral music and even a spectacular ice show.

• The Basement:
  • Underneath the Mahony Hall, on the right side of the building from the point of view of Collins Avenue, currently undeveloped.
• The Theatre:
  • Proscenium arch theatre.

The Theatre seats 450 (Raked Stalls 277, Orchestra pit 46, balcony 119, disabled positions 4) and is fully equipped with orchestra pit and fly tower. To the observer the fly tower is unobtrusively concealed behind glass, which reflects the surrounding skyline. It also has one of the largest stages in the country. The interior of the Auditorium Building in Chicago built in 1887. ...

It is a perfect space for opera, dance and drama as well as conferences, seminars product launches. It has TV, video, audio and projection facilities, a sound and light control room, cinematic projection room, infra-red hearing reinforcement system, theatre grid, fly tower, apron stage conversions, scene dock, sound reinforcement system, lighting bridges and follow spots.

• The Space:
  • Black box studio.

The Space studio theatre is designed as a totally flexible venue suitable for experimental theatre and contemporary music. The space can seat 150. The black-box theatre is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor. ...

It is an intimate playbox, octagonal in shape with retractable seating on three sides, leaving the rest open to performers or conference speakers to use as they will. It is a perfect space for entertaining clients, holding workshops, seminars or training sessions. As a free space it is a perfect design for dialogue, discussion or even live radio interviews. It has TV, video, audio and projection facilities, a sound reinforcement system, a microphone management system, equipment balconies and a main control booth.

• The Gallery
  • The Gallery, situated on the top floor of The Helix is a dedicated exhibition and visual art gallery which compliments the three auditoria. It is roof lit and flexible to accommodate a variety of visual art events or indeed multimedia presentations, receptions and seminars. It is bright and roomy with a beautiful wooden floor.
• The Blue Room:
  • For Thespian use.

The Foyer

• Ground Floor:
  • Snack Shop, Box Office, Cafe/Bar.
  • Entrance to The Space
  • Ground Floor entrance to the Theatre
  • Ground Floor entrance to the Mahony Hall
• First Floor:
  • Food Served Daily.
  • First Floor entrance to the Theatre
  • First Floor entrance to the Mahony Hall
• Second Floor:
  • Second Floor Bar, Heated Veranda.
  • Entrance to The Gallery
  • Entrance to The Blue Room
  • Second Floor entrance to the Mahony Hall

Other information

There are many offices to the rear of The Helix on all four floors of the building. They house everyone from Technical Support and Management to Marketing & PR Staff.

There are many rooms in the basement, ground floor and first floor on the left side of the building from the point of view of Collins Avenue, most are used for storage of stage props, other theatre-specific equipment and refreshments.

It also has an 850 car parking facility. There is a tunnel between the multi-storey car park and The Helix main entrance (for pedestrian use).

See also

• List of concert halls

A Concert hall is a cultural building, which serves as performance venue, chiefly for classical instrumental music. ...

External links

• Official link
• Irelandscape Entry
• Labour Party Conference 2006 photographs from flickr.com
• Clips of performances in The Helix at youtube.com
• Photographs of The Helix from flickr.com
• Photographs of The Helix from flickr.com (different tag)