Keeping the performers happy is what it’s all about

Date Published: 24-Jul-2009

THE closest most of us will ever get to engaging with those who entertain us at the Arts Festival is going to their gigs or shows and seeing them perform. But behind the scenes, there’s a team of people ensuring that the performers get from various airports around the country to Galway, who
look after their accommodation, cater for their food and drink requirements backstage, and keep them happy so that events run smoothly.

These are the Artist Liaison workers, the people who make sure that acts like Blondie had a juicer back stage at the Big Top along with a specific selection of fruit and vegetables to help her maintain her youthful appearance.

These people are on hand to put pins in costumes if something rips, and to make sure that there is Halal meat on site for groups with Muslim members such as the Saharan group, Tinawaren.

Among the Artist Liaison staff is Liam Parkinson, whose day job is as a teacher of English, Spanish and Geography in Coláiste Iognáid in the city. However, for the duration of the Festival he’s a mix of driver and tour guide, whose knowledge of Spanish frequently allows him to work as an interpreter.

Liam divides the driving duties with fellow teacher Hugh Lavelle, and the two men are the first point of contact for artists as they arrive off planes in Dublin, Shannon or Galway.

It’s a job that…

For a full interview with Liam Parkinson and his colleague Aisling O’Sullivan see page 9 of this week’s Life section