The legendary narty station Santa film:


SANTA FUCKS UP


Strictly over 18s only (ahem...)

confession time: I hate Christmas. But as Dorothy Parker says:

Resume

Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.

Due to work commitments (ahem or my impetuous two day break to Liverpool last week), wont be making it down to Dublin to see Dinosaur Jr this week :-(, so off to see Maeve Higgins in the Balor I guess :-) and a little birdie tells me that they have Ardal O' Hanlon for January... big coup there!

I like this :-)


Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Behind You!! (jack.jpeg)

It’s that time of Year again when its all Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, and the Arts Community starts planning its new season so there’s precious little on! This time of year you can put on a great act and nobody comes because they have a Christmas party that night so the solution at An Grianan is to concentrate on giving the schools, and families, their Christmas show. And this year its a cracker (I’d beg forgiveness for the pun but its so bad I’m just giving you a cheesy grin) Jack & The Beanstalk as written by the legendary Little john Nee and acted by five enthusiastic and talented people. Here’s the blurb... Featuring Jack the daydreaming adventurer and his exasperated Mammy, Rosa the put-upon servant girl, Scam Sharkey the con-artist and last but certainly not least Ogilvy the Giant! Join Jack on his adventures up and down the beanstalk in this gleeful new version of the classic tale. Written by well known Donegal storyteller and playwright Little John Nee, the show features a great cast of five actors. Expect lots of magic, music and mayhem! An Grianán has specially commissioned Little John Nee to write the show and you can expect a local flavour to this classic folktale as we meet ‘Jack of the Bluestacks’! Little John Nee is one of Donegal’s best loved writers and is the author of transatlantic theatre hit The Derry Boat as well as the comedies Rural Electric and Limavady, My Heart’s Delight. Starring David Gilna, Marie Claire Nolan, Rachael Devir, Russell Smith and Declan Birney. Adapted by Little John Nee. Directed by Myles Breen. The public shows are this coming Saturday at 2.30 and 7.00 pm.

Art is not just for Christmas...

What people do like to do at this time of year is have Exhibitions, sure they are great for the Chrissie Presents dont you know? so a quick round up... There’s a group exhibition in Cafe Blend curated (it means put together, its an arty term I curated once you know. Still proud of that.) by Janet Ross. There’s a group exhibition in Designer Liam Grier’s shop in Ramelton, sadly I couldnt make the opening which was apparently a fab night. He makes great clothes too if you really want to impress that special person in your life. But I digress... Artists Josephine Kelly and Samantha Fox (ouch! bet that hurt going through school...) have their work on display in the Ace Of Arts in Letterkenny. Marion Rose McFadden, painter and sculptor, is exhibiting in the Cultivate Gallery Gallery in Temple Bar in Dublin. There’s a lovely exhibition out at Edel McBride’s place in Convoy entitled ‘Midnight Oil’. Mind if you want a tip from me I’d ring Christy Keeney out in New Mills and pick up one of his fabulous ceramic sculptures, still kicking myself that I didn't when he exhibited in An Grianan Theatre. Or Redmond Herrity’s exhibition starts in An Grianan in early January so you could save your pennies for that....

2007 (makinghistory.jpg)

An Grianan’s New Season.. so what do you want to know? Pat Shortt? Brian Friel’s Making History? Jason Byrne? The Letterkenny Music and Drama Group? David Kitt? Cois Ceim Dance Theatre? The Lifford Players? the Panto? Juan Martin? The letterkenny Musical Society? And there’s more ... check it out now on www.angrianan.com or wait a couple of weeks for the brochure. I love the immediacy of new technology don’t you?

You Tube & My Space

While the kids mess around on bebo (dont even bother it will fry your brain it’s like those conversations you overhear a couple of young teenagers having on a bus that is all squeal and very few words) and handily post photos and descriptions of their debauchery for their parents to see the more mature online people are showing off their talents at myspace and flaunting videos of said talents on youtube. Even the theatre now has a myspace page http://www.myspace.com/angrianan. The handy thing about myspace is the ability to find people through others friends listings so through the theatre you will find the frames, colin Murphy, etc. The strange thing about this is that it does appear to be the actual artist themselves who reply to messages, Des Bishop being one of the best to do so. So click on an Grianan's page and then trawl your way through cyberspace... a happy few hours will open up the mysteries of myspace! With Youtube its allowed people to put up videos of anything, including lots of telly music videos etc. It’s as revolutionary as the first time RTE brought us MT USA! go to http://www.youtube.com and start from there...

Extra Revenue Charge on Northern Based Artists, Musicians, and Actors. (muppet.jpg)

Would you have expected Fianna Fail, the Republican Party to decree that people from our bordering counties in Northern Ireland are ‘foreigners’ who need an extra levy placed on their services to deter them from working here in Donegal? Well that’s exactly what they have done- levying an extra 21% VAT on any artists/ performers not resident in the 26 counties. As most Arts Organisations are not VAT registered we have no way of claiming this money back so basically the Arts Council gives with one hand and the Revenue takes back with the other. Joined up government? Don’t think so.... The main effect of this is to discourage us here in Donegal to work with people form the 6 counties, as would be normal for us, as it costs us 21% more to do so. Theatre forum have done great work in bringing this to the national media’s attention but I think it’s time our politicians here in donegal took up this issue as it effects us much more than counties down south.


Contact: this week I’ve been mainly listening to the Housemartins, takes me back! Doesn't the future FatBoySlim look cute!

if anyone has ever wondered what is going on in my head when they are talking to me it's this....

Thinking of doing this in the new year, what y'all think?

It's tom Findlay's (he half of Groove Armada) new band...



there's more at
www.myspace.com/sugardaddymusic

More internet music resources


get the webuildsmiles 2006 party mix from www.magooo.org. We expect a lot more good stuff to hit this web site.

Mickey from Strabane has a new blog, very good it is too, hit it here..

http://www.playgroundsounds.blogspot.com

Dave and Ansell collins... cracking.




and stephanie mckay who sampled the above, not on this tune though!



and just for fun, ah didnt he look cute...

What's going on.... Arts & Parts Quality Conference This Weekend (mairead,jpg) Got this press release in, read it through and thought that sounds so good I must sign up for it. So I did. Can’t say better than that. Next weekend, from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th of November, a creative gathering for people living and working in minority and bilingual cultures will take place in Gaoth Dobhair. ’Ceangal’ (meaning Connection), will give artists and organisers an opportunity to showcase examples of some of the most exciting arts and cultural activity taking place in the Gaelic world – both in Ireland and Scotland – and in Welsh-speaking communities in Wales. People will come together to share skills, good practice and creative ideas through performance and discussion, with particular emphasis on work taking place in the indigenous languages and the policies surrounding this area. The conference is open to the general public and should be of interest to artists, community groups, funders & policy makers. Those participating include Irish language poets Louis de Paor and Cathal Ó Searcaigh; Welsh writers Euros Lewis and Rhiannon Ifans; Mairi Nic Aonghais from the Scottish music school Ceolas; and Roddy Moireach from An Lanntair Gallery in Stornoway; Sim MacCoinnich, from the Scottish National Gaelic Theatre Company; Welsh ceramist Meri Wells as well as the Galway based puppet theatre company, Fibín. Simultaneous translation will be provided throughout. As part of the activities, Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh will host a concert in Ionad Cois Locha, Dun Luiche on Friday 24th. The concert will feature musicians and singers from Wales and Scotland as well as from Ireland. These include accordian player Dermot Byrne and Sean Nos dancer Seosamh Ó Neachtain, as well as the Welsh singer and harpist Sian James. There will also be a very interesting Language and Culture seminar taking place on the morning of Thursday November 23rd that explores language promotion, translation and publicity material. Like the conference this seminar is open to the general public. This conference is organised under the auspices of Celtic Neighbours which is a recent partnership between Ealaín na Gaeltachta in Ireland, Proiseact Nan Ealan in Scotland and Theatr Felinfach in Wales, led by Voluntary Arts Wales and supported by the Carnegie Rural Commission. Further information is available on www.vaw.org.uk or www.ealain.ie or by contacting Angela Mc Laughlin. Tel. 087 6861765 or mac@eircom.net. Fee €25 to include a light lunch on each of the three days. Film Club this Thursday (enfant.jpg) The sixth film of the season, this Thursday, is L’Enfant (Belgium, France 2005). Directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, it stars Jeremie Renier, Deborah Francois, Jeremie Segard, Fabrizio Rongione and Oliver Gourmet. The film explores life on the margins in Liege. Jeremie Renier plays Bruno, a 20 year old, happily living a hand to mouth existence funded by goods stolen by the schoolkids in his gang and by benefits paid out to his 18 year-old girlfriend Sonja (Deborah Francois), who, as the film begins, has just hours before giving birth to their child. Though almost as reckless as Bruno, she’s unprepared for his cavalier attitude towards parenthood: unbeknownst to her, he arranges, in return for easy money, for the baby to be illegally adopted. This film provides an evocative account of life on the streets: their astute, detailed observations served be performances of enormous subtlety and conviction. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes 2005. The final film of the season, District 13 (France, 2004), will be screened on November 30. Films are open to members only. Members must rejoin each season. Membership is available to anyone over 18 from the arts centre (€1.50). All films start at 8.15pm and are screened at Century Cinemas, Port Road, Letterkenny. Admission is €8.00. Druid are in Town! (druidcast.jpg) You’d have to have your head under a rock to not notice that Druid Theatre Company are in town, and with over a thousand tickets booked before last weekend you would be in a minority! Mind that still leaves another thousand so no excuses when i meet you in the street... its got a great cast with the obvious highlights being Garrett Lombard, Mick Lally and Eleanor Methven. It’s a John B Keane play, sure what more do you need? Book on 074 91 20777 and make me happy and my working life a little easier. Short bits I see Dervish are to represent Ireland at the Eurovision, send Daniel I say. Edel McBride has added a new gallery space to her shop and studio in Convoy. Amnesty International are having a concert and information evening in Cafe Blend in Letterkenny on Friday at 7.30 pm. including performances by Mickey Harte, James Devlin and Terry Monaghan. Aoife Ni Fhearraigh has a new album out called I Told You So, check out www.aoife.ie The Frankie Kennedy Winter School This year's Frankie Kennedy Winter School will take place from Wednesday, 27th December 2006 until Tuesday 2nd January 2007. All the events, I’m told, will take place in Gaoth Dobhair mainly in Dunlewey (is this really in Gaoth Dobhair?) and Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair. Classes will be provided in flute, fiddle, uilleann pipes, tin whistle, bodhran, button accordion, sean nos singing, house dancing and accompaniment (guitar/bouzouki). Classes are not suitable for beginners and students are positively encouraged to bring recording devices to the class. The fee is euro 85. You can book for the classes or book tickets for any of the concerts by contacting the Frankie Kennedy Winter School at: Phone: +353 87 930 9656 or email: beanana@eircom.net or by post to: The Frankie Kennedy Winter School, An Chrannog, Derrybeg, Letterkenny, Co Donegal enclosing payment in full by draft, cheque, postal order or credit card. Early booking is advisable as class sizes will be restricted and all bookings will be on a first come first served basis. There’s a brilliant bit in this about the weather: please remember that this is a Winter school so be prepared for the weather, good or bad. Sure when do you remember good weather in late December! Not sure global warming has made that much of a difference yet! Anyway its a cracking winter school and a great idea. Sign up. Contact: this week I’ve been listening to loads of different stuff, sure isnt that the best way. But check out the knightowl at his myspace, www.myspace.com/knightowl and listen to here comes... 50s doo wop meets rap, luvverly! check us out on the web at andparts.blogspot.com and if you find yourself in the Orchard any Friday or Saturday night do say hello.

music history has just reached a new low.

disclaimer: do not view if you are under 18, easily offended or have a brain. or at work. dont open it at work.

I'm loving this today, matches my mood!

Ebola- Jungle Warfare

On another point here's Fionn Regan who plays An Grianan on Dec 1st. spread the word...

Continuing the break up theme... Here's one particularly for the married folk...

Ok new idea!

songs to play when you are miserable 'cos you have split up with your loved one and want to stick the boot in yourself.


I'll kick off with Elvis doing Hank Williams' classic I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry.. Elvis' introduction says it all...


over to you folks....

Tough Times for millionaire club owners....


Due to the numbers of people who go out to nightclubs on a Saturday night, but dont like music, trailing like the lemmings they are to the voodoo and milan (where they belong let's face it) the Orchard are throwing out a few free passes to try and tempt these people back. Naturally I nabbed some for the good people! anyone fancies a few for this Saturday leave me a comment or text me or email me or something.

Of Course Fridays are still free and Rachel assures me she will be back from Amsterdam in time to play so you all have to go and support her playing that blippy blippy electrofolk (he he) stuff

Here's what's going down in the local Arts scene....

Arts & Parts

Lennon at the Balor
Maurice Lennon, the founding member of Stockton's wing brings his new traditional music quartet to Ballybofey on Saturday Nov 11th at 8.30pm. They members are Maurice Lennon on fiddle and viola (I think that’s like a violin but bigger.. feel free to let me know if that’s wrong!), Ballybofey lad Martin Tourish on accordion and Luke Ward on bouzouki (a long necked fretted lute, bit like an odd guitar, an instrument only popular in Greek and Irish music, introduced I believe by Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine ), and vocalist Sarah Lang. Together they combine youth, experience, energy and talent and it should be a popular and enthralling evening. For bookings and further information contact The Balor on 074 91 31840.
Here he is on the fiddle back in the day...





Eleanor Returns to the Scene of her Triumph
An Grianan Theatre since we have opened have had 12 Productions here and throughout Ireland. Only once have we won a prestigious Irish Times Theatre Award and it was for Eleanor Methven’s fine portrayal in Maggie in Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa. As you can imagine we were delighted to win such a hotly contested award and a little thrilled that we had beaten companies who’s sole purpose is to present plays, after all we have a busy theatre to run as well! So we are doubly delighted that Eleanor returns to us in the highlight of the year’s programme, Druid Theatre Company’s The Year of The Hiker. In this play, John b Keane sets the scene as a patriarch returns to his family 20 years after walking out. He returns on the day of his daughters wedding. Will they forgive him? Will we find out why he left? Ah sure we all like a bit of suspense! There’s a great cast including Mick Lally and Garrett Lombard, the bloke in Pure Mule who got all the action while his brother got none. This is the play to see this year, and great for drama lovers, those who go occasionally, and first timers too! It’s on at An Grianan from 20th to the 25th November. Call the box office on 074 91 20777.

Art Exhibition, sale and auction in Sligo
For those of you in the south of the county or those avid art collectors out there this should be of interest. A collection of original small art works on paper, ranging across visual, musical, literary and culinary disciplines (well that’s what it says here!) opens at Sligo Art Gallery on November 14th. This exhibition offers an opportunity to acquire smaller works, unframed, from celebrated Irish artists including, Sean McSweeney (he taught me art you know), Rita Duffy, Alice Maher, Nick Miller, Cormac O’Leary (his Dad taught me art!), Grace Weir, Eileen McDonagh, Bettina Seitz, Billy Moore, Pat McCabe, Eoin McNamee, Michael Harding (I know him, nice guy bit intense), Steve Wickham (bloke form the Waterboys), Cathy Jordan……….. and many more. This eclectic collection provides an extra dimension for art collectors, by bringing together the works of many couples working in the arts, such as Sean McSweeney (artist) and Shelia McSweeney (photographer), Pat McCabe (writer) and Margot Quinn (artist), Michael Harding (writer, actor) and Cathy Carman (artist), Malcolm Hamilton (play write) and Martina Gillen (designer), Cormac O’Leary (artist) and Fiona Wallace (artist) .. the list goes on.

The sale of the works are divided into to two categories, the works of visual artists being sold at a fixed price, with the remaining written works by the literary, musical and culinary artists being auctioned off on the evening of the official opening.
Proceeds from this exhibition will go towards ‘Waves Womens’ Support Service’, a voluntary organisation based in Sligo, which provides support information and advocacy for women and children experiencing domestic violence in Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan. Waves have been delivering essential services to women at risk since 2004. Their role is to help women to focus on their safety, to access a range of rights and entitlements and to support them for as long as they wish on their journey to safety and freedom from violence. A fundraising event such as “Paper Unframed” not only helps raise much needs funds, but also serves to highlight public awareness of the services available. This event provides a major awareness raising opportunity about the issue of domestic violence in the North West.
Exhibition runs from 13th – 17th November 2006 in the Sligo Art Gallery, Hyde Bridge, Sligo. Opening night and auction on 14th November commencing at 7.00pm. It all sounds good to me.

Film Club keeps on a Rollin’

This week’s film is Cockles and Muscles (France 2005) on Thursday November 9 (this Thursday like). This is an erotic French farce directed by Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau and stars Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Gilbert Melki and Jean-Marc Barr. It follows the tale of Beatrix and Marc heading off to the Riviera for the summer. They are accompanied on vacation by their quiet teenage son Charly and their independent minded daughter Laura. This is a comic take on family traumas and is so jammed with delightful little touches that it will keep a broad smile on your face from start to finish, due to the clever filmmaking, witty script, insightful observations and, mostly, a shimmering performance from Valeria Bruni-Tedeshci. Hmmm they seem to have used up all the superlatives we were keeping for the rest of the column!
Remaining films of the season are The Death of Mr Lazarescu (November 16); L’Enfant (November 23) and District 13 (November 30). Remember the value of your investment may go up as well as down .. no hang on that’s not the right bit, here we go... Films are open to members only. Members must rejoin each season. Membership is available to anyone over 18 from the arts centre which is below the library on Oliver Plunkett Road but soon to move to a nice shiny big building behind the theatre (€1.50). All films start at 8.15pm and are screened at Century Cinemas, Port Road, Letterkenny. Admission is €8.00. Only the French could pull of a film that is both erotic and a farce.

And the rest
Phil Kay is on at the theatre this Saturday, he’s funny. The Nutcracker is on on Sunday, its graceful. Adrian Dunbar and band is on Saturday 18th November he sings now you know. Keith Barry is on on Wed 29th November, he’s a mentalist. Fionn Regan is on Friday 1 December, we like him, he’s very Nick Drake-ish. Never a bad thing unless he takes it too far if you catch my drift. Beautiful guitar player with a lush voice tho.

Quick Story
At the opening of Janet Ross’ exhibition I was chatting to sweetie man (he sells sweets rather than being a sweetie, comprende?) and promoter John McIvor who recently gave the town the fabulous Vienna Boys’ Choir and we were reminiscing on some of the great gigs that John has done over the years with the Smiths and James’ in the the Commiunity Centre being one and the Pogues in the Mount Errigal being another. And John was telling me that Elvis Costello wrote The Sleep of the Just on the bus from Dublin to Letterkenny to be with his (then) wife Cait O Riordain, who was in the Pogues at the time. Quite a claim to fame! I’ve checked out the lyrics and they go like this:
The soldier asked my name and did I come here very often
Well I thought that he was asking me to dance
In my holy coat and hat and him in his red bonnet
We'd have made a lovely couple but we never had the chance
And now you say that you've got to go
Well if you must you must
I suppose that you need the sleep of the just
Well it was a powerful day and there were black crows in the road
And I kept my strong opinions to my chest
I suppose I should have told them that I was on fire for you
When the bus burst into flames outside some place, 'The Poet's Rest'

The Poet’s Rest being a pub in Slane I believe. Check it out .. I’m believing him anyway! Couldn't find a video for it so here's the magnificent shipbuilding instead...



Contact:

This week I’ve been mainly listening to Joanna Newsom, she’s hot, plays the harp and sounds like early Kate Bush (according to Nicola) the new album is out on the 14th try it you might like it, there’s only five songs but they are long ones.


Email me on chiba at eircom dot net for inclusion.

The Chills

Seeing a link to a couple of chills' songs on hype machine brought back memories of being one of only 12 people who saw the Chills on a cold Tuesday night in Derry in 1990. john O Neill from the Undertones was one of the other twelve! it and I had dragged three of the other people with me! it was nonetheless a fabulous gig. Well worth the half hour walk in baltic temperatures. And the walk back when it was even colder. Cheers to Kenny, Paula and Wee Breege for accompanying me that night. Havent the foggiest where they are now but thanks anyway!

check out a tune here: their legendary Heavenly Pop Hit

and here they are on myspace

The Chills

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Chills
Taking a leaf out of the Beatles' Help!, the Chills signal COLD in semaphore on the cover of their first studio album. Left to right: Caroline Easther, Martin Phillipps, Justin Harwood, Andrew Todd.

The Chills are a guitar and keyboard-based rock band from Dunedin, New Zealand.

In terms of public acclaim, The Chills were possibly the most successful Dunedin Sound rock band of the 1980s and 1990s, but this acclaim is not matched by sales or financial success.

Based around the one continual member of the band, singer-songwriter Martin Phillipps, the Chills have gone through an astonishing number of line-ups since founding in mid 1980 in Dunedin. At last count, there had been some 20 different line-ups, but by this stage even Phillipps himself has trouble remembering the exact number. Members of the band over the years have included Peter Gutteridge, Alan Haig, Jane Dodd, Rachel Phillipps, Fraser Batts, Terry Moore, Martyn Bull, Peter Allison, David Kilgour, Martin Kean, Justin Harwood, Caroline Easther, and many others. Several of these musicians went on to further success in bands ranging from The Verlaines to Luna. Phillipps' earlier band, The Same, performed alongside Dunedin punk bands Toy Love and The Enemy. The Same included Martin Phillipps, Craig Easton, Paul Baird, Jeffrey Batts, Gaynor Propsting and others.

This seemingly constant turnover of personnel is one of several reasons for the bands lack of consistent "saleability", and is referred to by the local music scene as "the curse of the Chills". It reached its most extreme case with the recording of the album Sunburnt in England. The inability of two band members to get visas to travel to the UK resulted in session musicians having to be recruited at the last moment (Dave Mattacks and XTC's Dave Gregory providing drum and bass work for the album).

Another reason for the Chills' inconsistent output is Martin Phillipps' health - for much of the 1990s he was laid low with hepatitis, a side effect of his then drug addiction problems. In the past couple of years his health has greatly improved and his addictions are behind him, and the Chills are now back recording for the first time in many years.

Initially signed by Flying Nun Records and one of the four bands recorded for the seminal Dunedin Double e.p. in 1982, the Chills' output has been understandably sporadic. Early tracks and singles to catch the public attention included "Kaleidoscope World" and "Rolling Moon", but it was 1984's "Pink Frost" that first made a chart impression in their native land. This was followed by "Doledrums", and then the minor international hit "I Love My Leather Jacket", which was dedicated to late drummer Martyn Bull, who had bequeathed the said item of clothing to Phillipps in his will:

It's the only concrete link with an absent friend

It's a symbol I can wear until we meet again..."

Despite these successes, it was not until 1987 that the band's first album Brave Words was released. Several more albums (including a compilation of the early singles) were released during the late 80s and early 90s, before the band called it quits in 1993. During this period the band produced three albums, which included memorable songs such as Submarine Bells and Rain, as well as their biggest hit, the accurately titled Heavenly Pop Hit.

Three years later, a reformed band (under the name Martin Phillipps and The Chills) released one further album, but after that the band again split, with Phillipps recording solo work, and also appearing as one of David Kilgour's band The Heavy Eights.

The Chills reformed for a second time in 2003, and have since been working on new material, some of which appeared on a mini-album, Stand By e.p., in 2004.

One intriguing feature of much of the Chills' output is a repeated use of the initials "SB" for their albums. This extends to Phillipps' one solo album, Sketch Book: Volume One.

Joining me tomorrow night djing in the fubar will be Rachel Breslin so expect lots of cool young people's music, probably. And its free! gonecomeearly so we can have some craic hey?

I guess there'll be music like this

and this

although as that is two remixes of the one song probably not both of them and hey she might prefer the original or a different Architecture in Helsinki track, what would I know? I'm old.

LFO live in Dublin this Saturday...

WITH VISUALS BY MATT BATEMAN OF FLAT-E (Flat-e). who would be best known for his full on work for the Aphex Twin I guess




With DJ Rob Hall (skam)
Electronic music pioneer Mark Bell makes his Irish debut live appearance in his legendary LFO guise this saturday night in temple bar music centre. One of the first act to release music on warp records, LFO pioneered the sound of British techno music. Bell has produced both Depeche Mode and Bjork, with whom he is currently working on a new album. For this performance he will be accompanied by acclaimed video artist Matt Bateman of Flat-e, a visual collective originally from Wakefield and now transplanted to London. Flat-e's nack for producing stunning film work, animations and graphics has led to them being forerunners of the VJ scene in the UK and Europe. With a fresh approach to live visual production, the Flat-e/Warp collaboration has entertained in clubs and concert halls of Britain and Europe. LFO live apearances are ultra rare. Temple bar music centre saturday 4 november doors 11pm till late Tickets €23 from road, city discs and online at www.tickets.ie and on the door
Listen to LFO at http://www.myspace.com/lowfrequencyoscillator

or indeed click here for the absolutely beautiful electronica of blown

Nialler9 contributor Mike is a bit of a fan so read his handy guide to all things LFO and listen to more tunes here

Here's what's going down locally...

Adie Dunbar & The Jonas

He can act. he can sing.. what next? Adrian Dunbar is best known both here and internationally as a great actor with credits such as My Left Foot, Hear My song and even Inspector Morse behind him! Recently though he’s been dedicating time to his first love Music. Under the watchful eye of Ballyshannon resident and well known man about south Donegal Patsy O’ Kane, Adie Dunbar & the Jonas have recorded their debut album 2 Brothers. It contains nine soings of what I would term old school Irish country, and none the worse for it! You can catch them in An Grianan Theatre on saturday 18th November, and Dicey Riley’s the night before in Ballyshannon. you can also hear them playing live on Packie Keeney’s show on Highland Radio on Monday 13th November from 11pm to 1 am.

Druid

Coming up soon at An Grianan Theatre is the highlight of our year. The fabulous Druid Theatre Company doing John B Keane’s The Year of The Hiker which will take place from Monday 20th to Saturday 25th november. Already the Tuesday and Saturday are booking up well. The great thing about this show, much like the Abbey Theatre, is that they receive so many Arts Coulcil grants that what you pay at the door iss way below what a commercial price would be. They spare no expense on the production, costumes, sets, and actors. In these times when money is tight for the Arts gemerally and most companies are forced to cut their cloth to suit, slashing their budgets its refreshing to get a chance to see a lavish production. Make the most of your tax money and come see Druid, its moeny well spent!

West Ocean String Quartet

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow at An Grianan its the West Ocean String Quartet with a blend of Traditional and Irish music, and they are joined by a true star in Matt Molloy, of the Chieftains. A fine evening ahead.

Bluegrass at the Balor

Also tomorrow night are the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition all the way from Maryland USA. With the traditional combination of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass fiddle, the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition offers traditional and contemporary compositions laced with three part harmonies and bluesy solos. For bookings and further information contact the Balor Box Office on 0749131840.

A tale of two comedians...

Next up at the Balor’s new Monday night Comedy Club is one of the finest Irish comedians, and one who really cuts it live. Neil Delamere. This summer saw Neil appearing as the news reviewer on the new sports show Park Live on RTE1. His live stand-up set was recently recorded for the BBC comedy series One Night Stand. Presently working on The Blame Game, a topical radio show for the BBC soon to be aired on TV, Neil is also a regular on the RTE comedy news show The Panel alongside Ed Byrne and Colin Murphy and hosted by Dara O'Briain. And he is to be the new host of RTE’s Montreal Just For Laughs footage. He is great live so why not go join him in the company of MC John Henderson and a support act. Sure what else are you doing on a Monday night?!

Phil Kay, often billed as the second best Scottish Comedian after Billy Connolly is my favourite comedian and a lovely human being to boot. Best known as the star of Phil Kay feels.. which aired as a series on channel 4 many moons ago Phil’s showws are a rolelrcoaster rdie of unexpected twists and turns where the only sure thing is you will laugh alnd laugh and laugh. He’s in An Grianan on 11th november, here's his appearance on QI. enjoy.



Catherine Tate Show



Recently I’ve been listening to the radio more than I’ve been watching TV. BBC Radio 2 (I love bob Harris and Mark Lamaar!)& 4 and RTE 1 and Lyric (yes I’m getting old! but John Kelly in the afternoons is blissful) have all been keeping me entertained and I’d prefer to watch My Name is Earl (I’m just trying to be a better person..)on dvd than turn on most of the rubbish they throw at us on the goggle box. While I’m on the subject what is with RTE’s fascination with Adolf Hitler? Are they all neo- nazis in Donnybrook? I think we should get some answers... But Extras was good, the David Bowie scene being a particular favourite,
and I caught the first of the new Catherine Tate show on BBC2 on Thursday at 9pm and oh my God it was brilliant! Comedy at its sharpest and finest. Watch it and if you dont laugh trust me you have no sense of humour... altogether now ....What a Liberty! And if. like me you hadn’t the strength to turn the TV off afterwards (yeh yeh I’m lazy ok?) you would have been delighted to see that Mark Lamaar is no longer hosting. Great dj but he’s just not funny. And this years top comedy award winner at Edinburgh, Phil Nicholl was on, and I’ve justy booked him for An Grianan for the new year. Very funny chap he is too. I’m just hoping he keeps his clothes on. No, Seriously.
He's on this vid...



Janet Ross Exhibition

I popped up to cafe blend to see the opening of Janet ross exhibition in Cafe Blend and was very pleased to see such a body of fine landscapes. Let’s be honest not all Donegal landscapes are executed with such ability and sensitivity but Janet has done our magnificent coastline proud. The response from the buying public was just as enthusiastic but there are still some left! For that special Christmas present for that special person buy now and stop worrying or just buy them for yourself, because you are worth it!

On the web

A great site from mainly Letterkenny people is thoughts, etc. which can be found at thoughtsetcetera.blogspot.com. I found bonde do role there and am blissfully happy ever since! (It’s a brazilian band not a mail order bride in case you are wondering). Check them out at www.myspace.com/bondedorole or watch these...


. An Grianan Theatre now has a myspace page, its early days yet but join us at www.myspace.com/angrianan. An Grianan’s own website is constantly updated with lots of pics, songs and information at www.angrianan.com.

The column appeared in todays Democrat rather than Tuesdays... oh well more potential readers I suppose!

Here's a mix by an old mucker of mine (well he's quite young compared to me) Toirse, a very fine funky electro techno dj who used to rock the cell back when .



Click here for the mix...


and here's his
myspace for more tracks and mixes.

oh and he says we should all go here...
Cyriak, (warning its fairly nuts!)

great footage of the frames gig in An Grianan, recorded by one of their own crew I'm pretty sure!,

We Build Smiles remix of sexyback...

Just got this from the mighty DeKLIn

Get it while it's hot:

update: hmmm he was less than satisfied with the last remix and so sent me another version, got to admit it is better, cheers Dec.

SEXYDEK2

And Back to the Arts! well briefly anyway...

The Smurfit Samhain International Poetry Competition and Festival is on from the 27th to the 29th October in Gortahork. Prizes this year amount to 6000 Euros. There is also music, art and food to be had over a fine weekend, but the most interesting of them all, to me anyway!, is the Calligraphy workshop with the President of world haiku club Susumu Takiguchi on the Saturday. It's on from 10am to 12 noon - The cost is €45 euros which includes lunch.

Oxford based Susumu is the Japanese founder of the world haiku club, www.worldhaikuclub.org. He is the publisher of the renowned e-journal, World Haiku Review. Sounds good to me.

The whole festival is hosted by my good mucker Cathal O' Searcaigh so here's a pic of him.


Film Club this week,

Letterkenny Film Club kicked off again last Thursday and a great crowd turned out. I've just watched the trailer for the next one and I must see it! click here TRAILER
This, the second film of the season is Ballet Russes (USA 2005) and will be screened on Thursday October 26. Created by filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine, this film is a look into the revolutionary twentieth-century dance troupe known as the Ballets Russes. The story begins when a group of Russian refugees set up a ballet troupe in their adopted city of London. The group gradually evolved into not one but two rival dance troupes fighting the infamous Ballet Battles that consumed London society before World War II. Directed with consummate invention and infused with juicy anecdotal interviews from many of the company’s glamorous stars, Ballet Russes treats modern audiences to a rare glimpse of the singularly remarkable merger of Russian, American, European, and Latin American dancers, choreographers, composers, and designers that utterly transformed the face of Ballet.

‘Hugely entertaining….dazzling, entrancing, amazing’ – Film Review

‘One of the finest documentaries ever made……inspires and enchants.’ - Empire

And now the disclaimer! :

Films are open to members only. Members must rejoin each season. Membership is available to anyone over 18 from the arts centre (€1.50). All films start at 8.15pm and are screened at Century Cinemas, Port Road, Letterkenny. Admission is €7.50.

it's not big, its not clever, but it is funny

okay think I've got the M Ward doing pale blue eyes sussed...

click here then click listen beside it...

m ward pale blue eyes



And the Calexico and Iron Wine doing All Tomorrows Parties, I'm enjoying this!

Declan said Vanessa Paradis doing Waiting for my Man- and cracking it is too, cheers Dec hadn't heard this one. You know Vanessa Paradis doing Joe Le Taxi is seared into my brain from my teenage days.... lucky Johnny Depp....

hope this link works now..

it doesn't! will come back to this.. have the song here.. hmmmm

the most intellingent, funny and beautiful comedienne? Nina Conti. trying to book her now...wish me luck!

and KickAcid said Beck and Thom Yorke doing I'm Set Free and by the power of hype machine lo! it came to pass...

In the great hunt for great covers of Velvet Underground songs Mickey said Cat Power: I found a Reason so here's a live version recorded at Western Washington University. I love Cat Power.

Get this mix !




here's the link, not sure how long it will be up there....

GET IT!


it's dj ayers, dj eleven and cosmo baker. Your party doesn't need anything else!




TRACKLIST:

Thunder and Lightning - Bumping Bus Stop
Positive K - Step Up Front
MC Lyte - Paper Thin
Slick Rick - Mona Lisa Instrumental
Prince - Sign O’ The Times (Cosmo Baker live blend)
Schooly D - Saturday Night
Young Gunz - Friday Night
EPMD - Crossover
Redman - Time for some Akshun
Gangstarr - Just to get a Rep
KRS One - Hip Hop vs. Rap (Spinbad)
DJ Riz - Party Break
Herb Alpert - Rise
Crooklyn Clan - Franklinz
DJ Spinna - Everybody Bounce
Too Short ft Snoop Dogg - Keep Bouncing
Sunshine Anderson - Heard It All Before (QSO Version)
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady (Mr K edit)
Rakim - I Know You Got Soul (Smalltown DJs Remix)
House of Pain vs Ding Dong - Bad Man Jump (Wido Blend)
Memphis Bleek - Yes (Instrumental) 106
Notorious B.I.G. - Nasty Boy (acapella - DJ Ayres live blend)
Beyoncé & Jay-Z - Deja Vu (Instrumental)
Beyoncé & Jay-Z - Deja Vu
Jay-Z f Sauce Money - Face Off
Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
LL Cool J - Jingling Baby (Marley Marl remix)
EPMD & LL Cool J - Rampage
Queen Latifah & Monie Love - Ladies First
Jackson Sisters - I Believe in Miracles
The Masterdon Committee - Funk Box (45 King remix)
Justin Timberlake - Damn Girl
Bobby Byrd - I Know You Got Soul
Special Ed - C’Mon Let’s Move It
Belle Epoque - Miss Broadway
Fatback Band - Backstrokin’
Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce
Tom Browne - Funkin for Jamaica
Ronnie Hudson - California Poplock
Cameo - Candy
Rick James & Busta Rhymes - In The Ghetto (DJ Eleven Remix)

tip: never listen to Antony & the Johnsons if you are feeling a bit fragile. Here's a short reminder of their incredibly awesome set at Electric Picnic. The hair still stands up on the back of my neck at the memory...

Saturday Night at the Nerve Centre

Saturday night was a blast at the Nerve Centre: went on at 10pm to about 12 people and warmed things up a little until Dexter and Arsenio came on about 10.35 (lovely guys nice sense of humour), they cut things up nicely as the crowd poured in and by the time they finished to great applause just after 12 there was over 250 in. Erol alkan kicked right in and banged it big style which seemed to please the fairly young and male crowd. He is a nice bloke and a very good dj, but sure everyone knows that! Meanwhile I had transferred my big bag of cds and records to the back room where Jinksy of DFF had whipped up a storm. I kept it soulful and beaty and had fun although the Puppini Sisters really confused them!! Pepsi took the graveyard shift after me which considering the bar in the room had now closed and Erol was rocking the show next door was hard work but he played a very good set. By the close of play I'd say there was about 500 peeps overall. We then partied ( a music biz euphemism for talking rubbish..) backstage with stewarty et al until transferring to a party over the Waterside where I drank coffee in the kitchen!... it goes hazy then but cheers to everyone for a great night and their wonderful hospitality. I took my camera and forgot to get any shots whatsoever...

I think we are booking David Kitt for An Grianan Theatre for February, haven't firmed it up yet but saw this video on blogorrah and it made me much more enthusiastic about the whole gig. It's a cracking video for what i think is his best song..



Also hopefully happening in February is a gig by Jason Byrne, I love him...



Dancing at Lughnasa at An Grianan




When they write about the legacy Brian Friel has left us, hopefully not for a good while yet!, surely Dancing at Lughnasa will be right up there in the pantheon of plays written by our greatest modern writer? It’s a fabulous play and there’s a new staging of it with a predominantly Donegal cast coming to An Grianan from Thursday 19th to Sat 21st of this month. The cast includes Geraldine Galligan, Kevin and Marie Gallagher and Sorcha Shannaghan. It’s been doing great numbers in the Millennium in Derry and people have been loving it by all accounts. Call the Box Office on 074 91 20777 for more information and to book.

Keith Barry

Keith Barry’s third Irish tour lands up at An Grianan on 29th November its called “Keith Barry – Mental, A Mind Altering Experience”. Well talk about making it easy for the reviewers! Anyway its says here that the tour will feature brand new elements of Keith’s work where he mixes psychology, mentalism, neuro linguistics, instant induction hypnosis and magic. The show is dubbed “A Mind Altering Experience” after test runs of the new show it left people speechless and dazed at Keith’s talent. Or maybe that’s how they were before they came in .. Sure if you like this sort of thing you know who he is, basically Ireland’s David Blaine without the death wish. And apparently he’s doing very well in the states himself. They tell me that: Early in 2007, Keith will launch in the UK with a Live Saturday Night TV Special . Based on the success of his US show the UK show will be packed with Celebrities and will feature Keith doing a death defying stunt live. oh well maybe he has that death wish too! anyway call in to the theatre or ring 074 91 20777 to see him in Letterkenny

MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC

this week Nik has given me the Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man album,

the new Sarah Harmer album

and the Lou Rhodes album (she was the singer with Lamb), not had a chance to go through it all yet but looking forward to them, oh yeh...

oh my god! just heard this blind melon version of the VU's Candy Says, wouldn't want to compare it with the original (one of the greatest songs ever) but happily they make it completely their own creation. Enjoy! Candy

which kinda makes me think of velvet underground covers that I love, here's the cowboy junkies doing sweet jane.. any other suggestions?



for the sake of fairness thought I should put up the velvets doing something, so here's Sunday morning.. aint nothing cooler...kinda reminds me of waking up beside a beautiful girl on sunday morning after the Saturday night before, tired, exhausted, hungover, and curling into each other...:-)

dEcal as a band,or indeed duo, have gone through many musical changes over the years since I first saw them in the Downtown in Letterkenny all those years ago. We had some cracking gigs by them and indeed dj sets by Alan and Dennis separately as well. Dennis left some time ago to do his art thing, see post below, and Alan continued on alone until roping in percussionist, philosopher and all round deep thinker Dave Lacey on live drums. The live sets are far from the ambient electronica or four to the floor we have all come to know and love but hark more to the metaller I know he was in his youth! We love these tunes too though... here's a bit of live video to enjoy...

and if you like that there's more to listen to here My Space





The Frames


The Frames gig last tuesday was amazing, firstly the Pale played a cracking set and then the Frames tore the place up. Serious Frames watchers were saying that it was the best gig they had ever heard. The band and fans were gushing in their praise of the sound in An Grianan’s auditorium and the band picked up on all the work done with the acoustic panels which Guy Barriscale carried out over the last six months and they really felt it had added to the warmth of the sound. Darren Crossan gave us a cd of photos he took at the gig and they can be seen on the An Grianan website Frames pics. Now what to do with that fully autographed T- Shirt they gave me? Here's perfect opening line

Dancing at Lughnasa at An Grianan

When they write about the legacy Brian Friel has left us, hopefully not for a good while yet!, surely Dancing at Lughnasa will be right up there in the pantheon of plays written by our greatest modern writer? It’s a fabulous play and there’s a new staging of it with a predominantly Donegal cast coming to An Grianan from Thursday 19th to Sat 21st of this month. The cast includes Geraldine Galligan, Kevin and Marie Gallagher and Sorcha Shannaghan. Call the Box Office on 074 91 20777 for more information and to book. Check out more info here: Oct at An Grianan

Dubblejoint at the Balor

In this, the 25th anniversary year of the hunger strikes, Belfasts Dubbeljoint Theatre Company bring their acclaimed 'The Official Version' to the Balor Theatre. The play is a searching examination of the legacy of the hunger strikes from the various points of view of those involved. The play is set in Long Kesh in 2006. Plans are already advanced to develop the site, including part of it as a museum to include the prison hospital where ten prisoners died on hunger strike in 1981. The play follows Bridie and her daughter, Theresa, as they go on a tour of the prison. Bridie's son Gerard had been imprisoned in the H Blocks during the blanket protest and hunger strike and both Bridie and Theresa had been regular visitors to the prison - Theresa acting as one of the main couriers to smuggle communications in and out of the prison. Two others are also visiting the prison. Robert an NIO official attached to the Prison Department and Julie, a university researcher. as the four make their way around the prison they discover that each has a very different memory and knowledge of the place and what it means to them. For Bookings and Further Informaton contact the Balor on 0749131840.

Contact:

This week I’m mainly listening to Daniel Johnston. click here for one of his amazing songs Impossible Love and remember it was The Devil made me do it. Well actually it was Little John but shush..... oh don’t forget I make my Nerve Centre debut djing this Saturday night, already the twin towns massive are promising to come and I’m keeping them to it! Email me at chiba at eircom d0t net for maximum exposure!

Brilliant news!! Narty Station overlord and supreme ruler Steve McCollum is now working on the five follow up chapters to the multi award winning Pullin' The Devil By the Tail. Steve has a prodigious output of movies, music and animations. With a love of folk and a hatred of commerciality his extreme naturalistic style has won him legions of fans and Best British Animation Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival 2003 and Best Animation Director Award from the Irish Film Board 2003 both for Pullin' The Devil.
Here you can enjoy his video for the Frames song 'Fake', warning! extreme plasticine violence! :-) For more on Narty Station check out www.nartystation.com




Berkeley to play first Letterkenny gig for three years....



Local heroes Berkeley will play a free gig in the Casbah on Sat 14th October, at whatever time bands start there... I guess it wont be before 10pm! Their new album 'In Moments' is out now and its great. Hardcore- fueled songs reminiscent of old faves of mine like Big Black, Rapeman & Fugazi but with the odd subtler moment too. It's like its 1986 all over again! You can check them out at http://www.berkeley.tv and tell Tommy I sent you! Berkeley website link

Yaay! The Film Club is back! The season starts on Thursday October 19. As usual there are films from all over the world including France, USA and Iran. The first film of the season is Junebug (USA 2004). Directed by Phil Morrison and scripted by Angus MacLachlann, this film follows the story of Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz), a sophisticated gallery owner from Chicago, who finally gets to meet her husband, George’s (Alessandro Nivola) family, which includes prickly mother Peg (Celia Weston); taciturn father Eugene (Scott Wilson); cranky brother Johnny (Ben McKenzie) who has always suffered in the shadow of golden boy George; and Johnny's very pregnant, childlike wife Ashley (Amy Adams), who is instantly awestruck by her Yankee sister-in-law. I have no idea who these people are but it sounds great to me! And indeed winning the special Jury award at Sundance suggests it struck a chord or tickled a bone with them too. The rest of the season’s line up is: Ballet Russes (October 26); Offside (November 2); Cockles and Muscles (November 9); The Death of Mr Lazarescu (November 16); L’Enfant (November 23) and District 13 (November 30). Now for the important information: Films are open to members only. Members must rejoin each season. Membership is available to anyone over 18 from the arts centre (€1.50). All films start at 8.15pm and are screened at Century Cinemas, Port Road, Letterkenny. Admission is €7.50 per film. Cracking. There’s a trailer for junebug here http://www.sonyclassics.com/junebug/ or if you are using a mac better use this one http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/junebug.html

and there’s more! apparently the film club is going to Ardara for an an evening of Ardara films will take place in The Corner House Bar, Ardara on Sunday October 8. The evening will consist of three films by Donegal filmmakers. This is a fantastic opportunity to see films on a large screen that have a local and historical element to them. Each film brings their own interpretation to Ardara and its environs.

The first to be screened is called ‘Young Dylan’ and is directed by Peter Alexander. This is a stylish short docu-drama, which tells the story of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and retraces his two-month stay in Glenlough, in the summer of 1935. Produced and directed on location by Peter Alexander, it stars James Yates as Dylan Thomas with narration by Tommy O’Loughlin.The next film will be ‘Filí na gCnoc – The Mountain Poets’. This is an inspired film from Genevieve McGill and her father, Dr. Lochlann McGill. With a strong sense of place, they set out to bring to life the ancient Gaelic poetry of the small mountainous Gaeltacht areas of Aighe and Glengesh. T
The final film is a film produced by the Festival’s Film Company In Residence, Sadsack Productions. Sadsack Productions is a Dublin based film company composed of Donegal natives Cormac Cavanagh and Cian McDevitt together with Eimear O’Kane, Padge Tierney and Brian Moran. Over the course of the festival, they have been shooting a film in and around Ardara. This will be premiered on the night.
In conjunction with this evening, workshops have been taking place during the week with local schools, where the art of filmmaking is celebrated and taught to young aspiring filmmakers. Admission to the evening is free and all are welcome. For further information contact Letterkenny Arts Centre on 074 91 29186. Fair play there then.

Erol AlkanDexter Me Daithi pretends he’s a real D.J....... I’m going in to the Nerve Centre in Derry on 14th October to support legends such as Dexter from the Avalanches, ‘That boy needs therapy, that boy needs therapy, he’s crazy in the coconut!)’ and Trash’s Errol Alkan. Now these are two big, big names in world djing and really I’m chancing my arm but sure my name is on the poster and only the people who turn up early and watch me will know any different if I tell everyone I was brilliant! Sure I could even make up compliments for myself from Errol and Dexter.. what's that thinking out loud again? Damn! foiled again and I’d have got away with it if it wasn’t for you pesky kids....... Youth Arts on the Web The fab. Taryn Gleeson who currently works for Letterkenny Arts Centre (but we all know she’s destined for wonderful things) pointed me in the direction of the Youth Arts Website at http://www.youth.ie/arts/. A mine of information it is! Just like Taryn. An Grianan’s Cracking week ahead.. Tonight (Tuesday ’s The Frames with highlights from their career and no doubt the whole of their new album. Yes its sold out so unless you are mates with the band or already have a ticket you can forget it. Sorry. Let you know how it went next week. Like that’s a consolation! Friday (6 October ) is the very funny ‘King of Comedy’ (as crowned by Ch4 viewers) Andrew Maxwell. Winner of the 2004 Herald Angel Award at Edinburgh, Andrew was crowned the 'King of Comedy' by Channel 4, he's toured the world, and appears as a regular guest on RTE 2's 'The Panel' and in numerous other TV shows in the UK. He is also the host of the most talked about live show in the UK ‘Maxwell’s Fullmooners’. An intrepid social commentator, Andrew is renowned for his unique blend of comedy and socio-political observations. So it says! I just think he’s really funny and best when he goes off into strange flights of fancy. I’m there. See you at the bar! oh there’s a video clip of him on youtube, go to http://www.youtube.com and search for andrew maxwell and you’ll find it. And so to Sunday! And a rare opportunity to see America’s greatest gospel choir. The Harlem Gospel Choir first came to global attention when it joined U2 for a gospel version of ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” at its Harlem Church in 1988. Travelling the globe, it shares its joy of faith through its uplifting music. The theme for every performance is bringing people and nations together and giving something back. I’m in the front row give me a wave if you’re passing! The Balor’s big week Yes conor Malone isn’t one to be outdone , he’s very busy over in Ballybofey too. The London Classic Theatre come to the Balor in Ballybofey next Tuesday for one night only to perform their comedy The Double Inconstancy. Here’s how the storyline goes: Silvia, a simple country girl, has been kidnapped by the Prince, who has decided that he will marry her. However Silvia is devoted to Harlequin, her childhood sweetheart, and has vowed never to betray him. As the Prince and his courtiers try to bend and then break the bonds that unite the young lovers, the Palace becomes a labyrinth of duplicity and seduction. Trapped in a web of enchantment, will Silvia and Harlequin succumb to the temptations that surround them, or can true love prevail? If it sounds like your bag get thee hence to the Balor! Sat Oct 7th sees eurovision winner (from back when it was good says Conor, must have been before I was born) Charlie McGettigan play Ballybofey as part of a nationwide tour. Although best known for his Eurovision win Charlie has been a fixture in Irish music for almost 40 years. From the thriving Dublin folk scene of the ‘60s where his influences were people like Paul Brady, Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine to recording success with his first group Jargon, with artists like Maura O Connell and Eleanor Shanley and of course joining forces with Paul Harrington and Brendan Graham to win the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with “Rock ‘N’ Roll Kids” Charlie has left an indelible mark on Irish music. And next Monday 9th oct. sees the launch of the new Lisa Richards comedy Club with Karl Spain. Karl has quickly established himself as one of Ireland's top comedians, continuing to go from strength to strength performing all over the world, such as London, Edinburgh, Montreal and Australia. Last year he took off around his homeland to look for a woman. This search was documented in the hit RTE series "Karl Spain Wants a Woman". Now he's back and he is looking for an audience for his brand new live show, "Love... whatever that means". The show may include bad dancing, football statistics, and a lot of pop trivia from 1984. The usual things that we've all used to impress the ladies. Ex-girlfriends will be allowed in for free but they must bring a picture of the two of us together and admit that I've touched their bits". (oh and by the way he’s still dating the young one he met off the show, well he was when I was chattin’ to him at Electric Picnic). Mammy!!! I want to go to this as well!!! For bookings and information contact The Balor on 0749131840. Fidget Feet at the Bluestacks... This multimedia aerial dance spectale unfolds high above the audience with the performers suspended from a crane. A fisherman and his small fishing boat is seen rowing across the clear night sky. A singing mermaid mesmerises his senses and 3 female flying sea dragons swoop over the audience and fly upwards to capture the poor fisherman from his boat. He tumbles into another underworld where fishermen get their wings. Original music and video art are projected on the fishing boat's sail. It’s a blast! It’s on in the Market Yard in Ballyshannon on Saturday 7 at 8.30 pm. This time I’m taking the whole family along! This week I'm listening to the Be Good Tanyas because folk is where its at. Check out a track here

ok. I write a newspaper column for the Donegal People's Press (when i was young I thought it was a commie paper because of the name but its definitely run by capitalists!) so I thought I'd post the blogs here and add links to them and that sort of thing.

Here's the entry that should have appeared on tues 26 sept but didnt due to some sub- editor thing.

Neartú – Strengthening

A new exhibition entitled ‘Neartú’ which means strengthening, opened in An Gailearaí, Falcarragh last Saturday . Artist Bernadette Cotter from Cork was awarded the Maggie Hughie Eoghan Scholarship which is administered by Cló Ceardlann na gCróc, Gweedore. Directors Ian Joyce and Oona Hyland established this award as part of their artists in residence facility in Gortahork – Teach an tSléibhe. Bernadette Cotter has been visiting the Gortahork area over the past two years as part of her award. At the fore front of Cotter’s practice is the sense of the ephemeral (it means short- lived, I looked it up!). What is at the core of this artists work is the sense of community, diversity, collaboration and harmony, with an emphasis on the feminine. The exhibition will run until 21st October and gallery opening hours are Tue-Fri 10.00am-5.00pm & Sat 2.00pm-5.00pm. Quality is always at the forefront of the work in An Gailearaí so check it out with confidence!

Bluestacks and The Balor

The Bluestacks festival takes place throughout SW Donegal at the end of September and start of October and the weekend of the 28th, 29th and 30th sees three very different t gigs at The Balor Theatre, which is the mark of good programming I always say! Damien Dempsey takes to the stage on Thursday September 28th for what will be his second Balor gig. He appeared last year in a two man set up along with drummer Wayne Sheehy in what was one of the Balor’s gigs of the year. He returns this year with a four-piece line up.
Julia Biel the following night, Fri Sep 29th, sees a more laid back cool jazzy vibe. This ultra-talented singer comes backed with a six piece band comprising of clarinet, flute, cello, acoustic guitar, double bass and, for a special treat the acclaimed Seb Rochford on drums. For those who like their music laid back and soulful.
The weekend takes a traditional twist on saturday 30th with Londubh - the Co. Clare Traditional Band In Residence. Londubh consists of Sean Tyrrell (vocals, mandola & banjo), Siobhan Peoples (fiddle), Christy Barry (flute, whistles & bones) and Paul Dooley (wire-strung harp & fiddle). There’s a special connection with The Balor here with Siobhans father Tommy the current Balor Traditional Musician In Residence. Tommy and Siobhan will be holding a fiddle workshop as part of The Bluestacks Festival at The Balor on the afternoon of Saturday Sep 30th. For bookings and more information on the above contact the Balor on 074 91 31840.

You can download the whole Bluestacks brochure in pdf format from here: BLUESTACKS BROCHURE

LK Hip Hop.

Just a quick note that you can hear some home grown Letterkenny hip hop by checking out dj Dano and B Koz’s bebo page at http://bebo.com/grp/Grp.jsp?GrpTypeCd=BD&GrpId=1613225785 or maybe just go to the shindig blog at http://shindigrecords.blogspot.com/ and click on the link there. Much easier. Word. Massive.


What’s that coming over the roundabout? Is it a sculpture? Is it a sculpture?

Thursday 28th September 2006 sees the launch of Donegal County Council’s five year strategy on Public Art and the launch of the Public Art Website www.donegalpublicart.ie in the County House, Lifford. The implementation of this plan will be co-ordinated by Donegal County Council’s Public Art Manager Ms. Terre Duffy. The commissioning of Public Art, utilising The Per Cent for Art Scheme (it’s a European directive thing you use public money for things, roads, bridges etc. you have to use a percentage of it to commision some art) gives the public the opportunity to experience a vast range of contemporary art in their everyday life. As a result of a massive infrastructural development programme over the last number of years, Donegal County Council have a significant budget under the Per Cent for Art Scheme and through this plan seek to put in place a co-ordinated and ambitious program of work. Commissioning Public Art does not mean merely providing the public with the most obvious and fixed solution. It involves a process of dialogue and expanding horizons. However the fear of controversy has too often been an inhibiting factor in the commissioning process. The pressure to play it safe, to do what has been done before or not to rock the boat can seem overwhelming and can impact negatively on the vision and ambition of a project. However Donegal County Council believe that an effective public art work does not patronise or placate its public and the instantly popular option must be balanced against the desire to ‘raise the bar’ and the demands of enduring quality, creativity and professionalism. Amen to that anyway we are all welcome to the launch so lets go along. It’s our art after all. Oh and it’s at 3pm. Be there or be at work probably.

I Miss Communism

Well having spent so many years trying to explain to people that I’m not a socialist just because I am passionate about social issues now I have to go around saying I Miss Communism! Well it’s all because of this play which is on in An Grianan this Friday night. It’s got rave reviews and looks like a strong play that’s good craic too! Here’s the blurb they sent us: It all started four years ago. I mentioned to my boyfriend that I missed Communism and he passed Hagen Daaz ice cream out of his nose... East goes West; communism goes capitalism; atheism goes God. From Croatia to America and back, this dramatic comedy solo show is about 3 women, 3 generations who lived through 3 wars, 3 concentration camps, 3 governments, 3 countries and 3 currencies. It’s about a woman coming of age. It’s about war, religion and God. It’s also about Oliver Twist. Based on a poignant true story I Miss Communism is funny, heartfelt and utterly gripping. Ines Wurth is a Croatian actress and writer who now lives and works in Los Angeles."I Miss Communism" is a touching, personal story based on her life. She transforms herself into 15 characters and introduces her life of growing up under the communist regime; a life full of opposites: war and peace, love and hate, innocence and violence. Wurth creates vivid, powerful moments which are wonderfully contrasted with humorous musical numbers and stories to create a unique experience. Book now on 074 91 20777 or at www.angrianan.com or you can just walk up.

Rock Night

Marty Clampett has been rocking the town’s youth (and those not so young!) for a fair few years now in the fubar at the Orchard every Monday night. Expect to hear such rock classics AC/ DC, Metallica, and new songs such as Muse, Raconteurs, and lots of metal. So why not dress up in black (to show your individuality, altogether now ‘We Are All Individuals!’) and wander up to the fubar. There’s no better entertainment to round off the weekend. Mine’s a lucozade Marty....

Dennis McNulty exhibition at Void

I had the honour of seeing this exhibition in the company of the artist last Thursday, and Dennis who is always good company, regaled me with tales of Brazil, art and music. Dx/Dt is a very interesting aural exhibition with low key visual elements. The people at void are very friendly so why not go see it if in Derry? In 2004 Dennis McNulty represented Ireland in the 26th São Paulo Bienal. In 2006 McNulty returned to Brazil to organise a series of 8 sound-performances in apartments in Brazil. A call for participation was sent to the mailing list of São Paulo based Bizarre Records and each performance was organised via e-mail in response to the offers received. There were certain criteria to be met: the concert was to take place in an apartment near the top of a tall building in an urban area at 'magic hour', the hour just before sunset. The audience were to be invited by the concert organiser and the organiser’s home stereo was to be used as amplification. The artist's payment was a meal. dx/dt is an installation which uses the documentation of this series of performances as a starting point, dealing with the issues encountered in presenting documentation of a site-specific work in a gallery and consciously relating the experience of being at one of the performances to the experience of being in the gallery. The exhibition contains images, text, video and audio recordings. Contact void on 048 7130 8080. You can contact Dennis through www.dennismcnulty.com

This week I’ve been mainly listening to Madeleine Peyroux. Contact me at chiba at eircom dot net and I’ll put things in the paper for ya! and Smile!