Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Here's one I wrote over the weekend.....
Rosie, I owe you one.
I never thought it would happen with me and a girl from Sixmiletown, out on the windy beachfront that night I ain’t forgotten. That summer with no passion, she dealt out the rations, I said you are a farmer, perhaps she said I maybe....(apologies to Difford and Tilbrook)
We drove out towards Culmore, she pulled over. I told her that was it, it was all over, there was no-one else (lies) and that it had just reached a natural conclusion. She cried. The only emotions I’d ever seen her express were through anger and sulking so this was quite a turn.
But I was going to ask you home for Easter to meet my family.
The concept of meeting the family that turned out someone this emotionally stunted was not at all enticing and quickened my resolve.
I thought it was going so well.
How? I asked, stunned.
It’s the best relationship I’ve ever been in.
It may well have been but... well let’s recap. I met her ten days after my girlfriend of three and a half years had dumped me for another fella. I was still crying. She asked me to slow dance and then didn’t want to kiss me. Said she wouldn’t come home with me but did and shagged me, then moved into the other bed in my room for the rest of the night. During the year’s courtship she had slept with two of my friends (no loss, gobshites anyway) and I slept with her best friend. Granted she didn’t know of this rebetrayal and I had only done it for revenge purposes but still.
You said you loved me.
True I had but...
The most I was ever in love with Maggie was when she wasn’t there. She was in America for the summer and in those three long months I fell in love with her, Absence indeed does make the heart grow fonder, that and the fact that I was apparently the most unattractive man in the whole of Donegal. Misery is not attractive and I was certainly miserable. So I wrote jolly letters and longed for her return. It was a disaster.
This is the first time I’ve ever thought I had a future with someone...
I knew we didn’t when I asked her to get me a Simpsons T Shirt and she asked what kind of band they were. Really, even in 1990 that was out of whack. Our long planned reunion became a night of no passion and during the following week she slept with the two (ex) friends. The fact that it didn’t bother me should have been a sign that I didn’t care much about her, or me, but hey all lust is blind. And sure skin up there man, it’ll be fine.
How have things changed, why don’t you want me now?
There were three things that drew me to her: one I was seriously on the rebound after my girlfriend of three and a half years had just left me for another man. Two, I was taking a lot of drugs which numb the critical faculties while enhancing other areas. Three, nice breasts. It’s recently come to my attention that all through my life I have lived with the unconscious belief that nice breasts equals nice person. You would think i would have worked out how erroneous this was earlier but like I say it was unconscious so how could I? Anyway, she was offering sex,, I was taking it. She was emotionally stunted, I was emotionally stunted, at least temporarily. How could it go wrong? How could it have gone right?
And yet I had led her to believe there was a future with us. I’d transferred over all the feelings and intimacies from my previous relationship to this one. And I’d been determined, for a while at least, to make this one work. What I’d overlooked is that she was a very unhappy person well on her way to having a serious alcohol problem. Nice breasts you see. They cloud everything.
What had changed? I met someone else, someone who didn’t want me to share their misery, somone who wanted a laugh, a bit of fun, someone who rescued me. Life is serious which is why we should laugh. I’d forgotten that, Jenny reminded me. It all ended in tears, happily Maggie’s not mine, and a disastrous intervention attempt by her when she landed in Portrush to win me back- I bolted leaving her sitting up all night with my flatmate Rosie while I stayed with Jenny. Rosie fed her whiskey and tissues and told her what a terrible person I was and why she would be better off without me. When I came back the next afternoon she was gone and Rosie was fit to kill me, I talked her down with whiskey and cannabis. Don’t think I ever did enough to repay that debt. Rosie if you are out there, I still owe you one.
Rosie, I owe you one.
I never thought it would happen with me and a girl from Sixmiletown, out on the windy beachfront that night I ain’t forgotten. That summer with no passion, she dealt out the rations, I said you are a farmer, perhaps she said I maybe....(apologies to Difford and Tilbrook)
We drove out towards Culmore, she pulled over. I told her that was it, it was all over, there was no-one else (lies) and that it had just reached a natural conclusion. She cried. The only emotions I’d ever seen her express were through anger and sulking so this was quite a turn.
But I was going to ask you home for Easter to meet my family.
The concept of meeting the family that turned out someone this emotionally stunted was not at all enticing and quickened my resolve.
I thought it was going so well.
How? I asked, stunned.
It’s the best relationship I’ve ever been in.
It may well have been but... well let’s recap. I met her ten days after my girlfriend of three and a half years had dumped me for another fella. I was still crying. She asked me to slow dance and then didn’t want to kiss me. Said she wouldn’t come home with me but did and shagged me, then moved into the other bed in my room for the rest of the night. During the year’s courtship she had slept with two of my friends (no loss, gobshites anyway) and I slept with her best friend. Granted she didn’t know of this rebetrayal and I had only done it for revenge purposes but still.
You said you loved me.
True I had but...
The most I was ever in love with Maggie was when she wasn’t there. She was in America for the summer and in those three long months I fell in love with her, Absence indeed does make the heart grow fonder, that and the fact that I was apparently the most unattractive man in the whole of Donegal. Misery is not attractive and I was certainly miserable. So I wrote jolly letters and longed for her return. It was a disaster.
This is the first time I’ve ever thought I had a future with someone...
I knew we didn’t when I asked her to get me a Simpsons T Shirt and she asked what kind of band they were. Really, even in 1990 that was out of whack. Our long planned reunion became a night of no passion and during the following week she slept with the two (ex) friends. The fact that it didn’t bother me should have been a sign that I didn’t care much about her, or me, but hey all lust is blind. And sure skin up there man, it’ll be fine.
How have things changed, why don’t you want me now?
There were three things that drew me to her: one I was seriously on the rebound after my girlfriend of three and a half years had just left me for another man. Two, I was taking a lot of drugs which numb the critical faculties while enhancing other areas. Three, nice breasts. It’s recently come to my attention that all through my life I have lived with the unconscious belief that nice breasts equals nice person. You would think i would have worked out how erroneous this was earlier but like I say it was unconscious so how could I? Anyway, she was offering sex,, I was taking it. She was emotionally stunted, I was emotionally stunted, at least temporarily. How could it go wrong? How could it have gone right?
And yet I had led her to believe there was a future with us. I’d transferred over all the feelings and intimacies from my previous relationship to this one. And I’d been determined, for a while at least, to make this one work. What I’d overlooked is that she was a very unhappy person well on her way to having a serious alcohol problem. Nice breasts you see. They cloud everything.
What had changed? I met someone else, someone who didn’t want me to share their misery, somone who wanted a laugh, a bit of fun, someone who rescued me. Life is serious which is why we should laugh. I’d forgotten that, Jenny reminded me. It all ended in tears, happily Maggie’s not mine, and a disastrous intervention attempt by her when she landed in Portrush to win me back- I bolted leaving her sitting up all night with my flatmate Rosie while I stayed with Jenny. Rosie fed her whiskey and tissues and told her what a terrible person I was and why she would be better off without me. When I came back the next afternoon she was gone and Rosie was fit to kill me, I talked her down with whiskey and cannabis. Don’t think I ever did enough to repay that debt. Rosie if you are out there, I still owe you one.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Here's a quick short story I wrote earlier in the year. Praise is welcome, criticism is not. Constructive or Otherwise.
START
Jesus you fucking prick do you get the point here? He wants the glasses, they are going to pay for them, it’s nothing to do with you. Jesus.
Daithi, maybe you’d like to take a few minutes and calm down? Outside.
I looked around the table, 12 or 13 stony faces stared back at me. White coats, white uniforms, some suits and then me, 22 years old and wearing jeans. Okay I’ve always had problems with authority and in particular Doctors. I mean how the hell are they supposed to become normal human beings? They study each evening from the time they go home from school to the day they leave secondary schools just to get the 9 A1s they need to get to college and then in college they have to study all the hours God sends and then in the hospitals they make them work 90 hours a week until they graduate. and people say their bedside manner has deteriorated! Mother of Gods they have the emotional development of an 11 year old so what do you expect?
I held my breath in my mouth. Fuming. Wanting to lash out. Desperately getting control of myself, focusing on a point against the wall. I stood up and slowly put one foot in front of each other until I reached the door. I didn’t look back at all.
I stood outside,heart pounding in my chest, breath shallow. All around me people went on with their busy work. Fuck I’m in trouble now. The door opened, it was Irene, the head Social Worker. She pulled out a packet of fags and nodded outside. We walked and nothing was said. My heart beat faster, I could feel bile rising in the back of my mouth.
Listen you are right, but the way you are going about it is going to get everyone’s backs up, I’m going to be called in to see the Head Consultant now. I’ll smooth it but in the meantime I want you to apologise and while it’s nice to see you getting so passionate you need to calm down and channel it better.
Now go sort out those glasses.
The relief flooded over me, I almost tripped over I ran so fast back to the office. I picked up the phone and rang the Body Positive number
hi Sean? Daithi here from James’ Hospital? yeh let’s go with the raybans, can we get them today, not sure if he’s going to last many more days... cool, I’ll meet you in town.
I’ve never been shopping for Raybans with a gay fella before, its quite a buzz, and of course I was paranoid that all the shop assistants would think we were a couple, and of course they did! but it was a laugh and over a few hours and many shops Sean told me about how he became HIV positive and how he hooked up with the support agency he now worked for, and lurid tales of Catholic bishops in massage parlours and saunas. Of hte priest who collapsed in a notorious ‘gym’ and another priest gave him the last rites before legging it! We did lunch, drank coffee and made friends and discussed Daniel O’ Donnell’s sexual orientation. I laughed so hard latte exited my nose.
Heading back on the bus and staring into the Dublin drizzle I couldn't help feeling that maybe I’d pitched myself in too deep here, I was only a student after all, 22 years old and working in the GUM clinic of St James Hospital. Sadly this has nothing to do with mouths and everything to do with Genito- Urinary Medicine. The clap clinic, ladies and gentlemen. And really I wasn’t handling it oh so well. My head was being blown apart by what I was hearing from people about their lives, their sexual behaviour and the impending death of some of my clients, add to that my pathological fear of hospitals and my complete and utter phobia of hypodermic needles and really my natural arrogance and over confidence had pitched me in the shit again. At least Irene was on my side maybe I’d get out of this with a decent mark after all, maybe one day I would really graduate. Maybe. An maybe I was way way out of my depth, but today wasn’t about me, today I had something important to do, a dying wish to fulfill.
Colin was sitting up in bed, he looked so pale, the karposa’s syndrome covered most of his face with a glaring red rash so he had one fragile hand placed protectively in fornt of his proud face. Vane to the last, fair play to him. His long black hair still shone and his eyes lit up.
Good news?
Good news.
The Scooter?
Not the Scooter.
The Sunglasses?
I grinned as I revealed the raybans from behind my back, he screamed in delight, and threw his arms around me, I could feel his bones beneath his silk pyjamas, I could feel his heart pounding. He felt so fragile, so weak, it reminded me of other people I had known who had died, of my cousin Wendy who died when we were ten, who wasted away with cancer and how we used to push her around in a kiddies buggy near the end. She didn’t take any shit though. Right up until the end she took no shit. He let me go and swung his legs over the side of the bed, I took his forearn and led him onto the floor, stopping only to put on his slippers. He took the glasses reverently and slid them on. A perfect fit.
How do I look?
a million dollars Col, a million dollars.
The whole ward had stopped and were looking.He spoke clear and loud.
Well how do i look?
A big nurse was smiling.
You look great ya eejit.
I could hear people murmuring in agreement.
A mirror, a mirror, get me a mirror.
He hadn’t looked in a mirror for quite some time now.
Oh I look fabulous, thank you, thank you, thank you.
I hugged him again and said I’d see him later. I never did. When I came back on Monday he was dead. As per his last will they buried him in his raybans.
END
and another
START
Goodbye to Jenni
Good man Daithi, fancy some breakfast?
I looked up groggily from the couch. The T.V. was blaring daytime telly, the kitchen door was open and a fella was smiling at me. I guessed he was the one who had asked the question.
Yeh, cheers thanks. Cup of tea would be great, and a bit of toast.
How about a big dirty fry? It was said in a deep southern accent.
oh jesus no. cheers, thanks. god no, dont think my stomach could take it. anyway I’m a veggie.
Ah sure I know that! Just testing. Sure I know all you vegetarians yearn for a bit of bacon. You can you know I wont tell anyone.
Jesus if if I was going to I couldn't stomach it today. What did we get up to anyway?
You mean you dont remember? Ah you’re a good one! Oh there’s some craic ahead when Jennie finds that out. Hoo hoo you are the mutts nuts boy, that you are!
I looked around me at the dishevelled sitting room, table filled with tobacco, cigarette papers, mugs of half drunk tea, empty cans of beer. It looked like quite a night alright.
I tried to get my cold brain started, I remembered smoking with Rosie and Tom in the flat in Portrush, then Fyfe and Harry calling round. Harry saying something about Pete driving to Ballymena to see Charlie to score. I remember getting in the car.. then.. blank. Maybe we had crashed in Ballymena or at some friend of Harry’s.
I thought I’d start off easy I mean the guy obviously knew me so no point freaking him out.
What time of day is it?
About three, you’ve been sleeping away happy since about 9, the others crashed upstairs. I’ll give them a shout in a while and sure we can see what we are going to do with the rest of the day, and tonight.
Great, any idea what day is it then?
What day is it? Jesus you are the boy! oh that’s a good one! its tuesday, no thursday, no saturday, what day is it?! oh you’re funny man.
Right not getting any info there, oh remote control! Press the teletext, no teletext. Fuck.
Oh well, I pulled the cigarette papers towards me, and took out three. I put two to my lips and gently licked the end of them. I stuck them together and turned them flat on the table. I took the other skin, licked it along its length and stuck it to the back of the others, smoothed it down with my fingers.
I looked up, the tea arrived in a strong fist. The fella smiled behind it.
Start as you mean to go on boy, start as you mean to go on.
I nodded and slurped my tea, it hit an empty well of a stomach and the realisation bit that I hadn’t eaten anything for days. Panic tried to rise. I held the mug tightly until I calmed a bit.
I concentrated on rolling the joint, adding the tobacco, crumbling the hash in a fierce meditative manner. I added the roach, sat back and sparked it up. I inhaled deeply, right down into my tantien and felt the calm wave fill my body, out from my centre to my extremities.
Jaysus you’re loving that! Dont be moving in to it boy. Make sure it gets over here.
Time enough yourself boy, the first of the day cant be rushed.
True true, your wise enough Daithi lad. So you dont really remember anything of last night? He had a wry smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
No fuck all. And dont you be making up stories either. Jaysus you know I might have to be thinking of heading home soon...
Home? home? I thought you’d moved in here! He laughed. Jenni wont be happy to hear of you moving back up to the cold north. Anyway sure its not a journey to be starting this late in the day sure it’d be a good 8 hours or so on the bus. how would you get there anyway?
Guess the bus? maybe through Dublin? my heart started to pound in my chest.
Aye Dublin would be sensible. Have you folks you could stop off with?
Oh aye, relief flooded in again, oh aye good mates in Phibsboro.
A girl? he looked intently at me now.
No God no, just mates, the lads. They all play in bands dont know if you’ve heard of any? In Motion, Pet Lamb, The Jubilee Allstars, Dogday?
Ah sure Pet Lamb are great sure they play down here all the time! Oh man they rock! which one do you know?
Dave, the drummer.
Oh jaysus he’s brilliant! Fair play lad. Think I’ve heard of the Jubilee Allstars too, any good?
Great, kind of lo- fi you know?
He nodded. blankly, then stood up.
Right time to wake the posse, you sure you dont remember anything?
If you keep that slagging up I’m fucking off, right?
Fair enough boy, fair enough. He laughed again. A nice laugh in fairness.
So here was the rub, I was bolloxed in the deep south somewhere, no idea where, no idea when and no idea who with, and it looked like I had hooked up with a girl and God above only knew what she looked like but I was about to find out....
A clatter of footsteps on the stairs and one, two, three, four fellas half fell, half ran down the stairs, all in Doc Martens boots, a horrible thought crossed my brain, Jesus no, I couldn't have .. no Jennie couldn't be .. a fella could she?
Your out of luck boy, the beautiful Jennie has already taken herself off to the leisure centre for a swim. Must be keeping herself fit for you like.
Now I had four grinning faces to contend with.
You already smoking boy jesus youre an animal, or so Jennie told us.
Much laughter.
Any breakfast going? the lad at the back spoke.
Get it your fucking self.
Jesus Sean no need to be like that.
Good one name, Sean the fella I’d had breakfast with. I locked it away in my brain.
I fancy a walk lads, get some air in these lungs, anyone up for a stroll.
Jesus no its freezing out there Daithi.
Well sure maybe i’ll walk to the shop, anyone need anything?
We could do with more fags, and skins, and milk at least.
Grand sure I’ll be back in ten. I better take a joint 4 the road.
Good man, good man, one of the other fellas was laughing, no change in you then Daithi boy!
I sat rolled two joints, handed one to Sean.
Here Sean spark that up, see ye in a bit.
Good man Daithi.
I lit my joint, pulled my coat from under a chair and wrapped myself up. I grabbed my hat from under a foot and stuck it on my head.
I opened the door.
I walked down the drive.
Now to find out where I was. An estate, concrete jungle, kids playing on bikes, throwing eggs at each other. Classy. Hey kid. Ignored. Hey kid. The kid stops his bike, lofts his arm with the egg in it. Looks at me, sizes me up, holds fire.
What’s this place called?
He fires the egg. It misses by about an inch. He laughs and rides off.
I stand there for a minute and watch the playing cards attached to his wheel spokes go round clacking. It’s like they are repeating, what a fucking idiot over and over again. I agree.
I head towards what looks like the exit. fortunately after a few hundred yards I see the main road. There’s a bus stop. Cool. I check my pockets. No money. Ah fuck.
There’s a woman at the bus stop.
Excuse me could you tell me the road to Dublin.
Your on it son, she gives me a gentle smile. Go that way.
I look up the long road and see a sign Dublin 96 miles.
Cheers, thanks.
I cross the road, and hold out my thumb and watch cars whizz by in a hazy drug stupor.
After a time a car stopped. I run to catch it and hop in the driver seat.
Thanks very much, are you heading to Dublin?
I am son.
Ah great.
Where you from?
Donegal, Letterkenny.
You’re a long way from home lad, what brought you to Waterford?
Waterford? I wish I knew. I really wish i knew.
END
START
Jesus you fucking prick do you get the point here? He wants the glasses, they are going to pay for them, it’s nothing to do with you. Jesus.
Daithi, maybe you’d like to take a few minutes and calm down? Outside.
I looked around the table, 12 or 13 stony faces stared back at me. White coats, white uniforms, some suits and then me, 22 years old and wearing jeans. Okay I’ve always had problems with authority and in particular Doctors. I mean how the hell are they supposed to become normal human beings? They study each evening from the time they go home from school to the day they leave secondary schools just to get the 9 A1s they need to get to college and then in college they have to study all the hours God sends and then in the hospitals they make them work 90 hours a week until they graduate. and people say their bedside manner has deteriorated! Mother of Gods they have the emotional development of an 11 year old so what do you expect?
I held my breath in my mouth. Fuming. Wanting to lash out. Desperately getting control of myself, focusing on a point against the wall. I stood up and slowly put one foot in front of each other until I reached the door. I didn’t look back at all.
I stood outside,heart pounding in my chest, breath shallow. All around me people went on with their busy work. Fuck I’m in trouble now. The door opened, it was Irene, the head Social Worker. She pulled out a packet of fags and nodded outside. We walked and nothing was said. My heart beat faster, I could feel bile rising in the back of my mouth.
Listen you are right, but the way you are going about it is going to get everyone’s backs up, I’m going to be called in to see the Head Consultant now. I’ll smooth it but in the meantime I want you to apologise and while it’s nice to see you getting so passionate you need to calm down and channel it better.
Now go sort out those glasses.
The relief flooded over me, I almost tripped over I ran so fast back to the office. I picked up the phone and rang the Body Positive number
hi Sean? Daithi here from James’ Hospital? yeh let’s go with the raybans, can we get them today, not sure if he’s going to last many more days... cool, I’ll meet you in town.
I’ve never been shopping for Raybans with a gay fella before, its quite a buzz, and of course I was paranoid that all the shop assistants would think we were a couple, and of course they did! but it was a laugh and over a few hours and many shops Sean told me about how he became HIV positive and how he hooked up with the support agency he now worked for, and lurid tales of Catholic bishops in massage parlours and saunas. Of hte priest who collapsed in a notorious ‘gym’ and another priest gave him the last rites before legging it! We did lunch, drank coffee and made friends and discussed Daniel O’ Donnell’s sexual orientation. I laughed so hard latte exited my nose.
Heading back on the bus and staring into the Dublin drizzle I couldn't help feeling that maybe I’d pitched myself in too deep here, I was only a student after all, 22 years old and working in the GUM clinic of St James Hospital. Sadly this has nothing to do with mouths and everything to do with Genito- Urinary Medicine. The clap clinic, ladies and gentlemen. And really I wasn’t handling it oh so well. My head was being blown apart by what I was hearing from people about their lives, their sexual behaviour and the impending death of some of my clients, add to that my pathological fear of hospitals and my complete and utter phobia of hypodermic needles and really my natural arrogance and over confidence had pitched me in the shit again. At least Irene was on my side maybe I’d get out of this with a decent mark after all, maybe one day I would really graduate. Maybe. An maybe I was way way out of my depth, but today wasn’t about me, today I had something important to do, a dying wish to fulfill.
Colin was sitting up in bed, he looked so pale, the karposa’s syndrome covered most of his face with a glaring red rash so he had one fragile hand placed protectively in fornt of his proud face. Vane to the last, fair play to him. His long black hair still shone and his eyes lit up.
Good news?
Good news.
The Scooter?
Not the Scooter.
The Sunglasses?
I grinned as I revealed the raybans from behind my back, he screamed in delight, and threw his arms around me, I could feel his bones beneath his silk pyjamas, I could feel his heart pounding. He felt so fragile, so weak, it reminded me of other people I had known who had died, of my cousin Wendy who died when we were ten, who wasted away with cancer and how we used to push her around in a kiddies buggy near the end. She didn’t take any shit though. Right up until the end she took no shit. He let me go and swung his legs over the side of the bed, I took his forearn and led him onto the floor, stopping only to put on his slippers. He took the glasses reverently and slid them on. A perfect fit.
How do I look?
a million dollars Col, a million dollars.
The whole ward had stopped and were looking.He spoke clear and loud.
Well how do i look?
A big nurse was smiling.
You look great ya eejit.
I could hear people murmuring in agreement.
A mirror, a mirror, get me a mirror.
He hadn’t looked in a mirror for quite some time now.
Oh I look fabulous, thank you, thank you, thank you.
I hugged him again and said I’d see him later. I never did. When I came back on Monday he was dead. As per his last will they buried him in his raybans.
END
and another
START
Goodbye to Jenni
Good man Daithi, fancy some breakfast?
I looked up groggily from the couch. The T.V. was blaring daytime telly, the kitchen door was open and a fella was smiling at me. I guessed he was the one who had asked the question.
Yeh, cheers thanks. Cup of tea would be great, and a bit of toast.
How about a big dirty fry? It was said in a deep southern accent.
oh jesus no. cheers, thanks. god no, dont think my stomach could take it. anyway I’m a veggie.
Ah sure I know that! Just testing. Sure I know all you vegetarians yearn for a bit of bacon. You can you know I wont tell anyone.
Jesus if if I was going to I couldn't stomach it today. What did we get up to anyway?
You mean you dont remember? Ah you’re a good one! Oh there’s some craic ahead when Jennie finds that out. Hoo hoo you are the mutts nuts boy, that you are!
I looked around me at the dishevelled sitting room, table filled with tobacco, cigarette papers, mugs of half drunk tea, empty cans of beer. It looked like quite a night alright.
I tried to get my cold brain started, I remembered smoking with Rosie and Tom in the flat in Portrush, then Fyfe and Harry calling round. Harry saying something about Pete driving to Ballymena to see Charlie to score. I remember getting in the car.. then.. blank. Maybe we had crashed in Ballymena or at some friend of Harry’s.
I thought I’d start off easy I mean the guy obviously knew me so no point freaking him out.
What time of day is it?
About three, you’ve been sleeping away happy since about 9, the others crashed upstairs. I’ll give them a shout in a while and sure we can see what we are going to do with the rest of the day, and tonight.
Great, any idea what day is it then?
What day is it? Jesus you are the boy! oh that’s a good one! its tuesday, no thursday, no saturday, what day is it?! oh you’re funny man.
Right not getting any info there, oh remote control! Press the teletext, no teletext. Fuck.
Oh well, I pulled the cigarette papers towards me, and took out three. I put two to my lips and gently licked the end of them. I stuck them together and turned them flat on the table. I took the other skin, licked it along its length and stuck it to the back of the others, smoothed it down with my fingers.
I looked up, the tea arrived in a strong fist. The fella smiled behind it.
Start as you mean to go on boy, start as you mean to go on.
I nodded and slurped my tea, it hit an empty well of a stomach and the realisation bit that I hadn’t eaten anything for days. Panic tried to rise. I held the mug tightly until I calmed a bit.
I concentrated on rolling the joint, adding the tobacco, crumbling the hash in a fierce meditative manner. I added the roach, sat back and sparked it up. I inhaled deeply, right down into my tantien and felt the calm wave fill my body, out from my centre to my extremities.
Jaysus you’re loving that! Dont be moving in to it boy. Make sure it gets over here.
Time enough yourself boy, the first of the day cant be rushed.
True true, your wise enough Daithi lad. So you dont really remember anything of last night? He had a wry smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
No fuck all. And dont you be making up stories either. Jaysus you know I might have to be thinking of heading home soon...
Home? home? I thought you’d moved in here! He laughed. Jenni wont be happy to hear of you moving back up to the cold north. Anyway sure its not a journey to be starting this late in the day sure it’d be a good 8 hours or so on the bus. how would you get there anyway?
Guess the bus? maybe through Dublin? my heart started to pound in my chest.
Aye Dublin would be sensible. Have you folks you could stop off with?
Oh aye, relief flooded in again, oh aye good mates in Phibsboro.
A girl? he looked intently at me now.
No God no, just mates, the lads. They all play in bands dont know if you’ve heard of any? In Motion, Pet Lamb, The Jubilee Allstars, Dogday?
Ah sure Pet Lamb are great sure they play down here all the time! Oh man they rock! which one do you know?
Dave, the drummer.
Oh jaysus he’s brilliant! Fair play lad. Think I’ve heard of the Jubilee Allstars too, any good?
Great, kind of lo- fi you know?
He nodded. blankly, then stood up.
Right time to wake the posse, you sure you dont remember anything?
If you keep that slagging up I’m fucking off, right?
Fair enough boy, fair enough. He laughed again. A nice laugh in fairness.
So here was the rub, I was bolloxed in the deep south somewhere, no idea where, no idea when and no idea who with, and it looked like I had hooked up with a girl and God above only knew what she looked like but I was about to find out....
A clatter of footsteps on the stairs and one, two, three, four fellas half fell, half ran down the stairs, all in Doc Martens boots, a horrible thought crossed my brain, Jesus no, I couldn't have .. no Jennie couldn't be .. a fella could she?
Your out of luck boy, the beautiful Jennie has already taken herself off to the leisure centre for a swim. Must be keeping herself fit for you like.
Now I had four grinning faces to contend with.
You already smoking boy jesus youre an animal, or so Jennie told us.
Much laughter.
Any breakfast going? the lad at the back spoke.
Get it your fucking self.
Jesus Sean no need to be like that.
Good one name, Sean the fella I’d had breakfast with. I locked it away in my brain.
I fancy a walk lads, get some air in these lungs, anyone up for a stroll.
Jesus no its freezing out there Daithi.
Well sure maybe i’ll walk to the shop, anyone need anything?
We could do with more fags, and skins, and milk at least.
Grand sure I’ll be back in ten. I better take a joint 4 the road.
Good man, good man, one of the other fellas was laughing, no change in you then Daithi boy!
I sat rolled two joints, handed one to Sean.
Here Sean spark that up, see ye in a bit.
Good man Daithi.
I lit my joint, pulled my coat from under a chair and wrapped myself up. I grabbed my hat from under a foot and stuck it on my head.
I opened the door.
I walked down the drive.
Now to find out where I was. An estate, concrete jungle, kids playing on bikes, throwing eggs at each other. Classy. Hey kid. Ignored. Hey kid. The kid stops his bike, lofts his arm with the egg in it. Looks at me, sizes me up, holds fire.
What’s this place called?
He fires the egg. It misses by about an inch. He laughs and rides off.
I stand there for a minute and watch the playing cards attached to his wheel spokes go round clacking. It’s like they are repeating, what a fucking idiot over and over again. I agree.
I head towards what looks like the exit. fortunately after a few hundred yards I see the main road. There’s a bus stop. Cool. I check my pockets. No money. Ah fuck.
There’s a woman at the bus stop.
Excuse me could you tell me the road to Dublin.
Your on it son, she gives me a gentle smile. Go that way.
I look up the long road and see a sign Dublin 96 miles.
Cheers, thanks.
I cross the road, and hold out my thumb and watch cars whizz by in a hazy drug stupor.
After a time a car stopped. I run to catch it and hop in the driver seat.
Thanks very much, are you heading to Dublin?
I am son.
Ah great.
Where you from?
Donegal, Letterkenny.
You’re a long way from home lad, what brought you to Waterford?
Waterford? I wish I knew. I really wish i knew.
END
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Last Hour of me at the Fubar is now available as a download click here :
Fubar's Last Hour
it's 70mb.
Fubar's Last Hour
it's 70mb.
Celtronic & Void present Factory Sounds
Saturday November 3rd @ Void, Patrick St, Derry
Gallery One (House/Techno):
Deep Fried Funk DJ's
Paul Brown
Gallery Two (Dub/Reggae/Ska):
Daithi (Cheeba - Letterkenny)
Mark Kenny
Dave McRave
Paul Shaka
Gallery Three (Electronica/Experimental)
Stephen McCauley (Electric Mainline)
Hago (Global Virus)
Vincent O'Callaghan
Doors: 9pm - Late Adm: £5/6
Full Bar Facilities Available
Celtronic and Void join forces to present 'Factory Sounds', an audio-visual spectacular celebrating the cave raves of the 80's/90's. on Saturday November 3rd.
The event marks the closing of Matt Stokes' exhibition 'Now is Early' , which is currently at Void until the 2nd November . 'Now is Early' pays homage to the first rave era, in particular a series of cave raves which took place in the Lake District on the cusp of the 1990s. The exhibition includes glass cases full of rave paraphenalia - flyers, membership cards, cassette tapes, newspaper cuttings plus an exact replica of the sound system used in the Lake District caves.
The event on November 3rd will use all three galleries in Void. Gallery one will feature house and techno with Deep Fried Funk DJ's and Paul Brown. Gallery Two will focus on reggae, dub and ska with Daithi (Cheeba, Letterkenny), Mark Kenny, Dave McRave and Paul Shaka while the third Gallery space will feature a soundtrack of electronica and experimental tracks provided by Stephen McCauley (BBC Electric Mainline), Hago (Global Virus), and Vincent O'Callaghan.
The venue will be transformed throughout with an installation by local artist Ciaran O'Dochartaigh (The Blue Room) and projected visuals by F12.
Void is located at Patrick Street, Derry in the basement of the Old City Factory building. Doors via back entrance to Void. Doors: 9pm - late. Adm: £5/6. Full bar facilities available. Early arrival is advised as numbers are very limited.
Saturday November 3rd @ Void, Patrick St, Derry
Gallery One (House/Techno):
Deep Fried Funk DJ's
Paul Brown
Gallery Two (Dub/Reggae/Ska):
Daithi (Cheeba - Letterkenny)
Mark Kenny
Dave McRave
Paul Shaka
Gallery Three (Electronica/Experimental)
Stephen McCauley (Electric Mainline)
Hago (Global Virus)
Vincent O'Callaghan
Doors: 9pm - Late Adm: £5/6
Full Bar Facilities Available
Celtronic and Void join forces to present 'Factory Sounds', an audio-visual spectacular celebrating the cave raves of the 80's/90's. on Saturday November 3rd.
The event marks the closing of Matt Stokes' exhibition 'Now is Early' , which is currently at Void until the 2nd November . 'Now is Early' pays homage to the first rave era, in particular a series of cave raves which took place in the Lake District on the cusp of the 1990s. The exhibition includes glass cases full of rave paraphenalia - flyers, membership cards, cassette tapes, newspaper cuttings plus an exact replica of the sound system used in the Lake District caves.
The event on November 3rd will use all three galleries in Void. Gallery one will feature house and techno with Deep Fried Funk DJ's and Paul Brown. Gallery Two will focus on reggae, dub and ska with Daithi (Cheeba, Letterkenny), Mark Kenny, Dave McRave and Paul Shaka while the third Gallery space will feature a soundtrack of electronica and experimental tracks provided by Stephen McCauley (BBC Electric Mainline), Hago (Global Virus), and Vincent O'Callaghan.
The venue will be transformed throughout with an installation by local artist Ciaran O'Dochartaigh (The Blue Room) and projected visuals by F12.
Void is located at Patrick Street, Derry in the basement of the Old City Factory building. Doors via back entrance to Void. Doors: 9pm - late. Adm: £5/6. Full bar facilities available. Early arrival is advised as numbers are very limited.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Ulster Orchestra
As mentioned in Thursday’s paper the Ulster Orchestra are coming to An Grianan for the first time and with a very fine programme. Their soloist is Emma Johnson. Acclaimed by The Times as ‘Britain's favourite clarinettist’ she began to study the clarinet at the age of nine. In 1984 she won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition televised throughout Europe and in 1991 was a winner of the Young Concert Artist Auditions in New York. Emma has given master classes all over the world and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 1996. Emma Johnson has appeared with many leading orchestras including London Symphony, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, Hallé, Tokyo Philharmonic, Salzburg Camerata and Netherlands Philharmonic in repertoire which includes over forty different concertos. She has sold well over a quarter of a million discs worldwide. Here she will perform the beautiful Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. It’s on Monday 22nd October. To book call 074 91 20777.
Letterkenny Film Club
The Film Club has relocated to the Regional Cultural Centre, that shiny building at the rear of An Grianan, and next up is Days of Glory, a French/ Moroccan, Algerian and Belgian production which took the Best Actor award at Cannes 2006. The blurb goes: With strong visual and even stronger emotions, Rachid Bouchareb’s ‘Day’s of Glory’ makes a powerful war film about a particularly unique subject. World War II historians tend to ignore the contributions and sacrifices made in the liberation of France by North African or ‘indigenous’ soldiers of the French army. It’s at 8pm call 0749129186 for more info.
Damien McGinley exhibition at An Grianan
A roaring success already with over half the pictures sold, Damien McGinley's latest exhibition sees a maturing of style and vision. Where last year’s outing seemed often hesitant and choppy, here a clear mode of execution links all the works. And it works well. Clearly there are strong influences form graphic novels and record and book artwork but whereas last year he aped his heroes here it is clearly only an influence and the work McGinley’s own. Well worth a visit it’s easy to see why so many people have decided to purchase, if he can make these strides in a year it will be interesting to see where he is in five years time. Probably beyond the reach of the pockets of us mere mortals!
Exhibition at the Cristeph
The Cristeph Gallery, on the Port Road just below the theatre, has an exhibition by five women artists opening on 19th October. It features work by Delores Dunleavey, Maria Noonan McDermott, Brigid Birney, Mary Ronayne and Lisa Bond. It will run until 3rd November.
Ross Fine Art, Ramelton
Ross Fine Art is a gallery in the heritage town of Ramelton, County Donegal, which specialises in Irish art and also carries selected artists from abroad. It is owned by the painter Janet Ross who has lived locally for many years. Ross Fine Art also promotes the art of Donegal, and carries a selection of work by widely-known local artists, including Derek Hill, Jacinta Feeney, Trudie Mooney, Wolfram Stumpf and Johnny Boyle. The current exhibition takes up two of the four rooms in the gallery in Mallbridge House (beside Whoriskey’s) , and there's a lot of contrast in the approach taken by the four featured artists.
Fiona McGee's paintings are real charmers and distinctive in both their subject matter and colouring. She rejoices in scenes of brightly-coloured fields, with their grasses and bog cotton and hilly backdrops. Ten of George Putttman’s paintings feature scenes in the Ramelton area, including the famous quay, and there are other charmers from Buncrana and Rathmullan. Gail Warner-Pryce is an artist from Cornwall and most of the paintings on show for the exhibition feature coastal scenes, particularly beaches. Piet Sluis is well-known as a graphic designer and a children's book illustrator and this is reflected in the beautifully-coloured and detailed paintings on show. There’s also a classy new website at www.rossfineart.ie or you can call them on 0749152554.
New Releases from SoulJazz Records
One of the best night’s we had in Letterkenny over the past year was when the fabulous Soul Jazz Records sound System hit town. And as their name would suggest they also have a records label named, funnily enough, Soul Jazz Records. They recently sent me three of their new releases to listen to: Jamaica Funk, The Soul Jazz Singles collection, and Brazil 70. First up is Soul Jazz Records singles, all their single releases over the last two years for the first time on triple CD. It’s quite a broad range with Dancehall, Reggae, Italo-Disco, Baile Funk, Dubstep, German Rock, Post-Punk, Deep Techno and House all featuring. As a flavour of the new releases Soul Jazz do its a good introduction to a label that many thought was only into rereleases. Brazil 70 is the follow up to the superb “Tropicalia: A Revolution in Sound” and takes up exactly where the first volume took off mixing up styles and featuring killer Brazilian tunes all influenced by American and British underground rock music from the early 70s. It follows Brazilian music in the aftermath of Tropicalia as the country’s dictatorship entered its most oppressive phase. Musicians and artists such as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Ze, Rita Lee (Os Mutantes lead-singer) and Gal Costa entered a new phase mixing rock, funk, samba and soul alongside a wealth of like-minded new artists such as Novos Baianos, Raul Seixas, Nelson Angelo and Joyce (who played at last year’s Errigal Arts Festival) and more. It’s great, shimmy like you’ve won the world cup!
Jamaica Funk, given my own musical preferences was always going to be my favourite of these three. It is a stellar selection of rare Reggae Funk and Soul 45s. Mostly released in Jamaica in the early 1970s, these 45’s feature versions of songs by Betty Wright, Al Green, The Stylistics, Bill Withers, The JBs and more as well as original cuts. Cracking. To buy any of these go to www.souljazzrecords.co.uk or your local music shop!
As mentioned in Thursday’s paper the Ulster Orchestra are coming to An Grianan for the first time and with a very fine programme. Their soloist is Emma Johnson. Acclaimed by The Times as ‘Britain's favourite clarinettist’ she began to study the clarinet at the age of nine. In 1984 she won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition televised throughout Europe and in 1991 was a winner of the Young Concert Artist Auditions in New York. Emma has given master classes all over the world and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 1996. Emma Johnson has appeared with many leading orchestras including London Symphony, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, Hallé, Tokyo Philharmonic, Salzburg Camerata and Netherlands Philharmonic in repertoire which includes over forty different concertos. She has sold well over a quarter of a million discs worldwide. Here she will perform the beautiful Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. It’s on Monday 22nd October. To book call 074 91 20777.
Letterkenny Film Club
The Film Club has relocated to the Regional Cultural Centre, that shiny building at the rear of An Grianan, and next up is Days of Glory, a French/ Moroccan, Algerian and Belgian production which took the Best Actor award at Cannes 2006. The blurb goes: With strong visual and even stronger emotions, Rachid Bouchareb’s ‘Day’s of Glory’ makes a powerful war film about a particularly unique subject. World War II historians tend to ignore the contributions and sacrifices made in the liberation of France by North African or ‘indigenous’ soldiers of the French army. It’s at 8pm call 0749129186 for more info.
Damien McGinley exhibition at An Grianan
A roaring success already with over half the pictures sold, Damien McGinley's latest exhibition sees a maturing of style and vision. Where last year’s outing seemed often hesitant and choppy, here a clear mode of execution links all the works. And it works well. Clearly there are strong influences form graphic novels and record and book artwork but whereas last year he aped his heroes here it is clearly only an influence and the work McGinley’s own. Well worth a visit it’s easy to see why so many people have decided to purchase, if he can make these strides in a year it will be interesting to see where he is in five years time. Probably beyond the reach of the pockets of us mere mortals!
Exhibition at the Cristeph
The Cristeph Gallery, on the Port Road just below the theatre, has an exhibition by five women artists opening on 19th October. It features work by Delores Dunleavey, Maria Noonan McDermott, Brigid Birney, Mary Ronayne and Lisa Bond. It will run until 3rd November.
Ross Fine Art, Ramelton
Ross Fine Art is a gallery in the heritage town of Ramelton, County Donegal, which specialises in Irish art and also carries selected artists from abroad. It is owned by the painter Janet Ross who has lived locally for many years. Ross Fine Art also promotes the art of Donegal, and carries a selection of work by widely-known local artists, including Derek Hill, Jacinta Feeney, Trudie Mooney, Wolfram Stumpf and Johnny Boyle. The current exhibition takes up two of the four rooms in the gallery in Mallbridge House (beside Whoriskey’s) , and there's a lot of contrast in the approach taken by the four featured artists.
Fiona McGee's paintings are real charmers and distinctive in both their subject matter and colouring. She rejoices in scenes of brightly-coloured fields, with their grasses and bog cotton and hilly backdrops. Ten of George Putttman’s paintings feature scenes in the Ramelton area, including the famous quay, and there are other charmers from Buncrana and Rathmullan. Gail Warner-Pryce is an artist from Cornwall and most of the paintings on show for the exhibition feature coastal scenes, particularly beaches. Piet Sluis is well-known as a graphic designer and a children's book illustrator and this is reflected in the beautifully-coloured and detailed paintings on show. There’s also a classy new website at www.rossfineart.ie or you can call them on 0749152554.
New Releases from SoulJazz Records
One of the best night’s we had in Letterkenny over the past year was when the fabulous Soul Jazz Records sound System hit town. And as their name would suggest they also have a records label named, funnily enough, Soul Jazz Records. They recently sent me three of their new releases to listen to: Jamaica Funk, The Soul Jazz Singles collection, and Brazil 70. First up is Soul Jazz Records singles, all their single releases over the last two years for the first time on triple CD. It’s quite a broad range with Dancehall, Reggae, Italo-Disco, Baile Funk, Dubstep, German Rock, Post-Punk, Deep Techno and House all featuring. As a flavour of the new releases Soul Jazz do its a good introduction to a label that many thought was only into rereleases. Brazil 70 is the follow up to the superb “Tropicalia: A Revolution in Sound” and takes up exactly where the first volume took off mixing up styles and featuring killer Brazilian tunes all influenced by American and British underground rock music from the early 70s. It follows Brazilian music in the aftermath of Tropicalia as the country’s dictatorship entered its most oppressive phase. Musicians and artists such as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Ze, Rita Lee (Os Mutantes lead-singer) and Gal Costa entered a new phase mixing rock, funk, samba and soul alongside a wealth of like-minded new artists such as Novos Baianos, Raul Seixas, Nelson Angelo and Joyce (who played at last year’s Errigal Arts Festival) and more. It’s great, shimmy like you’ve won the world cup!
Jamaica Funk, given my own musical preferences was always going to be my favourite of these three. It is a stellar selection of rare Reggae Funk and Soul 45s. Mostly released in Jamaica in the early 1970s, these 45’s feature versions of songs by Betty Wright, Al Green, The Stylistics, Bill Withers, The JBs and more as well as original cuts. Cracking. To buy any of these go to www.souljazzrecords.co.uk or your local music shop!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
An Grianan theatre’s current season is on sale and sales are good, well why wouldn’t they be? Sure it’s only the best season ever, but don’t take my word for it look at these gems coming up:
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra arrive on Monday 22 October .Niklas Willén is the conductorand Emma Johnson, clarinet, is the soloist. Programme:Dag Wirén: Serenade. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto. Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks. Haydn: Symphony No. 85, La Reine. Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with its autumnal tone, easy-going melodies and bubbly finale was his last completed work before his death at the age of 35 – it remains one of his most popular. Who better to play it than Emma Johnson? a former BBC Young Musician of the Year, and now an internationally renowned virtuoso.
Sean Hughes
Sean Hughes is on Thursday 25 October at 8pm. As seen in Coronation Street! At the age of 24, Sean became the youngest comedian ever to win the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award. Now aged 41, but “spiritually 11”, he has enjoyed almost 2 decades at the top of the comedy tree. The Sean Hughes National Tour is a long overdue return to the comedy circuit by one of the best stand-ups of his generation. He has retained his distinctly dark,explosive style, his quick-fire banter with the audience and “his piercing eye for the expectation-flipping one liner” (Evening Standard). More topical than tomorrow’s news, his twisted gaze can fall upon anything and everything, from dog death to his love of teenage indie pop. No two nights with Sean are ever the same - each one, an original and authenticated masterpiece, never to be seen again…After so long away from his natural habitat Sean is returning to his first love…stand up comedy.
Druid Theatre Company
Druid Theatre Company, Ireland’s leading theatre Company return to An Grianan this time with the funny ‘My Brilliant Divorce’ on Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 November at 8pm. Druid's third production of Geraldine Aron's hilarious but poignant story sees Deirdre O' Kane take over the role previously played by Glenne Headley and Dawn French. Angela has been recently deserted by her accountant husband for a younger model and finds herself adrift in a sea of weird encounters, sneaky solicitors, phone-in counsellors, and a bad case of hypochondria! Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on? Come see why it was such a hit in London's West End... The Letterkenny performances kindly sponsored by La Maison, Canal Road, Letterkenny.
Rough Magic
Another first for us as the wonderful Rough Magic bring us Improbable Frequency on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 November at 8pm. By Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter and Directed by the superb Lynne Parker.
It’s the Winner of three Irish Times Theatre Awards including Best Production and Best Director, Improbable Frequency is a joyous surreal satire that lifts the lid on Ireland’s beloved neutrality and cuts to the heart of the tempestuous affair with its nearest neighbour – England!
It’s 1941. Europe is at war and espionage is the front line. As the rest of the world gets on with the small matter of the Second World War, Dublin’s lights burn flagrantly and Europe’s intellectual elite has come to play. But suspicious messages on a radio-request show have drawn the attention of M15 and a diffident young code-breaker is dispatched to Dublin to determine which side neutral Ireland is really on.
To book, get a brochure, or ask any questions call the Box Office on 074 9120777 or go online at www.angrianan.com
Warhol Exhibition
The Model in Sligo have been doing wonderful things for a few years now and this latest talking point is a Warhol exhibition. Now I’m a big big Warhol fan, well everyone in Marketing should be because he basically wrote the rule book! This major exhibition marks the work of Andy Warhol and those involved in his expansive studio, the Factory. It presents the Factory as a centre of experimental art production and will bring some of the most important work emerging from the studio during that time to Ireland including film, painting, photography, sculpture, music and books. During this period Warhol expanded his practice into a collaboration with the seminal band the Velvet Underground and the exhibition will include films and music resulting from this collaboration. As a reflection of the multi-disciplinary nature of the Factory it will also include key screen-prints from the period including the Electric Chair and Photo Booth series, the ‘disposable’ Silver Cloud sculptures, and a large collection of iconic photographs documenting the Factory taken by Billy Name, Stephen Shore and Nat Finkelstein.
Many of these works have not been seen in Ireland before and this exhibition presents a rare opportunity to address the creative legacy of Warhol and those artists working with him during this extraordinarily productive period of the Factory’s history. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue with essays by Jan Winkelmann and Francis McKee. There will be associated seasons of talks, film and music to coincide with The Eternal Now. Call the Model on 071- 9141405 or surf to www.modelart.ie
Damien Dempsey at the Balor
Damien Dempsey returns to the Balor for the third year running. It says in the press release: One of Irelands most talented songwriters and compelling live performers, Damiens brand of hard urban folk is a natural fit with the Balors surroundings. It's a rare treat to see a natural performer who regularly sells out 1,000 seater venues in such an intimate setting as the Balor. Damiens annual Balor gigs are always an experience - this year especially so as it will be his last performance in the old 'Ritz Cinema' Balor before the theatre moves to new premises in early '08.For Bookings and more information contact the Balor on 074 91 31840. Me I’m no fan of Dempsey’s ‘Christy Moore if he came from Dublin’ style sing a longs but I know a lot of people do like him.
Regional Cultural Centre Exhibition
Irish Art 1947-1974, The Great Southern, 2nd October - 21 December 2007. Donegal is privileged to host this significant National collection of Irish Art 1947-1974. It features many of Ireland’s leading 2oth Century artists including: George Campbell, Anne Madden, Patrick Collins, Norah McGuinness, Nano Reid, and Patrick Scott. The collection was originally assembled when Great Southern Hotels were in public ownership, as is one of the best known and widely admired modern art collections in Ireland. It is loaned to us by the Crawford Gallery in Cork. The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive education programme aimed at both Secondary and Primary students.
Film Club at the Regional Cultural Centre
The autumn film programme begins on Thursday 4th October at 8pm with ‘Moliere’, a lavish costume drama that imagines what happened when the French playwright mysteriously disappeared in 1644. ‘Romance, creativity, subterfuge and repartee are among the pleasures to be had in this consistently diverting, bittersweet costumer’ (Variety). And it’s film night, every Thursday at 8pm until 6 December, with a jam packed programme of the most acclaimed new international films, right here in Letterkenny. Call them on 074 91 29186.
Contact: get me on chiba at eircom dot net. or see me djing in the Central each and every Friday night. Musically this week its all about the Jamaican Funk.
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra arrive on Monday 22 October .Niklas Willén is the conductorand Emma Johnson, clarinet, is the soloist. Programme:Dag Wirén: Serenade. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto. Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks. Haydn: Symphony No. 85, La Reine. Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with its autumnal tone, easy-going melodies and bubbly finale was his last completed work before his death at the age of 35 – it remains one of his most popular. Who better to play it than Emma Johnson? a former BBC Young Musician of the Year, and now an internationally renowned virtuoso.
Sean Hughes
Sean Hughes is on Thursday 25 October at 8pm. As seen in Coronation Street! At the age of 24, Sean became the youngest comedian ever to win the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award. Now aged 41, but “spiritually 11”, he has enjoyed almost 2 decades at the top of the comedy tree. The Sean Hughes National Tour is a long overdue return to the comedy circuit by one of the best stand-ups of his generation. He has retained his distinctly dark,explosive style, his quick-fire banter with the audience and “his piercing eye for the expectation-flipping one liner” (Evening Standard). More topical than tomorrow’s news, his twisted gaze can fall upon anything and everything, from dog death to his love of teenage indie pop. No two nights with Sean are ever the same - each one, an original and authenticated masterpiece, never to be seen again…After so long away from his natural habitat Sean is returning to his first love…stand up comedy.
Druid Theatre Company
Druid Theatre Company, Ireland’s leading theatre Company return to An Grianan this time with the funny ‘My Brilliant Divorce’ on Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 November at 8pm. Druid's third production of Geraldine Aron's hilarious but poignant story sees Deirdre O' Kane take over the role previously played by Glenne Headley and Dawn French. Angela has been recently deserted by her accountant husband for a younger model and finds herself adrift in a sea of weird encounters, sneaky solicitors, phone-in counsellors, and a bad case of hypochondria! Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on? Come see why it was such a hit in London's West End... The Letterkenny performances kindly sponsored by La Maison, Canal Road, Letterkenny.
Rough Magic
Another first for us as the wonderful Rough Magic bring us Improbable Frequency on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 November at 8pm. By Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter and Directed by the superb Lynne Parker.
It’s the Winner of three Irish Times Theatre Awards including Best Production and Best Director, Improbable Frequency is a joyous surreal satire that lifts the lid on Ireland’s beloved neutrality and cuts to the heart of the tempestuous affair with its nearest neighbour – England!
It’s 1941. Europe is at war and espionage is the front line. As the rest of the world gets on with the small matter of the Second World War, Dublin’s lights burn flagrantly and Europe’s intellectual elite has come to play. But suspicious messages on a radio-request show have drawn the attention of M15 and a diffident young code-breaker is dispatched to Dublin to determine which side neutral Ireland is really on.
To book, get a brochure, or ask any questions call the Box Office on 074 9120777 or go online at www.angrianan.com
Warhol Exhibition
The Model in Sligo have been doing wonderful things for a few years now and this latest talking point is a Warhol exhibition. Now I’m a big big Warhol fan, well everyone in Marketing should be because he basically wrote the rule book! This major exhibition marks the work of Andy Warhol and those involved in his expansive studio, the Factory. It presents the Factory as a centre of experimental art production and will bring some of the most important work emerging from the studio during that time to Ireland including film, painting, photography, sculpture, music and books. During this period Warhol expanded his practice into a collaboration with the seminal band the Velvet Underground and the exhibition will include films and music resulting from this collaboration. As a reflection of the multi-disciplinary nature of the Factory it will also include key screen-prints from the period including the Electric Chair and Photo Booth series, the ‘disposable’ Silver Cloud sculptures, and a large collection of iconic photographs documenting the Factory taken by Billy Name, Stephen Shore and Nat Finkelstein.
Many of these works have not been seen in Ireland before and this exhibition presents a rare opportunity to address the creative legacy of Warhol and those artists working with him during this extraordinarily productive period of the Factory’s history. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue with essays by Jan Winkelmann and Francis McKee. There will be associated seasons of talks, film and music to coincide with The Eternal Now. Call the Model on 071- 9141405 or surf to www.modelart.ie
Damien Dempsey at the Balor
Damien Dempsey returns to the Balor for the third year running. It says in the press release: One of Irelands most talented songwriters and compelling live performers, Damiens brand of hard urban folk is a natural fit with the Balors surroundings. It's a rare treat to see a natural performer who regularly sells out 1,000 seater venues in such an intimate setting as the Balor. Damiens annual Balor gigs are always an experience - this year especially so as it will be his last performance in the old 'Ritz Cinema' Balor before the theatre moves to new premises in early '08.For Bookings and more information contact the Balor on 074 91 31840. Me I’m no fan of Dempsey’s ‘Christy Moore if he came from Dublin’ style sing a longs but I know a lot of people do like him.
Regional Cultural Centre Exhibition
Irish Art 1947-1974, The Great Southern, 2nd October - 21 December 2007. Donegal is privileged to host this significant National collection of Irish Art 1947-1974. It features many of Ireland’s leading 2oth Century artists including: George Campbell, Anne Madden, Patrick Collins, Norah McGuinness, Nano Reid, and Patrick Scott. The collection was originally assembled when Great Southern Hotels were in public ownership, as is one of the best known and widely admired modern art collections in Ireland. It is loaned to us by the Crawford Gallery in Cork. The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive education programme aimed at both Secondary and Primary students.
Film Club at the Regional Cultural Centre
The autumn film programme begins on Thursday 4th October at 8pm with ‘Moliere’, a lavish costume drama that imagines what happened when the French playwright mysteriously disappeared in 1644. ‘Romance, creativity, subterfuge and repartee are among the pleasures to be had in this consistently diverting, bittersweet costumer’ (Variety). And it’s film night, every Thursday at 8pm until 6 December, with a jam packed programme of the most acclaimed new international films, right here in Letterkenny. Call them on 074 91 29186.
Contact: get me on chiba at eircom dot net. or see me djing in the Central each and every Friday night. Musically this week its all about the Jamaican Funk.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Sorry for the lack of posts busy busy time with the Arts Fest and all. Next up its Hot Chip in the Orchard on Fri 14 Sept.
Here's the details:
Daithi & Deep Fried Funk Present:
Hot Chip Dj Kicks
Fri 14 Sept
Club Ensanity, The Orchard, High Road, Letterkenny
Hot Chip (dj Set)
Deep Fried Funk Djs
Dj Dano
Tunes from 10pm until late.
Advance tickets 12 euros/ Pay at the Door 15 Euros
Tickets available from Universal records in the Market Square in Letterkenny
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Fair play to Rick for pushing me towards these people, check them out.. Russendisko.
Just got a double album of the stuff and its crazy drinking music! perfect for Letterkenny then... ;-)
I got the tunes, you bring the vodka ;-/
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Earagail Arts Festival Highlights number 3
Joan as Policewoman
Joan as Policewoman may be a strange name but don’t let that put you off. In fact don’t let anything put you off buying tickets for this lady’s show on Sunday 15th July. Most recently she has plied her trade as a member of Antony & The Johnson’s and in Rufus Wainright’s Band, (what, you haven’t stopped reading and rung the box office yet?!) but also has a past in noisier, louder rock bands. Hence she maintians a credibility that few folk artists have, hip with the kids, hip with the moms and probably hip with the grandparents too. Her solo music inhabits a similar world to those of Antony or Rufus but in an easier to take form. No idea what I mean? Check her out on www.myspace.com/joanaspolicewoman then. But don’t leave it too long because this is a sure sell out in the 150 seat new auditorium in the Regional cultural centre (behind An Grianan) and don’t be ringing me when its sold out to see if I can get you a ticket, cos I wont be able to, this is fair warning!
Jerry Dammers
Jerry Dammers will joining me in the Fubar on Sat 30th June, in Derry during the Celtronic Festival on the Wed night and in Sligo on the Thursday night in the Left Bank. Never played in Sligo before and I’m looking forward to it!
Summer Things for the Young ‘Uns
As mentioned last week there’s a great range of Summer Camps at An Grianan Theatre running from Monday 23 July to Sat 18 August, there’s Drama, Singing, Dancing and a Musical. Which one do you want? Call the box office on 074 91 20777 or check it all out at the colourful, wonderful new webiste at www.angrianan.com
Music School in Inishowen
Bookings are now being taken for the “Encore International Music Summer School” taking place in Inishowen. It will be held in Scoil Naomh Mura, Tooban (outside Fahan), Inishowen, Co. Donegal 2nd- 7th July 2007.
It will combine the worlds of Irish traditional and classical music and offer first-class tuition in piano, violin / fiddle, viola, cello, classical guitar, flute, recorder as well as classical voice and sean-nós singing. Tuition at the School will be given by musicians drawn from well known ensembles such as the Vienna Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra. Ireland’s leading classical guitarist Michael O’Toole and renowned sean-nós singer Eilín Begley. For more information and an application form telephone 00353-74-9186083 or 00353-87-2259858 or email encoremusicschool@gmail.com
Inishowen Summer Gathering 2007
The Inishowen Summer Gathering is a weekend celebration of Inishowen’s heritage, community and environment. This year it is being held on Inch Island on June 30th and July 1st. As with the other years there will be a children’s play area, traditional crafts on display, creative opportunities for all ages, talks and walks, demonstrations of alternative technologies, holistic living experiences, camping for the family, good healthy food, and entertainment around the campfire. A detailed programme will be available closer to the weekend event. If you’d like to be involved, call 074 93 29489 or on-line at www.inishowensummergathering.com. Among all the workshops and entertainment will be a performance by the Henry Girls.
Joan as Policewoman
Joan as Policewoman may be a strange name but don’t let that put you off. In fact don’t let anything put you off buying tickets for this lady’s show on Sunday 15th July. Most recently she has plied her trade as a member of Antony & The Johnson’s and in Rufus Wainright’s Band, (what, you haven’t stopped reading and rung the box office yet?!) but also has a past in noisier, louder rock bands. Hence she maintians a credibility that few folk artists have, hip with the kids, hip with the moms and probably hip with the grandparents too. Her solo music inhabits a similar world to those of Antony or Rufus but in an easier to take form. No idea what I mean? Check her out on www.myspace.com/joanaspolicewoman then. But don’t leave it too long because this is a sure sell out in the 150 seat new auditorium in the Regional cultural centre (behind An Grianan) and don’t be ringing me when its sold out to see if I can get you a ticket, cos I wont be able to, this is fair warning!
Jerry Dammers
Jerry Dammers will joining me in the Fubar on Sat 30th June, in Derry during the Celtronic Festival on the Wed night and in Sligo on the Thursday night in the Left Bank. Never played in Sligo before and I’m looking forward to it!
Summer Things for the Young ‘Uns
As mentioned last week there’s a great range of Summer Camps at An Grianan Theatre running from Monday 23 July to Sat 18 August, there’s Drama, Singing, Dancing and a Musical. Which one do you want? Call the box office on 074 91 20777 or check it all out at the colourful, wonderful new webiste at www.angrianan.com
Music School in Inishowen
Bookings are now being taken for the “Encore International Music Summer School” taking place in Inishowen. It will be held in Scoil Naomh Mura, Tooban (outside Fahan), Inishowen, Co. Donegal 2nd- 7th July 2007.
It will combine the worlds of Irish traditional and classical music and offer first-class tuition in piano, violin / fiddle, viola, cello, classical guitar, flute, recorder as well as classical voice and sean-nós singing. Tuition at the School will be given by musicians drawn from well known ensembles such as the Vienna Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra. Ireland’s leading classical guitarist Michael O’Toole and renowned sean-nós singer Eilín Begley. For more information and an application form telephone 00353-74-9186083 or 00353-87-2259858 or email encoremusicschool@gmail.com
Inishowen Summer Gathering 2007
The Inishowen Summer Gathering is a weekend celebration of Inishowen’s heritage, community and environment. This year it is being held on Inch Island on June 30th and July 1st. As with the other years there will be a children’s play area, traditional crafts on display, creative opportunities for all ages, talks and walks, demonstrations of alternative technologies, holistic living experiences, camping for the family, good healthy food, and entertainment around the campfire. A detailed programme will be available closer to the weekend event. If you’d like to be involved, call 074 93 29489 or on-line at www.inishowensummergathering.com. Among all the workshops and entertainment will be a performance by the Henry Girls.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Barba Papa
Dropped in to the Casbah to check out Barba Papa and was very glad I did. This 10 piece band out of Strabane already had the floor filled with happy dancers and the atmosphere was as good as I’ve ever seen it in there. Musically I kept thinking of Bedouin Soundclash but as the gig went on the styles changed subtly keeping the interest high. There were two lead singers, with the male, David, obviously doubling as band leader and definitely had the stronger voice, but the female singer did beautiful harmonies and kept the happy vibe high. When called on to carry the show herself it seemed her voice was a bit weak and it definitely worked best when coupled with his but its still early days for the band so we’ll see how it pans out. The brass section could come to the fore a bit more as well and the bongos were lost in the mix, indeed a talented, and attentive sound engineer could make so much more for this band than happened on the night, with ten on stage there’s no excuse not having someone on full time sound duties. Having said that I’m splitting hairs, the gig was good, the punters very happy and we all, I included, look forward to seeing them again, soon.
Earagail Arts Festival
yes we got the Earagail Arts Festival launched in the Radisson last Tuesday, this year its from the 7th to the 22nd July and as usual over the next few weeks I’ll be previewing my personal must see shows. Here’s a quick run down of what I’ll be going to see: The O’ Neill, Jaws, Luminarium, Sclavi, Joan as Policewoman, Circo Ba Rumba, Fidget Feet, Berkeley, Optimo, Gringo & The Pony Girls, The Skatalites and An Cosan Glas. Make any sense to you? Well over the next few weeks hopefully it will all become clearer, of course you could pick up one of the 50,000 brochures that are out there or surf the web to www.eaf.ie.
Here’s my first highlight: The Skatalites.
A personal thrill for me as heroes of the Jamaican music scene, the scene starters indeed, The Skatalites are to Jamaican music what Booker T and the MGs were to American Soul, the house band and originators of so much of what we now take for granted. The original line up reads like a who’s who of Jamaican music: Roland Alphonso tenor sax, Lester 'Ska' Sterling alto sax, Tommy McCook tenor sax and flute,(the leader of the group) Don Drummond on trombone, Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore on trumpet, Lloyd Knibb on drums, Lloyd Brevett on bass and on piano and organ Jackie Mittoo, Jah Jerry Haines on guitar. At times, other musicians played on the studio sessions, Ernest Ranglin on guitar, keyboards Lloyd Richards, Aubrey Adams. Trumpet Baba Brooks and Raymond Harper. Dennis "ska" Campbell played tenor sax on many sessions and added to the the pace and flavour on many tracks. Skatalites also featured vocalists on some recordings and when they played live. This included Tony DaCosta, Doreen Schaffer and Lord Tanamo. Jackie Opel also performed very well on stage and made some fine recordings with them. They started recording in June 1964 and only recorded for about fourteen months until the late summer of 1965. They were primarily a session band working in the studio during the day. They recorded for both Clement Dodd and Duke Reid, who both had sound systems; Sir Coxsone's Downbeat and Duke Reid the Trojan. Ska was played at all the dance halls and house parties. It is remarkable that during such a short period the Skatalites recorded so many tunes, when you consider that during the evenings most of the musicians played with other bands. When the band split in 1965 they became the Soul Brothers under the leadership of Roland Alphonso, later changing the name to the Soul Vendors, which also included Jackie Mittoo on organ. Tommy Mc Cook formed the Supersonics and joined Duke Reid at Treasure Isle. Naturally this current line up has changed somewhat form the early days , with not all original members still alive but they keep the spirit and more importantly the urgent rhythm, of ska alive. Put on your dancing shoes.... The Skatalites play the Hotel Clanree on Friday 13th July at 9pm, tickets now available from 074 91 20777.
Jerry Dammers
It seems appropriate when talking about ska to talk about the man who championed the second wave of ska in the late 70s. Jerry Dammers was the main songwriter and keyboard player behind the Specials, and the owner and manager of Two Tone Records which gave the ska movement in england, and across Europe and America, its identity. Since the specials split in the 80s he has kept his hand in as a producer, and mainly as a d.j. Every Jerry gig is a dancing party as he blends tunes from 60s ska, reggae, roots, dub, soul, funk into a seething dance floor melting pot of happiness, and occasionally he will delve deep into his sound effects records or over to hip hop and drum n bass to elevate the mood. He may even throw in some Two tone gems, with a particular fondness for the Selector, they were the best dance group out of all of us, he reckons. We Specials fans may argue but there’s no doubting his talent! Jerry is the man. Jerry Dammers, with support from Daithi, will play the full moon party at the Orchard on Saturday 30 June. Tickets are 12 Euros and on sale now from Universal Records in the Square in Letterkenny.
Celtronic 2007
Here’s the full line up for the Derry Festival
Wednesday 27th June @ Sandinos, Water St, Derry
Jerry Dammers (The Specials)
Joe Driscoll (Buttercut Records - New York - Live)
Move (Live)
Wile Man (Live)
Sirocco Allstars featuring Era 2, M3 and Underdog(Live)
Daithi (Fubar)
Thursday 28th June @ Masons, Magazine St, Derry
Radioactive Man (Dex n Fx)
Phil Kieran (Novamute - Skint)
Boxcutter (Planet Mu - Live)
The Crimson Underground (Live)
Friday 29th June @ Masons, Magazine St, Derry
Alan Williams
Mezzanaesia (Live)
Stephen McCauley (Electric Mainline)
Cathy Taylor (Blend Social Shakedown)
Friday 29th June @ The Nerve Centre, Magazine St, Derry
Erol Alkan (Mustapha 3000 Beyond The Wizards Sleeve)
Riotous Rockers (Liars Club Fabric)
The Japanese Popstars (Live)
Darren Allen & Blee (Micro Error)
Zutekh DJs
Aaron Shim
Saturday 30th June @ Bound 4 Boston, Waterloo St, Derry
When Pilots Eject (Live)
Lateral Cut Groove (Live)
Hago & Johnny Boy (Global Virus)
Kwame (Bounce)
Gav & Oddie (Kreep)
Vincent O’Callaghan
+ Movida Corona DJ Competition Final
Saturday 30th June @ The Gasyard
Jimpster (Freerange Records The Bays)
Mark Jennings & David Campbell (Deep Fried Funk)
Chaz and Johnny (Beats Ahoy)
Doors: 9.30pm til Late Adm: £10/12 (Bring Yer Own)
Sunday 1st July @ Sandinos
Tom Middleton (Cosmos Amba)
Reverso 68 aka Peter Herbert & Phil Mison (Eskimo recordings)
check out more at www.celtronic2007.com
ARTLINK:
.
‘Darkroom to Digital’ exhibition launch: Saturday 9 June 2007 at 2.00pm. The exhibition will kindly by opened by Mr. John Hume. Artlink, Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana, Co Donegal. The Gateway to Opportunity project is a cross-border project encompassing the catchment area of Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine and Inishowen in County Donegal that aims to deliver a host of opportunities to young disabled adults aged 18-30 years through a variety of mediums including training, signposting, encouragement and by offering Peer support. Darkroom to Digital is an exhibition and arts programme completed by members of the Gateway to Opportunity project. In Artlink the group explored aspects of black and white photography in the darkroom, and in Derry Bytes (in conjunction with Janeen Whiteside) the group created images using digital and electronic media, assisted by Julie Mc Grory, Project worker. The Gateway to Opportunity Programme is being funded by the Cross – Border Consortium under the European Union Peace ll Programme and part financed by the UK and Irish Governments. Artlink is supported by The Arts Council and Donegal County Council. The Darkroom to Digital exhibition is open to the public from the 11 – 14 June, 9am to 5pm.
Balor Country
Hank Williams Musical Returns To the Balor Theatre. This musical will be presented in the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey on Sunday 10th June (Gala night in aid of Finn Harps FC), Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th June. It is filled to the brim with the cream of local musicians. Damien Duffy (Ramelton) excels in the title role as Hank Williams, ably supported by Pat Muldowney (Letterkenny) as Tee- Tot. Hanks backing group the “Drifting Cowboys” include Denis Bonnar (Stranorlar) as Hoss, Seamus Curran (Stranorlar) as Jimmy, Damien Doherty (Convoy) as Loudmouth and Jo McAuley (Donegal Town) as Shag. Marion Muldowney (Letterkenny) plays Audrey Williams, Hanks wife. His controlling mother Mamma Lilly is played by Mary Laverty (Stranorlar).Peter Wharton (Ballybofey) as “Pap” Hanks long suffering agent, Caroline Coyle (Ramelton) is the frustrated waitress and Aidan O’Sullivan (Letterkenny) plays the radio announcer. DQ . This show has all his hit songs “Jambalaya”, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”,“Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Hey, Good Lookin’”, and “Lovesick Blues” which will have audiences singing along. To book contact the Theatre on 0749131840.
Dropped in to the Casbah to check out Barba Papa and was very glad I did. This 10 piece band out of Strabane already had the floor filled with happy dancers and the atmosphere was as good as I’ve ever seen it in there. Musically I kept thinking of Bedouin Soundclash but as the gig went on the styles changed subtly keeping the interest high. There were two lead singers, with the male, David, obviously doubling as band leader and definitely had the stronger voice, but the female singer did beautiful harmonies and kept the happy vibe high. When called on to carry the show herself it seemed her voice was a bit weak and it definitely worked best when coupled with his but its still early days for the band so we’ll see how it pans out. The brass section could come to the fore a bit more as well and the bongos were lost in the mix, indeed a talented, and attentive sound engineer could make so much more for this band than happened on the night, with ten on stage there’s no excuse not having someone on full time sound duties. Having said that I’m splitting hairs, the gig was good, the punters very happy and we all, I included, look forward to seeing them again, soon.
Earagail Arts Festival
yes we got the Earagail Arts Festival launched in the Radisson last Tuesday, this year its from the 7th to the 22nd July and as usual over the next few weeks I’ll be previewing my personal must see shows. Here’s a quick run down of what I’ll be going to see: The O’ Neill, Jaws, Luminarium, Sclavi, Joan as Policewoman, Circo Ba Rumba, Fidget Feet, Berkeley, Optimo, Gringo & The Pony Girls, The Skatalites and An Cosan Glas. Make any sense to you? Well over the next few weeks hopefully it will all become clearer, of course you could pick up one of the 50,000 brochures that are out there or surf the web to www.eaf.ie.
Here’s my first highlight: The Skatalites.
A personal thrill for me as heroes of the Jamaican music scene, the scene starters indeed, The Skatalites are to Jamaican music what Booker T and the MGs were to American Soul, the house band and originators of so much of what we now take for granted. The original line up reads like a who’s who of Jamaican music: Roland Alphonso tenor sax, Lester 'Ska' Sterling alto sax, Tommy McCook tenor sax and flute,(the leader of the group) Don Drummond on trombone, Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore on trumpet, Lloyd Knibb on drums, Lloyd Brevett on bass and on piano and organ Jackie Mittoo, Jah Jerry Haines on guitar. At times, other musicians played on the studio sessions, Ernest Ranglin on guitar, keyboards Lloyd Richards, Aubrey Adams. Trumpet Baba Brooks and Raymond Harper. Dennis "ska" Campbell played tenor sax on many sessions and added to the the pace and flavour on many tracks. Skatalites also featured vocalists on some recordings and when they played live. This included Tony DaCosta, Doreen Schaffer and Lord Tanamo. Jackie Opel also performed very well on stage and made some fine recordings with them. They started recording in June 1964 and only recorded for about fourteen months until the late summer of 1965. They were primarily a session band working in the studio during the day. They recorded for both Clement Dodd and Duke Reid, who both had sound systems; Sir Coxsone's Downbeat and Duke Reid the Trojan. Ska was played at all the dance halls and house parties. It is remarkable that during such a short period the Skatalites recorded so many tunes, when you consider that during the evenings most of the musicians played with other bands. When the band split in 1965 they became the Soul Brothers under the leadership of Roland Alphonso, later changing the name to the Soul Vendors, which also included Jackie Mittoo on organ. Tommy Mc Cook formed the Supersonics and joined Duke Reid at Treasure Isle. Naturally this current line up has changed somewhat form the early days , with not all original members still alive but they keep the spirit and more importantly the urgent rhythm, of ska alive. Put on your dancing shoes.... The Skatalites play the Hotel Clanree on Friday 13th July at 9pm, tickets now available from 074 91 20777.
Jerry Dammers
It seems appropriate when talking about ska to talk about the man who championed the second wave of ska in the late 70s. Jerry Dammers was the main songwriter and keyboard player behind the Specials, and the owner and manager of Two Tone Records which gave the ska movement in england, and across Europe and America, its identity. Since the specials split in the 80s he has kept his hand in as a producer, and mainly as a d.j. Every Jerry gig is a dancing party as he blends tunes from 60s ska, reggae, roots, dub, soul, funk into a seething dance floor melting pot of happiness, and occasionally he will delve deep into his sound effects records or over to hip hop and drum n bass to elevate the mood. He may even throw in some Two tone gems, with a particular fondness for the Selector, they were the best dance group out of all of us, he reckons. We Specials fans may argue but there’s no doubting his talent! Jerry is the man. Jerry Dammers, with support from Daithi, will play the full moon party at the Orchard on Saturday 30 June. Tickets are 12 Euros and on sale now from Universal Records in the Square in Letterkenny.
Celtronic 2007
Here’s the full line up for the Derry Festival
Wednesday 27th June @ Sandinos, Water St, Derry
Jerry Dammers (The Specials)
Joe Driscoll (Buttercut Records - New York - Live)
Move (Live)
Wile Man (Live)
Sirocco Allstars featuring Era 2, M3 and Underdog(Live)
Daithi (Fubar)
Thursday 28th June @ Masons, Magazine St, Derry
Radioactive Man (Dex n Fx)
Phil Kieran (Novamute - Skint)
Boxcutter (Planet Mu - Live)
The Crimson Underground (Live)
Friday 29th June @ Masons, Magazine St, Derry
Alan Williams
Mezzanaesia (Live)
Stephen McCauley (Electric Mainline)
Cathy Taylor (Blend Social Shakedown)
Friday 29th June @ The Nerve Centre, Magazine St, Derry
Erol Alkan (Mustapha 3000 Beyond The Wizards Sleeve)
Riotous Rockers (Liars Club Fabric)
The Japanese Popstars (Live)
Darren Allen & Blee (Micro Error)
Zutekh DJs
Aaron Shim
Saturday 30th June @ Bound 4 Boston, Waterloo St, Derry
When Pilots Eject (Live)
Lateral Cut Groove (Live)
Hago & Johnny Boy (Global Virus)
Kwame (Bounce)
Gav & Oddie (Kreep)
Vincent O’Callaghan
+ Movida Corona DJ Competition Final
Saturday 30th June @ The Gasyard
Jimpster (Freerange Records The Bays)
Mark Jennings & David Campbell (Deep Fried Funk)
Chaz and Johnny (Beats Ahoy)
Doors: 9.30pm til Late Adm: £10/12 (Bring Yer Own)
Sunday 1st July @ Sandinos
Tom Middleton (Cosmos Amba)
Reverso 68 aka Peter Herbert & Phil Mison (Eskimo recordings)
check out more at www.celtronic2007.com
ARTLINK:
.
‘Darkroom to Digital’ exhibition launch: Saturday 9 June 2007 at 2.00pm. The exhibition will kindly by opened by Mr. John Hume. Artlink, Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana, Co Donegal. The Gateway to Opportunity project is a cross-border project encompassing the catchment area of Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine and Inishowen in County Donegal that aims to deliver a host of opportunities to young disabled adults aged 18-30 years through a variety of mediums including training, signposting, encouragement and by offering Peer support. Darkroom to Digital is an exhibition and arts programme completed by members of the Gateway to Opportunity project. In Artlink the group explored aspects of black and white photography in the darkroom, and in Derry Bytes (in conjunction with Janeen Whiteside) the group created images using digital and electronic media, assisted by Julie Mc Grory, Project worker. The Gateway to Opportunity Programme is being funded by the Cross – Border Consortium under the European Union Peace ll Programme and part financed by the UK and Irish Governments. Artlink is supported by The Arts Council and Donegal County Council. The Darkroom to Digital exhibition is open to the public from the 11 – 14 June, 9am to 5pm.
Balor Country
Hank Williams Musical Returns To the Balor Theatre. This musical will be presented in the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey on Sunday 10th June (Gala night in aid of Finn Harps FC), Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th June. It is filled to the brim with the cream of local musicians. Damien Duffy (Ramelton) excels in the title role as Hank Williams, ably supported by Pat Muldowney (Letterkenny) as Tee- Tot. Hanks backing group the “Drifting Cowboys” include Denis Bonnar (Stranorlar) as Hoss, Seamus Curran (Stranorlar) as Jimmy, Damien Doherty (Convoy) as Loudmouth and Jo McAuley (Donegal Town) as Shag. Marion Muldowney (Letterkenny) plays Audrey Williams, Hanks wife. His controlling mother Mamma Lilly is played by Mary Laverty (Stranorlar).Peter Wharton (Ballybofey) as “Pap” Hanks long suffering agent, Caroline Coyle (Ramelton) is the frustrated waitress and Aidan O’Sullivan (Letterkenny) plays the radio announcer. DQ . This show has all his hit songs “Jambalaya”, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”,“Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Hey, Good Lookin’”, and “Lovesick Blues” which will have audiences singing along. To book contact the Theatre on 0749131840.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Blogorah says I'm the king of Letterkenny, man bring me my tributes. Word up.
Back at Earth here's what's happening...
Back to the Cell!
It’s a fun packed week first up let me just say again that the wonderful Belfast based Superstar Dj Phil Kieran will be in the fubar with me this Saturday. Why’s he playing a place about a tenth of the size he’s used to? Cos he’s my mate is why.. that and he remembers the fun times we had when he was a fledgling dj and used to rock the cell, as it was then known, sure its a bit like one of those reunion night things- Back to the Cell! Anyway hope to see plenty of you up there, get in early and party the night away. I’m away this Friday night so it’s the only gig I’ll be playing and if you want to hear me you better be up early other than that join me on the dance floor!
Riverdance
Yes the whole town has gone Riverdance crazy, and from further afield too it seems as all the hotels are booked up to the gills with revellers in search of high kicking jinks. Got to be good for the town, big respect to Pat Nora Gallagher for that gig.
Des Bishop to Andrew Maxwell
Comedian Des Bishop played the Balor theatre on Monday. Next up is the wonderful Andrew Maxwell on Monday 11th June. See him, he really is good.
Derry Comedy
Flick, a comedy by Irene Melaugh, who gave us the Derry Divorcee and Me Da’s Suit, is on at An Grianan Theatre from thurs 31st for three nights. Sure to be light hearted and good craic, just what we like around this time of year!
New Seats and Stairs
An Grianan will close for the month of June as we put in 45 new seats and a new stairwell. This will bring the capacity up near to 400 which should help us attract a few more artists. Add to this the new entrance, platform lift and acoustic panels and it’s nearly a whole new theatre!
Regional Cultural Centre
The new Regional Cultural Centre, behind An Grianan, is nearly finished and will most likely open its first shows during this year’s Earagail Arts Festival which runs for two weeks from 9th July. It’s a spectacular building, Sure with the new Regional Sports Centre opening Letterkenny may be going somewhere! Although I shed more than one tear for the old leisure Centre, its a pity that such a resource in the heartland of Letterkenny is closing for one on the periphary. Strange decision.
I’m famous
Well I’ve made it onto Blogorrah anyway! check out Derek O’ Connor’s Irish media round up at www.blogorrah.com, it’s good craic.
Johnny Boyle Exhibition in Ramelton
Johnny Boyle has an exhibition of new work opening at the Ross Fine Art Gallery, which is situated just before the bridge in Ramelton, this Friday, 25th May.
10 Years on in the Twin Towns
An interesting gig coming up in Ballybofey celebrates the golden summer of 1997, with Rat Republik, boiled Onion and Deep Down and Dirty sharpening up the guitars and djs John 'Universal' Brennan and Daniel Thompson keeping the tunes flowing. It's only a tenner in and it starts at 9.30pm, it’s on June 1st.
HEART sculpture trail
HEART Sculpture Trail is the working title given to a new sculpture trail that is being developed between Donegal County Council and Strabane District Council. The overall budget for the Sculpture Trail is in the region of €600,000. Artists should give Terre Duffy, Donegal Public Art Officer a ring if interested.
Young People's Summer Art Weeks at An Grianan,
There's the Ballet week, the Drama Week, the Musical Theatre Week and the Singing week. Call the box office at An Grianan on 074 91 20777 for more information, prices and dates.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Bjork and Antony
Nicola just came in and told me to check out this duet between Bjork and Antony as it's beautiful and indeed it is. So check it out yourself, Dull Flame of Desire
By the way Nicola has just done a full redesign of An Grianan's website and a brilliant job she has done so check it out too.
Nicola just came in and told me to check out this duet between Bjork and Antony as it's beautiful and indeed it is. So check it out yourself, Dull Flame of Desire
By the way Nicola has just done a full redesign of An Grianan's website and a brilliant job she has done so check it out too.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Back from athens, photos and info tomorrow....
was idly google-ing and came across this story which took my fancy...
was idly google-ing and came across this story which took my fancy...
i am a cunt club
A club to which new or stupid pupils were told it was desirable to belong to. Membership was obtained by standing on one of the wooden benches which marked the boundary between boys and girls recreation areas and shouting 'I am a cunt!'
Your status within the club was determined by the number of shouts achieved. For instance a 25-cunter obviously outranked a 12-cunter. The shouts had to be audible to a panel of judges who stood at a safe distance.
Iain Grant's claim to be a hundred-cunter was dismissed as it was achieved outside school hours. If a teacher was on playground duty each shout counted as a shout and a half for scoring purposes.
The highest verified status was Mark Jeffries' 43-cunter and the lowest was for a shout of 'I am' followed by a punch in the stomach.
Rival clubs, such as 'I am a Bastard' and the boundary-stretching 'I am a fucking cunt' never really caught on.
Your status within the club was determined by the number of shouts achieved. For instance a 25-cunter obviously outranked a 12-cunter. The shouts had to be audible to a panel of judges who stood at a safe distance.
Iain Grant's claim to be a hundred-cunter was dismissed as it was achieved outside school hours. If a teacher was on playground duty each shout counted as a shout and a half for scoring purposes.
The highest verified status was Mark Jeffries' 43-cunter and the lowest was for a shout of 'I am' followed by a punch in the stomach.
Rival clubs, such as 'I am a Bastard' and the boundary-stretching 'I am a fucking cunt' never really caught on.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Photos from the Amsterdam trip
The Canal on Queen's Day, dig that orange!
Me & Tone on Queen's Day in Amsterdam after partaking in a local custom
Me & Keili a couple of days after Queen's Day, Kev took the photo and I was trying to see if I could zoom in to my glasses and catch a reflection of him, but alas no....
The Canal on Queen's Day, dig that orange!
Me & Tone on Queen's Day in Amsterdam after partaking in a local custom
Me & Keili a couple of days after Queen's Day, Kev took the photo and I was trying to see if I could zoom in to my glasses and catch a reflection of him, but alas no....Thursday, May 03, 2007
Back from the 'Dam. What a beautiful city. Big thanks to Kev and Tony for looking after me. Big Love. And also to Phil Kieran, of Alloy Mental, for putting us on the guest list for the Milkweg on Sat night. Cheers big fella.
Here's the Arts News:
Music news:
A new 9 piece band, from Strabane, Barba Papa will play in the Casbah, Letterkenny on May 18th and admission is free! Playing a mixture of covers and original material by singer David Oliver they call it World Music which I guess means there should be something for everyone no matter where you are from.. unless of course E.T. walks in....
Rebellious Jukebox, those people with Punk attitude, have announced another couple of gigs for Sister Sara’s: on friday 6 July it’s The Lobotomies, Mad Pookas and Blah vs Blah? And on 2 August its Heroic Doses and Bastion. Don’t say I don’t let you know in advance!
May 26th brings dj legend Phil Kieran to the fubar to play a special eclectic set in demand all over the world and on BBC Radio 1 this will be a special set where Phil gets to play all his favourite tunes from all styles of music, sounds like fun to me, you can download his essential mix for BBC Radio 1 at http://www.newmixes.com. It’s another of those ‘boutique’ nights dedicated to fun and good atmosphere, so get the party started... There’s also a Burlesque night in the Orchard on July 21st with Dublin’s Pony Girls performing after the album launch by Letterkenny’s own hip hop duo Dano & B Koz. The line up will be completed by me djing. And it’ll all be part of the Earagail aRts Festival, which is nice, check it out all out at www.eaf.ie
Theatre
At An Grianan theatre this week it’s Des Keogh and Rosaline Linehan with their ever popular fun and satire,Packed full of "golden oldies", topical sketches and up-dates on their last hit show, "Des and Rosie on the Luas"(seen recently at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin), the show coincides with the run-up to the general election so expect some irreverent fireworks to explode, Politicians, property developers, spin doctors, underage drinkers and others will all get a touch...
Barren Rock Productions present a play by Richard Lynch, ‘From the Shoulders Down’ in the Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon on Friday 18th May.
The Balor CEP presents Love Rides The Rails Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th of May 8.30pm. ‘Love Rides The Rails’ is a comedy melodrama set in the wild west. Contact the Balor on 074 91 31840 for more info.
Tuesday 15 May at 8pm it’s Welsh and Irish language show Branwen at An Grianan. A modern day myth about love across the Irish Sea. This is story of two writers, one Irish and one Welsh, who are thrust together to create a script for an animated film of the Branwen myth from the Mabinogion (The Welsh equivalent of An Tain).
Film
The 2nd Guth Gafa Documentary Film Festival is on in Gort A Choirce from the 10th to 13th May, check out www.guthgafa.com.
Workshops
Franck Saucian is running Outdoor Summer Art Workshops in the grounds of the Glebe Gallery contact him on 0860554357 or at cianart@yahoo.ie.
Exhibition
Colin Montgomery’s exhibition Big Shots & Little Tots is still on in Cafe Blend.
Here's the Arts News:
Music news:
A new 9 piece band, from Strabane, Barba Papa will play in the Casbah, Letterkenny on May 18th and admission is free! Playing a mixture of covers and original material by singer David Oliver they call it World Music which I guess means there should be something for everyone no matter where you are from.. unless of course E.T. walks in....
Rebellious Jukebox, those people with Punk attitude, have announced another couple of gigs for Sister Sara’s: on friday 6 July it’s The Lobotomies, Mad Pookas and Blah vs Blah? And on 2 August its Heroic Doses and Bastion. Don’t say I don’t let you know in advance!
May 26th brings dj legend Phil Kieran to the fubar to play a special eclectic set in demand all over the world and on BBC Radio 1 this will be a special set where Phil gets to play all his favourite tunes from all styles of music, sounds like fun to me, you can download his essential mix for BBC Radio 1 at http://www.newmixes.com. It’s another of those ‘boutique’ nights dedicated to fun and good atmosphere, so get the party started... There’s also a Burlesque night in the Orchard on July 21st with Dublin’s Pony Girls performing after the album launch by Letterkenny’s own hip hop duo Dano & B Koz. The line up will be completed by me djing. And it’ll all be part of the Earagail aRts Festival, which is nice, check it out all out at www.eaf.ie
Theatre
At An Grianan theatre this week it’s Des Keogh and Rosaline Linehan with their ever popular fun and satire,Packed full of "golden oldies", topical sketches and up-dates on their last hit show, "Des and Rosie on the Luas"(seen recently at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin), the show coincides with the run-up to the general election so expect some irreverent fireworks to explode, Politicians, property developers, spin doctors, underage drinkers and others will all get a touch...
Barren Rock Productions present a play by Richard Lynch, ‘From the Shoulders Down’ in the Abbey Centre, Ballyshannon on Friday 18th May.
The Balor CEP presents Love Rides The Rails Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th of May 8.30pm. ‘Love Rides The Rails’ is a comedy melodrama set in the wild west. Contact the Balor on 074 91 31840 for more info.
Tuesday 15 May at 8pm it’s Welsh and Irish language show Branwen at An Grianan. A modern day myth about love across the Irish Sea. This is story of two writers, one Irish and one Welsh, who are thrust together to create a script for an animated film of the Branwen myth from the Mabinogion (The Welsh equivalent of An Tain).
Film
The 2nd Guth Gafa Documentary Film Festival is on in Gort A Choirce from the 10th to 13th May, check out www.guthgafa.com.
Workshops
Franck Saucian is running Outdoor Summer Art Workshops in the grounds of the Glebe Gallery contact him on 0860554357 or at cianart@yahoo.ie.
Exhibition
Colin Montgomery’s exhibition Big Shots & Little Tots is still on in Cafe Blend.
Friday, April 27, 2007
AMSTERDAM BABY!
I'm off on Sunday, dont forget Soul Jazz tomorrow... here's the arts news...
I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles
This Thursday Bubbles in the Hot Tub, the latest comedy play out of Derry, opens it’s three night run in An Grianan. It’s got a good pedigree with writer DAve Duggan, who was Oscar nominated for his short film Dance Lexie Dance, which I looked for on you tube but sadly it’s not there! And also in this show is Carmel McCafferty who gained rave reviews for her portrayal of Maire, A Woman of Derry. It’s also got local twin towns favourite Rachel Devir in it, and Rachel runs our Youth Drama and Drama Classes here at An Grianan. It’s a rip- roaring comedy, according to Director and Producer Jonathan Burgess, so why not go along? More info and bookings on 074 91 20777 or on the web at angrianan.com.
Des & Rosie
A timely show, given the impending elections, is Des and Rosie at Large on at An Grianan from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May at 8pm. Well known as actors in their own right, Des Keogh and Rosaleen Linehan, bring their unique blend of song, satire and sheer fun back to An Grianán for the first time since 2000. Packed full of "golden oldies", topical sketches and updates on their last hit show, "Des and Rosie on the Luas"(seen recently at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin), the show coincides with the run-up to the general election so expect some irreverent fireworks to explode, Politicians, property developers, spin doctors, underage drinkers and others beware...
Fionn Regan & Ollie Cole
Fionn Regan performed recently at An Grianan and a cracking gig it was too. The simple line up of Fionn on guitar and vocals and Brian on drums makes a surprisingly full sound, aided by the occasional backing harmonies of Laura, and it was easy to see that Fionn was fired up for this show. New material flew out of him with a fire and venom which we didn’t see last time and proved that he has many more strings to his bow. The tragedy may be that with his career taking off in both the UK and America we may not see him back at this venue. We will just have to keep our fingers crossed! Ollie Cole, formerly of Turn, did an admirable job of support duties and he was telling me he is currently recording these songs with a band made up of members of Ireland’s indie elite. A supergroup if you will, I look forward to hearing the album.
Django in the Wine Bar
On Bank Holiday Saturday, 5th May Django is set to liven up McDaid’s Wine Bar in Ramelton with a dj set of Jazz, Funk, Lounge, Latin & Soul. He says to expect to hear a anything from vintage Egyptian jazz to the sounds of Brazilian tropicalia.
Balor
Here’s the month ahead at the Balor:
Thurs 3rd, Carnival Saloon play the music of Tom Waits (Music)
Fri 4th, A Night of Pipe and Brass (Music)
Mon 14th – Wed 16th, Balor CEP presents Love Rides The Rails (Drama)
Thurs 17th,Eoin Dillon & the Third Twin (Music)
Mon 21st, The Lisa Richards Comedy Club presents... Des Bishop (Comedy)
Thurs 24th, Donegal Fiddle Night (Music)
Mon 28th to Wed 30th, Donegal National Schools Drama Festival (Drama)
Thurs 31st, Roy – A Footballers Tale (Drama)
Earagail Arts Festival Dates
This year’s Earagail Arts Festival runs from the 9th to the 22nd July. More details from eaf.ie
Kilkenny Cat’s Laughs
The premier Comedy Festival in Ireland is the Kilkenny Cat Laughs, and its on from 31 May to the 4th June this year. In previous years the outrageous cost of accommodation has put me off this but it really is a great way to see a lot of comedians in a short space of time and highly recommended, the atmosphere is great just pack lots of cash. Check out the listings at www.catlaughs.com
Electric Picnic Sold Out
The best festival by a long shot in this country is the Electric Picnic, and it’s now sold out. Proper Order. Check out why at www.electricpicnic.ie
Summer Camps
An Grianan is now taking bookings for both the Jim Mailey Choral Summer Camp on the week of 23rd July and the Ballet Ireland Summer School on the week of the 30th July. Both were great last year and I’ll give you more information on them next week. If you know what they are about and want to get that quick booking in try the box office on 074 91 20777.
I'm off on Sunday, dont forget Soul Jazz tomorrow... here's the arts news...
I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles
This Thursday Bubbles in the Hot Tub, the latest comedy play out of Derry, opens it’s three night run in An Grianan. It’s got a good pedigree with writer DAve Duggan, who was Oscar nominated for his short film Dance Lexie Dance, which I looked for on you tube but sadly it’s not there! And also in this show is Carmel McCafferty who gained rave reviews for her portrayal of Maire, A Woman of Derry. It’s also got local twin towns favourite Rachel Devir in it, and Rachel runs our Youth Drama and Drama Classes here at An Grianan. It’s a rip- roaring comedy, according to Director and Producer Jonathan Burgess, so why not go along? More info and bookings on 074 91 20777 or on the web at angrianan.com.
Des & Rosie
A timely show, given the impending elections, is Des and Rosie at Large on at An Grianan from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May at 8pm. Well known as actors in their own right, Des Keogh and Rosaleen Linehan, bring their unique blend of song, satire and sheer fun back to An Grianán for the first time since 2000. Packed full of "golden oldies", topical sketches and updates on their last hit show, "Des and Rosie on the Luas"(seen recently at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin), the show coincides with the run-up to the general election so expect some irreverent fireworks to explode, Politicians, property developers, spin doctors, underage drinkers and others beware...
Fionn Regan & Ollie Cole
Fionn Regan performed recently at An Grianan and a cracking gig it was too. The simple line up of Fionn on guitar and vocals and Brian on drums makes a surprisingly full sound, aided by the occasional backing harmonies of Laura, and it was easy to see that Fionn was fired up for this show. New material flew out of him with a fire and venom which we didn’t see last time and proved that he has many more strings to his bow. The tragedy may be that with his career taking off in both the UK and America we may not see him back at this venue. We will just have to keep our fingers crossed! Ollie Cole, formerly of Turn, did an admirable job of support duties and he was telling me he is currently recording these songs with a band made up of members of Ireland’s indie elite. A supergroup if you will, I look forward to hearing the album.
Django in the Wine Bar
On Bank Holiday Saturday, 5th May Django is set to liven up McDaid’s Wine Bar in Ramelton with a dj set of Jazz, Funk, Lounge, Latin & Soul. He says to expect to hear a anything from vintage Egyptian jazz to the sounds of Brazilian tropicalia.
Balor
Here’s the month ahead at the Balor:
Thurs 3rd, Carnival Saloon play the music of Tom Waits (Music)
Fri 4th, A Night of Pipe and Brass (Music)
Mon 14th – Wed 16th, Balor CEP presents Love Rides The Rails (Drama)
Thurs 17th,Eoin Dillon & the Third Twin (Music)
Mon 21st, The Lisa Richards Comedy Club presents... Des Bishop (Comedy)
Thurs 24th, Donegal Fiddle Night (Music)
Mon 28th to Wed 30th, Donegal National Schools Drama Festival (Drama)
Thurs 31st, Roy – A Footballers Tale (Drama)
Earagail Arts Festival Dates
This year’s Earagail Arts Festival runs from the 9th to the 22nd July. More details from eaf.ie
Kilkenny Cat’s Laughs
The premier Comedy Festival in Ireland is the Kilkenny Cat Laughs, and its on from 31 May to the 4th June this year. In previous years the outrageous cost of accommodation has put me off this but it really is a great way to see a lot of comedians in a short space of time and highly recommended, the atmosphere is great just pack lots of cash. Check out the listings at www.catlaughs.com
Electric Picnic Sold Out
The best festival by a long shot in this country is the Electric Picnic, and it’s now sold out. Proper Order. Check out why at www.electricpicnic.ie
Summer Camps
An Grianan is now taking bookings for both the Jim Mailey Choral Summer Camp on the week of 23rd July and the Ballet Ireland Summer School on the week of the 30th July. Both were great last year and I’ll give you more information on them next week. If you know what they are about and want to get that quick booking in try the box office on 074 91 20777.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
MY NEW FAVOURITE BAND PART 2
The Klowns are often termed 'bubblegum' but hell it makes me smile.
Get the whole album here. God I love T'internet.
The Klowns are often termed 'bubblegum' but hell it makes me smile.
Get the whole album here. God I love T'internet.
MY NEW FAVOURITE BAND
Had a chat with Fionn Regan last night and he asked me what new music I was listening to and said Camera Obscura, cos after hearing a track on Kathy's myspace page I downloaded loads of songs by them. He then told me he had played gigs with them, I think he said Canada but I could be wrong there, certainly Belle and Sebastian came into the story somewhere... and the phrase 'Hot Ticket', and that they were lovely people. Which is nice.
Heads up: they are playing McGarrigles in Sligo on May 4th, which is a piss*r as I cant go, feck. But you should.
a tune by them
and another one
Had a chat with Fionn Regan last night and he asked me what new music I was listening to and said Camera Obscura, cos after hearing a track on Kathy's myspace page I downloaded loads of songs by them. He then told me he had played gigs with them, I think he said Canada but I could be wrong there, certainly Belle and Sebastian came into the story somewhere... and the phrase 'Hot Ticket', and that they were lovely people. Which is nice.
Heads up: they are playing McGarrigles in Sligo on May 4th, which is a piss*r as I cant go, feck. But you should.
a tune by them
and another one
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Is this my good side?Dj Duties
Over the next couple of months I'll be doing a little less djing than I have been, due to other commitments like being a father and a husband and such like.
DAAAAAAANNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO
DANO
all go for dano and b koz on the 21 July, need a couple of hundred words and a high res (300dpi) photo by thurs for the Earagail Arts Festival brochure... wanna make it your album launch? you are on before the pony girls check them out at www.myspace.com/ponygirls.
send stuff to chiba at eircom dot net
anyone sees this holler Dano and let him know.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Daithi goes to Athens...
yep work are sending me to Athens for a few days for a thing that's kinda hush hush, I am frizzled to a froth. That's a good thing by the way. And it wont be long after I come back from Amsterdam so my resolution to travel more this year is working well ;-)
Here's all the bits I wrote from the papers....
Reggae Stars Return!
Yes this Saturday the SoulJazz Records Reggae Soundsystem return to the fubar two months after their fabulous party night there in March. Doors are at 11pm and numbers are strictly limited to 250 good people to ensure a similar relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. So come early and help to get things moving, of course if you are particularly worried you can buy an advance ticket in Universal Records in the Market Square in Letterkenny. Only 10 Euros? Bargain! And sure it’ll be me warming up on the decks before the boys do their mighty mighty stuff. This time out its dj Scott Bethell who is a bit more soulful in orientation than Pete who was here last time, and its the same MC Oxman who impressed everyone so much last time out. Hope to see you there.
Fionn Regan tomorrow night
Here’s what Wikipedia, the online free encyclopaedia, say about Fionn Regan: ‘Fionn Regan is a singer-songwriter from Bray, Ireland. He is currently based in Brighton, England Following the limited release of the Hotel and Reservoir EPs on Anvil Records,Regan signed to former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde's independent record label Bella Union. His debut album, The End of History, was released in August 2006 and received much critical acclaim including four star ratings in The Times, The Independent on Sunday, The Guardian, The Sun, and Mojo magazine. His music is characterised by his soft vocals and smooth acoustic guitar work. Regan cites such artists as Neil Young and Bob Dylan as influences. Fionn was also the first artist signed to fellow Irish singer songwriter, Damien Rice's record label "heffa".’ We think he’s great so why not go along to An Grianan tomorrow night, it’s an 8pm start and support is from former lead singer of Turn, Ollie Cole. Tickets available on the door.
Bubbles in the Hot Tub
Starting on Thursday 3 March and running until Saturday 5 May is the new Dave Duggan play Bubbles in the Hot Tub. Described by the Director Jonathan Burgess as a rip- roaring Derry Comedy. So you know what to expect! Here’s the blurb ‘A new comedy by Oscar nominated writer Dave Duggan. Can the hot tub save Jack and Donna's marriage? Jack's rubber duck is stuck in the pump and Donna's mother Alice is coming round for a dip. Jack's boss Robin is coming too and Lorrie, their vivacious neighbour, thinks it's all a fantastic fancy dress party! Leave your cozzie at home and prepare to plunge in!’. tickets from An Grianan on 074 91 20777.
Busy time for the Balor
With Leslie Dowdall & Mike Hanrahan in concert on Thurs Apr 26th. Leslie Dowdall first came to prominence with In Tua Nua, a seven piece outfit, who fused Celtic Tradition with Rock. Mike Hanrahan was the singer, songwriter and guitarist with Stockton’s Wing, a band who released album after album of greatness during the 80’s and 90’s. The live show features Leslie on Vocal, Keyboard and Guitar and Mike on Guitars and Vocal.
On Thur 3rd May 8.30pm Carnival Saloon play the music of Tom Waits. The Carnival Saloon is a tribute act of sorts to the great Tom Waits, who has retained a fiercely loyal cult following throughout his 30+ year career. Join them on their once-in-the-end-of-a-lifetime voyage through howling jagged blues, demented rhythms, dust-bowl ballads and broken eastern promise. Carnival Saloons gigs are more than just a musical treat with the musicians staying in character and providing a full blown musical stage show to assault all five senses.
And on Friday 4th of May it’s a Night Of Pipe and Brass, featuring Thievpal Memorial Pipe Band Convoy, St. Nauls Pipe Band Ardaghey, Bready Ulster-Scots Pipe Band & St. Josephs Brass Band Strabane.
Brendan McGloin’s Exhibition of High Cross
Brendan McGloin, the Bundoran native, who is based in the Craft Village is exhibiting a beautiful piece of work he has done, a High Cross, which will shortly be making its way to its new home in Portland, Oregon. He’s exhibiting it, and details of the process, in his studio in the Craft Village from 1st- 8th May so pop along and prepare to be very impressed!
Bits and Bobs
Dj Marty Clampett has a new rock night up and running in the Voodoo on Thursday nights, upstairs, admission is only 5 euros. Letterkenny’s Shindig crew have a video of their new rap track with Dj Dano and B Koz up on the web at http://shindigrecords.blogspot.com/ and damn fine it is too. Strong language tho. I Went to see Dj Healer Selecta in Sandino’s in Derry recently and it was great dancing music: soul, swing, rock n roll all tumbling together to put a smile on every face and a skip in every step. Sweet. Pop Punk girls the Priscillas are playing there on 17th May so I’ll be popping along to that. There’s currently an exhibition of paintings by Colin Montgomery in Cafe Blend in Letterkenny.
Reggae to the Max!
I'm fizzled to a froth. Yes its only a couple of days away from the return of the SoulJazzRecordsSoundSystem. Last time they were here was the best night I, and many others, have had out in Letterkenny in the last year! As one Polish friend said to me 'I didn't know Letterkenny could party like this!". It wasn't just the great music, it was the great atmosphere, not only the lack of hassle, so welcome on a night out in Letterkenny, but the very positive and friendly atmosphere from everyone to everyone. It's the way I've always believed clubs should be and worked towards being, sniff I think I'm going to cry... anyway... I'm expecting this Saturday night in the Fubar to be the same and I'll be warming up with tunes from 11'ish, come early it really helps to get the mood going!
I've heard a few whispers about this year's Earagail Arts Festival and its got some brilliant music gigs in it. Go to www.eaf.ie, put in your email address and be the first to know when they are announced. Trust me you wont be disappointed.
A cracking comedy play from Derry is Bubbles in the Hot Tub which is on at An Grianan Theatre from next thursday 3rd to Sat 5th May, written by Dave Duggan it's all good clean summer fun. Sure go along or find out more by ringing 074 91 20777.
Coming up in Sandinos in Derry on the 17th May are the Priscillas, a rock n roll combo out of London who I saw at Electric Picnic in 2005 and promptly fell in love with. With the music, honest.... anyway to me they sound like the female Ramones.. luuverlly! That'll be me in the front row if you are wondering... and I'm working on a Burlesqu evening at the moment which I'll tell you more about as I get the details finalised.
The Casbah has another of those open mic nights on Wednesday 2 May, I hear the last one was really well attended. Never mind them saying it's American style my Dad says all the folk clubs did the same in the 60s! sounds like fun so why not pop in it's on the Main Street in Letterkenny..
Tonight is the Thursday Night Project in The Voodoo where Brian McDaid plays to the masses while dj Clampett lays down the rock for the people in black. only a fiver in....
Brendan McGloin, Bundoran native and former pupil of the LYIT back when it was known as The Donagh O' Malley Regional Technical College (why ever did they drop such a snappy name?), is exhibiting a beautiful piece of work he has done, a High Cross, which will shortly be making its way to its new home in Portland, Oregon. He’s exhibiting it, and details of the process, in his studio in the Craft Village Donegal Town from 1st- 8th May, go ask him why he was known as Animal......
yep work are sending me to Athens for a few days for a thing that's kinda hush hush, I am frizzled to a froth. That's a good thing by the way. And it wont be long after I come back from Amsterdam so my resolution to travel more this year is working well ;-)
Here's all the bits I wrote from the papers....
Reggae Stars Return!
Yes this Saturday the SoulJazz Records Reggae Soundsystem return to the fubar two months after their fabulous party night there in March. Doors are at 11pm and numbers are strictly limited to 250 good people to ensure a similar relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. So come early and help to get things moving, of course if you are particularly worried you can buy an advance ticket in Universal Records in the Market Square in Letterkenny. Only 10 Euros? Bargain! And sure it’ll be me warming up on the decks before the boys do their mighty mighty stuff. This time out its dj Scott Bethell who is a bit more soulful in orientation than Pete who was here last time, and its the same MC Oxman who impressed everyone so much last time out. Hope to see you there.
Fionn Regan tomorrow night
Here’s what Wikipedia, the online free encyclopaedia, say about Fionn Regan: ‘Fionn Regan is a singer-songwriter from Bray, Ireland. He is currently based in Brighton, England Following the limited release of the Hotel and Reservoir EPs on Anvil Records,Regan signed to former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde's independent record label Bella Union. His debut album, The End of History, was released in August 2006 and received much critical acclaim including four star ratings in The Times, The Independent on Sunday, The Guardian, The Sun, and Mojo magazine. His music is characterised by his soft vocals and smooth acoustic guitar work. Regan cites such artists as Neil Young and Bob Dylan as influences. Fionn was also the first artist signed to fellow Irish singer songwriter, Damien Rice's record label "heffa".’ We think he’s great so why not go along to An Grianan tomorrow night, it’s an 8pm start and support is from former lead singer of Turn, Ollie Cole. Tickets available on the door.
Bubbles in the Hot Tub
Starting on Thursday 3 March and running until Saturday 5 May is the new Dave Duggan play Bubbles in the Hot Tub. Described by the Director Jonathan Burgess as a rip- roaring Derry Comedy. So you know what to expect! Here’s the blurb ‘A new comedy by Oscar nominated writer Dave Duggan. Can the hot tub save Jack and Donna's marriage? Jack's rubber duck is stuck in the pump and Donna's mother Alice is coming round for a dip. Jack's boss Robin is coming too and Lorrie, their vivacious neighbour, thinks it's all a fantastic fancy dress party! Leave your cozzie at home and prepare to plunge in!’. tickets from An Grianan on 074 91 20777.
Busy time for the Balor
With Leslie Dowdall & Mike Hanrahan in concert on Thurs Apr 26th. Leslie Dowdall first came to prominence with In Tua Nua, a seven piece outfit, who fused Celtic Tradition with Rock. Mike Hanrahan was the singer, songwriter and guitarist with Stockton’s Wing, a band who released album after album of greatness during the 80’s and 90’s. The live show features Leslie on Vocal, Keyboard and Guitar and Mike on Guitars and Vocal.
On Thur 3rd May 8.30pm Carnival Saloon play the music of Tom Waits. The Carnival Saloon is a tribute act of sorts to the great Tom Waits, who has retained a fiercely loyal cult following throughout his 30+ year career. Join them on their once-in-the-end-of-a-lifetime voyage through howling jagged blues, demented rhythms, dust-bowl ballads and broken eastern promise. Carnival Saloons gigs are more than just a musical treat with the musicians staying in character and providing a full blown musical stage show to assault all five senses.
And on Friday 4th of May it’s a Night Of Pipe and Brass, featuring Thievpal Memorial Pipe Band Convoy, St. Nauls Pipe Band Ardaghey, Bready Ulster-Scots Pipe Band & St. Josephs Brass Band Strabane.
Brendan McGloin’s Exhibition of High Cross
Brendan McGloin, the Bundoran native, who is based in the Craft Village is exhibiting a beautiful piece of work he has done, a High Cross, which will shortly be making its way to its new home in Portland, Oregon. He’s exhibiting it, and details of the process, in his studio in the Craft Village from 1st- 8th May so pop along and prepare to be very impressed!
Bits and Bobs
Dj Marty Clampett has a new rock night up and running in the Voodoo on Thursday nights, upstairs, admission is only 5 euros. Letterkenny’s Shindig crew have a video of their new rap track with Dj Dano and B Koz up on the web at http://shindigrecords.blogspot.com/ and damn fine it is too. Strong language tho. I Went to see Dj Healer Selecta in Sandino’s in Derry recently and it was great dancing music: soul, swing, rock n roll all tumbling together to put a smile on every face and a skip in every step. Sweet. Pop Punk girls the Priscillas are playing there on 17th May so I’ll be popping along to that. There’s currently an exhibition of paintings by Colin Montgomery in Cafe Blend in Letterkenny.
Reggae to the Max!
I'm fizzled to a froth. Yes its only a couple of days away from the return of the SoulJazzRecordsSoundSystem. Last time they were here was the best night I, and many others, have had out in Letterkenny in the last year! As one Polish friend said to me 'I didn't know Letterkenny could party like this!". It wasn't just the great music, it was the great atmosphere, not only the lack of hassle, so welcome on a night out in Letterkenny, but the very positive and friendly atmosphere from everyone to everyone. It's the way I've always believed clubs should be and worked towards being, sniff I think I'm going to cry... anyway... I'm expecting this Saturday night in the Fubar to be the same and I'll be warming up with tunes from 11'ish, come early it really helps to get the mood going!
I've heard a few whispers about this year's Earagail Arts Festival and its got some brilliant music gigs in it. Go to www.eaf.ie, put in your email address and be the first to know when they are announced. Trust me you wont be disappointed.
A cracking comedy play from Derry is Bubbles in the Hot Tub which is on at An Grianan Theatre from next thursday 3rd to Sat 5th May, written by Dave Duggan it's all good clean summer fun. Sure go along or find out more by ringing 074 91 20777.
Coming up in Sandinos in Derry on the 17th May are the Priscillas, a rock n roll combo out of London who I saw at Electric Picnic in 2005 and promptly fell in love with. With the music, honest.... anyway to me they sound like the female Ramones.. luuverlly! That'll be me in the front row if you are wondering... and I'm working on a Burlesqu evening at the moment which I'll tell you more about as I get the details finalised.
The Casbah has another of those open mic nights on Wednesday 2 May, I hear the last one was really well attended. Never mind them saying it's American style my Dad says all the folk clubs did the same in the 60s! sounds like fun so why not pop in it's on the Main Street in Letterkenny..
Tonight is the Thursday Night Project in The Voodoo where Brian McDaid plays to the masses while dj Clampett lays down the rock for the people in black. only a fiver in....
Brendan McGloin, Bundoran native and former pupil of the LYIT back when it was known as The Donagh O' Malley Regional Technical College (why ever did they drop such a snappy name?), is exhibiting a beautiful piece of work he has done, a High Cross, which will shortly be making its way to its new home in Portland, Oregon. He’s exhibiting it, and details of the process, in his studio in the Craft Village Donegal Town from 1st- 8th May, go ask him why he was known as Animal......
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