We All Love a Laugh...

Loads of comedy around these days what with Colin Murphy this coming Monday in the Balor, Phil Nicholl in An Grianan last week (he was amazing), and coming up very soon 22nd February to be precise, Jason byrne at An Grianan. You may have seen him recently on The Weakest Link, or on the Royal Variety Performance, or on The Panel, or at the helm of Anonymous but t.v. has never really suited this amiable but manic Dubliner. Somehow the T.V. is too small to show his true glory. It’s his live shows that are where you have to see Jason, and its the power of his live shows that makes hm the most popular comedian at the Edinburgh Festival each year, selling more tickets form ore shows than anyone else. Tickets have sold very well so to make sure you see what all the fuss is about ring An Grianan Theatre now on 074 9120777 or book online at www.angrianan.com. Oh and a quick warning if its a wisecracking gag teller you like skip this one, you need to be the sort of person who can relax and go with the flow to appreciate Jason!

Jon Kenny

There are only a very few genius’ of Irish Comedy, and in fact there are only two in my mind: Kevin McAleer and Jon Kenny. Both of them are truly Irish in that their comedy is of here and only here, it is so culturally Irish that any other country would have trouble grasping its nuances. Tommy Tiernan may well be the best stand up in the world now but Tommy’s humour is broad and universal, Kevin and Jon will never break America because they are simply too clever, and too Irish. Jon, the original behind the d’Unbelievables and hence Pat Shortt’s success has taken a different path from his erstwhile partner and is making the comedy he truly believes in and while we still have the familiar larger than life parochial characters we also get the ‘Windy Man’ in all his Beckettesque glory. He’s playing in the Abbey Centre Ballyshannon on 29th March Tickets are 25 Euros and you can find out how to get them by calling 071 98 51375. Call soon, call often!

Footsteps...

Cois Ceim Dance Theatre are what I like to call the Arcade Fire of Dance. All dramatic build ups, stirring music and delivering the goods every time. CoisCéim bring Out of Harm’s Way, a follow up to last year’s show Knots which they performed to great acclaim last Spring at the theatre, the show later went on to win a prestigious Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Festival . They also gave a thrilling performance of Intimate Details at the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony.
Featuring a troupe of top class Irish and international dancers, as always, Out of Harm’s Way sees eight dancers dashing about in the darkness fearing for their lives. The safe haven of a cosy room later becomes a prison as they wonder if they have locked the danger outside or within. The show has been choreographed by CoisCéim’s artistic director David Bolger. David was also responsible for the choreography in Druid Theatre’s recent production of The Year of the Hiker at An Grianán in November. Perceived by many, including me, as the best choreographer working in Ireland today, among his many other credits are the DruidSynge project and the 2003 Special Olympics opening ceremony. And his work is always sexy. Maybe you didn’t get tickets for Arcade Fire in Dublin, (well who did?!?) but you can see this it’s on at An Grianan Theatre on Saturday 24th February. Oh and I’ve heard the new Arcade Fire album Neon Bible: cracking it is too.

Papa Gee Afrobeat...

A recently added event for An Grianan Theatre is also an exciting one. Papa Gee Afrobeat. Gboyega 'Papa Gee' Akerele is a Singer/song writer, drummer/percussionist, and saxophonist born in Nigeria in West Africa. Boye as a drummer played, toured and recorded with such groups as Proyecto Secreto a 12-piece renowned Reggae/Ska band based in Belgium. Also performed as a drummer with the group Kaiiman-a 4 piece desert blues/Afro-jazz band also based in Belgium. Boye formed Odura Afro Jazz band in 1999. His long years of experience as a freelance musician in different bands both in Nigeria and Europe inspired him into introducing a new and fresh sound. Afrobeat is a fusion of American Jazz, funk/soul, Hi-life, rock & roll, reggae blended with heavy percussion rhythm-as long as it grooves, thats Afrobeat. It was created by the late legendary Fela Kuti - Originally from Nigeria. Apart from direct inspiration from God almighty, Boyes inspired by musicians such as Femi-Kuti, Manu Dibango,Tony Alen, Egypt 80 (Late Fela Kuti's Original band.) lead by Seun Kuti, Hugh Masala, King Sunny-Ade, Sunny Okosuns, Majek-Fashek,Lagbaja, and of course the late Fela-kuti (The undisputed King of Afrobeat). And there are dancers too! The gig is on Thursday 5 April and tickets are a very reasonable 10 Euros.

The Return of Fionn Regan

A masterful gig by the young Fionn Regan in Letterkenny this year is happily to be followed up by another appearance in an Grianan on 24th April. Just three days after my birthday so it happens, presents to the usual address!.

The Jamaican Sound System



The sound system concept first became popular in Jamaica in the 1950's, in the ghettos of Kingston. DJs would load up a truck with a generator, turntables, and huge speakers and set up street parties. In the beginning, the DJs played American R&B music, but as time progressed and more local music was created, the sound migrated to a local flavour. Eventually two legendary DJs emerged as the stars of the scene: Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd, and Duke Reid. The popularity of a sound system was mainly contingent on one thing: having new music. In order to circumvent the release cycle of the American record labels, the two sound system superstars turned to record production . What began as an attempt to copy the American R&B sound using local musicians became Jamaica's first unique music: Ska, and then to Reggae, to Dub to Dancehall and so on. As this new musical form became more popular, both Dodd and Reid began to move more seriously into music production. Coxsone Dodd's production studio became the famous Studio One, while Duke Reid founded the famous Treasure Isle. Soul Jazz Records in England have become synonymous with Studio One through their many releases of such hard to find material. Now the Soul Jazz Records Sound System will play in Letterkenny with DJ Pete Reill and MC Ox on Saturday March 3rd in the fubar at the Orchard on the High Road. Tunes from 11pm, come early and join the party!

Arthur Ebeling & Sephira & The Castleblaney Players

Thursday the 15th sees Arthur Ebeling take to the stage of the Balor. Arthur is one of Holland’s top guitarists and is joined on stage by Ronald Ebeling (probably a relation I’m guessing) on double bass and Thomas Streutgers on saxophone. Conor at the Balor describes the music as a cross between Tom Waits, Ray Charles and Eddie Cochrane and is a gig that Conor reckons will be perfect for the Balor. And is so confident that he’s offering a money back guarantee if you are not impressed! Fair play that man.
On Friday it’s Sephira. Sephira comprises Joyce O’Leary on Vocals and Violin, Ruth O’Leary on Violin and Colm Henry on Piano. Three young classically trained musicians who’s sound can compare to the emotional swells of a movie, sensational, dramatic, and filled with the full sweep of human passions it says here not really sure what that means! This tour will be the last chance to catch them in Ireland for a while as they head overseas for touring commitments before beginning work on their second album. Update: I went to their myspace page and its all lovely piano, violin and breathy vocals. It would be a perfect Valentine’s gig! Go on impress that girl you have been mooning over all year by inviting her to this gig...
The Castleblaney players round off a hectic week at the Balor when they bring their production of the famous Bernard Farrell play 'I Do Not Like Thee Dr. Fell' to Ballybofey. This is a black comedy with elements of thriller and mystery which audiences will find both gripping and funny. Six people gather in a locked room for Encounter Therapy and are exhorted to express total honesty for its positive therapeutic value. They get more than they bargain for when one the group exposes their deceptions and secrets to comic effect.