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 GrianĂ¡n 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.
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

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......

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Was going to go to Dublin to see this band on the 18th May but turns out they are playing the night before in Sandinos in Derry. Result.

The Priscillas. Roll it there Collette.

Monday, April 16, 2007

I'm back.

this is awesome.

big shout out to the shindig crew. word.