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.

Checkin out magooo.org the NOE track just triggered of memories off this old fubar favourite in my head.. Hit it

listen to Phil's Brilliant Essential Mix here

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.

STREET ART IN ATHENS

Back from athens, photos and info tomorrow....

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.

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....

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.

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.

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

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.

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......

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.