Dave Fanning gives ‘thumbs up' for The Dennis McCalmont Band

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Legendary Irish radio presenter Dave Fanning has commended “Loverboy Blues” the new single by The Dennis McCalmont Band on his RTE 2fm radio show. This is welcome good news for the Mayo-based four piece, who recently released their album #SoulRecall which has been playlisted on radio stations across the globe. The musical tightness of The Dennis McCalmont Band comes from 10 years of loyal friendship and musical explorations with seasoned campaigners Michael Buckton (electric guitar), Craig Donaldson (bass), and Donald Hoban (drums).

Classic opera live from New York to Castlebar

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

February’s Classical Arts Ireland live event programme features a world-class cultural treat for local audiences exclusively at The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. On Saturday February 8 at 6pm local audiences can take part in one of the great experiences New York has to offer, the Metropolitan Opera’s live transmission of Dvoák’s sumptuously melodic fairy-tale opera Rusalka - known throughout the world for its famous aria “Rusalka’s Song to the Moon”.

The American superstar soprano Renée Fleming performs her signature role of the lovelorn mermaid, Rusalka, in this HD performance coming live from the stage of the Met. In a beautifully elegant period production, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a cast that includes Piotr Beczala as the Prince, Dolora Zajick as the cackling swamp witch, Emily Magee as the foreign princess, and John Relyea as the Water Sprite. This magnificent events has great value ticket prices for families, and half-price student and children’s tickets. Full details of the production and all venues can be found on www.classcialartsireland.com

Jazz at the Linenhall

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Tune into a contemporary jazz groove with The Little Radio (sax player Iain Ballamy and accordionist Stian) at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm, performing as part of a prestigious Music Network tour.

New exhibition opening in Custom House Studios

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

The Custom House Studios in Westport are pleased to present The Vanishing Present, a new exhibition by Sarah Stevens which was opened recently and will run until Sunday, February 9. The Vanishing Present is an art project that documents abandoned spaces and their possessions. Artist Sarah Stevens uses photography, sculpture, and drawing to record homes, schools, hotels, train stations, factories, and other empty spaces. These beautiful, decaying museums lie forgotten in every community in Ireland. Some are a consequence of the financial collapse, but many more have been around for longer.

The Six Marys comes to Castlebar

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Jean Farrell presents The Six Marys, a comical yet poignant look at life from childhood in the 1950s to the present day, at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday, January 30 at 8pm.

Westport Civic trust presents Neither Fish nor Fowl

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Neither Fish nor Fowl: This Westport Civic Trust sponsored film will be shown at The Atlantic Coast Hotel on Tuesday January 14 at 8pm. It tells of a family of ebullient 70 and 80-year-olds returning to their ancestral home in Co Mayo and recalling their lives there in the 1930s in an intimate and revealing way with a relish for the absurd. The film-maker Fiona Murphy will be present to discuss the film and its making. All are welcome: More details are available from Pip Murphy on 087 2663423.

Scottish Burns supper in Knock Shrine

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Following on from last year’s resounding success, Knock Counselling Centre will once again host a Scottish Burns Supper in Café le Chéile, at Knock Shrine Museum on Friday, January 24. This unique event will celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns, the Scottish bard who wrote poems and songs such as “Auld Lang Syne”, “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose” and “Ae Fond Kiss”.

New exhibition opening in Custom House Studios

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

The Custom House Studios in Westport are pleased to present The Vanishing Present, a new exhibition by Sarah Stevens which will be officially opened next Thursday, January 16 and will run until Sunday, January 9. The Vanishing Present is an art project that documents abandoned spaces and their possessions. Artist Sarah Stevens uses photography, sculpture, and drawing to record homes, schools, hotels, train stations, factories, and other empty spaces. These beautiful, decaying museums lie forgotten in every community in Ireland. Some are a consequence of the financial collapse, but many more have been around for longer.

Women in Art history lecture series in Castlebar

Fri, Jan 10, 2014

Women in Art History, a fascinating lecture series by Dr John Mulloy, takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre over five Monday nights commencing January 27, from 8pm to 9.30pm.

‘Why have there been no great women artists?’ was the question posed by Linda Nochlin in 1971, launching a major debate about the role of women in art history that challenged traditional notions of what it meant to be a ‘great artist’. This series of five talks by Dr John Mulloy, lecturer in art history and critical theory, will focus primarily on painting, and will be of interest to the general public and students alike.

Castlebar Pantomime presents Sleeping Beauty

Fri, Jan 03, 2014

With 21 pantomime years behind them since their last production of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s production by the Castlebar Pantomime from Thursday, January 9 to Sunday January 12 promises to be one to remember. The usual high standard of production that Castlebar Pantomime has become known for will be on full display as it re-stages this classic fairy tale, last presented on the Castlebar Town Hall stage in 1992. The 2014 version is directed by Donna Ruane, with Jason Guthrie as choreographer and John Flatley being promoted from the 1992 band member to musical director. Having been involved in the 1992 version of Sleeping Beauty, 21 years ago Lar Davis, Deirdre Guthrie, Jimmy Murphy, Tom McGrath, and Garry Wynne again find themselves involved in the 2014 production. This year’s Castlebar Pantomime’s production of Sleeping Beauty has moved down the town to the Theatre Royal stage where anything is possible as this traditional tale is magically brought to life through wit, drama, dance, musical moments, a wealth of singing talents, and glamour. Mairead McDonnell from Manulla and Castlebar's Garry Wynne in their roles of Queen Merry and King Jolly are very evidently in love and delighted with the arrival of their baby girl Aurora, played (as an adult of course) by Aoife Magee. But not so overjoyed is the evil fairy Deadly Nightshade, played by Natasha Crouch from Castlebar, when she finds out she is not invited to the christening. She gatecrashes the event and announces to all that one day Aurora will cut her finger on a spinning wheel and die. But when she leaves the kind Fairy Snowdrop played by Gemma Todd weakens the spell saying Aurora will not die but she and the castle will fall into a sleep for 100 years and only could be awoken by Aurora receiving a prince's kiss. Naturally King Jolly removes anything even resembling a spinning wheel from the Kingdom of Happy Land. Fast forward to Aurora’s approaching 17th birthday when she meets the handsome Prince Nicholas of the nearby Pleasant Land, also known as Niall Fahey from Castlebar. He and his travelling companion William, played by Shane Dunne from Westport, promise to return to celebrate her birthday with her. Obviously still holding quite a grudge at not being invited to the christening, along with her foul smelling accomplice Compost played by Ester Henry also from Westport, Deadly Nightshade hatches a plan to complete her curse. Deadly Nightshade tricks Princess Aurora into an unused part of the castle, where yes you guessed it, she succeeds in getting Aurora to cut her finger. Will the princess be found in such a desolate part of the castle, can any prince be found to awaken her, or will Deadly Nightshade’s curse succeed and Aurora dies? Ah but Deadly Nightshade does not take into account the royal staff. The maid Velcro, played by Sandra Morely from Kiltimagh, is in awe of the well known Castlebar musician James Garvey who plays a very well spoken Mr Prim the butler. However her would-be boyfriend Zipper played by Antoinette Starken is not too happy about this obsession. So cue Velcro, Zipper, Mr Prim, along with Dame Nanny Fanny, played by Ger McLoughlin from Claremorris, heading off in search of Prince Nicholas to bring him back to the castle. But will they succeed? Will Aurora and the rest of the castle fade from people’s memories gathering dust and cobwebs, will the staff ever find any prince, anywhere, will they even bother to risk getting cut with brambles and just save themselves? Plenty more locals will take to the stage to join in the fun and frolics over the four nights of what promises to be side-splitting laughter. For more information or tickets log on to www.theroyal.ie or call 094 9023111.

Oakwin at the Linenhall

Fri, Jan 03, 2014

If you are looking for a great night of music to get you in the New Year spirit, look no further than local duo Oakwin, performing at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday January 9 at 8pm.

Recipients of Music Recording Assistance Award 2013 announced

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

Mayo County Council’s Music Recording Assistance Award has shown once again the breadth and the quality of music making in the county. This year the office received 19 applications for the award. The field included a fantastic cross section of genres, and the high standard made the selection very difficult work for the assessment panel. Mayo County Council Arts Office has awarded two Music Recording Assistance Awards, and this year’s recipients are Vickers Vimy, a five-piece Mayo-based folk collective, and Ballyhaunis based rock and electronic band Race the Flux. The €800 award will be used to assist recipients to record their music. The award was established to support the recording of original music by musicians living in the county and recipients receive up to €800 towards the costs of an original music recording. The award is open to all forms of music, and applications are assessed by an independent and impartial panel of music industry professionals. For more information, contact Mayo County Council Arts Office, telephone: 094 9024444 exts. 7558 and 7471 or email: [email protected].

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