Mayo sings this weekend

Fri, May 24, 2013

Over 1,000 singers will take part in the second Mayo International Choral Festival which started last night Thursday, May 23 and runs to Sunday May 26. Expect to hear singing from many genres, including jazz, pop, folk, barbershop, sacred, and some yet to be defined. Mayo will be the mecca for all music lovers. The second festival will take the form of over 40 male and female international, national and local Mayo choirs participating on a competitive and non-competitive basis.

AC/DC tribute night

Fri, May 24, 2013

Quays Music Hall, Galway presents Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute on Friday May 31. Tickets are €10.

Westport Folk and Bluegrass festival launched

Fri, May 24, 2013

The Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival was launched in McGing's Bar, Westport, on Friday night last, May 17. The festival, now in its seventh year, will run over three days on the weekend of June 14 to 16. This year it will feature some 15 local, national, and international acts, including local band The Rocky Top String Band; Cork-based folk singer John Spillane; The Bluegrass Boogiemen from Holland; and 'The Queen of Banjo', Roni Stoneman from Nashville, who will be supported by fellow US act, Tumbling Bones.

Officially launching the festival, Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council Ollie Gannon thanked its chairperson, Uri Kohen, and his festival committee for once again pulling together an impressive line-up and exciting few days of music and culture in Westport. "Westport Town Council is very much committed to this festival," he said, "one of the major festivals in our calendar year. This festival has grown from strength to strength and is now a very important festival for Westport, it brings quite a number of people into the town, creating jobs and maintaining existing jobs, and so the council is delighted to be associated with it. The Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival is now recognised as one of the major bluegrass festivals in the country. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of Westport Town Council, to congratulate Uri and his committee on the outstanding work that they have been doing, I would like to assure Uri that the council is committed to this festival, that we will put our hands deep in our pockets again come next year, and that we will maintain – if not increase – the support that we gave this year and previous years." The Cathaoirleach's speech was followed by a lively night of music, courtesy of Sonnyboy and The White Owls – a bluegrass band from Hawaii that had an appreciative crowd on their feet until late.

The Reserve release charity single in aid of Western Care

Fri, May 17, 2013

The Reserve is a seven-piece Castlebar based band with a focus on original material combined with some strong classics. Born out of the well-known band The Reserved Moments, to date they have released a single, “It’s Crazy/Tough on You” (2010) and an album Distracted (2012). Two members of the band, David Tuomey and Kelvin Frain, write the band’s material and have also been involved in some very successful fundraising projects that have helped fund the setting up of a school in Ghana and supported the Alzheimer Society in the west of Ireland.

Mayo launch of The Emigrants’ Farewell tugs all emotions

Fri, May 17, 2013

It was a night of tears, joy and laughter in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar at the end of last month when the vibrant Atlantic Rhythm Productions from Crossmolina, raised the roof as they received a much deserved standing ovation from the large audience present at the launch of the show The Emigrants’ Farewell.

Sunday sees return of the Psychic-Holistic Fair to Mayo

Fri, May 17, 2013

The Psychic-Holistic Fair will return to Breaffy House Hotel this coming Sunday, May 19. The fair will showcase 12 of Ireland’s top mediums, psychics, tarot and angel card readers giving one-to-one personal readings on the day from €35.

Mayo sings this May

Fri, May 17, 2013

Over 1,000 singers will take part in the second Mayo International Choral Festival from next Thursday, May 23 to Sunday May 26. Expect to hear singing from many genres, including jazz, pop, folk, barbershop, sacred, and some yet to be defined. Mayo will be the mecca for all music lovers. The second festival will take the form of over 40 male and female international, national and local Mayo choirs participating on a competitive and non-competitive basis.

D’Unbelievable comedy treat: Jon Kenny at the Linenhall

Fri, May 10, 2013

A D’Unbelievable night of hilarity is on the cards when Jon Kenny brings his new show to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday, May 16 at 8pm. Jon Kenny Live heralds a return for Jon to the type of work that gave him the reputation as one of Ireland’s most talented comedians. Jon uses the changing face of contemporary Ireland as the scaffold on which to build his hilarious observations and characters in this new show. Running through such contrasting experiences as supporting Munster rugby to visiting a health spa, Jon takes no prisoners and delights in emphasising the humour in everyday life. He adds, “The show is really intimate. There are no sets, no props, no costume changes it is just fun and laughter all the way!” Formerly one half of the hugely successful duo D’Unbelievables, Jon Kenny is one of Ireland’s best-loved entertainers. In these days of doom and gloom, an evening of hilarious comedy in the company of the inimitable Jon Kenny is just what the doctor ordered.

St Patrick’s Drama Group bring the classic The Field to the stage this weekend

Fri, May 10, 2013

St Patrick’s Drama Group do it again! Their production of The Field by John B Keane has received standing ovations for the last two evenings. This powerful play strikes a chord with young and old and portrays life and love of the land. Only three nights remain in this run, tonight Friday, May 10, tomorrow Saturday, May 11 and Sunday May 12. It’s a show not to be missed! The production takes to the stage in Scoil Phadraig Altamont St, Westport, and tickets can be got from Dyars Jewellers by calling 098 25558 or from the box office on 086 8609981.

Ballina Chamber Choir are getting ready to wow Mayo again

Fri, May 10, 2013

Music lovers are in for a treat on Saturday, May 18 at 8pm in the Ballina Arts Centre when the Ballina Chamber Choir hosts an evening of excellent choral music. Under the expert baton of choir director Mark Goode, the unique voices of the choir blend together with hauntingly pure harmonies and vocal finesse. The choir delivers songs from all eras with a tenderness that melts away the centuries. They are united by their love of choral music and by a desire to perform it at the highest possible level. Their repertoire is varied and spans the genres of classical, sacred, jazz and blues.

The Chamber Choir is committed to providing a platform to showcase young and upcoming local talent at their concerts, so the choir together with their accomplished piano accompanist Leonard Dorrian are delighted to feature the talented young Swinford music group Realtai on the night, along with choir members Felicia Schneiderreit on violin, Ann Sherran on flute and soloists, Maureen Lawlor and Marie Gilvarry. Also appearing will be the Three little Maids: Debbie McCole, Sharon Molloy and Maureen Lawlor. Tickets Cost €12 and are available from The Ballina Arts Centre for more information call 096 73593.

Tumbling Bones come to Mayo

Fri, May 10, 2013

From Maine on the coast of northeast USA, Tumbling Bones play a mix of down-home, old-fashioned, American folk music that belies the youth of its three band members. But their folk is no museum piece; it is living, breathing, music infused with a little of the contemporary rock ‘n’ roll the fellas were reared on and reworked into their original arrangements and compositions. Tumbling Bones have a passion for the heritage of American music and a penchant for honest, no frills-attached, acoustic music.

Colm Naughaton puts on traditional gig in Castlebar

Fri, May 10, 2013

Renowned banjo and mandolin player Colm Naughton and friends perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday, May 29 at 8pm to launch Colm’s highly anticipated new CD The Space Between the Notes.

From Creggs in North-East Galway, Colm spent a number of years playing in Galway as a session musician where he met and was influenced by many of the great modern day musicians. He has toured Ireland, the US and Europe with various different groups, including String Company, Fuaim Chonamara and John Beag Ó Flátharta. Currently, Colm can be seen playing regularly as a two piece with Matt Keane. The album The Space Between the Notes is Colm's first solo venture and is mainly Irish Traditional with driving reels, laid-back barn dances and lilting jigs, but also dips into other cultures for a set of Spanish muñeiras here or an American folk song there. Adding another dimension to the mix, Colm has included two of his own compositions. This will be a night of music and song where the tracks on this recording will be brought to life to celebrate the release of this extraordinary new CD. Colm will be joined on the night by Finbarr Naughton (fiddle) and Pat Coyne (guitar), plus guest singers Matt and Orlaith Keane. A real musical treat in store!

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