The great unknown...

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

Peadar de Burca’s entertaining exposé of the foibles of the male psyche, What Men Want, returns to the Town Hall main stage next week following a succesful national tour.

It’ll be all white on the night...

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

In a career spanning over three decades Cork-native Freddie White has established himself as a legendary Irish guitarist and songwriter. He has also been described as the best interpreter of a song in the country and has been ranked alongside Christy Moore, Van Morrison, and Paul Brady. As a founding member of Scullion in the mid 1970s he brought Irish folk music to international attention and later, with The Freddie White Band, he toured with Eric Clapton. As lead guitarist with Horslips and Moving Hearts and as producer with Sinead Lohan he further enhanced his reputation. After many years living in the USA he returned to Ireland in early 2000 and since then has become an almost constant presence on the Irish touring scene. Galway audiences will be very familiar with his much-loved shows at Roisin Dubh down through the years and he makes a welcome return to the venue on Sunday August 24.

Dublin’s Caruso plays the Roisin Dubh

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

HotPress compared their music to U2. News of the World called their debut album “beautiful and atmospheric”. The rest of their fan base, who have helped to make them one of the country’s most formidable live bands, calls them just plain amazing. Dublin-based band Caruso comes to the Roisin Dubh this Sunday in a not-to-be-missed gig.

Access Music Project calls on Galway musicians

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

Galway’s highly successful Access Music Project is currently looking for new recruits. This is a fantastic opportunity for Galway musician’s to build on their talents, develop new skills and interact and exchange ideas among other practising musicians. The project, which is entering its 10th year, offers nationally accredited modules in music theory, piano, vocal, percussion, sound engineering, communications, and guitar taught by some of Galway’s best and most experienced tutors.

Cliched dance film fails to make it happen

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

Make It Happen is yet another entry into the canon of inspirational dance movies, a genre arguably kickstarted by 1983’s Flashdance. Unfortunately, Make it Happen draws so heavily from previous dance films that it ends up being wholly derivative.

He comes from a land down under...

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

He may come from a land down under but Rory Faithfield is very much a songwriter in the Irish tradition.

Nauseatingly talented - Sickboy come to Galway city

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

When you are an up and coming band it doesn’t usually hurt to have your first single played during a televised ad campaign. It especially doesn’t hurt when that ad is a national campaign for one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Such is the life of Sickboy, the Dublin-based band whose debut single ‘The A Tune’ made waves last year by becoming the theme tune for the 6 Nations Rugby adverts across the country. Add to this that it was the most requested song on Phantom FM and you have to admit that they are doing pretty well at getting their name out there. And next week their name comes to Galway city with shows at the Roisin Dubh (August 14) and Sally Long’s (August 15).

New album for young Aran brothers

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

FROM TIMBALAND to the traditional music of Galway, two young brothers from Inis Mór have released an album which showcases their impressive talents.

The King ain’t dead - he’s at the Town Hall

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

FANS OF Elvis will be flocking to the Black Box Theatre to see Elvis - An American Trilogy tribute show on Saturday August 16 - the 32nd anniversary of The King’s death.

What Men Want

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

Let funnyman Peadar De Burca take you on a journey into a man's mind (and don’t worry, he promises it won’t take long!) as he returns to the Town Hall Theatre with his smash hit show What Men Want from

August 20-22.

Athlone-based troupe bring double bill to Town Hall Theatre

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

If you're looking for a night of high-brow hilarity, and oddball originality, then Athlone-based theatre group PREproductions have just the answer with their fantastic comedy double bill at the Town Hall Theatre this August.

Featuring 17th century farce from the pen of legendary French playwright Molière and noughties nuttiness courtesy of award-winning American-born playwright Jesse Weaver, The Nubile Wench and Eight Panels promise the very best of two very different eras in one stunning setting,

Brendan Grace celebrates 38 years of hilarity

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

Believed to be one of the comic geniuses of our time, Brendan Grace is returning to the Irish stages this year, rolling four decades of comedy into one show when he returns to the Town Hall Theatre for two days only this month.

Adebisi Shank hits Stress!! @ De Burgo’s

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

Uniquely described as frighteningly imaginative spazz it is no surprise that Adebisi Shank won’t bring you your average show when they hit Stress!! at De Burgo’s tomorrow night.

‘Folk’-ing brilliant - The Cave Singers come to the Roisin Dubh

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

An American-folk invasion comes to the Roisin Dubh this Tuesday with up and coming indie act The Cave Singers taking to the stage.

Given the rising popularity of meditative, indie-folk acts in the early 2000s, forming a twangy folk trio in 2007 was probably the least surprising move Seattle man Derek Fudesco could have made. The former bassist and founding member of the successful indie rock group Pretty Girls Make Graves picked up an acoustic guitar and formed the Cave Singers following PGMG's demise in January 2007, teaming up with vocalist Pete Quirk (formerly of Hint Hint) and drummer Marty Lund (formerly of Cobra High). Drawing from canonical folkies like Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie, and sounding more than a little like other early-2000s acts like Lightning Dust and Samamidon, the group had its first album, Invitation Songs, recorded and ready to go within months of PGMG's breakup. Matador picked up the trio soon after Invitation Songs arrived in late September.

Win tickets to the ultimate Joe Dolan tribute show

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

Named as “the nearest to perfect tribute” to Joe Dolan, Westmeath man Paschal Brennan has been singing the songs of Ireland’s greatest ambassador of rock n’ roll for nearly 30 years and now he is bringing his must-see act to the Town Hall Theatre in Galway city on August 19.

Performing all the hits, including ‘Westmeath Bachelor’, ‘Tar & Cement’, and ‘Make Me An Island’, Brennan’s unique voice is so close to Dolan’s that many audience members claim that if they close their eyes they would almost believe it was Joe Dolan himself on stage.

The Truth is Still Out There

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

On the surface, X Files: I Want to Believe should appeal to both die-hard fans and those with only a passing interest in the sci-fi TV series. The satisfyingly creepy plot stands alone without previous knowledge of X Files lore. However, it gradually emerges that I Want to Believe is primarily designed for those devoted fans left hanging at the end of the TV series in 2002. Their patience has finally been rewarded.

Space Chimps

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

This is a comedy adventure about three NASA chimps that are sent to a galaxy far, far, away. Circus monkey Ham III works in a circus where he's regularly shot from a canon, but still lives in the shadow of his grandfather’s legacy. His grandad, Ham I, was the first chimp shot into space in 1961.

Proust Questionnaire

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
When playing or composing music or being in the company of friends and family. Perfect happiness is the simple things in life!

When playing or composing music or being in the company of friends and family. Perfect happiness is the simple things in life!

John McGahern Yearbook published by NUIG

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

THE FIRST volume of The John McGahern Yearbook, published by NUI, Galway, was launched at the John McGahern International Seminar, which is currently taking place in Co Leitrim.

Tuam Arts Festival starts next week

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

The sixth annual Tuam Arts Festival starts next Friday, August 15, delivering 10 days of everything from comedy to classical music, from theatre to children’s workshops, and countless other events to satisfy even the choosiest of arts lovers.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.