Snow White panto comes to Town! Oh No it doesn’t...! Oh Yes it does...!

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

THIS CHRISTMAS the Performing Arts School Galway are proud to present Snow White and the 7 Delinquents. Running from December 28 to January 4 in the Black Box Theatre, a magical treat awaits all who attend.

Brendan Grace is heading

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

THE RECESSION is set to bite badly in the New Year but you can still start 2009 off with a good laugh in the company of one of Ireland’s best loved comedians - Brendan Grace.

The sounds of a year

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

I’m not one of those indie-chic girls. I’d like to be, but in all honesty, I’m not. I like the stuff you hear on the radio, the stuff that plays in the background of Grey’s Anatomy, and the stuff you hear when your shakin’ your stuff in the nightclubs. I went and saw Blondie during the Arts Festival (highlight of my summer!) and I will go see Paddy Casey at the Roisin in January. My CD collection includes everything from opera to show tunes to gangster rap to bubblegum pop. My musical tastes are as wide and varied as you could imagine, so trying to put down on paper my favourite musical moments of the year isn’t an easy task, or a neat and tidy one at that, especially for such a brilliant year in music.

Two gigs not not miss in 2009

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

THERE ARE so many gigs to look forward to in 2009 - Greg Dulli & Mark Lanegan, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Arlo Guthrie, Eddie Reader, Amusement Parks On Fire - but if I have to pick two that I’m most excited about it’s Crystal Antlers and Pierre Bensusan.

Christmas and New Year at the GPO

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

DANCE CHRISTMAS away and pound the dancefloor out of 2008 and into 2009 at the GPO this festive season with sets by DJs Johnny Moy and Arveene, the launch of a new night, and of course the New Year’s Eve party.

On St Stephen’s Night, which is a Friday, the GPO will launch the Death By Download night with DJ Shane D and guest DJ Ferg (The Fold). Expect to hear the cool side of hip hop, breaks, indie, electro, and drum’n’bass. This will be a weekly night from December 26 onwards and will play host to some great Irish and International guests in 2009. Doors are at 10pm and admission is €10/8.

Christmas viewing on TG4

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

CHRISTMAS IS a time to relax and laze about, but while you can let the body get away with some indulgence with the biscuits and mince pies, there is no need to let the mind rot during the festive season. That’s why it’s a good idea to check out what is on TG4 for Christmas.

Ring in 2009 with The Saw Doctors

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

TUAM’S FINEST, The Saw Doctors, will ring in 2009 with a major New Year’s Eve show at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar for what promises to be a lively, craic filled night.

Sean Garvey releases new album

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

GALWAY CLASSICAL musician Sean Garvey has released a new 28 track album entitled Wellsprings Of Creativity - Sound and Verse.

Have a Russian New Year

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

The music of Tchaikovsky (pictured) as well as his fellow Russians Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky, Taneyev, Borodin, and Medtner will be performed at the Russian Romantics concerts from Music For Galway in the Town Hall Theatre from January 23 to 25. For programme details see www.musicforgalway.ie or contact 091 - 705962. For tickets contact the Town Hall on 091 - 569777.

Learn to play the banjo

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

LEADING IRISH banjo player Enda Scahill has just released a guide to playing the Irish tenor banjo.

The good, the bad, and the overrated – cinema in 2008

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

Well, you win some and you lose some. That is the way life goes. Unfortunately it is no different in the world of cinematic glory, you have to take the good with the bad, and as cinema reviewer for the Galway Advertiser I have seen it all. So here is my list for the best, the worst, and the most overrated and underappreciated films of 2008.

The Best

First 2009, then onwards to Alpha Centauri

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

SINCE TIME immemorial, humans have asked ‘Are we alone?’ and have looked to the heavens and beyond in search of an answer. Out there in the cosmos, other, very different, forms of life may live on yet undiscovered planets.

Lots of comedy crackers at The Comedy Club in Cuba*

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

THE AMERICAN newspaper columnist and author Bill Vaughan once wrote about the Christmas and New Year period: “The optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”

The Datsuns to play Róisín Dubh

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

NEW ZEALAND is famous for its rugby team - the All-Blacks inspiring fear and respect in opponents the world over. Yet the country is no slouch either when it comes to producing good music.

Panto season rolls into Galway for Christmas

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

CHRISTMAS TIME in Galway means it’s pantomime time and no Galway Christmas is complete without the Renmore Pantomime and a show from the Performing Arts School Galway.

Michael Flatley to ‘lord’ it in Castlebar

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

MICHAEL FLATLEY will bring his Lord Of The Dance show to The Royal Castlebar on Saturday January 3 to Thursday 8.

Flatley was taught his first Irish dancing steps at the age of four by his maternal grandmother who was a champion Irish dancer. At 17 he became the first American to win the title of World Irish Dancing Champion.

Dance review: Youth Ballet West, Town Hall Theatre

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

YOUTH BALLET West imparted a warm Christmassy glow to the Town Hall on Sunday last with their delightful production of Nutcracker Suite and Divertissements, which marked the culmination of the company’s first year in existence.

Two chances to see Sharon Shannon

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

SHARON SHANNON must be the hardest working woman in Irish music and she is set to continue that over Christmas with two major shows in the west of Ireland.

Indian music concert

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

INDIAN FUSION group Bahh will perform a solstice celebration concert in the Spirit Centre, Nuns Island, this Sunday.

A ceremony to honour the solstice will start shortly after 4pm, followed by music from Bahh, Christmas tales, and refreshments. The event is by donation only.