FINBAR WRIGHT FOR CORK OPERA HOUSE

Finbar Wright releases a new solo album in October 2008. Working in collaboration with legendary musician Andy O’Callaghan, Finbar has produced an album of songs that he truly loves to sing, reflecting the enthusiasm of his audiences throughout the world.

He is confident that these are among the best recordings he has done, they capture the voice beautifully and he is eager for the listening public to share the catchy rhythms, the superb arrangements, and the warmth of the performances. You can see him live for one night only in the Cork Opera House on Sunday, 5th October.

Finbar Wright, tenor, songwriter, and poet, was born in Kinsale, Co Cork. Growing up on a farm, his musical education began at the age of six. He later studied theory of music with George Dunne at one of the oldest schools of music in the world, The Cork School of Music, where he also studied singing with Robert Beare, and piano with distinguished Spanish pianist Angel Climent, who was to be his accompanist for many years.

He began his solo career in 1990 with the release of his first best-selling album ‘Because’, (produced by Phil Coulter), on the Sony label. Since then he has recorded six solo albums, one of which, ‘Whatever You Believe’, (produced and conducted by the legendary Mike Batt), was a Christmas Number 1 in 1992.

‘The Essential Finbar Wright’, a collection of his finest recordings, was released in March 2006 on the Sony/BMG label. He has also recorded six albums with the world famous ‘The Irish Tenors’ who have enjoyed phenomenal success all around the world, dominating the American charts for the past eight years.

His first collection of poetry, entitled ‘Private Friends’, has proved very popular and he continues to write poems in preparation for a second volume.

Tickets now on sale from €31 - €36, booking fee may apply. Tel 021-4270022 or book on line: www.corkoperahouse.ie.

CHANGE TO TOMMY FLEMING’S SATURDAY DATE IN KILWORTH

Readers are asked to please note that Saturday night’s gig with Tommy Fleming at The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth has had to be deferred to the following night (Sunday 7) due to his appearance on RTE’s ‘Up For The Match’ programme.

However, the Friday night concert goes ahead as scheduled. Tommy has also agreed to do an extra night on Monday 8 for which tickets can now be purchased. Ticket holders who originally had booked for this Saturday, can use their tickets on Sunday night.

However, should Sunday night prove a problem for them, they have the choice of tickets for Monday night or else a full refund. Tommy Fleming apologises for any inconvenience this may cause patrons.

“I have been waiting for this particular TV slot for the past four years and simply could not turn it down. I can see it may cause problems for some people and I apologise for this. I am looking forward to returning to Kilworth and I know we will have three great nights there.”

People wishing to exchange tickets should call to the outlet where they made their purchase. Further details from 025-32227 or 087-6492514.

FILM MEMBERSHIP IN DUNGARVAN

The Autumn/Winter 2008 season of art house film in The Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan will commence on Thursday, 2nd October, 2008.

Applications are now being accepted for the season’s membership.

The costs for the full season of seven films is €45 (€35 concessionary).

For full programme details and application forms contact The Old Market House Arts Centre, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Tel: 058 48944 Email: artscentre@waterfordcoco.ie

BARRYMORE PLAYERS AUDITION FOR ‘ALADDIN’

It’s that time of year again. Registration for our ‘tots to teens’ Christmas panto, Aladdin will take place in the Community Centre, Castlelyons on Friday, September 5 from 7-8.30pm and Saturday, September 6 from 11am-12.30pm.

All young people in the area, who would like to be involved, please come along. Enrolment fee will be €20 for 1st and 2nd child, €50 max for family of 3 or more.

Aidan Browne from Ballynoe will be the director this year. Adian is no stranger to stage work, having trained with The Monforts and having preformed in many shows and plays in Cork and Youghal. He also teaches drama in schools and in local communities. We are delighted to have him on board and look forward to working with him.

We are also delighted to have Christine McDonogh, our choreographer from last year, back again this year. Auditions will take place on Tuesday, September 9 from 7-9pm and rehearsals will start on Wednesday 10th from 6.30-8.30pm.

Contact Alma on 086-0637875, Ann on 086-8754992 or Trish on 086-8288285 if you have any questions.

ONE ACT FESTIVAL

Preparations for our One Act Drama Festival are under way. Mark your calendar for the weekend of November 21-23.

Any group wanting to enter a play please contact Jennie on 087-9158786. We are very grateful to the Arts Office of Cork County Council for their continued support.

JACK LAWRENCE SHARES KILWORTH PROGRAMME WITH ACE MANDOLINIST

On Monday week 15th September, The Village Arts Centre plays host to some more Bluegrass music, this time featuring a return visit by Jack Lawrence who will share the bill with ace mandolin player, Tony Williamson.

Backstage at the Lake Norman Music Hall, Jack had access to many of the top acts in the Country, Bluegrass and Gospel fields as well as the local R’n’B bands. As a youngster, Jack took this opportunity to meet and learn from some of the finest players in the business.

Performers of the day such as Buck Owens, Don Rich, Bill Monroe, Leon Rhodes, George Shuffler, and Flatt and Scruggs exposed Jack to a variety of styles emerging in the 1950’s and 60’s.

From these early experiences, Jack developed his own talents and found his major influences to be Doc Watson, Clarence White and Django Reinhardt. Well known as Doc Watson’s partner since the early 1980’s, Jack has been called ‘a flatpicking powerhouse’ whose high spirited and innovative guitar solos and smooth vocals provide listeners with performances that span musical traditions.

Tony Williamson is an outstanding advocate of the art of the mandolin and the man himself is also a living encyclopedia of mandolin history and lore. Not content to limit his field of musical expertise to Bluegrass, Tony has performed with symphony orchestras and has presented programmes at the conventions of the Classical Mandolin Society of America.

He has released at least five really fine CDs, both as a soloist and with his brother Gary as a duo, and is an in-demand studio musician for albums produced by many others.

Secure your tickets today (€15 each) from John Nyhan on 087-7921771 or at any of the usual Arts Centre outlets. You can also phone 025-32227 or 087-6492514.

GALLOGLASS THEATRE CO PRESENTS ‘TOP GIRLS’ BY CARYL CHURCHILL

Caryl Churchill’s iconic play, ‘Top Girls’, first performed in 1982, will be brought to a whole new audience with Galloglass Theatre Company’s production which comes to Friars’ Gate, Kilmallock on Wednesday, 10th and Thursday 11th September.

‘Top Girls’ mixes fantasy and reality, history and heresy, to bring you the story of Marlene, a woman with vital choices to make, played by Kate Nic Chonaonaigh. The issues raised in ‘Top Girls’ are as relevant in today’s world as they were a quarter of a century ago and the cast of seven women play their various roles with all the skill and talent required to bring this masterpiece to a contemporary audience.

The cast also features, Janice Byrne, Lesley Conroy, Liz Fitzgibbon, Elaine Fox, Louise Lewis and Nyree Yergainharsian. Described by Michael Billington, Theatre critic for The Guardian as ‘the best British play ever from a woman dramatist’, the play, a deeply human and moving examination of feminist values in the home, in the workplace and in the past, builds to a superb climax. Bookings on 063-98727.

ENJOY THE WONDERFUL VOICE OF HILARY REYNOLDS

Hilary Reynolds, who moved to Ireland in 2002 to take up a post teaching Vocal Studies at the Music Department of UCC and who has since been living with her husband Hans VandenBos, in Tallow, Co Waterford, has become a well-known figure in the East Cork/West Waterford area through the many concerts and shows she has produced and directed with her singing students and the choir she formed in 2005, The Orpheus Choir.

However, she was trained as a classical singer at the Royal Academy of Music in London and has pursued an international career as such.

Consequently, she is delighted, after not having sung herself in Ireland for four years, to be giving a song-recital together with the international pianist, Jeroen Liedorp, on Saturday, September, 20, 2008 at 8.15pm in Tallow Community Centre.

Tickets sold at the door €20 (plus refreshments).