MOST UNIQUE EVENT EVER IN KILWORTH THIS WEEKEND

What is seen as being one of the most unique events to come to this part of Ireland is the visit of the Maynooth Guitar Orchestra to Kilworth’s Village Arts Centre on this Sunday.

There will be no less than 25 guitars playing together on stage on Sunday night and earlier in the afternoon, the orchestra will facilitate a workshop (5-7pm) for all those interested in playing guitar.

For those who may feel they are not advanced enough or may be too shy to participate in the workshop, they will be welcome to come along and just sit in and observe proceedings. The workshop is free of charge, the only stipulation being that you can present a ticket for the evening show.

The Maynooth Guitar Orchestra’s summer project involves 12 foreign guitarists, 13 Irish guitarists, one singer and one violinist; the average age of the ensemble is 27. This collaboration will undoubtedly create the most virtuosic and exciting guitar ensemble ever heard in Ireland.

Their director Brendan Walsh is one of Ireland’s youngest and best guitarists, he has played on both local and national radio, has recorded several styles of music and has won all the major guitar competitions in Ireland.

Their leader is Christian Fergo from Denmark, a man who has worked with Claudio Abbado Ariel Zuckerman, need one say more? The group also boasts young jazz guitarist, Patrick Groenland who recently was awarded the Fullbright Scholarship for Berklee (The world’s foremost jazz school) in America.

And to further this musical feast, the group is joined by the award winning Swiss violinist, Deborah Landolt and acclaimed young Irish jazz vocalist, Georgia Cusack. The idea behind the Maynooth Guitar Orchestra workshop is to promote the creation of music in a fun and enjoyable context.

An aim of the workshops is to engage with the participants by incorporating them right into the heart of the ensemble; participants find themselves seated in the group, in front of a conductor, which gives the participant an entertaining and unforgettable experience.

The workshops are always given in a very free and informal manner. People are welcome to come along just to listen also. It has always been a memorable event for anybody involved and, in many cases, has provided the impetus for many young individuals to go and study music.

Indeed this workshop is a great opportunity to ask questions regarding studying music at third level, be it in universities or studying music abroad at conservatories. Anyone wishing to participate in the workshop should contact Liam Howard on 025-24858 or John Nyhan on 087-7921771.

JUST THREE MORE EVENINGS OF SEISIUN TO GO!

The Fermoy branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will host the final three Seisiun concerts in the series over the next few weeks at Adair Hall, Fermoy at 8.15 each night. These will take place on two Monday nights – August 11 and 18 with the final Seisiun on Thursday night, August 21.

Performing as special guests last Monday night were John Arnold from Bartlemy, Nelius O’Neill from Glanworth, John Kelly from Fermoy, Alan Finn, the well known box player from Freemount and Ciaran O’Connor from Fermoy.

Audience participation is always welcome at Seisiun and Monday night last was no exception. Patrons are being advised to get along to Adair Hall early next Monday night to avoid disappointment as seats fill up fast.

The admission charge is just €10 for adults and children are free. Refreshments are served up at half time and there is always a great atmosphere with the many young musicians eager to perform before their peers.

On next Monday night, the very talented U18 group comprising of the Ceili Band and Grupa Cheoil will be on stage. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an evening of culture and craic.

BEACONS OF LIGHT IN OLD MARKET HOUSE ARTS CENTRE

‘Irish Lights - Soilse na hEireann’ is a group exhibition of artwork on our Lighthouse Heritage - Oidhreacht ar dTithe Solais that was officially opened recently in the Old Market House Arts Centre, Lower Main St., Dungarvan.

County arts officer, Margaret Organ, explained that the arts centre undertook this themed exhibition in the lead up to Heritage Week at the end of August to celebrate this unique type of built heritage around our coasts and to offer selected artists an opportunity to showcase their artistic take on lighthouses.

On show are oils, watercolours, batiks, photographs and mixed media works by Laura Gibney, Kate Hodmon, John Eagle, Patrick Cashin, Patricia Greenwell, Brigid Hynes Roche, Maeve Doherty and Esther Heffernan.

The guest speaker on the evening was Rose Ryall, conservation officer with Waterford County Council. She spoke of the connection which people have with lighthouses and reminisced that a lot of her own childhood summers were spent visiting lighthouses as her father had worked for over 30 years with Irish Lights.

Rose will also be giving a free lunchtime talk on our lighthouse heritage in the arts centre on Wednesday 27th August at 1pm as part of Waterford County Council’s heritage week activities - members of the public are welcome to attend.

The arts centre also has the very popular ‘Market 08’ on display in the upstairs gallery with artwork changing regularly; this month there is new work by emerging photographer Ciaran Foley from Dungarvan.

Mary Flynn, Co. Waterford and Eithne Ryan, Wexford are also showing here for the first time. London-based Pierce Casey who is originally from Dungarvan has now got new works on show following his last set of works being completely sold out. Several other artists are also showing in ‘Market 08’ and the passing tourist trade is snapping up original artwork from this rotating exhibition.

The arts centre is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. These exhibitions continue until Saturday 6th September 2008. Admission is free and all are most welcome. Telephone 058/48944.

FRANKIE LANE DATE FOR ARTS CENTRE

As one of Ireland’s best-known performers and traditional musicians of international renown, Frankie Lane is the original front man of the legendary Fleadh Cowboys.

During their sparkling career in the 1980s, Frankie’s live performances were famed for being fun-filled as well as tremendous - he regularly scaled high balconies in his quest to drive the audience wild, and usually managed! In fact, the “Fleadhs” gathered a huge fan base at the Olympia Theatre (pioneering “Midnight At The Olympia”) and went on to support legendary performers such as Bob Dylan, U2, The Pogues, Emmylou Harris and B.B.King.

His regular musical companion, mandolin and fiddle player, Paul Kelly, toured extensively with Frankie throughout Europe in the mid 1990s and indeed played Kilworth along with Eleanor Shanley a couple of years ago. In January, 2004 Frankie was nominated for a prestigious Meteor Music Award in the Country/Roots category.

In 1993 he was nominated for the I.R.M.A. music awards for his much acclaimed album of the time ‘Dobro’ released on the Gael Linn label See him at The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth on Monday night, August 18. Tickets now on sale from usual outlets. Enquiries 087-6492514.

‘I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE’

After its sell out run in Cork Arts Theatre in early June, Cork Musical Theatre Company presents off-Broadways longest running musical, the hilarious ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ in the Half Moon Theatre in both August and September.

The talented cast of four includes Mark O’Shaughnessy, Carol-Anne Ryan, Muireann McSwiney O’Rourke and Fermoy’s Brian Fenton. Between them they will portray over sixty different characters in twenty scenes over two hours!

The production is directed by Trevor Ryan with musical direction by Ronan Holohan. You simply cannot miss this feel good summer sensation. It runs from Aug 19-23, Sept 3-6 and Sept 15-20 at 8.30pm nightly. Enquiries 021-4270022.

KILMALLOCK MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL

As part of the Kilmallock Medieval Festival (August 22-24), The Fureys and Davey Arthur go on stage at Bulgaden Castle at 8pm. The band was formed in 1978 literally by accident.

George, Paul and Davey were playing in Denmark with their own band called the Buskers and Eddie and Finbar, while touring in Germany were involved in a road accident. When George, Paul and Davey got news of the accident they immediately travelled to Germany to be with their brothers. They then decided that they should all be playing together and this was the start of the Fureys and Davey Arthur.

Inevitably, changes have occurred over 30 years. Their brother Paul died suddenly in June, 2002 and Finbar left the band in December, 1996, however George, Eddie and Davey Arthur have continued to delight audiences on their tours and have been releasing a new CD every year.

The band became an instant success and had a string of hits including ‘When You Were Sweet Sixteen’, ‘The Green Fields of France’, ‘Red Rose Cafe’, ‘The Old Man’, ‘Steal Away’, ‘Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway’, ‘Clare to Here’ and ‘Leaving Nancy’.

The Fureys and Davey Arthur are responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination. Their folk based music has received standing ovations in some of the biggest concert halls of the world and they credit their musical ability to their parents, Ted and Nora, who were well known musicians themselves. They encouraged their sons to play music from a very early age and there was live traditional music in their house almost nightly.

On Sunday, August 24 at 11pm, Teaspach Theatre Company are back with their production of Brian Merriman’s hilariously bold ‘The Midnight Court’ translated by Frank O’Connor.

This is a rip-roaring tale that tackles the battle of the sexes and allows both to have their say in the Magical Midnight Court held by the Queen of the Fairies. It’s a tough call, as the case against both sexes is strong, but finally judgment is given. Who shall bear the wrath of the Queen?

With an all-star cast of Myles Breen, Sonya O’Donoghue, Aidan Crowe, Roisin Connolly and Patricia Kelly you’ll laugh till you cry. Tickets for all of the concerts are available from the Friars’ Gate Booking Office on 063- 98727 / www.friarsgate.ie