MUSIC FROM BAROQUE TO THE BEATLES IN FARAHY CHURCH

While this Thursday night sees the fourth of seven recitals from this year’s North Cork Classical Music line up being staged at The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth (Duo Nota Bene from Austria – Eva Steinschaden (violin) and Alexander Vivtar (piano) collaborating with the exciting young tenor, Max Steiner), patrons are already looking forward to the fifth concert of the programme.

Music from Bach to The Beatles will pervade the hallowed surroundings of St Colman’s Church, Farahy on Saturday evening, July 5 (commencing at 6pm – please note time).

Three musicians, Ian Sexton (harpsichord), Una Whyte (harps) and baritone, Micheal O Suilleabhain have put together an interesting and varied programme that could well be referred to as ‘an evening of Baroque ‘n’ Roll’.

‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ and ‘Inisheer’ will mix with Rameau’s ‘Double de la Gavotte’ and ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ will soar alongside ‘Blackbird’ from The Beatles and Charles Purlay’s ‘Lead Kindly Light’ etc., etc.

This is certainly a recital with a difference and the charming St Colman’s Church will make the perfect venue, albeit at this unusual time of evening, 6pm (due to there being no electricity in the building).

The event sponsor here will be Robert Duffy, Pharmacist, Castletownroche. Admission is just €10 on this occasion and Jane Annesley (022-26145) or Liam Howard (025-24858) are accepting bookings (also 087-6492514).

A brief note on the performers: The ensemble is directed by Ian Sexton who has been working on Anglican Church music continuously from a young age. He spent some time as assistant organist at St Finbarre’s Cathedral and put much of his energy into establishing a choral Scholarship Scheme. He is in regular demand as a recitalist, choir trainer and accompanist.

Una Whyte is a recent graduate of U.C.C. where she completed her masters in Ethnomusicology and her primary degree in Music and English. She has travelled extensively playing both Irish traditional harp and concert harp.

She has travelled to China twice as part of an Irish traditional group that performed for the Olympics celebration and Chinese New Year celebrations in Beijing. She is also a member of U.C.C. harp ensemble, Tonnta.

Micheal Padraig O Suilleabhain (24) is a singer and percussionist who sings an eclectic mix of song styles. Having graduated with an MA in Ethnomusicology, Micheal specialises in the field of rap music in Ireland and is also a rap music performer.

With a voice described as having ‘a peculiar charm of its own’, Micheal has broadcast and recorded many times, most notably with his family ensemble, ‘AMEN’.

ALL SET FOR 123 FESTIVAL OF DRAMA

This weekend, Saturday and Sunday nights, June 28 and 29, is the second annual ‘123 Drama Festival’. A showcase of the great range of acting and directing talent to be found in County and City Waterford, the festival brings together a huge range of drama groups and lovers of all things fine about Irish theatre.

The 123 Festival is two nights of monologues, duologues and short plays under the watchful eye of adjudicator, Cork’s own Michael Twomey. With each performance between 5 and 15 or so minutes, audiences are guaranteed to see something that will catch their imagination or make them fall about with laughter.

The competition is on this Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29. Saturday night sees a special reception for the launch of a new book by Miriam Gallagher, internationally acclaimed as one of County Waterford’s finest modern playwrights.

Sunday night is the prize reception at Lismore House Hotel and it always turns into a great night’s fun! Both night’s shows have a mix of comedy, drama, silliness, high farce and much more! On at Lismore Courthouse Theatre, and hosted by the excellent Lismore Dramatic Society, the festival throws opens its doors at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Tickets cost €10 per night and can be booked on 058-53988 or 087-6733782. See you there.

AN EVENING OF YOUR FAVOURITE SUMMER CLASSICS IN BURNCOURT

South Tipperary Rural Arts Group presents an Evening of your Favourite Summer Classics with Iain King and friends on Monday, July 14th at 8pm in Burncourt church at 8pm.

This is a return visit to Burncourt from this Classical quartet and their varied repertoire continues to enthral audiences, the Quartet is composed of violinist Iain King who has played as first violin is with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the English Camber Orchestra.

In addition to his classical career, Ian has worked on hundreds of commercial recordings, including film and TV soundtracks. Iain now lives in Ballina with his family.

Yorkshire born, Gareth Hulse has played oboe with the English National Opera Company and the London Philharmonic and has worked with many of the world’s leading composers. He is also a member of London Winds which has visited Ireland many times.

Gareth’s wife Katie Clemmow has toured with the London Symphony and the Academy of St Martin’s throughout Europe, the Far East and Japan. Katie who is also an oboe player, will accompany the group on piano. Cellist Robert Irvine is founder of the Chamber Group of Scotland and has recorded several CDs.

According to The Sunday Times “Few (cellists), if any of them, have a more attractively integrated sound than Robert Irvine”. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear such a talented quartet in your locality.

The recital will be preceded by a cheese and wine reception in Burncourt Community Hall starting at 7pm. Tickets are €20 and are available from Rural Arts members in Burncourt at Maureen Creed’s Shop or by contacting (087) 6320899.

'PRIVATE LIVES’ AT THE EVERYMAN

Five years after their divorce, Amanda and Eliot are reunited in a romantic French hotel. Unfortunately each is there on honeymoon with a new spouse. But the old flame quickly flickers anew between the divorcees who recall why they were once in love.

Swooning like love birds they hatch a plan to elope in the middle of the night, thus beginning their stylish love-hate tango.

But how long will the new spark last? And how on earth will their respective partners cope? ‘Private Lives’, from the pen of Noel Coward, is a gorgeous light-hearted comedy full of passion, bad manners and silver-tongued humour, perfect easy entertainment for a summer’s evening.

Set in the South of France and Paris in the 1930s, prepare to be whisked away to a whirling world of elegance and sensuality, glamour and style.

It runs from this Wednesday until Saturday, July 12th, nightly at 8pm. Booking on 021 4501673 or book online at www.everymanpalace.com

HIGH COUNTRY BLUEGRASS BAND FOR KILWORTH

“...One of the lonesomest, ‘hard-drivingest’ traditional bluegrass bands alive...High Country manages to be fresh and exciting without even the merest nod to modern music.” – Bluegrass Unlimited.

Over the last thirty-odd years, High Country has earned its place as the West Coast’s premier traditional bluegrass band.

Strongly influenced by the classic styles of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, the band’s blend of banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass delivers the upbeat excitement of true bluegrass music.

High Country’s show offers a vital mix of powerful originals and standards, from blues to breakdowns to gospels sung in close harmony. With driving rhythm, skilful picking and soulful singing, High Country brings the energy and experience of six seasoned professionals to this spirited American art form.

After three decades of performing, the band remains fresh and exciting, and brings their love of bluegrass to an ever-widening audience.

High Country have no less than seven albums to their credit including their latest, ‘The Earthquake’ on Strictly Country Records. Billboard Magazine had this to say about the bands1s efforts: “This band has the kind of bright, warm, Flatt and Scruggs sound that dominated bluegrass in the 60s... a welcome switch from technical flash to back porch virtuosity.”

‘CRIPPLE’ IN BALLYDUFF

Following another hugely successful run on the festival circuit, Ballyduff Drama Group returns with a new production of ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ this weekend. The play runs at St Michael’s Hall, Ballyduff for two nights only, this Friday 27th and Saturday, 28th June, before jetting off on tour to Singapore next month.

Under the direction of Geraldine Canning, preparation has been ongoing for many months now and the cast and crew have put together an outstanding production to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

The play is a key Irish contribution to the first ever European Cultural Season in Singapore and Ireland mustn’t be such a bad place so if Singapore wants the Irish in its national theatre.

It is often said that being involved with a drama group is all about the craic and the friends you make. Then performing in front of your colleagues and neighbours is a daunting experience.

Going on to perform at festivals is a massive step and taking part and winning at national level could create the feeling that perhaps there is nothing more. But there is something more. There’s the international level.

There’s the chance to represent not only the community of Ballyduff; not only the island of Ireland but to carry the support of the entire European community.

How many people in any walk of life, in any occupation or any vocation get that chance? And from the entire of the world they chose Ballyduff.

A massive challenge; but in no way beyond this well accustomed group. The cast has a great blend of youth and experience with Brendan Dunlea, Sile Heneghan, John Stack, Mary Flavin Colbert, Phil McGrath, Brendan Cotter, Aoife Walsh, Courtney Canning and Killian Collins.

Combine these people with the creative direction of Geraldine Canning, the inventive originality and hard work of an energetic stage crew and the ingenious writing of Martin McDonagh and you’ve got one hell of a tour.

Ballyduff Drama Group stage ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ this Friday and Saturday night. Don’t miss it! Booking: 058-60456.