SEPTEMBER DATES FOR TOMMY FLEMING

The new millennium saw Tommy Fleming’s album ‘The Contender’ enjoy huge success with tracks such as ‘The Contender’, ‘Hard Times’, ‘Only Our Rivers Run Free’, ‘Lift The Wings’, ‘The Meeting Of The Waters’, ‘Black Is The Colour’, ‘Galway Bay’ and ‘The Water Is Wide’ securing massive airplay.

This album would see him return to his more traditional, folk roots, recording an album of entirely Irish writers such as Jimmy McCarthy, Christie Hennessy, Micky O Connell and John Hurley who had written the title track of 1998 album “Restless Spirit’.

‘’The Contender’ went on to become one of the best selling albums of 2000/2001 achieving multi-platinum sales and making Tommy one of the most sought after acts in Ireland and abroad, attracting the attention of promoters in Japan, the US and Europe.

A song that remains Tommy’s favourite today is the title track of what was the next album, ‘Sand And Water’ written by Beth Neilsen Chapman.

On completion of this album, Tommy made a decision that not even his closest friends or family expected. He took six months off and flew to Africa to work with the aid agency GOAL. He was a field operative in war torn and famine stricken Sudan.

This time in his life is one that he could talk to you about for hours. In every interview, his eyes light up when he talks about his work with GOAL.

“It was the best and possibly worst decision I have ever made”, he comments.

“Working with so much death and hardship made me realise who I am and how lucky I am. I don’t take things for granted anymore.”

He eventually returned from Africa and ‘Sand & Water’ was released. A sell out tour of Ireland and Holland commenced, bringing the flame-haired singer to an even larger audience.

The album ‘Tommy Fleming: The Collection’, a double CD release followed and achieved huge platinum sales making Tommy one of the most popular Irish singers at the turn of the millennium.

Tommy continued to tour and achieve huge success on the live circuit as well as many radio and TV appearances. This ultimately led to his idea for an incredible one-of-a kind concert at the Basilica in Knock.

A concert of this type had never taken place in the Basilica but on the 12th December 2004 Tommy Fleming succeeded in staging exactly that, and after many months of planning and preparation a “Voice of Hope” was born. 5,000 people packed the Knock Basilica for a once off concert that words cannot describe.

Songs from his ‘Voice Of Hope’ double album again took over the airwaves, particularly ones like ‘Morning Has Broken’, ‘Bright Blue Rose’, ‘Steal Away’, ‘Love Can Build A Bridge’, ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ etc.

His concerts are memorable and entertaining and it’s not all singing or music. Tommy’s natural wit and quick-fire humour are usually well evident at such gatherings- the audience being entertained with fine stories and hilarious off-the-cuff ad-libs.

His more recent albums enjoy similar success and songs such as ‘Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears’, ‘The Voyage’, ‘The Bantry Girl’s Lament’ and of course “Hard Times’ are always requested wherever he performs.

His Kilworth concerts promise to be, as usual, very special. Early booking is advised.

Tickets (€30) must be pre-paid and are available from the usual outlets (The Avondhu office, Fermoy (025-32227); Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (025-27109 after 5.30pm); Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (025-24528) or on 087-6492514.

THE BEST OF TRADITIONAL WITH SLIABH NOTES

Sliabh Notes is made up of Matt Cranitch on fiddle, Donal Murphy on accordion and Tommy O’Sullivan on guitar and vocals.

They come to Kilworth’s Village Arts Centre on Sunday night, August 16 when they bring with them the music of the Sliabh Luachra region.

A session with Matt, Donal and Tommy usually gets the feet tapping and, observing their audience, you will see the odd one throw the shoulder up as they become enveloped by the music.

The music of the Sliabh Luachra region, a mountainous area that straddles the counties of Cork, Kerry and Limerick, is justly noted for its vibrant dance music where the polka and slide are king.

The trio brings together Sliabh Luachra’s instantly identifiable dance sound with songs and tunes that reflect the Irish contribution to the music of the American south.

Lift the spirits on August 16, book your ticket early and get those feet tapping - you’ll be glad you did. Tickets €15/12.50 from the usual outlets (see details elsewhere this page) or from 087-6492514.

BRIAN FRIEL’S ‘LOVERS’ AT THE EVERYMAN PALACE THEATRE

The Everyman Palace Theatre is celebrating the 80th year of master dramatist, Brian Friel with ‘Lovers’, one of his earliest and best loved plays.

Directed by Mary Curtin and presented in association with Proscenium Productions, ‘Lovers’ follows on the successes of the previous Everyman summer shows , ‘Private Lives’ in 2008, ‘The Odd Couple’ in 2007 and ‘Twelve Angry Men’ in 2006.

A brilliantly crafted double bill, ‘Lovers’ tells the stories of two couples; teenagers Mag and Joe and the middle-aged Andy and Hanna.

From the bliss and passion of young love to the hilarity of an older couple’s covert courtship, this fascinating study of human relationships skillfully combines comedy and tragedy, wit and irony.

Written in 1967, ‘Lovers’ is one of Friel’s earlier works. This summer production at the Everyman is a chance to see the work of one of Ireland’s most beloved playwrights, author of ‘Philadelphia Here I Come’, ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ and ‘Translations’.

‘Lovers’ is presented by Proscenium Productions in association with the Everyman Palace Theatre. Directed by Mary Curtin, design is by Jim Queally with lighting by Paul Denby.

The cast features Colum Dennehy, Judy Donovan, Ann Dorgan, Eileen Dromey, Cora Fenton, Irene Kelleher, Ian McGuirk and Michael Murphy. ‘Lovers’ from Friday 7 to Saturday 22 August at 8pm (excluding Sunday and Monday).

Contact box office for special ticket prices . Booking on 021-4501673 or online www.everymanpalace.com

CARA O’SULLIVAN DATE ANNOUNCED

Saturday night, September 26 is a date for your diary when Ireland’s favourite soprano, Cara O’Sullivan pays a return visit to The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth.

In these recessionary times, fans will be glad to hear that tickets have been kept at a very reasonable €17.50/€15 concessions (OAP’s and students only), half the price they were on her last visit thanks to generous sponsorship from Music Network. Early booking is strongly advised.

This time around Cara comes with the Degani Ensemble, an ensemble that, having diversified into larger scale chamber music in the 1990s, the group was re-formed 4 years ago by founder members Ruby Ashley (oboe), Alan Smale (violin) and David James (cello). Elaine Clarke (violin) and John Lynch (viola) were subsequently added, bringing a wealth of chamber music experience to the chosen repertoire.

The ensemble was joined by Cara to perform the music of Vaughan Williams. Cara O’Sullivan has an impeccable operatic pedigree and has risen to prominence as one of Ireland’s leading sopranos.

She is an instinctive performer with a remarkably full voice, exciting and dramatic, yet always performs with great sensitivity. She has shown herself to be a fearless vocal artiste, whether singing Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti or Puccini.

In demand for opera, oratorio, and song recitals, she is kept busy year-round and across the globe. Cara’s concert career and operatic engagements have taken her all over the world.

Spanning an impressive and wide-ranging repertoire, she has been referred to as ‘The Irish Superstar of her generation’ by the Irish Times. Tickets will go on sale from this weekend and will be available from the usual outlets. Enquiries to 087-6492514.

COLOGNE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ON AUGUST 25TH

A reminder that tickets for the Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra are now on sale for their concert in Kilworth on August 25th (Tuesday) at 8.15pm as part of this year’s North Cork Classical Music series.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of Germany’s finest ensembles, performing a diverse programme ranging from Vivaldi and his tremendously famous ‘Four Seasons’ to Mozart, Bach and Offenbach.