PERFECT 10
HERE’S OUR TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN CORK THIS WEEK
VANBRUGH QUARTET AT THE CURTIS AUDITORIUM
THE Cork Orchestral Society will continue their 2017 programme tonight (Thursday) when they host a concert featuring the popular Vanbrugh Quartet at the Cork School of Music’s Curtis Auditorium.
The quartet is renowned for its virtuosity and versatility whether it be premièring new and contemporary pieces or performing works by classical composers.
Tonight’s recital, the final one featuring the quartet’s current line-up, will feature a very special guest in the form of internationally acclaimed cellist Bill Butt.
It will feature works by Irish, Chinese, American and Norwegian composers as well as Barber’s ‘Adagio’ and Schubert’s ‘Quintet in C Major op.163’.
Admission, priced at €10/€14/€20 at the door.
JOHN SPILLANE TO PLAY VILLAGE ARTS CENTRE
CORK’S favourite musical son, the inimitable John Spillane, will be back on home turf on Friday night for a gig at the Village Arts Centre in Kilworth.
Over a career spanning more than three-decades, Spillane has sold more than 100,000 albums, won two Meteor Awards and seen his songs covered by a host of Irish folk luminaries including Christy Moore, Solas, Mary Black and Sharon Shannon.
His gigs are always very special occasions as Spillane treats guests to well known ditties and debut performances of new songs delivered with his roguish humour tinged with more than a dollop of typical Cork irreverence.
Tickets from 087 649 2514.
MIKE DENVER SET FOR GIG AT THE INEC IN KILLARNEY
ONE of the darlings of the Irish county music circuit, Mike Denver, will bring his spectacular live show the INEC in Killarney on Saturday night.
Widely regarded as one of the brightest young stars of the genre, Denver is a relative newcomer to the Irish music scene, only performing his first professional live performance back in 2003.
Denver’s live shows are always an eclectic mix of self-penned hits, country classic and middle of the road favorite’s that appeal to all ages.
For this gig Denver will be joined by his Big Band and special guest including Ray Lyman, Big Chief and Michael Mawhinney.
Tickets priced at €30 from the INEC box office on 064 667 1555.
AN EVENING OF STUNNING SONG AT ST FIN BARRE’S
THE Sacred Harp Singers of Cork will hold a free concert amid the atmospheric surroundings of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral next Thursday night.
The Singers, who have been performing together since 2009, employ the American ‘shapenote’ folk tradition which sets them apart as a unique group.
Unlike the conventionally used choral music, the Sacred Harp Singers use their full natural voices to create a more energetic sound.
This style of music has influenced country legends such as Hank Williams, Dolly Parton and Johnny cash and audience members are invited to sing along on what is certain to be a great night.
WALLIS BIRD BACK ‘HOME’ WITH BRAND NEW ALBUM
FOLLOWING the release of her fifth studio album ‘Home’, singer/songwriter Wallis Bird is back on the road again and will play a gig with her band ‘Upstairs at the Oliver Plunkett on Friday night.
After taking two-years out to write and record the album, Bird undertook a short sell-out European tour following its release last September.
She is now keen to get back on the road with the album, which features a clutch of songs that encompass a glut of emotions from joy to serenity to mystery.
He live shows are full of energy, humour and passion, enrapturing audiences like few others can.
Tickets for the show from www.coughlanslive.ie priced at €24.
SERIOUS INDIE SOUNDS AT THE SIRIUS WITH DIVAN
THE Dublin-based three-piece indie band Divan will bring their eclectic sound to the stage of the intimate Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh on Saturday night.
The band, formerly known as The Ambient Affair, released their debut album ‘ The Modern Knowledge’ in August 2016 to widespread critical acclaim with the Irish Times describing it as “impressive, subtle and broody.”
Divan’s music is an eclectic mix of pulsating rhythms and soaring vocals that draw from a rich tapestry of styles and sounds, creating a vibrant stamen of intent from a band with real talent and plenty of time on their side.
Tickets for the gig from the venue on 021 481 3790 priced at €12.
WINTER WARMER WITH DIRK POWELL AND GUESTS
THE Ballincollig Winter Music Festival will continue tonight (Thursday) with an evening in the company of Grammy award winning US folk singer/songwriter Dirk Powell.
Powell has expanded on the deeply rooted sounds of his Appalachian heritage to become one of America’s finest traditional musicians. In addition to his widely influential solo recordings, Powell has also worked alongside many wellknown US artists including Jackson Browne, Jack White, Joan Baez and Steve Earle.
Tickets for the show, which will include special guests Jock Tydesley and Vera Van Heeringen from www.eventbrite.ie priced and €21.86.
To see the full programme of gigs and events lined up for the festival visit www.wintermusicfestival.ie.
TONY LAW LINED UP FOR COMEDY CLUB GIG
THE multi award-winning Canadian comic Tony Law will bring his hilarious ‘A Law Undo His-elf What Welcome’ stand-up show to the City Limits Comedy Club on Saturday night.
Known for his engagingly surreal material and his eclectic dress sense, Law is a regular face on UK television, appearing on shows including ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘8 Out of 10 cats’.
In typical Tony Law fashion, his new show is the sort of comedy that at first appears to make little sense but as the show develops he ad-libs and draws the whole performance together, with audiences hanging onto his every word. Tickets from www.thecomedyclub.ie.
A SLICE OF AMERICANA WITH LAMES MCMURTY
INFLUENTIAL US folk/rock singer, song writer and poet James McMurty will play a gig Coughlan’s Live on Cork’s Douglas Street tonight (Thursday).
Acclaimed for his intimate and meticulously crafted songs about the trials of love and life, his first album, ‘ Too Long in the Wasteland’, released in 1989 and produced by John Mellencamp, was just the beginning for the talented artist, who would go on to enjoy critical praise for his works for both Columbia and Sugar Hill Records.
In total McMurty has released more than a dozen live and studio albums, with his latest recording ‘Complicated Games’ widely regarded as one of the finest US folk/rock albums of the past decade. Tickets from the venue at www. coughlanslive.ie priced at €24.
POLITICS THROUGH THE EYES OF JOHN B KEANE
THE Glen theatre in Banteer will host a performance of John B Keane’s hilarious political farce ‘ The Successful TD’, starring Jon Kenny and Mary McEvoy, on Saturday night.
Based on Keane’s ‘ The Letters of a Successful TD’ and’ An Irish Minister for State’ the play follows the trials, tribulations and antics of Till McAdoo as he seeks re-election to the Dáil.
Although written five-decades ago, the play displays an edge for humour and satire that is uncomfortably close to today’s political landscape and will have the audience laughing at the antics of its eccentric cast of characters.
Tickets from the venue on 029 56239.