PERFECT 10
HERE’S OUR TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN CORK THIS WEEK
STUNNING NIGHT WITH VETERAN ROCKERS
VETERAN Irish rockers The Stunning will play the Cork Opera House on Saturday night, part of their Irish tour marking the release of their remastered 1992 seminal album ‘ Twice Around the World.”
With the passing of time the band’s popularity has never waned with songs such as ‘Romeo’s In Fire’, ‘Brewing Up a Storm’, ‘Half Past Two’ and ‘Everything That Rises’ still receiving regular airplay.
Last year the band, which reformed in 2004 after a 10-year hiatus, released their first new material with the singles’ Brighten Up My Life’ and Always You’ reaffirming they had lost none of the fire that made them one of the top selling Irish acts of the 1980’s and 90’s.
Tickets for the concert from the Opera House box office on 021 427 0022 priced at €35.
LEGEND OF LUKE KELLY AT THE INEC IN KILLARNEY
MEMORIES of the late and still much lamented Luke Kelly will be rekindled during a tribute concert taking place at the INEC in Killarney on Friday, March 23.
In his critically acclaimed ‘Legend of Luke Kelly’ show singer Graham Kavanagh perfectly encapsulates the sound, atmosphere and excitement of a live performance by his boyhood hero.
As well as bearing a striking resemblance to Kelly, Kavanagh also captures the raw emotion, depth and sheer passion that Kelly put into his music. Kavanagh has even sang for members of the Kelly family and appeared on stage with The Dubliners. Tickets for the concert from the INEC box office on 064 667 1555.
ANDY DUNNE STILL GOING FULL CIRCLE IN CORK
CORK singer/songwriter Andy Dunne will continue his ‘Full Circle’ residency at the Oliver Plunkett Bar with a free late-night gig at the Cork City venue next Monday night.
Not a man to be stereotyped in any particular genre, Dunne performs possibly the most eclectic set you will ever hear from a solo performer, with his genial wit and onstage banter adding another dimension to his live performances.
Although he generally performs well-honed cover versions, Dunne adds some of his own compositions into his set, ranging from trad to quirky blues songs all accompanied by his unique acoustic guitar style.
JOHNNY BRADY LIVE AT THE CHARLEVILLE PARK
THE Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll will host ‘A Night of Music and Dance’ fundraiser at the Charleville Park Hotel on Sunday.
The event will be headlined by country music star Johnny Brady with support from Mossie’s Country Roadshow.
Known for his powerful vocals, energetic performances and charismatic personality, The Antrim native has been involved in music industry for more than two decades collecting numerous awards along the way and cementing his status as one of Irish country music’s most popular performers.
Tickets for what promises to be a wonderful night of top class entertainment in support of this most worthy cause are available from the Donkey Sanctuary on 022 48398 priced at €15.
STARGAZERS MIXING IT UP AT THE EVERYMAN
PERENNIAL Cork favourites The Stargazers take to the stage of Cork’s Everyman Palace Theatre for a rare live performance on Sunday night.
One of Cork’s most venerable musical institutions, The Stargazers have performed their first gig as a group on RTÉ back in 1983.
Their recording and live show celebrate the songwriting genius of greats including Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin and George Gerschwin. In turn, their instrumental style is heavily inspired by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli among others.
Throw some modern greats by the likes of Randy Newman into the mix and add some of The Stargazers own material and you get a pretty good idea of what they are about.
Tickets from the venue on 021 450 1673 priced at €26.
THE GREAT LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY AT CYPRUS AVENUE
SEMINAL reggae singer and producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and his backing band will play Cork’s Cyprus Avenue next Thursday night (March 22).
Known as ‘ The Godfather of Reggae’ and ‘ The Creator of Dub’, Perry has worked everyone from the Skatalites to The Clash and has even been credited with pairing Peter Tosh with Bob Marley and the Wailers.
During a career spanning more than six-decades, he has recorded more than 50 solo and collaborative albums, won numerous awards and was included in Rolling Stone magazines top 100 artists of all time.
At the ripe old age of 81 he is still making new music and touring it across the globe - much to the delight of his legions of adoring fans.
Tickets from www.eventbrite.ie priced at €22.50.
PULSES OF TRADITION TO PLAY THE TRISKEL
THE popular ‘Pulses of Tradition’ show will return to the Triskel Arts Centre for a one-off performance next Saturday (St Patrick’s Day) at 5pm.
Described as an “authentic Irish multi-media experience”, the show features a cast of internationally recognised traditional musicians and dancers.
Using the stage to maximum effect, they create an exhilarating journey combining the traditions of the past through Irish airs, song and dance with contemporary images and multi-media, thrilling audiences with its intensity.
A celebration of our culture dating back centuries to the modern day, this is a show that no traditional Irish music fan will want to miss.
Tickets from the venue on 021 427 0022 priced at €20/€18.
A NIGHT WITH FENTON AND THE PHANTOMS
LOCAL band Fenton and the Phantoms will play a free late-night gig at the Crane Lane Theatre next Monday.
Formed in 2011, the five-piece blend rock and blues with a dollop of country to produce their own distinctive and exciting sound that could best be described as the result of a marriage between Johnny Cash and The Clash.
Their high-octane live set-lists feature a mix of self-penned tracks and covers of tracks originally performed by an eclectic mix of artists including Bob Dylan, Primal Scream and Johnny Cash.
The band, who have been gradually making a name for themselves in the vibrant Cork live scene, are currently in the process of completing their debut album due out later on this year.
AL COPLEY PLAYING THE BLUES AT BALLYMALOE
POPULAR American blues pianist and singer Al Copley will make a very welcome return to the stage of the Ballymaloe Grainstore in Shanagarry on Friday night.
Copley, the co-founder of twice Grammy nominated US jump blues band ‘Roomful of Blues’, has enjoyed a career spanning more than four decades during which time he has played and recorded with the likes of Lou Rawls, Otis Rush and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
His solo shows are renowned for their energy, versatility and fun, with Copley more often than not standing atop his Steinway piano as he belts out a vibrant mix of blues, swing and jazz standards in a playing style reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis.
Tickets for the concert from www.eventbrite. ie priced at €25 (plus booking fee).
PATRICK’S WEEKEND CONCERT BY CÓR GAEL
THE Whitechurch-based Cór Gael community choir will mark St Patrick’s weekend by hosting a concert at St Patrick’s Church in the village on Sunday evening.
The programme for ‘A Celtic Celebration’, which will get underway at 8pm, will incorporate an inspiring mix of beautiful Irish favourites including ‘ Danny Boy’ and ‘Báidín Fheilimidh’ along with a selection of sacred pieces such as ‘Holy City’.
The concert will also incorporate traditional Irish musicians with a few surprises thrown into the mix for good measure.
Proceeds from a raffle on the night will go to Rickbán Ladies GAA and Dogs for the Disabled.
Tickets priced at €20 from Whitechurch Service Station or Dee O’Mahony on 087 268 8853.