Other Voices highlights

and music go hand in hand at Other Voices and this year is no expception. THE intimate concerts in the 200 year old St. James’s Church are central to the experience, both for the artists and the audience. However, only limited numbers can be accommodated in the church so the organisers have worked with technology companies to come up with ways of growing the audience without losing the intimacy that is integrat to Other Voices.

Over recent years John Wallace of Broadcast Associates, Lispole managed the network that connected the church to pubs in Main Street and Strand Street. This year Eir, who are very excited about their involvement, will transmit the concerts on their fibre optic network and Eir TV, which means it could be broadcast live just as easily in a bar in New York.

THE ARTISTS PLAYING IN ST. JAMES’S THIS YEAR ARE:

Friday, December 2: 7.30pm Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Cormac Begley, followed by Margaret Glaspy. 9.30pm Kojey Radical, followed by Pixie Geldolf.

Saturday, December 3: 7.30pm Imelda May, followed by Lisa Hannigan. 9.30pm Girl Band, followed by Rejie Snow.

Sunday, December 4: 7.30pm Saint Sister, followed by All Tvvins. 9.30pm Rusangano Family, followed by Le Galaxie.

The pubs with live streams of the concerts are: Adams Bar, An Chonair Bar, John Benny’s, The Marina Inn, Kennedy’s, Paul Geaney’s, Nellie Fred’s, Benner’s Hotel and the Dingle Bay Hotel.

The best up and coming bands can be heard on The Music trail, which takes place in venues throughout the peninsula. Local musician Mattie Barker, of Strange Attractor, recommends Toofools, Ailbhe Reddy, Jafaris and Orchid Collective. Pat Doyle, an older and very discerning music follower recommends Rosie Carney, Jack O’ Rourke, Arborist, Malojian and Marlene Enright

Meanwhile in highlights of a different sort, on Friday, the anthropologist Genevieve Bell, regarded amongst the top 100 creative thinkers in business will deliver the keynote address at the two-day Ireland’s Edge Conference. Producer and Director Louise Ní Fhiannachta from Ventry is amongst the speakers in the Skellig Hotel on Saturday.

In another branch of the festival’s broad programme there will be chat at the Banter session in Foxy John’s on Saturday and Sunday between 2pm and 6pm. Jim Carroll and Molly King have lined up a eclectic group of people for a fireside chat about subjects ranging from psychosomatic illness to slow food.

Waxing Lyrical An exhibition of work from a collection of artists, curated by Áine Ní Chiobháin celebrating vinyl will be held on Main street.