Entertaining Sligo
ON BLUEBERRY HILL
Following its off-Broadway run, the Irish tour of ‘On Blueberry Hill’ commences February 6 th, and begins at The Hawk’s Well.
Following the critically-acclaimed world premiere production as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2017, Olivier Award winning Fishamble, and current Laureate of Irish Fiction Sebastian Barry, reunite for the revival tour of ‘On Blueberry Hill’ to New York and on national tour in Ireland in 2019.
In Sebastian Barry’s unique style, ON BLUEBERRY HILL features best of friends and worst of enemies Christy and PJ, played by Niall Buggy and David Ganly. This new play is bursting with humanity, as it explores murder, forgiveness, survival and, ultimately, love in the prison of the human heart.
SLIGO GOSPEL CHOIR
Sligo Gospel Choir & Rev. Alan Mitchell will feature on RTE’s return to Country Gospel for a very unique programme with leading Irish singers for A Celebration of Country Gospel Music.
Country music is once again having a television first in Ireland with RTE 1 television on Sunday February 10 th at 11.10 am as the broadcaster are featuring Country Gospel music in Ireland on a special programme. It will be a rich musical coming together of North, South, East and West of Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and other traditions. The programme has been in planning for several months. The Rev. Alan Mitchell from Sligo, RTE and the Sligo Gospel Choir along with Country singers Louise Morrissey from Bansha, Co. Tipperary, James Kilbane, Achill Island, Co. Mayo and Colin Elliott from Portadown, Co. Armagh are joining RTE 1 television for an Irish country music celebration titled A Celebration of Country Gospel Music. Presented by Sligo’s own Rev. Alan Mitchell, A Celebration of Country Gospel Music will feature country songs and hymns to be sung by Louise, James and Colin as well as contributions from the Sligo Gospel Choir directed by Richard Mitchell.
Alan Mitchell will also include prayers and scripture as well as a short talk on the power of Country and Gospel music for praise, prayer and as a wonderful way to help bring positive change to our everyday lives. The Sligo Gospel Choir will join each singer on a number of their songs. The 50 strong choir was formed in 2010 and since their formation it has gone from strength to strength. They are also vastly experienced now in television productions. The choir has been involved in many high profile events over the years for presidents and royalty. The choir’s membership is from Sligo but also Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim and Donegal.
SING FOR THE HELL OF IT
Following on from December’s festive fun with Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas, choir- master Dave Flynn returns for a brand new sing-a-long workshop at the Hawk’s Well on Tuesday 29 th January.
Kicking off a new season of Sing for The Hell of It, January’s workshop is the first of three, with monthly events following on Tuesday 26 th February, and Monday 25 th March.
With an emphasis on having fun, Sing For The Hell of It is an all-inclusive event, and welcomes all; from those who are having their first experience of singing, to regular songbirds. Taking an informal approach, participants need no musical experience, and there is no need to audition, no requirement to read music, and no song words to memorise. It’s all about simply singing together.
With no commitment, and no performance at the end; this is just singing for the hell of it!
Sing For The Hell of It takes place at 8pm on Tuesday 29 th January, and tickets, priced at €5 (plus €1 booking fee) are available now.
For enquiries or to book, visit www. hawkswell.com or call 0719161518.
FROM THE SEA HOUND
‘From the Sea Hound’ is the first fulllength collection of poetry from Leitrim man, Stephen Murphy. Stephen is returning to the cultural hub of his spiritual home, The Glens Centre in North Leitrim, to launch it on the first day of Spring next year, to plant what he calls ‘A light at the end of the wintry tunnel.’ Supporting him on the night will be an all-star cast including David Keenan, Maurice Lennon, Claire Maguire, and Noel O’Grady, while the book will be officially launched by Seamus Hosey.
Stephen Murphy has often been called the people’s poet. His work is scathing, controversial, warm and full of insight into the Ireland of today. He tackles the things which matter to us both as individuals and as a nation, and has performed to tens of thousands of people on several occasions.
He has featured in the RTE Documentaries ‘A Rebel Act - Poems That Shaped the Nation’ and ‘Independent’s Day’, and has regularly been endorsed by leading figures in Irish cultural and political circles. He has spent many years dedicating himself to his craft, with the express intention of trying to feed light back into the darkness of our world, and his poems have amassed millions of views online.
A former All-Ireland slam poetry champion, who has been described by President Michael D. Higgins as “A splendid, wonderful, courageous young poet”, he’s also the doting father of a beautiful little boy, a very proud Leitrim man, and somebody who believes in the innate magic of the universe around us.
He’s currently working on finishing his first novel, and ‘From the Sea Hound’ is his first full length collection of poetry, published by Inisciuin Press.
His book will be launched this Friday, February 1st, at the Glens Centre.