Entertaining Sligo

MOVIE MARATHON

For the second year running, Omniplex, located on Wine Street, is to commence a week-long movie marathon from Friday 19 th April to Thursday 25 th April, screening seven of the most requested movies from their respective genres as chosen by the public. Members of MyOmniPass, the cinema’s exclusive subscription membership, voted for their favourite movies to be enjoyed once again on the big screen.

The top voted films are:

Action: Terminator 2: Judgement Day – Friday 19 th April

Drama: Shawshank Redemption – Saturday 20 th April

Animation: Shrek 2 – Sunday 21st April

Horror: The Shining – Monday 22nd April

Fantasy: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Tuesday 23rd April

Comedy: Step Brothers – Wednesday 24 th April

Sci-Fi: Interstellar – Thursday 25 th April

The movie marathon will take place at Wine Street’s Omniplex, and is open to the public, as well as MyOmniPass members having access to them all along with other new releases for just €14.99/£9.99 per month. MyOmniPass is available to sign up now at www.omniplex.ie/join.

‘GAZA’ SCREENING

North West Mothers for Social Justice presents ‘ Gaza’ followed by Q&A with Irish director, Garry Keane, and Palestinian translator, Fadl Mustapha at The Model, Sligo, 8:00pm 20 th April 2024 – A Fundraiser for the Amjaad Charity.

For 6 months, the world has watched in horror as the people of Gaza have been bombed, displaced and starved by the Israeli army.

North West Mothers for Social Justice is a group of women, and our allies, who came together in response to these atrocities.

On Saturday, 20 th April, the group are delighted to present the award-winning documentary ‘Gaza’ in The Model, Sligo. Filmed in 2015, a time of relative peace between conflicts, we meet a cast of characters from all walks of life as they face the relentless struggles of living in the “world’s largest open-air prison.” Naturally, the student, taxi driver, barber, mother, fisher, paramedic and others face untold hardships.

However, more than anything, this intimate portrayal of Gaza’s inhabitants spotlights their resilience, their humanity and their strength of spirit, finding moments for joy and connection in the daily grind.

Garry Keane, the film’s director, and Fadl Mustapha, who assisted with translation, will be joining on the night.

The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about the reality of living in Palestine, then and now. It promises to be a very special occasion.

100% of all proceeds raised during the event will be donated to Amjaad, a grassroots organisation founded in Gaza seven years ago.

Garry has close personal connections to the charity through the film’s on-location manager. Still operational, despite the current impossible conditions, Amjaad typically provides help to at least 2,000 families every year, although that number has increased exponentially since October.

There is no cover charge. Instead, organisers are encouraging generous donations at the door. Seats should be booked in advance via https://www. eventbrite.ie/e/gaza-film-sligo-tick-ets-876044301087. There will be a limited number of walk-in spots available on the night.

Garry Keane describes Gaza as “a home to a people who are oppressed and dehumanised, but who are also resilient and strong, and who want nothing more than to live normal lives.” Isn’t that what all of us want, to be able to live our lives.

Doors open at 7:00pm. Programme runs from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. There will be an interval.

COLEMAN MUSIC CENTRE

David Munnelly (accordion) and Mick Conneely (fiddle), joined by special guest singer Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin, will perform at Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen, Co Sligo, F56 TF88. Saturday, 27 th April at 8pm. Tickets €15.

Mick Conneely is one of the most respected fiddle players of his generation. He has played and toured with many artists, including De Danann, Mary Bergin, Frankie Gavin, and Mairtin O’Connor among others. In 2001 his debut solo album, Selkie, was released to critical acclaim on the Clo lar- Chonnacht label. David Munnelly was born into a musical family and was surrounded by music from a very early age. He set up the David Munnelly Band in 1999, and in that same year he recorded his debut CD, entitled Swing. He recorded three other CDs with the band and has toured extensively.

Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin, a native Irish speaker, first heard keening, Caoine, when her late granny Máire mourned the death of her old friend and that even as child ‘ the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.’ Born into a musical family in Connemara, Caitriona, winner of numerous song competitions, has sang all over the world from America, Europe and her beloved homeland.