Cinema Review - Angels & Demons

Thu, May 28, 2009

As a bit of a Dan Brown fan I cringed at the first movie attempt, and expected very little from the second but Angels & Demons was a blessed surprise.

Despite being plagued by several damning reviews this flick, based on Dan Brown’s novel by the same name, was to me very entertaining with plenty of suspense, relinquishing clues and explanations at all the right points. However, perhaps much of the appeal of this film could be attributed to the magnificent backdrop of Rome itself and the beautiful architecture and sculptures of Vatican City, the various churches, and plazas? I’m a bit of a fan of the city too. If nothing else the film will do wonders for its tourism.

Galway Arts Centre exhibitions

Thu, May 28, 2009

THE GALWAY Arts Centre is hosting a series of travel and ocean themed exhibitions and events to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in the city.

African Film Festival

Thu, May 28, 2009

GALWAY’S SECOND annual African Film Festival takes place this Sunday, starting at 11am in the Town Hall Theatre, showing films from South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal, and all events are free.

The festival will screen Return To Goree, in which the acclaimed singer Youssou N’Dour traces the history of jazz, (4.30pm); From A Whisper, a winner of five African Film Academy Awards, which deals with the aftermath of the Nairobi Embassy bombings in 1998 (6.15pm); and an exclusive preview of Jerusalema, a blockbuster action-movie from South Africa which will be introduced by the producer Tendeka Matatu (8pm). The festival will also have films for children such as the cartoon Kirikou and The Wild Beasts (12 noon).

Seona Tully, following mother’s footsteps into Druid’s Playboy

Thu, May 21, 2009

AMONG THE many notable events being staged in Galway to mark the Volvo Ocean Race, one of the highlights is Druid’s revival of their much-lauded Playboy Of The Western World at the Town Hall for five nights only, from June 2 to 6.

Obama approved Hypnotic Brass Ensemble to play Cuba*

Thu, May 21, 2009

“I CANNOT get enough of these guys, they soothe the soul.” So said US president Barack Obama about the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who will launch their new album in Cuba*, Eyre Square on Friday May 29 at 8pm.

Make the right choice and go see Jape

Thu, May 21, 2009

JAPE, THE solo alter ego of The Redneck Manifesto bassist Richie Egan, makes a welcome return to the Róisín Dubh on Friday May 29 at 8pm as part of the venue’s Once Upon A Time In The West festival.

This year has been a good one for Richie as in March his album Ritual won the Choice Music Award. The follow-up to 2004’s excellent The Monkeys In The Zoo Have More Fun Than Me, it saw him add elements of dance and techno to his indie-rock sound.

How the blues influenced Bob Dylan

Thu, May 21, 2009

BOB DYLAN practically invented blues-rock on Blonde On Blonde and the blues has always loomed large in his work, just listen to his new album Together Through Life.

Niwel Tsumbu to play Galway for Volvo Ocean Race

Thu, May 21, 2009

“ANTIDOTES TO the recession don’t come much more potent than this. Niwel Tsumbu’s indomitable, infectious spirit...gives full rein to a sweep of syncopated rhythms that have many of his punters grasping and gasping to keep up.”

Niwel Tsumbu to play Galway for Volvo Ocean Race

Thu, May 21, 2009

“ANTIDOTES TO the recession don’t come much more potent than this. Niwel Tsumbu’s indomitable, infectious spirit...gives full rein to a sweep of syncopated rhythms that have many of his punters grasping and gasping to keep up.”

So said The Irish Times of the Congolese native and honorary Corkonian who is sure to take Galway by storm when he plays the city during the Volvo Ocean Race stopover.

Country star Collin Raye on rubbing shoulders with Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell

Thu, May 21, 2009

ABOUT 20 years ago American country music singer Collin Raye signed a major deal with Epic Records and almost overnight became a big name on the Nashville scene.

The Stinky Cheese Man is coming to town

Thu, May 21, 2009

SCENES FROM The Stinky Cheese Man, based on Jon Scieszka’s book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, will be performed in the Town Hall Studio.

Des Keogh returns with Confessions Of An Irish Publican

Thu, May 21, 2009

THE MAN who brought you The Love Hungry Farmer is back! One of Ireland’s most popular performers, Des Keogh, returns to Galway with a new comedy based on the work of one of Ireland’s best known storytellers.

Mighty Boosh man to DJ @ GPO

Thu, May 21, 2009

THE GPO on Eglinton Street has a wealth of events to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover, including a DJ set from The Mighty Boosh’s Mike Fielding, to keep Galway dancing while the yachts are in town.

DJ Ferg will kick off the festivities on Saturday with Mark M in Drum. On Sunday, the band Gorilla Radio will play a live set with DJ Eric in Drum. On Monday 25 it’s DJs Mark M and Stroller.

Dark Room Notes @ Róisín Dubh

Thu, May 21, 2009

GALWAY/DUBLIN electronic-pop band Dark Room Notes play the Róisín Dubh on Saturday May 23 at 9pm and will play songs from their debut album, We Love You Dark Matter.

New York Dolls for Galway

Thu, May 21, 2009

The legendary New York Dolls (pictured) - the link between glam rock and punk - have been confirmed to play the Galway Arts Festival. More details to follow.

Cinema Review - Star Trek

Thu, May 21, 2009

As one who thought that yet another addition to the ‘done to death’ Star Trek franchise would be a terrible idea I have to admit that this time the film has boldly gone where it should go.

The Hollows to launch new EP

Thu, May 21, 2009

THE HOLLOWS will release their new EP, Broken Notes For Winter Homes (Slow Loris), upstairs in the Róisín Dubh on Saturday May 23 at 8pm.

The new EP sees Greg O’Brien and Gary Morrison embracing more electronic influences while maintaining the same intimacy of their earlier releases. Analog synths, manipulated tape loops and field recordings rest alongside organs, electric guitars, and hushed vocals to create warm and gentle electronic folk songs.

Charnwood Symphony Orchestra to play Galway

Thu, May 21, 2009

THE CHARNWOOD Symphony Orchestra, along with the Tribal Chamber Choir, soprano Denise Leigh, and bass Simon Thorpe, will perform works by Brahms, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky in Galway.

David Hockney for Galway Arts Festival

Thu, May 21, 2009

DAVID HOCKNEY, one of the giants of modern British art and a key figure in the 1960s pop art movement, will be exhibiting at the Galway Arts Festival.

All you ever wanted to know about writing

Thu, May 21, 2009

GTI CREATIVE 2009 will present an intensive week long day time course which will cover both fiction and poetry writing starting on Monday June 8.

The course will cover both fiction and poetry writing and be given by the poets Susan Millar DuMars and Kevin Higgins.

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