The World Fleadh, one of Ireland's biggest music festivals, comes to Castlebar from July 31 to August 8, with a fantastic selection of top Irish traditional, folk, Celtic, and country music acts. The Linenhall Arts Centre is playing host to a number of these prestigious concerts over the August Bank Holiday weekend (booking for these events is through the Linenhall Arts Centre on 094 902 3733 ).
On Friday July 31 at 8pm Heidi Talbot and John McCusker will perform contemporary, traditional, and folk at 8pm.
An uplifting blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic sounds with jazz improvisation in powerful original songs will take place on Saturday August 1 at 8pm.
On Sunday August 2 at 8pm, one of the hottest bands on the traditional music scene, the Dave Munnelly Band, will play. Headed by Belmullet button accordion wizard David Munnelly, the band (David Munnelly, Kieran Munnelly, Philippe Barnes, Paul Kelly ) combines accordion, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, piano, bodhrán, and flute for a high-spirited instrumental sound coloured with a bit of jazz, ragtime, and percussive dancing, topped with the singing of All-Ireland champion Shauna Mullin.
Crooked Still will perform one of the most compelling and exciting forms of alternative bluegrass and string band music today on Monday August 3 at 8pm.
In conjunction with the World Fleadh, an exhibition of portraits of traditional musicians by west Cork-based fine art photographer Con Kelleher takes place in the Linenhall Print Gallery from Friday July 31 to Saturday August 8.
See www.theworldfleadh.com for full details of all World Fleadh events.
Comedy theatre
The ever-popular Beezneez Theatre Company brings its latest comedy success A Wake In The West to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Tuesday August 11 at 8pm. Booking advised contact: 094 902 3733.
Not content with drinking himself to death, Tom Healy makes a last request to be buried ‘in the drink’ - at sea! His wish creates havoc in his house and in his local community, with some believing he is not entitled to ‘take it all with him’. Booking advised.
Contemporary jazz
For a night of fresh and exciting contemporary Irish jazz, check out Dennis Wyers’ Rhombus Quartet, performing at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday August 20 at 8pm.
Rhombus jazz quartet features some of the finest established and emerging jazz musicians on the Irish scene. Led by Castlebar-born composer/saxophonist Dennis Wyers, the group is quickly developing a name for itself as a hotbed for spontaneous, exciting music. Booking advised.
Betty Gannon exhibition
States of Flux, the first solo exhibition by Westport artist Betty Gannon, opens at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Friday August 7.
States of Flux is an exhibition of drawings that explore architectural forms and spaces, inspired by the construction and demolition that in recent years became a ubiquitous feature of the changing face of Ireland.
The exhibition will be officially launched on Friday August 7 at 7.30pm. Come along and preview the show, meet the artist and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. All welcome.
