The WhistleBlast Quartet presents a Christmas family concert at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Saturday December 12 at 3pm. The WhistleBlast Quartet (Mary Curran, French horn; Kenneth Edge, saxophones, clarinet; Síle Daly, oboe, cor anglais; Andrew Synnott, piano ) performs and narrates Tchaikovsky’s magical Nutcracker Suite as arranged by Ken Edge as part of this Christmas family concert for all ages. Booking is advised. Telephone 094 9023733 for more details, and family tickets of four are available at a special rate.
Buffalo in the Linenhall
Four top musicians come together for a dazzling evening of music inspired by the traditions of Irish and American Old-time music and song at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Monday December 14 at 8pm. Buffalo in the Castle draws together the genres of American old-time and Irish trad with a dazzling line up of musical talents. Traditional luminaries Desi Wilkinson (flute, whistle and vocals ) and Máirtín O’Connor (accordion ) team up with two top musicians with an Appalachian musical background: Frank Hall (fiddle, vocals ) and Lena Ullman (five-string banjo, vocals ).
Playful and lyrical, the result is a potent concoction that guarantees satisfaction to the last drop - be it poitín, moonshine or this stunningly enjoyable cocktail of the two. Buffalo in the Castle takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Monday December 14 at 8pm. Booking is advised.
Mayo artists’ show
As usual there’s great interest in the Mayo artists’ show, currently on dazzling display at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. The ever-popular biennial celebration of the visual arts in Mayo has been attracting many visitors keen to experience first hand Mayo’s artistic talents on a large scale. The open submission exhibition was selected by acclaimed Mayo-based artist Veronica Bolay RHA from almost 300 submitted works inspired by the theme Flight of Fancy. The results, comprising some 180 works in total, presents a cornucopia of visual art in all manner of media - painting, print, photography, fabric, sculpture and more - and offers a fascinating snapshot of the breadth of arts practice in the county.
The Linenhall Gallery is open to the general public Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm. Admission to exhibitions is free.
Craftmakers’ Christmas Fair
The annual Craftmakers’ Christmas Fair takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Saturday December 19, from 10am to 6pm. This timely showcase brings together around 30 of the foremost exponents of a diverse selection of crafts from all over Ireland to present their distinctive wares for your delectation, delight and purchase. A range of top ceramics, woodcraft, leather work, jewellery, textiles, metalwork and more will be on show, with an opportunity to meet and buy direct from the makers themselves. The Craftmakers’ Christmas Fair is quickly becoming a firm favourite with people searching for top quality distinctive craft products. Craftmakers’ Christmas fair takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Saturday, December 19, from 10am to 6pm.
