Top Irish violinist Geraldine O’Grady and her daughter and fellow-violinist Oonagh Keogh join forces for a very special concert the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday, February 11 at 8pm. Geraldine O’Grady has been in the forefront of Irish music since she graduated from the Paris Conservatoire with the coveted Premier Prix and First Place, and has had a distinguished international career as recitalist and soloist with major symphony orchestras. Geraldine’s daughter, Oonagh Keogh, is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and has an honours MA from the University of Limerick. She has performed extensively as a soloist and is a member of the much-acclaimed Irish Chamber Orchestra.
As a duo, Geraldine and Oonagh have been co-soloists in classical and modern concertos. They have a wide repertoire of music and have given recitals throughout Ireland, Europe, The West Indies and the USA, and have recorded for radio, television and on CD. Accompanying them on the night will be pianist Margaret O’Sullivan. Among Margaret’s many awards is the top prize for solo pianoforte at the College of Music in Dublin. She performs regularly with Geraldine and Oonagh and was accompanist on their album Heartstrings in Harmony.
Bruiser Theatre Company back for more
Bruiser Theatre Company is back in cracking form with its new production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Monday February 22 at 8pm.
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is one of Bertolt Brecht's best known plays. It is a savagely hilarious allegory of Hitler's rise to power, in which the Führer is portrayed as charismatic Chicago gangster Arturo Ui, endeavouring to seize the city's fruit and vegetable racket from top dog Al Capone. He systematically seduces the public and eliminates his political rivals in his bid for total domination.
This is political theatre at its best and most powerful. Six actors/musicians play more than 50 characters to bring this powerful story to life in typically exciting, engaging and physical Bruiser style. Arturo Ui is as relevant as ever. The battle for political status and the corruption of power still fill our newspapers in 2010. When credits crunch, to whom do we turn? Arturo Ui offers protection and freedom — but at what price?
Crimlin Community Arts night
The Crimlin Community Arts Music Collective presents From The Ocean to The Fringe at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Saturday February 27 at 8pm.
Crimlin Community Arts is a community music collective of over nine bands including Batafada, Bata Óg, Rockafada, Na Ciotógaí, The Banned Joe Band, and Píba Ríba. They cater for local musicians of all tastes and ages. Genres include samba, rock, folk, traditional and pipe band music as well as a fusion of all of these and more. Since forming in 2006, they have performed locally and at international festivals. The group recently received a Mayo People of the Year Award in 2009. From the Ocean to the Fringe showcases Crimlin Community Arts’ eclectic mix of musical styles and genres.
Niwel Tsumbu brings a taste of Africa to the Linenhall
Niwel Tsumbu and The Song of the Nations Band bring their compelling musical brew to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Monday, March 1 at 8pm. Congolese guitar sensation and composer Niwel Tsumbu vividly blends African rhythms with rumba, new jazz, classical flamenco and more. Playing electric and acoustic guitars and singing mostly in his native Lingala, Niwel performs with The Song of the Nations Band, a truly multicultural line up comprising: Hungarian bassist Peter Erdei, Irish percussionist Eamonn Cagney, violinist Kathryn Doehner from Germany and Cuban percussionist Frailan Moran Mendive. Come along and put some fresh musical joy in your life.
New exhibition at the Linenhall
Opening on Friday, February 5 at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is a new show entitled Private Collections - Public View presenting works from private collections by some of Ireland’s foremost visual artists. The exhibition is based on a selection from private collections by Linenhall chairman Eamon Smith, and is a great opportunity to view rarely seen works by some of the most recognisable names in the Irish art world. The exhibition will run until Friday, February 26.
