What to expect
All you need to do is to look at the two headline concerts in the Royal Theatre over the weekend, starting with Imelda May on Friday June 3 at 8pm, and Thin Lizzy on Sunday June 5 at 7.30pm, to get a feeling for what it’s all about. Combine this with more than 40 gigs from national and international bands playing rock, blues, bluegrass and roots, each with a cult following. These bands are all to be seen beyond on the pub trail, with gigs starting at 4pm, 8pm and 9.45pm, all with free admission. Log on to www.castlebarblues.com for more details. And audiences can go along for free to the After Dinner Grooves on the Saturday and Sunday at 4pm in the Café Bar, TF Royal Hotel.
On street fun and entertainment
Also, Visit Castlebar in association with Finbar Hoban Presents has organised some street performances on Saturday afternoon (June 4 ). So you can shop away in the bespoke boutiques and big brand stores in Castlebar or enjoy a coffee or beer while listening to some of the very best in music from ‘The Nitty Gritty’, featuring DJ Dave Barry and Kit Kola (event kindly sponsored by Breaffy House Resort ).
Your own home recording studio workshop
If you have always fancied recording that million selling song, go for it now with a demo in GarageBand software - your very own recording studio for your Apple Mac home computer.
This demo, hosted by Mark Black at 2.30pm on Saturday, is for all ages and levels - indeed no music experience is required, and it can be booked through The Linenhall Arts Centre 0949023733. The workshop costs only €8 and booking is essential, places are limited and the workshop will last one hour and 15 minutes. Whatever your weekend entails we hope you have a great experience in Castlebar.
Visit www.castlebarblues.com, www.theroyal.ie or phone the festival office at the TF Royal Hotel on 094 9023111 for more information on any of the events.
