Preston Reed show next week
He’s back! One of the world’s most amazing contemporary guitarists Preston Reed makes a highly anticipated return visit to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday November 12 at 8pm. Acknowledged by an ever-growing string of superlatives from critics, musicians and fans alike, guitarist extraordinaire Preston Reed has single-handed reinvented acoustic guitar playing. Drawing on blues, rock, funk and jazz influences among others, Preston Reed’s vast range of explosively original music will forever change your expectations of a guitarist. And critics just keep piling on the superlatives! The phrase “has to be seen to be believed” has never been more true! Don’t miss one of the most dazzling displays of musicianship you will ever see! Preston Reed performs at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Wednesday November 12 at 8pm.
Irish tenors next Thursday
Ireland’s very own and hugely successful the Three Tenors make a welcome return to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday November 13 at 8pm. The Three Tenors have been hailed as “Ireland’s greatest voices”. The winning trio of magnificent mature singers are: John Scott (a regular soloist at the National Concert Hall, and one of the most powerful singers in Ireland ); David Martin (Ireland’s “Golden Voice”, who has performed at major venues in Ireland and abroad ) and Declan Kelly (who has performed and toured extensively in the UK and Europe ). And they have just released their exciting new single “Il Mondo”.
The Three Tenors present a scintillating evening of music interspersed with their own inimitable personalities and humour, with star guests, and some of the world’s most popular songs from Elvis, Sinatra, Bocelli, Pavarotti, Lloyd Webber and more greats. The Three Tenors are guaranteed to delight and thrill. Don’t miss it. The Three Tenors weave their vocal magic at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday November 13 at 8pm.
Shadow puppet theatre magic
A poetic and magical shadow puppet show for the young and the young at heart is on the cards when Fluid Performance Group presents Amarty’s Journey at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Saturday November 15 at 12.
A story about displacement, adventure and the hope of new beginnings, Amarty’s Journey is the story of a boy in a boat travelling to an unknown destination. Amarty’s Journey is devised by a Mayo-based group of women of different nationalities, written by Noeline Kavanagh and performed by Castlebar-based Fluid Performance Group directed by Carmel Balfe. The production is supported by Mayo Artsquad, Mayo County Council Arts Office, Mayo Intercultural Action, Department of Justice, and Department of Family Affairs.
Midnight Court at the Linenhall
Melodious, hilarious, boisterous, risqué and irreverent, singer/songwriter Seán Tyrrell brings his legendary musical adaptation of The Midnight Court to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Monday November 17 at 8pm. A poet dreaming he is being put on trial by the women of Ireland for his sexual inadequacy, The Midnight Court is a potent musical adaptation presenting Brian Merriman’s 18th-century classic poem “Cúirt an Mhean Oiche” in a contemporary setting by veteran folk/trad singer/songwriter Seán Tyrrell. The result is a heady mix of Celtic blues comprising a litany of sexual scenarios sung in styles veering from traditional to calypso. Tyrrell’s musical adaptation has achieved something of a legendary status since its sell-out premiere in 1992 at the Galway Arts Festival. This latest incarnation of Tyrrell’s “musical narrative” features the man himself together with fellow musician Johnny Mullins. Brace yourselves for a night of bawdy fun and great music.
Jazz Blues with Emilie Conway at the Linenhall
Dazzling young chanteuse and rising star Emilie Conway brings her new show No Regrets to The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday November 20 at 8pm. “No Regrets” is a captivating evening of music which celebrates great female vocalists from across the decades and continents, showcasing the legendary talents of Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Abbey Lincoln, Elis Regina and Edith Piaf.
Over the past five years Emilie Conway’s distinctive voice and inimitable style has earned her much acclaim on the Dublin jazz scene, as well as further afield in Europe and the States. A fine and versatile vocalist of extraordinary sensitivity, Emilie possesses the ability to distil the very essence of song and lyric and express it in a beautifully natural and minimalist way. Emilie is accompanied for this concert by Francesco Turrisi (piano ), Claus Kaarsgaard (bass ) and Conor Murray (drums ). If you saw Emilie Conway on her last visit to the Linenhall, you won’t need convincing. Come and celebrate the wonderful melodic heritage of a host of vocal legends, in the company of a young star in the ascendant. Emilie Conway presents No Regrets at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday November 20 at 8pm.
Flook bring their dazzilling trad to the Linenhall
Dazzling contemporary trad group Flook performsat the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Monday November 24 at 8pm. The flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weave and spin traditionally rooted tunes into the breathtaking sound of the groundbreaking band Flook. Comprising four exceptional musical talents, Flook possesses a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination, as witnessed on a string of acclaimed CDs. They are Exuberant and exhilarating, and with a justifiable reputation for brilliant live performances, be prepared to be blown away. Flook perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Monday November 24 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 902 3733.
Stephen Rinn exhibition
Currently on show at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is Intimate Ground, an exhibition of atmospheric paintings by artist Stephen Rinn. Living near the sea at Howth has given Stephen an intimate knowledge of natural elements, out of which emerged an abstract dialogue concerning themes of open and closed spaces relating to the sea/shore geography. “There is a landscape narrative in the work which relies on impressions received during these visits. I am not interested in describing a literal sense of landscape and so I rely more on abstract values which would be evocative of the area visited. They are not specific to time and place as a photograph would be, I think of them more as painted spaces. The finished paintings are a vocabulary of gestures and markmaking that hint at or give a nod to these areas visited.” The exhibition runs until November 29. The Linenhall Gallery is open to the general public Monday-Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm.
Film matinee at the Linenhall
The Linenhall Arts Centre presents a matinee screening of one of the screwball comedies of the 40s with Arsenic and Old Lace on Tuesday November 11 at 3pm. Drama critic and ex-confirmed bachelor Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant ) is finally marrying his sweetheart Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane ). However, their honeymoon plans begin to unwind as a visit to Brewster’s spinster aunts yields the discovery that they are, in acts of misguided kindness, killing people in their pleasant little house and burying the bodies in the cellar…Welcome to Frank Capra’s outrageous screwball black comedy: what better way to spend a grey Tuesday afternoon?
Christmas workshop for children
Christmas is coming and the goose is getting quite anxious! Are you prepared? Calling children aged five+: Join Katy and her lovely assistant Holly at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar to make loads of great unique gifts for your family! Age five to seven years, 11am to 12.30pm: Print your own cards and envelopes to give to family and friends, make your own 3D advent calendar, hand-made crackers and tree decorations.
Age eight to ten years, 1pm to 2.30pm: Make different types of cards from 2D printed cards to pop-up 3D cards, tree decorations, your own 3D advent calendar, then let the party go off with a bang with home-made crackers. Age ten plus years, 3pm to 4.30pm: Make fun, professional-looking cards for friends and family, original home-made jewellery, crackers of all sizes, and Yule-log centrepieces for the manlte or table.
The workshops take place over four Saturdays commencing November 22nd (continuing November 29, December 6 and 13 ). Cost per head is €25. Places are limited and booking is essential. Participants are advised to wear comfortable, old clothing. Booking and further information from the Linenhall. Tel: 094 9023 733.
