The Gypsy Jazz Quartet celebrates the musical genius of one of the true jazz greats, Django Reinhardt, in a unique multimedia presentation The Django Story at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday January 15 at 8pm. The Django Story is a multimedia performance complete with live music that celebrates the colourful life and music of genius Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and his band, from its roots in the clubs of 1930s Paris.
The Gypsy Jazz Quartet is led by Castlebar native Frank Kilkelly, a highly regarded guitarist who has toured extensively with a string of well-respected acoustic groups and artists including Sharon Shannon, Mairtín O'Connor, Finbar Furey, and the Café Orchestra. Completing the impressive quartet line-up is Paul O'Driscoll (double bass ) well known for his work with Deiseal and Josephine Marsh, Bertrand Huve (sax and clarinet ), and Damian Gilligan (rhythm guitar ) from The Hot Club of Dublin. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Gypsy jazz sound live, performed by one of the top acoustic jazz outfits in the country. People say jazz is cool. But remember, some like it hot. The Gypsy Jazz Quartet presents The Django Story at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday January 15 at 8pm. Booking advised. Phone 094 9023733.
Top comic double bill at the Linenhall Meridian Theatre Company, the company that brought last year’s sell-out Raccoon and The Exit Wound, makes a welcome return to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar with a double bill of fresh, vibrant new theatre on Thursday January 22 at 8pm: a pair of roguish new comedies in the shape of Love, Peace & Robbery and Thailand: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Liam Heylin’s Love, Peace & Robbery is a new comedy inspired by interviews with a group of men struggling to break the cycle of petty crime and imprisonment. A funny, touching, portrait of the human face of the underworld, his characters are shrewd, witty, survivors of a lifetime of self-abuse, still trying to go straight — sort of. Directed by Brian Desmond, starring Shane Casey, John Desmond, and Aidan O’Hare.
Thailand: What’s Love Got To Do With It? is a darkly comic, highly entertaining evening’s storytelling, featuring a stunning performance from internationally celebrated actor Máirtín de Cógáin. A unique take on modern Ireland and its contribution to the east Asian tourist economy, we follow Declan as he heads off to Thailand for the holiday of a lifetime with the lads, to embark on a bizarre journey of self-discovery and cheap thrills. Directed by Brian Desmond. Contains strong language and sexual references, not suitable for children.
Meridian Theatre presents the dazzling double-bill of Love, Peace & Robbery and Thailand: What’s Love Got To Do With It? at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday January 22 at 8pm. Booking advised.
Lucy Hill and Alma Roche exhibition
The intriguingly titled exhibition Crickets Sing With Their Legs continues at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar.
The colourful and engaging exhibition comprises recent paintings by Tuam-born Almha Roche and Newport-based Lucy Hill, two artists with contrasting styles but similar objectives. The quirky title of the exhibition comes from a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Almha and Lucy explain: “Having each created a body of work, it seems odd to formulate an explanation for something that can't be captured in words, as with the cricket attempting to explain its 'song' through another language. Images are made, music is composed, as the result of a natural need to absorb and reflect the world around us. For this exhibition we have each made our own particular 'song' and presented it in unison to see what new sounds it can make.” The exhibition runs until Saturday January 31.
The Linenhall Gallery is open to the general public Monday-Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm. Admission to exhibitions is free. Further details from the Linenhall, phone 094 9023733, www.thelinenhall.com
