Weekly Event Spotlight:
An exciting event coming up is a concert by Jazzy and Friends, one of the leading musical sensations from Ireland. The concert is scheduled to happen on Thursday, 4th of April at 3Olympia, Dublin and will commence at 7 pm.
Jazzy, who also goes by the stage name Yasmine Byrne, is not just nationally popular but has also been nominated for a Brit Award recently. She gained international recognition in the Song of the Year category for her track ‘Giving Me’, which enabled her to become the first Irish woman to top the national charts in over a decade.
Jazzy is set to thrill the all-ages audience at her concert to the tunes of some of her popular songs, like ‘Shooting Star’, ‘Life Lesson’, ‘Make Me Feel Good’, and ‘Giving Me’, which has been a hit on Spotify with over 130 million plays. The concert will also be contributing to a noble cause as Jazzy will be raising funds for the Children’s Health Foundation.
Upcoming Concerts:
On the musical calendar, we have DJ and composer Kormac, who will be performing with the Irish Chamber Orchestra on Saturday, 30th March at the NCH, Dublin from 7:30 pm. The music maestro will be performing tracks from his latest album, Equivalent Exchange, and will be joined by several collaborators including Loah, Jack O’Rourke, MayKay, Shahab and Shayan Coohe, Claire Young, and Celaviedmai. Kormac’s performances are known for being unique, so get ready for a surprising audio and visual treat.
Also, the iconic Van Morrison will be performing on Sunday, 31st March and Monday, 1st April at the Culloden Estate and Spa in Holywood, Belfast. The show starts at 12.30 pm.
Van Morrison has frequently performed at a luxurious five-star hotel over the past quadrennium, proving highly beneficial for affluent enthusiasts. The special experience includes a refined dining experience featuring a three-course meal, and the freedom for Morrison to execute his performances as he sees fit, where he focuses on tunes from his triad of latest albums – Accentuate the Positive, Moving on Skiffle, and Beyond Words: Instrumental (all of them were launched last year) rather than his oldest, most beloved records. Surely an elegant affair for those who can cover the cost. However, those inclined towards a more casual, al fresco gathering with simple food fare might want to hold on until his summertime concerts in Belfast, Cork and Dublin.
As for ‘A Litany of Failures,’ it may seem like a strange name for a compilation series that promotes up-and-coming Irish music talents, but after four successful albums, it remains popular. Over the course of the weekend, a selection of music from acts among which are Oh Boland, Junk Drawer, The Bonk, M(h)aol, Search Results and ManTua will be showcased. Prior to tonight’s performance, a panel discussion delving into music production will feature insights from Ireland’s premier music producers, such as John “Spud” Murphy (Lankum and Black Midi), Chris W Ryan (Just Mustard and Robocobra Quartet) and Jamie Hyland (Gilla Band). Proceeds from this weekend’s activities will be dedicated to the creation of the series’s fifth album.
Paco Peña will be commanding the stage on Thursday, April 4th, at the NCH in Dublin with the show kicking off at 7.30pm. The ticket prices range from €35 to €42.50, depending on seating arrangements.
Renowned Cordoba guitarist, Paco Peña, who is globally recognized as the leading traditional flamenco player, will embark on a unique mini tour across Ireland. The event promises to offer much more than just Peña’s music with appearances from his touring dance company and selective duo performances with guitarist Rafael Montilla. The tour commences on Saturday, 6th of April at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny and will perform across multiple venues, concluding on Wednesday, 10th of April at the Mandela Hall, Belfast.
The esteemed musician, author, and mental health advocate Niall Breslin, known as Bressie, is taking his hugely successful podcast “Where Is My Mind?” for a live tour. The performance scheduled for Friday, the 5th of April at the National Opera House, Wexford, will host special guests. It promises an evening filled with music, thought provoking discussions and spoken word. The inaugural show’s guest is Ryan Hennessy, frontman of Picture This. The tour will span until the 27th of April with complete information available on niallbreslin.com.
The much-anticipated theatrical performance of Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel, The Kite Runner, is making its way to Ireland and UK post its successful Broadway season. The production, showcasing the story of friendship, betrayal, guilt and redemption, begins on Tuesday, 2nd of April and concludes on Saturday, 6th of April at Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. The adaptation is by Matthew Spangler, direction by Giles Croft and features performances from Stuart Vincent, Yazdan Qafouri, and Daphne Kouma.
The Pull of The Stars will open for preview on Friday, 5th of April, and officially premier on Wednesday, 10th of April at the Gate Theatre, Dublin. The show will continue until Sunday, 12th of May.
Penned by Emma Donoghue, who adapted her popular novel, this Dublin-based narrative is a tale of three women in a maternity fever ward in the grips of the 1918 flu outbreak, spanning three days. The storyline investigates crucial relationships, the contrast of wealth and poverty, institutional wrongdoing, and deep-seated indifference versus perseverance. The sole female company includes actors such as Ciara Byrne, Ruth McCabe, Una Kavanagh, India Mullen, and Ghaliah Conroy, and is directed by Louise Lowe. The recommended viewing age is over 15.
Continuing to run:
Eddie Cahill delves into the psychological effects of trauma in his recent display, Searching in the Dark, housed at Limerick City Gallery of Art and available until April 7th. He revisits past events, including his time at Letterfrack industrial school and Portlaoise Prison, powerfully conveying these experiences through potent imagery and striking colours.
Reserve your seats this week:
Experience the chilling tale depicted in 2-22: A Ghost Story at Olympia Theatre in Dublin, from June 21st to August 11th. Indulge in the Night & Day Festival at Lough Key Forest Park in County Roscommon from June 28th-30th. Catch SZA’s performance at Malahide Castle, Co Dublin on July 3rd. Don’t miss comedian Luke Kidgell at Vicar Street, Dublin, scheduled for August 17th. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.ie.