Dec 13th - 16th

Hi gang,

Wow what a week of music has just gone by. Things are of course getting a bit festive here and there this week but there's plenty to satisfy any appetite - here's my pick...

Thursday 13th

9pm Bodega White Room - The second STeTLab is on tonight - a curated session of experimental improvisation journeying to other dimensions and featuring guest musicians the Murray Campbell All Stars - Murray Campbell is a fiddler/violinist from California. STeTLab is curated by UCC improv tutor Han-Earl Park. Directly following this totally un-sillyseasonal performance will be the Cork Music Collective Christmas Party. Entry is free and the fun should be kicking off at about 10.30. There'll be instruments there and plenty of opportunity for you to give an interpretation of Jingle Bells if you feel inclined, otherwise just come and enjoy the atmosphere, meet the gang and hang out.

9pm The Roundy - The Roundy are hosting Jinx Lennon, reputed to be fantastic live performer and highly original songwriter. There's lots of music and vid on his web-site if, like me, you've heard the name but you don't actually know what he sounds like. He sure does have alot to say... If you're going be sure and drop into the Bodega afterwards for a late drink at the Cork Music Collective party!


Friday 14th

8pm Opera House- Platinum-selling whippersnapper Declan O'Rourke's bringing his drop-dead gorgeous voice to d'Opera House - he has a fairly winning mix of talent and accessibility (er, for which read - my mother likes him) and will I assume be playing a lot of stuff from his new album, I assume with quite a big band (since the publicity is mostly about the album).


8pm Cork School of Music - Half the tickets are already sold for the Irish Chamber Orchestra's concert featuring top Irish pianist John O'Connor and it will no doubt sell out so it would be best to book ahead or get there early. My mole in the orchestra says that working with legendary conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy has been inspiring, full of crazy images and great interpretation so I think this will be a real treat - all the ICO concerts this year have been jaw-dropping so if this is the one the cast and crew are excited about well, it should be pretty memorable.. They're playing Mozart's 15th Symphony (in G), Beethoven's second piano concerto, something by Liszt called Angélus! Priere aux guardian anges (ahh...) and a Bartok divertimento. You can book ahead by phone on 1890 923 543

8.30 Ionad Culthurtha, Ballyvourney - If you happen to be heading west you can catch legenday piper Liam O'Flynn.



Saturday 15th -


9pm - The Whisky Any electric Blues fans and whiskey fans among you should go check out the newly re-re-resurrected Phoenix on Union Quay which re-opened last night (I forgot to go, damn they were going to have loads of whiskeys and whiskies to taste...) under the oddlyScotsspelt Whisky. Anyway..... they'll have The Deans playing who have a myspace here .

10pm - Liquid Lounge Loudtwistedpopmeisters Club Ping Pong hosts Jessie Evans & Toby Dammit (drummer with credits that include working with Iggy Pop) there's a youtube of them here , and some fairly wired-up Glaswegians called Gay Against You.



Sunday 16th -

1pm - Cork School of Music - I HIGHLY recommend following brunch on Sunday with a gorgeous festive programme brought by the National Chamber Choir with an ensemble of strings and trumpets. They're our best choir but we very rarely see them down south (they spend a helluvalot more time in Belfast actually, snipe snipe) so take this opportunity to enjoy some excerpts from Handel's Messiah, some traditional carols and Christmas works by composers such as Monteverdi, Byrd, Vittoria and Vaughan Williams.

8pm - Everyman Palace - (Sigh) Mick Flannery's on in the Everyman with the full band.

8.30pm - Crane Lane The Roaring Forties start a series of Christmas gigs in the Crane Lane, these should be alot fun and they're free. On this occasion Gary Baus will be djing swing music after, further adding value to your initial outlay of nil.


Dammit - it's lunchtime, I'll post earlier in the week next week and that'll probably be the last you hear from me til into the new year. By the way the Cork Chamber Choir who I sing with will be singing in the atrium of the Clarion between 6 and 8 NEXT Fridat 21st, come along and have a drink if you're looking for somewhere to kickstart the Christmas spirit!

Nicki