Blues, folk, techno, dub, opera, bach - where WOULD you be goin'?

Forgive me if I'm a brief this week I seem to be stretched a little thin. Reports of the Moore, Bennink and Holshouser trio at Triskel last night were glowing, seems I missed a big one. I'd a fantastic time at the Spailpin Fanach on Friday night when Sheelanagig played a typically rowdy set, there wasn't a whole lot of space for dancing but it didn't stop us and I have hazy memories of walking home barefoot (thanks to Bertand for ensuring I got back safely!).

There's a heap of stuff to keep us all happy this week I reckon...

Wednesday 2nd

8.30 Crane Lane There's raunchy fun to be had at Boutique Burlesque cabaret and it's likely to fill quickly if the last one's anything to go by - swing jazz, circus and a forest of false eyelashes; I'll be dusting off my high heels and getting the push-up out along with a few hundred gorgeous beors - definitely something for the single lads to enjoy! You can get tickets in advance from Plug'd (8 euro) or else get there eaarrly...

Thursday 3rd

8.30 Crane Lane There'll be ructions when Los Langeros come back on the scene with a new set - I still haven't seen them and gather this is Not Cool so will try and set things straight. Fuel-injected punk-folk, I'll be back in the flat shoes.... http://www.myspace.com/loslangeros

9pm The Roundy For those looking for something a touch more refined but still full of energy the fabulous Polskdots are on the menu and sporting a brand-new accordionist. This group have managed to put together a gorgeous repertoire of gypsy music from across the world keeping integrity though some very fine musicianship indeed. http://www.myspace.com/thepolskadots

9pm The Woodford Funky blues from some of the city's finest bluesmen playing the real thing... Eoin 'Reggie' O'Regan on guitar, Jerome Rimson leading on bass & vocals, Andrea Bonino on harmonica makin the ladies howl and one of the tightest drummers in town Tomas Gall lightin that dynamite.

9.30 Ziggy's (opposite the Oval) Steaming Italian blues from the new Alex O'Reilly band with Alex on bass and vocals, Clino Cocuzza playin that dirty woody sax of his, Arcangelo Spina on bass and an Irish drummer (sorry details still hazy at my end, but apart from Clinio these guys are new to me...).

Friday 4th

8pm Cork School of Music Great to have the Irish Chamber Orchestra back with a lovely programme of music spanning four centuries, Bach, Sibelius and Mendelssohn with a brand new work written for them by Gerald Barry - definitely one for the diary (and I'd say I'll be glad of a sit-down gig by then!).


10pm The Liquid Lounge Electric Underground are hosting electro-composer/producer Chymera if you're looking for some sexy techno to start the weekend with - he started out in Cork, but after a spell in Costa Rica has settled in Barcelona. With top DJs such as Laurent Garnier and Sasha playing his stuff he must be pretty good at what he does, give him a good welcome home! http://www.myspace.com/chymeramusic


Saturday 5th

8pm Cork School of Music Directed by the wonderful Mary Hegarty (who, I think will be making a guest performance too) the chorus and ensemble of the CSM Opera Studio are performing a nice crowd-pleasing platter of opera favourites under the slightly quese-inducing title 'Love and Champage'.

11pm Utopianation Heavy Dub heads can get off the sofa for the night without having to deal the stress of city centre Saturday-night mess by heading down Utopianation on Barrack Street where Toby out of Wiggle plays as Prof. Ruff Chuff with video-jockey VJ Present er, present, to take up any remaining head space. http://www.myspace.com/profruffchuff


Monday 7th

9pm The Whisky Roy and Jason O'Driscoll - I ain't heard these fellas yet but anyone making an effort to keep the 'real rural acoustic blues' of Blind Willie Johnson (who's all over my itunes), Son House and the like deserves to be checked out. I'll do my best and get back to ya.


Listen - have a good one.