If all else fails, Dance Yo' Ass Off

Wow what an amazing 9 days of music I had during the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, perhaps my best ever. I kind of decided against giving tips for it this year since I was madly busy and I'm not aware of this blog having ever convinced anyone to go - but this year I met more friendly faces who've never been before than ever which was great. I did some target marketing instead, dragging Niwel and James down for Lera Auerbach's extraordinary late-night performance on the Friday night which we were all blown away by in our own ways. What an astounding talent and mind - composer, pianist, poet, definitely the most powerful impression on me of the festival.

Highlights of the week are too numerous to mention but I wanted to say instead how much more I appreciate this year the significance of this festival internationally to the performers and composers. They say there's very few other opportunities for them to meet and work together over so many days and that the relaxed and friendly atmosphere is pretty much unique. It's always interesting to see performers who have never been before - at first they can seem a bit aloof because I guess that's how things usually work and then after a few days they 'get' the whole thing and start to relax and open up and enjoy themselves.

Actually, I will mention one piece I enjoyed alot just because it came out of last year's festival and that's John Kinsella's new work 'On hearing Purcell and Shostakovich at Bantry House' which was premiered on the first night by the Vanbrugh Quartet. Oh, and wow what a discovery, the epic 24 Preludes and Fugues by Shostakovich which Alexander Melnikov played across two evenings... am hugely delighted to have found and downloaded Keith Jarrett's recording of same - highly highly recommended, I downloaded it here .

So, anyway, I have a few tips for you.

Thurs 16th - Sat 18th July
8pm Cork Opera House Opera lives on in Cork (despite Opera 2005's loss of funding and Ellen Kent's ending of touring productions) with Berstein's Candide. Directed by the amazing John O'Brien I have no doubt that he will bring out the very best from Opera 2005's Chorus and the orchestra (he's a great conductor and chorus master), particulary since I know John is mad about Bernstein he'll see to it that it's done great justice. And the story sounds great craic altogether. Did I mention that the wonderful Mary Hegarty is starring alongside Nyle Wolfe? No one better to do risqué I'd say, which is what Candide is all about... Oh, and it's in English and was composed that way so we can all relax and enjoy it, no stress!

I've booked seat L16 for the Saturday night show but I'm all on my own and would love some company! Tickets are just €21-€26 which for opera is simply unheard of. It's a brave undertaking for the producers who really don't want to let opera die - please come along and enjoy the show with me?

Monday 20th July
8pm Cork School of Music I've said it before but this Chucho Valdés concert is going to be superb and it's a fundraiser for a worthy cause in Cuba .... In support of the fabulous Irish-led Unacorda project (which is establishing a training programme for a new generation of Cuban piano-tuners and technicians) the legendary Chucho Valdés - definitely not one to miss: “[He] put Cuban jazz on the world map long before the Buena Vistas” John Fordham, The Guardian "Valdés's command of the keyboard is so technically staggering as to be stupefying” All Music Guide Tickets are €28 and available from Pro-Musica and Ticketmaster.

Thursday 23rd July
9pm The Roundy Somehow sultry and airy all at the same time, singer-songwriter Francesca Baines will be unveiling some new songs and new instruments with guest musicians .. €9

12 Midnight, Crane Lane I didn't think I could do that crazy high energy punk dancing I've seen - born too late and a little too gentle I just didn't think it was in me. Then I went and saw 'PostKrautBillyPunk' Los Langeros play again at the LV some time ago, always great craic but wow, this time before I knew it my bones were hoppin all over the shop FREE

Monday July 27th
12 Midnight, Crane Lane Swing Jazz outfit The Darktown Strutters are king of Cork swing Gary Baus on Sax & one of the best guitarists around Breandain Ó Ruaidh, with David Duffy on Bass & Dave Ryan on drums. Fresh from a masterclass with Lee Konitz in Cologne (yes, you read that right!) this should be a great night and it's free free FREE.

Wednesday July 29th

8pm The Pavilion I really like this Eliza Gilkyson, never heard of her myself but she's very well established, Americana/Folk kind of stuff with brains. Nice live performance from the Philadelphia Folk Fest here €12

8pm Cork School of Music Rodrigo and Gabriela need no introduction... tickets are available from Fred Zeppelins, Plug'd and tickets.ie costin €24.25

9.30-Late-Night, Crane Lane Boy, do I appreciate it when I'm invited to Dance Yo' Ass Off and I sure hope to do just that for this night hosted by the legendary Jerome Rimson... he'll be djing classic soul from 9.30 and from midnight his Inner City Blues Band will take to the stage where you can expect to hear some of the city's best musicians - you don't make this band if you don't got soul. Definitely a night to get on down and it's FREE too.

Friday 29th July
9.30 The Pavilion It's the Doubletime! 6th Anniversary special with the wonderful Gary Baus in the driving seat for what will be a seriously hot night of swing - and for the celebration he's treating us to the 17-piece swing band Tuxedo Junction. A snip at €15 this'll be fun, fun, fun....

G'wan away with yis