A good size crowd made its way to The Tullyglass Hotel to witness the first night of this very special tour. An all star backing band led by Producer/ Keyboard player Jonathan Owens were on hand to provide the backing for tonight’s show. The M.C was Sean Wallace who opened the proceedings welcoming everyone and then it was Showtime. Kicking off the event musically was Hugo Duncan who had the crowd eating out of his hand very soon indeed. Hugo can read a crowd like you would read a book; he never misses an opportunity to have the craic with the crowd. His choice of songs was spot on.
After the wee man came Dee Reilly who has now been adopted by the Irish as one of their own. Dee just like Hugo has a great stage presence and has a great rapport with the audience. Dee did a fine selection of songs including ones from her 2 solo albums. At times she accompanied herself on Acoustic Guitar.
Dee Reilly and Kathleen from the Irish Connection
After a Intermission the show was back on course with the Legend Roly Daniels who’s crowds love him as much today as when he was back in the showband days with the Nevada & Green County. If Roly sung 3 Blind Mice the crowd would just lap it up. But no, you got all his hits & more. Roly was the master puppeteer and the crowd did what he said. A faultless performance by the master.
Roly and Sean
Then it was what we were all waiting for Dee Joined Roly on stage and the fireworks were lit and bang – what a superb show they gave. All the tracks were featured from the Album as if you were playing the album on your CD player. A world Class Performance from two truly splendid artists that go together like bread and butter. Don’t Miss them when they go out on the road in 2010.
Kathleen Barclay
Kathleen is one half of the Irish Connection Radio Show (www.theirishconnectionradioshow.com) – you can tune into Sean at Feile FM 103.2fm or listen online at www.feilefm.com from 09.00am to midday on Sunday.
This Sunday join Sean on Feile FM between 9am and 1pm. On the show will be Larry Cunningham talking about his recently published autobiography plus direct from the USA Toby Keith and we will be joined in the studio by Bonnie Stewart.
(BBC Radio One / Talkin’ Loud / Acid Jazz) Featuring: MC Earl Zinger + Hydroponic Hi-Fi
‘Top Ranking Reggae’
Featuring: Michael McKeown & MC Krow
Saturday 28th November Black Box Hill St, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Admission: £12.50 21:00 – Late
Hydroponic Music and Corona Extra are pleased to present the next instalment of Meat Market – the ongoing programme of renegade, venue hopping guerrilla gigs.
Gilles Peterson – arguably one of the most forward thinking musical mavericks of the last 25 years, joins the Meat Market troupe for a headline appearance at Belfast’s Black Box. Joining him on stage will be seminal vocalist Earl Zinger AKA Rob Gallagher, former leader of acid jazz hipsters Galliano, who blazed a trail for the seminal Talkin Loud record label.
Gilles truly fits the criteria for Meat Market – a disc jockey with an unrivalled reputation for blowing open musical boundaries with formidable force.
The original Radio Pirate, his career kicked off when he suspended a transmitter ariel between a tree and a phone box – he hasn’t looked back since. A true champion of the global underground – his passion has led him from Essex to Cuba via LA, Kingston and every corner of the sonic stratosphere.
Label boss of the seminal Talkin’ Loud and Acid Jazz imprints, Gilles continues to present his own, hugely influential Radio One show – Gilles Peterson Worldwide, which is now broadcast in a staggering 15 countries.
Support on the night comes from Belfast based Reggae troop Hydroponic Hi-Fi, featuring Michal McKeown (Hydroponic Music) & MC Krow. The bass heavy outfit promise a rollercoaster ride through dub, rocksteady, roots and dancehall, with a sprinkling of ska for good measure.
James Huish and The Michael Buble Tribute Band make their tour debut at The Island Arts Center on Saturday evening with a show that has already played to packed venues across Ireland. Expect to hear nostalgic classics such as Call Me Irresponsible, That Way You Look Tonight and Mack The Knife mixed with contemporary hits like Lost, Home, Everything and Fever to name a few and all delivered in the unique style of the worlds leading king of swing Michael Buble. The show could not have arrived in Lisburn at a better time, with Michael Buble’s latest single and album taking the charts by storm along with recent appearances on The Paul O Grady Show and The X Factor.
The Michael Buble tribute show is less of a tribute and more a re-enactment and direct replication of the man himself. Hailed a very close sound alike is not enough when it comes to a Michael Buble tribute show. What makes Michael so popular is his constant touring and massive stage charisma and presence and interaction with his audience. This made James Huish as the easy choice to pull this outstanding show off. Not only does James sound like Michael Buble but also he has a great stage presence and charisma equal to none.
This is a show not to missed with Irelands undoubted King of Swing James Huish and his Fabulous 8pc Bigband!!
After a frenzy of radio and television appearances last week, Mike Hirons of Paranormal Ulster took to the stage and introduced his team to an unsuspecting audience at the White Horse Hotel on Halloween Night.
‘There is definitely paranormal activity here at the hotel,’ Mike enthused on the evening. ‘The evidence presented by the team has left most everyone here tonight in no doubt about that.’
Ghost Hunters International’s Barry Fitzgerald and Clairvoyant to the stars, James Griffiths completed the celebrity line up that thrilled the crowds well into the wee hours.
Having been treated to a blood-red champagne cocktail reception, stories of the hotel’s hauntings and an array of costumes to make your heart skip a beat, the anticipating crowd enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and dance, DJ’d by a suspender-clad ‘Father Kevin Boyle’
The more serious ghost hunting guests were then invited to attend a series of séances staged in various locations throughout the hotel.
On his arrival at the hotel on Friday evening, James Griffiths instantly sensed that the hotel was ‘active’ and motioned towards the rear of the hotel as being the most significant area of activity. Interestingly, this is where most of the sightings and sounds have been experienced!
General Manager Keith Baldrick said of the evening’s success, ‘This was the first event of it’s kind in Northern Ireland and we are delighted to see so many people having made such an effort with their costumes. Everyone got in to the ‘spirit’ of the evening and it is now evident that we are a city of closet ghost hunters’.
ENDS
For more information contact Heather Keanie 028 71 860606, mobile 07541397234 or email sales@whitehorsehotel.biz
As published in the Belfast Telegraph today, 26th October, 2009 – the top 10 most visited attractions in Northern Ireland in 2008. How many have you visited?
1. Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre – 751,693
2. Oxford Island National Nature Reserve – 341,025
“A huge crowd packed themselves into this rather nice Music Venue in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. Paul Casey was on stage first Introduced by BBC radio Ulster’s Gerry Anderson. Paul took to the stage accompanied by an Acoustic Guitar he had a nice 30 minutes to entertain the crowd who were with him from kick off. During his set he featured some songs from his brilliant new CD Scrapbook. Also he has just been added to The Chris Rea world tour as support which I’m sure he is delighted with.
After a 15 minute break Gerry Anderson welcomed Eilidh Patterson and her 5 piece band on stage to a thunderous applause at first Eilidh seemed nervous but as time went on she was more comfortable with the surroundings and the crowd. As this was her CD Launch all the musical content of the show featured tracks from the album. The Last time I caught her Live she was doing a solo show, but with a full band she was just great. This was a crackin Nights Entertainment.”
Kathleen Barclay
The Irish Connection Radio Show
www.feilefm.com
Kathleen is one half of the Irish Connection Radio Show (www.theirishconnectionradioshow.com) – you can tune into Sean at Feile FM 103.2fm or listen online at www.feilefm.com from 09.00am to midday on Sunday.
On this weeks show will be Red Hurley, Sean O’Farrell, and Lisa Stanley.
I want to make you aware that the funding for events has not transferred from DCAL to NITB as planned in October. The responsibility is still intended to transfer to NITB for all events taking place in 2010 – 2011. As a result NITB and DCAL are working very closely on the administration of the forthcoming funding round in anticipation of a transfer of responsibilities shortly.
I know there are some great ideas for events for next year that fall within the criteria for both the Event Growth Fund and the Major Event Fund and look forward seeing your applications. The funding packs are available today, Friday 23rd October, please see http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/events_unit/grant_funding_programme_.htm for full details.
If you have any ideas/queries you would like to chat through with either myself or Catherine Martin at DCAL before your submission then please feel free to do so.
When I received an email from Barry aka “Heidi Chic” inviting me and a friend to the Playhouse on the 9th October to see the Foyle Follies Cabaret show I had no hesitation in accepting. Although my best friend Beverley and I were not entirely sure what to expect we were not disappointed on any level.
The Playhouse Theatre was full to capacity with an unbelievable audience – how fantastic are Derry people – so friendly and they really know how to enjoy themselves.
Giving Beyonce a run for her money.
From the moment Candy Love, Heidi Chic and Fifi Fontaine took to the stage the whole audience were on their feet in sheer delight and enjoyment. We were all singing and dancing along with tears of laughter running down our face.
With storming tributes to Shirley Bassey, Cher, Susan Boyle (before and after the makeover!!), Village People, and Girls Aloud to name but a few it was sheer magic.
Girls Allowed?
The performances that stick in my head are the alternative song from Annie – Your Son will Come out Tomorrow (pure genius) – Dana, Beyonce and my absolute favourite of the night was the brilliant production of “Doll on a Music Box/Truly Scrumptious”.
Truly Scrumptious!
For a night to remember and great craic with a blend of cabaret and unadulterated Derry Humour book now – check out the dates for remaining 2009 and 2010 performances. Click here to be directed to the Foyle Follies Facebook Page.
Thanks guys for a fantastic night of fun and entertainment – I’ll definitely be back with a bus load of friends. xx
Embarrasing - they all look better than me!!My Boy Lollipop!WOW
We are all delighted that whatsonni.com have been shortlisted for an Irish Web Award 2009 in the Category “Best Social Media Initiative”.
The Awards Ceremony is due to take place on Saturday 10th October at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Dublin.
Best of luck to all those shortlisted for an Award. It’s a great honour for us to make it to the shortlist – it’s a testament to the power of social media that this category was created and all credit to the Irish Web Awards for giving social media initiatives some recognition. It’s a very powerful medium when used correctly to raise your profile and get your message across on a shoestring budget and hope this will encourage people not already using social media to get on board! We will keep you up to date.
To check out all the categories and shortlisted nominees go to www.awards.ie.
