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Oct 14 OPENING NIGHT FIREWORKS (7.15pm) + SOME LIKE IT HOT BIG BAND (9.30pm) After the speeches have finished and the last of the fireworks have fizzled out in the cold waters of the harbour, head for the Riverbank House Hotel for a munch and a pint then upstairs for Some Like It Hot. If you have not yet been you will love this very successful big band tribute to the rat-pack era. Great fun ... and it's free! |
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Oct 14 (9.30pm) STAIRHEAD GOSSIP Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow. Classy all-female Scottich a cappella group, |
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Oct 14 (10pm) CELTIC STORM Chubby's Bar, The Quays. No cover charge. Style: Celtic rock. |
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Oct 14 (10pm) CELTIC WARRIORS Chubby's Bar, The Quays. No cover charge. Style: Celtic rock. |
Oct 15 (9pm) CORMAC KENEVEY AND PHIL WARE TRIO La Dolce Vita, Selskar. 16 Euro. Tel 053 70806. Sponsored by VIKING SHIELD GLASS. The Kenevey Quartet is an exciting new jazz group led by Cormac Kenevey on vocals. The Dublin-based group is made up of some of the best jazz musicians in the country, with Phil Ware on piano, Dave Redmond on bass and percussionist Kevin Brady. The group’s music is influenced by the likes of Mark Murphy, Chet Baker, Mel Torme. |
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Oct 15 (10pm) BRIAN MEAKIN BAND Regal Lodge, Murrintown. Tel 053 39395. Let ace guitarist Brian Meakin take you on a trip to the rockier end of the Blues through the music of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rory Gallagher and others. Backed by two excellent musicians on Bass Guitar and Drums, Brian will have you either bolted to the seat or dancing on the table. |
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Oct 15 (10pm) GEORGE MURPHY Regal Lodge, Murrintown. Tel 053 39395. The talented young Luke Kelly-inspired performer sho so impressed in RTE television's Your A Star. |
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Oct 15 (10pm) BAD INFLUENCE Mooney's Bar, The Quays. Rock band. |
Oct 16 (1pm) - VALDA CHAMBER CHOIR St Iberius Church. 10 Euro. Tel 053 22067. The annual festival appearance by Valda is always something to look forward to. The repertoire covers everything from ancient folk songs to witty interpretations of popular nursery rhymes. The award winning group is, at it's essence, a group of eight friends from varying walks of life, who simply enjoy singing together. The members of the group are Louise Malone, Eleanor Furlong, Liz Murphy and Liz McGuinness, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Shane O Donnell, Pat Jackman and director, Donagh Wylde. They try to include as broad a range of music in their repertoire as possible, spanning the centuries and the continents, stretching from madrigals through to Jazz and from Africa to South America. |
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Oct 16 (3.30pm) PERGOLESI STABAT MATER Rowe Street Church. Tickets 15 Euro. The Cracow Chamber Orchestra is accompanied by two soloists, soprano Elizaveta Martirosyan and mezzo-soprano Agata Bienkowska. Concert also includes Bach’s Concerto in C minor for oboe and violin and A. Morcello’s Concerto in D minor for oboe. |
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Oct 16 (11.30pm) ADAM HILLS (COMEDIAN) Talbot Hotel, Trinitt Street. Tel 052 22144. One of Australia’s most talented comedians, Hills has twice been a Perrier Nominee at the Edinburgh Fringe. “Comedy so brilliant it could come with a money-back guarantee!” |
Oct 16 (Doors 9.30pm) THE DEVLINS + CHAPLIN Riverbank House Hotel. 16 Euro. Tel 053 23611. "The Devlins have always had the ability to produce compelling, understated musical gems and the release of their fourth album “Waves” looks set to cement their reputation as an Irish band with more longevity, creativity and credibility than most.” Chaplin is a Wexford band relatively new on the scene. They deliver a beautiful chilled out sound in an Alt. Country/Americana vein. |
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Oct 16 (10pm) CARNIVAL with music by DJ RAY C (Spirit, Dublin) Regal Lodge, Murrintown. Tel 053 39395. 5 Euro before midnight, 10 Euro after. Loads of fun with fire-eaters, dancers, jugglers, stilt-walkers. |
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Oct 16 (10pm) BIG PAULIE KOOL & THE MENTAL INSTITUTION Chubby's Bar, The Quays. Very entertaining rock act with a rather unique front man! |
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Oct 16 (9.30pm) ANYTHING GOES Drinagh Court Hotel (Farmer's Kitchen), Drinagh |
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Oct 17 (11am) GONDOLE, PIZZA e MANDOLINI Dun Mhuire Hall. Tickets 15 Euro Director Roberto Recchia. Pianist Rosetta Cucchi. A celebration of the life, dialects, peoples and stories of the best loved cities of Italy presented “with perhaps a touch of irony”. |
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Oct 17 (3pm sharp) Wexford Festival Choral Concert, Church of the Assumption, Our Lady’s Island. Tickets 10 Euro (Spectrum 053 22019, Wexford Arts Centre 053 23764). Featuring Young Wexford Singers under Director Éanna McKenna and guests Emily Redmond, violin, and Maurice Furlong, light baritone. |
Oct 17 (5pm) NIALL TONER BAND Finegan's Bar. No cover charge. NTB are the top bluegrass act in the country. The line-up is Niall on vocals and mandolin, Dick Gladney on double bass and Clem O’Brien on flat-pickin’ guitar and sharing vocal duties. Clem has recently been moonlighting with The Chieftains on their World-wide tour.
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Oct 17 (8.30pm) COMEDY CLUB featuring EDDIE BANNON with MC NEILL DELAMARE Finegan's Bar. 10 Euro. The start of a monthly comedy night at Finegan’s. Followed by late bar and DJ. |
Oct 17 (10pm) ROESY & TOM PORTMAN plus special guest DAVID HOSKING (AUSTRALIA)  The Vine Restaurant. Tickets 15 Euro. Tel 053 22388. One of Ireland’s top songwriters accompanied by one of Australia’s best. Artist and musician Roesy, accompanied by ace pianist Josh Johnston, returns to what he calls “one of my favourite venues anywhere”.“Roesy is no ordinary singer/songwriter”, says Jackie Hayden. “His rare combination of talents helps him stand out in this rather overcrowded genre, and he is undoubtedly "...one of Ireland’s newest poets and true stars." The talented Melbourne troubador David Hosking is the other half of the night’s line-up. Something of a folk hero in Australia, he’s up there with the best in contemporary alternative Australian music. Roesy’s first Wexford exhibition will be launched by Jackie Hayden, GM of Hotpress at 5pm. |
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Oct 17 (10pm) JUICE IS WILD Mooney's Bar, The Quays Very popular band returns. Followed by late bar and DJ. |
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Oct 17 (10pm) VALHALLA Mooney's Bar, The Quays Followed by late bar and DJ. |
Oct 18,19 (8.30pm) HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR Riverbank House Hotel. Unreserved Seating, tickets €27.00 (+ 2.50 booking fee). Tel 053 23611 The world famous Harlem Gospel Choir is one of the pre-eminent gospel choirs in the world. The Choir has some of the finest singers and musicians from the many Black Churches in Harlem. The charismatic singers will delight you with uplifting gospel songs such as the classics Amazing Grace and Kumbaya. "The Choir is great, just great" Paddy Maloney, The Chieftains |
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Oct 18 (8.30pm) EMERALD FOLK Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket. Tel 053 23764 Talented local trad musicians. |
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Oct 18-24 (8pm) THE HOT MIKADO by OYSTER LANE THEATRE GROUP Dun Mhuire Hall, Wexford. Tickets: Tel 053 23061. East meets West head-on in this hilarious 1940's style updating of the perennial Gilbert & Sullivan classic. With a happy mix of blues, swing, hot gospel and jazz the highly entertaining, and often hilarious show, features an all-local cast. |
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Oct 19 (7.30pm) THE THREE IRISH TENORS Rowe Street Church. Tickets from Sam McCauley Pharmacy: Tel 053 22669. In aid of The Hope Foundation. |
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Oct 19 (8.30pm) NICK MURPHY & MICK EGAN Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket. Tel 053 23764. Annual festival appearance for these songwriters. Special guests Bryan Barnes and Mick O'Brien. |
Oct 20 (8.30pm) FREDDIE WHITE Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket. Tel 053 23764. Freddie White's popularity has endured for many years and for good reason. He has released seven albums to date to critical acclaim, yet it is his live performance that stuns. He can rock your socks off, bring tears to your eyes with a ballad, or croon a jazz standard, all the while giving this apparently diverse material a common thread. One reviewer called Freddie a "musical chronicler of the Twentieth Century". |
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Oct 20 (10pm) LATE NIGHT AT THE VINE: STEWART AGNEW, ANNETTE BUCKLEY, DUKE SPECIAL, DAVID HOSKING (Australia)  The Vine Restaurant (North Main Street). Tel 053 22388. The Vine plays host to four top class songwriters, one great evening’s entertainment. 10 Euro (or a mere 5 Euro if you have been to the Freddie White gig beforehand). Stewart Agnew writes beautiful songs. His album Songs from the Gasstation, produced by Ron Sexsmith, is reminiscent of early Crosby Stills Nash Young or Springsteen’s “Darkness On The Edge Of Town. Kinsale singer Annette Buckley is something special. In Cork she is already something of a legend. For the rest of us she is a treat still waiting to happen. Duke Special "looks and sounds like a star in the making". He writes wonderfully engaging pop songs. The fourth of the acts is the highly regarded Aussie David Hosking just arrived from Melbourne. See note on him back at Oct 17. |
Oct 21 (9pm) MARY COUGHLAN & BAND. SPECIAL GUEST CAROLINA HERRERA. Riverbank House Hotel. Tickets 16 Euro. Tel 053 23611. Mary Coughlan is one of Ireland's best ever female singers. Q Magazine said of her, "Mary Coughlan sings with a hard intelligence which binds spells". And, according to Mojo magazine, "she has a voice to kill for." Mary played the same venue this time last year. Playing piano on that day was Professor Peter O’Brien. That was to be his last concert as he passed away a mere couple of weeks afterwards. This concert is dedicated to the memory of one of one our best ever stride and boogie-woogie piano players. For more on Carolina Herrera, the Colombian star who so impressed at this year’s WOMAD Festival, see “Mambo!”, Oct 23. |
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Oct 21 (9.45pm) HOT STRING QUINTET Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow. Tel 051 561159 Annual festival appearance for these Berliners. The Hot String Quintet are one of the most high profile exponents of the current wave of acoustic music on the Bluegrass scene. “A fivesome of crazily talented Germans delivering sophisticated acoustic reinterpretations of pre-jazz genres: bluegrass, barbershop, ragtime and cowboy swing.” Sunday Independent |
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Oct 22 (10pm) NUCLEOTIDES Crown Bar, Monck Street. No cover charge. The Nucleotides deliver authentic, instrumental surf guitar music. Their influences are the likes of Link Wray, Dick Dale and The Bamboras. They take the go-go beats and classic surf tunes and give them a mean edge. Theatrical and larger than life, the Nucleotides will blow your mind. |
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Oct 22 (7.30pm) "WITNESS THIS" - night of Wexford rock Riverbank House Hotel. Tickets 10 Euro (advance booking), 12 Euro (on door). Tel 053 23611. Featuring Red Lunacy, Chaplin, James Bell, Laminate, Bengie, Darren Byrne Band and more. An absolute MUST for anyone wanting to see some of the best Wexford bands around today. |
Oct 22 (9pm) FRANKIE LANE & PAUL KELLY La Dolce Vita, Selskar. 16 Euro. Tel 053 70806. “Irish roots veteran Frankie Lane is coming to town armed with a collection of cowboy epics that will have you reaching for your superlatives.” Frankie Lane has done time with The Fleadh Cowboys, The One Eyed Rattlers as well as working with many of the big names in traditional music. He has a passion for the songs of Marty Robbins. He describes these blood-spattered tales as harking back to a time when the good guys were good and the bad guys were…well, Mexican! His Gunsmoke at El Paso album, which features Sharon Shannon, Seamus Begley, Eleanor Shanley and Shane McGowan, contains an eclectic mix of funky trail songs and dreamy romantic tales. Frankie was nominated earlier this year for a prestigious Meteor Music Award. His regular musical companion is the mandolin and fiddle player, the wonderfully talented Paul Kelly. |
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Oct 22 (10pm) THE BEAT (UK) Regal Lodge, Murrintown. Tel 053 39395. Birmingham's The Beat formed in 1978. The multiracial band carved a distinct sound through the use of alternating lead vocals by guitarist Dave Wakeling and punk-toaster/rapper Ranking Roger, supported by a tight band consisting of Andy Cox (guitar), Dave Steel (bass), and Everett Moreton (drums). The addition saxophonist Saxa, who originally played with Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker, gave the band credibility and fleshed out its sound. Their first hit was the Smokey Robinson classic "Tears of a Clown. A string of hit singles followed including "Mirror in the Bathroom" and a cover of Andy William's "Can't Get Used To Losing You". They released three studio albums: "I Just Can't Stop It", "Wh'appen", and "Special Beat Service". "Stand Down Margaret," with its anti-Thatcher stance, found the band moving in a more political direction, with all proceeds from the single going to the Committee for Nuclear Disarmament. The band broke up in 1982 with Wakeling and Ranking Roger going on to form General Public, and Cox and Steel forming Fine Young Cannibals. Luckily for us, however, they regrouped in 2003 and have been playing to full houses ever since. |
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Oct 23 (3.30pm) PRAGUE CHAMBER CHOIR St Iberius Church. Tickets 15 Euro. Highlights this year include Martinu’s 1954 cycle Petrklic (The Primrose) and Recky slovnik (Greek Dictionary) by Petr Eben. |
Oct 23 (Doors 9pm) "MAMBO!" SABOR CUBANO + CAROLINA HERRERA Riverbank House Hotel. 16 Euro. Tel 053 23611. A night of Cuban and salsa music with band Sabor Cubano + Carolina Herrera (Colombia), the critic’s favorite at this year’s Reading WOMAD Festival. Led by musical director and pianist Danilo Karell, Sabor Cubano is Ireland’s most prestigious Cuban and salsa music bands. Fronting the band is the charismatic Evelio Galán. He has performed with has performed with many great Cuban musicians including Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. has been performing regularly in Ireland since 1994. Their repertoire includes salsa, Latin jazz, Mambo, Palo, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Son, Rumba and Merengue. Instruments: Piano, Congas, Bongoes, Timbales, Bass, Trumpet. Carolina Herrera is a Colombian living in London, where she is currently studying medicine (she is a fully qualified doctor in Colombia), business studies and music. A guitar-playing singer, Carolina's repertoire ranges from Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil to Spain and Portugal plus an American song or two. Since her first appearance on Charlie Gillett's Saturday Night show on BBC London in March this year, Carolina has played the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Ronnie Scott's club in London. Only a couple of weeks back Carolina was one of the big surprises at the WOMAD festival, Reading. |
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Oct 23 (8pm) WEXFORD MALE VOICE CHOIR with guest soprano NIAMH MURRAY St Iberius Church. Annual festival appearance. |
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Oct 23 (10pm) T-60 Chubby's Bar, The Quays. Rock band. |
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Oct 23 (9.30pm) NICK KINSELLA Drinagh Court Hotel, Drinagh |
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Oct 23 (Midnight) GALA CONCERT Theatre Royal. Tickets 20 Euro. Tel 053 22144. Annual late-night knees-up with the stars of the operas. |
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Oct 23 (10pm) CARNIVAL with music by DJ RAY C (Spirit, Dublin) Regal Lodge, Murrintown. Tel 053 39395. 5 Euro before midnight, 10 Euro after. Loads of fun with fire-eaters, dancers, jugglers, stilt-walkers. |
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Oct 23,24,25,26 (10am-7pm) FESTIVAL RECORD FAIR Riverbank House Hotel. No admission charge. Includes vinyl from all categories – classical, jazz, blues, swing. 10am-7pm daily. |
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Oct 24 (11am) Gondole, Pizza e Mandolini Dun Mhuire Hall. Tickets 15 Euro. (See note Oct 17.) |
Oct 24 (doors 9.30pm) KÍLA Fusing traditional with African. Riverbank House Hotel. 17.50 Euro. Tel 053 23611. Over the years Kíla have been called all manner of things. The most undesirable being: Acid Céilí, Thrash Trad, Celtic Rock, Tribal Celtic, Celtic Caribbean, Celtic Fusion and the worst; Afro pop Celtic Genre Busters! One commentator has said 'Its Traditional music, but its not'. However you classify them they are simply one of the most entertaining bands on the planet today. The band played a number of major festivals over the Summer not least being the WOMAD Festival (UK). In every case they proved to be genuine show-stoppers. |
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Oct 25 (11am) Symphony Concert Rowe Street Church. Tickets 15 Euro. Director Paolo Arrivabeni. Includes the famous Good Friday music from Parsifal, Wagner’s last work; Richard Strauss’s Vier letze Lieder (Four Last Songs); and Brahm’s Fourth Symphony to finish. |
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Oct 24 (11.30pm) Maura O'Connell Dun Mhuire Hall. 15 Euro. Tel 053 22144. Now acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic, Maura O’Connell is described as the ultimate singers’ singer. This Grammy Award nominee and multi-platinum artist gives superb live performances winning over pretty well any audience. Her many fans — from her De Danann days through to her many tours and album releases here in Ireland and in the United States where she now lives — will confirm that the Maura O’Connell experience continues to be exceptional. |
Oct 27 (10pm) The Carnival Saloon "Jazz-tinged rock 'n' blooze with a strong vein of Tom Waits running through it." The Vine Restaurant. 15 Euro. Tel 053 22388. The Carnival Saloon were formed back in 1998 by Paul Laffan (vocals), Cian Boylan (piano, hammond organ), and Martin Lynam (guitar). They began life interpreting the songs of Tom Waits in the famous and now defunct "DA Club" in Dublin, where they built up a huge cult following with their mix of high-octane cabaret and jazz-influenced rock. The band is currently recording an album of original music. The band features some of Ireland's finest musicians, who collectively have played with the likes of George Martin (The Beatles), Mary Coughlan, Juliet Turner, Brian Kennedy, Van Morrison, and Paddy Casey. The band is completed by Eanna Hickey (percussion, keyboards), Steve Hogan (drums), and Ruaidhrì O'Donovan (double bass). |
Oct 28 (9pm) JEANNETTE BYRNE – “carrying the torch for the French Chanson” La Dolce Vita. 16 Euro. Tel 053 70806. Sponsored by M.J. O’Connor Solicitors. Jeannette Byrne breathes life and passion into classic cabaret masterpieces with her compelling interpretations of works by great writers and performers including Piaf, Legrand and Brel. Many will be familiar with Jeannette’s voice from Jack L’s Wax album. Jeannette's sardonic wit and old-style cabaret delivery always strikes a chord with audiences. |
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Oct 29 LOUDEST WHISPER Big Band with special guests Barry Cluskey (sax) and Stevie Lockwood (harmonica)  The Crown Bar, Wexford. Tel 053 21133. No cover charge. Loudest Whisper are the most enduring folk/R 'n' B act in the country. Normally touring as a three piece, the “Big Band” only comes together for very special occasions. Anyone who saw the band in action at Hooves ‘n’ Grooves 2004 will know how spectacular the bigger format is. |
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Oct 30 (11am) Prague Chamber Choir, St Iberius Church. 15 Euro. Tel 053 22144. Highlights this year include Martinu’s 1954 cycle Petrklic (The Primrose) and Recky slovnik (Greek Dictionary) by Petr Eben. |
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Oct 30 (10pm) Halloween Party, Riverbank House Hotel. Tel 053 23611. Halloween Fancy dress party with 'Rocky Horror' live entertainment, light refreshments, and Disco/bar. |
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Oct 30 (9pm) “COOL JAZZ AND HOT RHYTHMS" with David McKenzie (violin) & Josh Johnston (piano)  La Dolce Vita. 16 Euro. Tel 053 70806. An action-packed set that runs from Stephan Grappelli to Django Rheinhardt and also takes in Latin jazz, blues, folk and a few surprises! David and Josh have been playing jazz together for the past two years. Their music takes the swing jazz of Stefan Grappelli and Django Reinhardt as a starting point but also draws on other jazz styles, original compositions and folk music from around the world; they blend their diverse musical experiences to create a rich celebration of what music and music-making is all about. David is a concert violinist, whose 25 year career has seen him hold posts in orchestras in Wales, England, Holland and Ireland. He is currently Principal Second Violin in the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Josh studied Popular Music in the University of Salford, and graduated as a pianist, band leader and composer. The duo has just released the album A Minor Happiness. |
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Oct 30 (11.30pm) Joe Rooney (comedian), Talbot Hotel. 15 Euro. Tel 053 22144. A talented and dynamic performer, Joe Rooney started his career as half of the Quacksquad, the comedy duo hailed for their performances on Nighthawks, The Late Late Show and RTE’s sitcom Flatheads. But he is best known for his role as Father Damo in the Father Ted series. Rooney’s recent standup show has gone down a storm all over the country. His style is bizarre and refreshing, and he is getting rave reviews wherever he goes. ‘Rooney is very funny, but it is with his guitar in his hands that he becomes unmissable... his impressions of seventies rockers singing nursery rhymes brings tears to the eyes’ THE STAGE |
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Oct 31 (3.30pm) Choral and Orchestral Concert Rowe Street Church. Tickets 20 Euro Under the baton of conductor Paolo Arrivebeni, soloists, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Wexford Festival Singers and the Cracow Philaharmonic Orchestra will tackle Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle. The soloists are Sara Allegratta (soprano), Elizabet Batton (mezzo-soprano), Dante Alcala (tenor) and Andrea Patucelli (bass). |
Oct 31 (10pm) “Late Night at The Vine”: NIGEL MOONEY BAND (blues/jazz) “End of Festival Party” at The Vine Restaurant, North Main Street. 12.50 Euro. Tel 053 22388. Nigel Mooney has long been regarded as Ireland's leading blues guitarist. A charismatic figure on the Dublin jazz and blues scenes since the early 1980's, his Gripewater Blues Band spearheaded the blues movement in Ireland and drew many fans of both jazz and the blues. Having played with the likes of B. B. King, Lowell Fulson, Louisiana Red and many more from the Chicago scenes and beyond, Mooney's bluesy guitar style crosses the jazz boundaries and he has appeared with Georgie Fame, Joey de Francesco and Russell Malone. Nigel Mooney Band sees Mooney with an exciting new quartet that includes some of Ireland's finest young jazz musicians. |
Oct 31 (9pm) Camembert Quartet Finegan's Bar, Wexford. 10 Euro. There’s something funny about this cheese! The Camembert Quartet is a five-piece anarcho-popster outfit that comprises the inestimable talents of Clint Velour, Bunny Green, Major James Wand, Doctor Sleaze and Vic Ferrari. The bands style varies as to which band they happen to be satirising at the time. Highly irreverent! |
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Oct 31 (9.30pm) Slipstream Chubby's Bar, The Quays No cover charge |
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Oct 31 (9.30pm) Big Generator Mooney's Bar, The Quays No cover charge |
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Oct 31 (9.30pm) Hipstars + Late DJ Talbot Hotel, Wexford No cover charge |
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REGULAR "RESIDENCY" GIGS Mondays: Blues session at Centenary Stores Trad at The Sky & The Ground Jason and James O'Connor, Tony Wade, Daithi Rossiter at Chaz Bar Various plugged-in solo acts at Westgate Tavern Tuesdays: Trad at The Sky & The Ground Pat Cosgrave, Seamus Turner and Jason O'Connor at Chaz Bar Wednesdays: Jason & Co at the Centenary Stores Trad at The Sky & The Ground Thursdays: Live music at The Crown Martin Jackman plays Mackens Trad at The Sky & The Ground Saturdays: Martin Jackman at Mackens David Seal at Westgate Tavern Sundays: Joe Keenan in Macken's, The Bullring (9pm). Trad (12-2pm) and Jason & Friends (6-8pm) at the Centenary Stores There is also live music Fri, Sat, Sun at the following venues: Quality Hotel, Wexford Talbot Hotel, Wexford Stanville Lodge Hotel, Barntown.
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