Event Guide 49: Dublin City Soul Festival, Africa Day, Flamenco Competition, Book Competition, Secret Garden, Medieval Dublin, Drawing Day

Hi all!

This weekend is one of the most important this year as far as events are concerned. The brilliant Dublin City Soul Festival is currently taking place and will have its main event, the Soul Picnic, on Sunday afternoon in Merrion Square. Have a look at the “Sunday” category to find out more.

On the same day the Africa Day is taking place worldwide and in Dublin this will be celebrated in the gardens of Dublin Castle with lots of activities and music. Again, check the “Sunday” category to find out more.

Both events will be great and it is a pity that they happen on the same weekend, because they both would have guaranteed a great Sunday afternoon by themselves. Because they are on the same day, I recommend that you go to BOTH. Have a great day AND show the organisers that you appreciate their work, by visiting both events. They are in walking distance (Dublin Castle + Merrion Square)!

The two events are on the same day, but are quite different. The Africa Day is funded by the Irish Aid organisation. The Irish Aid organisation is funded by tax payer’s money through the Department of Foreign Affairs. All bands perform for free, BUT it seems that for other aspects of the organisation lots of money was spent and the advertisement was quite big and costly.

The Soul Festival on the other hand, is not funded by a state department and was not able to advertise in a big way. Instead it is organised by a group of soul enthusiasts around Chris Maher who invest a huge amount of time and effort in providing a great festival for all of us, but who are still waiting for the financial rewards.

Because of this funding imbalance, the Dublin City Soul Festival needs YOU to help! Because they couldn’t advertise as much as they would have liked to, please tell all your friends, colleagues and family about the Soul Festival. Or even better, just bring them along!

Before I start with the events, some Event Guide related notes and comments: The name search is still ongoing and progressing. However, for legal, trademark and for Internet search engine related reasons, it is a lot more complicated than I had hoped for, but I am getting there. :-)

Recently it was suggested to me that I should categorise the events by day and chronologically! I hope that most of you have realised that this is already the case?!? It is not always perfect, but as much as possible I already sort all events. I might, however, add headlines for the “Next Week” events, since this category is getting bigger and bigger as well. Let me know if it is useful.

Have a look for the competitions this week, I was able to arrange with organisers two very interesting ones. ;-)

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______Competition______________

FLAMENCO – WORKSHOP
Sólo Flamenco, the Irish based international Flamenco group is holding another workshop in Dublin with acclaimed Spanish flamenco dancer, choreographer and teacher Felipe de Algeciras. For their next workshop in the DanceHouse in Foley Street (Dublin 1), Sólo Flamenco is making a pair of tickets available for you to take part in the Taster Class.
Sólo Flamenco will hold a series of workshops on Sun, 01 June between 12:00 and 17:00 in Studio 2 in DanceHouse. The schedule for the day is
12:00-13:00 Taster: Open to students with no experience who want to learn about flamenco. EUR15. You can win the pair of tickets for this class!!
13:00-14:00 Beginners: For dancers with 6 to 18 months experience. EUR15
14:00-15:00 Technique: Open to all levels. EUR 15
15:00-17:00 Intermediate: For dancers with 18 months experience or more. EUR30
As a special offer a discounted price of EUR 50 is for students who are attending all three Beginners, Technique and Intermediate classes.
Each class is limited to 30 students, so advance booking is essential to secure a place.
For information and bookings e-mail info@flamencoyalegria.net or call Damian at 086 81 46 496 as soon as possible. www.flamencoyalegria.net/?cat=8
The pair of Taster class tickets (12:00-13:00) could be yours if you send an e-mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with the subject “Flamenco” and your mobile phone number in the body of the mail. Your e-mail has to be with me before 16:00 on Wed 28 March!! Not much time, so you better hurry! By the way: You don’t have to know ANYTHING about Flamenco to take part in this taster workshop!
If you are interested in doing a Introductory Flamenco course make sure that you check out the Sólo Flamenco course offerings: “An introduction to Flamenco” is a 6 week course and starts on 24 June (Tuesdays 18:30-20:00 – EUR 15 per class EUR 75 per term (6 weeks)) www.flamencoyalegria.net/?cat=7

LIGHTS, CAMERY, DYNAMITE – BOOK COMPETITION
Liberties Press is inviting to a book launch for Wed 28 May. “Lights, Camera, Dynamite: The Adventures of a Special Effects Director” is the book by Gerry Johnston that will be launched. Gerry Johnston has worked in special effects for the last forty years, and established Ireland’s first special effects company – Special Effects Ireland – which is based in Ardmore Studios in County Wicklow. His memoir tells his life in special effects and many stories about working with David Lean, John Boorman, Stanley Kubrick, Sergio Leone, Neil Jordan, Steven Spielberg and Jim Sheridan, as well as some of the world’s most respected actors such as Sharon Stone, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hanks, Daniel Day Lewis, Ursula Andress, Julie Andrews, Colin Farrell, Sean Connery, and James Mason. I read some excerpts and it seems to be a really interesting book.
Liberties Press was so nice to make two books available for the Dublin Event Guide Community and you can win one! All you have to do to win a book, is to send an e-mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with “Special Effects” in the subject line and with your full postal address in the body of the mail. The mail has to be with me by 13:00 on Tues 03 June. Two winners will be drawn and the book will be sent to you a few days later.
Find out more about the book here www.novenaltd.com/jsp/Liberties/book.jsp?prod=lightscamera and more information about the book launch you will find in the events section for Wednesday in this Event Guide.

DUBLIN CITY SOUL FESTIVAL
The pair of tickets for the Dublin City Soul Festival were won by Arnaud de Cagny, Marion Finnegan, Janine McKinlay, Maryrose Lyons, Sharon Foley and Jenna Quinn! Congratulations to all. I hope you had a great evening in Cassidy’s at the Club 27.
www.dublincitysoulfestival.ie

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______Dublin News______________

The “Longacre Smithfield Multicultural Market” at Smithfield Plaza is Farmers Market, which is currently tested with a very limited range of stalls. This market is presently outdoors and has 10 stalls on a Friday from 10:00-16:00. Towards the end of the summer it will be moved indoors, where it will become the largest market in Ireland with over 100 stalls on more than 4400 square metres! (Estelle O. told me about this.)

Have you noticed the displays of walking figures in O’Connell Street and have wondered why they are there? They are part of an arts installation by the Hugh Lane Gallery. The figures have names and are called Sara, Julian, Jack and Suzanne and are part of “Walking on O’Connell Street” by Julian Opie. The Julian Opie installation will remain on display for the duration of the Hugh Lane Gallery’s centenary celebrations and will be removed again on 08 November.

One of the best Jazz venues in Dublin, Bleu Note in Capel Street, has diversified. Maybe Jazz didn’t attract the masses as originally expected or the changed demographics in some parts of Dublin is asking for a new approach? Every Saturday evening, Bleu Note is now hosting “Romanian Club Nights”.

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______Exhibitions_______________

TRACY SWEENEY – CROW GALLERY
“In Search of Self Forgotten Histories” is the name of a black & white photography exhibition by Tracy Sweeney. It will run from 22 May – 31 May in the Crow Gallery. (Gallery Details: Crow Gallery, 6 Crow Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, www.crowgallery.net, Open: 12:00-18:00) Further information: www.tracysweeney.com

JENNY BRADY – THISISNOTASHOP
“Imitation of Life” is Jenny Brady’s exhibition in Thisisnotashop. The show will run only from 22 May – 24 May! “Imitation of Life” deals with the practice of reborning, an activity involving customising vinyl dolls to realistically resemble a human baby.
(Gallery Details: Thisisnotashop, 26 Benburb Street, Dublin 7, www.thisisnotashop.com. Open: 11:00-19:00)

MAIREAD DEBLACA – ON THE GRAPEVINE
An exhibition of paintings by Mairead deBlaca will be on show in On The Grapevine. It is called “Celebrations” and will run from 15 May – 11 June. (Venue Details: On The Grapevine, 45 Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin) Further information on 087 948 9999 or www.deblaca.eu

STEPHEN FORBES & THOMAS HALLORAN – OISÍN GALLERY DUBLIN
“Time & Tide” is the name of an exhibition featuring the work of Stephen Forbes & Thomas Halloran. The exhibition will run from 16-24 May 2008 at the Oisin Gallery.
(Gallery Details: Oisin Gallery, 44 Westland Row, Dublin 2, www.oisingallery.com, Open: Mon-Fri 09:0017:30, Sat 10:00-17:30)

DAVID FINN & LISA SWEENEY – HALLWARD GALLERY
David Finn and Lisa Sweeney’s exhibition of recent paintings runs from 22 May + 17 June in the Hallward Gallery. (Gallery Details: The Hallward, 65 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, www.hallwardgallery.com, Open: Tues-Fri 11:00-17:30, Sat 12:30-16:30)

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______Friday___________________

DUBLIN CITY SOUL FESTIVAL
Hurray, the Soul Picnic is just around the corner! The Dublin Event Guide Community members who won the tickets for the gigs during the week (and who I got a chance to talk to) were full of praise for the bands and while I don’t know the line-up for the gig on Sunday (yet), I am convinced that some of these great bands that have performed during the week, will be in Merrion Square at the weekend.
Chris Maher is keeping the cards extremely close to his chest at the moment, BUT I hope to squeeze some more information out of him ;-) by Saturday night. So, if you are keen to find out who will be on stage on Sunday, drop me a mail before Saturday evening and if and when I find out more, I will let you know. Some additional information should be in your Inbox by Sunday morning, if all goes well! :-) But I will only send it to you if you request more information by mail (dublineventguide@gmail.com with Subject “Soul Picnic”).
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There are still quite a number of gigs before the weekend that you can go to before the Sunday. I won’t be able to list all of them here, so you better check the full programme brochure www.dublincitysoulfestival.ie/images/stories/DCSF%20for%20Download.pdf or check the website www.dublincitysoulfestival.ie, which contains all the information as well.
In the 27 Club in Cassidy’s in 27 Westmoreland Street there will be “7 Nights of Soul” with Doors at 20:00 and show at 21:00 the remaining nights are:
Fri: “Salvoblues” with Salvatore on keys & Iseult Sheehy on vocals, EUR 10
Sat: Woodsy and Friends/Lou Van Laake/The Ratzingers, EUR 10
Sun: “The Conspirators” – 5 piece jazz, funk & soul band, EUR 8
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More FREE events take place here:
Fri: “Midnight in the Garden” – Live Jazz in Café Cairo in Trinity Capital Hotel from 19:00
Sat: “Fatty Fatty” in Bull&Castle (opposite Christ Church) (22:00-02:00)
Sun: “Sunday Roast Soul Fest Special” in Thomas Reads in Parliament St. from 21:00
Sun: “The Conspirators” in Café en Seine (17:00)
Sun: “Santoria” in Fitzsimons (19:00-21:00)
Mon: “Marie Keane’s Soul Purpose” in Café en Seine from 22:00
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In addition there are non-free gigs tonight (Friday) in Howl at the Moon, Zanzibar, RiRa, Floridita (all EUR 10) and tomorrow in Break for the Border, Gaiety Theatre and Floridita.

ARTS OF THE BOOK – CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY
Arts of the Book, a new permanent exhibition of the Library’s collections, opened in the 1st floor gallery on 17 May 2008. Here, visitors can view books from the ancient world including the world famous Chester Beatty Love Poems (c.1160 BC), Egyptian Books of the Dead and beautifully illuminated medieval European manuscripts and fine European printed books, as well as Old Master prints. The exhibition also explores the richness of the Islamic manuscript tradition – illustrations and illuminations, calligraphy, and exquisite bindings from across the Middle East and India are on display. Highlights from East Asia include one of the finest collections of Chinese jade books in the world, Japanese picture-scrolls depicting fables and legends, and deluxe woodblock prints. Audio-visual programmes complement the exhibition, helping the visitor to learn more about the arts of the book throughout the world. www.cbl.ie

THE SECRET GARDEN – IVEAGH GARDENS
The Solomon Gallery (www.solomongallery.com) have turned this originally private garden (owned by the Guinness family) into a wonderland of sculptures. For smaller artworks a specially constructed glass pavilion has been constructed. The exhibition runs from 15 May – 27 May and features over 100 works in bronze, steel, timber and glass by a broad range of academic to abstract sculptors. Additionally free tours and public lectures are provided on the Saturdays and you should contact the gallery to check the times: The website is www.solomongallery.com and the e-mail address is info@solomongallery.com. The Iveagh Gardens are open every day from 10:00-18:00 and you can get to the Gardens from Harcourt Street approx. half way between Stephen’s Green and Hatch Street.
You only have a few more days to view this exhibition! Try to get there!

ROBOTNIK – IN STORE PERFORMANCE
Robotnik are performing in Tower Records in Wicklow Street on Fri 23 May at 17:30. www.myspace.com/tower_records

CLONDALKIN WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL
“Fused 08”, the South County Dublin Summer Festivals, are starting with the Clondalkin World Culture Festival. Further festivals will follow in Lucan (beginning of June) and in Tallaght (end of June). Seotur is the name of the festival in Clondalkin and it will start on Mon 19 May and go until Sat 24 May.
Most events last week were free of charge, but this weekend, the events do cost admission. Since the festival has already provided a lot of free events, I will include the non-free events here as well:
Fri 23:
–Concert Cape Breton Island Traditional, Aras Chronain, 13:10, Adm EUR 5
–Cape Breton Island Dance to try, Aras Chronain, 18:30, EUR 5
–Concert Traditional from Ireland and Appalachia, Aras Chronain, 21:00, EUR 10
Sat 24:
–Concert India with Dublin Gurus, Aras Chronain, 13:00, EUR 5
–SeanNos Dancing to try, Aras Chronain, 14:00, Adm EUR 5
–SeanNos Song to try, Aras Chronain, 16:30, Adm EUR 5
–Concert Four Men & a Dog, Aras Chronain, 20:30, Adm EUR 20
For a full programme with more details:
arts.southdublin.ie/images/stories/B16549%20Fused%20Seotur.pdf

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______Saturday_________________

FRIENDS OF MEDIEVAL DUBLIN – SYMPOSIUM
The 10th Medieval Dublin Symposium 2008 is taking place on Sat 24 May in the Robert Emmet Theatre (Room 2037) of the Arts Building in Trinity College, Dublin. Admission is free and all are welcome. You can find all the detail here
www.fmd.ie/symposia/fmd-symposium-2008-poster-b.pdf
The schedule for the day is this:
09.30 Registration and opening remarks – Seán Duffy
09.45 The bank, the ditch, and the water: Hiberno-Norse evidence from Hammond Lane Phase 2 – Sinéad Phelan
10.30 Prosopography and philanthropy: a study of the benefactors of the Hospital of St John the Baptist, Dublin – Grace O’Keeffe
11.30 A pre-Viking riverside revetment at Islandbridge: excavations on the site of Clancy Barracks – Kevin Lohan
12.10 The Tyrel brothers: outlaws in fourteenth-century Dublin – Áine Foley
12.45 Lunch
14.00 Bride Street revisited: Viking burial in Dublin and beyond – Stephen Harrison
14.40 “Disgusting Street”: a semi-aquatic excavation in medieval Dublin – Alan Hayden
15.40 Early Christian and medieval excavations at Teach Naithí; the changing morphology of a church site in Dundrum – Edmond O’Donovan
16.20 Roskilde to Dublin: the voyage of the Sea Stallion – Tríona Nicholl
For further information, contact sduffy@tcd.ie or telephone (01) 8961801
Looks like an interesting event for anybody with the slightest bit of interest in the Medieval Ages.

DRAWING DAY – THE LAB
On Saturday is Drawing Day! Drawing Day is coordinated by the National Gallery of Ireland and takes place at galleries and museums nationwide to celebrate the art of drawing and to encourage adults and children to participate in drawing workshops. As part of this celebration, drawing workshops with Mark Beatty and Conor Wickham will take place on 24 May 2008 in the LAB, Foley Street, Dublin 1. The topic is “We draw what we know, not what we see”. The first workshop runs from 11:00-13:00, the second workshop runs from 14:00-16:00. The event is free of charge but booking is essential: 01 222 7843 or Victoria.kearney@dublincity.ie

DRAWING DAY – HUGH LANE GALLERY
The Hugh Lane Gallery (Parnell Square North) will take part in the National Drawing Day as well. Regular drawing classes (Life Drawing 10:00-12:00 & Drawing from the Collection 12:30-14:30) will be open for the public to see. These workshops are free of charge: Children’s Sketching Workshops, 12:00-13:00. For 3 – 6, 7 – 10 & 11 – 14 year olds. Life Drawing for Adults, 15:0016:30. Numbers are limited. To book contact the Gallery reception at 01 2225564. For information contact Katy Fitzpatrick, Education Curator at 01 2225553 or katy.fitzpatrick@dublincity.ie
www.hughlane.ie

DRAWING DAY – NATIONAL GALLERY
The National Gallery offers the following events on the Gallery Drawing Day on Sat 24 May: 15:00-16:00 Drawing workshop for children and families (Baroque Gallery – facilitated by tutors) + 15:30-16:00 Small children in the atrium workspace (Drawing supervised by tutors). www.nationalgallery.ie

DRAWING DAY – NATIONAL MUSEUM
As part of the Drawing Day, the National Museum (Decorative Arts and History in Collins Barracks) is offering drawing related activities as well today from 11:00-16:00.

CAR BOOT SALE – REPORT
I went to the 3rd ToeJam Car Boot Sale on the car park of the Bernard Shaw pub in 11-12 South Richmond Street last Saturday and it was a most surreal experience. :-) I felt like I had been thrown back in time by 20 years or so. The atmosphere was great and I recommend that you go there when the next Car Boot Sale takes place on the 05 July. If you would like to bring your car, or any other goods to sell email the organiser at john@bodytonicmusic.com (0857128342).

JEZZEBELLE – IN STORE PERFORMANCE
Jezzebelle are performing in Tower Records in Wicklow Street on Sat 24 May at 17:00. www.myspace.com/tower_records

TEMPLE BAR MARKETS
Don’t forget that the Temple Bar Markets, the Temple Bar Food Market on Meeting House Square and the Temple Bar Designer Mart near Cow’s Lane, are taking place every Saturday from 10:00-16:30.

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______Sunday __________________

SUNDAY AT NOON – CLASSICAL MUSIC AT HUGH LANE
The Hugh Lane Gallery’s Sunday at Noon concerts is continuing their concert series. This Sunday, Henrik Wiese (flute) from Germany and Elisaveta Blumina (piano) from Ireland will play sonatas by Francois Poulenc, Franz Schubert and Sergei Prokofiev. The concert starts at 12:00 and goes until 13:00. Admission is free. www.hughlane.ie/concerts/whatson.asp

DUBLIN CITY SOUL FESTIVAL – SOUL PICNIC
The culmination of the Dublin City Soul Festival is the Soul Picnic on Sunday (25 May). It starts at 12:00 and goes until 19:00. The line-up is a closely guarded secret but as I have described in the “Friday” category in this Event Guide, I hope to find out a bit more information on Saturday night. I do know already that Buck Taylor, a BRILLIANT James Taylor impersonator with his 7-piece band will perform and I do have the well-founded suspicion that Santoria will be one of the acts for Sunday as well. I have some more suspicions and expectations, but I will wait until I can get them confirmed. ;-)
By the way, I will be at 13:00 in front of the “Budda Bag” lounge, so if you want to meet up, you can find me there. I WON’T have a red carnation, so you have to ask people if they are called “Joerg”. :-) And if they are NOT “Joerg”, have a chat with them anyway, and tell them about the Dublin Event Guide and that they should subscribe by sending a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com. Hahahaha. Alternatively send me an e-mail before Sunday and I will tell you my mobile phone number.
Make SURE that you make your way to Merrion Square on Sunday! – If the bands that I expect to perform will actually perform, you will kick yourself if you don’t come!!
Oh, the event will take place in any weather. I hope and expect that it will be a mostly dry, but maybe a cool day, so dress warmly and come out!!!!! :-)
More info about the Soul Picnic: www.dublincitysoulfestival.ie/index.php/Soul-Picnic/What-s-On/What-s-On.html

AFRICA DAY in DUBLIN CASTLE GARDENS
On Sun 25 May, the Africa Day is taking place worldwide. In Dublin a big outdoor festival is organised by Irish Aid to celebrate the day. Admission is free and the celebrations will go from 13:00-19:00.
A very varied program will be offered:
The Main stage will feature Mundy, Kíla (Irish band playing a fusion of Irish and world music), Republic of Loose, a special guest appearance by Sinead O’Connor, the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, the Discovery Gospel Choir, Motema (Cork based band that performs the sound of 40s and 50s Congolese rumba) and Congomania (collective of Irish-based African musicians).
In addition to the music, art will be exhibited, readings will take place and there is a kids corner:
The Irish Ethiopian Friendship Association will display Nigerian & Somalian oil and skin paintings; photographs; costumes and wooden carvings and World Design, a contemporary, functional African Crafts shop based in Powerscourt Town Centre, will display African cloths, large African feather hats, African shields with baskets and masks.
Featuring readings and spoken word performances from well-known writer and broadcaster, Róisín Ingle; Declan Lynch, award-winning author of ‘The Rooms’; Chinedu Onyejelem, founder and editor of Metro Éireann; Thabi Madide, debut South African novelist; Bisi Adigun, founder and artistic director of Arambe Productions, Ireland’s first African Theatre, and more.
In the Kids’ Corner, there will be a story-telling area, face-painting and fun activities focusing on different aspects of African culture. For older children there will be workshops on bracelet making.
www.irishaid.gov.ie/africaday
You might have seen that the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir is singing at the Africa Day and maybe you remember that I do the sound engineering for that Gospel Choir, so your guess is right: I will be at the Africa Day for our performance (approx. 15:20-16:00). :-) You will find me near the sound desk and feel free to say Hi while you enjoy our brilliant choir. For most of the rest of the afternoon, however, I will be in Merrion Square at the Soul Festival.

AFRICA DAY EVENTS – FILM SCREENINGS
The Irish Film Institute is showing four African films for free on Sunday:
Daratt (Dry Season) at 12:00, Waiting for Happiness at 12:00, Africa Unite at 13:45, Bunny Chow at 14:00. (www.irishfilm.ie/cinema/season2_07.asp?SID=149)

AFRICA DAY EVENTS – BOTANIC GARDENS
For the Africa Day at the National Botanic Gardens there will be a talk on ‘Plants for People in Africa’ by Dr. Darach Lupton, botanist at the National Botanic Gardens. ‘Parched deserts, drenched forests; an introduction to the habitats, important plant diversity and botanic gardens of the African continent.’ Followed by music by Oleku, in the Curvilinear Range. Sunday 25 May, 14:00. For more information please see the website: www.botanicgardens.ie/home.htm

AFRICA DAY EVENTS – DIVERSITY EXHIBITION
“Building Unity through Diversity” is an awareness project promoting the diversity and potential of Africa. The exhibition in on show from 19 May-2 June at the Irish Aid Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell St, Dublin 1 and also at Dublin Castle on 25 May. www.buildingunity.eu

AFRICA DAY EVENTS – DIVERSITY WORKSHOPS
“Embracing Diversity – One people, one heritage” is the theme of cultural workshops, masquerades and performances, African food and story-telling workshops on 24 May from 13:00 at National League of the Blind Hall, 21 Hill Street, Dublin 1.

AFRICA DAY EVENTS – WRITING
A celebration of African literature; a weekend of discussion, readings and workshops with leading African authors are taking place on 24-25 May at Irish Writers Centre, Parnell Square, Dublin 1. www.writerscentre.ie/centre/events/africaday.htm

ROLLERBLADING IN PHOENIX PARK
With all the events in the City Centre the Meet&Train group has decided to skip a Sunday meeting and instead to meet in the city centre. For everyone who wants to meet at the Dublin City Soul Festival, I will be “loitering” just outside the “Budda Bag lounge” from 13:00-13:10. The Rollerbalding Meet & Train will be back next week.
See www.skatetraindublin.blogspot.com for details.

BAN CLUSTER BOMBS – PROTEST MARCH
A protest march is starting on 25 May at 12:00 noon at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square calling for an international ban on cluster bombs. The march will be followed by a festival at 14:00 at The Academy in Middle Abbey Street, featuring performances from Jinx Lennon, The Shannon Colleens, Aortal, The 7 Deadly Skins and Scream Blue Murmur.
The march is co-organised by Amnesty International and the reason for doing a protest march in Dublin this weekend is because an international intergovernmental conference is being held in Dublin from 19 – 30 May this year where a draft Convention banning the development or use of cluster munitions will be discussed. It is hoped that the draft convention to emerge from the Dublin conference will be approved for signature in Oslo in December 2008.

MESSIAEN CENTENARY – ORGAN CONCERT
Olivier Messiaen, an organ composer was born 100 years ago and to mark this 100th anniversary, David Leigh and Tristan Russcher will present all his organ compositions throughout this year. The third concert is on Sun 27 May 2008 at 16:30 in St Patrick’s Cathedral. “Messe de la Pentecote” will be performed. Admission is free.

WEEKEND EVENTS
If you are just looking for Sunday events, please check the event list for Saturday as well. Many events are taking place on Saturday AND Sunday, but it wouldn’t make sense to list them twice.

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______Next Week_______________

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FOLKATRONICA AWARDS
You are invited to the announcement of the winners of the 2008 ‘Exercises in Folkatronica’ Production Awards at The Sugar Club, Leeson Street, Dublin 2 on Monday 26 May from 18:00-22:00.
Exercises in Folkatronica is the annual media residency programme operated by Visual Artists Ireland. The title Exercises in Folkatronica refers to the increasing ubiquity of digital technology in visual culture and daily life. It makes reference to the idea that social behaviour patterns informed by the growing influence of digitisation are evolving into new ‘folk traditions’. Each year two residencies of four weeks duration, offer selected artists flexible free access to Visual Artists Ireland’s digital video and audio facilities. Participants are also awarded a modest weekly research stipend and access to a qualified technician. Mary Cloake, Director Arts Council / an Comhairle Ealaíon, will announce the winners of the 2008 Exercises in Folkatronica production awards. The awards are part of the artistic programme of Visual Artists Ireland, the all Ireland representative body for professional visual artists. Christopher Lindinger, director of research and innovation in the Ars Electronica Futurelab is the 2008 selector for Exercises in Folkatronica.
The evening will start at 18:00 with a screening of works by previous winners of the award. Participating artists include:
Brian Fay, Karl Burke, Anita Delaney, Mary Ruth Walsh, Clare Cashman, Lynda Deveney, Linda Quinlan, Andi McGarry, Lee Welch, Christine Mackey, Pauline Rowan, Aoife Desmond, Mark Clare, Fiona Dowling, Stephen Gunning, Yvonne Buckheim, Clodagh Emoe, Louisa Sloan, Chris Reid, and Augustine O’Donaghue.
More info on the Exercises in Folkatronica programme: www.visualartists.ie/AP_eif.html

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TCD IMMIGRATION INITIATIVE – SEMINAR
The Trinity Immigration Initiative Seminar Series continues and Dr Piet Van Avermaet from the Centre for Diversity and Learning, University of Gent, Belgium will be speaking on “Responding to the challenges of diversity in education” at the next TII Seminar Series to be held on 27 May, 2008 from 12:00-13:30 in the IIIS Seminar Room C6.002, Arts Building, TCD. All are welcome.

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL – LUNCH TIME LECTURES
During May, Christ Church Cathedral is offering a number of lunch time lectures every Tuesdays at 13:15. They are all linked to the restoration of the Christ Church Cathedral from 1871-1878. On 27 May, the topic is “Perfectly Disgusting … Utterly Disgraced ” and will be given by Lesley Whiteside (Archivist and Historian). The event will take place in the Chapter House. Admission Free and all are welcome. cccdub.ie/heritage/lectures/cc-lecture-series/lectures.html

ALLAN BUCHMAN – ABBEY TALKS
Allan Buchman, the great impresario of political theatre, producer of The Exonerated and Guantanamo, makes a rare Irish visit. His talk is called “What’s a play for?” and will take place on Tues 27 May from 18:00-19:00 in the Peacock Theatre. Admission is free but booking is essential on 01 87 87 222

JORGE RIECHMANN & IGGY MCGOVERN – POETRY READING
Jorge Riechmann and Iggy McGovern are reading from their poetry on Tues 27 May from 18:30 in the Instituto Cervantes in Lincoln Place. Admission is free.
dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha48456_16_2.htm

LLOYD JONES – BOOK READING
The New Zealand Ireland Association (NZIA) is bringing best selling novelist, Lloyd Jones to Dublin. Lloyd Jones will host a reading of his masterpiece “Mister Pip” at Dubray Books on Grafton Street, Dublin on Tuesday, 27 May 2008. In addition, he will sign copies of his novel “The Book of Fame” at the event, which begins at 18:30.
Published in 2007 to mass critical acclaim, Mister Pip was shortlisted for last year’s Man Booker Prize and won the Commonwealth Writers Prize 2007.
Mister Pip is set against the background of civil unrest in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea in 1991.
His Irish visit takes place prior to the UK launch of his novel, The Book of Fame, which is to be published by John Murray (Publishers). It is a fictional account of the 1905 ‘Originals’ All Black tour of Europe-a tour that shaped New Zealand’s identity, from which the players returned to find themselves accorded almost god-like status. Copies of this novel will be also available for signing at the Dublin Book Reading, which is a free event, open to all.
Ordinarily, Lloyd lives in Wellington, New Zealand, however he currently resides in Berlin on a New Zealand Writer’s Residency.
The NZIA is to host a private dinner in Bleu, Dawson Street for Lloyd and members of the NZIA directly after the Reading. Tickets to the dinner cost 40 Euro per person and include a three course meal. Advance reservation is essential. Please email dabusiness_1@hotmail.com for further details or phone Amanda on 086 606 9177.
New Zealand Ireland Association visit www.newzealand.ie
Thanks to Diarmaid for informing me about this event.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC CENTRE – SEMINAR
“AMP – A Meeting Place” is a series of cross-arts interaction seminars for composers, performers, painters, sculptors, animators, filmmakers, dancers and actors. Organised by the Contemporary Music Centre, the series, AMP, is designed to give musicians and artists the chance to interact, discuss, and learn about the ways in which they can impact on each other’s work. The format for each evening will include short
presentations by guest speakers, while also allowing the chance for open discussion.
The third seminar “AMP 3 – Music & Stage” is taking place on Tues 27 May at 19:30 in Pravda, Lower Liffey Street, Dublin 1. The speakers are
Jurgen Simpson, composer & Mary Wycherly, dancer, speak about their collaboration Receiving Systems, derived from a series of studies implementing composed structures and real-time interaction between sound and movement and video, recently debuted at the Dublin Dance Festival.
A third speaker is Jo Mangan, Artistic Director of The Performance Corporation. She has directed award-winning theatre productions worldwide, directed for Film and TV, and collaborated with Lyric FM. The Performance Corporation’s latest initiative is The SPACE Programme, which is aimed at fostering the careers and creativity of artists from all artistic disciplines – from choreographers, writers and actors, to software designers, musicians and sculptors.
Regular updates on the series will be available from the Centre’s site www.cmc.ie and on MySpace at www.myspace.com/ampbycmc. The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland’s national archive and resource centre for new music. For further information contact Aoife FitzPatrick, Promotion Officer, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8 on 01 673 1922, or email afitzpatrick@cmc.ie.

BAN CLUSTER BOMBS – TALK
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates: “No Exceptions. No Delays. No Excuses.” is a reflection on a New Ban on Cluster Bombs by Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Jody Williams. It is taking place on Tues 27 May 2008 from 19:30-21:00 in the Royal Dublin Hotel in O’Connell Street.

———Wednesday———————-

CASTING FOR EXTRAS
Ardmore Studios are looking for extras: “We are holding an open casting for people who are interested in doing paid work as extras on this summers production of “The Tudors” television drama. We are looking for people of all ages and appearance (however people aged sixteen and under must be accompanied by an adult). The casting takes place in Liberty Hall on Eden quay in Dublin (near O’Connell Bridge) on Wed 28 May + Thurs 29 May. You can come along and meet us anytime between 11:00 and 19:30. No experience is necessary. Should you be unable to attend the casting send your photo and contact details to: Extras casting, The tudors production, Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow. You can also email them to tudorextras@yahoo.co.uk. Should you want to contact us our phone number is 01 2769311.”

LIGHTS, CAMERY, DYNAMITE – BOOK LAUNCH
Liberties Press is inviting you to a book launch on Wed 28 May upstairs in the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Temple Bar. The launch is for Gerry Johnston’s book “Lights, Camera, Dynamite: The Adventures of a Special Effects Director”. Gerry Johnston was the first Special Effects Director in Ireland and he has worked in that field for the last forty years and during that time has made a name for himself blowing up planes, bombing trains, setting fire to ancient castles, killing aliens, controlling weather conditions, as well as numerous run ins – good and bad – with the star actors.
Gerry has worked with international and Irish stars and directors including Steven Spielberg, Neil Jordan, Helen Mirren, Sean Connery and a young Colin Farrell, and his credits include global hits such as ‘In The Name of the Father’, ‘My Left Foot’, ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’. The book reveals the secrets and occasional mishaps behind the visual effects and stunts performed to create the illusion for the viewer.
Liberties Press is one of Ireland’s leading publishers of non-fiction titles of Irish and international interest and just this month they are launching a new edition of Brody Sweeney’s “Making Bread: The Real Way to Start Up and Stay Up in Business”, Irish soccer team’s new manager Giovanni Trappatoni’s “Trappatoni: A Life in Football” in addition to Gerry Johnston’s book. Oh, and Conor Pope, who is a member of the Dublin Event Guide community, has his book “Stop Wasting Your Money” (www.novenaltd.com/jsp/Liberties/book.jsp?prod=money) published with Liberties Press as well.
If you want to attend the launch and are asked for an invitation at the door, just ask for Sinéad Molony and tell her that you are a subscriber of the “Dublin Event Guide”. Unfortunately I forgot to ask at what time the launch is taking place, but I will find out for you tomorrow and I suggest you just send me a mail before Wednesday if you would like to attend and I will let you know when it starts.
www.novenaltd.com/jsp/Liberties/book.jsp?prod=lightscamera

MUSEUMS MATTER – EXHIBITION
Irish museums are major cultural resources providing places of learning, curiosity and enjoyment. To celebrate this, the Irish Museums Association has created a touring exhibition: “Museums Matter: Accessing Ireland’s Heritage” to let everyone know about the great treasures waiting to be discovered in our museums. The exhibition features images from collections across Ireland, including folk life, archaeology, costume, natural history, transport, marine life, science and technology, fine art and the decorative arts.
Museum Matters will be launched in the National Library, Kildare Street, on Wed 28 May and will be on show in the National Library until the 08 June. For the next four years the exhibition will then tour the North and South of Ireland.
www.irishmuseums.org/

SPANISH FILM SCREENING – SHORT FILMS
The Instituto Cervantes (Spanish Cultural Institute) will show the short films “Catharsis”, “Saliva”, “Niños que nunca existieron”, “Primeros auxilios”, “La dama en el umbral” and “Nitbus” on Wed 28 May at 18:30. The film screening is free and the films will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles.
dublin.cervantes.es/en/culture_spanish/upcoming_activities_culture_spanish.shtm The Instituto Cervantes has its offices in Lincoln House on Lincoln Place (back of TCD, between Kildare Street and Westmoreland Street).

LIBRARY LATE – TALK
“Library Late – The History & Art of Travel Writing” is on Wed 28 May at 19:30, the topic of the first in this summer’s series of Library Late, dedicated to travel writing, this panel discussion will outline the travel writing genre, examine its origins and ask ‘what makes a good travel writer?’. Guests include Myles Dungan (chair), former BBC journalist and writer Paul Clements; University of Limerick academic, Joachim Fischer; and Manchán Magan, travel documentary maker and writer. Admission is free but seating is limited. To reserve up to two places, please ring (01) 6030317. For more information on the other events in this series, please see the ‘Library Late’ webpage: www.nli.ie/en/udlist/events.aspx

BAN CLUSTER BOMBS – FILM SCREENING
A film night with panel discussion on the impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon showing the films “Fields of Fire” by IRIN, “Deadly Playground” by Katia Saleh and “Postcard from Lebanon” by Jocelyn Ajami is taking place on Wed 28 May 2008 from 19:30-21:30 at Filmbase, Curved Street Building, Temple Bar, Dublin.

———Thursday————————

AFRICA TABLE QUIZ – CHARITY FUNRAISER
A second “Lindsay’s Africa Project fund raising Pub Quiz” is taking place this week. Lindsay describes: “The quiz where it’s fun not serious! – The quiz where because Lindsay set the questions, they’re easy! – The quiz where the losers have more chances to win than anyone! – Normally there’s a EUR 10 entry fee, where we’ll help you to join into teams of 4, then answer topical questions, to win honour and possibly prizes!! But the first 4 people to come from the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)” will get in and participate for free!”
The Quiz will get your grey cells energised on Thurs 29th May in the Chaplin Pub (beside Screen cinema, Hawkins St) from 20:30-11:00.

MOVING WORLDS – MOVIE SCREENINGS
“Moving Worlds – Cinemas of Migration” is the topic of a series of Film Screenings, Discussions, Workshops from 22 May -10 July 2008, provided by the Instituto Cervantes Dublin and the Goethe-Institut Dublin. All movies are in Original language with English Subtitles. Admission is free. For more information contact 01 402 3108 or rashmi.sawhney@dit.ie.
“Moving Worlds” is a film series on migration and integration. From May to November 2008 feature films and documentaries from Austria, France, Germany, Israel, Scotland, Spain, United Kingdom and USA will be screened weekly.
The film screenings will be complemented by discussions and workshops.
The first part of the series will run from 22 May until 10 July 2008 with a screening every Thursday evening at 18:00. Part two will take place from 2 October 2008 until 20 November 2008.
The second film will be screened on 29 May 2008 at 18:00 in the Instituto Cervantes, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2. The film title is “El Otro Lado… Un Acercamiento a Lavapiés” (Dir: Basel Ramsis, Spain 2002, 111 min).
For more information check here:
www.goethe.de/ins/ie/dub/kue/en3277591v.htm

BAN CLUSTER BOMBS – DISCUSSION
“Achieving a Cluster Munitions Treaty: Blueprint for an Ethical Foreign Policy?” is the title of a public talk with Former Assistant UN Secretary General Denis Halliday, hosted by Action from Ireland (Afri), on Thurs 29 May 2008, 19:30 – 21:00 in the Thomas Davis Theatre, Trinity College, Dublin. www.stopclusterbombs.ie/events

SANTORIA – GIG
On Thurs 29 May the Soul Band “Santoria” will play in the Q Bar in O’Connell Street as a 4 piece band from 22:00. Admission is free. www.santoria.ie

PARENTING WORKSHOPS @ DUNDRUM TOWN CENTRE
The Dundrum Town Centre is offering free parenting workshops on Thursdays from 11:00-12:00, in Frangos World Cuisine, located on Level 3. The upcoming events are: Fiona Fenlon of Jackle International in conjunction with McCabes Pharmacy will provide a workshop giving tips for new mums and mums-to-be: “Protect Your Child In Summer” and advice on other children’s skin conditions with LaRoche Posay and Vichy (22 May); and Pain Management in Babies & Children (29 May ). The events are free of charge and available on a first come-first served basis.

———Friday————————–

FRED – IN STORE PERFORMANCE
Fred will be performing in Tower Records in Wicklow Street on Fri 30 May at 13:00.
www.myspace.com/tower_records

DAVE BROWN – IN STORE PERFORMANCE
Dave Brown will be performing live and signing copies of his first solo album ‘Windows to the Soul’ in HMV in Grafton Street on Fri 30 May at 17:00

DANIEL LANOIS – IN STORE PERFORMANCE
Daniel Lanois will be performing in Tower Records in Wicklow Street on Fri 30 May at 17:30. www.myspace.com/tower_records

——–PreAnnouncement———–

SPANISH NIGHT
I will write a bit more about that next week, but if you are interested in Spanish Music, Culture, Sevillanas and a good night with nice people, have a look already at this www.myspace.com/dublinspanishnight and mark Sat 31 May in your diary!

_______________________________

I have the feeling I forgot something this week, but I guess it is too late now. So finally a last appeal: Make sure that you go to the Dublin City Soul Festival and to the Africa Day this weekend – and let’s hope that the weather will be nice for Open Air Events! :-)

Enjoy the weekend!

–Joerg

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This Event Guide (the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”) is an Event Guide with a difference. It covers mostly free events based on the thinking that free events deserve additional support and that ticketed events have a better chance to pay for advertisement. The Guide is a _guide_ and not just a listing and is therefore at times quite extensive. It is sent to anybody who is interested for free and if you want to be added to the mailing list or know somebody who would like to receive this guide, just send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with the Subject “Subscribe”.
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Copyright 2008 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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