Event Guide 78: Dockland Christmas Market, Food Fair, Car Boot Sale, Carol Singing, Christmas at Farmleigh House/Temple Bar/Tallaght, Gloria Choir

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| DUBLIN EVENT GUIDE (for Free Events) No. 78
| 12 Dec 2008                      Subscribers: 2846
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Hi all!

The biggest excitement during the last week was provided by the mayhem around the pork product recall. Certainly not exactly the best time – just before Christmas – for any food related chaos, but it does puzzle me a bit that the pork industry immediately demanded that the government would pay them some compensation. If a supplier messes up and affects your business you would think that your supplier is the only one you can get some compensation from. I guess that if you projected the same scenario on the companies you are working for compensation by the state would NEVER be a consideration. Imagine: Arnotts is not supplied with the clothes they could sell before Christmas because the supplier made a mistake. Can they run crying to the government? A little odd that the meat processing companies can! But there are more odd things about this: Did you hear that in 6 months time you might be sold the “old” meat that you didn’t want to buy today because you don’t trust it yet?  Read it here www.rte.ie/news/2008/1211/pork.html. I find that amazing!

More events related stuff: The Point Theatre is opening on the 16 Dec with the first concert in the new venue. Yes, I know, it is CURRENTLY not called “Point Theatre” or even as prior to that “Point Depot”. For as long as the branding contract runs, it is called “The O2”, but let’s face it, this is a totally stupid name and the fact that once the branding contract is over it will probably be called Point Theatre again, makes it even more stupid. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Theatre It is very unlikely that there will be any free events in the Point, so it won’t feature in this Event Guide usually. But if it does, I can still use the proper name ;-) since www.point.ie is forwarded as long as the branding exists. Interestingly, the company that owns the venue is called “Amphitheatre Ireland”.

Last week I told you about Aline Barros, her tragic story and her inspiring personality. www.herald.ie/national-news/aline-puts-a-brave-face-on-tragedy-in-youtube-video-1470133.html. Many of you contacted me regarding Aline. Some to tell me that you had donated some money to Aline, others still plan to do so and others again told me that they found Aline to be an inspiration too and asked me to let her know. I will tell Aline and if you asked for her e-mail address you will hear from me again soon. It is very nice of you that so many care and are prepared to help! Aline will leave Rehab today and any support will still (or even more now) be appreciated. I will keep you posted about her story and if you work in the media world and agree with me on the fact that more people should know about her tragic story, her need of help, but as well of her positive attitude and enthusiastic personality despite all problems, please contact me on dublineventguide@gmail.com!!!

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A special thanks this week to Susanna N and to Kate C, who gave me the welcome and MUCH appreciated surprise of a donation for the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events.)!! And let me tell you I’d love to be surprised more! :-)

And please read this: This Event Guide is sponsored by Esme E., Cliodhna D., Brian L., Padraig S., Kathie S., Orla niF, Jef B., Susanna N., Kate C. and www.stickyfingerstravel.com, the travel guide for parents travelling with their children. The main sponsor is www.kravmagaireland.com, the self-defence training centre for everyone, which provides 12-week or 2-day self-defence training courses for beginners.
I am grateful for the support, but the sponsoring is still well below the cost, so YOUR support is NEEDED! Going to free events saves you a LOT of money. True? ;-) Knowing about these free events is the first HUGE step so that you then can decide if you want to go or not. True as well? This is at least worth 1 Euro per month? Do you agree? Can I count on your 12 Euro per year?
To contribute go to “http ://url . ie/v6z” and just remove the three Spaces in the web address (I have to write it like this, otherwise Spam Checkers complain about the url .ie address.) you then can donate using PayPal or your credit card!
Alternatively you can transfer your donation directly to “Joerg Steegmueller, AIB, SortCode 93-36-78, AccountNo 03556043” or send a mail to me (dublineventguide@gmail.com) and we can arrange a different route for your donation. This Event Guide is a hobby project and NOT a commercial enterprise, so I do need donations!

All events listed in this Event Guide are free of any admission charges or at least appear to be free unless otherwise stated. I try to find confirmation in all cases and do my best to double-check the information. However errors can happen and therefore no guarantee for correctness can be given.

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______Joerg’s Plans______________

This week my plan is to do this
* On Saturday I will help carol singing at the GPO for the Peter McVerry Trust, then I will go to the SuperNatural Food Market on Pearse Street. After that I will drop over to George’s Dock to the Docklands Christmas Market “12 Days of Christmas” and later I have to go to the brilliant Toe Jam Car Boot Sales. In the evening I will go to a birthday party, so no “public” events on Sat evening.
*Sunday: I need to soak in the Christmas atmosphere a bit in Grafton Street, because next weekend I will probably not be able to, so this Sunday is the day for that. And like every week, in the evening I will help making the the nice people in the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir sound good during the Gospel Mass.
* During the week: On Monday I am double-“booked” (rehearsal with the backing choir I am singing in and training), if possible I will go to the Gloria Choir concert on Tuesday on Wednesday is the Krav Maga Christmas meet-up and on Thursday I am treble-“booked” (Argh!!) AND have an Event Guide to write! But no stress, I will find a solution. ;-)

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______Competition______________

REDEMPTION SONG – BOOK COMPETITION
I had a chance to read some snippets in the book that Liberties Press made available for this competition and I will definitely put it on my reading list for the Christmas Holidays!! The bits that I read make me want to read more and if I didn’t “have” to write this Event Guide today, I would read in “Redemption Song”!
The book “Redemption Song” is written by Niall Stanage, an Irish Reporter inside the Obama campaign. It is “a unique insider’s account of Barack Obama’s journey from fledgling politician in Chicago through his acrimonious tussle with Hillary Clinton and culminating in his momentous victory over John McCain. Stanage also examines this amazing tale from a global perspective. He enjoyed unparalleled access to Obama, including being the only Irish journalist to travel on the candidate’s plane.” Stanage writes for the Sunday Business Post, the New York Observer and the Guardian and has been a regular presence on RTE Radio in recent months, offering analysis on the presidential election for the Tubridy Show, Drivetime and the Late Debate amongst others. “Redemption Song will likely stir up its own share of controversy too, thanks to the author’s trenchantly expressed opinions about the tactics used against Obama by the Clintons and the resistance the Democrat encountered from prominent figures in the Irish-American community.” Check www.LibertiesPress.com for more information about the book and to order it online.
If you want to win a copy of this book, you have another chance: Just send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with “Obama” (without the ” “) in the subject line and with your full name and address and your mobile phone number in the body of the mail. The mail has to be with my by 14:00 on Tuesday 16 Dec.

FITNESS CONSULTATION & PERSONAL TRAINER
This is not a competition in the classical sense, instead everybody can be a winner and get something for free, so I decided to include it in this section as well. Cathy Albanese, a personal trainer and long-term Dublin Event Guide Community member, is offering a free fitness consultation and assessment with herself to everybody before Christmas. This is a value of EUR 70, which you can get for absolutely free! You can take this 1-hour sessions with Cathy at home, in your gym or anywhere else convenient.
Obviously and understandably, Cathy would like to support you with personal training lessons after that and she is offering significant discounts of approx. 30% on standard personal trainer rates if booked before the 31st of December. To book the free 1-hour fitness consultation and assessment and to discuss her personal training offering, please ring Cathy directly on 085 738 2422 and mention that you want to take up the “Dublin Event Guide Offer”.

PILATES AND MASSAGE – STUDIO 23
The “competition line” is closed for this competition, but due to too much to do in day job and some other areas of my life this week, I didn’t get a chance to draw a winner yet. So please be patient, I will do it early next week.
In the meantime you can have a look again at the shiny new website of Studio 23 and read about what Aine Crossan has to offer:
Studio 23 is a specialist studio for Pilates, Personal Training and Bodywork Therapy (including Massage and Weight Management) and is run by Aine Crossan. “Studio 23, offers treatments for chronic back, head, neck and shoulder pain, sports injury, remedial and holistic massage, using a rounded approach to treat and alleviate pain, through treatment and then rehabilitation. They also offer regular classes (Pre- and Post-Pregnancy) in Pilates and Yoga. Studio 23 is in Dame House, 24-26 Dame St. Dublin 2. And you can find all the information about the comprehensive therapy and training types on www.studio23.ie. Last week the website was not up yet, but if you go to it now you will see the spanking new web presence of Studio 23.
Studio 23 can help you with pain, injury, training or weight loss and to find out how they can do that you should check the website or ring 01-633 6023.Gift Certificates for Christmas are available as well.

All events in this Competition Section are non-free events, but the organisers are making free tickets available for you to win. I usually get lots of competition entries and unfortunately not everybody can win, so even if you are not the winner, please consider going to an event to support the organisers. :-) If you don’t win, and will go to the event, please help showing the organisers that promoting their event in the Dublin Event Guide is beneficial and mention to them that you heard about the event through “Joerg’s Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”. Thanks!

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______Dublin News______________

GLAS VEGAS – AUDIENCE TICKETS
During the week a mail reached me from James from Adare Productions. The are currently looking for audience members for ‘Glas Vegas’, a TG4 talent show to be recorded this Christmas in RTÉ studios in Dublin. Tickets are free and Adare Productions promises that each show should be both weird and wonderful!
There are seven shows in total over the Christmas and New Year period so there’s bound to be one that suits – check the dates and times below for further information, you’ll be well looked after in the RTÉ studios!
Since TG4 is an Irish language station and since many of us in the Event Guide Community do not speak any Irish, I explicitly asked James about this and he confirmed that the show is not just something for Irish speakers, but is a great outing for everyone over the Christmas holidays. Since it is a talent show, you don’t need any Irish to enjoy the performances.
The show dates and times are
– 28 Dec at 13:30
– 29 Dec at 13:30 + 18:30
– 30 Dec at 13:30 + 18:30
– 02 Jan at 13:30 + 18:30
To book your seat in the audience of this TV show you can call James on 01 2843877 or on 087 2698248 or send an e-mail to GlasVegasTG4@gmail.com. The availability of these tickets is advertised in many places, so you should hurry and order your tickets soon if you want to attend the show. Irish speakers can find out more here www.tg4.ie/stud/glas/glas.asp for the rest of us this page helps further www.tg4.ie/bearla/stud/glas/glas.asp

NIGHT SHIFT TO GO
The Channel 6 programme “Night Shift” that is presented by Michelle Doherty and is produced by Elton Mullally will be taken off the air from 31 December as a result of TV3 taking over Channel 6. www.state.ie/blog/channel-6s-night-shift-to-be-taken-off-air. Night Shift showed music videos and did interviews with bands etc and because it is an Irish-made programme it had a particular focus on Irish bands and performers. There is no other similar programme on TV that gives local bands a platform to reach the masses and for this reason an online petition has been started. The petition is in serious need of support, so if “Night Shift” will be missed by you, you can make it known here: www.ipetitions.com/petition/bringbacknightshift You could also email info@channel6.ie if you prefer that. Thanks to Dermot B for this information.

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SMOKERS – PROJECT ART CENTRE
Only until Sat 13 Dec (since 09 Dec) the video and sound installation by John Byrne and Stephen Gardner entitled “Smokers” can be visited in the Cube in Projects Art Centre. It is open from 11:00-20:00. This new video and sound installation marks the early 21st century banishment of smokers to the great outdoors. The installation is a homage to those who have remained committed to the pursuit of the ritual…al fresco. (Venue Details: Project Art Centre, 39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, www.project.ie)

LONNIE V. BRUMMELEN & SIEBREN DE HAAN – PROJECT ARTS CENTRE
Project Arts Centre is presenting the newly commissioned installation of two films by Lonnie van Brummelen & Siebren de Haan, one 35mm and the other 16mm, in the exhibition ‘Monument to Another Man’s Fatherland’. The exhibition will be open from 11 Dec- 31 Jan. (Venue Details: Project Art Centre, 39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, www.project.ie, Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00)

GROUP SHOW – SEBASTIAN GUINNESS GALLERY
From 09 Dec (no closing date is specified) a group show by gallery artists will feature James Nares, Kenny Scharf, Herbert Hamak, Helen Chadwick, Mike Bouchet, Gavin Turk and The Hilton Brothers. (Gallery Details: Sebastian Guinness Gallery, 18 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, www.sebastianguinnessgallery.com, Open: Tues-Fri: 10:00-18:00, Sat: 12:00-18:00)

GROUP SHOW – CROW GALLERY
The Crow Gallery invites you to their Christmas Group Show by gallery artists. The show will open on 11 Dec and will continue until the end of December. (Gallery Details: Crow Gallery, 6 Crow Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, www.crowgallery.net, Open: 12:00-18:00)

GROUP SHOW – TAYLOR GALLERIES
From 11 Dec until sometime in January, Taylor Galleries will show their Christmas Group Show with new work by gallery artists (Martin Gale, Janet Mullarney, Seán McSweeney, Colin Harrison, Pat Harris, Louis le Brocquy, William Crozier, Patrick Scott and Fionnuala D’Arcy, amongst others). (Gallery Details: Taylor Galleries, 16 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, www.taylorgalleries.ie, Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:30, Sat 11:00-15:00)

GROUP SHOW – THE JOINERY
“Pieces of Eight” is the Christmas show in The Joinery from 13 Dec – 16 Dec. The show is featuring the work of eight photographic artists. (Gallery Details: The Joinery, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, www.thejoinery.org, Open: ???)

CROSS PROCESS – LANTERN CENTRE
From 11 Dec – 14 Dec the Lantern Centre at 17 Synge Street, Dublin 8, will host exhibition of photographic work by the Cross Process group of independent photographers. The exhibiting members of the group are Enagh Farrell, Ray O’ Brien, Ruth Tutty, Elena Gallotta, Stefano Togan, Martin Keiz, Lucy Nuzum, Jan Zeman and Stefano Voss. (Venue Details: Lantern Centre, 17 Synge Street, Dublin 8, www.crossprocess.org, Open: see website)

MICHAEL KANE – RUBICON GALLERY
The Rubicon Gallery is inviting to an exhibition of work by Michael Kane and has launched a book detailing Michael Kane’s major works from the 1950s to the present. The exhibition runs from 10-20 Dec. (Gallery Details: Rubicon Gallery, 10 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, www.rubicongallery.ie, Open: Tues- Sat 12:00-18:00)

TEXTURES – DEBBIE PAUL STUDIO
Debbie Paul is inviting you to the opening of her ‘Textures’ exhibition at her studio at Unit 1, Music Hall, Cow’s Lane, Dublin 2. The exhibition of silver, gold and platinum jewellery will run from 10-24 Dec. www.debbiepaul.com

JACK PAKENHAM – ALTERNATIVE ENTERTAINMENTS
The Alternative Entertainments Gallery at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, invites you to ‘Here It Is’, an exhibition of paintings by Jack Pakenham. The exhibition runs until 12 Jan 2009. www.altents.ie

GROUP SHOW – MOLESWORTH GALLERY
The Molesworth Gallery is inviting to its Winter Group show, featuring gallery and invited artists Clodagh Murphy, Bridget O’Rourke, Patrick Redmond, David Browne, Maeve McCarthy, Jennifer Trouton, John Hearne, Una Sealy, Blaise Smith and Michael Wann. The exhibition will be on show until 24 December 2008.
(Gallery Details: Molesworth Gallery, 16 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, www.molesworthgallery.com, Open: ??)

SARAH PIERCE – FOUR
“A thing of beauty, colour and love” is an exhibition by Sarah Pierce from 11 Dec – 31 Jan. Pierce presents both the practical remnants of institutional organisation, including redundant pedestals and archival documents; and the broader concerns of political organisation and protest through interviews and documentation, including video of a workshop where participants acted out gestures and recited quotes from bystanders at political demonstrations in the US between 1968-2008.” (Gallery Details: Four Gallery, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1, www.fourdublin.com, Open: Tues+Wed+Fri: 11:00-17:00, Thurs: 11:00-19:00, Sat: 12:00-17:00)

LAUNCH08 – THE LAB
The LAB and Four are inviting to “Launch 08”, an exhibition supporting recent graduates. Peter Cabocky (IADT), Sabina Mac Mahon (NCAD) and Ian Slattery (DIT) are showing their work. The exhibition opens on Wed 17 Dec at 18:00 at the LAB, Foley Street, Dublin 1. For more information contact sheena.barrett@dublincity.ie. Incredibly and amazingly The Lab has still no website! Probably a sign of how important it is for them to get visitors to their exhibitions. :-S (Gallery Details: The LAB, Foley Street, Dublin 1, www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/ArtsandFacilities/Pages/TheLabFoleyStreet.aspx, Open: Mon-Sat: 10:00-17:00)

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12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
On Friday 12 Dec the 12 Day of Christmas at George’s Dock, Dublin’s only real Christmas Market will start. The Blanchardstown Brass Band will entertain on Friday evening and on Saturday there will be the brilliant face painters and balloon modellers from Marvellous Faces (www.marvellousfaces.com). Open from 12:00-20:00 every day until 23 Dec. Find out more about the Christmas Market here www.dublindocklands.ie/12daysofchristmas/index.jsp

AISLING RYAN – THISISNOTASHOP:
Aisling Ryan presents ‘Creative Spaces’ based on the principle “no stage, no set list, no (traditional) audience” allowing performers freedom from the constraints of scheduled performances. This event is not programmed and involves musicians and performing artists. The event will take place on Friday 12 Dec 2008 at 20:00. For more information email Aisling at: aislingcryan@gmail.com.
www.aislingcryan.wordpress.com (Gallery Details: Thisisnotashop, 26 Benburb Street, Dublin 7, www.thisisnotashop.com. Open: 11:00-19:00)

REGULAR EVENTS – FRIDAY
* Chapters And Verse Lunchtime Reading in Chapter and Verse on Parnell Street at 13:15. More information: Sarah 0872283351 or sarah@seventowers.ie or www.seventowers.ie/cms/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=27&extmode=cal&date=2008-12-01
* Sahaja Meditation program every Friday at 19:30 at 4/5 Eustace Street (bell 3, next to the IFI), Temple Bar. For more information contact Seamus on SHarten@upc.ie www.templebar.ie/home_ns_9_action_view_nid_229.html

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SUPERNATURAL FOODMARKET – PEARSE STREET
Every Saturday from 09:30-15:30 a quite new and interesting food market is replacing the food co-op in St. Andrews Resource Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2. When the food co-op moved away, Beibhinn Byrne realised that the gap had to be filled and she organised and started the SuperNatural Food Market. www.supernatural.ie
13-20 Dec are the last two markets before Christmas and special Christmas services and goodies are enriching the market even more. This indoor market in a beautiful hall of a listed building has no admission fee or membership and is open to everybody.
Organic, biodynamic, vegetables, olives and cheeses, non-mass produced Lamb, Chicken and Beef, organic turkeys for Christmas, a magical array of breads, scones and cakes, Christmas Cakes & Puddings  are some of the foods available. In addition to that, eco-friendly household products, vintage clothing, tableware and household linen and many many more items complement the products on offer.
Extras’s on the 20 Dec are Bauble-Raquel Schwarz’s unique jewellery (www.baublejewellery.com), Marrit from Amsterdam will be there with her eclectic collection of surprises and Helen Vella’s paintings and sketches sold by the
artist herself. www.supernatural.ie.
I will go this week to the market to experience it myself, and maybe I will meet some of you there. ;-)

LORNA BYRNE – BOOK SIGNING
Lorna Byrne will be signing copies of her book “Angels in my hair” in Hughes&Hughes in St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre on Sat 13th Dec from 10:00.
www.hughesbooks.com/

CAROL SINGING FOR PETER MCVERRY TRUST & SLI EILE
Therese Deegan, who is a very long term Dublin Event Guide Community Member, is asking you all to help raising money for the Peter McVerry Trust by joining them for a carol singing at the GPO in O’Connell Street from 10:30-13:00. You can just show up and song sheets will be provided. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=654030808&ref=profile#/event.php?eid=52501786487 By the way, if singing is not your thing, then just “buy freedom” ;-) by contributing to the collection. The Peter McVerry Trust supports young homeless people (www.pmvtrust.ie)
And if you are not frozen yet at 13:00, you can walk a few hundred meters south to the Liffey and sing with the Sli Eile crowd on O’Connell Bridge until 15:00. They are collecting money for volunteering projects in Zambia, Colombia and Jamaica. sli-eile.com/calendar_dec_08.html

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS – CHRISTMAS MARKET
The “12 Day of Christmas” Christmas Market is open from 12:00-20:00 at George’s Dock near the IFSC. It is Dublin’s only real Christmas Market and on Sat 13 Dec the brilliant face painters and balloon modellers from Marvellous Faces (www.marvellousfaces.com) will entertain the children while the parents enjoy their Bratwurst (German Pork is not affected by the problems in Ireland!) and the Gluehwein. Find out more about the Christmas Market here www.dublindocklands.ie/12daysofchristmas/index.jsp

CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING FOR CHILDREN – CITY CENTRE
The Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID) is inviting children to free Christmas Storytelling Sessions as part of its BIDs for KIDs programme. From 22 Nov to 14 Dec special Christmas storytelling sessions will take place each Saturday and Sunday in St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and The Gresham Hotel.
The storyteller, Susie Minto, will draw in listeners around the imaginary hearth and warm their hearts with Christmas and Winter themed stories from many traditions – Irish, Native American, European, and Japanese.
The storytelling sessions will last 30 minutes and all children aged four to ten years old, accompanied by an adult, are welcome. The sessions are free but pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please telephone the Dublin City BID on 01-6334680 or email bidsforkids@dublincitybid.ie to reserve a space. See www.dublincitybid.ie for more information.
Storytelling Session Details:
The Gresham Hotel – 11:00, 12:00, 13:00
St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre – 15:00, 16:00, 17:00
Each Saturday and Sunday from the 22nd November to 14th December.

FARMLEIGH HOUSE – CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME
The Christmas Programme in Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park is starting this weekend on Sat 06 Dec. The schedule for the day is
* Christmas Food Market – 10:00-17:00
* Live Crib & Childrens Christmas Room – 10:00-17:00
* Storytelling for Children – 12:00-13:15, 14:45-15:30, 16:45-17:30
* Childrens Magic Show – 13:30-14:30, 15:30-16:30
* Carol Singing with Coro Italiano Di Dublino – 13:30-15:30
* Barbershop Harmonies with ‘The Mellowchords’ – 14:00-16:00
www.farmleigh.ie

IRISH COINAGE – NATIONAL MUSEUM COLLINS BARRACKS
Michael Kenny, Keeper of Art & Industry at the National Museum, will be giving a talk entitled ‘History in your Hand, The story of Irish Coinage’, on Saturday 13 December 2008 from 12:00-12:30. This talk will take place in the Museum Gallery at Collins Barracks and will seek to explore elements of the collections’ care, display and history. The talk will start at the Main Reception. It is free of charge and no booking is required. www.museum.ie/en/intro/arts-and-history.aspx
www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=231

LIVE ANIMAL CRIB – MANSION HOUSE
The Live Animal Crib brought to you by Dublin City Council and the Irish Farmers Association returns to the Mansion House this year. Admission is free and the Crib will open from 08-24 Dec. For Details please contact 01 222 6200.

TEMPLE BAR – CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME
On Saturday 13 Dec a number of events take place in Temple Bar:
* 12:00-13:00 Music performance: “Discovery  Gospel Choir” in Curved Street
* 13:15-14:15 Christmas Themed Book Reading: ‘Warming Words at Christmas Time’ in The New Theatre (inside Connolly Books) East Essex Street, Temple Bar.
Children’s Author Catherine Ann Cullen will weave together extracts from the classics including The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clark Moore, Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol and Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant along with excerpts from her own publication, The Magical, Mystical, Marvelous Coat and a specially written Christmas poem. Booking Essential: 01-6772255
* 14:30-15:30 Have Yourself a Sustainable Kind of Christmas
Presented by the Temple Bar Cultural Trust in association with Cultivate Centre in Cultivate, West Essex St, Old City, Temple Bar. – Booking Essential: 01 677 2255
Speaker, Declan McCormac from CODEMA, will discuss saving electricity with decorations; eco presents; socially aware presents; social inclusion such as charity work, what to do with left-over Christmas-wrap/food/extra presents; disposal of Christmas tree; a sustainable forest tree (certified); making your own decorations; finances at Christmas, shopping locally for presents and sourcing local food for your Christmas feast.
Also check out Cultivate’s Christmas Gift Display featuring a wide range of sustainable and educational gifts available through the Centre.
templebar.ie/home_nav_2_t_17.html

TEMPLE BAR – ONGOING CHRISTMAS EVENTS
In addition to the weekly special events, there are two events that will run from 06 Dec to 20 Dec:
* Christmas Customs around the World: A Schools Project Competition & Display
The multi-cultural nature of Dublin today brings with it a myriad of traditions and customs. We have invited Secondary schools in Dublin to submit projects describing Christmas customs, traditions and beliefs in different countries around the world.
Venue: Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar
* Jesus in Context: A Modern Nativity. Presented by Seleck Imagery, Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane. (In aid of the Dublin Simon Community)
Traditionally, a valued part of Christmas is the erection of a nativity crib. If the Christmas scene was played out in Dublin today, the holy family would be desolate on the streets of Dublin, turned away from accommodation and forced to shelter wherever they could find. Through digital media, a nativity scene will be created using modern representations of the traditional scene. This reconstruction aims to highlight the plight of many who find it impossible to meet modern expectations at Christmas time. Venue: Smock Alley Café, West Essex Street, Old City Temple Bar
templebar.ie/home_nav_2_t_17.html

TOE JAM CAR BOOT SALE
In June or July I went to the Toe Jam Car Boot Sale the first time and it was a surreal experience. Since then I didn’t manage to make it to it, but this weekend I will try again. In the back yard of the Bernard Shaw Pub in South Richmond Street (between Bleedin’ Horse Pub in Camden Street and Rathmines) and the weird and wonderful car boot sale is taking place and it has to be seen to understand. The event has a Christmas theme this week and while you can’t apply anymore to sell goods (the deadline is gone), you can still watch, buy and be amazed. :-) So, come on Sat 13 Dec between 13:00-18:00 to the Bernard Shaw, enter the pub, look for the back exit to the smokers section and then go out through the emergency exit to find the Car Boot Sale. Enjoy! :-)
www.bodytonicmusic.com/events/other/2008/nov/03/christmas-carboot-sale/
Kellie Dalton told me that Stitch will be at the Car Boot Sales as well:
Stitch brings knitting to the City Centre for one day only…This Saturday, Stitch will be at the ToeJam Christmas Carboot Sale in The Bernard Shaw. Wool, needles, knitting kits, tea cosies, mug warmers, vouchers, knitting lessons and lots of fun. Come down and keep warm with us. For more information check out www.stitchireland.com/contactus.html

FESTIVAL OF CAROLS & CHRISTMAS MUSIC – CENTRAL LIBRARY
The Newtown Chamber Choir in association with the Music Library presents “A Festival of Carols & Christmas Music” on Sat 13: Dec from 14:00-15:00 in the Central Library in Ilac Shopping Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1. More information on 01 8734333 and www.dublincitypubliclibraries.ie.

ROSS O’CARROLL KELLY – BOOK SIGNING
Ross O’Carroll Kelly aka Paul Howard will be signing copies of his new book ‘Mrs S and the Secrets of Andorra’s Box’ in the Hughes&Hughes Bookshop in Dundrum on 13 Dec at 15:00.

TALLAGHT CHRISTMAS SPARKLE
Last week I already included this link to a programme brochure of the South Dublin Libraries about upcoming events. libraries.southdublin.ie/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=151. It includes the Christmas events and if you live in the Tallaght area, please have a look at this brochure. This week I found another link that describes the Tallaght Christmas Sparkle event specifically. www.southdublintourism.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=266&Itemid=263. During the week Sarah Brooks from South Dublin County Tourism sent me a nice looking brochure about the same event, but unfortunately I can’t forward it to you and didn’t find it on their website. Instead here a description of the main event “Deck the Walls…” from Sat 13 Dec at 16:30 and daily from that time until 24 Dec festive images, done by local children, will illuminate the walls of the County Library on Library Square in Tallaght. Entertainment on Sat will include a Magical Carousel, Tallaght Youth Band, Aerial Performance by The Dream,
seasonal hospitality and much more. Leading up to Christmas week, the new County Library Tallaght is running a variety of free workshops on all things Christmas from making angels to flower arranging. www.visitsouthdublincounty.ie/thingtodo.asp?ID=114

FAMILY EVENTS – NATIONAL MUSEUM
All events are in this documents www.museum.ie/GetAttachment.aspx?id=77841bfe-3b9a-40e4-8830-aed0cb22f325 and individually they can be found here www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx

CLAIRE-LOUISE BENNETT – THISISNOTASHOP:
‘The Surrounding’ by Claire-Louise Bennett in thisisnotashop is a living text project which will include a live performance on Sat 13 December 2008 starting at 19:00 and a sound installation which will be open on Sat+Sun 13+14 December 2008 from 14:00-19:00. (Gallery Details: Thisisnotashop, 26 Benburb Street, Dublin 7, www.thisisnotashop.com. Open: 11:00-19:00)

WORDLVIEW FILM CLUB
The Worldview Film Club is inviting you to their next screening and discussion on Sat 13 Dec at 18:00. The film this week is “Chariots of Fire” (2001) and the theme of the discussion afterwards is “Faith”. More information is here: worldview.project.googlepages.com/invitation and here www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27560436112
The Worldview Film Club is inspired by the Bahá’í Religion and you can find more information about it here www.bahai.ie

SPECTRUMS – SPAWELL TEMPLEOGUE
The great 80s band “The Spectrums” www.thespectrums.net/ will play on Sat 13 Dec in the Spawell in Templeogue. www.dublinpubscene.com/thepubs/thespawell.html I am told that admission is free. If you like 80s music in the slightest, go to that gig, you will enjoy the Spectrums!

TEMPLE BAR MARKETS
And as always: Don’t forget that the Temple Bar Markets (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 __________________

5KM FUN RUN – PHOENIX PARK
A festive 5km Fun Run is taking place on 14 Dec between 11:00 and 12:00 in Phoenix Park. It is the Donore Harriers Jingle Bells 5km road race.
www.donoreharriers.com/home_nav_9.html
If you are driving and need to pass through Phoenix Park, expect some road and gate closures.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS – CHRISTMAS MARKET
The “12 Day of Christmas” Christmas Market is open from 12:00-20:00 at George’s Dock near the IFSC. www.dublindocklands.ie/12daysofchristmas/index.jsp

FARMLEIGH HOUSE CHRISTMAS
The events on Sunday in Farmleigh House are:
* Christmas Food Market – 10:00-17:00
* Live Crib & Childrens Christmas Room – 10:00-17:00
* Storytelling for Children – 12:45-13:30, 14:30-15:15, 16:15-17:00
* Christmas Puppet Show – 12:00-12:30, 13:45-14:15, 15:30-16:00
* Horse & Carriage Rides – 13:00-16:00
* Carol Singing with The Portmarnock Singers – 13:30-15:30
* Barbershop Harmonies with ‘The Mellowchords’ – 12:00-16:00
www.farmleigh.ie

SUNDAY AT NOON CONCERT – HUGH LANE GALLERY
The Sunday at Noon Concerts are free, 1-hour concerts in the Hugh Lane Gallery. Every Sunday at 12:00 a free concert will take place in the gallery. No booking is required. This week Con Tempo are playing works by the Romanian composers Paul Constantinescu, Doru Popovici, Sabin Pautza, as well as Romanian folk music. The music selection is in celebration of the National Day of Romania (01 Dec).
www.hughlane.ie/whats_on_detail.php?id=200

BOTANIC GARDENS – CHRISTMAS
On Sun 14 Dec the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin (free admission) are celebrating Christmas. At 14:00 Santa Claus and his helpers are coming to Glasnevin for this traditional seasonal celebration. Activities in the Gardens on the day will include Storyteller, Niall De Burca who will have you on the edge of your seats with his magical storytelling. Special Christmas music will also be performed.
Already from 12:00 on the same day a Christmas Farmers Market will take place.
www.botanicgardens.ie/news/events.htm

BEA McMAHON: ARTIST TALK – GREEN ON RED GALLERY
On Sun 14 Dec 2008, Bea McMahon will talk about her current exhibition ‘Present’ at the Green On Red Gallery at 14:00.  In her exhibition she explores philosophical and scientific texts on how we inhabit the present. The exhibition includes drawings, video and sculpture. (Gallery Details: Green On Red Gallery, 26-28 Lombard St. East, Dublin 2, www.greenonredgallery.com, Open: Mon- Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 11.00 – 17.00)

FAMILY EVENT – HUGH LANE GALLERY
“Sunday Sketching” is a workshop for 7+ year olds. It will take place on Sun 30 Nov from 15:00-16:00. The title this week is “Create an Impressionist snow scene – a study of reflections”. No booking necessary. Early arrival is recommended. www.hughlane.ie/whats_on_detail.php?id=137

FAMILY PROGRAMME – NATIONAL MUSEUM
* “Christmas Cribs” for the age group 6+ is this week’s family programme on Sun 14 Dec from 15:00-16:00 in the Decorative Arts & History part of the National Museum (i.e. Collins Barracks). Get into the festive spirit by making your own Christmas Nativity set. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=232
* “A Medieval Christmas” is title of the programme on the same day from 14:00-17:00 in the National Museum in Kildare Street. It is suitable for all ages and is described like this “Enjoy the fun of a Medieval Fair with Irish Arms Living History Group”. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=206

REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS
There are a number of regular live events every week and over the coming weeks I will try to gather more of them and include them as a regular feature:
*The Mary Stokes Band (Blues) from 18:30 in Bruxelles near Grafton Street and near the Westbury Hotel. I listened to them a few times and they are brilliant!
*Jazz in The George in George’s Street from 16:30-18:00: Jazz Band Zrazy.
*Sunday Roast is the event in Thomas Reads “The Oak” in Dame Street/Parliament Street every Sunday from 19:00. Provided are free live music, games & roast potatoes.
* Loose Change play in Gibneys Pub, New St., Malahide every Sunday from 18:00-20:00.
* Songs of Praise, a Rock Karaoke is taking place every Sunday from 21:00 in The Village in Wexford Street, Dublin 2. www.getpraise.com
* Gardiner Street Gospel Mass in St. Francis Xavier Church at the top of Gardiner Street near the junction with Dorset Street every Sunday at 19:30. Everybody is welcome independent from your level of religiousness. www.gardinerstreetgospelchoir.com
* Ballymun Gospel Choir Mass at 19:00 in Virgin Mary Church, Shangan Road, Ballymun.

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

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______Next Week_______________

———Monday————————–

REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS
* Chapters And Verse Lunchtime Reading in Chapter and Verse on Parnell Street at 13:15. More information: Sarah 0872283351 or sarah@seventowers.ie or www.seventowers.ie/cms/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=27&extmode=cal&date=2008-12-01
* Pint&Picture or Cine Café. From 19:30 Howard Linnane is screening short films and full-length films in his fortnightly alternating movie event in the Portobello Pub in South Richmond Street. Ring Howard (086-3614787) for more information. The film screenings are free.
* From 21:30 in the International Bar, Wicklow Street: An acoustic singer-songwriter session hosted by Jacqueline Tuck. Entry is free. The music styles vary from pop to folk to traditional. www.myspace.com/jacquelinetuck

———Tuesday————————

DIT LUNCHTIME CONCERTS – RATHMINES LIBRARY
The DIT Convervator of Music and Drama is inviting to lunchtime concerts in the library in Rathmines. The next concert will be on 16 Dec at 13:15. Steve Cooney (guitar) and Odhran O Casaide (fiddle) will perform. Admission is free. www.dit.ie/conservatory/Events/

MIGRANT RIGHTS CENTRE – REPORT LAUNCH
The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland’s Restaurant Workers Action Group is launching a report entitled “Exploitation in Ireland’s Restaurant Industry” on Tues 16 Dec at 11:00 in Buswells Hotel, 23-25 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
The report includes a survey of 115 migrant workers employed in restaurants across Ireland. Findings show that more than half of restaurant workers surveyed receive less than the minimum wage, and 85% receive no overtime or Sunday pay.
Contact Delphine O’Keeffe on 087 241 0039 for more information. www.mrci.ie/

MARY ROBINSON – ABBEY TALKS
The “Bearing Witness” series of the Abbey Talks in Abbey Theatre will be continued on Tues 16 Dec from 18:00-19:00. Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and founder of ‘Realising Rights, The Ethical Globalisation Initiative’ and former President of Ireland examines the future of human rights. Admission is free but booking essential on 01 87 87 222. www.abbeytheatre.ie/whatson/talks.html

GLORIA CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT – ST ANNE’S CHURCH
The le s bian and g ay choir “Gloria” is having a Christmas Concert, entitled “Breath of Heaven”, in St- Anne’s Church in Dawson Street on Tues 16 Dec and Thurs 18 Dec. The concerts start at 20:00, however the doors open already from 18:00 and from past year’s experience it is most likely that the church will fill up extremely fast and if you don’t arrive early you will not get in. Free tickets will be available at the door. www.gloria.ie

REGULAR TUESDAY EVENTS
* In the Bankers Inn on Trinity Street (off Dame Street) at 21:30: An acoustic singer-songwriter session hosted by Dave Murphy. A contribution is requested but not required. This is a listening club so is very quiet and features a lot of experienced songwriters trying out new material. www.myspace.com/davemurphyandfriends

———Wednesday———————-

NIGELLA LAWSON – DUBRAY BOOK SIGNING
Nigella Laswon will be in Dubray Books in Grafton Street on 17 Dec from 12:30-13:30 to sign her book “Nigella Christmas”. www.dubraybooks.ie/news.asp?

FILM SCREENING – INSTITUTO CERVANTES
The Spanish Cultural Institute in Dublin invites regularly to interesting talks and film screenings. All talks and screenings are usually in Spanish but translation into English or subtitles (for films) will be provided.
The next film screening will be on Wed 17 Dec at 18:30 and the film will be “El viaje a ninguna parte” (1986). dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha51311_16_2.htm
The Instituto Cervantes is in Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2 (at the back of TCD near the National Gallery).

MESSIAEN ORGAN CONCERT – ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
To mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of organ composer Olivier Messiaen, David Leigh and Tristan Russcher have presented the entire corpus of organ works throughout the year. The final concert of the series is on Wed 17 Dec at 20:00 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Tristan Russcher (Assistant Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral) will play “La Nativité” by Olivier Messiaen. I read before that the concerts are free, but didn’t find any recent confirmation, so please be aware that it MIGHT not be free. www.cccdub.ie/music/organ/2008/messiaen-flier-DL.pdf

REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS
* Chapters And Verse Lunchtime Reading at 13:15 or Whitehouse Poets Reading at 09:00. More information: Sarah 0872283351 or sarah@seventowers.ie or www.seventowers.ie/cms/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=27&extmode=cal&date=2008-12-01
* “The Zodiac Sessions” is a regular open mic event from 20:30 in Bruxelles (between Grafton Street and Westbury Hotel) for unsigned musicians. Admission is free and there is a different line-up every week. www.thezodiacsessions.com/
* “The Song Room” is another open mic event. It takes place in The Globe in George’s Street at 20:30 on Wednesdays as well. www.myspace.com/thesongroom

———Thursday————————

GLORIA CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT – ST ANNE’S CHURCH
See the listing on Tuesday about this Christmas concert. Gloria will perform their second concert on Thursday 18 Dec.

———Friday————————

OUT TO LUNCH READING – IRISH WRITERS CENTRE
On Fri 19 Dec Patrick Deeley will read at the Out to Lunch Reading in the Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 between 13:15 and 14:00. www.writerscentre.ie

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______This is odd!!______________

ETIQUETTE HANDBOOK
1962 was 46 years ago, so quite some time, but it wasn’t centuries ago, it is JUST 46 years. This year a book called “Etiquette Handbook” has been republished. It was originally written by Barbara Cartland, who died in 2000 at the age of 99, but just 46 years ago, she wrote in her book “In my experience the happiest marriages are always those in which the man has the brains, the money and the ambitions. Emancipation may have brought women votes…but it has certainly not brought them the happiness of being a fragile, delicate little woman protected and looked after by a big, strong man.” What a peculiar opinion! To me it sounds like a 200 year old way of thinking. …or could it be that I am wrong and it is not peculiar a tall, but completely normal and quite current? ;-) Mysterious women! :-) www.amazon.co.uk/Barbara-Cartlands-Etiquette-Handbook-Behaviour/dp/1847945341

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Have a great run up to Christmas. Listen to ChristmasFM.ie (89.9) if you like Christmas songs and enjoy lovely decoration in some parts of the city centre. Despite the pre-Christmas hectic that might grab you, try to remember that Christmas is really meant to be a peaceful time.

Enjoy the weekend!

–Joerg

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If you have feedback – good or bad – PLEASE tell me via the same e-mail address.
BTW: I am not paid or otherwise rewarded for compiling and distributing this Event Guide it is purely a hobby. However, I won’t say No to donations ;-) and if you want to help me with the running of it (no minimum amount!) just send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with the word “Donation” in the subject and I will reply with a link that will allow you to make your donation by PayPal or per credit card or follow the link just above this section. Advertisement in or sponsorship of the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) is possible, please contact me for more information.
Please note: The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Event) is not related or connected to the fortnightly printed publication “the event guide” that you find in pubs and other venues.
Copyright 2008 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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