Event Guide 184: Father Ted Day, LMHR Gig, Dublin New Year Festival

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| DUBLIN EVENT GUIDE (for Free Events) No. 184
| 24 Dec 2010 Subscribers: 7690
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Hi all!

Christmas is literally around the corner and you probably didn’t expect to receive an “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)” this week. But even if there are fewer events, there is always something happening in Dublin. And while some other newsletter publishers choose to leave you in the dark about these events, you can always rely on the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”. :-)

When you are reading this edition, I am in Germany for a few days, where lots of snow (even more than I left behind in Dublin) was awaiting me. I hope you all are/were or will be able to get to wherever you want to get to for Christmas.

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The Winter Solstice on 21 Dec was the start of the Winter, but if it continues as it has started even BEFORE the start of Winter, we will be experts in snow handling by the end of it!

At this time of the year and with the weather these days, it is never too clear if an event will take place or not and this is particularly relevant for the regular events. I still decided to mention them this week again, because SOME might take place. However, I think it is the best approach to check with the venue if you want to go to any of the “regular” events.

Because a good few of you might not be in work on 24th, I am sending this week’s newsletter already on the Thursday, it might give you a better chance to get a look at it.

For last minute presents for your friends, consider giving them the invaluable (!!) present of a 1-year subscription to the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”. This is a present that is 100% compatible with the current economic situation. It is totally free to you and it provides information about lots of free events to your friends. How can that get ANY better? ;-) Send an e-mail to your friends telling them about your precious gift and copy the mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com and I will do the rest. If possible please use “CHRISTMAS SUBSCRIPTION” as the subject!

Oh and come over and join the more than 2000 people that LIKE the Dublin Event Guide on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide You will get last minute updates and event reminders there.

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Today’s Feel Good Slot is an extremely well made and very interesting look at the nativity story from a modern angle. A txt message tells Maria that she is expecting and she immediately sends a mail to Joseph arrange to meet him. Have a look at this brilliant video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA Why is it in the Feel Good Slot? Well, it definitely made me smile because it is sooo cleverly done and brilliantly adapts the Nativity story (it is irrelevant if the story is true or not or if you believe it or not) to modern times. And if it made you smile, then that’s a good thing! Apart from that, it shows as well, that even in our “modern” times, the message still survives, we just have to adapt it a little to the new media opportunities. So, two good messages in it AND it is really interesting. ;-)
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A wonderful Christmas present for the Event Guide in the form of a donation by Claudia D gets all my appreciation this week. Thanks! If you are interested in keeping this newsletter going, you can donate as well: www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm

This newsletter is a spare-time activity of mine for which I am not paid. It is not a commercial project and if you like it, you are invited to help with a donation. You can donate as much as you want or can, but if you need some guidance, maybe consider just ONE Euro per month or – to make it more practical – a donation of 12 Euro per year (that is just 25 cent per newsletter). Where else can you get such a vast amount of useful information for just 25 cent. ;-) You can donate any amount you wish to help with or – as an option – you can now chose a yearly “subscription” on www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm
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This Event Guide is sponsored by Esme E, Cliodhna D, Brian L, Padraig S, Kathie S, Orla niF, Jef B, Susanna N, Kate C, Nicola J, Claus Sch, Gordon S, Jeanne M, Fiona O’C, Marta M, Angela C, Isabelle F, Saundra S, Meisoon N, Ruth F, Valerie McN, Estelle O, Aoife M, Mairin M, Fionán O’L, Maeve L, Blaithin O’D, Ciara D, Mike G, Andrej G, Deirdre R, Vanessa O’L, Chris McK, Frank B, Dolores P, Cornelia K, Cathy A, Orla C, Kevin McC, Steph G, Wanda J, Siv M-J, Niamh niS, Gwen H, Jasmin T, Ian O, Eva C, Will P, Gráinne P, Caroline R, Elizabeth F, Suzanne B, Adele G, Jack C, Keeva H, Mairead MacM, Niamh G, Siobhan C, Jackie B, Penny O’D, Kathryn K, Aidan G, Ciara G, Deirdre L, Stephen D, Mary Q, Donald P, Aidan C, Julia Sch, Isak R-B, Sharon O’S, Brajan V, Nancy O’D, Zelie McG, Niamh K, Jennie R, Semin S, Gavin H, David G, Becky B, Emer niB, Niamh N, Ciaran H, Louis M, Gerard Ph, Monika E, Mark K, James O’H, Pere SC, Marsha D, Sarah McC, Patrick O’C, Sandra R, Christoph Sch, Deirdre O’B, Ellen C, Eimear O’F, Luna B, Leslie C, Elaine McH, Elva O’G, Deirdre G, Martin O’M, Maeve C, Ciara O’C, Sarah D, Patrick C, John O’R, Brian C, Brian R, Caroline C, Elaina O’N, Eilis C, Sandra R, Geraldine D, Nora W, Rachel M, Renata V, Carine S, Ruairi O’G, Donna D, Clare D, Tuna Y, Lisa S-O’G, Aga G, Anna B, Ian S, Joan W, Brian R, Bear N, Sebastian B, Tina M, Will McA, Siobhan H, Soeren G, Sheila McC, Regina Q, Marc F, Kieran O’C, Alan S, Orla K, Mike G, David N, Atri B, Damian L, Orna McE, Colm K, Grainne+Kieran C, Paul A, Cathy A, Damien McK, Sharon O’S, Malachy B, Eily O’C, Bridin McI, George K, Fergus O’C, Caitriona F, Marie N, Sarah M, Kalle R, Mervyn M, Thomas D, Anna-Lena F, Veronica F, Filippo G, Eimear McG, Marion K, Susan D, Patricia O’N, Darren B, Jekaterina O, Fergus G, Ailbhe H, Rainey D-G, Johan S, Gareth S, Evan P, Therese O’R, Rebecca M, Eva C, Ming-jia Y, Niamh S, Nikodem R, Padraig K, Stephanie W, Sarah Ann H, Ailis F, Fiona M, Nazim MG, Maureen P, Alda G, Pia O, Pauline R, Patrick Th, Brendan McC, Deirdre C, Patricia F, Aine G, Linda M, Hans W, Joan K, Ailish L, Tammy W, Darren B, Sarah M, Sophie P, Alessia R, Fiona O’R, Pia O, Paul H, Paul M, Stephanie C, Catherine G, Linda C, Anna O’D, Karen K, Eilis C, Robin S, Olwyn F, Rainey D-G, Gordon S, Irene H, Ellen B, Joe O’D, Geraldine D, Brian L, David L, Mary K, Alison P, Mary McK, James O’C, Joe C, Alan G, Svatka V, Zelie McG, Sean S, Claudia D and www.stickyfingerstravel.com (The travel guide for parents travelling with their children.), www.flamencoindalo.com (A group that supports and promotes the art of Flamenco in Ireland.), www.olliart.com (An art curator and seller of art to businesses and private collectors.), www.thepaulkanegallery.com (A great Art Gallery, located at 6 Merrion Square, which supports contemporary Irish artists.) and www.a1computers.ie in Dun Laoghaire/Cabinteely (…who repair computers, printers and sort out Internet problems fast and who sell computers, laptops and lo w priced printer cartridges). The main sponsor is www.kravmagaireland.com, the self-defence training centre for everyone, which provides regular 12-week or 2-day self-defence training courses for beginners.

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 promise for correctness can be given.

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______Joerg’s Picks______________

This section is intended to provide some help in picking and choosing from the huge number of events by sharing with you what I will/might or would do. This is not a “best of…” list and if an event is not listed here, it by no means implies that the event is not interesting. Instead my “picks” are just based on my personal preferences. All events mentioned here are described in detail further down.

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If I were in Dublin this week, I would go to the Christmas Eve Mass in Gardiner Street Church on Friday where the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir will sing. On Sunday I would probably venture into the City Centre, just out of curiosity to see how busy the Centre is and later I would go to the Bernard Shaw Pub for the great Father Ted Day. If you don’t work then for the next few days, check which of the museums are open and indulge in a bit of culture before the New Year’s Festival starts on Thurs 30. Oh and check out the LHMR event on Thursday as well.

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______Competition______________

I am working on getting more competitions for the new year, I know how much you like them. :-) If you work in a company that would like to let the readers know about your products or events through this competition section, just contact me on dublineventguid@gmail.com

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______Dublin News______________

MERRY TWIXTMAS!!
Have you heard about Twixtmas? It has nothing to do with a chocolate/wafer/caramel bar, that usually comes in twos, instead it refers to the time between Christmas and New Year. And the group that came up with that idea asks you to use these 5 days to do something to change your world for the better. Do something for yourself, do something for others, for a friend. Do something for the planet and plan into the future. Have a look at the website www.twixtmas.com/ and take part. Make a difference! (I know this is not Dublin news per se, but Dublin is in my world and in yours, so by making a difference, we make a difference to our life and surroundings. That means the whole idea has to do with Dublin! :-) (Thanks Lindsay for letting me know about this Twixtmas idea.)

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SNOW & TRAFFIC
The big news this week was the snow on Monday and the resulting closure of Dublin Airport and the chaos on the streets. Many still complain that Ireland is ill-equipped and ill-prepared. It is true! But it is understandable! If you – in the last few decades – only had a couple of days per year where there was a bit of snow, then you can’t justify having snow ploughs etc. After the second (or third) snow chaos in one year, it might make sense to seriously think about getting some new equipment, but that won’t happen over night and could still be a freak occurrence. Most of Northern Europe struggled with the snow this time around, even countries that normally are better prepared and have more experience with the fluffy white stuff, so maybe we have to show a bit more understanding. There are aspects, though that are unacceptable and they have to be criticised heavily. One example is clearing the footpaths. In countries with a lot of snow experience it is the obligation of the house owner or tenant to keep the footpaths clean. In Ireland, the government cause so much confusion in the beginning of the year, that people think they must not clear the footpath as otherwise they are liable for any injuries. Allegedly, this is not the case, but legally, there still seem to be some question marks around the subject: The Attorney General said on this subject “there is no liability associated with clearing snow from outside your premises, provided that you do not create a health and safety risk in doing so”. What does that really mean? How would I create a health and safety risk? Could my clearing make the situation riskier? Further explanations are needed! www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1218/1224285835963.html

———Opportunities—————–

In order to beat an economic downturn not governments can help, but individuals are needed that take the initiative and to create new markets and new opportunities for themselves and for their customers and hopefully employees. The banks don’t help anymore, the government doesn’t want to help, so we have to help ourselves! The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) will help you if you have recently started a company and if you could do with spreading the word. I hope being mentioned here and being seen by the 7500+ readers of the Event Guide will kick start something big for you. In return I expect you to tell your clients and friends about the Event Guide and once you have made a nice bit of money, a donation would be very appreciated. ;-) (This offer is for start-ups in relatively early stages only. Established companies can contact me regarding very affordable advertisement options in the Dublin Event Guide.) If you want to promote your start-up/young company here for free, let me know: dublineventguide@gmail.com.

More to come! New companies that will be mentioned here soon are a Car Sharing Scheme and a Nutritionist. Watch this space.

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______Exhibitions_______________

Based on your feedback, I have decided to do the following with the Exhibition section in this newsletter from now on: I will provide you with a link to a near-comprehensive listing of exhibitions provided by www.visualartists.ie. For me to list all exhibitions would only be doubling their good work and would be an inefficient use of my resources. The link is visualartists.ie/category/listings/exhib-lein/
On top of that I will every now and then include here a small selection of exhibitions that either are not mentioned in the Visual Artist listing or are note-worthy to be mentioned separately.

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______Friday___________________

CHRISTMAS EVE
Shops start closing from around 16:00 and by 18:00 most are well locked up.

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES
There are masses in all (catholic) churches in Dublin on this evening. Often there will be a Children’s Mass and then the “Midnight” Mass at any time between 22:00 and 00:00. I can particularly recommend two masses, but in both cases you have to arrive quite early to get a seat, the churches will in both cases be absolutely packed.
+ GARDINER STREET GOSPEL CHOIR MASS
The place where I would be if I were in Dublin at Christmas this year is the St. Francis Xavier Church in Upper Gardiner Street, near to the junction with Dorset Street. The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Mass will take place there at 20:00. It is a mass full of wonderful and uplifting music by the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir and definitely a good place to go. Arrive early, there will be some Christmas Carol singing as well! (In the same church there will be a Family Mass at 18:00 and a Midnight Mass at 00:00.) www.gardinerstparish.ie/gospel-choir
+ ST. MARY’S PRO-CATHEDRAL
St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of Dublin, is situated in Marlborough Street, very near to O’Connell Street and the Christmas Evening there starts with Christmas Carol Singing by the Palestrina Choir at 21:30. This will be followed by the “Mass of Christmas Night” celebrated by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and accompanied by the Palestrina Choir with the Orchestra of St Cecilia. www.procathedral.ie/christmas-timetable-2010/christmas-eve-mass-times

It is very unlikely that any of these Regular Events will take place:

REGULAR EVENTS – FRIDAY
* James Sheeran (Acoustic/Rock/Trad) is playing from 18:00 in Peadar Kearney’s in 64 Dame Street, Dublin 2. And The Eastern Harps (Trad) are playing there from 20:00. Admission is free.
*Graeme McKenna is playing an acoustic gig (Trad to contemporary) every Friday in the Maldron Hotel, Kingswood near CityWest from 19:00.
* Need to wind down after a tiring week? Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation (not physical yoga, but “yoga meditation”!) classes every Friday at 19:30 at 4/5 Eustace Street, Temple Bar (next to IFI, ring bell no. 3) and every Monday from 19:00 in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15. These are drop in classes, newcomers are welcome. For more information check www.coolspirit.info or www.sahajayoga.ie.
* The Covers play Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Later: DJ Carlos Irie. Admission is free.

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______Saturday_________________

CHRISTMAS DAY
All shops will be closed. Even most Spar/Centra/Londis shops and filling stations. The multi-cultural nature of Dublin, however, means that there are a rare few shops open where the staff is from countries that don’t celebrate Christmas. I remember in recent years, that a Spar at the Liffey Quays (Northside) was usually open- It is somewhere between Smithfield and Ha’Penny Bridge. All pubs are closed and virtually all restaurants are closed. A nice day for people with family and loved ones, but a tough day for people that don’t have friends or are alone and lonely.

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______Sunday __________________

ST. STEPHEN’S DAY
The holiday after Christmas is called St. Stephen’s Day in Ireland. NOT Boxing day!! Many shops and shopping centres will be open as if it was a normal Sunday and you can expect the first Sales to start on this day. Pubs are back open again, but regular events and museum events will not take place.

PARTY NIGHTS – THE BAGGOT INN
I don’t normally list just normal DJ events because there are just tooo many taking place every day of the week. For St. Stephen’s Day and especially for New Years Eve I am prepared to divert from that rule for a moment because a pub that doesn’t charge horrendously high admission charges on New Years Eve deserves to be mentioned and if you know some more places, please send them to me and I will post them on the facebook group www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide.
The Baggot Inn has not just one but two Admission-free Party Nights. The first one is on St. Stephen’s Day. The Baggott Inn is in 143 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 and if you want to make a reservation ring 01- 6618758 and tell Miriam that you heard about it in the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”. www.thebaggotinn.ie/

FATHER TED DAY – BERNARD SHAW PUB
The Father Ted Day in The Bernard Shaw Pub first took place in 2008 and was a MASSIVE success. If you have never heard of “Father Ted”, it is a brilliant comedy series about three priests on an Irish island and their housekeeper. It is very very funny and totally disrespectful (in a good way). I am sure that over Christmas there will be some repeats of the programme, watch out for it. On the Father Ted Day in the Bernard Shaw, a lot of “dog collars” (Priest’s Collar thingies) will be worn, the unique “Father Ted” Language will be spoken and some classic scenes will be re-enacted or modelled: Lovely girl competitions, Priest Chat, Confessions, dog collars everywhere. The event runs from 18:00-01:00 on Sun 26 Dec. Admission is free.
m.bodytonicmusic.com/events/other/2010/oct/25/father-ted-day/

Most of these regular events will not take place, but there could be a few ones that carry on:

REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS
* The Temple Bar Book Market is taking place every Sat+Sun on Temple Bar Square from 11:00-18:00.
* Blackhorse Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Sunday from 10:00-18:00 the Blackhorse Market is taking place. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on red Luas line. theblackhorsemarket.com
* The Odeon Bar & Grill (Old Harcourt Street Station, Dublin 2) are inviting all families on Sat+Sun from 12:00-18:00 to a “Matinee Brunch Club”. Good Food, Kids movies (14:00) and kids under 3 eat for free. www.odeon.ie/matinee.html
* The Crafty Market in Shebeen Chic on South Great Georges Street is taking place from 13:00-18:30. Admission is free and there are Art and Crafts, Vintage clothes and bric a brac stalls, live acoustic music upstairs and downstairs – ranging from Singer song writers via Trad bands to Jazz. www.thecraftymarket.com
* Afternoon Jazz in Café en Seine. The Sweet & Lowdown Jazz Trio play every Sunday from 14:00-16:00 in Café en Seine in Dawson Street. Admission is free. www.stellabass.com and a video is here gush.ie/clients/sweetlow/video/
* Sunday Roast is a weekly event in the Mercantile in 28 Dame Street from 21:00-01:00. Provided are free live music, games & roast potatoes. www.facebook.com/pages/Dublin-Ireland/Sunday-Roast/57594006610
* Graeme McKenna plays an acoustic gig (from trad to contemporary) every Sun at 18:00 in Number6 on Smithfield Square. www.number6.ie/
* “Loose Change” play in Gibneys Pub, New St., Malahide every Sunday from 18:00-20:00.
* Shazwanda Show – Dragon Bar. Each Sunday the ‘The Shazwanda Show’ takes place in the Dragon in Sth Great Georges Street from 20:00 to watch X Factor followed by a cabaret and comedy show from 21:00. Admission is free www.facebook.com/Shazwanda www.sharynhayden.com
* Comedy Crunch – Shebeen Chic. The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Shebeen Chic, Sth Great Georges Street from 21:00 every week. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330
* From 21:00 in The Bleeding Horse on Camden Street “The Apollo Sessions” is a free show featuring multiple styles of original music from local and international musicians and songwriters www.myspace.com/thebleedinghorsesessions
* Every Sunday “The Latin Beat” will take place in the Odeon in Harcourt Street from 20:00-02:00. A band will play from 21:00-22:30, a Latin Beat Club, Brazilian DJs and Salsa Classes will be additional features. Admission is free. www.odeon.ie/
* The Burning Effigies are playing afrobeat, jazz, funk and soul every Sunday from 23:00 in Turk’s Head in Parliament Street. www.turkshead.ie
* 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

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————————–

BANK HOLIDAY
When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday in Ireland, we benefit from a rule that says, this holiday will be moved to the next working day. This year the Christmas Day is on a Saturday and St. Stephen’s Day is on a Sunday, so consequently the holidays are moved to the Monday and Tuesday of the following week. Please Note: This rule does not automatically apply to everyone, but it does apply to many, so you better check with your employer if you are still not sure.
Expect that ALL shops will be open today and the City Centre will be busy.

I have doubts about each and every of the events below:

REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS
* This will NOT take place on Mon 27 Dec: Cine Café (an evening of short films) and Pint & Picture (full feature film screening) are Howard Linnane’s Irish movie screening nights at 20:00 in Mother Reilly’s in Rathmines, Dublin 6 (Uppercross House Hotel, 30 Upr Rathmines Road (opposite Tesco)). To make sure that it is still continuing, check with Howard 085-1351822.
* ‘Hugh Cooney Don’t Like Monday’, a cabaret and live visual performance by Hugh Cooney, will take place every Monday night from 20:30 at The Pygmalion, South William Street, Dublin 2 (in Powerscourt Shopping Centre). Admission free. www.facebook.com/pygmaliondublin
* From 21:00 in the International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street: The Glór Sessions feature acoustic singer-songwriters, comedy, spoken word and poetry hosted by Stephen James Smith. Entry is free. www.stephenjamessmith.com/Glor.html www.facebook.com/TheGlorSessions
* In O’Byrne’s Beverage House at 199 King St North (Corner of Capel Street and Bolton Street) a live music session “Jam with Karmann Reeves” will take place. Musicians are welcome to participate. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001158421465
+ Comedy Night in Panti Bar. A new free Comedy Night with comedy improv, stand up and sketch every Monday night in Panti Bar on Capel St from 21:00. entertainment.ie/event/Comedy/Pantibar/A-Bear-A-Bull-And-A-Chicken-Walk-Into-A-Bar/2563419.htm
* From 21:30 a traditional Irish music session is taking place in Kennedy’s Pub in Drumcondra. Admission is free.
* From 22:00, the front bar of Whelan’s is the venue for the Open Mic event “Acoustic Nightmares Night”, organised by the band The Mighty Stef and some members from The Last Tycoons. This is a free event. www.facebook.com/pages/THE-MIGHTY-STEF/17575454643
* Upbeat Generation is playing Soul/Funk/Rock Covers in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2 from 22:00. Later: DJ Rasheed. Admission is free.

———Tuesday————————

ANOTHER HOLIDAY
Yes, another holiday for some due to Christmas on a weekend.

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
+ A free Art Workshop with Janine Davidson for 4-10 yr olds will take place from 15:00-16:00
+ On Tues 28 Dec from 15:15-15:45 a talk about “The Christmas Story” will take place with Sarah Montague. Admission is free. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson
+ From 16:00-16:30 on the same day, a Musical Trio will perform in the Atrium. Admission is free.

REGULAR TUESDAY EVENTS
* Open Mic Night with The Last Tycoons in O’Donoghue’s on Suffolk Street every Tues from 20:00. It’s free and anyone can get up, sing a song or do whatever they like. www.facebook.com/pages/ODonoghues-Open-Mic/71834618844
* O’Byrne’s Beverage House at 199 King St North (Corner of Capel Street and Bolton Street) has a live music session with Sean Og McKenna and Friends every Tue at 21:00. Musicians welcome to participate. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001158421465
* Live Jazz and Blues from 21:00 every Tuesday in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2.
* 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
* From 21:30, O’Briens on Dame Street (next to the Mercantile Pub) is the venue for a further Open Mic event of acoustic rock’n’roll organised by the band The Mighty Stef. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/pages/THE-MIGHTY-STEF/17575454643
* White Chocolate is playing Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2

———Wednesday———————-

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
+ On Wed 29 Dec from 13:00-13:30 the talk “Festive Themes” with Jackie Ryan will take place in the National Gallery on Merrion Square/Clare Street. Admission is free. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson
+ A free Art Workshop with artist Don Conroy for 4-10 yr olds will take place from 15:00-16:00. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson
+ From 16:00-16:30 a Musical Trio will perform again in the Atrium.

REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS
* The “Havana International Language Exchange” is taking place every Wed from 17:30-19:30 in Havana Tapas Bar in George’s Street. The majority of people there are Spanish or English-speaking, but French, Italians, Polish and Chinese are sometimes coming to and everybody is welcome to meet for a chat to improve your Spanish or English.
* “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 every Wednesdays. www.myspace.com/thesongroom
* Songs of Praise, a Rock Karaoke is taking place every Wednesday from 21:00 in The Village in Wexford Street, Dublin 2. www.getpraise.com
* The Alex Mathias Jazz Quartet will perform every Thursday from 21:00 in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street. www.alexmathias.com/
* Rhythm ‘n’ Booze in Sin É, Ormond Quay takes place every Wed from 21:00. Live music with DJ afterwards is the weekly programme and the details are here www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001171626567
* Traditional Irish Music Session in Hedigan’s (The Brian Boru) in Phibsborough from 21:30 every Wednesday. If you play an instrument you are especially welcome (all levels are welcome).
* Seven Deadly Skins are playing Reggae/Ska Covers from 22:00 with DJ Dotsie later. The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Admission is free.

———Thursday————————

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
+ A free Art Workshop with artist Don Conroy for 4-10 yr olds will take place on 30 Dec from 15:00-16:00. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson
+ From 15:15-15:45 the talk “Every Picture Tells a Story” with Caroline Crowley will take place in the National Gallery on Merrion Square/Clare Street. Admission is free. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson
+ From 16:00-16:30 a Musical Trio will perform again in the Atrium.

DUBLIN NEW YEARS FESTIVAL 2011
(Check Friday for details about this festival and the events that take place on Thursday)

THE BEAUTY SPOT – DAKOTA BAR
“The Beauty Spot at Dakota” is a weekly event on Thursdays from 19:00-01:00 in the Dakota Bar, 8/9 South William Street, Dublin 2. It is a new night of Fashion, Beauty, Shopping and Drinks in association with Style Nation. “Featuring at the Beauty Spot will be regular beauty tips and advice given by Top Make Up Artists, Hair Stylists, alongside a ‘Pop Up Shop’ hosting vintage & contemporary fashion and accessories. The weekly Beauty Bar will have a different theme and treatments every week.
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114929628540407

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – GIG – LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM
The LMHR’s New Year’s Resolution gig will take place on 30 Dec from 20:00 in Shebeen Chic, Sth Great George’s Street, Dublin 2. On 2 stages, 11 acts will perform on the MusicMaker Stage you can listen to The Whatmans, Captain Magic, Los Putas, Maggie & The Heart Beats, Lisa McLoughlan, Peter Pureheart (mc) and in the State.ie Room there will be The Whipround, Elevator, KaTet, Lights Over Phoenix, Dave Clark. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124085374321955

OPEN MIC MUSIC NIGHT – FISHAMBLE STREET
The music duo R.E.D. are hosting a free Open Mic Night for musicians every Thursday in Darky Kellys pub on Fishamble Street, Christ Church, Dublin 8. Would you like to play music in front of a live audience or hear undiscovered stars? Names of contributors are taken from 21:30 and the gig starts at 22:00. For details check:
www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Mic-Night-Dublin/121048244620948
www.myspace.com/redmusic11

REGULAR THURSDAY EVENTS
* Quiz Night in The Lotts Cafe Bar, 9 Lower Liffey St, Dublin 1. Every Thurs a quiz night with great prizes is taking place at 20:00/20:30 depending on football. Participation is free.
* “Thirsty Thursday” Open Mic Night from 21:00 in the Bridge Inn in Chapelizod Village. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bridge-Inn-Chapelizod/350005960758
* The Bionic Rats play live Reggae and Ska every Thursday in Turk’s Head from 22:00. Admission is free. www.turkshead.ie
* The Poor Boys play Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Later: DJ Tim. Admission is free.

———Friday————————

NEW YEAR’S EVE
New Year’s Eve is not the night when you easily get cheap or free access into venues. Even places that normally don’t charge do sometimes demand extortionate amount of Admission free from customers on New Year’s Eve. So, shop around! Ring your preferred nightclub or pub over the next few days to check if they will charge Admission or not.
Myself and many many others have criticised in the past that Dublin doesn’t have ANY central New Year’s Eve Celebration. People travel to Sydney, to New York, to Paris and to Berlin to experience this big party in the middle of the night on 31 Dec, but there was nothing at all in Dublin. Luckily this is changing. This year will be the first year for the “Dublin New Years Festival 2011”.

DUBLIN NEW YEARS FESTIVAL 2011
In the first place this is a website at www.dublinnewyearfestival.com/ that intends to collate all the gigs and events in Dublin this New Year. But there is a lot more!
There will be Street Entertainment and Performers over the 3 days of the New Year’s Festival from 30 Dec-01 Jan when Dublin plays host to ‘It’s a Knockout’, which sees world class street performers, performing for public votes along the main shopping districts of Grafton Street and Henry Street. Unfortunately I was not able to find any further details about this, which is very surprising. (It must be a Dublin City organised event considering that there is hardly any detail available! :-S)
On Thurs 30 at 16:30 there will be an illuminated choreographed spectacular by Solas to launch the festival in the Dubh Linn Gardens in Dublin Castle. It is perfect for families of all ages and the event has over 40 performers from illuminated stiltwalkers, musicians and a choral performance by the Dublin Gospel Choir. Stunning lighting effects will add to it and Dublin Castle will provide the amazing backdrop. This is a free event and requires no ticket.
At midnight the Ringing of the Bells will take place at Christ Church Cathedral and you should come early and dress warmly. LOTS of people are expected and space for pedestrians is tight in the area.
On New Year’s Day (Sat 01 Jan) the Wolfe Tone Square will be the venue for Circus Workshops with engaging and interactive entertainment and fun, combined with Funfair activities for all the family.
Two non-free events, a concert in Christ Church Cathedral with the Dublin Gospel Choir and a gig in the Guinness Storehouse with the Knights of Leon, The Joshua Tree, the Donal Kirk band and a still unannounced headline band are mentioned on the site as well, but the tickets are pricey.
The website contains lots more uninteresting information and left room for improvement, but at least a start is made.

PARTY NIGHT – BAGGOT INN
A New Years Eve Celebration Party will take place in the Baggot Inn, 143 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2 and it has been confirmed to me that there will be no Admission charge. If you want to reserve ring 01-6618758 and tell Miriam, that you heard about it in the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”. www.thebaggotinn.ie/

———Pre-Announcements————————

YEAR 2011
It is sooo close! The new year with all its new opportunities is sooo close. I hope you are looking forward to it. You better, because even if you don’t, it will come. :-) It will be a good one because you will make it good (and I will help by telling you where the good events are for when you have time)!

______________________________
______This is odd!!______________

Please note: This section contains observations taken from the world I live in that strike me as odd. I express my personal opinion and you might not share it. If you are easily offended by opinions that are not identical with your own, please don’t read this section. ;-)

NOTHING ODD THIS WEEK
Yes, you know that is not true. There is ALWAYS something odd. ;-) But I will keep all the odd things until next year. ;-)

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Have a wonderful Christmas and a great start of the new year!

Take care,

–Joerg
www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide

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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 non-free events have the money to pay for advertisement. The Guide is a _guide_ and not just a listing and is therefore at times quite extensive. It is sent for free to anybody who is interested 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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Please note: The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Event) is not related or connected to the former fortnightly printed publication “the event guide” that you found until December 2008 in pubs and other venues.
Copyright 2010 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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