Event Guide 237: NYE Festival: Markets, Family Day, Winter Wonderland

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| DUBLIN EVENT GUIDE (for Free Events) No. 237
| 30 December 2011 Subscribers: 10206
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Hi all!

Many of you might be off work this week and therefore you will probably only get a chance to check this Dublin Event Guide when you are back next week. In that case the events are probably not that interesting to you, but check out the Dublin News section, there are always some interesting bits of information.
For the rest: Welcome to the 237th Dublin Event Guide, the last one this year! I could have taken a break this week and not send this e-zine, like some other event related online services, but isn’t it odd to stop providing a service just at the weekend when most people have some time off to and on top of that are desperately looking for a good event to go to? Unfortunately free events are a little harder to come by on New Years eve. The Living Social, the Workman’s Club, the Button Factory, Sweeney’s Mongrel, the Mercantile and many other venues that during the year often impress with free events, are not free on New Year Eve. Even Café en Seine charges EUR 10! Others, like the Dark Horse Inn, the Bernard Shaw and the Porterhouse are – as always- not charging an admission fee on New Year’s Eve. The Living Room, The Church and the Baggot Inn are other examples of venues with no admission charge.

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For the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)” a big year is coming to an end. The first TV programme about the Dublin Event Guide was broadcast on RTE1 this year, the 4th anniversary took place and the 10,000st subscriber joined our massive and ever growing Dublin Event Guide Community. With the Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures and the Maritime Festival gone, the year brought a few less high-profile events, but other event organisers filled the gaps and ensured that we didn’t get bored.
Next year might bring a few more cancellations of events, but I know already that there will be quite a number of new BIG events taking place as well. A motor race in Dublin City Centre will take place, at least one new music festival is in the making and might see the light of the day in 2012, Gospel Rising the all-Ireland Gospel Festival will come to Bray in May and lots of other big and small events will keep us busy in this new year.
And you know where you will find all the reliable information about the free events every single week: The Dublin Event Guide will be with you and I can already promise you that it will get even better in 2012. There will be big news in January about some super improvement of the Dublin Event Guide and I have a whole list of plans for new and better things. Watch this space!!

You can help with all this by a) telling lots more people about the Dublin Event Guide and by b) helping with some donation to improve and enhance and better this weekly e-zine/newsletter even more. Go to www.perfectresults.info/donate.htm to donate!

There are tens of thousands more people in Dublin that have never heard about this e-zine and YOU can help to tell them: Print this leaflet out and hang it up where many people will be able to see it: www.perfectresults.info/event_guide_tear_off_poster.pdf Alternatively you can guide them to go to www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide and to subscribe by clicking on “Join Email List” in the menu on the left or go to www.dublineventguide.com and subscribe there.

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We are more than 7200 people on the Dublin Event Guide – Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide but it would be great to grow the community there even more. Join in and click LIKE on the facebook page and tell your friends! You will get last minute updates and event reminders through the Facebook Page and you can share your free events directly there with the other people in the Dublin Event Guide Community.

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The “Feel Good Slot” at this place in the Dublin Event Guide is to share some inspirational, motivational or thought provoking quotes, stories or video clips. You wonder why I added this section to this e-zine? If your week was great, you might not need it, but most of us had some challenging moments in the last week and this section is for the people that want to remind that despite all, life is great and it is important to be alive!
This week, the Feel Good Slot is (hopefully) a bit thought provoking: Four out of five people who make New Year’s resolutions eventually break them and one third won’t even make it to the end of January. Most of us clearly know what we want, but we settle for resolutions instead for results. We keep making the same promises to ourselves again and again and when we get distracted and eventually give up on them, we risk ending up disappointed and discouraged. Resolutions require only words, results require action. So this time change what didn’t work for you before: Don’t promise yourself these fluffy ideas of losing weight or getting fit or reading more, etc. Instead take consistent and decisive action every single day towards a well defined goal. And if you are determined to achieve that goal OR if you are not too sure how to set a goal properly, send a mail to me at dublineventguide@gmail.com with GOAL in the subject and I might send you a little present/reward/help that will be very useful for your goal setting!

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This part is important to “keep the show on the road”:

Last week Christian K, Esme E, Vincent R and Sophie P all generously contributed to the Dublin Event Guide and after a dry period before Christmas, their contribution is HUGELY appreciated. These donations are important to ensure that you all will continue to get the Dublin Event Guide every week. If you have never helped with a contribution, ask yourself if the Dublin Event Guide has helped you to find events that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about or if it even helped you to save money…and then go to www.perfectresults.info/donate.htm

To join the list of the much appreciated and esteemed supporters of the Dublin Event Guide, go to www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm I appreciate ANY help. EUR 12 would be great, but even if it is just the price of 2 pints it will help me to cover the cost.

To cover the cost for this Event Guide, I need about 4 donations every week and to improve the Event Guide, I need another bit more. – I am giving 25 hours every week for no pay, so that you get the Dublin Event Guide every week. I need you to help with just 25 cent per week or EUR 12 per year. Where else can you get sooo much value for soo little money!? If you have a company that would like to sponsor the Event Guide talk to me!

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In the last 12 months the following wonderful people have sponsored this Dublin Event Guide: Anto K, Maria F, Tom D, Orlaith niB, Pauline R, Marta T, Anna O, Stephen Q, Kiera M, Claire McM, Corina R, Sylvie S-M, Julie H-C, Rebecca T, Arthur D, Laura B, Brenda McP, Fiona D, Keeva H, Nihar B, Brendan M, Donna M, Arthur D, Selina McC, Katrin H, Gil H, Padraig P, Melina Z, Cathy A, Thomond C, Raymond R, Nicola R and Noemi V, Ciaran W, Isabel F, Brendan M , Tom D, Luke, Monika K, Janine McK, Tom D, Sebastian B, Paul T, Anne G, Marc F, Camelia P, Nicola B, Ciaran H, Ryan M, Ellen M, Gerard C, Laura G and Fergus G, Emma S, Tara R, Karen L, Catherine T., Rainey D-G, Sally P, Johan S, Lorraine F, Eimear MacH, Elzbieta D, Monika E, Tracey OC, Julia Sch., Isabelle F, Barry P, Alan G, Gerard Ph, Irial G, Louise M, Milena V, Fanny T, Clodagh O’C, Fiona F, Yvonne S, Loretta K, Lauren O’R, Charles C, Caoimhe L, Adrian Ph, Sandi C, Elva O’G, Sally Ph, Thomas D, Emilie Ch, Hans Martin W, Eamonn O’R, Patrick O’C, Eamonn U, Fiona O’R, Louise B, Serena F, Paul M, Louise F, Colin D, Philip McK, Catherine E, Mélanie B, Irene H, Jo H, Ronan K, Clodagh O’C, Alison P, Claire H, Brian L, Therese O’R, Sean S, Zelie McG, Christian K, Esme E, Vincent R, Sophie P and www.GravitationalFX.ie (An Irish Web Design, SEO and Internet Marketing who offer affordable web design.), 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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Until the new year gets going properly most of us are still in Christmas break mode and accordingly there are a lot less events than normal. However, the New Year’s festivities and the festivals in Dublin and parties in pubs definitely are worth sending a Dublin Event Guide. I will go to the NYE Festival Markets on Saturday and on Sunday I plan to go to the Family Day on Meeting House Square, where not only the children will be entertained, but modern trad and swing dancing will make all ages smile.

I often find New Year’s eve a little anti-climactic. A big build up and then…not much. This year I was looking forward to the big central event on College Green, but was disappointed when I found out that it will be still VERY far until we come close to the brilliant events in Sydney, New York, London, Warsaw, Berlin etc. So, I won’t be at College Green this year, but hopefully next year.

The Winter Wonderland at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is still on as well and I totally forgot about the exhibition in Bewley’s (see Dublin News).

Apart from all that, I intend to check the Sales this weekend as well. Maybe I will find something nice! :-)

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______Competition______________

This week there are no competitions, but I will have more for you in the coming weeks. If you know anybody who wants to promote a product or a non-free event, just suggest to them to contact me on dublineventguide@gmail.com

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______Dublin News______________

DUBLIN EUROPEAN CITY OF SCIENCE 2012
Dublin has been chosen to host Europe’s largest science conference, the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF2012), which will run from 11-15 July 2012 in the Convention Centre Dublin. It seems that the City that hosts the conference is automatically declared “City of Science” for that year. So, Dublin is the European City of Science 2012 and there is hope that this will bring an extensive programme of science-related events and activities to Dublin throughout the year.
Mainz, a relatively small German university city, was the German City of Science 2011 and I hear that a vast amount of events (nearly 600!) took place there during 2011. Mainz has a population of approx. 200,000 with 40,000 students. Dublin City is at least 2.5 times bigger and the Dublin Metro region is nearly 10 times bigger, so can we hope for significantly more events?? Or is the title of European City of Science not as valuable as the German City of Science?
The ESOF event takes place every two years and ESOF 2010 was in Turin and ESOF 2008 was in Barcelona. www.dublinscience2012.ie/

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
New Year’s Eve creates a rather unique response in pub and night club owners. There seems to be a bit of a gold rush attitude around: Grab as much money as you can and then run for the sun. Some Pubs that normally don’t charge demand hefty admission charges for just putting an odd band or even only a DJ in a corner. Others come up with completely new schemes they would never try out during the year: One pub in the city centre is running a New Years Eve event with free drinks and free food all night for EUR 50 per person. All you can drink events in Ireland usually end messy, let’s see how this one goes. Imagine an unlimited number of pints and spirits from 20:00 until 02:30!?
However, on the other end of the scale, there are a few venues that resist the temptation of overcharging and instead provide good entertainment for no admission charge. Make sure you ask and be prepared to walk away if the price doesn’t meet with your expectations.

COMPETING NEW YEARS FESTIVALS
For the first time ever, Dublin City decided to run a New Years Eve Festival. The festival is a combination of free and non-free events and the main event (unfortunately non-free!) will take place on College Green outside the Bank of Ireland, where on the “Obama stage” (stage at the same location as during Obama’s visit) a concert will take place on New Year’s Eve. Many, including myself, were hoping for the first proper fire works on New Year’s Eve, but we will be disappointed again about that aspect. There will only be a pyrotechnics show at the festival, which obviously will only be seen if you pay the EUR 10 to see performers like Bressie, Riverdance, Damien Dempsey, Paul Brady etc. The line-up doesn’t really tempt me, but it is a good development that Dublin City is providing a focal point for the celebrations. Next year make it free, add a fireworks and get maybe some more appealing performers (although that is a matter of personal preference) and we are moving in the right direction! The full schedule is at nyedublin.ie/full-schedule/ and the events that are part of the NYE Dublin Festival are the ones in bold white font, all other events are taking place as well, but are not related to the NYE Festival. The website is here nyedublin.ie
Competing with the NYE Dublin Festival is the “Dublin New Year Festival”, an event that is taking place in its second year and is more commercial than the NYE Dublin Festival with quite high ticket prices for the main events. Seemingly run by the Marketing Company Idea Ltd, the festival has two main events: A concert in Christ Church Cathedral (EUR 36.62) with just the Dublin Gospel Choir and an event in the Guinness Storehouse (EUR 71.48) with Ryan Sheridan, Royseven, Rattle&Hum and Knights of Leon. A “Music Trail” promises free gigs on the website at www.dublinnewyearfestival.com but the brochure (www.dublinnewyearfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Music-Trail-Booklet.pdf) disappoints because it doesn’t specify the “free gigs” at all.

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HUMAN BODY EXHIBITION – AMBASSADOR THEATRE
You might have heard about this already and if not, you will definitely see a LOT of advertisement for it. From early February to December the “Human Body Exhibition” will be in the Ambassador Theatre. If you have seen the “Bodies” exhibition in between January – July 2009, then the Human Body Exhibition might not tempt you that much anymore: It seems that it is a very similar exhibition. Bodies the Exhibition was Günther von Hagens “Koerperwelten”, a world famous exhibition of plasticised human bodies and body parts. Fascinating (and a little creepy)!
The Human Body Exhibition is supplied with the bodies by the Chinese Dalian Hoffen Bio-Technique Company and the founder of this company, Dr. Sui Hongjin, studied under the famed German exhibitor Günther von Hagens, who invented a process to preserve animal and human bodies. It seems that The Human Body Exhibition is a totally new venture that has Dublin as its very first venue. Without the doubt, the exhibition will be as interesting as the previous one, but if you have seen the 2009 exhibition you will not miss much by not going to the new one. Organisers of the exhibition are MCD and the ticket price is still at relatively high EUR 20. It will be interesting to see if the ticket prices are significantly different in Prague, Vilnius and Budapest, where the same exhibition will be shown from spring 2012 as well (thbexhibition.com/locations.asp#). mcd.ie/home/fn.php?c=1941023&ar=thehumanbody

DUBLIN CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ON DISPLAY
The “Your City, Your Space: Dublin City Development Plan 2011 to 2017” will be on display in a number of libraries from 03-25 Jan. The libraries are
* The Business Information Centre, Central Library, ILAC Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1
* Donaghmede Library, Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Dublin 13
* Kevin Street Library, 18 Lower Kevin Street, Dublin 8.
* Phibsboro’ Library, Phibsboro’s Dublin 7
* Raheny Library, Howth Road, Dublin 5
* Ringsend Library, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 4
Opening hours are the normal library opening hours.
www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/libraries/Events/Pages/2012_January_dcc_dev_plans.aspx

CHRISTMAS STREET EXHIBITION – BEWLEY’S CAFÉ
Last chance: Over 100 miniature life-like figures, created by the sculptor Paddy Campbell, are part of a seasonally themed front window and upstairs exhibition in Bewley’s Cafe, Grafton Street. The exhibition is called ‘Christmas Street’ and is for all the family. Admission is free and voluntary donations will be accepted for Heart Children Ireland, which the Paddy Campbell exhibition at Bewley’s is supporting this Christmas. The Christmas Street Exhibition can be seen every day until 06 January and all are welcome to visit.
Christmas Street features six scenarios with 100 life-like Lilliputian figures hand-made by Campbell and dressed in contemporary style. Each realistic set depicts scenes from everyday Christmas life. The scenarios include a lively view of Bewley’s and Grafton Street with crowds on the street, Teach Mor – a peek into Christmas morning in a suburban home, Bethsebea’s Bath – a modern day take on an old testament parable, The Train – homecoming passengers with parcels on a Christmas Train, and a scene showing ‘Santa asleep on the job’ – the great man’s elf helpers try frantically to wake him up as he snoozes in someone’s house on Christmas morning and children are entering the room.
There is also a second-take on Jonathan Swift’s novel Gulliver’s Travels, as ‘Jilliver’, a life sized sculpture of a 17th Century shipwrecked girl is captured on a beach by 21st Century holidaymakers. bewleys.com/2011/11/miriam-ocallaghan-launches-christmas-street-exhibition-at-bewleys-cafe-grafton-street Thanks to Mary who told me about this nice exhibition.

———Opportunities—————–

In order to beat an economic downturn not governments can help, but individuals are needed that take the initiative and create new markets and new opportunities for themselves and for their customers and hopefully employees. 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. Being mentioned here and being seen by the 9000+ readers of the Dublin Event Guide should help to 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 much 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.

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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.

GIANT KALEIDOSCOPES – EXCHANGE DUBLIN
Until February: Exchange Dublin, Exchange Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Paul’s Giant Kaleidoscopes is an exhibition by kaleidoscope artist Paul Ga y that will run in the Exchange Dublin from 17 Dec – February. Four giant kaleidoscopes are there for you to explore. Find some more information about the artist and some pictures/videos about the kaleidoscopes: giantkaleidoscopes.com/ and www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Gay-Giant-Kaleidoscopes/245699112149258
I definitely will have a look at this exhibition. exchangedublin.ie/

AFRICAN CULTURAL PROJECT EXHIBITION
05-28 Jan: Central Library, Ilac Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1
The exhibition “Kaldi and the Dancing Goats” by Sauda Mdahoma will be on display in the Central Library during normal opening hours. Admission is free. It is an exhibition of illustrations by Sari Nordberg from Kaldi and the Dancing Goats, a book about the legend of Ethiopian coffee written by Sauda Mdahoma. The exhibition is on loan from the African Cultural Project, an organisation promoting African educational activity in Ireland. www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/libraries/Events/Pages/exhib_kaldi_and_dancing_goats.aspx

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______Friday___________________

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
Fri 30 Dec: 15:00 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The National Gallery is inviting to a Family Workshop (15:00), a free gallery tour (15:30) and a music performance (16:00) on Wednesday. And all details can be found here: www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVAL
30 Dec – 01 Jan: Dublin City
The first New Year’s Eve Festival is taking place from Friday until Sunday. The weekend starts on Friday with markets (11:00-19:00) on Wolfe Tone Square (Jervis Street), Dame Court and on Barnardos Square (Dame Street, opposite the Olympia Theatre). There will be children’s entertainment on Wolfe Tone Square from 14:00-17:00 and in City Hall “Kids Rock n Roll” disco will keep the children entertained on 30-31 Dec from 14:00-16:00.
On 30 Dec for the Fingal County Youth Orchestra will perform classical pieces for the opening day of the festival at 15:00. (nyedublin.ie/2011/the-fingal-county-orchestra-live-at-city-hall/) The NYE Festival Programme can be found here nyedublin.ie

LIVE MUSIC – CORNUCOPIA RESTAURANT
Cornucopia Café & Restaurant (19/20 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2) host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday (15 Dec) N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics that often have customers singing along and requesting their favourites.
www.cornucopia.ie

JAZZ MUSIC – BIANCONI’S BISTRO & RESTAURANT
Fri 30 Dec: 19:00-21:00 – Bianconi’s Bistro, 232 Merrion Rd, Dublin 4
Bianconi’s Bistro & Restaurant in Dublin 4 is providing Jazz every Friday night from this week until the end of January. Bianconi’s is an Italian restaurant with delicious food and, while a little outside the City Centre, it is worth the trip into Merrion Road. There is no cover charge. www.bianconisbistro.ie www.facebook.com/pages/Bianconis-Bistro/271041702925005?sk=wall

CROW BLACK CHICKEN – WHELAN’S
Fri 30 Dec: 20:00 – Whelan’s (Front Bar), 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
The band Crow Black Chicken began their life as a blues band and are now fusing jazz, blues, punk, folk and rock to create their unique style. www.crowblackchicken.com/ Admission is free. www.whelanslive.com/index.php/archives/6191

LIVE MUSIC – STILLORGAN ORCHARD
The Stillorgan Orchard at The Hill in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin has a full programme of live music. The upcoming gigs are:
Fri 30 Cornerstone
Sat 31 Lucky Bones
Admission is free and the gigs start at 21:00 unless otherwise stated. www.stillorganorchard.com/live_music.html www.facebook.com/thestillorganorchard?sk=wall

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 Blakestown Community Resource Center, Blakestown Way, Dublin 15 (next to Lidl). These are drop in classes, newcomers are welcome. For more information check www.coolspirit.info or www.sahajayoga.ie.
* Ruairi Maguires Bar & Organic Kitchen, Pembroke District, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum has every weekend live music from Friday until Sunday at 21:30. Sometimes the line-up is listed here www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462805646&sk=wall often not.
* 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.
* Songs of Praise, a Rock Karaoke is taking place every Friday from 23:00 in the Mercantile, Dame Street, Dublin 2. www.getpraise.com

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______Saturday_________________

NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVAL
30 Dec – 01 Jan: Dublin City
The first New Year’s Eve Festival is taking place from Friday until Sunday. Throughout the weekend there will be markets (11:00-19:00) on Wolfe Tone Square (Jervis Street), Dame Court and on Barnardos Square (Dame Street, opposite the Olympia Theatre). On Fri and Sat (30+31 Dec) a “Kids Rock n Roll” disco in City Hall will keep the children entertained from 14:00-16:00. The NYE Festival Programme can be found here nyedublin.ie/full-schedule/ (Bold white events are part of the festival, the grey events are not!) On Saturday evening a concert outside the Bank of Ireland on College Green will take place (see Dublin News), but that is unfortunately not free.

** 7UP WINTER WONDERLAND – ROYAL HOSPITAL KILMAINHAM
08 Dec-08 Jan: Mon-Wed 15:00-22:00, Thurs-Sun 12:00-22:00. (In the final week the Winter Wonderland closes at 20:00.) – Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8 (home of the Irish Museum of Modern Art). – The Winter Wonderland at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is many things and not just a Christmas Market. There is a Winter Wonderland Market (admission is free), an ice rink, a circus tent and a fun fair with lots of rides and attractions. Unlike in some other places, the market will continue into January as I have been told.
The ice rink has replaced the ice skating facilities at the RDS and at Smithfield, which do not take place this year. As you would expect, the ice rink, the circus and the fun fair rides are not free, (Tickets are available via ticketmaster for ice rink and circus.) but access to the Winter Park is free. If you come by public transport or on foot, it is just 5 minutes from Heuston station. Importantly, there is NO car parking facility on the site, so if you come by car, you better check the information here 7upwinterwonderland.ie/plan-your-visit/how-to-get-here/

** DUN LAOGHAIRE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
09 Dec – 08 Jan: 11:00-20:00 – Dun Laoghaire Centre
Dun Laoghaire had been transformed by the 1st ever Christmas festival in Dun Laoghaire. But now that Christmas is over, the Christmas Market is gone. What is left over are Ice Rink, Carousel, Climbing Wall, Helter Skelter and Santa’s Train (??).
A festive Santa train will run every 20 minutes around the town centre. Upon presentation of a valid DART ticket, visitors will receive a 10% discount on tickets to the Winter Wonderland and Ice Rink. www.dlrevents.ie/christmas11.html

** MOVING CRIB – ST. MARTIN’S
Until 08 Jan: (Weekdays: 14:00-18:00, Sat+Sun: 11:30-18:00) – Saint Martin’s, 42 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. (Closed on 24, 25, 25 Dec and 01 Jan.)
There is not just a LIVE crib in Dublin, there is as well a moving crib. The moving crib is in St Martin’s on Parnell Square and admission is free. The Moving Crib is like an expanded Nativity Play going back to Adam and Eve and finishing after the crib scene with the young Jesus teaching the Doctors in the Temple. There are over 100 figures in the Crib arranged in 14 different tableaux. They cover various episodes of the Old and New Testament. The figures themselves are about a metre high, moulded in paper-mache and dressed in miniature clothes. Concealed motors control the movements of the arms, head and legs. www.stmartin.ie/Moving_Crib.HTML

CARAVAGGIO – FILM SCREENING – NATIONAL GALLERY
Sat 31 Dec: 14:00-14:50 – National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2.
A free screening of ‘Caravaggio: The Private Life of an Easter Masterpiece’ will take place. No booking necessary. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

TELESCOPE WATCHES – ASTRONOMY IRELAND
Sat 31 Dec: 16:00-18:00 – Unit A8, Airside Enterprise Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin
Astronomy Ireland is inviting to free Telescope Watches where you can try out their telescopes to look at the “The Big Five” Sights in the Sky. The Big Five are
* Venus, blazing low in the south for a couple of hours after sunset
* Jupiter, very bright and high in the south all winter, an amazing sight up close in a telescope
* Mars which rises in the East at 23:00 and is making its closest approach in 2 years
* The International Space Station, extremely bright, 6 astronauts on board and visible every evening until January 5th
* Comet Garradd, which needs binoculars and star map to locate but is one of the biggest comets to approach Earth in decades
You can get to see THE BIG FIVE yourself at Astronomy Ireland’s headquarters in Swords, Co Dublin on the following dates: Fri 30 Dec / Sat 31 Dec / Tues 03 Jan / Wed 04 Jan / Thurs 05 Jan / Fri 06 Jan / Sat 07 Jan www.astronomy.ie/bigfive.php

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY – BERNARD SHAW
Sat 31 Dec: 16:00-late – The Bernard Shaw Pub, South Richmond Street, Dublin 2
A “Toejam New Year’s Eve party takes place in the Bernard Shaw with This Greedy Pig, Radiomade, Big Blue Bus Soundsystem, Toejam DJs. Admission is free. Find all details at www.bodytonicmusic.com/events/2566/ www.facebook.com/events/306608486037509/

NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT – ST MARY’S PRO CATHEDRAL
Sat 31 Dec: 18:00/19:00 – St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, 83 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1
After the 18:00 Mass, the St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Quartet will perform a New Year’s Eve Concert from 19:00-20:00. Admission is free. nyedublin.ie/2011/st-marys-pro-cathedral-quartet-new-years-eve-concert/

NEW YEARS EVE BASH – DARK HORSE INN
Sat 31 Dec: 21:00-late – The Dark Horse Inn, 1 George’s Quay, Dublin 2
The line up for this free New Year’s Eve party is BadManDeego, Brophy, P-Hocto, Unsafe Girl, JD Dyslexic, Mark Hoare. www.facebook.com/events/321499281211773/

RINGING OF THE BELLS – CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
Sat 31 Dec: 23:00 – Christ Church Cathedral
The Ringing of the Bells after 23:00 will at first ring out the old year and then ring in the new year. This yearly tradition often attracts a lot of people to Christ Church. For many years it was the ONLY public New Year’s Eve event, however, this year it will be one of a number of events, so there might be less people at Christ Church.
www.christchurchdublin.ie/

There is a high probability that a good few of the regular events below will not take place today. Please check with the relevant venues or organisers first, so that you don’t get disappointed.

REGULAR SATURDAY EVENTS
* Don’t forget that the Temple Bar Markets (Food Market on Meeting House Square, Book Market on Temple Bar Square and the Designer Mart near Cow’s Lane) are taking place every Saturday from 10:00-16:30.
* The SuperNatural Food Market is taking place every Saturday from 09:30-15:30 in St. Andrews Resource Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2. www.supernatural.ie
* Dublin Food Co-op is open every Saturday (09:30-16:30) at Newmarket, Dublin 8 for organic wholefoods and sustainable household products, plus over a dozen producer stalls offering organic fruit and veg., baked goods, dairy produce, wines, hot and cold food, etc. Additional Co-op opening Thursdays 12:00-20:00. www.dublinfood.coop
* The weekly Honest2goodness food market with fresh meat, vegetables, fish, baked goods, wines in Glasnevin is open from 09:30-16:00. It is behind Lidl in the Industrial Estate just after the Glasnevin Cemetary coming from the City Centre. (www.honest2goodness.ie)
* At the Blackrock Market in the centre of Blackrock, you find 50 stalls selling collectibles, antiques, handmade goods, books, food + there’s free popcorn and ballons&facepainting for the kids. www.blackrockmarket.com/ Opening: Sat+Bank Holidays: 11:00-17:30, Sun: 12:00-17:30
* Blackhorse Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Saturday 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
* Nearly every day and especially at the weekend, the Porterhouse in Temple Bar is hosting live bands that are always worth a visit. www.porterhousebrewco.com/livetemplebar.html
* Trad Session – Schoolhouse Pub in 2-8 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge. Every Saturday from 22:00 singers, guitar, fiddle, banjo, accordion, whistle, pipers, bodhran etc are all welcome to join in. www.schoolhousehotel.com/
* The Black Sheep play Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Later Dj Glenn Brown (Dublin Calling). Admission is free.
* Havana Tapas Bar is inviting to a Salsa Night with afro-latin percussion every Sat night 22:30-02:00. Bachata, salsa, merengue, reggeaton with latin DJs. Food is available until 00:30 and usually there is plenty of room to get dancing and you are invited to add your own percussion. www.facebook.com/pages/Havana-Tapas-Bar/10503361821

______________________________
______Sunday __________________

NEW YEAR’S DAY
The first day of the new year is a public holiday in Ireland, but because this year’s New Years Day falls on a Sunday, many employers will give their employees either Monday off or they will give them another day as a free day or will pay Sunday rates for that day.
On Sunday you will probably find that some shops will be open and some will be closed. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre will, surprisingly, be closed. But the Dundrum Shopping Centre is open as normal. So, if/when you go to town be prepared that not every door will be open.
Many of the normal Sunday events will not take place because it is a public holiday, so watch out for the date in the event list below. There are a good few events that are on another week of a break and won’t be back until 08 Jan.

BIG WAKE UP – FORTY FOOT
Sun 01 Jan: 09:00-14:00 – Forty Foot, Sandycove (south of Dun Laoghaire)
I am not sure who has organised this event or if it is organised at all, but like the Christmas Day Swim, the New Year’s Day swim is a bit of a tradition among many. This one is for participants to wake up after the New Year’s Eve Celebrations and the “energizing” water temperatures will certainly do that. Make sure that you bring some warm clothes for after the swim and then rush home to have Gluehwein. ;-)

FAMILY DAY & BRUNCH & SWING – MEETING HOUSE SQUARE
Sun 01 Jan: 11:00-17:00 – Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
New Year’s Day for all the family at Meeting House Square, Temple Bar
Meeting House Square will host a family day as part of the NYE Festival. There will be food stalls to provide you with food for your Big New Year’s Day Brunch. Puppet and magic shows, balloon modelling and face-painting, a kids disco. In addition there will be a performance by interactive, high energy trad-influenced band Electric Céilí (from 13:00). And from 15:00 the Vintage Tea Dance with Charleston, Lindy Hop and Jive will take place, accompanied by jazz band “The Swingin Blue Cats”. There will be short dance classes as well. Admission is free.

nyedublin.ie/2011/new-years-day-for-all-the-family-at-meeting-house-square-temple-bar/
nyedublin.ie/2011/nye-dublin-big-brunch/
nyedublin.ie/2011/enjoy-the-fantastic-swinging-era-this-new-years-day/

SUNDAY AT NOON – HUGH LANE GALLERY
Sun 08 Jan: 12:00-13:00 – Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
The Sundays at Noon Concert Series takes place in the beautiful Sculpture Gallery at the Hugh Lane Gallery. Now in its 36th year, this series of free (mainly classical) concerts continues to present the best of Irish and International music and musicians. Concerts run from September to June. The next concert will take place on Sun 08 Jan. www.hughlane.ie/

DUBLIN SKETCHERS – SUNDAY MEET-UP
The Dublin Sketchers Group is an informal group of typically hobby artists who go somewhere different in Dublin every Sunday (e.g. Collins Barracks, Farmleigh, Botanic Gardens, Dublin Castle), sketch for an hour or so, and then meet up for coffee afterwards and discuss their sketches. www.dublinsketchers.blogspot.com/ Find out on their website where they will meet and join them if you do some sketching/drawing yourself. Meeting time is usually around 14:00. There won’t be any sketching on Sun 01 Jan as far as I can see, but I expect that all will be back to normal again soon.

NATIONAL MUSEUM EVENT
+ The Special New Year’s Event “The Mummer’s Play” will take place on Sun 01 Jan from 15:00-15:30 and from 16:00-16:30 in Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History). The event is suitable for the whole Family. “The Armagh Rhymers, one of Ireland’s most celebrated folk theatre ensembles, return to give voice to a tradition that dates back 2,500 years. Through music and slapstick comedy, the Rhymers bring St Patrick, Dick Darby, Slick Slack and others outlandishly to life.” Places limited and allocated on a first-come basis one hour before event starts. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2581

NATIONAL GALLERY LECTURE
Sun 01 Jan: 15:00-15:45 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The talk “Introducing Turner’s Sketchbooks and the Vaughan Bequest” with Adrian Le Harivel, National Gallery of Ireland, will take place and admission is free. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

SUNDAY SKETCHING – HUGH LANE GALLERY
Sun 08 Jan: 15:00-16:00 – Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
The next Sunday Sketching for 7+ Year olds has the title “Warm Up with Warm Colours!” and will take place on 08 Jan. No booking necessary. Admission is free and early arrival is recommended. www.hughlane.ie/childrens-workshops/forthcoming

SAUCY SUNDAYS – THE GRAND SOCIAL
Sun 08 Jan: 17:30-23:00 – Grand Social (former Pravda), Liffey Street, Dublin 1 (near Ha’Penny Bridge). Saucy Sundays is a weekly live music afternoon and evening in the Grand Social. Saucy Sundays is on a Christmas break until 08 Jan. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001494016795&v=wall

SUNDAY ROAST – MERCANTILE
Sundays: 21:30 – The Mercantile, Dame Street, Dublin 2
The weekly Sunday Roast is an event in the Mercantile where live music is combined with free roast potatoes. www.facebook.com/thesundayroast The first Sunday Roast in 2012 will take place on 08 Jan. Links to the band sites and more information can be found here: www.facebook.com/events/337332632946280/

COMEDY CRUNCH – STAG’S HEAD
Sun 01 Dec: 21:00 – Stag’s Head, Dame Lane, Dublin 2
Many of the regular events are still on Christmas break, not the Comedy Crunch, though. Back with a bang, the first gig of 2012 is with the great Rory O’Hanlon! The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330

RHYTHM ROCKER – THE GLOBE
“Rhythm Rocker at The Globe” is a weekly event on Sunday night in The Globe in Sth Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. It is a Rockabilly, R’n’R, Roots night with alternating (week by week) live bands Pavement Kings, Donna & The Sazzy Catz, The Mosquitoes and The Pacifics from 21:00 and with DJs from 23:00-01:30. Admission is free. www.globe.ie/events.php

MOB FANDANGO – THE MEZZ
Sun 01 Dec??: 22:30-01:00 – The Mezz, 23/24 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
The great Soul / Funk / Rock/ Reggae band “Mob Fandango” is every Sunday in the Mezz for a late night gig, but I am not sure if that will start again on 08 Jan or already this week. Their facebook page doesn’t give it away either. www.facebook.com/mobfandango

It is well possible that a number of these regular events do not take place this week, considering that the 01 Jan is a bank holiday and is the day after the night before! ;-)

REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS
* The Temple Bar Book Market is taking place every Sat+Sun on Temple Bar Square from 11:00-18:00.
* Jamestown Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Sunday from 10:00-17:00 the Jamestown 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. www.jamestownmarket.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
* 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/thesundayroast
* 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.
* 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 (from 18:00) will be additional features. Admission is free. www.odeon.ie/
* Comedy Crunch – The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330
* 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
* The Gardiner Street Gospel Mass invites to a 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.

______________________________
______Next Week_______________

———Monday————————–

NEW YEARS DAY COMPENSATION HOLIDAY
There is no proper name for this day, it is for some a normal work day and for others it is a holiday as a compensation for the fact that New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday this year. If you are confused, check the details here www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/public_holidays_in_ireland.html Importantly, the day is NOT a public holiday, so Pay & Display parking will be enforced. You can expect that all shops are open on 02 January.

ARCHIVE AT LUNCHTIME – FILM SCREENING – IFI
Mon, Wed, Sat in Jan: 13:10 – Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 – The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings. A number of free programmes will be shown at lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays. The details and the relevant dates when the programme will be screened are:
2, 4, 7 January: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-radharc-programme-1/
9, 11, 14 January: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-radharc-programme-2/
16, 18, 21: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-radharc-programme-3/
23, 25, 28, 30 January: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-radharc-programme-4/
This month the Archive at Lunchtime films celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment by Fr. Joe Dunn of Radharc Films, a company which between 1962 and 1996 produced a range of provocative, sometimes humorous and always informative films on social, political and religious issues. Admission is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENT
Mon 02 Jan: 14:00-14:30 – National Gallery, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
The talk “Masterpieces of the European Collection” will take place. This is a free talk on some of the masterpieces that are in the Gallery’s European collection. No booking necessary. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

Because of the Monday is a holiday for some, it is possible that some of the regular events will not take place.

REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS
* 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
* Solar Trio Gig in Anseo (Camden Street, D2) on the first three Mondays of every month. Jazz standards along with totally improvised on the spot jams.
* 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 Crunch – The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy in the Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330
* 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 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————————

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
Two free talks will take place in the National Gallery on Tuesday. The first one from 10:30-11:15. It is entitled “Romantic Landscape and the Influence of Claude on Turner” with Carla Briggs, University College Dublin. Free Public Lecture, no booking necessary.
The second free talk will run from 14:00-14:30 and is entitled “The World of Jack B. Yeats”. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson?start=11

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 MUSEUM EVENTS
Wed 04 Jan: 14:00-15:00 – National Museum – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2. – The tour “Take a Trail: Do Not Disturb!” will take place and is suitable for the whole family. “It’s winter and animals are hibernating to avoid the cold weather. Join us on this trail, and whatever you do – DO NOT DISTURB THE ANIMALS!” No booking required. Admission is free. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2583

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
Wed 04 Jan: 14:00 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The National Gallery is inviting to a Gallery Talk (14:00-14:30) and a supervised drawing event for children (15:00-16:00). All details can be found here: www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

JAZZ – O’REILLY’S PUB – SANDYMOUNT
Every Wed from 21:00-23:00, The Swing Factory (Paul Sweeney – trumpet, Neil McMahon sax, Bob Whelan vocals/keys Dave Fleming bass, Ian Hyland – drums) will be playing Jazz in O’Reilly’s Pub in Sandymount, D4. Admission is free.

REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS
* The “Havana International Language Exchange” is taking place every Wed from 16:30-19:30 in Havana Tapas Bar in George’s Street. There are many Spanish speakers and English-speakers are explicitly invited, but everyone else is certainly very welcome too, to meet for a chat to improve your Spanish or English. www.facebook.com/pages/Havana-Tapas-Bar/10503361821
* “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 Wednesday. www.hamletsweeney.com/events/
* 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 MUSEUM EVENTS
Thurs 05 Jan: 14:00-16:00 – National Museum – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2. – The Drop-in event “Inspectorium!: Hibernation – The ’Bear’ Necessities” will take place and is suitable for all ages. “All animals know that if you’re going to hibernate, you have to be prepared. Meet the handling collections friendly grizzly bear and find out what bears and other hibernating animals need to survive the winter.” No booking required. Admission is free. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2584

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
Thurs 05 Jan: 14:00 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The National Gallery is inviting to a Gallery Talk (14:00-14:30) and a supervised drawing event for children (15:00-16:00). All details can be found here: www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

ODEON MOVIE CLUB
Every Thursday the Odeon Pub in Harcourt Street is running a Classic Movies Club from 20:00. There is no cover charge. The theme for January will be “Mental Monty” and the films are: 06 Jan: The Meaning of Life; 13 Jan: The Life of Brian; 20 Jan: A Fish Called Wanda; 27 Jan: The Holy Grail. www.odeon.ie/gallery.html

RAILWAY SESSIONS – OPEN MIC – O’REILLY’S ROCK BAR
Thurs: 20:30 – O’Reilly’s Rock Bar, underneath Tara Street DART Station, Dublin 2
If you are a Singer, Songwriter, play an Instrument or just want to jam then come to the Railway Sessions in O’Reilly’s every Thurs at 20:00 and showcase maybe a new song or a cover. All performing musicians will receive a complimentary drink. The event starts at 20:30. To contact the organisers: info@dublinsocialtv.ie An Indie-Rock Club starts immediately afterwards at 23:00. Admission free.
entertainment.ie/event/gigs/O%27Reilly%27s-Rock-Bar/Railway-Sessions/2575255.htm

BANDA BAQUE SOUL BAND – SIN E
Thursdays: 21:00 – Sin É, Ormond Quay, Dublin 1
Sin È are running regular live music events and one regular event is with the Brazilian Soul + Funk Band “Banda Baque Soul” on Thursdays. www.facebook.com/sin.e.dublin?sk=wall

LEFT RIGHT & CENTRE – FRANK RYAN’S BAR
Thursdays: 21:30 – Frank Ryan’s Bar, Queen Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Every Thursday “Left Right & Centre” plays a mix of blues & soul with a bit of rock&roll. www.frankryans.com/2011/10/10/left-right-centre-the-homecoming/
Thanks to Tadhg who told me about this regular gig.

REGULAR THURSDAY EVENTS
* Lunchtime Market at Christ Church Cathedral from 12:00-15:00. www.irishvillagemarkets.ie/christchurch.php
* 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.
* Dimestore Recordings run a weekly event in Sweeney Mongrel’s, Dame Street (formerly Le Cirk) with a variety of bands and performers. It starts at 20:00 and the line up is here: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000163463304&sk=wall
* Songs from a Café is a Dublin singer-songwriter showcase session, dedicated to the art of contemporary songwriting. 20:00-22:00 at Brick Alley Cafe. www.facebook.com/songsfromacafe
* The Max Zaska group (06+20 Oct, 03 Nov) and the Patrick Groenland (13 + 27 Oct, 10 Nov) group will perform on alternating Thursdays from 21:00 in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street.
* “Thirsty Thursday” Open Mic Night from 21:00 in the Bridge Inn in Chapelizod Village. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bridge-Inn-Chapelizod/350005960758
* Open Music Night in Darky Kellys pub in Fishamble Street, Christ Church, Dublin 8 organised by the music duo R.E.D.. Would you like to perform or just listen? Names of contributors are taken from 21:30 and the gig starts at 22:00. www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Mic-Night-Dublin/121048244620948
www.myspace.com/redmusic11
* The Bionic Rats play live Reggae and Ska every Thursday in Turk’s Head from 22:00. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/TURKSHEADDUBLIN

———Friday————————

EPIPHANY or LITTLE CHRISTMAS or WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS
The 06 January is Epiphany. In Spain and in Russia (and possibly in other countries), it is for many the main Christmas Day, i.e. the day when the children get their Christmas presents. In Spain it is the Reyes Magos, the three kings, that bring the presents. Many Christian religions celebrate the arrival of the three wise men (kings) at the birth place of Jesus to bring presents.
In Ireland this day is the last day of the Christmas period for many and Christmas decorations and Christmas trees are usually removed on that day. Schools start again after the 06 January with the Christmas period being terminated now.
Interestingly, another tradition is celebrated in Ireland: The day is also called “Little Christmas” or “Nollaig Bheag” and on that day some people celebrate “Women’s Christmas”. Women’s Christmas (Nollaig na mBan) is still strong in Cork and Kerry and it is so called because on that day the Irish men are meant to take over all household duties for one day and women go out to party with their female friends and relatives. I wonder how this “once a year” help really works out. Maybe the work is just ignored for that day and the woman has to do the work for two days then the next day? :-o

NATIONAL MUSEUM EVENT
+ The Curator’s Talk “The Howth Gun-Running 1914 – Arms for the Rising” will take place from 12:30-13:00 on Fri 06 Jan in Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History). “In July 1914 the Asgard sailed into Dublin carrying a shipment of guns for the Irish Volunteers, setting the stage for Easter 1916. Find out more with curator of the upcoming Asgard exhibition, Sandra Heise.” Places limited and allocated on a first-come basis 15 minutes before event starts. Admission is free. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2585

NATIONAL GALLERY EVENTS
Fri 06 Jan: 14:00 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The National Gallery is inviting to a Gallery Talk (14:00-14:30) and a supervised drawing event for children (15:00-16:00). All details can be found here: www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

POLISH CHARITY ART EXHIBITION – WOSP
Fri+Sat 06-07 Jan: (Fri: 18:00-20:00, Sun: whole day) – Back Loft/La Catedral Studios, 7-11 St. Augustine Street, Dublin 8. – The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOSP – Wielka Orkiestra Swiatecznej Pomocy -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Orchestra_of_Christmas_Charity) is a yearly charity event that takes place in Poland and in places where Polish people live outside of Poland. This year is the 20th anniversary of the event and for the 7th time WOSP will take place in Dublin as well. This year’s cause is to raise funds to buy equipment to save lives of premature born babies and insulin pumps for pregnant women with diabetes.
The Irish-Polish contribution will be through an art exhibition: The exhibition will take place on Fri 06 Jan and Sat 07 Jan in the Back Loft/La Catedral Studios. Admission to the exhibition is free but donation boxes are available. All 20+ contributors are listed here: www.facebook.com/events/259188977475860/
On Sunday 08 Jan, the Grand Finale will take place from 10:00 and during this there will be an art auction of the art pieces from the exhibition in the Living Room in Cathal Brugha Street (just off Upper O’Connell Street). All the profits from the auction will go to the charity.
Check out the facebook pages for (hopefully) more details about the event, especially the timings and the details about the Grand Finale are a little confusing or sketchy.

OÍCHE NOLLAIG NA mBAN
Fri 06 Jan: approx. 18:00 (TBA) – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1. – A Women’s Christmas celebration “Oíche Nollaig na mBan” will take place in the Irish Writer’s Centre with prose, poetry, spoken word and music from Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Celia De Freine, Mary O’Donnell, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Mia Gallagher, Sarah Clancy and musicians Jane Hughes & Ellen Cranitch. www.writerscentre.ie/html/events/atthecentre.html

———Pre-Announcements————————

This section contains events that will happen in the future. Some of them require free tickets and it is mentioned where this is the case. Put the events in your diary and for the ticketed events hurry to request your tickets:

CODER DOJO – SCIENCE GALLERY
Sat 07 Dec: 15:30 – Science Gallery, Pearse Street, TCD, Dublin 2
A Coder Dojo (free coding club) aimed at ages 10 -18 years (Participants under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.) will take place in the Science Gallery.
“We hacked together a cool hangout that puts the real power of the internet and technology in the hands of the Irish youth. The true power of the net comes from coding, designing and having fun. CoderDojo is a place where you can learn from others and share what you are doing! Each week we have a hands on session with technologies like HTML5, PHP or Python. You need to bring a laptop (if at all possible) and a pack lunch.” Admission is free. Register here www.sciencegallery.com/events/2012/01/coder-dojo-free-coding-club

SEAMUS HEANEY – ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY
Thurs 02 Feb: 18:30: Royal Irish Academy, Academy House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2. – It is still quite some time until this event comes around. But I expect that the free tickets will be snapped up in now time as soon as the Christmas/New Year period comes to an end. Irish poet, playwright, translator, lecturer and recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, Seamus Heaney, will be in the Royal Irish Academy for a conversation with Olivia O’Leary. The event is entitled “The isle is full of noises” and is part of the ‘Voices in the Ether: Irish Writing on the Radio’ Conference. Admission is free but booking is essential. www.ria.ie/Events/Events-Listing/%E2%80%98The-isle-is-full-of-noises-.aspx

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______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. ;-)

This week I will give this section a break and save the really good stuff again for the coming weeks! :-) There are always ODD discoveries in life, so it’s not that I am running out of material, but if you come across things that strike you as odd, share them with me and maybe I can include them here.

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Have a great start of the new year. It will be a busy year and it will be a great year! Remember that the past is over, the future still has to be created and the only time you live in is the NOW. So learn from the past, plan for the future, but live in the now!
My father experienced two seriously life threatening situations in the last three weeks. He is well and all is good again, but I see how it left him shaken! Don’t wait until a life threatening situation wakes you up, live your life NOW.

Take care,

–Joerg

dublineventguide@gmail.com
www.dublineventguide.com
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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 2011 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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