Dear Reader - Firstly some news of our Christmas gigs (including an extra date)…
The Big Thing
December is here and so (almost) is our Christmas tour!
The Drumcliffe and Boyle shows are almost sold out.
The Hawk’s Well Studio show IS sold out but we are releasing a small number of extra tickets tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 10am.
AND - today I’m delighted to announce a 5th gig on the tour - a special intimate way to round it off - in Maitland’s Barber Shop, Collooney on the 23rd Dec. Capacity strictly limited to 30 but it will be so special.
Tickets for this will also go on sale on Wednesday morning at 10am.
All tickets available here.
Where else but Sligo?
I sometimes go to Donaghy’s on a Sunday evening.
A wee treat at the end of the weekend - sometimes on my own, sometimes with family or friends. Football on the TV, good food and maybe even a pint.
I often sit down the back, happy in my own company or those around me. I was on my own this Sunday but after a while a couple walked in and sat at the table next to me.
I recognised them - Cathy and John - I worked for them as a student in the summer of 2000. In a cafe called Hy-Brasil on Bridge St. They were good to me, taught me how to make scrambled eggs (!) and we got on well.
We have met a few times since and since music wasn’t really a part of my life then, they have been pleasantly surprised to see how things have turned out for me. This time they mentioned that they have both recently taken up instruments themselves and we joked about getting them up on the Theme Night stage.
Anyway we had a lovely chat but as I finished my dinner I felt restless. I tried to put my finger on it and eventually figured out that I had an itch to play some music!
So I rang Bree’s - I knew that the O’Dowds play there on a Sunday evening. Seamie wasn’t there but I spoke to Stephen and he was happy for me to come out and sit in with them for a jam.
I picked up the keyboard on the way and walked in around 7pm. Quick setup and off we went. In between Stephen and Rory. Trading songs and solos. Getting to know each other. Because despite the hundreds of gigs I had played with their Dad I’m not sure if I have ever played a full one with either of them. But you could hear his playing in both lads, as well as their own style. The same sense of adventure, mischievousness and willingness to try things. Great players both - and we had fun.
A fun evening - and was home in bed by 10pm! Thank you all.
Where else but Sligo indeed.
What’s New?
Delighted to say that the Theme Night Academy have teamed up with The Canopy and Sligo Indoor Markets to provide music every Saturday and Sunday afternoon between now and Christmas.
Performers will include both current and past members of the Academy and will add to the special Christmas atmosphere in the centre of town.
Pictured below are Jack Courtenay (2020) and Adam Feeney (current member) who kicked the series off for us last Saturday afternoon.
Finally…
This is genius from start to finish. The concept, the delivery, the performance.
Till next time - Kieran.
