City Intersections 12th February

The next session  of City Intersections takes place tomorrow evening at the Twisted Pepper on Abbey St.  The evening's topic is "Smart Dublin" and will feature talks from Rob Kitchin, Mary Mulvihill and Niamh Rabbitt.  These sessions are always worth, free in and start at 19:00.

Review: 'Darkness & Light' in Mill Theatre Dundrum

Chicken & Fox Productions have a short run of two one-act plays. They're presented under the title 'Darkness & Light' and are on in Mill Theatre Dundrum at 8 pm this evening and tomorrow (i.e. 8th and 9th February). Tickets cost €15/€13 and the performance runs for 2 hours including a 15 minute interval between the two plays.

The first and shorter of the plays is “Sprinting Toward The Light” by Erin Hug: "What if you’re not the person your friends think you are? Alice, Jack and Robin have been friends since school and they meet up in their late 20’s oblivious to the fact they are no longer as close as they were and their relationships have become more complicated. Will they achieve their goals in life?" It's enjoyable, and hits its emotional mark. A solid 3/5. (Just as an aside: Dear Internet, please quit with the marks-out-of-five inflation. Three is a success, not a failure.)

The second play is “All Fall Down” by Ciaran Murphy. It's about home care in modern Ireland: "Conor is dependent on the care of his older sister Eva, an untrained carer. Has the system failed them? What help is out there? This production examines the deep undercurrents and strain on this sibling relationship." I was concerned that this might be worthy but moralising or overly bleak, but not at all. It's well-written and packs a lot of variety into a short play. Kevin O'Flynn is a skilled and engaging physical actor and, thanks to the assistance of the National Council for The Blind, his understated portrayal of blindness is the highlight of the production. A clear 4/5.

Wes Anderson films in Little Green

News from Little Green Cafe & Gallery:
The Green Room: Presents a month of Wes Anderson Little Green will be dedicating the entire month of February to the Fantastic Mr. Wes Anderson! Every Tuesday we will kick off at 6pm with two of the iconic filmmaker’s movies played back to back. Hosted by our friend Damien Mc Clurg there will be a mix of the classic favorites and a few hidden surprises to keep everyone on their toes. You may even see a film you haven’t seen before! Free popcorn will be giving out liberally and for those of you who decided to dress up as one of the famous characters you will be rewarded with some lovely prizes! We will also be playing the incredible soundtracks till late so if you would like to do something different with you Tuesdays pop down and check it out! Also if you want to book a table or the comfy couch send us on an email to little.green.gallery@gmail.com

Joycean-esque goings on in TCD

A unique set of productions comes to the Samuel Beckett theatre in Trinity College  and the O'Reilly theatre on Great Denmark St this week. Tentheater Berlin will present 3 pieces on Joycean themes in a multilingual performance (sub-titles as well though).  Rather than produce actual Joyce pieces, these productions focus on the author, his family and life.  Further details can be found on TCD's theatre site and on the TeNTheater site.  Booking is available through Entertainment.ie.

Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 15-24th February

The JDIFF programme of events and films is out this morning on their website.  Booking is now available for all scheduled events...some are already sold out, like the screening of Much Ado About Nothing with Joss Whedon in attendance!  The website is not as difficult to find things on as last year but it still could do with a serious overhaul.  We'll have more about the festival closer to the time.

The Glass Menagerie

Tennessee William's first successful play opens Rush Dramatic Society's new and 25th season at the Millbank Theatre on 23rd January.  It'll play nightly from Wednesday - Saturday for 4 weeks.  Tickets from €10 available on 843 7475 or by email.  Advance bookings are already impressive so I'd say book now if you're keen.

A hint of Strictly

I was disappointed to see that the Strictly Come Dancing live tour isn't coming to Dublin this year (or even Belfast).  While not a cheap night of entertainment, it was always highly enjoyable.  One small hint of it shows up at the National Concert Hall later this month though.  Anton du Beke and Erin Boag are doing a one-off pricey matinee gig dancing to old-fashioned Hollywood music on 26th January.  Expect a lot of Fred and Ginger type numbers.  It won't satisfy the real Strictly aficionado but it might stop you from booking a trip to Birmingham or somewhere to see the real live tour.

Tradfest

Tradfest returns to Temple Bar from 22nd - 27th January next.  Now in its 8th year, there is a veritable cornucopia of traditional Irish music to listen to and participate in - over 200 events.  This year they're tied in with The Gathering and welcoming "home" the Diaspora.  Most of the events are ticketed and not free but the quality of the musicians performing means that few will be unhappy about paying to see them.  A few selected events but obviously full details on their online programme.  There are also plenty of family friendly activities and open mic stuff too.

Mary Coughlan - a free gig at 18:00 on 26th January.  Warning: outdoors!

Sharon Shannon & Family, both 25th & 26th January (19:30 doors) at St Patrick's Cathedral - tickets are €40.

Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill & the Sands Family - 23rd January at 20:00 in Christchurch Cathedral - tickets are €35.

New exhibition in White Lady Art

From Alexa in White Lady Art:
Opening Thursday 17th January, 6pm - 10pm 14 Wellington Quay Dublin 2

 White Lady Art invites you to "Fractured, America: an exhibition of work by Dublin artist, Hawkie". These pieces of work by Hawkie are the result of time spent and enjoyed traveling across America. Fleeting impressions of characters met or seen, experiences and life in another place. "These drawings were made in November/December 2011 during a road trip in California, USA. Just before returning to Ireland I broke my neck while surfing in Venice Beach. Despite my injury (and strong medication) I continued to draw and sketch characters and scenes from Venice and beyond. Since my first 'J1' summer in 1996 I've traveled across, worked, played and got lost in the USA. What I've learned is that each city block, bus trip or random encounter will give me something for the sketchbook, probably more than anywhere else I've ever been. Many of these drawings were created by doing quick sketches right there and then, however some were retrospective...some make sense, some never will. Enjoy. Hawkie". Hawkie will be doing some live drawing on the night, and we will have a great live set from acoustic songwriter, Malojian, who will be releasing his new album "The Deer's Cry" on February 4th 2013. BYOB with some drinks for free on the night for early types, as usual!! 

www.hawk.ie 
www.whiteladyart.com 
www.malojian.com

Art exhibition in The Front Lounge

Two artists, Catherine Ryan and Gearoid MacOireachtaigh, are launching a new exhibition on Friday 11th January at 7 pm with a wine reception in The Front Lounge. Wine and art, great! The exhibition runs until the end of January 2013.