All Ireland Craft Beer fest

The now annual All Ireland Craft Beer Fest makes a welcome return to George's Dock in the IFSC over the St Patrick's long weekend.  It starts on 13th March and runs until close of business on Monday 18th - a very long weekend!

It's free in Wednesday-Friday from 12 noon until 19:00 after which you pay a mere fiver entry.  This €5 entrance cost also applies at the weekend.  More knowledgeable people than me can talk about the beer but here is a link to the list of suppliers at the event.  Take note, they do tend to run out of stuff as the weekend goes on...meaning that you might be down to not a lot of choice by Monday.

There's also lots of food stalls and entertainment to be had.  Past experience tells me it can get very loud inside the tent, but looking at the snow on the ground outside today, maybe outside will be worse!!  Whatever the situation, it's always a great event.  Can't wait!

First Thursdays

No, we're not dead. Normal posting will resume soon.

This evening is another "First Thursday", meaning that galleries and other arts venues remain open later than usual, often featuring new exhibitions or launches. Thanks, Temple Bar Cultural Trust!

Details are here.

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.