MUSIC
FREDDIE WHITE
has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own classy compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary.
Freddie has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970’s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and new-found fan base.
Born in Cobh, County Cork into a musical family, by age thirteen Freddie was playing in school bands and by seventeen playing professionally. At nineteen, he moved to London, where he busked in subways, and developed his unique voice and guitar style.
In 1974, he was a founding member of ‘Scullion’, together with Philip King and Sonny Condell. Later he formed ‘The Fake’, regarded as one of the seminal Irish bands of the late ‘70’s. Next came The Freddie White Band formed
Since then he has regularly toured Ireland and Europe and during the past year has dedicated himself to the development of his latest recording, collaborating with songwriters Jimmy MacCarthy and Jim Barrett.
To be released on February 1, 2008, ‘Stormy Lullaby’ is a stunning collection of moody tracks in which Freddie White’s musicianship and voice shine through. He has once again teamed up with his old cohort Dan Fitzgerald to produce this gem. The album has an acoustic feel thanks to the input of a small, tight group of musicians from his native Cork.
‘Stormy Lullaby’ is a collection of eleven songs. Some tracks are newly written, while others (not previously recorded by Freddie) have proven their worth by becoming firm favourites with his live audiences.
GER WOLFE
“The poetic soul of Ireland”
John Spillane
“A rare and unique creative talent”
Irish Examiner
“‘The Curra Road’ is a classic of grace and simplicity and should become a standard.”
The Boston Globe
“Sure-footed and astute”
F’Roots
“Rises high above the homogenised sound-wall that passes for pop radio lately”
Irish Times
“A courageous musical visionary”
Dublinks.com
With songs like ‘The Curra Road’ and ‘The lark of Mayfield’ Ger has been steadily making a name for himself as one of the most respected songwriters in the country. This year he celebrates 10 years of recordings, having produced 4 critically acclaimed albums in that time -’Word and Rhyme’ (1998), ‘Ragged Ground’ (2002), ‘Heaven Paints..’(2004) and ‘The Velvet Earth’ (2006).His band ‘The New Skylarks’ features Edel Sullivan (violin,viloa), Paul Frost(Bass) and Martin Leahy(drums).
His songs have a broad appeal and his classic ‘The Curra Road’ has most recently appeared as one of the frontline numbers on Sharon Shannons new c.d. ‘Renegade’ Ger’s songs have also been covered by Karan Casey (Curra Road) North Cregg (‘Summer at my feet’ etc.) and by DANÚ (‘Standing in doorways’). Some of Ger’s own recordings have also featured on a large number of compilations, including “Other Voices – Songs From A Room” and “The Diamond Mountain Sessions”.
For this special series of shows Ger will play songs from his four previous studio albums alongside brand new material and songs that have influenced his own unique style. Each performance will be different and feature new improvisation and collaboration with other musicians.As Christy Moore recently said “Ger Wolfe sings like a lark in Heaven”.
www.gerwolfe.com and www.myspace.com/gerwolfe
THE DIZZY BLUES BAND
The band are;
Pat Horgan Vocals, Guitar
Richie St John, Vocals, Guitar
Ger Horgan Vocals, Bass
Christy Healy Vocals Drums
The Dizzy Blues Band have been playing around Ireland, UK and Holland for over 15 years.
All of them are all actively involved in the Lee Delta Blues Club in Cork, www.leedeltablues.com
THE CLUBMEN SWING BAND
The Clubmen led by Bob Seward have been playing smooth jazz standards to Cork audiences for over 10 years
CIRCUS PERFORMANCE
Cork Circus is a collective of innovative, experienced and highly charged performers continually working to increase their skills and your enjoyment of street and circus spectacle.
They’ll be doing ‘normality’ tests on audiences, measuring smiles and hugs as well as conducting ridiculous and facilitating a clown area for general mayhem
After last years success at the Galway Arts Festival Gombeens bring The Butcher of Ballydowndere, an unpredictable carnival feast full of Buffoonery, epical narrative and musical madness bursting to involve you the audience in a choral celebration.
The Butcher of BallyDownDere is yer only man, sent to save the good people from the despotic claws of the ruling McGrunty. Just the clever minds of two servants will change the course of history in this sumptuous comedy that mixes physical slapstick, stock characters, and audience interaction with present day satirical references in the most classic of European tradition.
The show follows closely the Gombeens ethos of physical, inventive theatre. The style is accessible to all having a wide appeal crossing barriers of language, age and culture.
Expressive street performers savvy to create cracking comic theatre.
The Galway Independent.
Hilarious Irish Times
LE CRITIQUE
This is an absurd and wacky art critique and psychological evaluation, given by Le Critique, on everything that surrounds him. He is a man, a critic of all forms of art and life, an artist, philosopher and psychiatrist of French extraction who fervently believes he follows in the footsteps of Freud and Jung. This idiot of a man is beyond parallel, beyond belief! Prepare to be astounded by the marvels of this pretentious fool who expounds on everyone and everything without a care while unwittingly revealing his profound pomposity and manical egomania.
JANDEMAN
The irrepressible Jandeman, a legend of Irish Street theatre will be on walkabout for your amusement.
OTHER EVENTS
We’ll also have a kids games area, face painters and the Goldiefish market serving food and drink to go……………
