Debut performance… The Birds of Chicago perform for the first time at Ardowen Theatre on Saturday.
THE hugely anticipated Derek Ryan concert takes place tonight, Wednesday 30th, much to the delight of his many fans. We have two fantastic nights in the Gallery Bar this weekend with the renowned Apex Jazz Band on Friday night and direct from the USA, the Birds Of Chicago on Saturday evening.
DEREK RYAN
Derek Ryan performs to a full house on Wednesday 30th April at 8pm. Derek Ryan’s rise to become one of the biggest stars of Irish Country Music has been phenomenal. In just over two years few artists have made such an impact on the Irish Country scene like the County Carlow singer songwriter. The young heartthrob has brought a distinctive fresh sound to Irish Country. His theatre shows contain much of the music featured on his three albums along with new material that allows him to show off his guitar playing and vocal quality. For those disappointed to miss Derek’s concert this time, tickets are now on sale for his return to the Ardhowen in January 2015.
APEX JAZZ BAND
Formed back in 1966 by trumpet player George Chambers, the Apex Jazz Band is Ireland’s longest established and most successful jazz band. Steeped in the tradition of New Orleans, their repertoire includes material from Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, George Lewis, and more. Marches, spirituals, rags, blues, stomps and pop tunes from the jazz age are all present in their entertaining programme.
Throughout the years the Apex Jazz Band has appeared all over Ireland at festivals, concerts and jazz club sessions as well as making numerous radio and TV appearances for BBC NI, UTV and RTE. For a long time the band were content performing on their home turf, occasionally accompanying the big jazz stars brought over from the UK and USA, but as their reputation spread, requests increased for the band to travel and consequently they have performed at many of the top venues and festivals across the UK Europe and the USA.
Without compromising artistic integrity, the Apex Jazz Band presents music in an enjoyable and entertaining manner and this has contributed greatly to the popularity of this fine group of musicians. Enjoy an evening of first-rate swinging traditional jazz with the Apex Jazz Band in the Gallery Bar on Friday 2nd May at 9pm.
BIRDS OF CHICAGO
On Saturday 3rd May at 9pm in the Gallery Bar the Birds Of Chicago perform for the first time at Ardhowen Theatre.
Birds of Chicago is a collaboration between JT Nero from Chicago and Allison Russell from Vancouver. Having worked together from time to time over several years in their respective bands, ‘JT and The Clouds’ and ‘Po’ Girl’, JT and Allison took the obvious step to record together. The resulting album has received rave reviews and critical acclaim for their organic harmonies and wistful styles that sustain the sheer variety and complexity of their music. JT and Allison have emerged as two of the most compelling new voices in North American Roots music.
Nero’s fractured country-soul voice wrapped in Russell’s silver and gold tones is a fine thing; not too perfect, not at all saccharine, you’ll hear echoes of mountain gospel, street corner doo-wop and classic soul. Accompanied by just a banjo and a guitar, it’s haunting; fired by the band, it’s a full tilt revival.
Birds of Chicago thrive on genuine musicianship, melodies, and songs steeped in worldly beauty and communal joy. “One of the finest pieces of American music – of any form – I have heard in years” Music News.
FUTURE EVENTS
Following a short break in the Ardhowen programme for annual building maintenance, Riverbank Productions present The Jungle Book on Wednesday 21st May at 10.30am and 7pm. This faithful adaptation for Rudyard Kipling’s novel, with puppets and music, is aimed at children aged 4 to 9 years and is perfect for family audiences who love a good adventure. Ramor Theatre perform the Marie Jones hit ‘A Night In November’ on 22nd May and stand-up comedian Micky Bartlett, from BBC NI’s ‘The Blame Game’ and ‘Monumental’, returns to the Gallery Bar on 23rd May. Cara Dillon, The Kilkenny’s, Seamus O’Rourke, in ‘Dig’, and The PM Big Band continue May’s line-up of great entertainment in your local theatre.
Summer highlights include Louise Morrissey, The Paperboys, comedian Colin Geddis, Clara Tracy and the Ronnie Greer Blues Band.
Also we will have drama from Beezneez Theatre, Belvoir Players Holywood Players and Ardhowen Theatre will again host two major events in the Happy Days – Enniskillen International Beckett Festival opening on 31st July. Details of all these events and more can be found on our website www.ardhowentheatre.com.
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