What's On

Children’s illustration offers a unique opportunity for literature and visual art to intersect. Showcasing twenty-one artists, Pictiúr demonstrates the range, scope and skill of Irish illustrators. The exhibition comprises 42 art pieces by 21 of Ireland’s leading children’s book illustrators, and includes illustrations from books written in English and Irish.

The exhibition will be curated by Ireland’s current Laureate na nÓg Niamh Sharkey and other illustrators featured will include PJ Lynch, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Chris Haughton, Kevin Waldron, Oliver Jeffers, Chris Judge, Steve Simpson, Andrew Whitson, Mary Murphy, Michael Emberley and Olivia Golden.

Balloon twisting workshops are a buzz of colour, fun and excitement and are a big hit with all ages.  Deesigner balloon workshops give each child hands on experience in creative balloon twisting and self-expression and is also a great way for building confidence and dexterity.

Deirdre will teach everyone how to make such things as dogs, swords, flowers, fairy wands, fish, bees, bears, spiders, hats and more. This is all time and ability dependant.  Each attendee will receive a certificate of accomplishment on completion and the best bit of all is watching everyone's faces light up as they walk away with their own creations.
All materials are supplied by Deesigner Balloons.

*Please note that this is a latex balloon workshop, and is not suitable for persons with latex allergies.

www.deesignerballoons.com

For booking or further information please contact Marie McNamara, Theatre Practitioner and Dramatherapist directly on 087 6391409 │mfgmcnamara@eircom.net.

Keith Barry returns to glór with his new show, Brain Hacker.

Early booking is strongly advised.

Please note that under 12's must be accompanied by an adult.

Lumiere’s debut album brought together two distinct voices cut from the same geographic cloth. One is Éilís Kennedy, whose sound has ready access to the soul without need for scaffolding or spotlights.The other half of the musical whole is Pauline Scanlon, an award-winning singer from the same Kerry town of Dingle. With Lumiere, the song and its delivery are the primary focus, technical concerns gives way to feeling as song and singer effortlessly merge.

Support on the night is from Ennis born singer- songwriter Sabrina Dinan. She has shared the stage with Luka Bloom, Damien Dempsey, Jacob Dylan and Brendan Benson to name but a few.  She was invited to tour with Luka Bloom in Australia, Holland, Belgium, Germany and the U.S. and has appeared on a tribute album to the late John Martyn alongside artists such as David Gray, Beck and Paulo Nutini. On this album she covers his song "Certain Surprise."

They are buffed they are detoxed they are booty-lish AND THEY ARE TOTALLY UP FOR IT!  The Nualas are jetting in for one night only with their shiniest show ever. Expect shine, expect glitz, expect cleavage (on their knees).  With acrobatic vocals, stunning instrumentation and provocative chat about current stuff, featuring self-penned original numbers such as ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph why am I so fat’. You will laugh, you will cry, you will probably need to go to the toilet at some point.   Prepared to be Nuala’ed.

‘The Nualas made me laugh and cry and go to the toilet.’ – Fr. O’Reilly, Carlow

‘Jaysus The Nualas dropped a fair penny in this shop.’ – The Big Shiny Dress Shop, Kinnegad

Join Moya Brennan, the voice of Clannad, and celebrated harper Cormac De Barra on a magical musical journey for everyone aged 4 to 104.

Bringing together traditional Irish music and original music by Moya and Cormac, this gorgeous musical performance for families is inspired by the legend of Brian Boru’s harp and celebrates 1,000 years since the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
 

Parents know instinctively what scientists have proven: young children thrive on music. All over the world, parents bond with their babies through musical sounds and rhythmic movement. They rock and swing their children, put them to sleep with lullabies, make them laugh with nursery rhymes. Kindermusik is the world’s most trusted music movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young children.

Kindermusik Village is for lap babies, crawlers, and walkers. It incorporates the most current research on early childhood development and provides families a special place for learning and connecting with other parents and babies through music and movement.

Home Materials: A picture board book with charming farm animals and the sounds they make—Cock-a-doodle-Moo, a CD of the songs heard in class, a Sunshine Jingle instrument for music-making at home, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall.

For more information or to book, contact Anita directly:
Mobile:   089 983 7551
Email:    kindermusikwithanita@gmail.com

The Voice Squad are an acapella traditional close-harmony male vocal trio made up of tenors Fran McPhail and Phil Callery and baritone Gerry Cullen.  Popular in the 70s and 80s, they’ve recorded with The Chieftains, Sinead O’Connor and Elvis Costello and have toured Europe, The UK and The USA.

The have regrouped after a 10 year break and performed two hugely successful sell-out concerts in Dublin and Belfast.  Their much anticipated new album “Concerning of 3 Young Men” was released in March 2014 and is their first recording since “Hollywood” in 2005.

The story, set in rural Ireland over two days in 1964, centres on one Madge Molloy – a woman in her mid-60’s – who has lived over forty years of her life wondering why her husband Tom, whom she was married to for just five months, disappeared without trace.  She has been left to rear her only daughter Maura on their small farm and she has become bitter about men in general!  However, the arrival of a new curate to the parish – namely Fr. Michael McCoy - is about to throw light on the circumstances surrounding Tom’s mysterious disappearance and what unfolds on stage has to be seen to be believed! Madge has some serious decisions to make and she has to think on her feet!

This is one play that will have you on the edge of your seat all night and more importantly in tears of laughter.  A story like this could only happen in Ireland!

“When it comes to comedy this production really is the Real McCoy”  Munster Express

“With glimpses of John B Keane and resemblances of the Fr. Ted and Mrs. Doyle genre this play had the audience in tears of laugher for over two hours. This was a night not to be forgotten”  Irish World

The Crokey Hill Players Group was set up by Tommy Marren in May 2007 with the aim of providing theatre audiences in the West of Ireland with original Irish comedy productions.
 

A night of music and fun for a great cause featuring Los Paddys de las Pampas, Paper Chainz - Winner of Clare Youth Music Awards, and Tommy Nelson.

In November 2014, Marta plans to travel to Uganda and face the following challenge:

• Nov 15th Lake Mburo to Kashare; 81km, 9 hrs cycling,
• Nov 16th Kashare to Bugongi 66km, 8 hrs cycling,
• Nov 17th Bugongi to Rwabukoba; 42km, 7 hrs cycling,
• Nov 18th Rwabukoba to Ishare, 63km, 8 hrs cycling,
• Nov 19th Ishasha to Buhoma 63m, 7 hrs rafting.

For more information on the cause Marta is undertaking, please click here.

Tickets are €10 and are available in advance from Fiesta House, O'Connell Street and Suas Café Ennis and also on the door on the night.

Beginners and experienced alike are all welcome.  The mornings will cover connecting with your higher self, relaxation & breathing techniques, Mindfulness, Personal Development, and finding the balance in mind, body and spirit. 

Led by Josephine Sweeney, a Certified Louise Hay Practitioner & Heal Your Life® Coach, the meditations will encompass elements from her work based on the philosophy of Louise Hay.  Come along to enjoy a peaceful and harmonious hour with like- minded individuals.

To enrol contact Josephine Sweeney:

Mobile:      087 6926715
Email:       info@serenitywithin.ie
Website:   www.serenitywithin.ie

Payment terms are available.

Christy Moore, named as Ireland's greatest living musician in RTÉ's People of the Year Awards, returns to the glór stage for what promises to be a night to remember with some guest in tow.

Early booking for this event is strongly advised.

These childrens art classes will take place in the glór foyer with experienced teacher Helen Lowe.

All material is included in the class. The series of classes will touch on still life, portrait, landscape, abstract and animals. For this series of classes we will use oil pastels, watercolors and acrylic on different media. The aim is that after 5 classes the children will feel comfortable with using different media and supports. Class size is limited so please book in advance.

Cost per student €55
(€50 for 2nd child / €40 for 3rd child from same family)

Booking directly with Helen on 086 736 3320.
More information at www.facebook.com/quinart.class

Under the direction of Tommy Drennan and Pearl Kiely, the senior students of this prestigious school will present the much loved musical Oliver.  This is a show packed with great songs, lavish dance routines and a much loved story, whilst the junior and intermediate students will perform two charming American shows.

As usual, this promises to be a great, entertaining night out for all the family.

Fil Campbell presents an affectionate tribute to the Irish folk songs that generations of Irish grew up with – songs that were recorded by women like Delia Murphy, Bridie Gallagher and Mary O’Hara whose lives Fil documented in her RTÉ documentary series Songbirds.

The songs from her most recent CD, A Place Of My Own as well as from her earlier recordings – Songbirds and Farewell To Cold Winter - are guaranteed to have you singing along in chorus on songs like the Old Maid in the Garrett and The Spinning Wheel, Love’s Old Sweet Song, Let Him Go Let Him Tarry and many more old favourites.

Fil is joined by Tom McFarland on vocals and percussion.

Directed by Paddy Farrelly.  Performed by Padraic McIntyre.

When Ulster Protestant, Kenneth McCallister finds himself on the football terraces for a crucial Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland World Cup qualifying match, little does he know that his hum-drum life is about to change forever.  This production of Marie Jones’ smash-hit one-man show, A Night in November features Padraic McIntyre playing the part of Kenneth, a protestant dole clerk on a search for his own identity.

The play shows how Kenneth deals with his crisis through monologues and soliloquies as well as introducing numerous other characters to interact with, all played by the one actor.   By the end of the play Kenneth travels to New York to support Jack’s Army in the World Cup and he has come to terms with his identity as an Irish Protestant. "I am a free man, I am a Protestant man, I am an Irish man".

Jones’ enduringly humorous and challenging play is both uncomfortable and compelling  as it lays bare the issues of Protestant identity in 1990’s Northern Ireland.   It is the perfect night for a build up to the World Cup 2014. 

Marie Jones's passionate and often hilarious show has enjoyed productions all over the world including the West End and a successful six month run off-Broadway.

Quite simply a stunningly beautiful blend of music, vocals and dance. A thought provoking and inspired mix of old and new genres and styles, with unique arrangements, brought to life by an amazing cast of 17.

The Show is split into two quite unique halves. The first half bringing you some famous, and some not so well known songs from musicals.

The second will bring you a quite remarkable and diverse variety of entertainment. Be prepared to see some quite unique interpretations and arrangements for songs you might be familiar with.

To celebrate National Drawing Day with The National Gallery of Ireland, glór is delighted to once again present this drawing workshop with renowned Clare artist, Lorraine Wall.

Two joined dots make a line and a line is limitless, so is our potential to draw. Using a variety of different drawing tools and a selection of different media we will explore, try out, and do things you may never have experienced before, ever!

Suitable for all abilities.

With their own unique blend of ballet, drama and other dance styles The Dinan School of Ballet brings new life to the traditional tale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

This promises to be a captivating show for the whole family!

This show brings together our three dance schools from Doolin and Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare and Kinvara, Co. Galway.  We will showcase all styles of dance, ranging from jazz, tap, ballet, hiphop, musical theatre and contemporary. 

A family friendly show to guaranteed to entertain all ages.  You will be dancing in you seats to all the well-known pop hits and music throughout the decades.

This concert will celebrate 40 years of Fleadh Nua in Ennis.  Over this time, many great performers have entertained audiences in Ennis and this year we will be joined in our celebrations by Mick Moloney, Seamus Connolly, Jimmy Crowley and Stokers Lodge, Bobby Gardiner, Chris Droney, Nora Butler and many others.

We are The Speks and we sing nursery rhymes and kids' songs set to Irish music because we love Irish music!

We live on an island in the middle of the ocean off the coast of Co. Clare, Ireland. It's called Glasses Island because everybody wears glasses here. Our names are Quince, Naymon, Tommo, Pete, Ed and Rafferty and we love to sing, dance and play Irish music for kids. In fact, we're just like big kids ourselves. We never really grew up...we just grew older.

Sing along and sing aloud!

www.thespeks.com

102 years in the business, the Kilfenora has gone from strength to strength since their centenary! From village parties in the early 1900s right down to their current international profile in the new millennium, each new generation slots seamlessly into the groove of their forebears.

The group can follow its roots back into the late 1800s. At the time, music was an important feature of life in rural Ireland. Kilfenora boasted a fine brass band, which gradually evolved into a dance band. Its story is the story of Irish music itself. From village parties in the early 1900s to bigger dances in the '30s, broadcasts in the '40s, commercial recordings in the '50s, foreign tours in the '60s right down to their current international profile they have set the bar for other ensembles.

For more information on Fleadh Nua events 2014 please click here.

Branar's new show Bláth/The Flower is set in a world that has decided colour and plants are no longer needed. A boy finds a magical book and sees flowers for the first time. He then discovers a packet of flower seeds in a junk shop and must learn how to bring the flower to life.

Bláth is based on the children's book The Flower by John Light & Lisa Evans. Designed by the artist Maeve Clancy with original music by Colm Mac Con Iomaire (The Frames), Bláth is a non verbal show that will enchant audiences as they enter a world made entirely of paper. Combining, puppetry, object theatre and original score, Bláth promises to a show that will be unforgettable.

Suitable for ages 7+
Duration 50 Mins

Described as “mesmerising”, “compelling” and “ingenious”, Declan Gorman's acclaimed solo performance brings the history and the stories of James Joyce's remarkable first book 'Dubliners' to vivid life.

It is 1914. London publisher Grant Richards has determined to re-read Joyce’s manuscript, eight years after rejecting it over fears it might breach British and Irish obscenity laws. As the streets of Dublin and the racy, comic stories of Joyce’s childhood and young adult world spring to life around him, Richards relives his frustrating correspondence with the petulant Irish writer. Should he risk everything second time around and be the one to launch this volatile but brilliant genius on a world about to descend into the madness of war?

To mark the 100th anniversary of the publication of Joyce's first prose work, the performance is accompanied by “The Life of Joyce”, an evocative and entertaining audiovisual presentation celebrating the humour and genius of Ireland's greatest writer and recalling the people and places that Joyce encountered from his Dublin childhood to his early death in Zurich.

“Excerpts from the book come vividly to life. Gorman does it admirably and cleverly.” Irish Times
“A compelling performer… animated and intelligent .” Irish Theatre Magazine

Adapted and performed by Declan Gorman.

“He writes the sort of classic songs that people don’t write anymore, songs that sound like they’ve been around forever [...] Listen to Galileo, which is possibly the greatest song written in the last 30 years.” 
Paul Weller, Mojo Magazine (Apr 2012)

Declan O’Rourke has been busy since the long-awaited release of his third studio album, the curiously titled Mag Pai Zai, in April 2011.  With multi-platinum sales under his belt from his first two albums, Since Kyabram (2004) and Big Bad Beautiful World (2007), Declan took time out to reflect and start afresh. 

Declan's songs have been recorded by many artists including Josh Groban, Eddi Reader, The Celtic Tenors, Paul Byrom, and performed by Paul Weller, Camille O’Sullivan and Maura O’Connell amongst others.  He has toured extensively in Europe opening for the likes of Paul Weller, Snow Patrol, Teddy Thompson, The Cardigans, Paulo Nutini, Badly Drawn Boy, Divine Comedy and Paul Brady.

In June 2012, Declan was invited to perform at the Electric Burma gala concert, celebrating Burmese human rights activist Aung San Suu Kyi, alongside Bono, Bob Geldof, Damian Rice, Vanessa Redgrave, and many others.  2014 will see Declan return to the studio for the recording of his highly-anticipated side project of original songs on the Irish Great Famine.

After 20 years the hilarious June Rodgers is taking her show on the road. Treat yourself to a fun filled evening of top class entertainment. The show will include Junes twist on some great music from the 80's, including Wham!, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Cher as you have never seen them before!  June will be revealing some new, side-splitting, take offs as well as the return of some of her funniest characters including Oliver Bond. Join June and her full company of singers and dancers as they bring you to Las Vegas via Dublin to meet with The Rat Pack, Elvis and Shirley Bassey. All served up with lashings of June's usual comic flair. 

Come along a join us for a night of fun filled family entertainment!

Presented by Ten 42 Productions

Casus, a name derived from the Latin for a ‘culmination of circumstances or a chance event’, is a Brisbane-based boutique circus company with big plans.  Casus brings humanity into circus through a breathtaking and fragile display of skills. Through bold, quirky and captivating performance the four members of Casus (Emma Serjeant, Jesse Scott, Natano Fa’anana and Lachaln McAulay) bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into this innovative work, having previously performed extensively in Australia and around the world with C!RCA, Legs on the Wall, Polytoxic, and Briefs Collective. 

Formed mid 2011, Casus present their premier work Knee Deep. Four performers explore the boundaries of strength and tenderness. Bodies are pushed and pulled, weighed and tested, probing the limits of both physicality and feeling.

Starcamp is Irelands leading and most renowned performing and fun Summer Camp and is open to boys and girls aged 4-13.

Starcamp's core ethos is to instil confidence and self-esteem through praise and recognition. We create a wondrous, nurturing environment where participation and happiness are key. We enhance skills and personalities through creative energies that will last a lifetime. Sing, Dance and Act ,all while making new friends and having fun. Run by professional, experienced, fully trained and Garda vetted leaders, choreographers and drama coaches.

To book your child's place, visit www.starcamp.ie or call 021 4377900.

This year it’s all about shoes!!!  Drawing on inspiration from the original tale, The Elves and the Shoemaker, this year’s participants will have an unforgettable time creating a ballet with professional dancers from Ballet Ireland.  

Each day begins with class on stage with the dancers. Summer school participants become part of the creative process, helping to devise the choreography, create sets and costumes (including shoes!). Our hugely popular summer school, gives aspiring performers a taste for all that goes into making a ballet and a peak into the life of a professional dancer.  Together with the dancers, the young performers play an important role in the creation of their own full length ballet which is performed on stage at the end of the week for family and friends to come and enjoy.

Suitable for ages 6+ with or without dance training.

The age groups are:
Group A: 6-8 yrs
Group B: 9-11 yrs
Group C: 12-15 yrs
Group D: 16 and over

Baking and cooking are life skills. Children who learn these skills will not only be able to prepare food for themselves, but also for others.  They  will learn to appreciate the time and effort it takes to prepare food and to better understand ingredients and tastes that work in harmony.  But, most of all they will experience the fun of preparation and the satisfaction of serving fresh, tasty food.

Gymboree brings its first summer camp to glór in 2014.  Expect musical fun and games incorporating all types of music, over 20 different Styles RnB, African, Latin, Classical, Abba, Elvis and lots more.  The camp includes arts and crafts, sports, face painting and lots of fun mixed with giggles!

Advance booking is required as capacity is strictly limited. 

For bookings and all enquiries, please contact Oonagh Minogue on 086 354 0253.
www.playandmusic.ie  /  www.facebook.com/gymboreeclare

The best tribute to the legendary Billy Joel in the world, Elio Pace has even played dates in the USA with Billy joel's original band.  Playing all the Billy Joel hits including Uptown Girl, Just The Way You Are, My Life, Piano Man, Tell Her About It, It's Still Rock & Roll To Me, New York State of Mind, Uptown Girl, She's Always A Woman and The Longest Time.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to experience The Billy Joel Songbook performed by the dynamic singer/songwriter and piano-player, Elio Pace and his magnificent band.

Ever wanted to bring your Lego mini figures to life?

Well now you can thanks to Createschool's brand new stop motion workshop. Experienced tutors will share tips and techniques on set building, filming, editing and creating sound scapes. Lego figures will come to life as they walk and talk through a forest landscape.

Participants will work in small groups to collaborate and create the set, storyboard and plan their stop motion movie and then to film and produce it. The workshop is focussed on hands on learning and all participants will receive a certificate of participation and a copy of their movie!

All materials are supplied though we would encourage participants to bring along their own favourite Lego character.

Having performed for Nelson Mandela at the Yankee Stadium, for the Pope in Central Park, with the Chieftains on their US tour and on U2's “Rattle and Hum” album, film and tour, the Harlem Gospel Choir will, once again, return to Ireland for an extensive tour.

The world famous Harlem Gospel Choir was formed in 1988 and made its highly successful debut at New York's Cotton Club the same year. The Choir draws its core singers from various black churches in the Harlem community, who share the common aim of bringing about a better understanding of African/American culture. Founder member, Allen Bailey has worked in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. He was promotional director for major recording artists including Lionel Ritchie and the Commodores, Prince, Michael Jackson, Mr. T, and Isaac Hayes. He was chairman for the Martin Luther King Holiday campaign and it was through this work that the Harlem Gospel Choir was born.

Their songs of inspiration touch the depths of the soul and raise spirits to angelic heights. The Choir devotes his time to spreading the joy of faith throughout the world. This is not to be missed and promises to sell out quickly.

Up in that Pantheon inhabited by the biggest selling recording artistes of all time in Ireland, rubbing shoulders with Bono and the Boys, you might be surprised to bump into Phil Coulter. He has performed with everyone from James Galway and the London Symphony Orchestra to Nanci Griffith and The Blue Moon Orchestra, not to mention Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein and Quincy Jones.

He has written at least four titles that can be added to the list of Great Irish Songs  - the anthems ‘The Town I Loved So Well’ and ‘Ireland’s Call’ and the haunting ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and ‘Steal Away’.

Phil will be joined by his special guest Geraldine Branagan for an unforgettable evening of music & song.