Programme for Thursday 11th August

Culture Bite

Verbal Arts Centre - Bloom’s Café
and Balkan Alien Sound

Thursday 11th, 12.30-2.30pm - Verbal Arts Centre
at Double Bastion nr. Bishops Gate

Balkan Alien Sound have just embarked upon another festival filled year touring their debut album 'OPA! which was released at and the end of 2010 to a thunderous response. The seven piece ensemble bring energetic and sometimes chaotic music in the style of Gypsy, Klezmer and Balkan songs and dances with frantic rhythms and fast paced melodies that can often leave crowds riotous with dance. Formed in 2007 due to interest gained by travel and research of Balkan and Gypsy music and culture, the band offer their own fresh take on the dances of Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania as well as the subtle folk songs of Serbia and Macedonia takled with precision by vocalist Aideen McGinn plus original works in these genres. The fact that the group are all Irish is an important factor as this comes through in their sound merging together both the similarities and the differences in Balkan and Irish Music stylings. The band are at home on the Festival stage and have extensively played festivals throughout Ireland, U.K and Europe over the last few years bringing their unoque sound to the masses. Keep your ears open at a Festival near you 2011

Also...

Rainey Boy Sleep
at Café Nervosa, Magazine Street

Dolbro Dan
(Acoustic/Alternative/Folk)
at the Artisan, London Street

Paula McAleese
(Acoustic/Alternative/Indie)
at Claude's Café, Shipquay St. near the Diamond

Andy Bradford
(Contemporary/folk)
at Austins Store, The Diamond (Top Restaurant)

The Preacher & Mrs Magee
(Acoustic/Celtic /Folk)
Café Del Mondo, Craft Village Square,
between Shipquay & Magazine Streets

Ted Magee
(Easy Rock)
at Boston Tea Party, Craft Village Square,
between Shipquay & Magazine Streets

Paul Corrigan
(Contemporary)
at Java, Ferryquay Gate, Ferryquay Gate on Ferryquay St.

Good Afternoon at the Mem

Thursday 11th – 2.30pm-4.30pm -
Tea Dance at the Memorial Hall, Minor Hall

Twist and shout of the 1960s has moved on to a more relaxed Tea Dance in the Memorial Hall Minor Hall with music by Danny Feeney. This is a chance for the 1960s generation to return to the Memorial Hall for an afternoon of dance, chat and a little reminiscence. While over at The MEM, perhaps you'd take some time to attend some of the other events around the Walls and make a wee tour of it. Enjoy.

FREE EVENT

The Great War - Exhibition & Guide

Wednesday 10th, 2pm-4pm, 7pm-9pm,
The Thiepval Gallery, George Street.

Local historian, William Temple, hosts a pictorial display of the Great War, WW1 1914-1918, and connections to Londonderry and offers an on-hand guide to their history for visitors to the exhibition.

SOMME a tribute

Thursday 11th, 8.00pm - Memorial Hall

With well over three hundred years of heritage between them, the 150 year old Hamilton Flute Band and the 175 year old Churchill Flute Band are perfect for this 95th Somme Anniversary Concert. This promises to be a very different evening to our two previous band nights. Both part flute bands will bring a totally different sound to the previous Corps of Drums' presentations.

The other reason why this evening is so special is the history brought to the event by the Hamilton Flute Band. During the First World War the Hamilton Band is reported to have joined "to a man" the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and became the regimental Band of 'The Derrys'. They served in many battle zones, but the Battle of the Somme stands out as the most memorable and famous. The Bass Drum and a number of the side drums actually used during the First World War are now 'laid up' in the Chapter house of St. Columb's Cathedral, Londonderry.

You can read more about the Hamilton Flute band here…

You can read more about the Churchill Flute band here…

Tickets £5 for the evening. Including Late Night Entertainment

LATE NIGHT - Trevor Keys presents The TAHITI SHOWBAND with Crawford Bell.

Thursday 11th, 10.30pm till Late - Memorial Hall

The TAHITI SHOWBAND featuring international singing star Crawford Bell, and our very own Trevor Keys, offers an exciting 6 piece LIVE band; playing music and singing songs from the 50's to today, and everything in between. A BIG night of nostalgia and something for everyone, no matter what age you may be.

Tickets £5 for the evening. Including SOMME a tribute