Programme for Wednesday 10th August

The 8th Maiden City Scottish
Highland Dance Competition

Wednesday 10th, 10.30am sharp - 3.30pm - Memorial Hall

A day that highlights the very best in young Scottish dance. The event will begin at 10.30am sharp and will bring together young dancers to compete for the eighth Maiden City Scottish Highland Dance Competition. Organisers are looking forward to attracting competitors from Ulster, Scotland and further afield. Competition will be for Primary, Beginners, Novice, Intermediate and Premier. The event will be organised by the Sollus School of Highland Dance.

All entrants must be registered with SOBHD, and the entry fee will be just £1.50 per dance. Entries must be registered before Saturday 18th July. To request an entry form or more information, contact: Amanda Kee, 251 Victoria Road, Bready, BT82 0EB, 028 7184 1159 or 028 7184 1892 (work), or email akee@live.co.uk

Culture Bite

Verbal Arts Centre - Bloom’s Café
The Henry Girls (Traditional)

Wednesday 10th, 12.30pm-2.30pm -
Verbal Arts Centre at Double Bastion nr. Bishops Gate

Festival favourites. Joleen, Lorna and Karen are three of six sisters from Inishowen in Co. Donegal. Their music has been described as traditional, folk, bluesy, roots, world and contemporary. It is indeed an eclectic mix of their individual and collective musical experiences. The Henry Girls released their first album, Between Us, in 2002 to widespread critical acclaim. It proved a valuable asset as it gave the group access to a wider audience and is now regularly heard on Radio Ulster, Radio Foyle, Highland Radio and RTÉ 1. In 2005, the Henry Girls, along with their guitarist Stephen Murray, made it through to the finals of RTÉ's You're A Star and after a public vote came third out of 5,000 hopefuls in this national competition. Last year they performed an extra session at the Culture Bite with Natty Wailer, and this year hears them fresh from a bluegrass collaboration with The Foxhunt at the Cork Midsummer Festival, June, and the Earigail Arts Festival, July. They’ve also played the Manchester Irish Festival in March, At Westport in June and will be playing the Northside Festival, Dublin, in August. Their latest album, Dawn, is available. Check their website TheHenryGirls.com or find them on Facebook.

Also...

John Deery & The Heads
(Contemporary/Rock)
at Café Nervosa, Magazine Street

Mark Braidner & Mary Ryan
(Acoustic / Blues)
at the Artisan, London Street

Paul Casey
(Contemporary)
at Claude's Café, Shipquay St. near the Diamond

Joby Fox
(Contemporary)
at Austins Store, The Diamond (Top Restaurant)

Andrew & Nathan
(Bluegrass/Country/Blues)
Café Del Mondo, Craft Village Square,
between Shipquay & Magazine Streets

Janet Dowd
at Boston Tea Party, Craft Village Square,
between Shipquay & Magazine Streets

Sara Dylan
(Contemporary)
at Java, Ferryquay Gate, Ferryquay Gate on Ferryquay St.

Good Afternoon at the Mem

Wednesday 10th – 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 John Trotter. 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.

1916 - Discussion

Wednesday 10th, 6.30-8pm,
Blue Room, The Verbal Arts Centre.

The year 1916 has resonated through history in Ireland for almost 100 years. In what is being described as a decade of Anniversaries the Festival takes a very tentative exploration of the meaning of dates. William Temple and Michael Cooper will each provide a community perspective on what 1916 conjures up in the minds of their respective communities. Johnston McMaster will then open a discussion on dates and the nature of collective meaning and remembering. This promises to be a very thought-provoking evening in so many ways.

Free Event

Crimson Players - Variety Show

Wednesday 10th - Variety Show is 8pm-10pm, - Memorial Hall

The Crimson Players has provided many pantomimes and shows through the years, and the new Variety Show in 2008 was a Festival hit. Norman Rosborough presents a new show of songs, sketches, comedy and dance brought together especially for the Festival. Everyone taking part is local, the sketches introduce references to familiar local characters, and the show is relaxed and fun. Anyone who has been to a Crimson Players show will know what a great performance they create for the Mem.

LATE NIGHT – Totally Tina

Wednesday 10th - after Variety Show is 10.45pm-Late - Minor Hall

The evening is capped with a queen of pop tribute: Totally Tina will provide simply the best soul and dance sounds, from 10.45pm.

Tickets £5 for the evening. A ticket for the Crimson Players Variety Show will also provide access to Totally Tina.