Great Friday This Good Friday, Where Else Would You Be?

WHILE the whole country and Limerick’s vintners were holding their breath about pubs opening on Good Friday, the folks behind Limerick’s homegrown rock spectacular, the Great Friday Festival, were quietly going about their business, preparing for their annual day-out this Friday. Great Friday has been running in one form or another for almost eight years, but in 2008, moved to an outdoor location where some of Limerick’s finest bands took to the stage to entertain the masses.
Last year hundreds of revellers turned out to see fifteen bands on the main stage and eleven DJs in the newly introduced dance tent, in a field in Murroe.
Great Friday returns this year with an even better line-up, and a “shiny new” location. The location of Great Friday is shrouded in mystery, and those interested in attending must take a bus from Arthurs Quay, which will run from 11am today.
“We have a shiny new field all ready to go, and while it is much flatter and more convenient, I would still advise people to wear wellies and to bring something to sit on,” laughed Cathy O’Flaherty, of Great Friday Event Management.
Cathy said she didn’t think that the decision to allow pubs to open on Good Friday would affect the one-day music festival.
“I might have a small impact, but I don't think it will be much,” said Cathy.
“It is still a big day out for people and we are showing the Munster match, so people can keep their options open.”
This year’s festival will feature a dozen bands, including local acts the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra and Acoustra, with Dublin band Funzo headlining, while 11 DJs, including Dan Sykes and Jamie Behan will perform.
A number of magicians, fire-breathers and graffiti artists will also showcase their talents at the festival.
“It is certainly a more eclectic line-up than last year in terms of the group of bands we have - from electronic bands to full-on rock bands, a bit of everything,” explained Cathy.
“We also have the chill out tent for acoustic acts and a dance tent for the DJs,” she added. All of the profits from the festival will go to Rape Crisis Mid West, and just 600 tickets are available, so get moving.
“The whole thing is for charity, any and all profits will go to the Rape Crisis Centre,” explained Cathy. “We only do this for the fun of it, no-one gets paid for this. We are trying to keep costs down to a minimum, so only 600 tickets are available, and quite a few have been sold. I would advise people not to wait until the day to buy tickets, as they are selling fast.”
Great Friday takes place today. For full details see www.greatfriday.ie.

'Love Haiti' this Sunday in Bentley Barker's

SOME OF THE best and brightest local bands, DJs and entertainers, are to gather together this Sunday to participate in a fundraiser for Haiti, which will take place across five floors of the Brazen Head complex on O’Connell Street.
‘Hurt for Haiti’ takes place this Sunday from 3pm and will feature a huge number of local bands, DJs, actors and comedians, while Limerick’s ethnic population will be well represented, while specially prepared food will also be available at the all day event.
The organising committee of the event are keen to emphasise that they are working “hand in hand” with the Irish Red Cross, who will oversee and take responsibility for all of the money collected.
The event will seek to raise funds for the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, which devastated the country and left thousands dead and many more without basic provisions or homes.
The organisers are appealing to the people of Limerick “to give something that hurts them a little bit”.
The main stage will be set up in the Courtyard of Bentley Barker’s, with the Downtown Dixieland Jazz Band kicking off proceedings at 3pm. They will be followed by The O'Malley's, The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra and Walter Mitty and The Realists throughout the day, with Jon Kenny, Myles Breen and Mike Finn acting as ‘ringmasters’ for the day.
Bands such as Joe Browne and The Durty Dawgs and The Half Yards will play in the Brazen Head from 6pm, while local pianist Nick Carswell will open proceedings in the upstairs piano bar in Bentley's from 7pm.
The Roots Factory crew, Paul Tarpey, Tokin’ White Boy and Jon Greenwood will all take to the stage downstairs in Issac's Bar from 9pm.
The top floor of Bentley’s will also act as a relaxation room throughout the day, featuring massage therapists and sitar players.
Specially prepared foods will be available all day, including a barbecue buffet and a pig on a spit. Various auctions and raffles will also take place on the day, and the organising committee wished to thank everyone who has helped so far, particularly Doras Luimni, Limerick City Council, the Red Cross and Bentley Barker’s.
“Everyone we have approached was keen to be involved, we haven't had to knock on any doors, they have all been open to us, people have been more than willing to help. This thing has touched people in a way that hasn't been seen before,” added the spokesperson.

Line-up and more details below:

Bentley's Courtyard:

3pm The Downtown Dixieland Jazz Band
4pm Live Magic Show with Terence Andrews
5pm The Varadys,
6pm Shannon Bangla Group
7pm Drea
8pm The O'Malley's
9pm The Funk Junkies
10pm The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra
11pm Walter Mitty and The Realists
12am DJ Tom Fitz


The Brazen Head
From 6pm, The Brazen Head will open its doors and house more great bands, such as The 54 Club and Joe Browne and The Durty Dawgs and The Half Yards. .

The Piano Bar
From 7pm, The upstairs piano bar in Bentley's will open up, Nick Carswell will kick start proceedings and give way to Steve Hanks and many other Jazz cats throughout the night.

Isaac's Bar
From 9pm, Issac's Bar downstairs will start hopping to the sound of Limerick most well respected DJ's, The Roots Factory crew, Paul Tarpey, Tokin White Boy, and Jon Greenwood to name a few.

The Board Room
On the top floor of Bentley Barkers, there will be a space dedicated to relaxing in a calm environment with complementary massage therapists on hand to guide you to full relaxation, and even a Sitar player to keep the mood nice and vibey.

The return of the Belltable Sessions this Thursday

THE FOURTH series of the Belltable Sessions begins this Thursday, with local favourites the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra topping the bill on Limerick’s best acoustic night.

The monthly showcase, which began last year under the direction of local musician and Spin South West DJ Nick Carswell, has gone from strength to strength in the Belltable’s relatively new location of 36 Cecil Street.

The artists perform acoustically, with no mics and “nowhere to hide” as the tagline for the show states.

Returning are local ensemble the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, who have spent the last number of weeks touring Ireland with Cork band Fred, and have received significant national airplay on Today FM, with Paul McCloone and Alison Curtis hailing their original material. The band performed a stunning set early last year at the acoustic gig, their devilishly theatrical performance winning them many fans in the locality.

The fulcrum of the Brad Pitt’s is sibling trio Ann, James and David Blake - who mix and match their obvious vocal talents throughout their set. A debut album - tentatively titled ‘Lowering the Tone’ - is expected this summer, and after an appearance at last year’s Electric Picnic, great things are expected of the Limerick band this summer.

“We are really looking forward to the fourth Belltable Sessions series, inviting some old friends back and welcoming some new talent to our stage,” explained Nick Carswell. “It is particularly satisfying to have the Brad Pitt’s back, they have had a great year since they last played with us,” added Nick.

Joining the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra are Dublin band The Resistance, local rock band General PM - featuring Paddy Moloney, better known for his NoLand Folk project - and Andy Hickie, interestingly touring Ireland in a camper-van.

“Andy is a folk singer-songwriter who released a debut EP last year and got himself a slot on Glastonbury’s New Talent stage thanks to Q magazine. He is travelling the country in a camper van and is exactly what we want to offer people who come to the Sessions - his brand of folk is very soothing and should appeal to people,” explained Nick.

The Belltable Sessions takes place this Thursday, doors at 8pm.