Kerry Film Festival presents FREE SCREENING of The Caiman

FREE SCREENING at Siamsa Tire Thursday, February 28th, 8:00 p.m.

FREE SCREENING

If you like movies then you'll love this! THE CAIMAN follows Bruno, a famous trashy Italian B movie producer who, after a long hiatus, is to produce a film about Christopher Columbus's homecoming. When Bruno is approached by Teresa, an ambitious but novice writer-director who has written a dynamite yet damning script on Italy's Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, he gives the project the go-ahead. With his wife divorcing him and the bank knocking at his door, Bruno finds that making a socially conscious film might be the only thing worthwhile in his life! The Caiman is a classic movie-making movie and is, arguably, up there with the very best. It is funny throughout, and often hilarious. The rapid-fire dialogue doesn't give you a moment's peace as one-liners come thick and fast. The humour, and this happens so subtly you'll hardly notice, makes way for a more serious tone before the end and the movie becomes even better. As we said at the start – if you like movies then this is for you!

For more about the film please click here:
http://fest07.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=20

To see a Trailer of the film please click here:
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=vZS4PMxXg4c&feature=related

Avatar to play Samhlaiocht Easter Festival March 22nd 2008

Dub Reggae at Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival Saturday, March 22nd, 10:00 pm

"We don't often publish reviews of new music from unknown bands or artists, but having made an unprecedented executive decision, I hereby offer you a fabulous album Summa Iru. The album is essentially an instrumental dub album, but also contains strong melodies and a diverse array of instrumentation. The album is enchantingly soothing, yet motivating and uplifting," reviews don’t get much more clear cut than that and when the review is written by the bible Bass Guitar Magazine then you know the band being discussed offer something by way of substance. The band, then, is Avatar and the album, Summa Iru, was their debut, launched in 2006.

Avatar are James Kennedy on bass guitar and guitar and Tony O' Flaherty on sax, flute and keys with other musicians drafted in to help fill out the rich and beautifully melodic sound where needed, and listening to the completed album it's impossible not to be moved by musicians so obviously on top of their game, with music born of life, love and spirituality.

Avatar frontman James Kennedy is a musician who's speech patterns are every bit as rich as his music. With conversation that floats from Bach to Margaret Thatcher via the smoking habits of Rastafarians and life in Ireland in the 80's, there's a truth to the man as much as there's a truth to the music.

"It's always been about the music," explains James, "and while that sounds cliched, it's nevertheless true. I love music, love playing it, love listening to it and I feel that a musician's ability to listen attentively determines the depth and sensitivity of their music. This quality is present in what we do and I believe it is largely responsible for people's positive response to us. We are all fans of music and we listen to what is going on whether on the stage or in the studio, and react to it honestly allowing it to direct the flow of what we are playing."

Avatar have certainly made an impact on Irish music and, on the back of stellar reviews, have begun to stir up interest internationally. The band was recently featured on one of the most influential and longest running shows in America, Saturday Night Rockers, hosted by the Brixton Hitman while legendary producer and engineer Dr. Dub has expressed an interest in working with the band. "It's an interest that we'll definitely be following up on," laughs James.

As remarkable as all of this International recognition is, James is still firmly rooted in his native Tralee. "I think there's been an absolute explosion in the music scene in Tralee in recent years," says James. "If someone was to tell me 15 years ago that I could start a dub band, get International exposure and do it all from my home in Kerry, I'd a thought they were nuts."

But with a presence on the web and glowing reviews that direct fans from all around the globe to the bands home-site and MySpace site then it’s increasingly becoming, while not exactly easy, then certainly less difficult to break music.

However, equally impressive to James has been the paradigm shift in local tastes. "Having a venue like Club Head Bang Bang on our doorsteps, a venue that brings internationally renowned world music acts to Kerry, while also giving young up and coming musicians from Tralee a chance to perform, is a fantastic resource. And when you take that in consideration with the fact that Keith and Treasa, the organisers, manage to do it all without charging a cover charge is little short of amazing. Not to mention all the great work that Samhlaiocht does in organising and promoting all the Arts throughout Kerry, and in Culloty's Music shop we've a surplus of riches. It's a definitely a good time to be living in Tralee if music is your thing," says James.

"I've always loved living in Kerry, the incredible landscapes, I think, influence our music and to now have a chance to bring this music to other like minded people is a gift," says James with a smile. Well, if it's a gift, it's a gift that will keep on giving - Avatar play in Club Head Bang Bang as part of the landmark Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival on Saturday night, March 22nd, at 10 pm and admission is completely free. Club Head Bang Bang is located in the Greyhound Bar on Pembroke Street.

Finnegan’s Hostel on Denny Street Tralee, which is a long time supporter of Samhlaiocht, has offered a discount rate, €16 per person sharing, to those interested in attending the Easter Arts Festival. To book a room please call 066 712 7610 or log onto http://www.finneganshostel.com/

To learn more about Avatar please log onto http://www.amarumusic.net/ or onto the band’s MySpace site www.myspace.com/avatarsound To learn more about Samhlaiocht please log onto http://www.samhlaiocht.com/ To learn more about Club Head Bang Bang please log onto http://www.clubheadbangbang.org/

Easter Arts Busking Competition Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival 2008

Photo Caption

Cormac, Orla and Dara O' Connor, from Moorcraft Kilfinora, Fenit, taking part in the 2007 Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival Busking Competition.

Samhlaiocht today issued a call for entries for the Annual Busking and Street Entertainment Competition which will take place as part of the Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival, which runs in Tralee from March 22nd to March 24th, 2008. All street entertainers are invited to take part in the festivities, everything from talented musicians, jugglers, singers, dancers, comedians, fire-eaters and street artists will be welcome. The competition will take place on the Easter Saturday, March 22nd, 2008, from 2 pm to 6 pm.

"Music and entertainment has always played a huge part in the Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director, Samhlaiocht. "This is the second year of the Busking and Street Entertainment competition and we're hoping to build on last year's competition that brought such fun and excitement to the streets of Tralee."

"We're really looking forward to the Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival and we think that the Busking and Street Entertainment Competition will complement all the other free activities that we organise for Tralee," said Michele Sheehan, co-ordinator of the competition. "The town will come alive with all kinds of wonderful entertainment. This year we're having two distinct competitions – an 'open competition', for over eighteens and group performances, and a special 'youth performer' competition, for those under 18."

The people of Tralee are very supportive of the festival and always appreciate the wealth of talent brought to the town each Easter weekend. The Tralee Branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, as a show of appreciation, has offered to sponsor the cash prizes that the winning Entertainers will receive. The Tralee Vintners are sponsoring the 'open competition' prize, and many local businesses, including World of Wonder, Aqua Dome, Lee Records, Smyths and Tralee Pet Corner, are sponsors of the 'Youth competition' prizes.

"The support we receive from the business people of Tralee, quite literally keeps the festival alive," said O' Mahony, "and we're really grateful to the Tralee Branch of the Vitners Federation of Ireland and to it's chairman, Danny Leane from the Abbey Inn."

With artists from all over Ireland descending on Tralee for three days over Easter, the annual Easter Arts Festival has become a favourite bank holiday treat for lovers of culture and 'craic'. This year the festival promises to whip up a whirlwind of fresh, exciting music, dance, literature, street theatre, workshops, children's activities, markets, a parade and much more.

Finnegan's Hostel on Denny Street Tralee, which is a long time supporter of Samhlaiocht, has offered a discount rate, 16 euro per person sharing, to entertainers that come from outside of Tralee. To book a room please call 066 712 7610 or log onto http://www.finneganshostel.com/

All interested parties should contact Michele at michele@samhlaiocht.com or call 066 712 9934

Ethiopian Dance @ Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival 2008

It's an unfortunate reality that when people think of Ethiopia the images that first spring to mind are those of its recent past, images of famine, rather than images that highlight the culture of this proud nation, a nation that may well have held the cradle of humanity, as many believe that Homo Sapiens first evolved in Ethiopia. From the earliest times, then, Ethiopia has had a strong cultural and artistic identity and this unique cultural heritage is found most prominently in Ethiopian Dance.

The Samhlaiocht Easter Arts Festival, which is this year celebrating 17 years of bringing the Arts and Culture to the people of Kerry, is showcasing Ethiopian Dance as part of its upcoming celebrations.

"Our theme this year is Planet Earth," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "We're celebrating the artistic history and culture of the whole world this year and so having a rich cultural diversity throughout our many events is key to having a vibrant and successful festival. Ethiopian Dance is an art form that is moving, both figuratively and literally, while being just beautiful to watch. Irish Dancing is renowned world wide so we at Samhlaiocht feel it equally important to unearth an exciting alternative dance style for an Irish audience."

Ethiopian dancers move the head and shoulders back and forth as though they are only temporarily attached to the rest of the body. The movements are so uniquely beautiful to Ethiopian Dance that they invariably elicit gasps from the audience which often gives way to sheer delight at the pure virtuosity of the flowing movement.

And while the event will provide an opportunity for the audience to watch an energetic and inspiring performance it will also fashion an opportunity for them to learn, what is sure to be for most audience members, a brand new style of dance.

Betesaida Hailegeorgis, who hails for the Ethopian capital of Addis Ababa , and has resided in Kerry since 2000 will teach the Master class. "It will be a pleasure to share such an important part of the culture of my home country with the people of my new home," said Betesaida with a smile that's as beautiful as the traditional dance which she practices, "I'm really looking forward to performing the dance routines and then teaching the Irish audience how to Ethiopian dance."

The dance focuses on the shoulders, which seductively gyrate and undulate in a frenzied display of almost competitive energy. The workshop takes place on Easter Monday, March 24th at 4:00 pm in the Siamsa Tire Rehearsal Room. Those interested in taking part should get in touch with Michele Sheehan of Samhlaocht on 066 712 9934 or by emailing michele@samhlaiocht.com
For more info on Ethiopia please log onto http://www.dci.gov.ie/ethiopia.asp

Killarney on the Clubbing Map

Revered house pushers and producers Fish Go Deep who over the past few years have been denting buzz and hype charts with the help of Tralee girl Tracey Kelliher look set to put Killarney on the clubbing map.

They will play at the Crypt in Killarney on Friday February 29th

Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson have been playing records in public since the late 1980s. Their residency at Ireland's longest running and best known house club, Sweat at Sir Henry's in Cork, spanned more than a decade and influenced a generation of Irish clubbers and DJs, picking up numerous awards and accolades along the way.

Since finishing Sweat in 2001, Fish Go Deep's travels have taken them to clubs across Ireland, the UK, Europe and the Middle East and throughout the US and Canada. Although in recent years Greg and Shane have settled back into a weekly Go Deep residency in their hometown, they still guest regularly overseas.

They have presented the Go Deep radio show on Cork's Red FM since 2004 and also broadcast regular shows on Ireland's national music station, 2fm, and Istanbul's Power FM. They have contributed mixes to Spin FM (Dublin), Nova (Paris), FMR (Toulouse), Planet Soul (Toronto) and many other stations.

Greg and Shane's production work under the Fish Go Deep name has been enthusiastically received in recent years, earning praise from deejays, dancers and journalists around the globe.

In recent years, Fish Go Deep tracks have been included on dozens of compilations, on labels in the US, Canada, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland and South Africa.

In 2005 Greg and Shane launched two of their own imprints, Ork Recordings, with fellow Corkman, Mark O'Sullivan, and Go Deep. To date, releases on both labels have found favour with such heavyweight DJs as Danny Tenaglia, Laurent Garnier, Louie Vega, Timmy Regisford and Pete Tong, and have been licensed to many different territories.

They will play at the Crypt in Killarney on Friday February 29th

For more info please log onto http://www.myspace.com/houseproudirl