Come Here To Me!

Dublin Songs and Stories was an idea spawned many moons ago during a chance conversation between ourselves at CHTM! and the legend that is Johnny Moy. After many attempts at sitting down to organise something, we finally got around to hosting our first night in the Sugar Club earlier this year.

The atmosphere that night in June surpassed anything we could have dreamed of. We had this idea of taking a slice of Dublin life- of music, arts, politics and history, and putting it on a stage to see what we would come up with. We had Maser to Jim Fitzpatrick, Lewis Kenny to Barry Gleeson- with an absolute barrel of laughs and memories to take home with us. As we had decided beforehand, any money made from these events would go to a charitable organisation. With that in mind, Pieta House was our benefiting charity for the evening. Our second night followed on from the same theme- a wide mix of great people onstage with amongst others, BP Fallon, ADW, Ailbhe Smith and Steve Averill doing their bit for the Rape Crisis Centre.

Poster for Dublin Songs and Stories Chapter 3

Our event on 20th December will be benefiting Inner City Helping Homeless, a charity working with the homeless of Dublin. It has been a harsh winter so far, and in recent years we have seen numerous deaths on our streets. These nights are about loving the city of Dublin and, in some small way, helping those in it who require assistance.

Tickets in advance are recommended, the last night was near a sellout. You can get them here. It kicks off at 7:30pm in The Sugar Club once again. We advise getting there on time! The event page is up now too, be sure to click attending if you’re coming along.

The GPO 1916, by Robert Ballagh

Robert Ballagh is a national treasure, but before he was making iconic art he was playing with the showband The Chessmen.  Always politically outspoken,  Bobby was centrally involved in the 75th anniversary commemorations of the Easter Rising in 1991 with the ‘Reclaim the Spirit of Easter’ campaign, and he is likewise taking an active role in the alternative centenary celebrations. Having interviewed Jim Fitzpatrick at our last event, this is another chance to catch a  legendary Irish artist being interviewed about their work and influences.

Frank Murray (r) with photographer John Minihan (Image Credit, http://maireaddeblacajewellery.com/

Frank Murray: In keeping with our love for Thin Lizzy and The Pogues we take a trip down memory lane and host their original manager. Frank was one of Philo’s closest mates back in the heady day when they were London based and just about to break. Thin Lizzy are still regarded by old and new rock bands as being the best ever rock band, hard to argue that point. The Pogues should need to introduction and Frank guided them through their most successful eras and was also around for the most hedonistic period of the band career, come down and hear what he has to say.

Solus Art

Solus’ work tells a story of a boy in a man’s world, growing up too fast “trying” to fit into society, or the underdog rising up against hard times, victorious against all odds. His sense of humor, positive attitude, and struggles are recognizable throughout his striking bold images. Solus works on large outdoor murals and additionally has become a gallery artist, producing works on canvas and limited edition prints. Solus has gained notoriety not only for his work in Ireland, but also North America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Solus currently works with galleries in New York, Miami, Montreal, Australia and Dublin. This year he painted at the prestigious Art Basel in Miami.

Emmet Kirwan (l)

Emmet Kirwan is an Irish Actor and Writer. He is best known for writing and starring in the Irish television cult comedy series Sarah and Steve (2010) also the huge online hit Just Saying (2012), The Take (2009), 71 (2014), Jack Taylor:Shot Down (2013). As a playwright he won the prestigious Stewart Parker award for his play ‘Dublin Oldschool’. He is a veteran actor of the Irish stage. His distinctive voice can be heard narrating many Irish documentaries and television shows.

Stephen James Smith

Like a lot of people, we came across Stephen James Smith through the very powerful ‘Dublin, You Are’ video. It name checked many familiar places, faces and moments, and had a strong anti-racist message and a wonderful sentiment.  Stephen is a founder of LINGO Festival (inaugural festival in 2014), Ireland’s only spoken word festival, and poetry curator of the annual First Fortnight Festival. His ABSOLUTE Dublin Fringe play Three Men Talking About Things They Kinda Know About (2011,) co-written with Colm Keegan and Kalle Ryan, was shortlisted for the Bewley’s Little Gem Award. Arise and Go!, his debut album with musician Enda Reilly, was selected by Hot Press as one of the best albums of 2011.

Lethal Dialect

Lethal Dialect has been on our radar for a long time,  and continues a trend for us having invited hip hop artist Costello to take part in our first night.  Leathal Dialect, real name Paul Alwright, has produced some of the finest Irish hip hop albums in recent years, including LD-50 and 1988. We’ve seen him perform in places as diverse as Casa Rebelde and a tent at Electric Picnic, and now we’re bringing him to the Sugar Club!

Landless

There is something wonderful happening in Irish folk and traditional scenes. At previous events we have hosted Lynched (in P Macs), John Flynn of Skipper’s Alley and Barry Gleeson.  Landless are Lily Power, Meabh Meir, Ruth Clinton and Sinead Lynch. They sing unaccompanied traditional songs in four-part harmony, and are a joy to listen to. They recently performed at The Night Before Larry Was -Stretched, a monthly singing session in the Cobblestone which brings together some of the most diverse voices in traditional and folk singing in Dublin today. You can listen to them at https://wearelandless.wordpress.com/listen/, and you really should.

Owensie

Owensie is known to many Dublin punks of a certain vintage; in a former life he was guitarist/ vocalist in Puget Sound and Terrordactyl  but has carved a name and a niche for himself as one of Ireland’s finest songwriters. His third album Dramamine was released earlier this year, and with five star reviews for his penultimate album ‘Citizens’  abound, expect this effort to replicate the acclaim, the Irish Times calling it an”elegant collection of layered folk music anchored by his brittle falsetto and bright Spanish guitarplaying.” Alongside his new album, he has just released a Christmas song, “The Old Breadline” and has amazingly offered to designate Inner City Helping Homeless as the chosen charity to receive any download sales. So get downloading here: http://owensie.bandcamp.com/track/the-old-breadline