Dear Reader –
Happy Christmas to you, and a huge thanks for reading in 2022. We begin today with a short message about the art of celebration - it’s called ‘Eve‘.
**All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
Eve
We’ve gotten really good at anticipation but have a harder time with the celebration.
The eve is the time just before the thing…and so we get to fill in whatever story we want about how it’s going to go. But for the actual celebration we have to deal with reality, how it is.
We’ll get better at the celebration the more we practise.
Courtesy of Gabe Anderson.
Where else but Sligo?
We’ve been doing our best to fill Sligo with Christmas cheer over the last few days.
Gerry Grennan had the Bree’s crowd just where he wanted them last night as our gig drew to a close. Not only had he made them wait until the end to hear a Christmas song, he also made them wait for 6-7 instrumental choruses of the song itself before actually singing it. And his craftiness (!) paid off - I have never seen such a reaction to Santa Claus is Coming To Town! Great to have John Joe Kelly (bodhran) back out with us too.
But first prize must go to the children who came to see our Anything Goes Christmas Toons show on Sunday and Monday. Now we only have ourselves to blame, since Sinéad encouraged them to sing Jingle Bells so loud that Santa himself would hear us. As you can see from the picture below it worked - I just hope the roof in the Hawk’s Well is OK!
What’s New?
WORLD CUP FINAL: This Argentinian commentator’s reaction to the final Argentinian penalty being scored last Sunday would bring a tear to a glass eye. Starts at 0:36.
WITH GLOWING HEARTS: A gorgeous-looking Christmas gig taking place in the Hawk’s Well Theatre tomorrow evening (Wed 21st). What a line-up!
BONG DING A LING: If weird, wacky and witty Christmas songs are your thing, check this brand new one out. Courtesy of Theme Night Ensemble members Ken Roht, Dave Flynn and Ryan Scanlon (among others by the looks and sound of things)!
Finally…One of the sadder Christmas songs, but no doubting its beauty. I always love to listen to Eoin singing it at this time of year. Live version from Vicar St 2019 below, or else check out this 2021 studio version.
Till next time - Kieran.
