Dear Reader –
Here’s the WhatsApp conversation that inspired this week’s Big Thing.
All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
Just over three weeks to go until Theme Night #29, and on the Thursday night ONLY, we are going to have Emily Meades back on the Hawk’s Well stage for the first time in ages. She couldn’t make Theme Night #28 last Christmas, which meant we didn’t get the chance to perform her contribution to last year’s Theme Night Album - Boys of Summer.
So to make up for lost time, on Thursday 5th May at Theme Night #29 Emily is going to perform two songs - the aforementioned Boys of Summer, plus one of the three songs referenced above.
And YOU get to choose - have a listen first if you want.
Independence Day (Martina McBride)
A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)
To vote, just leave a comment below with the name of the song of your choice.
And don’t let luck come into it - get your tickets for the Thursday to see Emily today. Available here.
Where else but Sligo?
Regular readers will know of my fondness for Monday nights in Sligo, but last night was on another level, and worth a few words here.
My wife and I headed to the Hawk’s Well to see The Producers, presented by Pop-Up Theatre. The show had been getting rave reviews all week, so we were really looking forward to it. The theatre was buzzing with the noise of a sell-out crowd, and the first person we spotted was Teenage Theme Night graduate Nils Kavanagh (pictured below), whom Sinéad then informed me had been crowned Young Irish Jazz Musician of the Year the previous night in Limerick. Amazing!
There were friendly faces everywhere. I ended up sitting beside my old classmate and Theme Night regular Annette Rafter, at the interval I had a great chat with entertainment legend Scruffy Duffy about trying to hang on to some lockdown lessons learned, and I even managed to nab Jayne Feehily to do an on-stage job or two for the next theme night.
Then it was quickly down to Connolly’s for our Monday night session. Seamie and Gerry had been holding the fort and no better men than the two lads to help you settle in quickly to a gig. But it was when Cathal Roche arrived that things really took off. He had been playing in the pit for The Producers, and his playing reminded me of the feeling I have every December when I come into Connolly’s from the panto. Your fingers and your mind have been sharpened nicely, but there is also a sense of liberation and giddiness from not playing the same music as has been in front of you for the last few nights.
Cathal played gloriously and lifted the energy for punters and the band alike.
A word on the show. It was another triumph for Karen Gordon and her team. Her shows always inspire me and this was no different. I loved Robbie Fitzpatrick and my old thespian colleague Éanna O’Donnell in the two lead roles, and Niamh Crowley calmly led what seemed like the biggest band I have ever seen in the pit in the Hawk’s Well through a challenging score. Leo Tarrant and Sam Purcell were two especially bright stars in a sea of young talent.
Finally, Annette asked me at the end of the Connolly’s gig - who are all these people out on a Monday night?
The smart people - that’s who!
What’s New?
CLAIRE BYRNE: George Hamilton told the story of our now famous rendition of Piano Man on the Claire Byrne show last week.
THEME NIGHT #29 COMPETITION: A great prize on offer from the Embassy Steakhouse this week. A pre-show dinner for 2 and 2 tickets to Theme Night #29 on a night of your choice. PLUS a signed copy of the limited edition vinyl version of How Can I Keep from Singing. More details here.
YOUNG SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE: This Friday in The Model. A host of local teenage musical talent showcasing their original music. Tickets available here or on the door on the night.
Finally…
Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know which song you’d like to hear Emily sing at Theme Night #29. Here is her performance from our Vicar St show in 2019.
Till next time - Kieran.
