Dear Reader –
Sometimes in a summer like this you just do what you can!
It’s the title of a great song too though - see below…
The Big Thing
Our term of summer piano lessons finishes this week. It has been lovely to hear from the new students about how much they have enjoyed the lessons and what they can play on the piano now after only a few weeks.
We’ll be getting to work straight away on the timetable for September.
More to come in the next few weeks, but we do have availability, so if you or someone you know would like to try out our unique way of learning piano, you can find out more here.
Where else but Sligo?
Yet again Sligo Jazz produced the goods in it’s own uplifting way last week. And although it’s always difficult to get to every single gig, I got to a few.
On Tuesday the warmth shown by the Hawk’s Well audience to local pianist Nils Kavanagh was wonderful. As was the joy and sense of fun (and incredible playing) that Nils and his trio brought to the gig.
On Wednesday it was just fantastic to see so many young musicians come together under the umbrella of the Sligo Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra. The quality of the gig made me text Niamh Crowley immediately to ask her when she was free to get stuck into the arrangements for a Big Band Theme Night!
But of course Sligo Jazz is not just about the gigs. The learning experience for all students is just as important and this year especially I got to see behind the scenes how the team try to ensure the best possible experience for every single student.
Finally, my wife asked me if the atmosphere she sensed from Friday’s gig was the same as all jazz gigs? I answered by saying although it’s probably not unique to this festival, I do know that Sligo is at the top of the list for many jazz musicians when it comes to summer schools on which they would like to work. Why? Because of the spirit and atmosphere that goes with it. And that comes right from the top - congrats once again to Eddie, Therese, Mimi and to the green-shirted gang of volunteers.
Click here for a look of what goes on in just one of the festival’s six days…
What’s New?
SINÉAD O’CONNOR: There’s one man I always read in sad times like these. Here’s what he wrote last week.
STEPHEN ST CULTURAL PLAZA: Usually in August I’d be telling you about the upcoming Summerfest gigs. It’s not going ahead this year due to building works, but it has been great to hear lots of talk around Sligo this week of how amazing the new Stephen St. Cultural Plaza is going to look.
MORE CLASSY GAA ACTIVITY: Pic by Piaras Ó Mídheach of Sportsfile from the aftermath of last Sunday’s All-Ireland final.
Finally…
More from The Nightfly after last week’s letter - it might lighten the mood after our somewhat wet July…
Till next time - Kieran.
