Read: It’s not many books that manage to mix a fairly astonishing literary prowess with a satisfying bolt of dark humour – the latest author to swagger into town with this particular pair of six shooters is David Bezmozgis, and in his saddlebags are copies of his debut novel, The Free World. (more…)
It’s hard to imagine that I could like the man more, but John le Carré has asked to be removed from the shortlist for the Man Booker International prize. (more…)
This is not so much a single post as a gallop through a few noteworthy arts news items. First off, good news yesterday from the High Court, where the Light House Cinema in Dublin’s Smithfield got some more time to sort out a rent dispute with its landlord.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy granted an adjournment until April 15th to give the board of the Light House time to come up with a solution to its current predicament, after the landlord had brought a petition to force the cinema into examinership. (more…)
See: There is a cracking temporary exhibition of work by some of Ireland’s top illustrators (and one or two most welcome blow-ins) currently on show at a temporary space being run by the Blue Leaf Gallery. The show, called Graphics Unleashed, gathers together the work of Alan Clarke, Brian Coldrick (whose work is below), Cathy Dineen, Una Gildea, Brian Fitzgerald, Chris Judge, Joven Kerekes, Emmet Mullins, Padhraig Nolan, Steve Simpson and Ray Sell (one of the aforementioned blow in, who is also set to get his own show over here in the next few weeks). The show is in the ground-floor unfinished office space at 4-5 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay (go into the lobby and take a left after the desk) and all the work is for sale, if you feel like digging not all that deeply into your pockets. Be quick though – the show finishes up tomorrow. For more information click here, you arty monkeys.
Ah, the old Asbo hoodie defence. A cunning move
Few news items are as likely to cause as much dismay as this report from Laura Slattery that the Light House cinema in Dublin is facing closure, thanks to a hike in rent by its landlord.
Save this cinema! Won’t somebody please think of the children! (more…)
Listen to: Dublin is one of only four cities that can call itself a Unesco City of Literature, and to celebrate this, along with something involving some beardy chap who had a thing about snakes, some of Ireland’s most famous writers are descending on Dublin’s Convention Centre for an evening of stories and song. Among those in attendance will be (deep breath) Seamus Heaney, Sebastian Barry, Dermot Bolger, Damien Dempsey, Roddy Doyle, Paul Durcan, Lisa Hannigan, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Paul Howard, Declan Hughes, Biddy Jenkinson, Neil Jordan, Cathy Kelly, Claire Kilroy, Paula Meehan, Eamon Morrissey, Barry McGovern, Joseph O’Connor, Mike Scott, Gerry Stembridge and Maeve Binchy, with Mike Murphy performing MC duties for the evening. That’s more literary heavyweights than most festivals can manage to muster. Tickets start at €18 plus booking fees, and for more information click here. (more…)
The Orange Prize for Fiction longlist has been announced. The list will be whittled down further on April 12th before the prize – along with a cheque for £30,000 and a bronze bust called Bessie – is handed over on June 8th. (more…)
For most of us, Sunday is the day when you play a leisurely game of catch-up. A pile of Sunday papers gently demolished over pots of coffee; slow, indulgent breakfasts; or late brunches with friends, filling in the gaps of friendship created by the midweek rota of work and commitments. Books are read, music listened to, films watched. (more…)
Go: Some things in life are always a good idea: one for the road, a book you like the cover of (better not start all that again), ringing up an old friend, or milk and cookies. The latter is even better when it is less of a midnight raid on the fridge and more of a storytelling, theatrical, punk-culture extravaganza. Tomorrow night, the Milk and Cookies team are bringing the Seven Deadly Sins to the Complex in Smithfield. Expect two stages of music, poetry, storytelling, dance, comedy and some right oddball goings on. Among the nutjobs letting their screws go loose are the Jazzberries, Crazy Dog Audio Theatre, The Brownbread Players, Colm Keegan and many, many more. The show starts at 7pm, it’s €7 on the door, and bring your own sherry. (more…)
There seems to be something of a trend among book-cover designers in recent years towards glittery little packages that make everything seem like chick lit, and could, if the sun was strong, as on today’s glorious spring day, blind your fellow passengers on the bus with a little accidental angling. (more…)
