THEY'RE calling it an "extravaganza" and it's free and it's for the humble punter and it's happening next Monday from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m, to celebrate the Irish presidency of the EU. Streets, Squares and Spectacles will have stages in Temple Bar Square and East Essex Street and it promises to pack a powerful percussive punch.
The line up includes Pulsus from Cork, who play Irish traditional music on bones, bodhrans and drums, Ceol Batucada, a samba band from Drogheda, and Different Drums from Belfast, as well as the first outing of the Temple Bar Power Tool Orchestra. Did Temple Bar's tax beating new residents bargain for this?
Barabbas, the wonderful Irish clown troupe, will perform, and will "insist on audience participation", as will seasoned street performers Midie Corcoran and Little John Nee.
It has to be said, however, that there is a more star studded cast lined up for the concert at 9.30 p.m. in the new Meetinghouse Square, which will have an invited audience, including the Taoiseach, all members of Government and all of the Commissioners of the European Union. This team of grey suits will have a chance to bend their ears to (and feast their eyes on) The Corrs, as well as top fiddler Maire Breatnach, box player Mairtin O'Connor, the floaty dressed legions of Anuna and many others. A specially commissioned piece of music by Shaun Davey will be performed and there will be a new short film by Hugh Chaloner.
Common punters can still see the show, however, by heading home after their percussive blitz and switching on the TV, because it will be televised live on RTE 1 at 9.30 p.m., under the title Hello Europe - This is Temple Bar.