Voices of note

Editorial Department • Published 10 Sep 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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It's entertainment all the way this Autumn at Ardhowen Theatre, with a range of popular shows including this weekend's hilarious get together with Ireland's funniest comedian, Conal Gallen, on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September. Booking up hugely well, Conal is one of the busiest entertainers around. Not only does he leave people helpless with laughter (one lady had to be helped out last year, her sides were that sore with laughing) but he engages them with his stories and songs. His busy career involves touring in Great Britain, Ireland and Europe and there is a distinct possibility he may get his own TV show. Let's hope he does. Conal's performances at Ardhowen begin at 8pm.

The Best Is Yet To Come

'The Best Is Yet To Come' is the title of the amazing Tommy Fleming's most recent album and the title and sentiment are indeed true. This wonderful performer with the 'Golden Tenor Voice' is in huge demand all over the world, with recent sell out performances in Australia, Germany, Holland and Belgium as well as Ireland already this year. Tommy returns to the Ardhowen stage on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th September at 8pm when audiences will be able to hear many of the superb songs from his current album and other favourites. His hugely successful 'Voice Of Hope' album was number one in Ireland for 10 weeks and stayed in the charts for months and his planned album for Christmas this year, entitled 'Song For A Winter's Night' which features favourites such as 'Oh Holy Night' and 'Silent Night' is sure to be a best seller. His concert will also include popular songs such as 'Danny Boy', 'From A Distance', 'You Raise Me Up', 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters' and 'Something Inside So Strong'. The world is certainly Tommy's oyster and as the title of his current album states 'The Best Is Yet To Come'.

Frances Black In Concert

When Nanci Griffith called Frances Black 'The sweetest voice of Ireland', she was paying tribute to someone who has been one of Ireland's best loved and most enduring artists since the late 1980's, with a string of best selling albums, awards and other accolades behind her. Her concert at Ardhowen Theatre on Friday 18th September is long awaited by her many fans, with a great night in store. Born in Dublin into a musical family, she began singing in their own group, 'The Black Family', when she was 17. Since that time, she has been a member of 'Arcady' and recorded with artists such as Kieran Goss, and her own sister Mary Black. Her hugely successful 'Woman's Heart' tour and album also featured Eleanor McEvoy, Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Sharon Shannon and Maura O'Connell. The success of this album, which was the biggest selling album ever in Ireland, led to huge tours and huge success. This success led to a contract with Dara Records and the release of her first solo album which went to number one in the Irish charts where it stayed for 10 weeks. Since that success, she has released seven more best selling solo albums, all of which contain beautiful melodies and stirring lyrics, delivered with passion and feeling. Many of her favourite songs from these albums will form part of this eagerly awaited concert.

Hugo Duncan

The final event in a busy week is David Hull Promotions' show Country 1st on Saturday 19th September, which features the ever popular Hugo Duncan, with an assortment of guests. These include Frankie McBride, Farmer Dan, Kenny Archer, Trionagh Moore and Crawford Bell. It's sure to be a great night of Country Music fuelled by Hugo's boundless energy and fun.

Other Events

The Miami Showband are back by popular demand on Saturday 26th September and Mick Flavin's popular variety show takes to the Ardhowen Stage on Thursday 1st October. All other shows up to the end of January 2010 are now booking.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 10 Sep 09

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