Festival Previews Video Blog

The village hall was resplendent in trailing ivy and sparkling fairy lights.  The table cloths were pristine white with scattered tea-lights twinkling in a forest of shiny tableware.  It was Burns night again and we were in for nice treat!  To kick off proceedings, the wonderful Coreen Scott took to the stage to warm the cockles of our musical hearts with a couple of toe-tapping songs and some lively audience singing.

After the joys of a bounteous fare, two unassuming musicians took to the stage amidst the lively chatter of contented tummies and a good dram or two.  You soon you became very aware that Seylan Baxter and Ruaridh Pringle as Tatie Jam were no ordinary musicians.   Two clearly accomplished artists, their demeanour relaxed, their style polished and honed to perfection.  Seylan’s flowing mane, beautiful vocals and agile fingers adds rich visual tapestry to Ruaridh’s harmonic vocals and skilled multi-instrument playing.  Their ornate repertoire reveals a fusion of reinterpreted traditional songs and tunes written by Ruaridh with a diminutive twist and a nuance of spice.

Joy enough was this that I bought their new Album which they so kindly inscribed and autographed for me.  It was a real pleasure meeting them as they were quietly slipping off stage and gave me their valuable time.  Touched by their music, their Album reveals a beautifully textured sound with a  surprising dash of didgeridoo!

A great night!

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Ju was in touch from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture to tell us about the 2009/10 Seoul Festival of Lights which is sadly winding down to its spectacular conclusion this coming Saturday.  It’s the biggest winter festival in Seoul and has been illuminating this vibrant city since the 19th December 2009 to the 25th January 2010.  Their cartoonised promo certainly appeals to a younger market showing a fanfare of pageantry - who could be moody over the winter months with all this glorious light?

From their Hi Seoul Festival in the spring to this spectacular Festival of Lights spanning the darker months of winter, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture certainly puts the Republic of Korea on the map with the grandeur of its festivals.

For more information about The 2009/10 Seoul Festival of Lights do check out their leaflet.

Neel de Jong was kindly in touch to tell us about the Dansparade Holland Dance Festival which she took part in again this year. (Neel is front right of the above image) .  She sent us a video link to view coverage provided by TV WEST.  I must confess to prefer seeing videos as they happen - all those flashing snippets, lights, colourful explosions and punchy music, such marketing hype tends to distort the true experience!  The video is about 30 minutes long and you feel as if you are standing on the sidewalk as a member of the community.   Neel’s dance group is about half way through.  Thanks Neel!

JIM BARKER CARTOOnd GRAPHICS

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Now known as Absolut Fringe, the Dublin Fringe kicked off with great raz!  On from the 5th to 20th September check out some of the artists performing at this year’s ABSOLUT FRINGE!