The Manchester Irish Festival: 4th - 20th March 2005
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Wednesday 16th March
Union Music Lounge
ALL FM Radio’s Full Irish
St. Patrick’s Eve Party
Live Music with Kieran Cunningham
plus JIB Country Sounds
Time: 8pm on
Admission: FREE
Joe Casserly and all the team from ALL FM Radio’s Irish programme ‘The Full Irish’ will be on air from 7pm - 9pm and in the Union afterwards with Live Music by Kieran Cunningham plus JIB Country Sounds and surprise guests. Come and meet the team from the Full Irish and join in the Irish Party.
Part of Levenshulme Fleadh
Sponsored by ALL fm 96.9 fm
Palace Levenshulme
St Patrick's Eve Frog & Bucket
Irish Comedy Special
with Kevin Gildea (as seen in Fr. Ted),
Martin Bigpig and the award winning
Jason Manford plus
MC Patrick Monahan
Doors Open 8pm Show starts 8.30pm prompt
Tickets £5 advance
The world famous Frog & Bucket Comedy Club brings an exclusive St Patrick's Eve Irish Comedy show to the Palace Levenshulme to mark the tenth anniversary of this year's festival. The Comedy club has been responsible for showcasing some of the world's biggest Comedy stars including the award winning Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas and Steve Coogan. This rib tickling line up of the UK and Ireland's premier Irish Comedians is certain to be a sell out, so book your tickets in advance.
Kevin Gildea is a comedy genius and one of the most sought after acts on the national circuit. An oddball Irishman with a definite twinkle, his Edinburgh Fringe shows are critically acclaimed sell-outs. He has written for Alexei Sayle and his appearances on TV also include The Stand Up Show and The Amnesty International Comedy Special.
Kevin is a sell out Edinburgh performer and an astonishing critical success. His mild manner and quirky absurdist viewpoint pave the way for side - splittingly funny ruminations. Well and truly in the premier league of comics, Kevin is the definition of 'must see'.
Jason Manford has been on the circuit for nearly four years. He is based in the North West and despite being only 21 has regularly headlined the area's top comedy clubs. He started as a pot collector at the Buzz and when an act didn't turn up one night Jason offered to step in and performed a very promising set in front of a demanding audience. After only five weeks and four gigs, he won the prestigious North West Comedian of the Year Award. Jason has a warm and natural stage presence, and his act is a friendly one. He is naturally funny and has a strong, original set with wry observations and a genuine respect for the old comedy greats.
Martin Hutton aka Martin Bigpig who comes from Northern Ireland is a multi-skilled performer and has been working professionally since 1986 as an actor and comedian. In 1988 he toured a solo show in the USA and recently performed, with great success, at the L'ora Del Colore' Festival in Italy. He has been a headline act and a compere at all the major UK comedy clubs besides performing in a variety of shows at The Edinburgh Festival. Martin has developed a unique performance style, which allows him to adapt his material to suit the requirements and mood of the audience and the venue.
"Martin Bigpig is an extremely popular act and always amazes his audience with his attention grabbing routine. He is larger than life, and well loved, his appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe festival have been monumental" BBC
Patrick Monahan started off on the Irish / Iranian / Geordie circuit! before breaking out onto the U.K., European and International comedy scene with gigs in France, Monaco, Germany, Belgium, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates
As well as performing in most comedy clubs across the UK, Patrick has also done a host of University network shows for Avalon, Paramount and Off The Kerb Events and recently appeared in 'Malai Monologues' a six part comedy series for BBC THREE, taking comics to a range of everyday locations to perform live to street audiences across the UK.
"An upbringing infused with culture clashes and his unconventional mind, Monahan is a hybrid calamity with a comic pedigree that's all his own." "He has all the charm of Ed Byrne, the energy of Adam Bloom and wild leaps of imagination that are resonant of Ross Noble"
The List (Maureen Ellis - 2002)
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
English Martyrs Parish Centre
Stella Morgan School of Irish Dancing
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
All children welcome to this weekly class in Irish Dancing.
St. Richards Social Club
Irish Community Care Celebrations
Time: 12.30-3.00 pm
A St Patrick’s Celebration for the over 50’s and Reminiscence Exhibition of the lives of Manchester’s Irish Community. Entertainment by the renowned “Mayo Man” Peter Mylett. A lively afternoon of refreshment’s, dancing, singing, memories and craic!
St Kentigerns
Sean Dempsey Set Dance Club
Time: 7- 8.45pm
Irish Association Club
Sean Dempsey Set Dance Club
Time 9-11pm
Set dancing lessons, come along and try a set, all levels welcome.
Jabez Clegg
Manchester Ceilidh
Time: 8pm
With two live bands and dynamic young callers to lead you through the steps we guarantee you a night to remember that will leave you begging for more. For further information visit www.manchesterceilidh.co.uk
English Martyrs Parish Centre
Shamrock Shufflers Line Dancing
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Come down and join this weekly class in Line Dancing.
O’Sheas Irish Bar
Barry James and Friends
Time: 9pm – 1am
The Ex Toss the Feathers front man provides a range of Celtic tunes from Christy Moore to Van Morrison
Irish World Heritage Centre
Children’s authors reading
Time: 8pm
Irish Children’s authors Siobhan Parkinson and Marita Connolly-McKenna present a reading of their work for young people.
For Further details call 0161 202 1200.
Irish World Heritage Centre
Radio na Gaeltachta
Time: Evening
Admission £3
Recording a night of music and chat with the Castlemore Ceili Band, Michael Kierans and various Gaelic artists. If you want to send a message to Ireland in Gaelic, this will be your chance.
For further details call 0161 202 1200.
Conors Bar & Lounge
Celli Night
Time: 8pm
Pete Durkins Celli night, a fantastic friendly and enjoyable midweek break.
St. Mary’s Parish Centre, Levenshulme.
Sean Dempsey Set Dance Club
Time: 8.30-10.30pm
Set dancing lessons, come along and try a set, all levels welcome.
O’Sheas Irish Bar
Sean O’Connor and Richard Sanderson
Time: 9pm – 1am
Sean although new on scene is proving himself to be amongst the best in Manchester, joined by Green Hot Clover's energetic fiddler Richard.