The Manchester Irish Festival: 4th - 20th March 2005
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Palace Levenshulme
Farmside Place,
Levenshulme
Telephone 0161 257 2484
email festival@levenshulme.com
Friday 11th March
Rory Gallagher 10th Anniversary
Tribute Concert
with 'Sinnerboy'
Doors Open 9pm, on stage 9.30pm
Admission: Free
email ygg@levenshulme.com
to get on the free guest list
After their sell out concert during last years Levenshulme Festival in October, Europe's leading 'Rory Gallagher' tribute band return to launch the Manchester Irish Festival celebrations in Levenshulme.
This special concert will commemorate the 10th anniversary
of the late Irish Blues Rock guitarist 'Rory Gallagher' who died in 1985.
Admission is free to anyone who emails the festival at ygg@levenshulme.com
or contacts the venue on 0161 257 2484
with their name for the guest list.
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Sponsored by Guinness.
Saturday 12th March
U2 tribute night
with 'Achtung-baby'
Doors Open 9pm, Band on stage
9.30pm
Admission £4 Pay on the Door
One of the world's leading tribute acts and winner of BBC 1's best tribute act and ITV's Stars in Your Eyes, Achtung Baby have toured all over Europe with the tribute to the chart topping 'U2'.
A Celtic Rock club night 'Sham Rock n Roll' with DJ David H follows the live music until the early hours.
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Sponsored by WKD
Sunday 13th March
Post Parade Festival Disco
Time: 9pm - 1am
Admission £3
This Irish Festival special mixes the very best of commercial R'n'B with
Celtic grooves - everything from The Thrills to U2 will be hitting the
decks. With its leather sofas, gallons of Guinness and the vibrant Celtic
soundtrack, you could almost think you are in the bustling centre of Dublin.
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Sponsored by Guinness
Monday 14th March
BBC GMR's 'The Parlour' 20th Anniversary Charity Concert
in aid of Christie's against Cancer
Compered by Alan Keegan from BBC GMR
with Young, Gifted & Green
Irish Music & Dance Show and the
Keegan Kennedy School of Dancing
plus special guests
Doors Open 6.30pm, show starts 7pm prompt.
Tickets £7 available
from
Hennigans Sports Bar 0161 257 2484
This special concert for the Manchester Irish Festival is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UK's longest running Irish Radio show 'The Parlour' which has been broadcasting on BBC GMR for the last twenty years. The award winning 'Young, Gifted & Green' are celebrating their own tenth anniversary with special concert which will feature some very special guests.
The two and half hour traditional Irish Music and dance show will be compered by Alan Keegan and the rest of the 'Parlour Team' from BBC GMR.
YGG have built a legendary status with their sell-out shows at places like the 2,000 capacity Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Town Hall. They have appeared on numerous TV shows from Blue Peter to Songs of Praise, as well as being featured in the Granada TV six-part Irish documentary, 'The Irish Connection' last year and have helped raise over £80,000 for various charities. One of its former principal dancers is the three times world champion 'James Keegan' the current principal of the world famous 'Lord of the Dance' show.
Tickets are very limited for this intimate one off show, the first hour of which will be broadcast live by BBC GMR's Irish show 'The Parlour'.
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Wednesday 16th March
St Patrick's Eve Frog & Bucket
Irish Comedy Special
with Kevin Gildea (as seen in Fr. Ted),
plus 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'
Thursday 17th March
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day Celebrations Disco
Time: 10pm - 2am
Admission £5
It's the BIG ONE. The Celtic Groove Sound System, featuring Manchester top Radio DJs will be playing Celtic tunes mixed in with the latest Chart Hits and Dance.
Arrive early if you want to get in! It's standing room only at the festival's biggest Irish party in town. Don't forget to paint your face green and wear your shamrock with pride, whether you are Irish or just out to join in the biggest party of the year!
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Sponsored by Guinness
Friday 18th March
10th Anniversary of
YGG Unsigned 2005 Final
Doors Open 8pm
Tickets £3 advance
Manchester brewery 'Boddingtons' is sponsoring the search for the cream of the UK and Irelands Irish Rock talent 'YGG Unsigned 2005'
This is the tenth anniversary of the event which has grown into one of the UK's biggest battle of the bands competitions for bands with Irish roots. In previous years the competition has attracted entries from as far away as Australia and Canada. Last years event was a complete sell out so get your tickets in advance or arrive early if you want to get in.
The aim of the event is to provide a showcase for unsigned acts with Irish roots and to give them a helping hand on their way to stardom. Six finalists have made it through the hotly contested heats in their bid for £1,500 worth of prizes like last years winners 'The Hustle'
This years competition is sponsored by
ALIVE,
Boddingtons,
the Levenshulme Pub Company,
The 'White Album',
Cutting Rooms Recording Studios,
Karen McBride Photography,
Imagine FM Radio
www.xsync.co.uk
www.24rockfest.com>
More information can be obtained by contacting the
organisers on 0161 225 0706
or emailing ygg2004@hotmail.com
www.24rockfest.com
www.alive.co.uk
www.karenmcbride.com
www.thewhite.co.uk
www.imaginefm.net
www.manchester-bands.co.uk
www.xsync.co.uk
www.levenshulme.com
Saturday 19th March
Manchester Irish Festival
WKD Party Night
Time 10pm - 2am
Admission £2
For a Wicked night out there's only one place to be - the return of the
'WKD' Manchester Irish Festival Party night. Great tunes and give-aways
from the UK's premier vodka drink make it the ideal recipe for all you
party animals.
A part of ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Sponsored by WKD
Sunday 20 March
Manchester Irish Festival Charity 'MSU'
Under 18s Club Night Special
with teen Rock band 'SPR'
plus student DJ James H & DJ Tom
Dee
Time: 7pm-10pm
Admission £5 advance ticket only
Manchester Schools Unite is a unique club night for the city's 11-17 year olds. With over 600 members from 23 different schools throughout Greater Manchester, it has become one of the city's premier club nights for it's teenage population.
This Manchester Irish Festival special will feature top name Radio DJ's Plus a live PA by teen Rock band 'SPR' playing hits from Franz Ferdinand to Nirvana. Plus 17 year old student DJ James H and DJ Tom Dee.
No alcohol or smoking is allowed.
Soft Drinks Bar only.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Available from Hennigans Sports Bar
908 Stockport Road
or send a S.A.E. to MSU, The Palace Nightclub, Farmside
Place, Levenshulme, M19 3BF.
Cheques payable to
The Levenshulme Pub Company
or contact the club on 0161 257 2484
(Monday -Friday only 9am - 5pm)
This is a charity event and is a part of the ‘Levenshulme Fleadh'
Sponsored by Coca Cola
www.msuclub.co.uk
www.levenshulme.com
Sunday 20 March
Manchester Irish Festival Closing Party
with Tom Dee and guest DJ's
Time: 10pm-1am
Admission £3
The festival closing party will feature the very best
of commercial Celtic inspired R'n'B with the Celtic groove of everything
from Samantha Mumba through to The Thrills and U2. With its leather sofas,
gallons of Guinness and the vibrant Celtic soundtrack, you could almost
think you are in Dublin's bustling centre.
Sponsored by Guinness.
Manchester Irish Festival Message Board