Portlaoise Jazz Festival in full swing
The revived Portlaoise Jazz Festival is in full swing this weekend. Image: Dunamaise Arts Centre
THE Portlaoise Jazz Festival is in full swing this weekend, after a break of nearly 30 years.
After opening on a high note last night, the festival is packed with events until Sunday night, with 40 acts at over 20 venues around the town.
Music lovers have a treat in store, with acts ranging from the Des Hopkins Dixieland Jazz band to Square Pegs and various local musicians, offering a mix of traditional and contemporary styles.
The festival opened on Friday evening with a terrific show by jazz guitarist Lee Meehan and his quartet at the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
The festival was founded in 1988 and ran successfully for several years before going on a longer break than expected in the mid-1990s.
This year’s revival, organised by a voluntary committee led by festival chairperson John Tynan, aims to bring live music back to the town’s streets, libraries and pubs. Most of the events, including a Jazz Trail through the town’s pubs, are free of charge.
The programme for the rest of the weekend includes:
SATURDAY, 31 JANUARY • Bergin’s Bar – Karl Clews at 10pm • Delaneys & Shellys – Urban Mojo Blues at 10pm • Debrun’s @ Humes – Powernap at 10pm • Jermiah Grant – Bossa Nua at 10pm • Kavanagh’s Venue – Des Hopkins at 6pm. Square Pegs at 10pm.
• Maggie Mays – Moon Rockers at 10pm • Mixer/Coppers Venue – Quadrivium at 11.45pm • O’Gorman’s – Dobrzanska Band at 9pm • Ramsbottom’s – Room Shakers at 10pm • Sally Gardens – 8 Bit Funk at 10pm • Square Bar – Anita Malzone Trio at 10pm • Vibe Bar – Brackbeats DJ at 10pm • Welcome Inn – Indigo Mood at 10pm
SUNDAY, 1 FEBRUARY • Ballykilcavan Brewery – Yuzuha O’Halloran at 4pm • Bergin’s Bar – Big Spoon at 7pm. Indigo Mood at 10pm • Delaneys & Shellys – Tiny Crimes at 10pm • Debrun’s @ Humes – Dobrzanska Band at 10pm • Jermiah Grant – Niamh & Eamonn at 8.30pm • Kavanagh’s Venue – Hothouse Big Band at 9.30pm • Liam Casey’s – Annette Joy at 10pm • Maggie Mays – Urban Mojo Blues at 10pm • Mixer/Coppers Venue – Brackbeats DJ at 11.45pm • O’Gorman’s – Blue Moon at 9pm • Peig’s Bar – Lea Trio at 7pm • Ramsbottom’s – Secret Jazz Band at 10pm • Sally Gardens – Faster Shorter Louder at 10pm • Welcome Inn – Jazz Jam Allstars at 9pm • Killeshin Hotel – Indigo Moon at 2pm
