It was at this time last year that I had my first introduction to "The Dubliners Encore." The creation of John Sheahan, the last surviving member of the original Dubliners and his daughter, Ceoladh, along with musical direction from the great songwriter, musician and producer, Phil Coulter and direction by accomplished film and television director, Maurice Sweeney, the show recaptures the halcyon days of the 1960's and 1970's when The Dubliners brought Irish folk music and song to audiences...

Twice a year, it is my pleasure to review productions by Aldridge Musical Comedy Society. It is an organisation which is based close to where I live and members of it are well known to me personally. I am  keen to support and encourage local talent and A.M.C.S. always come up with an entertaining and enjoyable show.  This November, we were treated to an interesting, pantomime style interpretation of "A Christmas Carol," written by society member, Richard Beckett, who also took on...

Something which I always look forward to in November is my annual visit to this excellent show, created a few years ago by my good friend, Ged Graham; a show which combines Irish music and dance with traditional Christmas material in a fresh and exciting way.  After a visit to the Wycombe Swan last year, it was back to my regular venue, the Lichfield Garrick, for this year's Saturday matinee and it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon, especially when combined with the...

TikTok continues to dominate the world of short-form videos, with millions of people watching and sharing clips every day. From dance challenges and recipe hacks to travel vlogs and motivational content, TikTok has become a global hub of entertainment. However, many users still struggle to save their favorite videos, especially when downloads are disabled or when they want a high-quality, watermark-free file. Fortunately, 2025 brings a new wave of fast, secure, and user-friendly TikTok...

As a small boy in the mid 'sixties, I first heard Manfred Mann classics such as "5,4,3,2,1," "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy" and "Pretty Flamingo." I have always enjoyed these and many other songs from the band's repertoire and also remember as a 'seventies teenager, appreciating the work of Manfred Mann's Earthband.  For many years now, The Manfreds have been performing those early hits, with original lead vocalist, Paul Jones, at the helm and it was great to be able to see them at the Swan. An...

As I was only 2 years old when The Beatles played in Belfast in 1963, I was unable to see them actually perform live. Over the years, I have managed to watch various well known tribute bands and have enjoyed all their shows. My latest outing, to see The Upbeat Beatles at my regular haunt, the Lichfield Garrick, was another very enjoyable experience and a reminder of the amazing contribution that The Beatles made to the world of music during those heady days of the 1960's.  The first half...

I have been working in the audio visual field for years, and I’ve learned that good equipment can make or break an event. In Orlando, where events happen all the time, renting AV gear is often the best option. From corporate meetings to concerts, proper sound, video, and lighting setups are critical for a successful event. Why Audio Visual Rentals Matter Owning AV equipment is expensive and requires maintenance. Rentals give you access to professional-grade gear without the long-term...

  Store management games test your strategy, time management, and resource skills while offering an escape into the lively world of running a store. Today, let’s look at a twist on this genre: wordle unlimited , an addictive word game that blends guessing fun with smart choices to boost your score. Gameplay Wordle Unlimited is a creative extension of the popular word-guessing game, Wordle. Each round, you're presented with a five-letter word, and your mission is to guess what that...

The highlight of the August Bank Holiday weekend for me is always the opportunity to attend the Pairc and to give a review. Over the years, I have enjoyed the atmosphere and been entertained by some great artists and this year's event was no exception.  Day One began with a performance from Jack Banting to get the crowd going and this was followed by the ever popular Father Teds, with their lively interpretations of a wide range of songs.  Following this, the Pogue Traders...

Northern Ireland's legendary singer/songwriter Sir George Ivan Morrison (affectionately known throughout the world as "Van the Man") recently celebrated his 80th birthday with a series of concerts in his native Belfast. These culminated in 2 nights at the city's famous Waterfront Hall, in which he gave a rendition of a variety of songs both old and new and was accompanied by his daughter, Shana (an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right), Ronnie Wood (of Rolling Stones fame) and the...

Owning rare Bollywood music, particularly in its original vinyl form, carries a cultural significance that transcends the mere act of collecting. It represents a tangible connection to India’s rich musical and cinematic heritage, a bridge linking generations through sound and memory. For enthusiasts and collectors alike, these rare records are not simply artifacts; they embody stories, emotions, and a shared cultural identity that resonate deeply within the Indian diaspora and at home....

Every summer, I head to the grounds of the Irish Centre in Kings Heath, Birmingham, to enjoy a weekend of music and culture from all over the island of Ireland. Down through the years, I have witnessed many great acts and the lineup for this year is exceptional as usual. Saturday is headlined by The Sawdoctors (whom I have enjoyed seeing many times ), along with The Undertones (taking me back to my teenage era) and other acts such as Fin Furey, The Pogue Traders and The Father Teds, while on...