Author: Breffni Banks

Upstairs @ Whelan’s October 11^th

Doors open 8pm, Entry: €5

 Irish Autism Action are excited to announce a new partnership with Music Blogger Claire Kane (www.claireskane.wordpress.com) to bring Dublin Rocks for Irish Autism to Upstairs at Whelan’s on October 11^th 2012.

Music fans will be treated to a night of stellar Irish music from some of the most talented unsigned acts in aid of raising standards and awareness for Autism in Ireland. Crow Black Chicken and Machine Gun Baby will headline the event with support from KNOTS, Take The Money And Run and Megan Burke. Five of Ireland’s freshest and most exciting music acts will take to the stage for what promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment.

For more information contact Claire.s.kane@nullgmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/events/280569442057865/

Irish Autism Action is a young dynamic, innovative and passionate organisation formed in 2001 which is bringing positive change into the lives of those affected by autism. The range of services which Irish Autism Action provides includes awareness raising, early detection diagnosis, education support, advocacy, counselling, helpline, home based support, transition planning, social housing, research information and advice for families upon receiving diagnosis.

Guinness, in association with Hot Press and RTÉ 2fm, are offering Irish bands and musicians the opportunity to join the line-up for Arthur’s Day 2012. The national winner’s prize package for the Arthur’s Day – Play On The Day competition 2012 will include:

*A special Flip Cover of Hot Press including a full professional photo session and interview

* A full three-day recording session in RTE studios

* An in-studio session for broadcast by RTE 2fm

* The release of a single, with no strings attached

* A place for a band member/manager on Hot Press’ MIX course including consultation with industry experts

* Thousands of euro worth of top of the range musical instruments and equipment

* Multiple mentions across Guinness Ireland’s Facebook and Twitter pages which collectively boast over 350,000 fans and followers.

The Play On The Day competition will form an integral part of this year’s Guinness Arthur’s Day celebrations. To enter, acts must submit a track at http://www.playontheday.com and then play a gig on Arthur’s Day.

Once entries are submitted, the judges decide on a shortlist of entries for four regions. The public will then get the opportunity to vote on the shortlist, resulting in the top four in each region going forward to the Regional Finals in November. The Regional Winners will then go forward to the National Final also in November.

The nationwide search, which covers the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, is open to all contenders performing in any musical style or genre. The judges are looking for an act that will bring something extra special to their live performances, and who will also benefit most from the brilliant platform offered by the competition.

GUINNESS has significantly expanded the Arthur’s Day celebrations since last year to include live music events in local pubs across Ireland so whether you’re from Dingle, Derry or Dublin, it’s never been easier to take part in what is set to be no ordinary Thursday night.

Renowned artists such as Example, Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding, Mika, prolific UK rapper Professor Green, Fatboy Slim, Texas and rising star Amy MacDonald are set to take to the stage in local pubs all across Ireland. This year there are no tickets on sale, just grab some mates and head to one of 500 free Arthur’s Day music events taking place in local pubs across all 32 counties.

To enter, go to http://www.playontheday.com where you’ll be taken through the simple entry process!

For more on Arthur’s Day 2012 go to www.guinness.com or www.facebook.com/guinnessireland

To enter Play On The Day, all participants must be over 18 years of age. Enjoy Guinness sensibly. Visit drinkaware.ie.

Entries are now open for the Sean Ó Riada Gold Medal & Purse 2012 harp and pipes competition. Applications can be made from anywhere in the world and should include five tracks of the applicants playing unaccompanied. Applicants are asked to submit entries through the competition website.

Tracks by competitors will be broadcast each week on Raidio na Gaeltachta. The live final will be held in Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Friday 18^th January 2013 where the winner will be presented with a prize of €2,500.

For full details on the competition and rules of entry see http://cuireadhchunceoil.ie/

Following an extensive refurbishment, The Limelight Complex on Belfast’s Ormeau Avenue is scheduled to open the space formerly known as “The Spring & Airbrake” later this month. This is phase one of a multi-million pound renovation for these renowned city centre music venues.

The new multi-purpose venue, simply named “The Limelight”, will feature brand new, state of the art audio & lighting systems, along with an increase in size, and vastly improved sight lines . It will be located alongside Katy’s Bar, and The Limelight 2 (formerly The Limelight). An all new purpose-built outdoor space, christened “The Rock Garden”, is also in the pipeline, and is set to open later this year. The Limelight 2 (formerly the Limelight) and Katy’s Bar will also get a well deserved facelift. 

The Limelight Complex, encompassing all of the venues, is set to play host to international touring live acts across countless musical genres, as well as regular weekly club nights, all in keeping with the tradition and pedigree this building has built up over the last three decades. 

Co-Owner Phil Donaldson, Director of The Limelight Belfast Ltd., commented: “This represents just the beginning of what promises to be a very exciting period for The Limelight. Extensive re-development is planned over the next 18 months, which will be entirely focused on delivering a world class customer experience at our bars, live events & club nights.”

Upcoming events at The Limelight Complex include Labrinth, The Proclaimers, Frank Turner, Anthrax, Simian Mobile Disco, Ryan Bingham, Electric Six, The Staves, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Little Angels, Y&T, Duff McKagan (Guns & Roses) and Ugly Kid Joe. 

For more information, please contact joe@nulllimelightbelfast.com or jeff@nulljeffrobinsonpr.com.