Imperial Hotel in tune for busy jazz weekend

Three days of live music across Helena’s Restaurant and Fitzgerald’s Bar will bring jazz, swing, soul, brass and funk to the Imperial Hotel over the bank holiday weekend.

The Imperial Hotel is set to be host 25 live performances across the three days.

From Friday, October 23, to Sunday, October 25, Helena’s Restaurant and Fitzgerald’s Bar will transform into jazz central, with an exciting line-up of live gigs running from afternoon until late and spanning jazz, swing, soul, brass and funk as part of the official Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Trail.

The programme features festival favourites The Swing Cats, Hyde Park Brass, The Off Beats, Manic Jazz Preachers, Soul Driven, Sway, Code of Behaviour, The Swing Bandits, The Roaring Forties, The Tomcats, Ladies Who Lunch, Emily Donoghue Duo, The Songstress Quintet and more.

Lorraine Gavigan, general manager of The Imperial Hotel, said: “There is nothing quite like Cork during Guinness Cork Jazz Festival weekend. The whole city has an electric. We’re delighted to have 25 live performances across Helena’s and Fitzgerald’s this year, with music running from afternoon until late. People can drop in for one set or spend the afternoon and evening with us, enjoying the music and soaking up that brilliant jazz weekend atmosphere.” The entertainment kicks off on Friday with the Emily Donoghue Duo from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, followed by The Swing Cats from 5pm to 7pm, Hyde Park Brass from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and The Off Beats from 10pm until midnight.

Over in Fitzgerald’s Bar, The Roaring Forties perform from 3pm to 5pm, followed by The Tomcats from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and Ladies Who Lunch from 8pm to 10pm. The Songstress Quintet will keep the music going from 10.30pm until 12.30am.

On Saturday Manic Jazz Preachers get things started in Helena’s from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, followed by The Off Beats from 5pm to 7pm, Soul Driven from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and Sway from 10pm until midnight.

Fitzgerald’s Bar will once again welcome The Roaring Forties from 3pm to 5pm, The Tomcats from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and Ladies Who Lunch from 8pm to 10pm, before The Swing Bandits take the late slot from 10.30pm until 12.30am.

Sunday begins in Helena’s with the Emily Donoghue Duo from 1pm to 3pm. The Off Beats follow from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, before The Swing Cats return from 6pm to 8pm. Code of Behaviour perform from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, with The Swing Bandits closing the night from 10pm until midnight.

In Fitzgerald’s Bar, The Roaring Forties perform from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, The Tomcats from 5pm to 7pm and Ladies Who Lunch from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, before a final late-night performance from 10pm until midnight.

For more information on The Imperial Hotel or to book a stay, visit imperialhotelcork.com, email reservations@imperialhotelcork.ie or call (021) 4274040.