I will be bringing ‘All That Jazz’ with my talented dancers to the Guiness Cork Jazz Festival
Singer and performer, Helen O'Dwyer.
I am a mum to two gorgeous boys, I’m a singer and performer with Frankly My Dear and I also work for myself in Event Management and PR. Cannonball is probably the biggest event I work on and we always get such an amazing welcome in Cork. I’m also working on the Enchanted Kingdom at Slane Castle which will open on November 14t and I have just finished The Red Line Book Festival.
Prosperous, Co Kildare
I live in the countryside just outside Edenderry in Co Offaly
I am married to Conor & we have two wild and wonderful boys JJ & Christian. My mum Angela is a big part of my life and I am also very close to my extended family.
I am so blessed to have the most wonderful friends. I treasure them. Katy, Haley & Catriona and so many close friends have been there for me through thick and thin but since we are in the rebel county, my bestie today is the one and only Triona McCarthy AKA ‘Party McCarthy’ from Schull in West Cork. Triona and I met in Dublin when we were 18 and we have had the most outrageous extraordinary adventures together. She makes me laugh until I cry, celebrates my successes and picks me up when I fall. She is beautiful inside and out and there is never a dull moment with Triona around.
Larking about with my big brother Seamus – I followed him everywhere. I idolised him and I still do.
The person I most admire is my Father. He died when I was 22. I was devastated and it had a very profound impact on my life. The years keep slipping by, the photos have all faded and some are torn but the memories are so very radiant and pure. He had a beautiful voice – like velvet. I feel like he walks with me every day but sometimes heaven seems so far away. He packed in more laughter, hugs, guidance, advice, fun, friendship and love than most people would in a whole lifetime. He was and always will be my Hero. He filled our house, our hearts and our lives with so much love, music, fun, charisma, confidence, strength, kindness and generosity and I am so very very proud that he was my Dad.
I get so irritated by entitled people. The words ‘I’m entitled’ really gets under my skin.
Where was your most memorable holiday?* I had the most incredible unforgettable experience with my friend Teresa in Italy. We went to see Andrea Boccelli in the Teatro de Silenzio in his home town Lajatico. We scrambled up a mountain in the dark in our finery (outrageously overdressed for an outdoor concert) but how special it was! The “Theatre of Silence” is a natural amphitheatre in the beautiful setting of the Lajatico hills. For almost a whole year it remains silent, intact in its perfect harmony, until Boccelli awakens it once a year with his stunningly beautiful voice and presence along with international characters of the bel canto, music and dance. We were in Italy for a week rampaging around on a girlie holiday but this was as experience I will never forget. When the concert was over, it never dawned on us how we were going to get back to Pisa in our mucky ballgowns … but that’s a whole other story!
I love the period dramas – Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte and Gilded Age. I love the beauty & bright colours.
PJ & Jim on Radio Nova
Homemade Duck Liver Parfait with Red Currant Jelly followed by Beef Stroganoff. I always cook the meat the day before and then add plenty of wine, gherkins and fresh cream the next day. I love entertaining but once I have everything prepared, I tend to get too caught up in having fun! I often found vegetables in the oven the next day that I completely forgot about.
I love afternoon tea at the Tea Rooms at the Metropole Hotel. I love the sense of occasion as the Afternoon Tea concierge prepares and pours the teas, coffees and tipples. It’s so pretty, cosy and indulgent with little bite sized treats that taste so delicious. I prefer this as a culinary experience to a heavy meal in a restaurant.
I always have a book on the go. I’m reading ‘My Favourite Mistake’ by Marian Keyes at the moment.
The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda O Reilly. I have read all of the books and absolutely loved them – I think there are eight in all.
Last album/CD/download you bought?
My last download was Amy Winehouse. A bride asked me to incorporate Amy Winehouse songs into her drinks reception so I went hunting for songs that would fit in my repertoire. I fell in love with Amy all over again. She was incredible and I now have some of her songs in my set like ‘Our day will come’, ‘will you still love me tomorrow’ and, of course, ‘Valerie’ *Favourite song?
It changes a lot but at the moment it’s ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ - It’s so hard to learn but we are putting white top hats and tails with it and some great choreography. I hope to add it to my Christmas shows.
One person you would like to see in concert?
I didn’t get to see Coldplay and I really wish I had. I have serious FOMO about that! I love very visual experiences and I love their music so it is definitely on my bucket list.
I have a beautiful Golden Retriever called Bobby and I adore him! We all do, Conor and my boys love him so much and he really is one of the family. For a long time he was my ‘personal trainer’ and we ran every morning on the canal greenway for 40 minutes - we were in great shape. He is 12 now and not able for the runs anymore so we have a stroll instead - my waistline is suffering as a result but I don’t care. I really believe that when the world around you is going crazy, look into the face of a Golden retriever and know that good still exists.
I’m actually a morning person and I love my sleep. One of the reasons I designed Frankly My Dear to suit drinks receptions, jazz brunch events, corporate events and theatre shows is because I kind of wilt late at night. I don’t like the dark.
One of my proudest moments was my first Theatre appearance for Frankly My Dear. I will always be grateful to Luke Thomas and his management for giving me that opportunity and for taking a chance on me. We opened for Luke and his fabulous band, the Swing Cats, on their King of Swing Tour and I’ll never forget the feeling of the theatre lights in my eyes and tiny particles of dust was all I could see as I sang Shirley Bassey’s ‘Love Story – Where do I begin’.
This year I can definitely say a Spendthrift because I have spent all my money of feathers and flappers! I keep dreaming up new ideas for shows that need elaborate costumes, feather fans and all sorts of madness … Notions!
Edenderry really needs a Hotel.
I am happiest when I am on stage and getting the audience reaction I am aiming for… wine and chocolate make me happy too …and sunshine, not suntan (I go bright red) but I love sunshine. October sunshine is possibly the most beautiful of all. Cuddles with my family and Bobby also fill me with joy.
How would you like to be remembered?
A little bit sassy but always classy, lots of fun but most of all I hope to be remembered as a person with a good heart, a kind word and a smile for everyone I meet.
On Sunday October 27th at 2pm at the Metropole Hotel in Cork, I will be bringing ‘All That Jazz’ with my talented dancers to the Guiness Cork Jazz Festival. Frankly My Dear is a chic and cheeky music act that blends elements of Jazz and Broadway, encapsulating the glitz and glamour of the roaring twenties. The show is full of all-time favourite artists like Peggy Lee, Shirley Bassey, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra with all the glamour and theatre of old Hollywood with a few contemporary surprises along the way. With seductive jazz melodies and high-energy swing tunes that get everyone tapping their feet, we are all set to captivate the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival with vibrant energy and charisma.
I want to being something different and really visual with glamorous costume changes throughout the performance, showcasing an array of dazzling gowns and flapper styles, chic top hats and feather head-dresses, spectacular giant white feather fans and mesmerizing flame fans, expertly manipulated by skilled dancers who weave in and out of the performance, creating a breathtaking fusion of music and movement… No point in thinking small!!! LOL
App?
