All About Cork: Beatlemania, belatedly, comes to Cork in November

The Beatles played Blackpool in the UK twice in 1963 but they never quite made it to the Northside of Cork. However, now four John, Paul, George, and Ringo lookalike and soundalikes are set to bring Beatlemania to Cork’s Blackpool with a show by the hugely popular Mersey Beatles at the Everyman on MacCurtain Street.

The band, featuring the musical talents of Mark Bloor, Steven Howard, and Brian Ambrose (John, Paul and Ringo) and Craig McGown (George) are going to take the Cork audience back to the sixties for the 60th anniversary of the hit movie A Hard Day’s Night on November 13.

Fab Four fans can expect to hear all the hits from this era of the Beatles with the album played in full followed by a journey through the band’s later material.

The venue said: “The Mersey Beatles — the world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four — are back with an all-new show celebrating the 60th anniversary of A Hard Day’s Night.

“The beloved and iconic 1964 album and movie perfectly captured The Beatles at their pop peak. To mark the diamond anniversary in 2024, The Mersey Beatles will play the entire A Hard Day’s Night album in the first half of their show — followed by a hit-packed collection of Beatlemania classics.

“The band, who perform sold-out shows around the world, will then take the audience on a fabulous ride through the psychedelic brilliance of Sgt Pepper, a walk down Abbey Road and celebrate the melodic wonder of the Fab Four’s later work.

“This is a truly unique and stunning live concert experience no fan of The Beatles will want to miss.”

Tickets can be found on the Everyman website at the Everyman website.

Cycle with confidence course

Would you like to learn how to cycle, or to have more confidence cycling? Names are currently being for a cycle with confidence programme starting in September in the Blackpool area. This programme is for older adults.

Also happening in the area this Autumn is ‘Healthy Food Made Easy’ - a community cooking programme which will help you to improve your cooking skills, eating behaviours and nutrition knowledge. Register now for a six week course running in autumn at Blackpool community centre.

In addition, ‘Minding your Wellbeing’ aims to help you develop a positive outlook by looking after your mental health and wellbeing. The programme provides an opportunity for you to learn more about mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience. I will begin in Autumn in the Blackpool area.

All of the above health activities are free of charge. To register or if you have any questions contact Liz Madden, community health worker, on 087-6977942.

Psychological drama

Vixen by Helen Casey plays at Cork Arts Theatre this week.

Starring Rose Henderson, the show is a “compelling psychological drama of one woman’s resilience, determination, and desperation to name the love that was hers, but belonged to another”.

It is directed by Caroline FitzGerald, with set design by Martin Cahill and sound design by Neil Handly.

“It is the first anniversary of Martin’s death. Angie’s lover. His family has come to visit his grave. Angie watches the mourners from the safety of her car, hidden under the Yew tree. She remains unseen, her own grief buried deep within.”

Lunchtime and evening shows until Saturday.

corkartstheatre.com or call 021-4505624

Film and book enthusiasts needed for discussion group

Blackpool Library is looking for members for a new discussion group for classic books, films, and plays. The group will meet at Blackpool Library on a weekday morning. If you would be interested, contact call 021 4924933 or email stephen_leach@corkcity.ie.

Cathedral honours Ormond

A special occasion marked the contribution of the former director of music at the North Cathedral.

The parish said: “Bishop Fintan, the priests of the parish, and members of the cathedral choir recently got together to wish Susan Ormond the very best as she retires from her role as director of music at the cathedral. A number of presentations were made to Susan on the night.

“Susan, a native of the cathedral parish, has a long association with the cathedral.

“We thank Susan for her wonderful contribution to music at the cathedral over the years and wish her every blessing in the years ahead.”

Eucharist volunteers

The parish is looking for volunteers for the eucharistic adoration.

It said: “We are delighted to announce that there is now eucharistic adoration seven days a week in Saints Peter and Pauls.

“To help it all run smoothly we ideally need two to four people to cover each hour. If you would like to commit to praying for an hour a week, please call one of the following numbers: Ann Keating on 087 987 5679 or Michael Tanner on 086 254 6017.”

The times of adoration are:

• Mondays: 8am to 8pm
• Tuesdays: 8am to 7pm
• Wednesdays: 8am to 8pm
• Thursdays: 8am to 7pm
• Fridays: 8am to 9pm
• Saturdays: 9am to 5pm#
• Sundays: 9am to 8pm.

Firkin Crane residencies

Applications will open next month for Dance Cork Firkin Crane’s residencies. The Shandon-based venue offers up to 10 Ceist residencies each year to local, national, and international dance artists. These residencies provide space for creative investigation over a one- or two-week period to develop ideas, projects, and collaborations.

The aim is to create a pressure-free environment for artists, who are encouraged to focus on priorities, without the expectation of delivering a finished product. Applications open on Thursday, August 1, 2024 for residencies taking place between January and June 2025. 

The deadline is Monday, September 2. Selections will be made by a peer panel and notifications will be made by Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Dance Cork Firkin Crane also offer accommodation at our Jack Lynch House at 50% off the full price. 

Named after the former taoiseach, who was born in it, this three-bedroom terraced house (two single bedrooms, one twin) provides self-catering accommodation for visiting artists. 

You can see more details and download an application here: https://tinyurl.com/23ks8ptt.

Have Blackpool, Shandon and Ballyvolane news to share? Contact Robert.Mcnamara@theecho.ie