Another good weekend.

Just checking in on you all after a lovely weekend. Bic Runga at The Savoy was a highlight on Saturday night. Bic is the darling of New Zealand and while I'd be tempted to call her their answer to Kylie, it would be rather misleading as she sits in the singer/songwriter genre and her songs tend to be quieter than those of poppy, dance-y Kylie. There are no similarities whatsoever - the comparison is only made to illustrate that Bic is New Zealand's biggest seller, in much the same way as Kylie shifts units in her home territory.
Her petite, delicate frame belies a big personality, oodles of charm and wit, not to mention talent by the buckect load. Let's say I was impressed! Every time she has come to Cork in the past two years I have meant to go along but it never quite happened. I'm glad it finally did. And I'll be the first in the queue next time too!

The Art Fair in City Hall was also a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon. It was nice to meet the artists and browse their work. I even made a purchase... so it's frugal living for me for the rest of the month!

Did I say it was quiet?

Another quiet week... what's happening?!
Well, I did survive a hen-night last night. Thankfully it wasn't typical hen fare so no chocolate willies, veils and L plates! Thank you Caitriona for keeping it tasteful!

I was speaking of the Beamish Experience line-up last time. Well now, the comedy night's line-up has been revealed as well. Maeve Higgins from RTE's Naked Camera will be a star attraction, along with David O'Doherty. They will both take to the stage at the Half Moon from 9pm on Friday, September 22nd, followed by David McSavage at 11pm. It's a free gig so tickets will only be available through promotions in The Evening Echo and on Cork's RedFM!

This week on 'The Red Zone' we had fab prize giveaways from Moore's Jewellers in Mahon Point as we've been gearing up for the Trend style event at Mahon Point Shopping Centre this weekend. It's three days of fashion showcases and beauty tips running until Sunday - a must for every fashionista who wants an insight on how to put together the perfect Autumn/Winter look at highstreet prices. Dave Mac will also be broadcasting live from there tomorrow afternoon so make sure you give him a wave if you are in the vicinity!

Another event worth checking out this weekend is the Cork Art Fair at City Hall. The second time it's been held, it kicked off today and is running until Sunday. It promises to cater for both the seasoned collector and the novice, featuring work from galleries and artists from at home and abroad. There will be paintings, sculptures, prints and photography on exhibition - so it sounds like there will be something there to suit every taste!
Tomorrow and Sunday it's open from 11am - 7pm and admission is €8.

Also before the dreaded Back to School event really happens - avail of the summer's last family day out at the Fota Fete in the grounds of Fota House. That is happening on Sunday between 2pm and 6pm and admission is €8. The afternoon will include clowns, puppet shows and pony-rides, 3-legged races, horse-shoe throwing competitions (?) and music from The Roaring Forties.

Now, what was that I said about things being quiet?? Not this weekend, it seems!

The Roses are blooming....

Apologies, for not so many postings lately.... life has quietened down a little in recent weeks, shock horror. Just as well perhaps, as I got to watch DVDs and do normal stuff!
Mind you, I did meet the Roses of Tralee yesterday. They arrived from Dublin en route to Kerry and spent the night at The Clarion Hotel, where there was a reception for them. All lovely girls, of course... and while I don't usually watch the show anymore, I must admit I will be more interested now that I have seen them all in the flesh and spoken to a few.

Also this week, I saw the play 'Goldfish in the Sun' at the Everyman Palace Theatre. It's set in Cork of the 1950's so go for the Cork accents alone!

In music circles, the Beamish Experience lineup was announced recently and it features Mick Flannery, Dirty Pretty Things, Humanzi and my own favourite Tom Baxter. So plenty to look forward to on the weekend of Setember 22 - 24th..... Cork's RedFM is proud to be involved - so we'll be giving you details and no doubt a few freebies in the run up to the festival.

Andy Rourke rules!

Hope you all had a music-filled August Bank Holiday weekend - maybe you got to the 'Indie-Pendence' music festival in Mitchelstown? If so, tell me all about it, as I didn't head in that direction. However, it was a real treat for me to see Andy Rourke DJ ing An Brog on Saturday night, the first of his two-night stint there. Being a big Smiths fan (he was bassist with the band), it was such a great opportunity - and an unexpected one - I mean, how often do members of your favourite band frequent An Brog??!! I had a great time - loved the tunes he played (particularly the Smiths ones!) and even got his autograph at the end!! Yes, I too can be star-struck when I want to be! My regret was that my camera let me down - took it out of my bag, only to find that the battery had died. I love photos and how they provide lasting memories which you can recall whenever you want and I would have really liked to have captured that moment... alas, it wasn't meant to be....

Ladies - get training!!!

Here I am at the front of the pic with Cassandra from The Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort and Spa at the back and Anne from the Irish Heart Foundation in the middle on the treadmill. This year I am walking in the Ladies Cork Mini Marathon for the Irish Heart Foundation - yes walking, not running!!! Let's just say I haven't been training quite as hard as I should have been! All charities are worthy causes so it's difficult to pick one to support - but this year I went with this charity because the amount of people who die of heart disease in this country is very high. So I'll be looking for other ladies to join me of course.... if you want to get an application form phone (021) 4505822 and ask for Anne, Gillian or Maura. All participants who register get an Irish Heart Fondation t-shirt and sponsorship card. Participants will also be entered into a draw for a relaxing treatment for two in the Sheraton Fota Island spa, followed by lunch from the healthy options menu in the Fota Restaurant. The mini-marathon itself is on Sunday September 24th - so mark that date in your diary!