Finger in yer ear time
QUITE legendary Irish duo Tir na nOg, are returning to Liverpool after a gap of 40 years this St Patrick’s Day.
Tir na nOg have been described as alt folk, prog folk, psych folk, and even space folk. But the duo - Leo O'Kelly & Sonny Condell - transcend all these categories. What is not in doubt is that they are two of the most original and influential songwriters and performers Ireland has ever produced - one of the first progressive folk bands with other artists like Nick Drake and Pentangle.
They were signed to Chrysalis Records in May 1970 within days of arriving in London, suitcases and guitars in hand, recording three timeless albums for the label, recently re-issued by Cherry Red/Esoteric Records.
John Peel became an ally from the start, recording many sessions with them. They toured with bands as disparate as Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, The Who and Roxy Music in the 70s, as well as headlining their own theatre, college and club gigs, garnering a large cult following. After an absence of 15 years, 2010 saw the return of Tir na nOg to these shores and more UK tours quickly followed. Fans, new and old, are revelling in the opportunities of seeing Leo and Sonny again. As quoted by the Irish Times – ‘Sonny Condell and Leo O’Kelly continue to defy real time!’
*Tir na nOg, The Lantern Theatre, Blundell Street, Sunday, March 17, 7.30pm. £12/£10. 0151 703 0000.
Organ tuning
It's not something they'll be promoting in your local butchers but Saturday is World Kidney Day.
To mark it, hundreds of Merseyside rail travellers are being offered the chance to have free screening for a “silent epidemic”.
Kidney disease costs millions of lives each year and affects up to 10 per cent of the adult population but - if caught early enough - it is treatable.
World Kidney DayAintree University Hospital will be offering free screening at Central Station on Saturday. The team estimates that they’ll be able to screen several hundred people at the station.
Simple tests on glucose levels, urine, blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate can be carried out and quickly identify if someone is at risk of kidney disease. The hospital will contact the GP of those who are found to be at risk.
Dr Bhavna Pandya, consultant nephrologist at Aintree, said: “Each year we find people with kidney problems who are unaware of it. It’s really important that kidney disease is caught early to maximise your chances of effective treatment. People with a family history of kidney problems or from a black or Asian background are particularly at risk, so I’d encourage them to come along and have a chat with us.”
Kidney screening, Central Station, Liverpool, Saturday March 16, between 10am - 4pm. For info call 0151 529 8796.
Fighting the power
HANDS up those who think the soon-to-be introduced bedroom tax is a golden moment in the country's history?
This weekend thousands of Merseysiders across the political spectrum are set to make their feelings known about the proposal. They will be gathering for a peaceful protest outside Liverpool Crown Court as part of a nationally co-ordinated day of action.
Will it make a difference? Who knows? But doing nothing and venting your spleen on Facebook won't.
Organisers say: “This is a peaceful demonstration to protest against the injustice of the bedroom tax that penalises the disabled, single parents and families of those recently deceased."
*Liverpool Against The Bedroom Tax, Liverpool QEII Crown Court, Derby Place, Liverpool 2, Saturday, March 16, 1pm.
Knees up
St Patrick's weekend wouldn't be complete without St George – or his hall.
This Saturday St George's Hall will be reelin and a jiggin with a céilidh with live music provided by Liverpool band Kilvine.
Tickets includes a bowl of Irish stew for supper and a display of Irish dancing as well from the Bolger-Cunningham School . There’s a cash bar to those needing to refresh themselves after all that exercise.
*St Patrick’s Day Céilidh, St George’s Hall, Lime Street, Liverpool 1. Sat March 16, 7.30pm, Tickets £15.00 From here
