Hi all!

I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. I was away for a few days last weekend and came back on Sunday to the good news that we (the Dublin Event Guide Community) did come to some “fame”. :-) Did some of you find Kathy Foley’s article in last Sunday’s “Sunday Times”. The article was in the “Culture” supplement (the one with the TV programme in) and was about Facebook. The Dublin Event Guide was mentioned as an example of a Facebook group that uses the opportunities Facebook brings to build social networks and communities of interest.

I think Kathy’s article was great and it was nice of her to use this Event Guide as an example. After reading the article and thinking about it further, I came up with the following suggestion and I need you now to tell me what you think about it:

Quite a number of people who get the Event Guide every week, see it as an opportunity to meet more people, to make friends and to go to events together with people that have similar interests. For others it is just a reference for their own entertainment plans. Both approaches are equally valid. But for the people that are looking to meet new friends, it won’t be enough to go to an event and to HOPE to bump into others by coincidence. Instead it would help if a meeting could be pre-arranged. Since many of you are members of the Dublin Event Guide facebook group, we could use the “Wall” and the “Discussion Board” there to arrange meetings with other people. So, if you are planning to go to an event and don’t want to do it alone, just let others know that you will go and suggest that they contact you to arrange a time and place to meet. No guarantee that it will work ;-) but it is worth trying, don’t you think? – The slight disadvantage due to the fact that posted messages are not SENT to others, but can only be seen when you visit the page can be overcome by visiting the Dublin Event Guide Facebook Group regularly.

Oh, and did you know that this Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) is now reaching more than 600 people every week through the e-mail distribution list alone? I never expected that when I started in June last year. But now the sky is the limit. :-)))) Spread the word and tell everybody so that we will reach 1000 soon. ;-)

Finally: Next Thursday is Valentines Day. “Ahhh”, some will say. “Blergh” others will think. :-) Have a look at the very end of this week’s Dublin Event Guide for an idea for an alternative Valentines Day!! And get back to me with your opinion!

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______Friday___________________

FREDDIE WHITE IN ARAS CHRONAIN
Did you enter the Freddie White competition last week? The interest in the pair of free tickets was big and I had to draw a winner from the long list of entrants. The lucky winner is Luciene Zanchetta and I hope she will enjoy the concert.
If you didn’t enter (Why not?? ;-) ) or if you were unlucky this time, you can still go to the Freddie White gig in Clondalkin’s Áras Chrónáin.
Áras Chrónáin (www.araschronain.com) is an Irish Cultural Centre and operates as a community based, voluntary run, non-profit making organisation, promoting all aspects of the Irish Language, Culture etc. Freddie White is a singer/songwriter from Cork (www.freddiewhite.com) who does seem to have really nice songs – there are a few samples on his website.
The Freddie White gig will start tonight (Friday) at 20:30 with Special Guests “JUNAH” and will take place in Áras Chrónáin in Clondalkin Village. (To get there: www.araschronain.com/gpage.html). Tickets are EUR 20 at the door and you get more information via eolas@araschronain.com or during business hours via 01-4574847.
Listen to some of the sample songs on the website and then make sure that you go to the gig tonight. :-) And a big Thank You to the guys in Áras Chrónáin for making two tickets available. I will do my best to get more free tickets for paid-for events for competitions in future editions of this Event Guide.

CLIMATE CHANGE TALK
A talk by climate change expert Mayer Hillman is given at TCD on the evening of February 8th of February in the Ed Burke Theatre. Minister John Gormley is introducing the talk and Minister Eamon Ryan is closing it. The event is organised by the TCD Greens and will start at 19:30. No ticket is required and the event is free, but due to limited seating it might be advisable to be there early. Some information about the speaker: Mayer Hillman, Senior Fellow Emeritus of the Policy Studies Institute, has spent the past 40 years highlighting environmental concerns. He has written over 50 books on his research and first proposed personal carbon rationing in 1990.
Hillman will deliver a talk on climate change entitled Unpalatable Truths and Moral Dilemmas, focussing on evidence of climate change and the inadequate global response.

EXHIBITIONS
Suzanne Mooney is exhibiting at the Signal Arts Centre in Bray (1 Albert Avenue): www.signalartscentre.ie/suzannemooney.htm
Denis McNulty is exhibiting at Green on Red Gallery (Lombard Street East, D2): www.greenonredgallery.com/exhibition.php?intProjectID=66
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______Saturday_________________

SMITHFIELD CHINESE CARNIVAL
Happy New Year!! Since yesterday we, or rather our Chinese neighbours in Dublin, are living in the year of the Rat! The Chinese New Year festivities are continuing and this weekend will see one of the highlights of the festival week. The Chinese Carnival will take place on Smithfield Square (was that not called Smithfield Plaza until recently?) from 12:00-19:00 on Sat, Sun AND on Monday! “Bedecked with Chinese arches, lanterns and lights, Smithfield becomes the venue for Dublin Chinese New Year Carnival, and a new era in the Chinese calendar commences. This is an inclusive event that celebrates Chinese culture, bringing life and visual drama to Smithfield Square. Chinese performers will take to the stage throughout the three days. Dragon and lion dances, traditional and modern Chinese music and dance, martial arts, Chinese cookery demonstrations and Chinese fashion will be showcased throughout the three days introducing and reacquainting audiences with Chinese culture.
Over 30 stalls will provide a wide range of Chinese food, arts and crafts, massage, medicine and information stands on Chinese customs and Chinese tourism.
SCIENCE GALLERY
The brilliant Science Gallery (www.sciencegallery.com)which had a great launch this week with the impressive launch programme “Lightwave” is giving you a last chance to visit the exhibition today (Fri) and tomorrow (Sat). The opening hours today will be from 16:30-20:30, tomorrow it will be from 16:30-19:30. Use the chance and visit this great exhibition! The museum is in the new Naughton Institute, which part of the Trinitiy College and has its entrance on Pearse Street not far from the junction with Westmoreland Street. I will repeat the brief exhibition overview from last week, but for details you should go to the website:
Exhibitions (02-08 Feb, open from 16:30-20:30 and from 16:30-19:30 on 09 Feb):
– Lumia Domestica by Willie Williams
– Light Drops by Elke Harras
– Hand-Cranked Luminescent Jewellery by LoVid
– Forest by The OpenEnded Group
– The Heliosphere by Anna Hill & Peter Gallagher
– Light Tracer by Karl D. D. Willis
– De Pong Game 111 by Benjamin Gaulon aka Recyclism
– The Daylight Lounge
– Be Made by Mentors & Young Makers
– Camera Lucida by Dmitry Gelfand & Evelina Domnitch
In addition there is a LONG list of events or outside exhibitions. Many of them are free of charge, I will only list a few here:
– Dublin 24 by Connor McGarrigle (ON THE STREETS)
01 Feb 2008 – 09 Feb 2008 (Time: 16:30 – 00:00) Location: Irish Times Building
The Hive by KMA (ON THE STREETS)
01 Feb 2008 – 09 Feb 2008 (Time:17:00 – 22:00) Location:Grand Canal Square, D2
I am totally impressed by the launch programme of this new museum/gallery and hope you will get a chance to have a look at some of the events/exhibitions. I can already promise that this new venue will be mentioned regularly here in the Dublin Event Guide, if the launch is an indication for what the future will bring!

GOETHE INSTITUTE EXHIBITION
“2 4 100” is the unusual name of a new exhibition by Oliver Godow in the Goethe Institute in 37 Merrion Square. The exhibition runs from 07 Feb until 07 March and admission is free. Opening hours are Tue-Thu 10:00-20:00 and Fri + Sat 10:00-13:30
The description says “Oliver Godow in his first solo exhibition in Ireland will show work dealing with the invitation card. He will exhibit two original works and the first 50 visitors will receive a copy for free and the next 50 prints are for sale for €100 each. The two photographs shown, Sparkles and Tube with yellow board, are limited to the attributes of an invitation card, e.g. the limitation to an A5 format. Thus the border between artwork and invitation card becomes marginal and ambiguous. The effect is increased by 98 other prints and invitation cards placed around the artworks as though they were artworks themselves. Only the frame and the glass define a certain degree of distance necessary to echo the artwork.” www.goethe.de/ins/ie/dub/en2956825.htm
All clear??? I am confused AGAIN! And this time it wasn’t the Project Art Centre that wrote the description! ;-)

AMUSING CHEMISTRY – PHOTOGRAPHY
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham is showing the exhibition “McDermott & McGough – An Experience of Amusing Chemistry: Photographs 1990-1890” from 06 Feb until 27 April.
And I am quoting again “This exhibition is a retrospective of the entire photographic work of the American-born artists McDermott & McGough covering two decades of their highly-original output in that medium. An Experience of Amusing Chemistry: Photographs 1990 – 1890 comprises some 120 works created using a wide range of historic photographic techniques, including the use of palladium, gum, salt and cyanotype prints. In a revolt against the confines of chronological time, they have built their practice through appropriating imagery and objects from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They have also assiduously reconstructed their lives as Victorian gentlemen – complete with knee britches, top hats and tail coats – immersing themselves in the environment and era in which they feel most at home, and, incidentally, dating their works accordingly.”
It does sound unique and interesting and a few pictures on the IMMA website confirm that. Find the complete description and more information here www.modernart.ie/en/page_170557.htm
The IMMA opening hours are Tues- Sat: 10:00-17:30 and Sun 12:00-17:30. Monday: Closed. Admission is free.

NO RDS TRAVEL EXHIBITION
During my research this week I found that quite a number of event websites list “The Adventure Travel and Gap Year Show” for this Sat and Sun. The show won’t be free and will therefore not get much space here, but just in case you were thinking about going to it: Don’t! It seems that the event websites are wrong. Neither the RDS nor the organisers themselves list the show for this weekend. Instead it seems it has been postponed to September. I could be wrong!!! But check first before you do anything!

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______Sunday __________________

INTERNATIONAL BADMINTON TOURNAMENT
Part of the Chinese New Year Festival is this sports event at the Mount Pleasant Lawn Tennis Club (Mount Pleasant Square, Ranelagh, Dublin 6). It will take place from 14:00-18:00. Dublin City Council, Show Racism the Red Card and the Irish Chinese Culture and Sports Association present this exciting table tennis league. Register to participate as spaces are limited. All nationalities welcome. For more information please call 01 2227857.

SUNDAY AT NOON – CLASSICAL MUSIC
Another week of this great opportunity to listen to an hour of classical music for free is coming up. This week the Sunday at Noon concert in the Hugh Lane Gallery (Parnell Square North) is featuring “Concorde”, the contemporary music ensemble. Concorde was founded in 1976 to promote new music on a regular basis. The group has since performed widely throughout Ireland and Europe and is a regular contributor to the Sunday at Noon series. Concorde regularly commission new work from Irish composers and frequently work with international guest soloists. (www.concorde.ie) The concert starts at 12:00.

BRAZILIAN MUSIC LIVE
Patrycja reminded me today that there is a great weekly event in the Odeon on Harcourt Street. Every Sunday from 17:00-22:00 they have Brazilian Music with a Live Band and later with a DJ at this Pub which was originally a train station for the Harcourt Line. Brunch is served from 12:00 until 20:00 and it seems that this regular event has become extremely popular. Admission is free from 17:00-22:00.

SONGS OF PRAISE – KARAOKE
No, this event has nothing to do with any religious community or their songs! “Songs of Praise” is “Karaoke in Black”. :-) The organisers explain “The inner rock star is released when people do Rock & Roll Karaoke songs on a big stage thru’ a very loud sound system. Rock & Roll Karaoke is credible, alternative rock songs. Think Van Halen, Kaiser Chiefs, Van, U2 and the Sex Pistols. There’s no ABBA on OUR list – only Air Guitar Anarchy! It works so well and people have so much fun that it has made Karaoke COOL.” It does sound like fun. The event is a weekly one, so put it in your calendar, I will only mention it every now and then. It takes place in The Village in Wexford Street and starts at 21:00. In order to prevent any over-exposure to BAD Karaoke singers, the organisers alternate between 20 minutes of Rock music played by a DJ and 15 minutes of Karaoke. (www.therescuesquad.com/songsofpraise)

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______Next Week_______________

CHINESE FESTIVAL CLOSING CEREMONY
At the Smithfield Chinese Carnival on Smithfield Square the closing ceremony will take place on Monday (11 Feb) from 18:00. The Irish Chinese New Year Festival Mascot, “Lin Lin the Rat” will officially close the 2008 Chinese New Year Festival. A torch will be lit to wish the Irish athletes good luck and carried out of the carnival into the Dublin night, bidding them and the festival farewell and looking to the future of the Beijing Olympics and the coming Year of the Rat. Special thanks once again to all those who have been involved in this festival.
It has not been officially listed as one of the event components, but I understand a big Chinese fireworks will conclude the festival.

PROTEST
A Public Meeting “A Decent Public Health Service Now!” will take place on Mon 11 Feb from 18:00 in Liberty Hall at the Liffey. The Dublin Council of Trade Unions, in conjunction with the Youth Committee of the ICTU and in co-operation with the Health trade unions, wishes to inaugurate a ‘Campaign for a Decent Public Health Service’. The Campaign hopes to bring together those who work in the Health Service and their trade unions, with patients’ advocates, Health and Hospital campaigners, concerned Health professionals, community and voluntary organisations, the trade union movement in general and the general public to demand a civilised Health Service. Speakers are Janette Byrne (Patients Together), Conor MacLiam (husband of Susie Long), Dr. Christine O’Malley (Former President IMO), Liam Doran (General Secretary, Irish Nurses Organisation), Kevin Callinan (National Secretary, IMPACT), Louise O’Reilly (National Nursing Official, SIPTU)

TRINITY ARTS FESTIVAL
The TCD Arts Festival is taking place from the 11 Feb until 15 Feb. I can’t see from the website if the event is only for TCD students or if it is open to the public. Additionally it is not clear if events are free and where they will take place. So, I will just post the link here, have a look if you are interested: www.trinityartsfestival.com

MENTAL HEALTH – LECTURE
It is not really a cultural event, but nevertheless I think it is worth mentioning lectures like this as it affects more people directly or indirectly than we think. “Young People and Mental Health” is a public lecture to create awareness. The speaker is Dr Tony Bates (CEO of Headstrong). Admission is free and all are welcome. The lecture takes place on Wed 13/02 from 19:15-21:30 in the Swift Lecture Theatre in St. Patrick’s Hospital, James’s St, Dublin 8.

COAT OF ARMS – WORKSHOP
The National Library is offering a “Coat of Arms: Family Workshop” on Wed 13/02 from 11:30-13:00. “Find out about the ancient art of heraldry and then design a coat of arms for your community!” says the description. The workshop is interactive and is designed for children aged 7+ and their parents! Admission is free but places are limited, so please ring 01-603 0277 to reserve a place. It will take place in the National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2. (www.nli.ie)

MAKE A MODEL THEATRE – WORKSHOP
Because you need to reserve places I will mention this workshop here already as well: “Make a model theatre” is based around the William Butler Yeats exhibition in the National Library. The workshop is for children from 4-7 years and they can build their own model theatre and characters after visiting the National Library’s exhibition “Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats” and after learning about WB Yeats and the theatre. The children can then bring their theatre home so that the mums and dads can admire it for many weeks. ;-) The event takes place on Friday 15/02 from 11:30-13:00 in the National Library in Kildare Street. Admission is free but places are limited, so please ring 01-603 0277 to reserve a place.

SPANISH FILM SCREENING – FLAMENCO
The Instituto Cervantes (Spanish Cultural Institute) will show the film “Los Otros” on Wed 13 Feb at 18:30. The description says “The Island of Jersey, 1945. The Second World War has ended but Charles, Grace’s husband, has not yet returned. Alone in an isolated Victorian house, Grace gives her children a strict religious upbringing. However, the children suffer from a strange illness: they cannot be directly touched by daylight. The three new servants introduced into their home must abide by vital rules: the house must always remain cut off from the sun’s light; another door must never be opened without closing the previous. Grace’s strict rules, upheld until now, will be challenged. The story of Grace, the children and those around them will contain an unexpected and definitive twist.”
The film screening is free and I expect the film to be in Spanish with English subtitles. dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha47010_16_2.htm
The Instituto Cervantes has its offices in Lincoln House on Lincoln Place (back of TCD, between Kildare Street and Westmoreland Street).

ARCHITECTURE LECTURE
Another event of the Instituto Cervantes at Lincoln Place. This time the lecture is called “¡Mañana! Architecture of public use” by Torres Nadal. The ¡Mañana! cycle offers a series of dialogues between both Spanish and Irish architects with a focus on public architecture. Each talk will take the form of a presentation where both well-known Spanish and Irish architects will discuss their projects. The presentations will end with a debate reflecting on the current problems in the world of architecture on an international level. José María Torres Nadal is a professor at the Escuela de Arquitectura, University of Alicante (1997) and at the E.T.S.A., Barcelona (1987)
The lecture will take place on the 14 Feb at 19:00.
dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha46927_16_2.htm
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For some next Thursday is the most dreaded day of the year, others can’t wait and the third group couldn’t care less. Thursday, you might wonder? Yes, it is the day where people in relationships are forced into hyper-priced purchases of flowers and people without relationships are sometimes at the edge to deep depression. Does that have to be like that?? No!!! We could offer an alternative! We could, if there is sufficient interest, meet up (couples are accepted as well :-) ) to enjoy the evening without roses and candle light dinners but nevertheless with nice people. This is just an idea and I need feedback from you. We could, for example, meet at around 20:00 in the Porterhouse in Temple Bar. If anybody is interested let me know via e-mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com or post your suggestions on the Facebook Discussion Board! With sufficient interest, I will organise some get-together!

Enjoy the weekend!

–Joerg

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Disclaimer: This Event Guide (the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”) is an Event Guide with a difference. It covers mostly free events based on the thinking that free events deserve additional support and that ticketed events have a better chance to pay for advertisement. The Guide is a _guide_ and not just a listing and is sent to friends, colleagues and whoever else is interested.
If you have feedback – good or bad – PLEASE tell me. If you want to be added to the mailing list or know somebody who would like to receive this guide, just send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com. If you don’t want to receive this mail anymore, send a mail to the same address, telling me to remove you from the distribution list.
BTW: I am not paid or otherwise rewarded for compiling and distributing this Event Guide it is purely a hobby. Donations are welcome. ;-)
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