Five for your radar: Renaissance, Other Voices in Dingle, and letters to Gay
Beyonce performing in Renaissance; Villagers' Conor O'Brien is heading to Other Voices
It seems like the trend of concert films being screened in cinemas isn't going anywhere. To be honest, you cannot blame them really it's a guaranteed moneymaker all around. The artist gets ticket sales far outnumbering what you would fit in stadiums with little additional effort. And it is helping to get people back into the cinemas. Thousands of fans missed out on Renaissance tickets due to a combination of demand and cost. Now is their time to catch the queen doing what she does best - entertain. Time will tell if Beyoncé's effort will reach the heights of Taylor Swift's Eras movie but the Beyhive will be attending in their droves.
Other Voices is headed to Dingle with one of the strongest line-ups to date. For over 20 years, Other Voices has been the place to champion up-and-coming talent as well as the people who are at the top of their game. There is no one who does it like Other Voices. This weekend is bursting with talent such as The Murder Capital, Villagers, CMAT, Griff, Kae Tempest and loads more. As well as the gigs in the church (some of which will be livestreamed), the Dingle Distillery Music Trail, Ireland's Edge and Banter are all back.
This genre-bending Irish documentary has received awards and acclaim when it was released last year. Heading to Netflix on World Aids Day, it gives people an insight into what it is like living with HIV in Ireland today. We hear from HIV activist Robbie Lawlor who was diagnosed at 21 among others. They share their experiences of disclosing their diagnosis and navigating the lingering stigma that still exists surrounding HIV. This hybrid film is both touching and informative, swiftly tackling the misinformation that remains prevalent in society. Essential viewing for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.
Like many artists in Ireland, the writer's community is banding together to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestine. As well as being a show of solidarity for the people of Gaza, this event boasts a wonderful line-up. Actor Stephen Rea will join host Erin Fornoff for a night of poetry and music. Both Irish and Palestinian writers will feature including acclaimed poet Jessica Traynor who curated the line-up. Among those sharing their work are Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Seán Hewitt, Majed Mujed, Mustafa Keshkeia, and Jane Clarke. Together, they are hoping to inspire people as well as raise awareness.
It's hard to believe that it has been four years since Gay Byrne passed away. He played a huge role in Irish life and culture. People felt as though they could talk to him as they would a close friend. It's no surprise that over the years the people of Ireland reached out to him for reasons big and small. Now, his daughter Suzy has compiled the letters sent to The Gay Byrne Show, creating a "handwritten history of Ireland". She includes commentary about the times in which the letters were written on both a personal and national level. This would make a lovely Christmas gift.
