For the weekend that’s in it:
Dublin last won the football championship in 1995. Here’s hoping they beat Kerry on Sunday to end the 16 year wait. 
Smithwick’s Pale Ale
I’d marked Smithwick’s 300 year anniversary with a tour of the plant in Kilkenny late last year and there’s more news with the launch of a new brand, Smithwick’s Pale Ale. Launched this week, Pale Ale is craft brewed in individual batches using: aromatic Amarillo hops, 100% pale ale malt and the prized Smithwick’s yeast. It’s been nine months in development, is golden in colour and has a distinct full flavour.
I went along to Doheny & Nesbitt’s to chat to Billy Power, Smithwick’s Global Governance Director, who explained how Smithwick’s is well up in on and off license sales in the last 18 months. He said now is the right time for such a craft launch and it will be available in 350 outlets over the next couple of weeks (list of pubs here). I enjoyed the few taster pints we had with the distinction that the flavour was consistent right through to the last gulp. You can find out more on the Smithwick’s Facebook page and the Smithwick’s site.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2011
I’m not exactly an expert when it comes to jazz music but I know the sound of a good festival and the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival (28th-31st October 2011) is shaping up to be just that. The opening act is none other than Damon Albarn, along with his band, Another Honest John’s Chop-Up, a collective of musicians who take inspiration from jazz funk and southern soul.
The Kyle Eastwood Quintet is another outstanding act who will be performing. Son of actor/director Clint Eastwood, Kyle has made a name for himself on the jazz scene, releasing eight albums and composing numerous scores for his father’s films including Gran Torino and Million Dollar Baby.
Other noteworthy acts on the schedule include; Randy Brecker, the acclaimed trumpet player, Tia Fuller, the saxophonist, who not only has her own highly successful band but also plays alongside Beyoncé and Richard Galliano, the renowned accordionist. Galliano’s performance at the festival will be inspired by the work of Coppola and the music from The Godfather.
I hope to be down at some point over the weekend. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.ie now.
Friday Photo – Legless
On the advice of a friend I caught Abandoman in the Comedy Tent at Electric Picnic 2011 last weekend in Stradbally. Rob Broderick and James Hancox are a hip hop comedy improv act and were truly superb. One of their improv songs was “What’s in your pocket?” and the photo above was taken after an audience member removed their artificial leg. They got a standing ovation after every song so that’ll illustrate how tremendously funny these guys were. Highly recommend catching them if you get a chance.
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Friday Photo – I love MCR
On my recent trip to Manchester for the United game, we visited the Arndale centre and saw this love wall. Manchester City Council came up with the ‘I <3 MCR’ campaign in the wake of the riots a few weeks ago. One guy decided to post a positive message post-it on this wall in the shopping centre and others did the same with Arndale endorsing it when they saw what it was becoming. There’s loads of posters and stickers around the city with branding as seen on Flat Eric below. What a great way to turn the negative publicity around:
