Venu Brasserie by Guilbaud

Headed over to VENU on Anne's Lane (off South Anne Street, Dublin) a few days ago - it's of the Patrick Guilbaud stable, by his son Charles.

The service was good - our waiter was helpful and discrete - atmoshpere was easy-going. A main-course of duck (with baby potato, red-onion, jus) arrived as a generous portion (2 legs) cooked to perfection with crispy skin keeping the very tender meat moist ..sadly the pasta with tarragon and mushroom; the rizotto; and a vegetarian curry with roasted-vegetables (they arrived steamed) were all disappointing. (Maybe it's a kitchens that simply lacks imagination with vegetarian meals.) Cocktails were refreshing but neither they nor the Irish coffee possessed the required measures of alcohol.

The space itself is comfortable enough - crucial since VENU is deep in a basement therefore lacking any external views and relying on artificial light. With no windows more skill should have gone into the selection of artworks - but sadly this is a collection lacking any sense of cohesion or imagination. (Charles could definitely benefit from a word with Gina O'Kelly at the SOLOMON gallery). While the prints are inoffensive the same cannot be said for a muddy collection of paintings in the central area (..and faux-greek casts (plastic) on the entrance stairwell?). A couple of Orla de Brí sculptures are thrown-in for good measure but overall the choice of artworks is unsettling.

We just popped in for a quick bite so had no great expectations but we left agreeing there are much better places in this price-range. Though it got rave reviews when it opened our group agreed there would be no stampede back.

6* / 10*

Déan Nós Bris Nós ..at Festival of World Cultures

With a reputation for housing one of the best atmospheres over the Festival of World Cultures weekend (Fri 24 - Sun 26 Aug 2007), the Festival Club, this year taking place in Déan Nós Bris Nós, features international artists joining Irish artists for some unforgettable impromptu sessions. For two nights - Sat 25th and Sun 26th - the Déan Nós Bris Nós tent will be transformed into a global emporium of superior live and vinyl sounds, bringing you the ultimate Festival of World Cultures club experience.

The return of Déan Nós Bris Nós this year includes Gaelic hip hop/rap, Blindfold Sean Nós Peep Show, an outdoor marquee, bar and food tent along with power trad performances from Ireland and around the globe; an extraordinary celebration of performance, that promises to be a festival highlight!

Two innovative nights of the best in traditional and not so traditional music, song, poetry and dance brought to you by promoters Ronan O'Muirgheasa and Deirdre Learmont.

Booking info here

Ballymun has shown how regeneration can be done - or has it?

Complementing our work in the Arts, Heritage and Entertainment, SEXTON+ collaborate with a range of community groups whose contribution at grass-roots equally benefits society. Most recently we where invited to represent community groups operating in Ballymun.

So is the regeneration picture rosy? SEXTON+ were commissioned by BCON (Ballymun Community Organisations Network) to brand and produce the report 'Building for Change - a community facilities strategy for Ballymun' publishing the research of SMITH EVERETT & ASSOC. & TSA CONSULTANTS. BRIAN HARVEY, Social Researcher and Chairman of BCON launched the document.

According to the Programme for Government the Regeneration of 'Ballymun has shown how it can be done'. However this report raises some doubts over that assertion. The Consultants conclude that, in Ballymun, 'tokenism has led to an erosion of social capital' (the capacity of communities to build self-organisation, skills, leadership, solidarity and 'trust') ...though, ironically, the NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FORUM highlighted the importance of Social Capital and Government encouraged it with a campaign entitled Active Citizenship.

The report is a mature and considered document which focuses energy on constructive solutions going forward.
Grab a transcript of Brian Harvey's speech and the Report from BCON:
ameehan@cap.ie (01-883-2158)

A breath of... Oxegen

Hi guys, here I am, 4 days after my participation to the Oxegen 2007 and I'm still trying to get my strenght back. My Pennies rain boots are still on the balcony, totally muddy, waiting for me to clean them. And my photos are still in the camera waiting to be transferred on my lovely Mac and published (on unquestionable request of my mom) online.

What can I say... one of the most tiring and funniest experience of my life. 80.000 people having fun all together despite rain (then sun, then rain, then sun again...) and mud, a great line-up of bands and artists, good food for all preferences and even toilets clean for most of the day!

Few videos on YouTube, and photos on Flickr.

Many thanks to MCD for the very good organisation and especially to Robert, he knows why.

distractions, diversions

Thanks to Dualta for reminding me about the DIVERSIONS events down in Meeting House Square (Temple Bar). They're FREE and as the D-man himself says 'ya can't get better value than that'!

Have a look at the website - loads of other events like JAMESON MOVIES ON THE SQUARE, the CIRCUS SEASON and the HANDEL FESTIVAL next weekend.

Collect tickets from TEMPLE BAR INFO CENTRE
(M-F 09.00>17.30,
Sa 10.00>18.00, Su 12.00>15.00)


And keep and eye out for : Festafrique 2007 at end July. Festival of African Arts and Culture (FESTAAC) showcases workshops, African films, an art and photographic exhibition, plus an afternoon and evening of live performance.
FESTAAC 2007 runs from 31st July – August 6th.
www.festaac.com

...sounds amazing

Last night we went to the SUGAR CLUB for the launch of BOSE's new L1 PA SYSTEM ...truth is we went to hear MAJELLA MURPHY perform from her last album 'BRAVE NEW WORLD'.

SEXTON+ project-managed production of the album in Austria (we didn't design it). It was also an excuse to catch-up with (manager) Robert Matthews (he's also behind COIS FHARRAIGE music and surf weekend down in Clare).

So what did we think? Wouldn't often rave about techy stuff but in this case I will. The L1's a slender-designed tower so real discrete on-stage (you'll need two or so depending on your venue). The gear is spot-on for musicians - it'll fit in your boot, it's light-weight and set-up takes a few minutes. (I hear a few 'roadies' getting nervous ...but think what it'll do for young groups lugging around gear? ...handy for corporate environments too.)

Does it sound any good in a large space? Majella Murphy was the right choice to show what the system is made of. Sound-quality in live environments often bugs the hell outta me but Majella sang like she'd spent the day eating honey. She's a great performer anyway so it's not all down to the PA but it did justice for her range. So what about the performer's angle - I caught up with her later (and as always her enthusiasm left me buzzing). The bottom line is she's dying to get her hands on an L1 ...I think that about sums it up!

Check out this website and snap up a bargain!

Since it came to market €10 million has been wiped-off the price-tag of a Sorrento Terrace home (last house on right in our shot). Follow this link if you resisted the temptation to jump in at the deep-end over the past 18 mths - it's a web-site that tracks properties that have had their prices slashed repeatedly.

It's going to take more than rescue-remedy to calm those who, despite all the warning signals, swallowed the ‘but the Irish economy is different’ spin and hoped to make a quick killing.

As BILL CLINTON taught, economic success is about consumer-confidence and 'bending' perception ...our boom is an example of great PR work (aimed with a few catch-phrases like Celtic Tiger & soft-landing!) which encouraged over-spending on a mass-scale.

Now that things have slowed, and our 'property Lazarus' needs the defibrillator, expect more Government catch-phrases like ‘our economy needs more positive thinking' ...or 'spend, spend, spend'.

The vested interest (the Government cleaned-up with stamp duty) would like to return us to the 'happy-days' when home-ownership fantasies involved cutting the parents' brake-lines.
irishpropertywatch.com

R.E.M. play Olympia Theatre

It doesn't happen every day to have the chance to see a great band like R.E.M. live nor to see them in a lovely location as the Olympia Theatre.

That's why when a friend of mine called me last saturday offering me a spare ticket for the gig he didn't have to ask me twice!

Just 5 dates all over this year for a really special event which is not a real show - as the huge text behind the stage says - they were actually trying new songs mixed with less known (just to the profanes like I am probably) songs (maybe b-sides) with the only difference they were not alone as usual but with about 1000 people looking at them in a electrifying and at the same time deeply intimate atmosphere.

I'm not a huge fan of them, but I guess what I saw last saturday is something which every R.E.M. fan should kill for. Thanks God I'm still alive :)

For more informations have a look at R.E.M. official website or the one created just for this event. On both you'll find some pictures of the first 2 nights.

And if you want to get a ticket for one of the 3 dates left, try to get a look at eBay because all tickets have been sold out in just a few minutes!

iPhone Day

As announced few months ago, today the iPhone, the first Apple mobile smartphone ever, will be released in the United States stores. Few days ago I've bumped into a fabulous strip published by the Washington Post that explains better than a million of words the atmosphere in the hi-tech world.





Will the iPhone have the same impact on people lifestyle that the iPod has had over the last 5 years?

Hard to know now, but I confess that if I was in NY I'd be queueing outside the Apple Store on the 5th Avenue...

...Sunday secrets

Has anyone heard talk about this ‘Secret’ thing-um-a-gig? I heard something somewhere in the last few weeks and whadda-ya-know Anthony (aka Dr. Sharkey) is doing this course-thing about it on Sunday morning. (Last time I bumped into him he was just back from the Amazon – working as the expedition doctor on a trip into the jungle).

So, anyways, am thinking I might go along and be the guinea pig this Sunday – I’ll scribbles a few lines here next week (...that’s if Ciaran and Pilar don’t drag me out to one of the underground parties the night before!)

'Unlock The Secret - Make the Law of Attraction really work for you'
Sun - 1st July, 2007
10.00 - 13.30
Samadhi yoga/meditation Centre, D.01

The location is pretty handy
...and he has a bit of info bout it here
...or check wikipedia