| | |  |  |  | |  | | Remnants of old Ireland are strewn everywhere. We are not talking about beehive huts, ring-forts and round towers. We think of Anglo’s empty money mausoleum and ghastly ghost towns. That, to us, is history. We like to think we are always looking forward, scrolling right, eager to see what's around the corner. We concentrate on the makers and doers who top and tail each of these issues with their covers and interviews, book-ending the recommendations from our team of writers. History, however, has its undeniable merits. So we are recounting for a moment. In true le cool fashion, we are going to party while we do it. So, do join us on October 28th when we'll be occupying the RHA for a night of cover recaps, Havana Club sponsored nightcaps, and hat tips to everyone who make it all possible. Who don't know much about history this week? Ciaran, Michael or Kate. With thanks to Camille. |  | "This image brings to mind the post A-bomb scenes from 1945." - Joby Hickey ... Read More | | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | October 13 2011 | |
where Kerlin Gallery, Anne's Lane, South Anne Street, Dublin 2. Location Map
when Until November 19th
how much Free | exhibition Sean Scully - Cut Ground
One of the world’s leading abstractionists, Sean Scully, seems to me to be an egregious fucking arsehole whose constant, often contradictory, attempts to explain and intellectualise his own work give rise to the suspicion that Scully is not just an arsehole, but also a charlatan. Of course, there's a certain enjoyment to be had in weighing up Scully’s international reputation and the suspicion of charlatanry. But as it turns out, I think it’s unfounded. Cut Ground is a texturally and chromatically articulate exhibition; a pulse seems to emanate from deep within these heavily-layered grid paintings, which are held together not by the names or explanations offered by Scully, but by the internal strength of their own style. / Kevin Breathnach |  | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | October 13 2011 | |
where No Grants Gallery (NGG), 12 East Essex St. D2 Location Map
when Until October 27th
how much Free | exhibition Images Beyond Borders
If you've ever wondered what it feels like to go from black and white Kansas, to glorious Technicolor Oz, then this clash of the illustration titans is for you. Along one wall, Team Austria (Maria Blazejovsky, Helga Bansch, Linda Wolfsgruber, Heide Stöllinger and Michael Roher) make the case for sepia tones and subtle detail. On the opposite wall, their Irish counterparts (Niamh Sharkey, Oisín McGann, Annie West, Bruce Ingman and Adrienne Geoghegan) counter with a riot of colour and fun. Now, either some covert crayon-stealing has been going on, or what we have here is two very different picturebook cultures coming face-to-face for a good old sniff at each other. It’s certainly a heady combo, hopefully opening a door for more international cross-fertilization in the future. Just don’t forget your ruby slippers. / Tom Donegan |  | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | October 13 2011 | |
where Seomra Spraoi, 10 Belvedere Court, Dublin 1 Location Map
when 6pm – 9pm
how much | workshop Bike Workshop
These are my confessions: I take my bike to the shop when I get a puncture. I can't pump up my tyres myself because I lose more air than I gain - darn that fiddly screwy thing! I don't know what gears are for. My handlebars face North-West, my front wheel faces North and my front-wheel-mud-guard (mouthful) faces North-East. I don't think that's the way they're meant to face. My inability to attach a basket securely has seen all my Tesco and Ikea baskets stolen, and there may have been an unhappy incident with a dynamo on Aungier Street. A dynamo and a taxi driver. So I'm going to Seomra Spraoi where I may learn how to look after my bike and Mrs Spinnywheels and I might live in harmony again. Of course, first I'll have to manage to open the lock, which has conveniently seized up...curse you damp Ireland! / Kate Frances Coleman |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | October 15 2011 | |
where The Screen Cinema, 2 D'olier St, D2 Location Map
when 6pm
how much €25/13 | screening Met: Live - Anna Bolena
The story of Anne Boleyn was pretty operatic before music was even added, really a just add water affair. A little bit exotic, with a keen sense of her own luck, and strangely accepting of her inevitable downfall, Boleyn is the essence of the drama of opera. With some soap opera incest. A conniving and manipulative thoroughly modern Millie, with a head for scandal, and an extra finger for witchcraft, her life was a searing, sizzling crescendo, until the swift French sword came down upon her head on Tower Hill. Stop. No coda. No repeat to fade. The new cinematic chocolate box - The Screen Cinema - will be broadcasting Anna Bolena from the New York Metropolitan Opera, so you can say you were there. In spirit. Let me spell out the awesomeness...you can be at the New York Met...without Jet Lag. Take the chance. / Kate Frances Coleman |  | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | October 15 2011 | |
where Button Factory, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 01 670 9202 Location Map
when 7.30pm
how much €22.50 | gig Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
The nine Chicagoans who call themselves the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble may as well apply for dual Irish-American citizenship at this stage, so frequently are they on the gig circuit here. However that's where their likeness with presidential nominee Dana Scanlon ends. It's hard to believe they are all 'brothers' as they claim to be, but the way they unite musically onstage, each brandishing a well worn piece of brass, puts any doubts about their siblingly affirmations straight out of your mind. They move together on stage like one. Like one big, shiny, bouncing, happy machine, they will remove all your lurking arhythmic tendencies and replace them with pure and unadulterated fun. I do advise wearing comfortable clothing and the use of a particularly robust anti-odorant before attending. Win Tickets / Jessica Hayden |  | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | October 15 2011 | |
where The Sugar Club, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 01 678 7188 Location Map
when 8pm
how much €14 | comedy Paul Foot - Still Life
When I pressed my sister to account for her evening at Paul Foot's Still Life at the Soho Theatre (I was too psyched for his Dublin night) she told me it was excellent. And when asked to explain its excellence - well I've cut and pasted that bit: "oh fuck. I can hardly remember...He had insights. And his offstage announcement went on for the majority of the show and when he brought out the woman thing...forgotten her name...it was SCARY." That, my friends, is why you should never ask a Paul Foot devotee about why they love Paul Foot. He is a magnificent, baffling, and mysterious character. If you can aptly articulate what it is that makes Paul Foot better than all the rest, you've just robbed the mystique. And boys and girls, I ain't no Artful Dodger on a midnight rob-up, so we'll leave it there. / Kate Frances Coleman |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | October 18 2011 | |
where Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 01 679 3477 Location Map
when 3pm, 7pm
how much €5.20-€9.20 | cinema Midnight in Paris
Allen's latest offering has been tipped as a return to form. It is. Owen Wilson, unusually cast as the hero, is Gil, a Hollywood hack on holiday in Paris with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), and her parents. Allen, a master of the self-reflexive cliché, creates a circus of their family dynamic, setting Gil apart from their conservatism to begin his journey of self-assessment. This takes the form of surreal midnightly jaunts to the Paris of the 1920s with the likes of Hemmingway, Picasso and Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates). There is more than a touch of Goodnight Sweetheart about Gil’s adventures, especially when things become complicated with the smoldering Adriana (Marion Cotillard), but the sumptuous backdrop of Paris sucks you into Allen's romanticised view of the era as convincingly as it does Gil. / Tess Motherway |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  | | October 19 2011 | |
where Project Arts Centre, 39 East Essex St, Dublin 2. Location Map
when 8.15pm
how much €15/€12 concessions | comedy Keith Farnan - Money, Money, Money
Keith Farnham studied hard, got his degree and a proper, permanent and pensionable job. Then he realised he was funny as hell and turned his hand to comedy. Now firmly established on the international scene, his shows are thought-provoking as well as hilarious. He is not a comedian who stands there and simply fires jokes at you - almost everything he says has some sort of social context, and no one leaves his shows without re-appraising their opinions on certain subjects. One of the few comedians who manages to be politically correct while discussing the most non-PC subjects, he recently filmed a pilot, so may soon be coming to our small screens. However, nothing can replicate the experience of seeing comedy live so check out this latest offering! Win Tickets / Frances Winston |  | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | October 19 2011 | |
where Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2. Location Map
when Oct 10-16th, Wed-Sat: 11am-7pm, Sun: 2-5pm
how much Free | pop-up Jennifer Slattery Textiles
If you are tired of vintage chintz and plain linen and Scandinavian Design fascism, Jennifer Slattery's collection of tablelcloths, cushions and throws give some alternative comfort for the senses. Pigment, fabric embroidery and digitally printed imagery are woven together to create her latest collection, An Imperfect World, on show at the RHA Pop-Up series. Inspired by her granny's house where she now lives, she brings to a life a tapestry of memories. This Irish designer's collection alludes to trinkets that link us to past memories, ornaments and objects of past generations whilst celebrating the flaws, broken edges and the imperfections that exude character in an object .. you can also meet the designer at a drinks reception onsite Sat 15th 3-6pm. / Elish Bul-Godley |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | Ladies of the Darklight Sinéad Ni Bhroin and Nicky Gogan from Darklight tell le cool about about Strictly Roots, the 13th edition of their independent, DIY, lo/no budget digital film festival. The theme emerged from a couple of places. Firstly, moving into The Factory which is a space aimed towards film production companies working collaboratively. I (Nicky) was at SXSW and saw Sound it Out which was funded by crowdsourcing and had DIY distribution and Bellflower, by Evan Glodell. While we've always covered aspects of community filmmaking, this year we made it the main focus. We have ten hours of short films programmed that stem just from collectives, film co-operatives, and community groups. People are interested in seeing how disused buildings are being re-appropriated. It's great to have a festival within our own venue. Darklight launches next Thursday and runs until Saturday, Oct. 22nd in The Factory, 35A Barrow St. Grand Canal Dock. PHOTO: seanandyvette | | | |  |  |  | | |