Blog Posts - Derry Vibe

The City Of Derry Jazz And Big Band Festival 2016 Is Back This Weekend

4/30/2016

It's back for another year City of Derry Jazz Festival 2016 returns to the city and one of the most popular social events in the city we got your guide to what's on throughout the weekend..

The Jazz Festival runs from Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May so there is something for everyone all weekend and we've packed in all the best events to check out...

With over 200 live music live music acts at over 70 venues, bands such as: Red Stripe Band, The Jive Aces, Ricky Cool & the In Crowd, Greggi G & His Crazy Gang, Cat Scratch Fever featuring Western Valley Hot Club, Bluez Katz, Harry Connolly Band, Jaydee Brass Band, Jiveoholics, Wild, Velocity Brown & The Hot Rods, Kings of Rhythm, Les Swinging Lovers, Oo-Bop-Sh’Bam and many more....

Here's a taster of what to expect from Jazz Festival:

Full Line Up For City Of Derry Jazz Festival 2016:

http://issuu.com/derrycitycouncil/docs/4043_dcsdc_jazzfest2016_programme/28?e=3682977/35065359

Neo-Soul Roy Ayers To Bring "The Groove" To Derry This Weekend

4/30/2016

You might of heard the name Neo-Soul Roy Ayers before somewhere but can't think of where you've heard it but know you can add the term ‘music icon’ to your CV when Pharrell Williams names his son after you, and Tupac begs a performance at his 40th birthday bash – but for Godfather of Neo-Soul Roy Ayers, it’s still just ‘all about the groove’.
When you hear names like that you know he is defiantly worth checking out and he is lined up for City of Derry Jazz Festival this weekend...

The 75-year-old funk, soul and jazz composer is currently one of the most sampled artists in history, with the likes of Mary J Blige, 50 Cent, Tupac and Ice Cube all subscribing to his genre shattering brand of music.
With five decades in the music industry under his belt Ayers has seen it all, and is certainly unruffled by the hype about his work. And as he gets ready to fly in to Derry this week ahead of the City of Derry Jazz Festival he’s looking forward to converting a few younger music fans on his first trip to the city.

Ayers will be headlining the massive festival programme which will see over 300 performances take place over five days throughout the May Bank Holiday weekend. Asked what the locals will make of his music, the veteran performer is confident he can bring ‘the groove’ to Derry.

Ayers is revered by musicians across all generations with many reproducing his work in tribute to the man credited with being the number one vibraphone player in the world. At 75 he’s still got it but he remains philosophical about why his work has such resonance with the younger generation.

“The groove is there – and it’s really taken off in a lot of different places now. My music has been sampled by a lot of different people which is fantastic. I like the fact that young people are inspired by my work. It’s a wonderful gracious thing that they follow it. I think that young people do generally get my music.”

Ayers’ discography runs into pages and such is his stature in the industry that Roy has a dedicated following among fans of R&B, jazz, soul and funk. His most notable works ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ and ‘Searchin’ have been sampled by several contemporary artists including Mary J Blige, and Pharrell Williams cites him as his musical hero.

“I’m really good friends with Pharrell actually,” he reveals, “He named his son after me – Rocket Ayer Williams – which really is the ultimate honour,” he laughs. “I’m lucky to have worked with so many great artists and I like to think the music will continue to inspire people.

“Ultimately I would have loved to work with Jaki Bayard, he was one of my musical heroes. But it’s great to know younger artists are still interested in the music and enjoy working with me.”

As Derry gears up for the biggest weekend in the annual music calendar, kicking off tomorrow, it’s clear what the highlight will be – with Roy Ayers taking to the stage of the historic St Columb’s Hall on Sunday May 1. And he’s expecting big things from his audience.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Derry. I hope people are ready to party and get down because it’s all going to be really heavy on the groove!”

You can buy tickets to see Roy Ayers in St Columb's Hall on Sunday May 1st by contacting the Millennium Forum Box Office on 028 71264455.

For a full Jazz Festival programme go to www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com

Big Cheese and Beer Expo is heading for the Northwest

4/6/2016

Foodie fans around the northwest will be thrilled to hear that Derry will be hosting a major celebration of two of the North West’s most popular indulgences – cheese and beer – as the Big Cheese and Beer Expo gets set to take over the Guildhall Square, April 15 – 17.

The event was launched this week by Derry City and Strabane District Council as a major highlight of the NI Year of Food and Drink programme, shining a spotlight on some of the finest craft beers and cheeses being produced locally as part Brewing & Distilling month.
The expo is supported by Tourism NI and DARD under the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said that following the recent major success of the Legenderry Food Festival, she was delighted to see the announcement of another fantastic food event. “I’m really pleased to see businesses in the North West benefitting from another opportunity to showcase local produce, and some of the innovative work which is transforming the food industry here.
“We have some extremely talented individuals who are dedicated to the development of the craft food and drink industry. This event will open them up to new audiences and give people the chance to sample some of the finest locally crafted products.

One of the highlights of the programme will be a number of live demonstrations by former Corrie star turned Cheese champion Sean Wilson, aka Martin Platt, who has swapped the TV set for the kitchen, developing his own range of award winning cheeses. He will be joined by a whole host of local culinary talents for cook offs and demos throughout the weekend.

Tourism Officer with Council, Mary Blake, said the Expo was a highlight in the NI Year of Food and Drink Calendar. “I am absolutely delighted that the city will be hosting its first Cheese and Beer Expo as part of the NI Year of Food and Drink programme.

“This event builds upon the success of events like Culture Tech and Sippy of Culture in celebrating the best of Beer and Cheese from across the North West and beyond featuring quality cheese producers and craft brewers.

“The craft brewing industry is definitely on the rise and we already boast some great local success stories including the Walled City Brewery and Northbound Brewery here in the city. And passionate food producers such as Tamnagh Foods have been championing local cheese scooping an array of awards for their efforts in recent months, including 3rd in the World Cheese Awards for their Dart Mountain cheese.

Food lovers will be able to sample some of the fantastic ranges being produced, and taste the difference when it comes to beers and cheeses crafted from the very best local ingredients.

“The daytime programme will include a large market hall where there will be opportunities to try and buy, while on the evenings of 15th and 16th the venue transforms into a cabaret style event with live music, hot food with cheesy themed menus and the best of local beer on tap. I think the quality will speak for itself.”

The Expo will take place over three days and feature an array of events geared towards all ages, from family friendly, cheesy themed activities, to adult only beer tasting and food sampling. The Festival Marquee will have plenty of daytime family fun with pop up puppeteers, face painting, culinary themed arts and crafts plus lots more. In the evening adults can sample the best of the region’s craft beers, and enjoy local cheese and beer inspired dishes accompanied by some of the very best local performers.

Eddie Rowan, Tourism NI’s Events Manager, said: “We are pleased to support the Big Cheese and Beer Expo as part of Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink. The event is a perfect platform to showcase our local food and drink suppliers alongside award winning produce. I wish everyone a very enjoyable and memorable weekend.”

The event is also supported the NI Regional Agri Food programme and Louise Millsopp, Head of Supply Chain, is delighted to see the commitment to local Agri Food development programmes which support local food development and supply.

All the action will take place from Friday 15th April in Guildhall Square
Friday 15th April 5pm to 10pm
Saturday 16th April – 1pm to 6pm and 7pm to 11pm
And Sunday 17th April – 1pm to 5pm.

To find out more about the event go to www.derrystrabane.com/food

A Call For Local Runners and Joggers To Join Half Marathon Events

3/30/2016

A call for Runners, joggers and fun runners across the Northwest and Strabane are being encouraged to sign up for two forthcoming Half Marathon events that are taking place in the coming months.

Speaking at the official launch of the Strabane-Lifford and Waterside Half Marathons, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said she was confident both events would be widely supported considering the current interest in running across the Council area.
First up is the Strabane –Lifford Half Marathon which takes place on 15 May, departing from the Railway Road in Strabane at 10.30am

The race includes a 5k Fun Run and a walk for all ages and abilities and is a popular cross border event and is supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council in conjunction with Lifford Athletic Club.

For those of you thinking further ahead then there is still time to get training to be part of the Waterside Half Marathon which is scheduled for Sunday 4th September. Departing from Gransha Grounds at 10am, the event includes a Half Marathon for runners and wheelchair athletes, as well as a three person relay and a 2k family fun run.

Mayor McCallion says both half marathons are fantastic local sporting events that attract runners and athletes from all over the Council area and wider North West region.

“Running is hugely popular at the minute across Derry and Strabane. There is a huge interest in it with lots of local running clubs set up actively encouraging people to get fit and to ditch the couch in favour of getting out and about and enjoying a healthy lifestyle. Both of these events are significant additions to the local events calendar and are important family occasion for everyone involved.
“Registration for both events is now open and a training schedule is also available for download – so make sure to get involved – www.derrystrabane.com/halfmarathon,” she said.

Get invoked with this years Half Marathon's across Northwest For More visit: Derrystrabane.com/halfmarathon

City of Derry Jazz Festival 2016 Launches in newly opened Bishops Gate Hotel

3/26/2016

Jazz is coming back to the city this April Weekend as City of Derry Jazz Festival launched in the cities newest establishment The Bishops Gate Hotel.
the launch of the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival – with four days of the very best live music set to transform your May Bank Holiday Weekend, April 28-May 2.

Details of the programme were revealed today by Derry City and Strabane District Council and topping the bill for the entertainment extravaganza is one of the most renowned names in the Jazz music scene, Roy Ayers.
Known as the Godfather of Neo-soul, Ayers’ inimitable style spans the genres as well as the generations as an iconic figure in jazz, soul and R&B. And his music has been sampled by some of the biggest contemporary stars including 50 Cent, Tupac, Ice Cube and Mary J Blige.

Vibrophonist and vocalist Ayers will be heading up an impressive array of talent, with over 200 performers taking to stages in over 80 venues across the northwest for the biggest event of its kind here.
ver 40,000 people descend on the city annually for the local music event of the year.

So it looks like it's gonna be a great weekend of Jazz in the city so keep April 28th to May 2nd free in your diaries...

See Full Line Up For City of Derry Jazz Festival on cityofderryjazzfestival.com

Launching the programme Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said she was looking forward to a fantastic weekend. “There is no doubt that the Jazz Festival weekend is possibly the highlight of the year for us in terms of visitor experiences. The place just comes alive with music and the buzz about the streets is incredible.
“I think that what makes it so appealing is that there are events for all ages, so while we always attract a dedicated Jazz audience, there’s plenty of entertainment on offer for families and music lovers of all kinds.
“The programme this year is as always packed full of talent from home and abroad, and I’m looking forward to what promises to be a busy weekend for visitors and a booming time for local businesses.”

Jazz programmes will be available from entertainment venues across the northwest, and online at cityofderryjazzfestival.com. For all the latest news and event updates check out DerryJazzFestival on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @derryjazzfest

For details on any remaining accommodation deals over the Jazz Festival contact www.visitderry.com

Sun Shines on St Patrick's Day Carnival 2016

3/21/2016

By: Amanda Chambers

It was another huge day in the city as St Patrick's Day Carnival got under way in the city centre and we caught all the action on the day..

Check out our photos below if we captured you at St Patrick's Day Carnival 2016 in the city and we've posted more on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

St Patrick's Day Carnival Photos 2016:

Primal Scream and Tinie Tempah Headline Sea Sessions 2016 in Donegal

2/21/2016

It's back for 2016 and the official line up for Sea Sessions in Bundoran this June weekend 24th - 27th is unveiled with top headline acts Rockers Primal Scream and Tinie Tempah. Now you couldn't get any different between those two acts..

The hugely popular music event is back this summer in Bundoran County Donegal and tickets are already on sale and are selling out fast right now from Sea Sessions official website seasessions.com/tickets

Other acts on the line up include Sunset Son, Bad Manners, Pleasure Beach and also top local and international DJ's such as chart toppers and best known for their 2015 single "The Girl Is Mine" which is a mash up of Destiny's Child Girl and Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine".

Anne Wenzel Exhibition Opens In Void Gallery

2/21/2016

A new exhibition has opened in Void Gallery on Patrick Street in Derry which features the work of artist Anne Wenzel in Night Falls, Day Breaks is being shown for the first time in a solo exhibition in the UK and Ireland. The exhibition opened on Saturday 20th February and runs until 16th April 2016 in the gallery.

Opening the Void programme for 2016, the exhibition has a certain critical and thematic resonance with other cultural and civic activities which will take place this year in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. Specifically, events which are part of what has been termed the ‘Decade of Centenaries’ that begins with the centenaries of the Easter Rising in Dublin and the WWW1 Battle of the Somme, both of which took place in 1916.

Wenzel is a German born artist who lives and works in The Netherlands. Negotiating a subversive position between tradition and modernity, the artist creates monumental ceramic sculptures and installations that are often placed in a specifically orchestrated setting.

It's a very intresting exhibition to see in Void Gallery, so pop along to see it on Patrick Street now which runs until April 2016.
To find out more on this exhibition or on Void Derry Gallery visit the website derryvoid.com

Local Derry Band The Lavengros To Play Bennigans Bar Tonight

2/19/2016

Local band from Derry The Lavengros are to play in one of Derry's most loved intimate pubs Bennigans Bar this Friday 19th Febuary along with Letterkenny band Constant Supply.

You can see both bands play in Bennigans from 10.30pm in Bennigans Bar on John Street this Friday 19th February.

Recently The Lavengros have released their music video for "All I Need" and you can see the music video from the band below. Derry Vibe will be catching up with both bands on the night so watch out Facebook and Twitter pages for more on Friday Night. You can see more from Constant Supply here constantsupply.bandcamp.com _

Watch The Lavengros - All I NEED Music Video:

Your Snaps From The Docs Single Launch in Yellow Yard

1/30/2016

It was a top night of local music as Yellow Yard hosted the launch of The Docs new single "TwoThirtyFour" with support from local bands including Luna Kicks, The Blue Jeans and Little Arcadia.
A huge crowd turned out to see the bands play in Yellow Yard along cities walls and we caught up with bands before their set and you can see our interviews in Derry Vibe. We posted all the best pictures and some of your snaps that we caught from the night below.
You can see more on Facebook: Facebook.com/Derryvibe

Check out our photos from The Docs Single Launch in Yellow Yard: