leonardcohenforum.com

Dear Friends,

"Spring" -- is she mad? I hear ye say! All around us Mother Nature is demonstrating her strength and power over us mere mortals with astonishing weather conditions.

However, in ancient Ireland's Gaelic calendar, February signaled the first month of Spring as the days grew longer and it's still the case in Ireland today: February heralds the start of Spring as the daffodils, crocuses and snow drops begin to peep up from the earth making us smile in anticipation of brighter days ahead.
Yesterday was the celebration of St. Valentine, the patron saint of love and his remains are to be found in Dublin.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ ... 58685.html

I'm delighted to bring you another update on what is promising to be a fantastic event in Dublin next August.

There will be a stellar line-up of bands for the concerts and you will be treated to an eclectic mixture of music and songs over the three nights.

So far we have Patricia O'Callaghan and her band from Canada, The Van Diemens (Cohen, Cave & Waites tribute), Ali & the Thieves from Australia and Tir Na nOg from Ireland.

Below is a draft programme -- all times approximate and the full line up is not yet finalised.

Thursday, 7th August
7.30pm: Registration and social gathering.

Friday, 8th August
Morning Tours/free time -- to be determined?
1pm: Registration
2.30pm: Spoken Word with Leif Bodnarchuk/John MacKenna/Dermot Bolger/Gerard Smyth and The Poetry Divas
7.30pm: Concert No. 1 -- Patricia O'Callaghan and band
Post concert social gathering.

Saturday, 9th August
Morning Tours/free time -- to be determined?
2.30pm: Open Mic
7.30pm: Concert No. 2 -- The Van Diemens
Post concert social gathering.

Sunday, 10th August
Morning Free time
mid morn-mid afternoon -- brunch
7.30pm: Concert No. 3 -- Ali & the Thieves and Tir Na nOg.
Post concert social gathering.

The programme is still a work in progress and not yet finalised.

Any questions please shout.

All good things.

Paula

Thanks for the update Paula. It's looking good! The Dublin team are doing a grand job and I am really looking forward to the Event.

Wendy

A taste of things to come. Some YouTube links...

Patricia o'Callaghan
http://youtu.be/2h2h7_o_rho

The Van Diemens
http://youtu.be/AgvvXF7UAPA

Ali and the Thieves
http://youtu.be/XWWXaUROZk4

Tír Na Nóg
http://youtu.be/4aT51UgcMV0

Thanks for the links Albert, but I think you have included the Ali and the Thieves link twice by mistake?

Wendy

This is SO exciting, Paula!
And thank you SO much for posting these links, Al! Anxious to see the correct Tir Na Nog one.
Wouldn't miss seeing these performances for the world

I've always dreamed of going to Ireland... and, now, at last, I will... and this Event promises to be sublime.
Even your introduction in this posting is poetic, Paula, just as it ought to be coming from an Irish woman.

Thanks for your hard work... and seeing this lineup assures me that whatever travel experiences in and surrounding Dublin, that you'll be arranging, will be first class, as well.

I already know that Ali is FABULOUS ~ as well as lovely and kind ~ because I met and saw her perform a bit for us in New York, when we were all there for Leonard's concert at Radio City Music Hall.

Thanks so much!!!


~ Lizzie xxx

correct link to Tír Na Nóg ( teer-Na-noogue) added above.

A

Such a lovely, romantic group.
Thanks, Al.

thanks for the update paula...great to see that you have confirmed that there will be a combined registration and social evening with the promised late-ish bar in the same location on the thursday ....it'll be a great opportunity for folk to meet and greet friends old and new in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere before the event officially kicks off on friday...registrations in the past have been by a nature a rather rushed and stressful affair...with most folk arriving in a strange city after long journeys searching out the registration point followed by a mad rush around in unfamiliar surroundings looking for old friends and familiar faces...

hopefully you have secured the premises that you were hoping to book for the evening...if so i hope paula jenkins is around on thursday evening as she is staying just on the other side of the square and i know she always has plenty of money in that big hand bag of hers so i'll make a point of calling in at her hotel to escort her over...

thanks again paula to you and your committee for all the hard work you are doing on our behalf and kudos for the inclusion of tír na nóg and i'm sure that their uk tour manager mr pete needham will be on hand to carry in their equipment as per usual..

so i would recommend for those who can make it to dublin for the thursday to do so and come and enjoy a pre-event evening of interesting conversation and witty banter no doubt helped along with the odd pint or two of guinness....ta ken

ta ken

Great Update, Paula! I added it to the Dublin page at The Files, too (http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/dublin-index.html).

Congratulations to the organizing committee for inviting so many excellent artists and speakers to our 9th Event.

We have already 113 names in the list, and many others are going to join the fun. Folks, it's time to register now!

The program is looking fantastic!
Thank you for tthe hard work.
Let's reach the magical number of 200 attendees to the event!! Doubtfull people RUSH!!

That will be one of the best events ever, imposible to miss this. Good music, wonderfull location and a buns of beautiful people.

I would love to sign up but have to wait until June to know if I will make it…it looks like its going to be such a great event!
Thanks Paula, Marie, Albert and Sheila for all your hard work. If I don't make it I will be there in spirit as so many of us will…
Leslie

Just checked out the youtube links and each of the bands looks really great, thanks so much IrishAl for this and thanks to all the rest of the organisers for all their hard work. I'm hoping to register very soon now

Thank you so much for the update and the links! This is going to be just great-wonderful performers and artists. Anne & I are really looking forward to the Event. I also encourage anyone who is considering this to take the plunge-you won't regret it. It will be so nice to see old friends and meet new ones.

Joe

I'm GOING... and I'm OVERJOYED to be going!!!

Wonderful job, Organizing Committee, of creating a satisfying and unforgettable experience for us.

So happy that at last I'll be visiting one of my personal origin countries... a dream I've had since a child ~ the song "The Happy Wanderer" being my association with my fantasy of going... and have had many night dreams of going and being there, as well... MUCH green, mountainous hills, valleys, and paths. I so need to see the green of Ireland on my visit.

Such a super line-up of performers. I've already seen and met Ali and she's dynamic, as well as very sweet and kind. Perfect for this Event!

To anyone fence-sitting about going, please hop off onto the positive side and just go. You won't be left feeling alone, but will find yourself interacting very comfortably with new friends. If you already have met some at concerts or other gatherings, this extended time is exactly what you need to deepen your relationships. Simply cannot recommend it enough!

So HAPPY that I'll be there !!!

Thanks again to everyone...


~ Lizzie