An esteemed international and annual music event, the Red Bull Music Academy also prides itself on providing plenty of opportunities to hear (and hear about) great music the whole year round. With that in mind, we have two announcements from RBMA today, with two acts playing separate dates north and south of the border this spring.

First up, on Friday March 2 we have Kerri Chandler playing Belfast's Sitff Kitten. Known for his distinctive mix of soulful roots and innovation, Kerri is a deep house originator and is a must see for anyone with a love of dance music, as well as all those hardcore '90s fans. Tickets are priced at £6 in advance and £7 on the night and are available through [link]www.ticketmaster.ie[/link] and [link]www.shine.net[/link].

The following night, Just Blaze (aka Justin Smith) will be performing in the Academy's Green Room, Dublin. The New Jersey producer and CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment is the man behind hits from the likes of Jay Z (he had a big part to play in The Blueprint), Eminem, Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg. With support coming from 2011's Irish RBMA representative Krystal Klear and his mentor OlanAllCity, it all adds up to a night not to be missed. Tickets are priced at €10 and are available through [link]www.ticketmaster.ie[/link].

As with Chandler, Blaze is hitting Irish soil for those RBMA workshops, promoting and launching the call for applications for this year's Academy in New York.

Those forums take place in Harlem Cafe, Belfast, on March 2 in Harlem Cafe and on March 3 at No 5 Spencer Dock, Dublin.

Places at the workshop are available on a first come first basis through [email protected].