Summertime

Yes, it's summertime and the leaving is easy. Leaving the house that is, and getting out there to sample the delights on offer in a packed summer programme of musical adventures that takes in virtually every conceivable genre of music in every possible type of gig, from outdoor megabash to the small intimate session in a cosy pub somewhere remote. In fact, if you read on you might even find yourself in Holywood!
In coming issues we'll be taking a look at the range of music festivals which make the Irish music calendar the envy of Europe. Of course you can already feel the tension mounting for the major gigs like El Robbo at Slane, and there will be sufficient media coverage of every crotchet and quaver of those events not to require further elucidation here.
But what about other events up and down the country which are in danger of being overlooked in the media melee? This week we look at two festivals in distinctly different parts of the country, Sligo and County Down.
The 9th Holywood International Jazz Festival takes place from 4th to 6th June, not in glamorous Beverly Hills but in the more naturally attractive North Down town of similar name. A weekend ticket will cost a mere #30, and for that you are offered a veritable cornucopia of jazz and blues acts, from England's legendary Humphrey Lyttelton Band, to Professor Peter O'Brien and the Gay McIntyre/Linley Hamilton Quartet from Ireland, the Sydney Zenith New Orleans Jazz Band from Australia, plus special guests from Scotland, Sweden and elsewhere.
The Holywood Festival also features a Saturday afternoon jazz pub trail and you won't want to miss the New Orleans Street Parade. Nor can you excuse yourself on the basis that you can't get there since Holywood is a mere five miles from Belfast. For further details contact the Festival Hotline number: 01232-768563.
Meanwhile in North Connaught they're gearing up for the Sligo Arts Festival which from 28th May to 7th June will sport an extensive menu of live music as well as theatre, children's events, fireworks, literature, painting, photography more events than you can shake your rhythm stick at.
Of special note is the Ethno Music Project which brings together musicians from over ten countries, including Scotland, Algeria, Sudan, France, Brazil, Ghana, Iran, Macedonia and Sweden. You can sample Salsa with Salsa Celtica from Scotland, some jammin' reggae with The Wailers led by Junior Marvin, opera with Bizet's Carmen, contemporary blues with Big Daddy and Red Hot Java, Natalie MacMaster from Cape Breton and lots more.
For further information contact the Sligo Arts Festival office at 071-69802 or 41499.