Dynasty Reunion
Saturday, March 20th, 7pm , $38-$81 (€31-€68), dynastyreunion.com
This is the night you'll be glad you didn't throw out those shoulder pads, because the cast of Dynasty will be reunited right before your eyes in real time. It's so exciting, your hair will spontaneously frizz out into an Alexis Carrington 'do. It was 40 years ago when the drama about rich family rivalries brought the bling into our dowdy living rooms, and this "unofficial" Zoom reunion is raising funds for research into the life-altering effects of long Covid. Back in the 1980s, the characters in Dynasty seemed a world away from our lives, but now we can chat to some of these telly legends (depending on the ticket you buy), take part in a Dynasty quiz (you'll ace it, I'm sure) and bid in a special auction. So, who will be there? Among the guests filling your screen will be Emma Samms, Stephanie Beacham, Maxwell Caulfield, Gordon Thomson, Catherine Oxenberg, Terri Garber and, gasp, Heather Locklear. Right, that's it, I'm back-combing what little hair I have left right now.
A Night In With Fran Lebowitz
Thursday, March 18th, 6.30pm, £15 (€17.55), howtoacademy.com
Writer, humourist and social commentator Fran Lebowitz has been America’s ascerbic voice of reason since the 1970s and, at age 70, she still hasn’t run out of biting, on-the-button commentary about modern life as we know it. Lebowitz is probably at her most eloquent when talking about her home town of New York, and her new Netflix series Pretend It’s a City sees her teaming up once again with her good friend the film-maker Martin Scorsese to deliver a backhanded love letter to the Big Apple. The premise is simple: Lebowitz walks around Manhattan, followed by Scorsese’s expert camera, all the while chatting and making observations about the city which shaped her. It’s proven a huge hit and cemented Lebowitz’s reputation as a modern-day Dorothy Parker. There will be no shortage of cutting remarks and caustic comments in this exclusive event, so pull up a monitor and settle in for what promises to be a night in to remember.
Sharon Shannon - A Global Live Stream from the National Concert Hall
Saturday, March 20th, 8pm, €16.50, dice.fm
Paddy’s Day festivities didn’t end when the clock struck midnight on Wednesday night, but are continuing right through the weekend in some shape or form. On Saturday night, for instance, Ireland’s High Queen of the button accordion, Sharon Shannon, will bring her big band to the National Concert Hall for a special live-stream performance. Astonishingly, it’s 30 years since Shannon released her debut album; since then she’s become known across the globe for her instrumental dexterity and technique – not to mention her endearing personality which adds that extra zing to her tunes. Listen out for tunes from her new album The Reckoning – entirely written and recorded during lockdown – along with plenty of old favourites and no doubt a few surprises. Shannon has worked with so many varied artists across so many different genres, you wouldn’t bat an eyelid if she knocked off a sean-nós, K-pop, grindcore tune or two along the way.
Early Music Day
Sunday, March 21st, various times, free, limerickearlymusic.com, galwayearlymusic.com, eastcorkearlymusic.ie, earlymusicday.eu
Every year, a host of great musicians and conductors celebrate 1,000 years of wonderful music on the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach. This year Early Music Day will be virtually celebrated across Europe, with various live-streamed concerts, events and happenings taking place simultaneously, encompassing music from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. Best part of it is you won't have to part with a single groat to enjoy the musical riches on offer. The newly formed Irish Early Music Network (which incorporates Limerick, Galway and east Cork early music festivals) will be contributing to the overall musical strand with performances by Rhiannon Giddens, Aisling Kenny, Yonit Kosovske, Wolodymyr Smishkewych and more. There will be performances of 17th-century Italian music by Strozzi, Frescobaldi and Marini, and a performance of Biber's Mystery Sonatas. The Irish Early Music Network is on a mission to develop and support Ireland's early-music organisations and musicians, and bring early music into the 21st century with various digital initiatives.
Oates Song Fest 7908
Sunday, March 21st, 1am , nugs.tv
John Oates is one half of Hall & Oates, the most successful duo in rock history with a string of hits through the 1980s and beyond. He’s opened his Rolodex and called up some of his many musical friends to take part in this special streaming broadcast in aid of Feeding America, which supports food banks across the United States. And most of Oates’s friends have answered the call, including Dave Grohl, Sammy Hagar, Keb Mo, Shawn Colvin, Michael Franti, Bob Weir, Sheila E, Michael McDonald, Darius Rucker, Sara Bareilles, Jewel and even his old mucker Daryl Hall. Between them, these artists have been involved in some of the best-loved hits in popular music, so we can look forward to a serious night of musical and vocal virtuosity, all to help America’s poorest to get a decent meal. Let’s just say they’re singing for less fortunate people’s supper. It’s free to stream, but you will have the option to make a donation if you like what you hear. And you’ll definitely like what you hear.
March To Rise: A Benefit Concert for Middle Church
Friday, March 26th, 1am, middlechurch.org
Middle Collegiate Church is an iconic Gothic church in Manhattan’s East Village with a diverse congregation who combine “on-your-feet worship” with “take-it-to-the-streets activism”. Its members campaign for LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality and women’s right to feel safe walking the streets of the city. On December 5th, 2020, a fire gutted the inside of the church, leaving only its stone facade and bell tower intact – the bell has rung for presidential inaugurations as well as for victims of 9/11. But, as the press release for this special live fundraiser says, “no fire can stop revolutionary love”, and it’s no surprise to see an impressive array of stars stepping up to the plate to help rebuild the church. The line-up for this inspirational night of healing words and music include Norah Jones, Ani DiFranco, Ellie Kemper, Emily King, Heather Headley, Daniel Breaker and Aunjanue Ellis. The event will be co-hosted by actor Tituss Burgess, star of Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and businesswoman and television personality Bevy Smith.
