Sun shines on the Macnas Parade 2007!

Just finished the Macnas Parade 2007. I was "Mr. President" in the Unfinished Symphony section at the end. Great fun and it didn't rain! Below are a few pre-parade images:





And of course my bad self, pre-makeup. Well done Gavin, Triona, Fiona, Peter, Bill, Mike and all the gang (there's a lot of new faces around that I haven't put a name to!).

Macnas Needs Stewards!

Macnas Needs Stewards!

Come along this Sunday and help Macnas!

Would you like to be involved in the Macnas Parade? Then come along this Sunday and be a steward!

Being a steward is one of the most important jobs in the Parade. Stewards work with Macnas, the Gardai and Civil Defence to ensure the Parade runs safely and smoothly for audiences and participants. You must be aged 18 or over and be free from 1pm til 6pm on the day of the Parade, this Sunday 22nd July.

As a steward, you get a great view of the Parade, access to privileged areas and are invited to the Macnas after party, held this year in Cuba, Bar903.

So if you’re interested, or know anyone who might be, contact Jean on 091 568896 or email thefield[at]macnas.com

This weekend I'll be mostly...

On Saturday I'll be entertaining the children from Chernobyl at their picnic in Woodquay in Galway and then on to Cloonacauneen Castle for a wedding. On Sunday I'll be playing one of the many characters in the Macnas Parade (yes they asked me nicely again this year!)

And then there's the second week of the Arts Festival...

Deep breath...

Mark Thomas- a bigger man than his technical difficulties!

Charlie and I went along to see Mark Thomas in the Radisson Hotel last night as part of the Galway Arts Festival. Charlie is reviewing the show for the Connacht Tribune and I did the above to go along with it.
There were some teething problems, and a lesser man would have skinned the sound and light operators alive for a) not turning the stage lighting on when he entered and even then having to be told to do it and b) the feedback and distortion on his mike in the first half. Thomas just made a joke of it, comparing them to the people in charge of our water supply! (although I'd trust a hill of ants to do a better job of our water situation than the officials of City Hall at this stage).

In my unbiased, objective, balanced and scientific opinion Mark Thomas is a genius. So there.

Mark Thomas for the Galway Arts Festival

One of my favourite outraged sorts, Mark Thomas, is coming to Galway for the 30th Galway Arts Festival. I'm currently reading his book As Used on the Famous Nelson Mandela, an actual quote used as a selling point in an arms dealer's brochure.

I guarantee the funniest indignation you'll see this year if you come along. You can see some of his television work on YouTube, but be warned it's not safe for work (lots of cussin'!!).

The Festival box office is open now and you can book tickets online.

It's on, it's off... it's on again!

Update to previous post: It appears that the Macnas Parade has been saved. Galway City Council have pledged an emergency fund for the Galway Arts Festival, who had a major sponsor pull out earlier this year. Part of this fund is going into a budget for the Parade, so it looks like the single biggest free gig of the Festival. I think the Council are to be applauded for this, but there is a caveat: this money is a crutch, and if Macnas' funding is not increased by the Arts Council, and supplemented by Dept. of Tourism, regional development bodies and local businesses the parade will lurch towards extinction in the next 2-3 years. This isn't a prediction I'd like to see come about.

As for this year, I can't wait to see the spectacular work of Aine, Peter, the rest of the team and the hundreds of volunteers that give the parade life every year!