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June each year, ‘Come hell or high water,’ dozens of Ireland’s top musical societies make their annual pilgrimage down to the capital of the Kerry kingdom, to Killarney, to the highly coveted Association of Irish Musical Societies awards (AIMS). Why not, afterall this event is the Oscars of Irish Amateur Musical theatre, embracing the thirty two counties of this green and present land.
This year was to be no different, with winners of the AIMS/HB awards being announced on Saturday last, June 18th, in the Gleneagle Hotel, with some nine hundred amateur performers waiting eagerly in attendance.
As ever, Tipperary’s most talented thespians held their own and came up trumps at this years, 2011, award ceremony. Thurles Musical Society, St. Mary’s Choral Society Clonmel and Nenagh Choral Society, were among the top nominees on the night, with a further strong Tipperary representation spread out among the bevy of other worthy societies.
Clonmel and Nenagh scored individual wins on the night, with former AIMS winners Thurles Musical Society just very unlucky not to come away with a win for their much deserved “Best Visual,” and “Best Stage Management,” nominations.
 Spring Awakening-2011 AIMS adjudicated 'Best Show.' The night however belonged to Tralee Musical Society and Dublin’s new National Youth Musical Theatre-Ireland, both winning ‘Best Overall Show,’ in their respective categories for the musicals “Michael Collins,” and “Spring Awakening.”
This best show victory for “Spring Awakening,” in the Sullivan Section, is the latter’s second such win, since last September, having already won the International Festival of Light Opera in Waterford, just last November.
Particular congratulations must go out to Tipperary native Spring Awakening cast members Ed Leamy (Roscrea), Shane Willoughby (Thurles) and Chris Britton (Clonmel). You’ve done your local Musical Societies in this Premier County very proud folks.
Congratulations to everyone involved with AIMS 2011, and here’s to another fantastic year of musical theatrics.
 Join Sharon Sexton as ‘Liza Minnelli ‘ for a most remarkable show, in the Source Arts Theatre, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co Tipperary on next Saturday, June 4th.
Sharon will performs pieces from Liza’s fabulous musical catalogue, pieces that include the hits “Mein Herr“, “Some People,” “Cabaret,” “Stepping Out,” “New York, New York” and much more.
The life story of Liza May Minnelli, is amazing, born March 12th 1946, she has truly earned her reputation as a gifted actress and singer.
Daughter of famous singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli, Liza began performing professionally at age 17, in 1963, in an Off-Broadway revival of the musical “Best Foot Forward,” for which she received the Theatre World Award. The following year, her mother invited Minnelli to perform with her at the London Palladium. She turned to Broadway at aged just 19, and in 1965 she became the youngest woman ever to win a leading actress Tony Award for “Flora the Red Menace.”
But we will allow Sharon Sexton to tell the story in her remarkable tribute.
Sharon portrays the truly captivating character of Miss Minnelli, with wonderful skill, stepping into the shoes of one of the toughest, most fascinating and remarkable ladies in the world of show business!
Be part of this magic as Sharon shares the secrets, stories and memories that make up a mesmerising career, including the memories of what was undoubtedly the most demanding role she ever played, that of “Judy Garland’s Daughter.”
Incidentally, Sharon Sexton’s has an uncanny and striking resemblance to the young Liza Minnelli.
Date: Saturday Night, June 4th Next.
Tickets: €18/€16
 Singer Mick Hanley Singer, songwriter, Mick Hanly, is presently touring Tipperary following his latest album release, “Live at the Set,” and will be performing live at Kilcooley Parish Church, Gortnahoe, Thurles on Friday night next.
His latest album was recorded with band and guests at The Set Theatre, Kilkenny last May. It features guest appearances by Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Christy Moore, and Mary Black. The album finds Hanly in top form vocally and performing a selection of his very finest songs. A DVD of the concert will be released later this year.
Mick has been around the block more times than most and has tried on a variety of hats in search of his own voice. Starting his career on the Folk circuit in the seventies he made a couple of folk albums for the Mulligan label, before turning his hand to song writing and fronting Moving Hearts for a spell in the early eighties.
He briefly donned a Stetson and formed his own band, Rusty Old Halo, leaving one album with Warner’s called Still Not Cured. After a series of album for the now defunct Round Tower label, Hanly established his own song writing style, which he has been honing to exceptional effect since.
He had a major hit with his song ‘Past the Point of Rescue,’ Stateside in 1992 and picked up three BMI awards, most recently for passing the ‘Two Million Radio Plays,’ target. He also has two Hot Press, and two National Entertainment awards.
His songs have been recorded by artists Hal Ketchum, Mary Black, Delbert McClinton, Dolores Keane, Christy Moore, etc.
So make a date to hear Mick live at Kilcooley Parish Church near Gortnahoe, here in Co Tipperary this coming Friday May 27th @ 8.30pm.
Tickets:- For tickets costing just €10 – Phone 052 9156165 / 056 8834147. It promises to be a great night.
Newport branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, which has a strong tradition in music and song are all set for the, this weekend. In excess of 400 contestants will compete in the various competitions on Saturday with a further 150 contestants taking part in the competitions on Sunday.
 County Fleadh, Newport Mass in Irish will be celebrated on Sunday at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Newport at 12.00 noon.
In excess of 400 contestants will compete in various competitions on Saturday with an expected 150 contestants taking part in the competitions on the following day Sunday.
The weekend’s programme will begin with a music session at Birdhill this evening and continue right through until Sunday evening, when the final competitions come to an end in various venues in Newport. The official opening of this County Fleadh will take place in Lee’s Bar on Friday night and will be officially opened by Tadgh O’Maolcathaig, latter Chairman, of the Munster Council CCE.
Traditional composer Denis Carey of ‘An Turas’ and ‘Moving On’ fame and a native of Newport, is also launching a book of his compositions at this year’s event. Denis is well known, having been commissioned in the past to write new works for the GAA, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, Limerick City Council, North Tipperary County Council, Shannon Heritage and Limerick Institute of Technology. Denis was also co-composer of the music for the soundtrack of the Canadian movie “The Divine Ryans” which featured the English Oscar nominee Pete Postlethwaite OBE, latter who died of pancreatic cancer on January 2nd 2011.
Also on Sunday competitions for 15-18 years and Senior Fleadh Competitions will be held in St Mary’s School, Newport starting at 2.00pm sharp, while Ceili and Set Dancing Competitions will also take place in the Community Hall, Newport from 2.00pm. The Tipperary Youth Ensemble will perform on the street beginning at 5.00pm, weather permitting.
Note: Admission to all events, other than the competitions, will be free and it is hoped that as many people as possible will come out and support this truly traditional event.
 ESB Electric Ireland 2011 Feis Ceoil Congratulations to the Ursuline Secondary School,Thurles, Co Tipperary on achieving 2nd place in the coveted ‘Alice Yoakley Quirk Cup ‘ at the ESB Electric Ireland 2011 Feis Ceoil.
The School was just narrowly pipped to the post by the Belvedere College Choir who took 1st place this year.
Feis Ceoil was set up in 1896, by the chief representatives of music activity in Ireland under the guidance of Dr. Annie Patterson, to counteract the neglect of music development in this country. Feis Ceoil Association strives to promote excellence in the learning and performance of music across all ages, levels and disciplines. They run an annual festival before Easter each year in Dublin, which comprises almost 200 competitions, attracting over 4,000 participants from all over the island of Ireland. They also run non-competitive events and concerts throughout the rest of the year.
Feis Ceoil occupies a unique position in Irish life. It is an essential element in the musical infrastructure of the country and has made an immeasurable contribution to the study and cultivation of music at all levels in Ireland.
The Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, has a long tradition of Music in the School and their Music Department has grown and developed over the years, to meet the individual needs of each student. Students have a wide range of instruments to choose from and because the standard of instrumental music is very high, they have recently invested in a Grand Piano.
Tuition is also available in the following instruments:
Strings:- Violin, Viola, Cello, Harp, Guitar and Double Bass.
Wind:- Oboe, Flute, Bassoon, Saxophone and Clarinet.
Percussion:– Timpani, Cymbals, Wood Block and Triangle.
Brass:– Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn and Tuba
To the students and teaching staff at the Ursuline School, go the towns heartiest congratulations and wishes for continued success.
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