Don’t Dream It’s Over
Dear Reader - we had a moment on Friday night! The Big Thing You may know that on each Teenage Theme Night we feature a graduate - someone who has been part of the shows previously but is still involved somehow in.
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The Piano Has Been Thinking
Stories and reflections on teaching, performance, songs, and life as a musician.
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Latest letters and stories
Stay on the scene!
Dear Reader - Inspired this week by Thelonious Monk and Steve Wickham… The Big Thing Back in 2017 Imelda May performed her new song Black Tears with the Jools Holland rhythm ‘n’ blues orchestra big band on his New.
Playing piano…
Dear Reader - There’s really nothing like playing the piano…ask Bethany McLoughlin or Paul McCartney! The Big Thing Me too actually - because while I love spending my days encouraging others to play, I sometimes have.
Stories are king
Dear Reader - for the first time in a while The Big Thing this week is not Theme Night-related! The Big Thing I got to visit the Aughamore Day Care Centre for the first time last week, to present a cheque to the.
Same era, different story!
Dear Reader - it was a truly momentous week…thank you for helping make it so. The Big Thing Our Theme Night #37 wrap party was in the foyer of the Hawk’s Well last Saturday night. Seamie McManus was our DJ, and.
All we have is now…
Dear Reader - There’s only one show in town this week! The Big Thing And yesterday morning we got in to an empty stage (well almost - Rory Maitland and his lights beat me in as you can see below). But I love the sense.
Leaving the fun parts in…
Dear Reader - The ONLY Theme Night of 2026 takes place next week! The Big Thing This time next week we’ll be in the Hawk’s Well setting up for the big show! And it’s coming together nicely! We have a young musician who.
Building the 80s buzz…
Dear Reader - Two weeks to go until Theme Night #37 and it’s all systems go! The Big Thing And the great thing is - this show promises to be so much fun. I mean think of the songs - how could it not be?! But there are.
Our Town
Dear Reader - Quick question before we start - what are your memories of Sligo in the 1980s? Reply to this email with whatever comes to you… The Big Thing Because there’s only one big thing on the agenda for the next.
Time after time
Dear Reader - All of a sudden the biggest show of our year - Theme Night #37 - is coming into view. The Big Thing And it’s a big one! We’re bringing you back to the 1980s - a golden era for music and also such an.
Three out of three!
Dear Reader - It was one of those weekends where you are reminded just why you do this job. Let’s go through it in order… The Big Thing Friday’s was the smallest gig of the weekend in terms of audience numbers but they.
Treasure Hunt!
Dear Reader - I have you sorted for family entertainment this Christmas…read on! The Big Thing But first - Sinéad and I (below) played at the Sligo Park Christmas lunch last Thursday and had a great time - the first.
Our smallest gig ever!
Dear Reader - Firstly some news of our Christmas gigs (including an extra date)… The Big Thing December is here and so (almost) is our Christmas tour! The Drumcliffe and Boyle shows are almost sold out. The Hawk’s Well.
Trust that feeling!
Dear Reader - The Big Thing Thank you to everyone who came to our first ever Theme Night Social gig last Friday. We certainly had fun and I hope you guys did. Thanks also to guests Niamh Farrell, Rhea Grimes and Sam.
Music as the vehicle…
Dear Reader - It’s Theme Night Social week! The Big Thing So happy to be bringing this brand new show to the Hawk’s Well Theatre this Friday. Thanks to everyone who bought a ticket - any new show always brings an.
Proper songs!
Dear Reader - New music and news of a new Sligo venue today… The Big Thing But first - this weekend our Theme Night Academy season goes BIG. We have had some fantastic Open Mic events and masterclasses so far but the.
Nostalgia and Serotonin
Dear Reader - a reminder first of all that Theme Night #37 (The 80s) takes place next February and tickets are on sale now. The Big Thing November sees an exciting month for the members of our Theme Night Academy..
Announcing Theme Night #37
Dear Reader - So we have announced the brand new Theme Night Social, told you about Theme Nights Unplugged at Christmas, but this morning it’s finally time to bring on the big one… The Big Thing Theme Night #37 - The.