Absolut Gay Theatre Festival Dublin 2010

Capital Hotels are proud to be the official hotels for the Absolut Gay Theatre Festival Dublin again this year!
The festival has launched a new website and tickets are now on sale for this years festival.
It runs from the 3rd to the 16th May in a variety of venues around Dublin.  International theatre companies, cabarets and comedy - the festival encompasses all sorts of gay theatre.
 
Check out their website: http://www.absolutgaytheatre.ie

The Trinity Capital Hotel offers special rates for patrons of the festival - use promo code GAYTHT - Show your festival tickets at the reception on check in to get this special rate. From only 99 Euro Bed and Breakfast for a double or twin room. http://www.trinitycapital-hotel.com

The host of this cultural showcase is none other than Dublin’s designated art zone, Temple Bar, with playwrights and thespians taking over a host of venues including The Button Factory, Boys School Studio, The Front Lounge, The George, Smock Alley Studio and The New Theatre to name a few.  With its participants as diverse as its audience, this year’s programme is set to further cement Dublin's reputation as one of Europe’s literary platforms as well as a recognized centre for gay theatre.

Speaking about this year’s festival, John H. Pickering, Festival Director said "The ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin is a brilliant opportunity to see some fantastic international theatre and an insight into gay culture for those who maybe wouldn’t get that chance elsewhere".

Richard Brickley, Marketing Manager of ABSOLUT Vodka said “Around the world and in Ireland we have cemented our relationships and associations with the creative community.  ABSOLUT is renowned as the earliest major advertiser in gay media with ads dating back to 1981.  Having pushed boundaries with the packaging design of the ABSOLUT COLORS bottle designed by Gilbert Baker, the brand is consistent in showing its commitment to the LGBT community.  We are delighted to be part of the ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin again this year and our sponsorship is a natural way to continue to encourage people to ‘See Things Differently’ and in a more inclusive way.” 

A sneak preview reveals some of this years highlights: 

10 to 15th May, Smock Alley Theatre: Barbra & Liza Live sees New York sensations Brinberg and Skye join forces to bring us a spectacular mix of comedy, musical performance and a good dollop of gossip too. Skye impersonates Liza with unsurpassed energy and comedy, while Brinberg pays hilarious homage to leading lady Barbra Streisand.  Not to be missed!

3 to 8th May, Break for the Border: Direct from their four week residency in London’s West End, UK musical comedy double act Topping and Butch present their outrageous show ‘FILTH’. With songs and one liners that would melt granite, this pair have created a whole new genre of show and if you haven’t discovered these guys already, now is the time to do it.

3 to 8th May, Smock Alley Theatre: All the way from Tel-Aviv, Israel, multi award winning drama THE TIMEKEEPERS has been touring the world to huge acclaim and now for the first time this Israeli theatre company are coming to perform for the ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin. It concerns a pair of watch menders, Hans, a pink triangle wearing German homosexual and Benjamin, a yellow star adorned elderly Jewish man, thrown together in a concentration camp. An intimate and truly touching tale focusing on the distrust conflict and eventual love of the two protagonists.

10 to 15th May, The New Theatre: This year the ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin sees the world premiere of THE MYTH OF ANDREW & JO. This South African production team from Cape Town tells the story of two gay couples, one male gay and female gay. One from each team have a fol de rol and the result is an unplanned pregnancy served alongside some high comic chaos as these promiscuous youngsters cope with their new found responsibilities. This play is warm and deeply moving, as well as wet yourself hilarious, the perfect combination!

This unique arts festival aims to promote, commission and showcase new writing on gay related theatre and music. Ticket prices throughout the Festival are kept deliberately low to make the events accessible to all. Prices range from 10 to 17 euro and can be booked online at www.absolutgaytheatre.ie or visit the Festival Box Office at Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

St Patricks Festival 2010

It's that time of year again! The whole world is Irish on St Patricks Day - and the festivities go on for days! There is a packed programme for people in Dublin this year - see the official St Patricks festival programme here
Dublin is sure to be buzzing with people, music, food and all things Irish.  Whether you are in Dublin, or anywhere else in the world - Have a lovely St Patrick's Day and enjoy the festivities.

Alice in Wonderland - Alice in Trinity Capital

Tim Burton has had great success with his 3D version of Alice in Wonderland.  Many of our guests mention this particular story when they try to describe the decor of the Trinity Capital Hotel.  We think it might have a lot to do with our oversized chairs just inside the main entrance, you really do feel like Alice when you sit in them.  Check out our Guest review page here to see some of the guests own pictures of these chairs - Trinity Capital Reviews

Now look at the picture from the movie and see do you agree with me and our guests. 
If you have stayed with us and want to give us your feedback, email us at sales@capital-hotels.com

"My Brother Johnny Cash"

Break for the Border, Dublin, Ireland is proud to host the ultimate tribute show, "My Brother Johnny Cash"

For three nights only on the 4th, 5th and 6th March 2010 Break for the Border will be  hosting "My Brother Johnny Cash" -  A tribute show to the great legend of country music starring his younger brother Tommy Cash.

Tommy Cash will be accompanied by the Cash Crew Band and the show will feature clips of Johnny and Tommy as children that have never been seen on television before. They will perform many hit songs, medleys and take the audience on a nostalgic trip back to the Sun Records years through the chart topping hit records and all the way to the last Johnny Cash hit, "Hurt".

Tommy Cash started his musical career as a DJ and is also successful recording artist in his own right with several hits in the 1960's. He collaborated with his brother on a number of projects, acting as manager of Johnny's music publishing house as well as writing and performing songs with his older brother. Tommy Cash has also written songs performed by country stars such as Loretta Lynn, Jean Shepherd and Kitty Wells.

 Johnny and Tommy Cash grew up in rural Arkansas in a close-knit family in the 1940's.  The constant threat of poverty was counteracted by the comfort of stories and music shared within the household.  At the age of 12, Johnny was already composing songs, and was performing for audiences while still a teenager.
At one stage in his life Johnny Cash was performing an average of 300 shows a year.  Johnny was introduced to June Carter, later to be his wife, backstage at the legendary "Grand Ole Opry" in the late 1950's.  June Carter co-wrote the infamous "Ring of Fire" with Merle Kilgore at a time in her life when she found herself falling in love with the troubled and drug-dependent Johnny Cash 

Johnny Cash - The name, the image, the man himself has become synonymous with American Country Music.  But Johnny Cash didn't confine himself to the 'Country' genre, his music transcends classification.  His music has topped both the Rock and Country music charts.  He has influenced the work of musicians in all genres, from Wycleaf Jean to Bruce Springsteen.   With his distinctive voice and his uncompromising style, Johnny crafted a genre all of his own.

Although Johnny Cash passed away in 2003, his music and everything that he represented to so many people endures.  Tommy Cash is proud to do a special tribute to his brother, and Break for the Border is proud to be the venue for this spectacular show in Dublin.

Special hotel packages and tickets are available online at www.graftoncapital-hotel.com
Choose between Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or Bed and Breakfast packages with tickets to see the show.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Dublin

Dublin City are celebrating the Chinese New Year with a festival that runs from the 12th to the 21st February. 2010 is the year of the Tiger and in Chinese culture the Tiger is characterised by vigour, bravery, loyalty and sometimes unpredictability. While the Irish economy can do with some vigour and bravery, we may hope for less of the unpredictability.

Many major cultural institutions are taking part in the celebrations, including the Hugh Lane Gallery, National Museum, National Library and Dublin Zoo.
The Chester Beatty Library will host "Telling Images of China" an exhibition of Chinese paintings from the Shanghai Museum.
Dublin Zoo has been graced with the birth of two new tiger cubs "Wyneta" and "Emas" and will host a variety of events to celebrate the year of the Tiger.
Check out details of the full programme on Dublin City Councils website.

Trinity Capital Hotel is doing a special Bed and Breakfast rate for people attending the Festival, check availability on www.trinitycapital-hotel.com Promo code is CHINANY, rates start at 99 Euro per night.

Changes to Dublins Docklands

With the opening of the Samuel Beckett Bridge done in December last year, the Grand Canal Theatre opening in March and the Convention Centre Dublin opening in September this year things have definitely changed in Dublin City Centre. The stunning and modern bridge provides a new link between the two river banks, it has 2 lanes for traffic in each direction as well as ample space for pedestrians and push bikes. The bridge is in a perfect location for anyone going to the O2, Grand Canal Theatre and the Convention Centre.

The 2000+ capacity Grand Canal Theatre is scheduled to open in March 2010 and will host ballet , music concerts as well as musicals and theatre performances. The opening event will be the Russian State Ballet performing "Swan Lake" with 70 dancers it is sure to be an experience to remember for anyone in the audience.

The Convention Centre Dublin is set to open in September 2010, and with capacity for up to 8000 participants it is going to bring thousands of people to Dublin in the years to come.

Strike at Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports

Strike action that will ground more than 150 flights in and out of the country today is set to escalate, aviation authorities warned.
Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports are expected to shut down for up to four hours despite airport chiefs and airlines calling for the stoppage by air traffic controllers to be called off.

Aer Lingus said 64 services in and out of Ireland have been cancelled although most of the carrier’s long-haul and transatlantic flights survived the disruption.
Ryanair, which is cancelling 48 flights affecting 6,000 passengers, called on military air traffic controllers to step in and keep the airports open.

Read more: www.Breakingnews.ie

Photographic Exhibition from the war of Independence

The National Photographic Archive in Temple Bar is showing a special exhibition of pictures taken between 1920 and 1923 by WD Hogan. The photographs in the exhibition include action shots of military activity as well as images of famous figures like Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins. The exhibition starts on the 16th January and is open Mon-Fri 10am - 5pm and Sat 10am - 2pm

See more details on their website: www.nli.ie

We are offering low rates at the moment, so why not stay the night in Dublin as well? Check out our website for rates as low as 55 Euros in the Grafton Capital and 75 Euros in the Trinity Capital. www.capital-hotels.com

Trad Fest in Temple Bar

Temple Bar Trad Fest is back from the 27th until 31st January.
It was launched yesterday with a performance by the Kilfenora Ceili band on the roof of the Clarence Hotel.
Listen to this for a taster of what to expect in Temple Bar at the end of the month:


More details on the Temple Bar Trad Fest website: www.templebartrad.com

Christmas Market in Dublin

"12 Days of Christmas" returns to the Dublin Docklands this December from the 12th to the 23rd December. Food Stalls that offer every thing from BBQ'd German sausages to a Choclate Fountain. Gift shops that offer jewellery, picture frames and handicrafts. All to the sound of the Blanchardstown Brass Band, carol singers and other music.
A Santas Grotto is set up in the Chq building to let the little ones tell Santa what they want!

Check out their website at: 12daysofchristmas for more information.

If you are going and need somewhere to stay the Trinity Capital Hotel is only a 10 minute walk away and are doing great offers this December: www.trinitycapital-hotel.com