Wednesday 12th – Saturday 15th October 2011

www.imro.ie

The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has announced a series of music events in Tralee, Co. Kerry this October 12th to 15th in celebration of the life and music of Tralee born songwriter and performer Christie Hennessy. The events will take place in association with Tralee Town Council, Holiday Tralee, Radio Kerry, Tralee Advertiser, Kerry’s Eye, and The Brandon Hotel.

“It is fitting that Tralee plays host to this inaugural Christie Hennessy Celebration as Christie was one of our most celebrated sons.  Tralee Town Council will welcome those who come to Tralee to celebrate this talented singer/songwriter’s genius with its truly renowned cead mile fáilte. With planned workshops and concerts and I would imagine, there will be some impromptu music sessions in the local pubs, Tralee will be showcasing some of its wonderful talent.  Christie Hennessy spoke through his music and it’s through music we will pay tribute to him.  With the backing of The Irish Music Rights Organisation, Holiday Tralee and local businesses this will be a musical experience of a lifetime.  As Mayor of Tralee I wish to invite all of you to share this experience with the people of Tralee”. Mayor Grace O’Donnell.

“My Dad was a dedicated song smith/writer all his life. Whenever he encountered an aspiring songwriter, he willingly gave his time and encouragement in helping them to express what they were attempting to say in words and music. So it is a very fitting tribute that the Christie Hennessy Celebration event is being held in his home town of Tralee as, in essence, it could not be any closer to his heart”, added Hermione Hennessy at the launch of the programme of events.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

The celebration will be launched by Tralee’s own Francie Conway on Wednesday 12th October, at The Brandon Hotel, with performances of well-known Christie Hennessy songs by local artists. The evening will culminate in a showcase of local singer-songwriters. Thursday 13th October will see a series of Live Music Sessions take place at various venues throughout Tralee. Performances will culminate in a live cover of a Christie Hennessy song in each venue at 11pm.

A performance of the critically acclaimed musical theatre show inspired by the life and music of Christie, “When Jolie Met Christie” will take place in Siamsa Tíre on Friday 14th October. The show was premiered by Axis Ballymun in March of this year. Before his death in 2007, Christie Hennessy had hoped to tell his own story in a collaborative theatre and musical production with axis.  As a tribute to him, and using Christie’s musical hero Al Jolson as a catalyst, axis Director Ray Yeates, playwright Seán McCarthy and Musical performer Aonghus McAnally created this special show. In “When Jolie Met Christie” Al Jolson speaks of his admiration for Christie and his new understanding of him now they are together in the afterlife. Al compares the struggles and triumphs of their two careers. The 90-minute show will feature many of Chris tie’s greatest hits.

On Saturday 15th October, the final of the Christie Hennessy Song Competition will take place in the Brandon Hotel. Ten finalists selected from almost 200 entries across Ireland will perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of Holiday Tralee plus a recording session at the renowned Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with writer/producer Rob Burke, courtesy of Tony Perrey and the Windmill Lane team.

From 12th to 14th October, IMRO will host a series of Music Workshops for local secondary school students. The workshops will focus on songwriting, production and performance and will be hosted by singer-songwriters, Luán Parle and Mickey Harte, and songwriter/producer, Gavin Ralston.