The Hypnotic Brass ensemble wooed The Pavillion audience with rhythmic sounds and rhythmic moves, truly earning their title: hypnotic.
Dressed in brilliant white they swaggered on stage adorned with their shiny brass instruments. Coming straight from a gig at The Savoy they were far from tired. They were high energy, connecting with the crowd immediately as if it was their home town; proudly declaring that “Cork has the best looking women”. Although Corkonians are known for their modesty this Cork crowd had to concede, these Chicago boys obviously have taste.
Their physical connection to their music was fluid and natural. They danced and played in an awesome effortlessness; hips moving in time.
Building up to a crescendo a cacophony of brass engulfed the air creating electric vibe. They played their most famous piece "War" which recently featured on The Jools Holland Show. It felt as if they could not get any higher but this was only the beginning. Reacting to their audience they sensed the party atmosphere of the jazz weekend and asked if we wanted to hear some cool jazz tunes to “have a couple of glasses of wine to” or something a little more “party”. I don’t need to tell you in which direction it went. A delicious combination of dynamic tunes, rap and beat box followed. There was intermittent crowd surfing, items of clothing were lost (mostly theirs) and a bottle of Jameson appeared on stage. Worn draped across a bare chest, the tuba has never looked so stylish.
A hot and sweaty crowd sang “ole,ole,ole,ole,ole” and “one more tune” while the band said their goodbyes but they didn’t have to begfor long. The desire for an encore was quickly satisfied. Without a doubt the women of Cork wanted to be with them and the men wanted to be them. On the charisma scale they were through the roof and their music thrilling.
In essence the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble brought more than a touch of Chicago cool to Cork’s jazz weekend!
Vampire fiction has been a part of culture for centuries. Through myths, folklore and literature, vampirism has forged a firm niche in popular entertainment. Particularly since Irish man Abraham "Bram" Stoker brought us the terrifying and thrilling Dracula; vampires have waned in and out of fashion while retaining their place in the public consciousness.
In recent years films such as The Lost Boys, Fright Night and Interview with a Vampire, to name but a few have seen great success. The feisty vampire slayer Buffy who adorned our screens from 1997-2003 reached a huge audience, bringing vampire fiction into the noughties. Yet lately vampirism has reached a “tipping point” and dominates all levels of popular entertainment. True Blood, The Vampire Diaries and need I mention The Twilight Saga heralds an unprecedented surge in vampire fans (or fanatics!)
Twilight being the “saga” it is deserves particular attention. The last film Eclipse (2010) earned a domestic total gross of $300,531,751 and is but a drop in the ocean of the mounting mega profit that the brand is making. Indeed, this is an example of the relationship between capitalism and film making at its peak. There is an overwhelming desire to start ranting about the down right disgraceful standardisation of culture which surrounds us. Yet I’m going to quell it and admit right here and now I’m a fan: I’ve read the books, I‘ve seen the films and will go to see the final two.
And yes, I really do get the Robert Pattinson attraction. There was a time when I wouldn’t have admitted that but since last Christmas when someone kindly mortified me by getting me a Twilight/Robert Pattinson annual I said to myself: what’s the point hiding it, I’m obviously not doing a good job of it. With websites and fan pages to cater for all ages there is no disputing the popularity of Twilight across the board. You’ve got:www.twighlightmoms.com;www.bellaandedward.com;www.twilightfansite.net; www.edwardsmeadow.com; www.twilightanaoymous.com; and a million more. However, don’t be fooled by that last one, they won’t help you’re addiction, they’ll feed it. According to their motto, “we don’t want a cure”. In an attempt to over take the plethora of fan sites and official site has been established - www.twilighttimecapsule.com - where ordinary people can use our “personal memories” to become “part of Twilight saga history”.
The vampirism of True Blood conveys the usual issues of desire, identity, alienation, intemperance in such a liberated way one almost blushes when viewing. The sexual liberation of the petite but powerful Sooki Stackhouse is a huge part of the show. Buffy was also a strong female character actively pursuing and killing vampires yet these defiant and strong females stand in stark contrast with Bella Swan, the leading lady of Twilight. Through Bella we see a reaffirmation of patriarchal social structure. Her own inner narrative along with the surrounding actions of others situates her as powerless. In the second film New Moon her weakness is portrayed as she has a full scale mental breakdown, gets lost in the woods and has to be rescued yet again by more men.
This traditional damsel in distress routine is further amplified through Edward’s “traditional” values. So traditional, in fact, that he goes against all we know about vampires and sex and refuses to do the deed until he’s made an honest woman out of her. Despite Bella’s inner cringes, she and Edward take the most old fashioned route to an extraordinary life. Yet even post marriage they can’t just enjoy their desire for each other, why? because she’s pregnant within five minutes( I really hope I haven’t ruined the ending for anyone! but I’m presuming most of ye have seen the trailers) All in all Bella is nearer to the virtuous damsels corrupted by predatory Dracula style characters than a modern representation of female sexuality today. Yet in Twilight even our leading male vampire is watered down, old fashioned and a bit of a prude.
Image from:josepherdon.blogspot.com
But why are we so obsessed? Is it because vampirism lends us an escape into another world of sexual freedom, excitement, and rejection of the societal conforms of daily life? Or is it because more and more vampirism plays on our fears and insecurities? Bella Swan’s obsession with ageing is a constant narrative as she pesters any willing vampire to change her so she can remain forever a teenager like her perfect, sparkling boyfriend. We are increasingly being told our bodies are not perfect enough and our skin isn’t young enough yet on screen we see the perfect albeit fictional solution to all these problems: become a vampire. Vampires don’t have to worry about wrinkles and guaranteed they don’t have cellulite.
In any case keep you’re garlic and holy water handy, or, if vampires are as hot as they are in the movies maybe ditch the slayer paraphernalia and crack open a Tru-Blood (www.trubeverage.com) instead!
A few Vampire films should you wish to stray beyond Twilight this Halloween:
-Dracula (1931)
-The Lost Boys (1987)
-Fright Night (1985) or (2011)
-Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
As droves of students piled into the O’Flaherty theatre onMonday night, the air of anticipation was tangible. There was a clear sense that this gig was a prelude to the antics of the night which would follow later. One thing was absolutely certain: this crowd wanted to laugh, they were eager to be entertained and Mr Des Bishop certainly delivered. Welcomed on stage by the sound of hundreds of hands beating desks, Des must have sensed it was going to be a good show.
The room was full to the brim with people who he described as a “comedy gift from Heaven”. Being Freshers’ week, first years were everywhere. Within minutes one such gift was discovered right under his nose. A fresher from Ballygar was the source of a litany of jokes:from his B.I.S degree, which in his words was like a BCom degree with a “bit” of I.T (a description which Des referred to as like having a little “bit” of salt with your chips), to the necessity to find him a good camogie playing partner with whom to create a bright GAA future for Ballygar! This poor bloke provided Des with inspiration the whole way through! On the upside Des kindly obliged him by introducing him to some lovely girls. These poor girls were hauled from the back as penalty for their late arrival, recreating that cringe-worthy moment when you’relate for mass and some well-meaning individual “kindly” points out a couple of seats free up front. Suddenly all eyes are on you as you plodred faced up the aisle!
Entertaining a crowd of young impressionable college students, Des was aware of the unique opportunity to pass on some hard earned wisdom from his time in college. Arts students, he proclaimed should prepare for one question that would define the rest of their college days and beyond, “And what exactly do you hope to do with that? Become a librarian?” Yet more importantly, a real pearl of wisdom which should adorn the Freshers’ packs of all colleges, “Sex is not like the C.A.O, there’s no change of mind form!” While we were initially eased into what was to be a rightly entertaining hour (and a bit) there was one thing that Des really wanted to talk about: His balls.
Yep, that’s right balls! Dressed in navy skinny jeans and blue shirt Des was certainly looking well. Indeed he looked the picture of health, which says a lot about his balls. “Men’s health” was the clear theme to the show,so Des told us the story of how his two balls suddenly became one ball. How one ball lost his best friend and how the landscape of Des’ manhood (later eloquently referred to as “wrinkled turkey gizzard sack of love!”) changed for life. At the ripe old age of 24, Des found a lump on one of his testicles. After a consultation with a good friend who had been cured of the same disease and coercing an even better friend to firstly examine his own balls and then examine Des’ balls (yes, it was apparently very awkward!), Des decided that it was time to get sorted. The operation was a total success and today Des could be a pin up for men’s health promotion. Despite an offer from the surgeon, his remaining ball’s best friend could not be replaced by a silicone substitute but Des sufficiently reassured us thateverything is in perfect working order! So guys check your balls! (Preferably in private, this doesn’t licence you to walk around with your hands down your pants!)
Des’ comedy flowed very naturally. He seemed to enjoy the gig almost as much as the audience. He kept the crowd laughing by leaping from men’s health, to men’s grooming habits (down there!) and female over use of fake tan, resulting in what looks like “the shroud of Turin” on the bed sheets the morning after! The serious message of men’s health promotion was punctuated with hilarious moments like the “comedy lapdance” he gave to a girl who’s red hair brought out the Gaeilge in him. Honestly, I’ll certainly never think about Irish in the same way. I never thought I’d hear the words “An bhfuil tú fluiche anois?” I guess that’s the joy of a Des Bishop gig: he’s a comedian, an entertainer, a human beat box and he really gives a damn about his audience.
Testicular cancer wasn’t the only men’s health topic on the agenda. He gave a prophetic warning to the all the men in the audience that at some stage their manhood might refuse to “perform”, particularly when they might need it most. The taboo topic of erectile problems was thrown out there so if or when that day arrives, the men of Ireland will know it’s not unusual and it’s no big deal. Oh and by the way girls, be assured it’s nothing to do with us so never utter the words “what’s wrong with me?” because Des has confirmed 100% that the answer is nothing at all!
So if that moment should befall you, don’t panic! There’s nothing wrong with either of you and hey, if all else fails, Des tells us there’s a “reset button” but I’ll allow ye to ponder over that one...
