Musical Notes

Black 47 ended a great afternoon of music in the streets during the Rocky Sullivan 's sponsored 2nd Annual People's Fleadh. The event also featured Belfast's Terry Cruncher O'Neill. The Pat McGuire Band, and Seanchai and the Unity Squad. Dublin born musician Dan Toher has developed Celtic Salsa--a unique blend of Irish rock and the danceable Latin sounds he was exposed to while living in Spain. His recent NY performances included the Oyster Festival and a Paddy Reilly's club date. Joined by several musicians (members of Tonight Show Band and Ray Charles Band), He brings his sound to Cannes Music Festival and other's throughout the US and Europe. For more info-www.dantoher.com.

Two recent anniversaries included: College Music Journal's Music Marathon (with its conference and music festival) is in its 20th year while Rounder Records celebrated its .70th year. CMJ's Marathon has showcased some of the best unsigned old indie acts throughout those years. This year was no exception as Belfast's Watercress Inade its U.S. debut with the likes of P.J. Harvey being one of the hottest tickets in the lineup. Rounder Records held an anniversary concert at Town Hall with Allison Krauss and band headlining; Jimmie Dale Gilmore also performed. Rounder has preserved the bst in traditional folk, world music, roots rock reggae and garage rock over the years..

Larry Mullen Jr. turned 40 recently while in New York with the other members of U2 as they begin promoting their latest CD. The band that conquered the '90s, took a step into the new Milennium as they embraced the internet with a live performance on Jim & Doug's Farmclub.com among their many publicity stops.

Irish censors have finally allowed James Joyce's Ulysses to be shown following a 33-year ban on the film adaptation. Published in 1922, the book was banned from the U.K. until '36. The film faced a similar fate as Ireland prohibited it following its release in '67. A new adaptation is expected to begin shooting with Stephen Rea and Angeline Ball.

Art, Business and the Web

The Celtic Tiger continues its growth as Ireland has reached its highest population total in over 100 years. The influx of immigrants has added to the numbers but, according to government officials, 43% of the immigrants are Irish nationals returning home. All these individuals moving to Ireland has not hurt the economy as the unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to the 8.5% average of other European Union countries.

Author Cormac McConnell held a book reading and signing at Nevada Smith's in early November. He celebrated his latest book--a collection of- his columns along with artwork by Caty Bartbolomew. MacConnell has worked 30 years for the now defunct Irish Press and written for the Irish Voice, Irish Emigrant, and Ireland's Own Journal. He has become News Editor of Clare FM radio station in addition to writing Final Moments--a novel about Gaelic football.

The Dalai Lama paid his first visit to Northern Ireland. He's expected to make a symbolic walk through the peace line in West Belfast to meet Catholic and Protestant clergy. He will also lead a seminar "The Way of Peace" at Belfast's Waterfront Hall, visit a Catholic monastery, give lectures at an Amnesty Internutionul Conference and receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster.

Changes in Irish TV are taking place as British based Granada Media has purchased a 45% stake in TV3. CanWest Global Communications, a Canadian company also owns 45% of TV3 which has under 10% of the market viewers.

Eircom plc, owner of Ireland's largest mobile phone company is reportedly in talks with British mobile phone company Vodaphone. The purchase reported in The Daily Deal could be worth as much as four billion Euros ($4.4 billion) for Eircell with over 1 million customers and 60% market share.

Best selling author Anne Rice (Interview, With a Vampire) made a rare appearance to celebrate her latest book, Merrick, at the 92nd Street Y this October. An interview with New York Times on the Web Book Editor Bill Goldstein was followed by a book signing. The event, part of 92nd Street Y's Our Life & Times lecture series, was broadcast live on its website.

The Irish film industry is using the return of talent and tax breaks to boost its infrastructure. Reuters reports major growth within its film industry due to tax breaks and the Euro's weakness. Ireland has attracted major movie productions before including Mel Gibson's Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan with scenes filmed on Curracloe beach, County Wexford. With increased tax perks, this industry hopes to further develop its infrastructure and produce more Irish movies in the near future. The Ireland Arts Industry notes the cumulalive budget of current and pending projects is 120 million pounds ($134 million) double that of a year ago. Current projects underway include Pierce Rrosnan's The Tailor of Panama and Tire Count of Monte Crisco.