Arts News - Writer to feature twice in Galway

aWRITER Colm Tóibín will make two appearances in Galway before the end of the month of November. This Thursday, 17, he will address the Lit and Deb in NUI Galway, and be presented with the President's Medal. The meeting begins at 7 pm, with Tóibín's address at 7.30, and admission is free. And on Saturday November 26 he will appear again, in a fundraiser for Cancer Care West. This will be 'a very special evening of literature and music with award-winning author and playwright Colm Tóibín, an extraordinary array of music from 3/Triur, featuring world renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes, virtuoso musician Peadar O Riada and exciting young fiddle player Caoimhín O Raghallaigh, and a public interview with Colm Tóibín and Martin Hayes.' The event will take place at the Radisson Live Lounge, Galway at 8 pm. Doors will open at 7pm. This unique event, presented by Cancer Care West, continues the charity's association with the arts following last year's evening with Seamus Heaney and Contempo String Quartet. All proceeds will go towards residential and cancer support services in the West of Ireland. Cancer Care West CEO Richard Flaherty said 'We are delighted to be the beneficiary charity of this very special event and I am most grateful to Colm Tóibín and 3/Triur sa Draighean for the contribution they are giving to Cancer Care West.' The evening will include readings from Colm Tóibín followed by music from 3/Triúr. A public interview will take place with Colm Tóibín and Martin Hayes followed by a Q&A with the audience. Books are not for sale on the night and people are encouraged to bring a book if they wish to have it signed by the author. Tickets are €25 and are available from Cancer Care West and the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway. For further details contact 091 545000 or email info@cancercarewest.ie.   Brass ensemble for NUIG   IRELAND'S newest professional brass chamber group, Vox Merus, will perform a concert titled â€ËœVox Merus â€â€ Introduction to Brass' at the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway on Thursday November 24 at 8 pm. Vox Merus (the name means 'pure voice') features trumpeters Simon Menin and Andrea Vonk, horn player Cormac O hAodáin, trombone player Steve Mathieson and Alex Kidstonon tuba. Original works for brass, ingenious new arrangements and music by Irish composers (including the premiere of Five Run Away Together by young Irish composer Daniel Barkley) are brought together in an engaging and entertaining approach to the concert platform. Tickets: €20 / Members & Concessions: €16 / Students (full time): €6. From Music for Galway: 091705962, or Opus II, 4 High Street, or www.tht.ie.   €440,000 for Taibh' refurb TAIBHDHEARC na Gaillimhe, for 80 years the country's national Irish language theatre, is to be refurbished over the next seven months at a cost of €440,000. Fire damage in 2007 forced its closure, but Gaeltacht Minister Dinny McGinley has unveiled ambitious plans which will culminate in the re-opening in May 2012. His department has given €300,000. 'The reopening ensures that Irish language drama, intrinsic to our culture and heritage, continues to be nurtured in the heart of Galway,' said Roisin Duignan, Chairperson of An Taibhdhearc. She said the €300,000 represented 70 per cent of the total required. The rest will be raised through sponsorship.   Over The Edge next week THE November Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St Augustine Street, on Thursday, November 24, 6.30 to 8 pm. The featured readers are Erin Buttner, Stephen Byrne and Donna Potts. Stephen Byrne is from Coolock North Dublin but for last eight years has worked as a chef in Galway. He has participated in Kevin Higgins's poetry class and was chosen for the poetry master class with Simon Armitage at this years Cúirt Festival. Erin Buttner and Donna Potts are from New York and Missouri.