David Hull Promotions proudly presents “Ireland's Showbands – Do You Come Here Often,” at the Helix Theatre on Friday 6th , Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th January at 8.00PM. This series of concerts has been touring the country now for the past sixteen years, bringing together the very best artists of the Showband Era to relive the unique sounds in an evening packed with pure nostalgia.

This year's line-up will include Dickie Rock, Paddy Cole, Sandy Kelly, Philomena Begley, Hugo Duncan, Robin Averill, Declan Ryan and Dominic Kirwin. The show will be hosted as always by former Clubsound frontman and Downtown Radio presenter, George Jones,and the musical accompaniment will be provided by the fabulous Galaxy Showband.

Tickets for this event are priced €26.00 and €31.00 (including booking fee), and are available from the Helix Box Office: Tel. (01) 700 7000. For on-line bookings log onto www.thehelix.ie. For group bookings email groups@thehelix.ie. For wheelchair accessible seating be sure to contact the box office directly on the above number. This concert is sure to sell out so remember to book early to avoid dissappointment!!

Red Hurley fans will be pleased to know that he will perform a special Christmas concert entitled A Christmas with Red Hurley in the beautiful surroundings of Dublin's Helix Theatre on Saturday 17th December 2011 at 8.00PM. 

In this special concert Red will perform songs from his most recent album How Great Thou Art, as well as some Christmas favourites and some of his greatest hits from down through the years, including "Love Is All," "When," "Kiss Me Goodbye,” "Broken Promises,” "Isadora,” "A Poor Man's Roses,” "Tennessee Special," "For Always," and "Let The Heartaches Begin."

Red Hurley is considered to be one of the finest performers Ireland has ever produced. His signature rich powerful voice, relaxed charm and energetic stage shows have captured the hearts of audience’s everywhere. Performances throughout Europe and the United States have firmly established him as a truly exceptional entertainer.

Tickets for this event are priced €35.00 and are available from the Helix Theatre Box Office: Tel. (01) 700 7000.  For online bookings visit www.thehelix.ie. For group bookings email groups@thehelix.ie. For wheelchair accessible seating be sure to contact the box office directly on the above number.

This concert is sure to sell out so remember to book early to avoid dissappointment!!

During the last year Red has recorded with various choirs in Ireland, Africa and the US for the album How Great Thou Art which was initially planned as an American-only release. However due to the phenomenal response the record company has released the album and the title track in Ireland and the UK.

Red recently performed for American Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize Winning Author - Dr. Maya Angelou, to celebrate her 80th birthday. He has since become involved in her work with the Community Healing Project and her own community projects. Dr. Angelou calls Red 'Her Son' and has helped introduce him to a whole new audience in America.

"Art makes us human and true art can make us truer to who we can be ashuman beings. The song, the poem, the dance, the painting may be beautiful but they truly move us only if they express emotional truths. These songs of Red have moved me greatly. He sings to me, down in my soul" - Dr. Maya Angelou

Fans of Arklow's Red Seven / Columbia Showband will be pleased to know that one of the band's founding members, Joe Weadick, has written a book entitled Memoirs of the Red Seven / Columbia Showband. 

The book, which took ten years to write, gives a history of the band and includes a chapter by each surviving member, each telling their own personal experiences, including many interesting stories. Chapters have been written by the author in memory of band members who have passed on. 

The book is priced €15.00 and is available in most Arklow newsagents and at Easons in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Arklow. It is available in Byrnes Book Shop in Gorey, Co. Wicklow and in Chapter One Book Shop, also in Gorey. It is also available in Track One Music Store in Wicklow Town and in Everest Music Store in Bray. 

However, if either of these book stores are a little bit out of your reach, you can still purchase a copy of this great book by sending a cheque or postal order for €15.00 to the author: Joe Weadick, 44 Fernhill, Arklow, Co. Wicklow.  

This book not only tells the story of Arklow's Red Seven / Columbia Showband, it also provides the reader with a great insight into the Showband Era in general. It really is a great read and is a must for all Showband lovers.

Lovers of Showband music will be pleased to know that Gene (Dushy) Chetty, former lead singer with Gene and the Gents, has recently released an album entitled Gene Chetty – Showband and Other Favourites.

The album features a diverse mixture of old and new recordings, including four from his time with Gene and the Gents and ten recently recorded covers of such songs as You Light Up My Life, Can't Help Falling In Love, Your Cheating Heart, Proud Mary, Love Is In The Air, Angels, Chasing Cars and many more. It also features a recital by Gene of a poem by Dennis Manley called Cardboard City.

The proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the charity Cancer Research UK. The CD is available through the website: http://www.genestuart.com/ and by emailing dushy.chetty@btinternet.com.

Fans of Arklow's Red Seven Showband / Columbia Showband will be pleased to know that the band will reunite for a special celebration dance, which will take place in the beautiful Arklow Bay Hotel, on Saturday 21st May, to launch a new book entitled "Memoirs Of The Red Seven / Columbia Showband." 

Local bands The Groove and The Nashville Experience will get proceedings underway. Then the famous Red Seven / Columbia Showband will take to the stage, beginning with four of the original members of the Red Seven Showband, which evolved into the Columbia Showband, namely Pete Coburn, Pat Tyrell, Larry Kenny and Joe Weadick (the man who wrote the afore mentioned book). They will then be joined by Freddie Cutland, Oliver Merrigan, George Byrne, Jimmy McManus, Pat McCarthy, Leo McHugh, Eddie McElheron and Liam O'Reilly, the man who created the website: irishshowbandalbum.com.

Dancing is from 8.45PM until 1.00AM. Tickets are priced €10.00 and are available by contacting the Arklow Bay Hotel on the following number: 040 23 23 09. Tickets will also be available on the night.

This promises to be a great night of entertainment and pure nostalgia, so, if you're free on Saturday 21^st May, put on your dancing shoes and head on down to the Arklow Bay Hotel and dance the night away to the sound of the Red Seven / Columbia Showband.