Acclaimed writer Fran Leibowitz once said that food is an essential part of a healthy diet. I couldn’t agree more. And neither would Andrew and Simon Rudd of the newly opened Rudd Brothers food store in Blackrock. I took a trip out there recently where the brothers Rudd were hosting an informal soirée to celebrate the opening of their latest venture. Broadcaster Derek Davis was delighted to be there doing the honours and gave a passionate speech about how we should all strive to eat well and support those who produce good food. Again, I couldn’t agree more.
Among the guests on the evening were Brendan and Ruth Walsh, Joanne Byrne, John McKibbon and Jonothan Sultan (off to NYC for some festive shopping the next day) and photographer Malachy Geelan, who had just returned from Florence where he did a fashion shoot with Kip Carroll for Salvatore Ferragamo no less.
The shop, in Blackrock Market, is a gourmand’s heaven and stocks a wide variety of foods (including the delicious Prue & Simon’s line of rashers and sausages) as well as essential bits and pieces for the kitchen. Perfect Christmas gifts for the foodie in your life.
Top of many Christmas lists this year will, no doubt, be a PSP (Play Station Portable) and those who can’t get their hands on one in time for the 25th may not have appreciated the PSP+ME show which was hosted in FilmBase last week.
For the project, a plethora of creatives produced original work across a range of disciplines including art, design, fashion, music, motion, illustration and photography, which challenge the perception of PSP. My friend thought it a huge waste of good PSPs but it was art, and very good art too. PSPs well spent if you ask me.
On the same night (and a wet miserable one it was too) I ventured up to The Village where Coke and iTunes were hosting an exclusive event to celebrate the launch of their joint venture. Irish group The Blizzards played a storming set as the crowd, who included Jenny Houston, TV presenters Michelle Doherty and Taragh Loughrey – Grant, Tonie Walsh and Deborah McGee, got bigger and bigger. They were all there to see The Rapture, who practically blew the roof off. The Killers were also supposed to make a brief appearance, but alas they cancelled their big gig in the RDS that night.
Incidentally, nearly every launch event with any link to music is held in The Village, and, while I like the place (the excellent Songs of Praise rock karaoke of a Sunday night is a must), it does get a bit boring after the umpteenth party. Here’s hoping that Tripod, the long-awaited John Reynolds venue at the old Harcourt St. railway station, takes some of the action. I was there last Saturday night and I have to say the place looks great. After all the delays and false starts in opening it was worth the wait.
During the week I also attended the Barnardos Spirit of Christmas Gala Ball in Dublin Castle. Usually the location for State dinners and Presidential inaugurations, St. Patricks Hall made for an amazing venue and guests were even encouraged to wander the state apartments and have a look. Well worth a visit if you haven’t already been.
Miriam O’Callaghan was the MC for the evening, with Minister for Children Noel Dempsey TD the guest of honour. Among those in their finery were Dee Breen of Harvey Nichols, Triona McCarthy, Brendan Howlin TD, Paddy Bollard and Eimear Quinn and Jane O’Keeffe, who has recently been appointed Marketing Manager for Dundrum Town Centre. Being the busiest time of year for retail, I really hope she has the spirit of Christmas!
