Girl Rising

Girl Power: 1. Ciara Mealy and Karen Gallagher; 2. Mary Davis and Jess Majekodunmi; 3. Loreain Martinez and Valbona Istrefi. (Pix. Marc O'Sullivan)

Intel, in conjunction with international NGO Plan Ireland, hosted the Irish premiere of documentary film Girl Rising which reveals the extraordinary stories of 9 girls from around the world who are tackling the reality of socio-economic roadblocks on the road to education.

www.plan.ie

Jammin

Bullish: 1. Josh Purcell and Ailbhe Casey; 2. Nuala Ni Chonchuir; 3. Stephen Byrne and Megan O Riordan. (Pix. BME)

Red Bull's bedroom Jam 2013 Competition was launched at The Workmans Club Dublin when a who's who of the Irish Music business stepped out to check out what's happening in the 2013 Competition, Last year’s winners "Walking on Cars” performed  live on the night as did Hudson Taylor.

Fledgling Irish bands (all members aged 17+, with one member aged under 25), can upload a video and from April 8th, the weekly Bedroom Jam Buzz Chart will reveal which of the country’s acts have been the most popular. By monitoring the amount of video views and activity on social networks they will move up or down the Buzz Chart. This is a battle of the bands that is not just about voting – it’s a complete social media experience

The overall winner will receive some slick new equipment and a private  session at Grouse Lodge studios . Three of the six weekly winners will get to play at some of Ireland’s biggest festivals this summer and all the winners will play in the final showcase show at Whelans, Dublin in late August.

More info at redbullbedroomjam.ie

The Quiet Man

Quiet please: 1. Breffni Holohan and Matthew Malone; 2. Joan Bergin; 3. Elizabeth Davis and Katie Killeen. (Pix. BME)

Paramount Pictures showcased John Ford’s classic The Quiet Man in a newly digitally remastered version at a special screening at Light House Cinema, Dublin.  The evening was attended by over 200 special guests and members of the Irish film industry. 

The screening, which took place in association with the Irish Film and Television Academy and Carmen wines, also saw grandchildren of actor Joseph O'Dea (who played "Molouney" the Train Guard) were also in attendance.

The film has, in recent years, only been available for cinema presentation on very limited occasions due to the fragile film prints in existence. This digitally remastered version will now allow a whole new cinema-going audience to fall in love with this timeless classic.

This 1952 classic romantic comedy starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara was based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story by Maurice Walsh. The film was a deeply personal project for Ford and he richly imbued this masterpiece with his love of the land and its people.

TV3 HD

TVHD: 1. Sybil Mulcahy and Elaine Crowley; 2. Claire Brock,Stephen Murphy and Dyane Connor; 3. Vincent Browne and Louis Walsh. (Pix. BME)

Minister Pat Rabbitte has opened the new TV3 Sony HD studio at TV3’s headquarters in Ballymount, Dublin. The new purpose-built studio is Ireland’s largest television studio and the one of the most technologically-advanced broadcast facilities in Europe. In a unique naming/technology collaboration TV3 has partnered with Sony the world’s leading supplier of broadcast technology.

The new HD infrastructure cost €5m and was funded by a direct capital contribution from TV3’s investors Doughty Hanson. In addition a multi-million euro technology and naming rights deal was agreed between TV3 and Sony. The studio is the final link in TV3’s HD infrastructure following investment in HD transmission and post-production facilities.

Initially the studio will be used to upscale TV3’s flagship programmes including Tonight with Vincent Browne, Ireland AM and Champions’ League and to film TV3’s commissions such as Take Me Out which are currently filmed in theatre locations.

The launch was followed by a special Tonight with Vincent Browne show filmed in front of an invited audience of 200 guests. At the launch were Minister Pat Rabbitte, Olivier Bovis of Sony Professional Solutions Europe, Chris Fielding and John Leahy from Doughty Hanson and many guests from the world of broadcasting and entertainment including Louis Walsh and Gay Byrne.

Forbidden Fruit

Fruity: 1. Lianne Kavanagh and Gill Keogh; 2. Nicola O’Connell; 3. Jennifer Fahey and Ethel Stanley. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Market Bar in Fade Street Dublin was awash with familiar faces from the music business for The Launch of the Bulmers Forbidden Fruit Festival 2013. Guests on the night were told of this year’s amazing lineup with headlining acts including Kasabian, Primal Scream, James Blake and Chic.

Guests arrived to  a specially cereated apple orchard on the night and they enjoyed the different flavours of Bulmers.  The June Bank Holiday music and arts festival will take place on 1st and 2nd June, on the grounds of The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.

www.forbiddenfruit.ie