Sweeney’s Underbelly

Underworld: 1. Mauro Virgino and Edna Silva; 2. Antoine Cantan and Seolene Bondifova. (Pix. RS)

Over the past number of years, Sweeney’s has become the must play venue in Dublin for unsigned bands. Jenny Guerin of Sweeney’s estimates that over 300 plus unsigned bands have played in the venue in 2013.

UNDERBELLY brings to three the number of spaces available free of charge to unsigned bands within the four walls of Sweeney’s. Not only are the three spaces free, but a sound engineer for each band’s set is included by the venue.

At the launch event for Underbelly guests enjoyed a Heineken and Jameson drinks reception, with music from Mutefish, Ross Breen, DRiculous All Stars and DJ Keep Schtum.

Pandora AW

Pandora: 1. Dr Eva Orsmond and Brendan Courtney; 2. Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh; 3. Mary - Kate Murray and Andy Kelly. (Pix. RS)

Danish jewellery brand PANDORA launched its Autumn Winter 2013 collection in Dublin’s Cliff Townhouse last week. The new collection was arranged in themed displays throughout the stunning Georgian style venue depicting the Enchanted Forest of Autumn and a cool, crisp Winter Wonderland, highlighting the key trends for the coming season.

Nail artists provided charm inspired designs whilst a masquerade themed polaroid area gave guests the chance to capture the evening with their own personal photos. Irish musician Emily-Rose Conlon entertained with her dulcet tones whilst Pimms, prosecco and canapés of spiced beef with rocket pesto and goats cheese en croute were served.

Guests included Pamela Flood, modelling pieces from the PANDORA collection; Brendan Courtney, Dr. Eva Orsmond, DJ Ruth Scott, author Marisa Mackle and stylist Maria Fusco.

Autumn with TV3

TV3 launched its Autumn 2013 schedule at the high tech Sony HD Studio they own in Ballymount.  Some of the talent at the announcement included: 1. Sybil Mulcahy and Elaine Crowley; 2. Jeremy Kyle and Jeff Ford; 3. Dyane Connor,Colette Fitzpatrick and Siobhan Bastible. (Pix. BME)

Get ready for Arthur

To Arthur: 1. Alice Keogh and Paul Dunkin; 2. David Harris and Sean Munsanje; 3. Alan Coffey and Aoife Kelly. (Pix. KH)

The launch of Arthur’s Day 2013 took place at Hogan’s recently.  A showcase of the best of Ireland’s creativity and talent from the world of music and culture, Arthur’s Day will take place on Thursday 26th September across numerous venues in Ireland and abroad.   

Check out full details on www.GUINNESS.com

DFF 13

Fashion Fit: 1. Anne Marie O'Connor and Darren Kennedy; 2. Aoibhin Garrihy and Aoibheann McCaul. (Pix. Samsung)

TV presenter and style icon Laura Whitmore jetted in to Dublin city centre to officially launch this year’s Dublin Fashion Festival in association with Samsung.   Organised by DublinTown.ie, the fashion festival will run next week, from the 5^th to the 8^th of September. 

As this year’s official face of the festival, Laura Whitmore will return to Dublin town in September to take part in the packed DFF programme, which will unite fabulous fashionistas, chic city-slickers, and an eclectic mix of fashion retailers under the DFF umbrella – with more events, more participants, more special offers, live fashion events and in-store activities than ever before!

DFF in association with Samsung aims to put the fun and theatre back into shopping and socialising in the city centre by offering daytime catwalk shows, fashion parades and tailored events in bars, restaurants and special venues.  The festival will return to Dublin’s streets from Thursday the 5^th to Sunday the 8^th of September and will bring together over 100 retailers, including the city’s nine flagship retail stores - Brown Thomas, Stephen’s Green SC, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Arnotts, Clery’s, Ilac SC (incl. Debenhams), Jervis SC, Marks & Spencer, and Penneys.

One of the festival highlights last year, the Creative Quarter Fashion Show, will return again this year and feature the very best of Irish designers, vintage and one-off fashion pieces sourced from the Creative Quarter area (Clarendon Street to South Great Georges Street).  New this year is the Young Designer Fashion Event – a convention and competition which will celebrate the best in young Irish design.

Keep an eye out for show-stopping fashion moments – from spontaneous Fashmobs to a full sized Samsung ‘selfie’ photo-booth and roving DFF style teams making Dublin even more beautiful.  A new feature this year will see the Samsung DFF Beauty Bus  touring the city, decked out in latest mobile devices and notebooks – shoppers can stay connected in style while the on-board DFF beauty team offer makeovers, hair styling and goodie bags.