Cobh set to Rock to the Blues.

Visitors Spoilt for Choice Cobh Free Music Weekend

More than thirty free performances by twenty musical acts over one weekend, ensures that anyone visiting Cobh, Co Cork will have more than enough gigs to chose from at the end of this month.

The Cobh Blues Experience is taking place on September 22, 23,24 and 25th, its fifth year and attracting players from Ireland and overseas for a weekend of electric and acoustic blues. Sponsored by Guinness with the support of Cobh Chamber and local businesses, the event will provide over a hundred hours of free music at indoor and outdoor venues around the seaside town.

This year's weekender sees the return of Aaron Curtis, from England, a blues and ragtime guitarist who will play a special concert in The Sirius Arts Centre for the Press Launch on Thurs. 22nd at 7.30pm, with support from some of Cobhs best young blues talent. Tickets 10 euro.

Two of Corks finest blues acts, The Hot Guitars and The Dizzy Blues Band, will be sure of a warm welcome.

The Catriona Fallon Band  (Cookie) are led by a singer from Riverdance, play at various venues over the weekend.

The Cobh Blues Club, featuring The Viper's Blues Band and visiting musicians are one of the 30 acts playing indoor and outdoor events over the weekend.

From Oregon U.S.A,  Al "Too Loud" MacLeod

Yossi Valdimar from Israel and Gary Boss from the US are playing in The Bella Vista Hotel.

Saturday afternoon sees family events held in the promenade (including kids events), while The Cobh Blues Club and guests will play on the town's Victorian bandstand, with free gigs taking place in fourteen venues around the seaside town.

"We've had ongoing success with the Blues weekend since we started it five years ago, " says Paul O'Halloran, the event's organiser and owner of Ryan's Bar. "It was originally an attempt to breath life into the town at a quieter time of the year, but the event has gone from strength to strength and we are getting returning groups of visitors here every year now. The event is planned to be relaxed and fun, but with some opportunities to see great music and we seem to be increasing the standard year on year."

Other bands appearing include Dr Dec and the Side Effects, Cold Shot, The Modern Heirs, Rory Gallagher Tribute, Live Vibe, and many others.

Contact Paul O'Halloran on 087 2073067