By Dan Walsh
The Indian summer temperatures are set to last until the end of this week, at least, just in time to celebrate the 29th annual Blackstairs Blues music festival keeping the sound of music alive at nine lively venues around Enniscorthy.
The festival kicks off on Thursday at 7pm in Enniscorthy Library with the United States solo, delta blues singer and slide guitarist, the amazing Austin Walkin’ Cane.
Walkin’ Cane is in Stamps, Market Square at 6pm on Friday evening; Scotland’s Gus Munro is in The Antique Tavern, Slaney St, at 8pm; Trevor Babajack Steger is in Rackard’s, Rafter St., from 8.30pm; Delta Dogs play Holohans, Slaney Place, from 10pm and Th Flying Monkeys play the late gig at 11pm in Treacy’s Hotel, Templeshannon.
Saturday’s programme kicks off at 2.30pm at Enniscorthy Castle with a guitar workshop featuring Austin Walkin’ Cane, Trevor Babajack Steger and Gus Munro.
At 4.30pm The BC Blues Band play in Holohans; at 5.30pm there is a Jam Session, also in Holohans; Dermot Byrne is solo in the Antique Tavern at 7pm; Trevor Babajack Steger takes to the stage in Stamps at 8.30pm; Peter Moore and Claire Bonass play Dawsons, The Duffry, from 9pm; Gus Munro can be heard in The Hole In The Wall, Market Square from 9.30pm; The Colin Skwirbat Trio are in Rackards at 10pm; The Flying Monkeys are in Holohans at 10.30pm; and the late gig features Austin Walkin’ Cane and The BC Blues Band in Tracy’s Hotel from 11pm.
On Sunday, at 4.30pm, Dermot Byrne and Danny Tobin play Stamps; Colin Skwirbal Trio are in Holohans at 5.30pm; Trevor Babajack Steger is at The Hole In The Wall at 6.30pm; Ben Prevo plays the Antique Tavern at 7.30pm; Gus Munro can be heard in Holohans at 8.30pm; Austin Walkin’ Cane and The BC Blues Band are in Rackards at 9.30pm; and the Blackstairs Blues Festival 2023 winds up with the late gig in Treacy’s Hotel when the Delta Dogs play from 10.30pm.
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