Distinguished musician Béla Fleck will appear at the University Concert Hall for a single performance on Tuesday 3^rd November. Considered by many to be the premiere banjo player in the world. Born in New York City, at 15 Béla was awed the bluegrass playing of Flatt & Scruggs and picked up the instrument soon after. He is the only musician to be nominated for Grammy Awards in jazz, bluegrass, pop, country, spoken word, Christian, composition and world music categories.

In 1989 he formed the Flecktones. They made their self-titled debut recording in 1990 by playing a “blu-bop” mix of jazz and bluegrass and fast found commercially successful while impressing music critics and garnering several prestigious awards. Band member Victor Wooten is an innovator on the bass guitar, as well as a talented composer, arranger, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. At the heart of the Flecktones’ music is RoyEl’s ground breaking percussion technique performed on his first invention, the Drumitar; a guitar shaped drum machine which allows him to replicate sounds of an entire contemporary drum kit with just a few fingers. Howard Levy was the first to use the overflow and overdraw techniques for chromatic playing on the diatonic harmonica in the 1970’s.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to catch some of America’s most gifted musicians live when Béla and The Flecktones play the University Concert Hall on Tuesday November 3^rd. To book your seats call the Box-Office on 061 331 549 or log onto www.uch.ie

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Polish composer, jazz singer and multimedia artist Dorota Konczewska who is well know to Limerick jazz lovers will bring an exceptional night of music to the weekly Limerick Jazz Society night Upstairs in Dolan’s on Wednesday November 25^th. Based in Limerick for several years, she has a background in visual arts and holds an M.A in Music Technology from the University of Limerick. Konczewska recently finished recording her first jazz album in Perugia, Italy with a band of international musicians. Called The Nina Project, this tribute to the great Nina Simone emerged from a sell out concert Dorota performed in with the Limerick Jazz Society Upstairs in Dolan’s last year. Dorota believes her music combines, spirituality, love, and echoes a sense of urban alienation through a pervading mist of melancholy. In herown words, “my approach and motifs come from the commonplace or from turning recognisable concepts on their heads.” Expect a night of driving and exciting music from this unconventional group when Dorota is joined onstage by Limerick Trio Joe O Callaghan, Peter Hanagan and John Daly with special guest Dublin saxophonist Brendan Doyle.

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The Irish rock band, Mind at Risk welcome Portuguese band Ghosts of Port Royal

( G.O.P.R) to Baker Place on Friday, November 6th. Delivering a high-energy and dynamic performance with the raw musicality of 1970’s heavy, prog, psychedelic and punk rock, Ghost of Port Royal galvanize audiences with a straight to the chest delivery;  the essence of rock and roll imbued with a bluesy feel. Loud, fast, edging toward mayhem, the band’s music is marked by a searing, cinematic and masterful wall of sound that manages to be both rich and unpretentious. Formed in 2007, the Ghosts of Port Royal are composed by vocalist Augusto Lado, guitarist Ricardo Cunha, bassist Guerra e Paz, and drummer João Filipe… Front man Augusto Lado commands crowds with his Dark Motown / Hard Blues / All out Rock’n’roll vocals combined with a wild and energetic performance. Guitarist Ricardo Cunha strums walls of furiously overdriven blues rock riffs while bassist Guerra and drummer João Filipe form an unholy rhythm section that defies reckoning. Add a few fringe memories from an acid trip and you have the genuine rock and roll experience provided by the Ghosts of Port Royal. Mind at Risk start the show at 8pm with G.O.P.R taking to stage after nine and rocking it til Midnight.

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Cork five-piece Cajole & Bully headline Green and Live Sessions 20 at Upstairs in Dolan’s on Thursday November 26th. The alternative post-punk outfit consists of four likely lads and a likelier lady on electric violin. With exciting new material that will lead to a debut L.P by the years end, Cajole & Bully’s passion is playing live and they always offer an energetic-party-vibe. Joined for this Green n’ Live Black Robots. With a strong, raw punk ethic, Black Robots have a simple and honest core. Influenced as much by Autolux as they have been Minor Threat, the Waterford duo sway between raw, noise-based songs and strange spacey melodic tracks. Building a reputation as one of the most exciting new live bands in Ireland their shows are renowned for being a mixture of calm and chaos. Joining Cajole & Bully and Black Robots on the line-up for Green and Live Sessions 20 is talented young upstarts The Vagabonds. Doors open at 8pm and admission is free. Green and Live is broadcast every Friday from 10pm to midnight on Limerick Live 95FM with presenter Alan Jacques.

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Headway, the National Association for Acquired Brain Injury will host it’s annual ball on Saturday November 21^st at the Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa, Ennis Road, Limerick. Look forward to a glittering night of entertainment beginning with a drinks reception, followed by five courses of fine dining from The Radisson Kitchen with live entertainment from Little Creatures, a DJ and post-dinner auction. Headway provides rehabilitative care for people living with brain injury in Limerick and proceeds from this great evening will provide much needed support to this charity. Ticket can be bought in tables of 10 for €1,000 or individually priced €100. Reserve for you and your friends by sending an email to tickets@headway.ie or calling 061 469 305. More information on www.headway.ie

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Special Olympics Ireland is looking for enthusiastic, friendly and flexible people who are willing to give of their time and join our volunteer team for the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games. In total, 3,500 volunteers are needed to run the Games. You don’t have to be a sports person to be part of TEAM2010, there are lots of ways you can play your part. TEAM 2010 volunteers will ensure that our 1,900 athletes, 650 coaches and 4,000 family members receive a warm welcome to Limerick. They will also help us to run a professional and enjoyable service across the 13 sports as well as the other programmes and activities offered to Special Olympics athletes at the Games. For further information on volunteering at the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games Lo-call 1850 555 222;  email limerick2010@specialolympics.ie or visit  www.specialolympics.ie