Munster Express Online

Things are begining to fall into shape for the big night in the Forum on Friday Feb 19th when the musicians and performers of Waterford come together to mark the contribution that Jim Daly made to so many arts activities in Waterford. Jim died a year ago and he left a big gap in the local arts scene – as a lighting designer, writer and general all-rounder when it came to whatever was happening on the local front.

He chaired the Board of Red Kettle theatre Company for many years, he lit all sorts of shows from musicals to amateur drama. He toured on the road with many Red kettle shows and pubs throughout the country have a stock of large bottles waiting for that long fella to return. He wrote 7 plays for Waterford Youth Arts and could be seen every year in the Spraoi parade. He also had many other contributions to life in the town, he chaired the Ballybeg residents orgainsation for many years, he was an active member of the labour party and often was seen canvassing at election times. He was a swimming instructor for people with disabilities and for many years worked with a very strong team of volunteers to introduce the magic of swimming to many people. On the social front he was a big fan of local hurling both at club level and especially at County level.

The night that is planned includes lots of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan songs with singers including: Annette Stewart, Anna Jordan, Peter Kelly, Sue Larkin and music from new local band Superjerk featuring Neil White and Kevin Power. Other musical acts include Paul Grant and Kevin Evans, Francie White and Alan Colfer and the night will finish with the excellent Shane Barry and the Distractions who will have us all up dancing. Also throughout the night there will be extracts from writings and plays that meant something from Jim. Readers and actors will include Jim Nolan, Sile Penkert, Des Manahan, Mark Roper, Jenny Ledwell, Frieda Ryan, Edward Denniston and Megan Nolan. We will be spoiled for choice and the poor smokers will miss loads.

Already we hear people are flying in for the big night and there will be plenty of stories and craic – as Jim would have liked. Jim Nolan is directing the night and he really has a challenge in that too many people are asking can they do something on the night. Jim Nolan will also read a selection of some of Jim Daly’s poems and we are including one here to show what talent we lost.

You can get your tickets from all the arts organisations in town or from the following pubs: Tap Room, McLoughlins, Jordans or The Vic in Tramore. Tickets are €10 and the doors open at 8.30pm with a definite kick-off time at 9pm (normal pub hours), Friday 19th Feb.

THE WOMAN’S VIEW

The woman with suckling child

Wonders –

What moves him with purpose

To his garden shed

At 3 a.m.?

Sometimes alone in the howling wind

He dreams he is a traveller,

Snug in a tent in a dark forest

With one candle for light.

Sometimes alone in the howling wind

He thinks he will hear

The faint song

Of his life.

JIM DALY