Latest news with #KissMyGrass
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford band tunes up for Electric Picnic debut following major support gig to Whistlin' Donkeys during Fleadh
The five Kiss My Grass musicians (Pat Murphy, Seán, Gary, Seamus and Murt Flood) from Cloughbawn played to their biggest audience to date on Saturday, August 9 as they hyped the crowd with their bluegrass adaptations of popular tunes such as Rhianna's Umbrella, AC/DC's Thunderstruck, and The Zutons' Valerie but to name a few, preceding the Tyrone musicians. The energy and humour from the band was electric, and despite it being their largest audience to date, the nerves didn't creep in, and if they did – they certainly didn't show it.
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
New Ross Guitar Festival hits a high note across Wexford
With a balanced programme embracing not just classical guitar but also rock, blues, country, and Americana, it was a vibrant celebration of music, community, and connection. The festivities began on Thursday night with US bluesman Eric Bibb playing to a full house at St. Michael's Theatre. His heartfelt, soul-stirring blues – accompanied by Gunnar Lindstrom on guitar, Greger Andersson on harmonica, and Ulrika Bibb's stunning vocals – set a high bar and a deeply emotional tone for the days ahead. Friday evening offered something completely different in the form of a transcendent classical performance in the serene surrounds of St. Mary's Church. The ever-gracious Irish guitarist, Pat Coldrick, stepped in for Vera Danilina, who was unfortunately unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. Pat's performance held the room in rapt attention, a gentle masterclass in musical storytelling. That theme of mastery continued into Saturday morning, when classical virtuoso John Feeley led an inspiring and intimate masterclass, guiding young musicians through the works of Bach and Brouwer with quiet authority and encouragement. But the magic wasn't confined to the concert halls and this year's festival saw New Ross come alive in various outdoor settings. Saturday afternoon saw local Wexford band, Kiss My Grass, fill Brennan's Lane with joyful country, bluegrass, and Americana. Their toe-tapping tunes and playful spirit had locals and visitors alike dancing, laughing, and soaking up the sunshine between sets. By Saturday night, the town was buzzing and the energy centred the sold-out show from Hothouse Flowers. Liam Ó Maonlaí's magnetic presence and lyrical piano playing wove beautifully through a rich tapestry of Irish trad, rock, and soul. Joined by Fiachna Ó Braonáin on guitar, Peter O'Toole on bouzouki and bass, Dave Clarke on drums, and Martin Brunsden on double bass, the band delivered a performance that left the crowd spellbound, as an audience member described the experience as "an emotional and unforgettable evening". "Fiachna and the lads are just an incredibly gifted group of musicians... an absolute privilege,' they added. Fiachna, in turn, reflected on his deep connection to the instrument that started it all, describing his love of the guitar as something that 'set my world on fire". On Sunday, the weekend's formal events came to a graceful close with a solo concert by John Feeley. Performing original compositions and beloved classical works, he offered a tender, nuanced set that left listeners moved and uplifted. But the festival had one more surprise in store and for the first time ever, the New Ross Guitar Festival partnered with Duncannon Village to host Busking on the Beach where the event comprised of local and international musicians performing right on the sand. With the sea as their backdrop, and the weather kindly cooperating, Duncannon came alive with song, spirit, and seaside celebration. As the weekend wrapped up, it became clear that this was no ordinary festival. It was a heartfelt celebration of what music makes possible, not just world-class artistry, but also grassroots joy, spontaneous moments, and deep connection. Artistic director of the festival, David Creevy, said: 'The artists gave memorable performances, with a wide range of talent from international stars to local musicians busking for the first time. We look forward to doing it all again next year.' Niall Ó Muílleoir of the Duncannon Village Renewal Group echoed that sentiment: 'This was a perfect partnership because of the quality of the musicians. The event raised the spirit of the community - locals and visitors alike. It was a great success, and we even managed to duck the rain!' It's been confirmed that preparations are already under way to include more magic, music, and meaningful connection when the festival returns next summer.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rosario Dawson Boarded ‘Kiss My Grass' Doc To Spotlight Black Women 'Risking All' In Cannabis — Tribeca
Growing up in a multiracial family in New York City, Rosario Dawson had a unique first-hand perspective on how cannabis is used as a tool for racism. As an executive producer and the narrator of Kiss My Grass, a documentary short that premiered last week at Tribeca Film Festival, exploring the underlying roots of racial injustice and inequity in the cannabis space, the actress opened up to Deadline about how seeing the war on drugs 'devastate entire communities' made her want to participate in the project. More from Deadline Tribeca Festival 2025 Unveils Expanded Shorts Program With Dedicated Screening Room Rosario Dawson Will Have 'Unmerciful Good Fortune' 'Rosemead' Review: Lucy Liu Scores As A Suburban Mom Forced To Confront The Unthinkable - Tribeca Festival 'I grew up around a lot of potheads, including my parents. It was always a thing,' she explained. 'My dad's a white guy and he could grow his weed out on the fire escape. My mom was like, 'OK, that's crazy, you can't do that with the kids.'' Dawson continued, 'But he just grew up in Texas, and kind of just did whatever he wanted, and he always behaved that way. And I understood, and so did my mom, and so did the rest of us in the community, that that was a luxury and a privilege that he had, and that he didn't have any other personal experiences, except for through his friends and his family and people, that this war on drugs had done to devastate entire communities.' Noting that her father was part Indigenous, Dawson explained 'he felt like it was his right, it was something natural.' 'It was incredible being on that journey with him, from watching him when I was a kid,' she added. 'And just feeling like he was privileged to be in California when he got cancer, being able to talk to his doctor and get off of six different medications they wanted to put him on, that he could just use weed for his nausea, for his pain, for his sleeping, and have that conversation directly with his doctor and to see that transformation.' It was an equally personal experience for Mary Pryor, who co-directed the doc alongside Mara Whitehead, in addition to serving as a subject as the co-founder of Cannaclusive, founder of Sheba, Baby! and CMO of Tricolla Farms. 'We're just getting into the weeds of what it is to be marginalized triple time in this space, with chronic health items, and with being Black, and being a woman, and coming from the descendants of the drug war,' explained Pryor. 'Because my dad happened to be affected by the war on drugs, I just felt and saw inequity in a lot of different ways.' Pryor wanted to uncover a 'deeper uncomfortable truth' about the government's mentality around cannabis and the struggles of those who are trying to 'righting the wrongs of the war on drugs.' 'This issue is affecting everyone, and so the decision collectively as directors on this, with Mara, to have not just Black women say what's going on, but have white people and Latina folks and different walks of life confirm that this is not just an isolated incident, is real,' added Pryor. Whitehead, who has a background in impact-driven storytelling, admitted she 'didn't understand the nuances' of racial inequity in cannabis as a white woman who grew up in Colorado, but she 'was shook to my core' after meeting the women involved. 'Because I think so much of this is happening in the dark,' explained Whitehead. 'And when Mary invited me into this space, I think the filmmaking process really was an act of uncovering and unfurling for me in terms of what this story actually entails.' Meeting with other Black women in cannabis, Pryor felt a sense of 'trauma bonding' in hearing their stories. 'Everyone is already dealing with the inequities of existence. And we have to grow together in order to push and lean in on the truth for the sake of getting to the other side, which is all about doing better and treating people with humanity,' she said. Dawson praised 'the bravery and the courage' of the women who shared their experiences in the documentary as well as Pryor for continuing to educate people and 'directing this project long since before the project was fully formed or ideated.' 'It was risky, and the fact that these women were putting everything on the line and risking all of that was just so powerful to me, because ultimately, it isn't just about their individual stories,' added Dawson. 'So many of them, it's about like what Mary's been doing, lifting all those boats with that tide, and I just really, really appreciated that.' Kiss My Grass producers include Ashaki 'Saki' Fenderson, Luke Anderson and Justin Benoliel, with executive producers Dawson, Colin Kaepernick, Nancy Whiteman and Hilary Yu. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
