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Something For The Weekend: Martin Beanz Warde's cultural picks

Updated / Wednesday, 5 Jun 2024 07:00

Comedian, writer and podcaster Martin Beanz Warde is one of the guests in Shine, presented by the Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra on 20th June at the National Concert Hall.

This special concert marking the 50th anniversary of Dublin Pride features music from artists including Wallis Bird, Shobsy, Susan McFadden and the Dublin Gay Men's Chorus as well as spoken contributions from Martin, Tonie Walsh, Dr Mary McAuliffe and more - find out more here.

We asked Martin for his choice cultural picks...

FILM

Birdsong. It's a documentary film that follows Sean Ronayne as he attempts to record every birdsong in Ireland, which is somewhere in the region of 200 different bird species. Sean has an almost-savant skill of recognising birds through hearing their song. As an avid walker and tree lover, I am fascinated with the lives of those that live I'm the canopy above the footpaths I trample on. The documentary is directed by Kathleen Harris - lucky viewers can watch it again on the RTE Player. It is a visually beautiful piece of film and Sean keeps us captivated throughout with his sheer dedication to these wonderful winged beauties.

MUSIC

Now, I might be biased here, but I find myself replaying an album that was released in 2021 titled Tilly And The Postmaster by Darragh O'Dea, an artist from my own hometown of Tuam, County Galway. Up the shams! I love a good story in a song, remember those? Remember when songs told a story and didn't just repeat a sentence 10 times throughout a track? Darragh is a consummate storyteller, musician and singer. His song 'Guerrilla Warfare in my back garden' is one of the most catchy chants you'll hear today.

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BOOK

I'm an audio book kind of person. I don't have the attention span to keep my eyes fixated on a page without the mind's eye wandering off-page to focus on nothing as my imagination runs away on me. I've been listening to Dom Jolly's Conspiracy Tourist. In this book, Jolly jets off across the world to investigate the origins of some of rhe worlds biggest conspiracy theories. Narrated by Jolly himself in his usual humorous way, the book is fun, engaging, and quite timely. A new science magazine survey revealed that the percentage of people believing in at least one conspiracy theory has risen from 15% to 35% in the space of 20 years. I'm fascinated in human psychology and what makes large groups of people gravitate towards having some of the wackiest, and sometimes worrying, opinions.

THEATRE

At Princeton, Professor Peter Singer, a philosopher, debates with attorney and disability rights activist Harriet McBryde Johnson on the ethics of euthanizing disabled infants. Their encounter, dramatized in the play Unspeakable Conversations, features actors Liz Carr and Mat Fraser, blending verbatim dialogue with personal insights to explore this provocative issue. It's running from July 14th to 27th at the Mick Lally Theatre in Galway, as part of this year's Galway International Arts Festival.

Mat Fraser and Liz Carr star in Unspeakable Conversations

TV

I can't write anything about TV shows without mentioning the one show that released this year that is sure to win awards. I am of course talking about Shogun which is available on Disney+ in Ireland. In May 1600, Pilot Major John Blackthorne and his surviving crew reach Japan. Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), known to the Japanese as 'Anjin-san', finds himself entangled in a perilous web of politics and intrigue involving competing Japanese warlords, the Regency, the Catholic Church, and the empires of Spain and Portugal. It is visually beautiful and authentically produced, with great attention to detail around historical facts.

GIG

The last gig I enjoyed was the 5-piece band called Amazing Apples when they performed at Monroes Tavern in Galway city. Those guys have a fine set of pipes and are full of charisma and energy on stage. Their next show isn't until August, but they are well worth the wait. Check their music out, you will see, or hear rather, what I mean.

ART

Changing States: Ireland in the 21st Century is a touring exhibition exploring how photography has revealed Ireland's evolving life in the first decades of the twenty-first century, marking 100 years since the state's foundation. Featuring over 40 contemporary artists, it examines socio-political developments, changing demographics, cultural identities, and social reform. The exhibition is organized into three chapters: Political Landscapes, Notions of Home, and Changing Identities, reflecting on how the past shapes the present. It highlights the role of artists in Ireland's social revolution, showcasing the depth and range of recent Irish photography and the nation's transformation. The exhibition tales place at Photo Museum Ireland from June 6th to August 11th.

Radio/Podcast

I'm mad about the Irish History Podcast at the moment. I wasn't the best History student in school, but these podcast series are engaging enough for me to take a keen interest.

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TECH

I recently bought myself a massage gun. My God almighty but the person who invented it needs an award. As someone who walks his dog between 5 and 8 kms a day, and being a bit on the heavier side, my calf muscles do suffer. 15 minutes of vibration on the soles of my feet and the back of my legs leaves me feel like a gazelle let loose for rhe first time. A wonder tool. Get one. You're welcome.

THE NEXT BIG THING...

The next big thing is something I only just discovered. Sensory deprivation flotation tanks. They are basically salt water tanks that allow the person to float and feel genuine weightlessness. The option to switch the light off means you are left depriving the senses of their functions. It sounds scary and claustrophobic at first, but 20 minutes into your float you start to feel the benefits. Muscles loosen, the mind becomes relaxed and you get the best night's sleep.of your life afterwards. There are a few places popping up around the country that offer this service, I cannot believe that this hasn't become widespread yet, but I have a sneaky suspicion it will be a viral sensation once word of mouth gets out.

Shine, presented by the Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, is on 20th June at the National Concert Hall - find out more here.

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