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roadmap Exhibition Festival David Bowie Festival
“I swapped my first illegal six pack of beer for a mates Hunky Dory album on Halloween night in 1981 and never looked back,” recalled John Brereton, the founder of the Bowie Festival. ”I was consumed by his music and the lyrical imagery and cultural references within his songs made me delve into what made Bowie tick. It was a magical journey; his influence opened so many doors and I just loved how he brought theatre and sexual playfulness into rock n roll.” The Bowie Festival attracts over 8000 fans too its programme of events which includes a performance of Space Oddity with the I Heart Bowie ensemble alongside the Trinity Orchestra. Full programme details on the website. The Dublin Bowie Festival runs from Monday January 7 to Sunday January 13. dublinbowiefestival.ie Canaletto and the Art of Venice ‘Just one Canaletto, give it to me!’ Now that the cheese is dispensed with, we can take Giovanni Antonio Canal seriously. This 18th Century Venetian painter painted hyper realistic imaginary views (referred to as capricci). He paints grand scenes of the canals of Venice and the Doge’s Palace, portraying the city’s pageantry and waning traditions of its time. Both colourful and atmospheric, this exhibition is a loan of a selection of his works from the UK Royal Collection and exhibited among contemporaries of his. National Gallery, until March 24, €10/€15 Concert Choirs Choirs are part of the seasonal trimmings which glade the heart. There’s quite a selection out there, most of whom are performing with a fundraising aspect in mind for the less fortunate at this time of year. Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, St Francis Xavier Church, Thursday December 20, €10/€12 Gloria Dublin’s Lesbian and Gay Choir, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Friday December 21, €15 4